Summer in a City Makeup

Hey guys!

If you've been following my Portuguese adventure over the summer, you'll know I spent a few days in Lisbon at the end of July. I've been working in Quinta do Lago in the Algarve but didn't want to come to Portugal without visiting the city. 

I spent two days in Lisbon and it was hot! We're talking 35+ degrees....

I didn't even try to wear makeup during the day because I knew it would make my skin feel horrible. However, on my last night I did some makeup. It wasn't a lot at all but it was perfect for a warm city during the summer.

I got so many compliments about it that I've decided to show you guys what I used for the look!

Base and Finish

As I went out after sunset, I didn't bother with an SPF but if you are considering doing this during the day, you must wear some!

For my primer I used Sleek's Mattifying Primer. I hadn't used this primer before coming over here but had it in my mkaeup drawer and thought it would come in handy with the heat in Portugal! It has a velvety finish and really helped keep my shine at bay.

Sleeks's Mattifying Primer is available in Boots for €10.49 and is currently in their buy one get one half price offer.

I also used my holy grail concealer, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Cool Medium 2 along with MAC's ProLongwear Concealer in NC25, I usually wear NC15 but I have a tan so this is perfect for my skin.

The Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer is currently available in Boots for €4.99 and MAC's ProLongwear Concealer is available in Arnotts Beauty Hall for €23.50.

The only powder I have ever used is Rimmel's Stay Matte powder because I have never found a powder that works as well for me.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder is currently in Boots 2 for €13 offer so if you like their foundation, it's definitely worth getting! Otherwise, it retails for €5.99.

I also used the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray to set everything in place when I was finished my makeup. I have tried and tested so many different setting sprays and All Nighter always does the job, even in hot and humid countries. 

I was kindly gifted this setting spray by Urban Decay and will always repurchase as it is my holy grail setting spray!

Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray is available in Debenhams and is currently on offer for €27.90.  

Brows and Lashes

As I wasn't going to use much makeup at all, I decided lashes were the perfect thing to finish the look off. I used the SOSU Gigi Lashes which are available from the SOSU website for €5.95.

I also used the Klenacolor clear eyelash glue which I bought on ShopMissA last year. For $1 it was fasntastic and I would 100% repurchase.

For my brows, I used the Wet n' Wild  Ultimate Brow Kit in Ash Brown and a clear brow gel that the label has rubbed off so I have no idea where I bought it from! I only use powder in my brows and then set it with the gel because my brows are fairly full as it is.

The Wet n' Wild  Ultimate Brow Kit is available in selected Dunnes Stores for €4.79.

Highlight 

I love a good glow and only used a little on the high-points of my face and a little on my cupid's bow. I knew I would tan while over here so I packed my Urban Decay After Glow Palette due to the gold hue in the highlighters.

I used the shade Side Piece from the set and originally bought it in Debenhams but I think it has been discontinued since.

Lip liner and Lipstick

I was very good and only brought one lip liner with me, NYX Professional Makeup's Wonder Pencil in light as it doubles as an eyeliner for my waterline. I use it with almost every lipstick as it lines your lips but matches my skin tone so you can barely notice it!

I was kindly gifted NYX Professional Makeup's Wonder Pencil a few months ago and have since repurchased it as I love it so much!

NYX Professional Makeup's Wonder Pencil is available in Arnotts for €6.

I also used Kat Von D's Studded Kiss Crème in Lovecraft. I love this shade because it's is the perfect mauve nude for the transition from summer to autumn and it looks good with almost everything I wear. I got this in the Give Me Some Lip set from Sephora (check out my last post to hear all about it) but it is available in Debenhams for €21.

Do you guys have any of the same summer must-haves as me?

Do you have any other product suggestions for hot weather?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

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January Favourites!

Hey guys!

I can't believe it's already the end of January! The month flew by for me!

As I wasn't in college until the end of the month, I had so much time to try out new makeup and I found some new favourites along the way!

HudaBeauty Mauve Obsessions

I got this palette off CultBeauty for my birthday and I love it! The shadows range from matte to metallic and are perfect for deepening any eye look or creating an entire look from this palette!

Although the pans are small, I have so many palettes that I will never get to the end of  (this one included) and for €25, the quality is worth the size of the pans!

I found myself reaching for this palette throughout the month and was so excited when I saw the entire obsessions range in Brown Thomas the other day!

Mauve Obsessions along with the rest of the range are available from Brown Thomas for €28.

Real Techniques Angled Tweezer

I cannot tell you whether it's because this is a brand new pair of tweezers or because I haven't used one in so long but I am obsessed with this one from Real Techniques! 

Unfortunately I got this as part of a set ages ago but I only started using it recently. It is so dreamy to work with so easy to get at eyebrow hairs at awkward angles!

Payot Pate Grise L'Originale

I got this little jar sent to me a few months ago and have been using it ever since. You may have seen my instagram post on it as well!

The cream (it has a cream consistency anyway) is best dabbed on spots overnight and left to soak into the skin. I found it really helped aggravated spots overnight and they were not as noticeable the next day.

After the Christmas indulgence, this definitely helped my skin recover over the last few weeks! The only downside to this product is that it stains pillowcases so definitely put a towel over your pillowcase at night!

Payot Pate Grise L'Originale is available in pharmacies nationwide with an RRP of €23.

LOV EVENelixir Serum Foundation

This foundation is so nice! What's even better is that there's a dropper in the bottle so you minimise product wastage (yes I usually have loads of foundation left on my hand). The foundation is medium coverage so I used a concealer along with it but the lasting power was fabulous.

I tend to chop and change between foundations but with continued use, this foundation claims to even out your skin tone and improve skin elasticity!

LOV's EVENelixir serum foundation is available in selected pharmacies nationwide and retails for around €15!

Kelkin Tea Tree Roller

This tea tree skin treatment has done wonders for my skin over the past few weeks. I used this during the day, in conjunction with the payot product because this could be worn under makeup and absorbs straight into the skin.

I honestly don't know what I did before I discovered this gem, it works within hours and is travel friendly as well!

Kelkin's Tea Tree Roller is available is pharmacies nationwide for €4.60.

NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream - Cairo

If you guys follow my instagram, you'll know that I'm a fan of this line already. However, I don't usually delve into the paler side of nudes but when I got this in the post I was intrigued enough to try it!

While I wouldn't wear this with a single drop of tan on me, it is a nice shade for a neutral, daytime look! I stand by what I've said in previous posts though, the soft matte lip creams are in no way matte! They may look matte but you need to blot your lips a few times to make sure nothing transfers!

Soft Matte Lip Creams are available in selected pharmacies nationwide and Arnotts, with an RRP of €8.

Urban Decay B6 Prep & Prime Spray

This spray was my saviour this month! I always sprayed it on my face before makeup, or even just on my face after skincare, if I wasn't wearing any makeup. It helped keep my oily patches at bay during the day and my makeup stay on for longer, if I was wearing any at all!

Pairing this with the All Nighter Setting Spray is a match made in heaven!

Urban Decay's B6 Spray is available in Debenhams and their Grafton Street store for €31.

What were your favourite products in January?

Do you have any recommendations for me?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

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Christmas Giveaway 2017

Hey guys!

It's that time of year again. This is my third year doing a Christmas giveaway and I love doing them so much!

This year, MarketMatchPR kindly sent me all of the NYX Professional Cosmetics products featured in the giveaway and I am so grateful for the generous package they sent me a few weeks ago.

I am so excited to say this year's giveaway is worth over €150 and will go to one lucky winner.

The giveaway is open to Republic of Ireland residents only and unfortunately, family members cannot enter and any entries will be void.

The giveaway is live now and will close at midnight December 15th so I can send it out before Christmas!

Good luck to everyone and keep an eye out for some more sneaky products being added in over the coming days!

The winner will be announced on the widget here and on my facebook page on the 17th!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

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2017 Gift Guide - Gifts Under €30

Hey guys!

Last year my gift guides went down really well so this year I decided to do a few! Hopefully at least one will be suited to your budget.

Too Faced - Under the Kissletoe

I love this giftset! I got it for myself a few weeks ago and it is fab. There are four mini (but generous) lip products inside, a Melted Matte in Drop Dead Red, a Melted Latex in Hopeless Romantic, a Melted Lipstick in Chihuahua and a Melted Matte in Chocolate Honey.

The set has a lipstick that will suit everyone and for the price, you really can't beat it!

Under the Kissletoe is available in Debenhams for €26, and it's on offer for €22.10 (online only) until tomorrow.

Bobbi Brown Mini Mask Trio Kit

I love a good mask and this trio kit is perfect for anyone who wants to try the brand before committing to a full-sized product. This trio is perfect for Secret Santa or as a small part of a larger gift.

With a mask for radiance boost, deep cleansing or extra moisturisation,  there's something for everything and is perfect for people who love to multi-mask!

The Mini Mask Trio is available in Brown Thomas for €15.

Missguided Quad Goals Matte Lip Set

Who doesn't love a good matte lip? This set from Missguided  has a pale nude, dark nude, dusty pink and deep plum shade.

Perfect for any makeup lover or anyone starting out with makeup, there's a good variety of shades and for four full-size products, it is very budget friendly!

Quad Goals is available from Missguided for €14.

NYX Professional Makeup Dublin Kit

Another product I have tried myself, this little kit from NYX Professional Makeup has a bit of everything in it. I love the soft matte lip creams and Dublin is the perfect nude for me. I tend to blot my lips after applying the lip cream and it lasts much longer!

The kit also comes with four eyeshadows (the green is totally usable!), a blusher and a highlight.

It's also inspired by Dublin so what's not to love?

The NYX Professional Makeup Dublin Kit is available from Arnotts for €19.50.

Yankee Candle Clean Cotton Large Jar

If you're unsure of what to buy someone or if  they're a candle lover like me, anything from Yankee Candle is perfect!

I am a huge fan of the clean cotton scent but the range is so diverse you'll literally find a candle for anyone!

Clean Cotton is currently on offer in Boots for €20.

Uriage Bariederm Cica-Levres

Okay so don't roll your eyes yet! I know this seems like a bad gift but you have no idea how good it is! My lips were so bad last week and totally needed some tlc over a few days but after a quick scrub and applying this overnight, my lips were soft and chap-free the next day!

I have been bringing the little tube with me everywhere since then and my lips are so soft and are not reacting to the freezing weather at all! What seems like an odd present could really saves someone's day!

This lip balm is available in pharmacies nationwide with an RRP of €10.

MAC Snowball Pigment and Glitter Kit in Pink

MAC's Christmas collection this year is fab!  The pigment kit in pink comes with a two pigments (Copper Sparkle and Whisper Pink) and one glitter (Pink).

Copper Sparkle is a high-shine copper, Whisper Pink is a mauvey pink with pearl and Pink is a bright pink glitter. The pigments are not full-size but I don't think I'll ever get through a full-size pigment so this kit is perfect to try a variety of shades.

The kit comes in an adorable sequined bag as well which can be reused as a pencil case if you don't want to use it for makeup!

MAC's Snowball Pigment and Glitter Kit is available from Brown Thomas for €30.

Lancome Mr Big Mascara Set

I always reach for my Monsieur Big mascara when I want my lashes to look like I have a natural set on, without the stress of actually applying lashes! This mascara is perfect for anyone who loves big, voluminous lashes that look natural and the formula doesn't clump at all.

This set comes with a mini kohl pencil and a mini matte shaker that lasts on your lips for hours on end!

The Mr Big Mascara Set is available from Boots for €27.

Black Tied Custom Cuff Bracelet

A completely customisable  gift, Black Tied bracelets are a lovely, thoughtful present that you could give to the ones you love this Christmas. Available in a thick or thin cuff, these bracelets can have  letters, numbers and a variety of symbols and in silver, copper or gold.

I bought one a few years ago and had a quote stamped onto mine and it is still going strong!

The bracelets are available from www.blacktied.co.uk and range from €12-€14.

Topshop Christmas Star Ditsy Necklace

I love Topshop jewellery and this necklace is understated but absolutely gorgeous. For people in your life who like to wear jewellery but don't like it to take over an outfit, necklaces like this are perfect!

It even comes on a little pack where you can tick who it's for which I think is super cute!

This necklace is available from Topshop for €12.

Keep an eye out for my mid-range gift guide coming next week!

Don't forget I have a Christmas giveaway coming up in early December!

Check back here and on my Instagram over the next week to see what's up for grabs!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

Bloglovin: www.bloglovin.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleofpink
Snapchat: Ciarakxo