2017 Year in Review

Happy New Year guys!

I've taken a break from blogging over the festive period and have just gotten access to a laptop since mine is getting repaired!

2017 saw some big changes in my life and my blog and I'm doing a roundup of my favourite makeup products and movies, etc.. from the past year!

Favourite Foundation

My sister was the one who told me to try this foundation because she loved it and wow was it fab! The formula is lightweight but the coverage is completely buildable and perfect for day and night looks. 

I even use a darker shade for when I'm wearing tan!

L'Oreal Infallible 24Hr Matte retails for €11.99 is Boots and is currently on offer, 3 for 2!

Favourite Concealer

Okay so my sister may have discovered this one too... While she was in the US she went a little crazy in Sephora and came home with Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer and I love this product!

Sometimes all I wear is the concealer to cover up my dark undereye circles and blemishes, some powder and I'm set for the day! The coverage in this is unreal and I cannot wait to get my hands on another tube!

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer is available from their site for €26.

Favourite Mascara

Too Faced is definitely an up-and-coming brand in Ireland, especially since their launch in Debenhams during the summer. I have been using Better Than Sex for a few years now and it is definitely my favourite mascara of the year.

While I have yet to try the waterproof version, the original formula doesn't clump and gives fab volume to short lashes like my own.

Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara is available from Debenhams for €23.

Favourite Eyelashes

For €12.95, these lashes are definitely an investment but are reusable and part of the luxury lash range! Think timeless elegance combined with unforgettable drama, these lashes are perfect for a sassy day look or a classic night look.

I love using Irish brands and supporting a fellow blogger is always a good thing!

SOSU's Taylor lashes are available from the site for €12.95.

Favourite Primer

My skin has gone from sensitive and dry to sensitive and combination in the past year but this prep (and prime) spray has kept my oily skin at bay during the day when I have makeup on! It's also great for helping my makeup stay put throughout long shifts!

With the store open on Grafton Street now, there's no excuse not to go in and treat yourself!

Urban Decay's B6 Prep Priming Spray retails for €30.

Favourite Highlighter

I love this palette so much. I got it last Christmas and it has seen a lot of wear since! The colours are so diverse and I always get compliments on my highlight when I wear any of the shades!

My favourite has to be lucky clover because it is so good at catching the light and not everyone wears a green highlight so it definitely makes me memorable!

The ABH Moonchild palette is available from the site for €46.

Favourite Eyeshadow Palette

Another purchase from the States, this palette is full of mattes, metallics and warm tones. I found myself reaching for this palette pretty much before every shift because the shadows are so pigmented and effortlessly blend to create a perfect look suitable for work!

The Narissist Loaded Eyeshadow palette is available from the Nars website for €55.

Favourite Album

I mean how could Reputation not be my favourite album of the year? The songs are amazing and the development from 1989 to Reputation is just unrivaled by another other album progression I've ever heard. 

Don't Blame Me has to be my favourite track of the album as well. Roll on June when I finally get to see Taylor again!

Favourite Movie

Beauty and the Beast was one of the most anticipated movies of 2017 and it did not disappoint me at all. From the costumes to the actors this movie had me entranced from beginning to end.

I have watched the movie so many times since I first saw it and I love it more and more each time!

Favourite TV Series

I jumped on the Riverdale bandwagon a little late so I got to binge seven episode at once but it did not disappoint at all! From a gripping plot to loveable characters, this is a most for anyone who wants to start a new series in 2018!

I mean how cute is Archie, I know KJ isn't actually ginger but he is just so cute!

You can catch Riverdale on Netflix!

Favourite Book

Focusing on the events of the Battle of Berlin in 1945, this book was gripping from beginning to end. If you're into history you'll love this book!

Favourite Trip

My trip to Milan in August came at just the right time for me! I spent a week discovering the city, its sites and everything else the surrounding area had to offer.

Milan is such a beautiful city and I cannot wait to go back to Italy and visit Rome this year! I'm hoping to go somewhere every month this year, home or abroad, so if you have any idea let me know in the comments!

What topped 2017 for you?

Was it a good year overall?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

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Mont Bleu Glassware Review

Hey guys!

So a few weeks ago the fabulous team over at Mont Bleu sent me some products to review. Mont Bleu sell gorgeous glass manicure (hand and feet) products including nail files made in Prague.

The first product they sent me was a set of 3 of their Crystal nail files which I absolutely love. I chose the shade light rose because of the pink in it and I have been loving the set! I keep the baby one in my handbag just in case I need one when I'm out and it has come in so handy! 

I keep the other two in my room and use them whenever I am painting my nails or reshaping them. The quality of these are absolutely fantastic and I would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants to have a good, long-lasting nail file instead of having to repurchase cheaper ones.

The next product the team were kind enough to send me was a zodiac nail file. I got the Scorpio one as my birthday is November 19th so I'm a Scorpio. I love this file so much because it feels personalised and the detailing on it is fantastic. The file itself is the same as the crystal nail files and is of a very high quality.

The zodiac line is perfect for Christmas is you want to give someone a gift that is specific to them (just be sure to get the right star sign!).

The final product Mont Bleu sent me was a foot file. I chose one with a pink tip because I'm me and if pink is an option, there is no other choice! Foot care is a necessity for everyone even if it is rarely spoken about.  I use the file after my showers once or twice a week and I love how soft the sole of my feet are now!

The foot file is also glass and is of the same high quality as the nail files. I would definitely recommend investing in one of the Mont Bleu one's for people who are on the lookout for a new one!

Mont Bleu were kind enough to give me a discount code for my followers.

Enter the code BLOG at the checkout of their e-shop and you'll be on your way with 20% off your purchase.

Their fabulous products are also available on Amazon!

Thank you so much to the team at Mont Bleu for sending me some products to review!

Have you ever used their products before?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

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Empties

I've seen countless Youtubers and bloggers alike do 'Empties - Products I've Used Up' posts and I have finally gathered enough to be able to make a post out of it!

Most of the products I would repurchase but some just didn't impress me!

Simple Micellar Wipes

I got these wipes at the OPSH x Chloe Boucher event a few months back and I can't say I'd ever buy these myself. As far as wipes go, they're fine. They do their job in removing makeup but not without a struggle. I prefer some good old micellar water and won't find myself reaching for these in a shop anytime soon!

I haven't seen these wipes on the shelves anywhere but they retail for about €5.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

 

I don't think I will ever stray from this powder. I love it so much! I use it in Shade 001 Translucent so it does not add any colour to my base. I have always used this as my powder and don't think I'll ever change (Unless you guys have a powder you think is better!) It lasts the day and doesn't dry out my skin which is great because I have sensitive, dry skin!

Rimmel Stay Matte is €5.99 in Boots.

EOS Lip Balm

While I love Carmex and will always have some in a bag, EOS has slowly become one of my favourites too! I have quite a few of these because I asked my uncle to bring some home from America but they're finally available in Ireland. Are they worth the price, I don't think so but if you know people going to America, definitely ask them to pick up a few!

EOS lip balms are available from Urban Outfitters for €9.

 Taylor Swift Wonderstruck

This perfume is my signature scent. I have at least two bottles on the go at all times. This one was my travel one and I finished it while I was away in Magaluf! I love all of Taylor's perfumes (not just because I love her) and Wonderstruck has to be my favourite. Full of floral scents with an undertone of sandalwood, this perfume comes everywhere with me!

Wonderstruck is available from Boots for €14.99 (30ml)

Wet n' Wild Brow Kit

This brow kit is unreal. I have others I have been using since I finished this one (the darker shade is too dark for me) and I really miss the Wet n' Wild one! It is wallet friendly and the quality of the powder rivals some high end brands! I will definitely be repurchasing this brow kit after I finish my current one.

Wet n' Wild's Brow Kit is available from Dunnes Stores and Penneys for €3.99.

L'Oreal Infallible Fixing Mist

Having seen rave reviews about this fixing spray from American bloggers, I couldn't wait to try it out as soon as it hit Irish shelves! The spray does help my makeup last throughout the day/night and it doesn't smudge my mascara or eyeliner! I will definitely be repurchasing this spray because it is one of the better ones I have come across!

The Infallible Fixing Mist is available from Boots for €10.49 and is currently in a 3 for 2 offer!

Charles Worthington Sunshine Protector

I picked this spray up in Boots before I went on holiday because it was in the 3 for 2 travel size offer and I didn't see anything else I fancied. I didn't really have any expectations for the spray but I adore the smell - it smells like a salon! My hair did get lighter when I was away and I used the spray daily. I didn't notice it getting any drier in the sun so I guess it worked. I honestly cannot say it did or didn't but I do not think I will be repurchasing this product.

The Sunshine Protector is available from Boots for €2.49 and is currently in a 3 for 2 offer!

 Garnier Moisture Match Goodbye Dry

You guys know this moisturiser is one of my holy grail products. It does wonders for my dry skin and I cannot go a day without using it! It takes some time to get through a tube and I never go anywhere without one. I have a stash of this in my drawer and will hopefully never run out!

Goodbye Dry is available from Boots for €4.14 (currently half price).

Victoria Secret - Secret Charm

I bought five of the Victoria Secret Fantasy sprays in London last August and this is the first one I have managed to get through. It has a lovely floral scent but I wouldn't repurchase purely based on the fact that I like to try new body sprays and I have another four to get through!

Victoria Secret body mists have a selected range available from The Perfume Shop.

 Nivea Men Cooling Post Shave Balm
 

After seeing countless videos and reviews of Nivea's Post Shave Balm and how good of a primer it was, I had to try it for myself. I have used primers from Inglot, MAC, Smashbox and more. Based on scent alone, this one has to be a favourite and I will definitely be repurchasing this as it did work as a primer. My makeup lasted throughout the day and I found myself using less fixing spray.

Nivea's Post Shave Balm is available from Tesco for €7.15

There you have it!
All of my empties and if I would repurchase them.
Do you have any products you think I should try?
Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

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Colourpop Ultra Matte Lips

Hey guys!

With exams coming up, it's hard to find time to blog as well as keep on top of everything else! 

Exams will be over June 20th so between now and then, I don't know how often I will be posting at all!

Anyway, as you guys know, I am obsessed with Coloupop! They're an American company based online and unfortunately they don't ship to Ireland at the moment. I had to get these delivered to family in America so I could get my hands on them!

(L-R: Last Dance, Glitter, Be Merry, Bianca, Times Square - on top.)

I ordered these back in November and Colourpop has changed their stock since. Bianca is the only liquid lipstick still available on the site.

Last Dance is a really deep red that I can't see myself wearing but I'm sure my sister will love it!

Glitter makes me so happy it's right up my street! I love purples and can definitely see me wearing this throughout the summer.

Be Merry is a coral shade that is just perfect for the summer season! Unfortunately Colourpop don't stock it anymore but they have a fabulous selection of oranges and corals!

Bianca (still available on the site) is a gorgeous mauve shade that looks grey in some light. It is just stunning and the perfect lipstick to go with you on any night out!

Times Square has to be my favourite out of all the ones I got! This dries into a stunning dark nude and it will go with any eye look!

Colourpop is quickly becoming one of my favourite makeup brands because they are just fantastic! The Ultra Matte Lips literally do not move off your lips which is amazing and the eyeshadows make me so happy.

Ultra Matte Lips retail for $6 on the site and are well worth it!

Have you ever tried these before?

What did you think?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

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Dome8 Headphone Case Review

We all have that dreaded moment when you take your earphones out of your pocket or handbag and discover that they've become tangled. This is where this ingenious phone case comes in.

Dome 8 came up with a case that you can keep your headphones in and they come out tangle free! I change between phone cases quite often and over the Christmas period, I was seriously in love with this case. 

My only issue with the case was it was quite chunky, it won't fit comfortably in your pocket but if you have a handbag with you, it's fine. For guys, to be honest I think you're pockets are so big that it wouldn't make a difference to you!

Dome8 currently sell these fab cases in a variety of colours for the iPhone 5/5s and the iPhone 6/6s, they retail for £19.95.

Thanks to Christopher over at Dome8 for sending me this product to review and if you're interested in the iPhone Case That Holds Headphones click the link!

Have you ever had a case like this?

What did you think of it?

Let me know in the comments below!

(Sorry for the late post, I've been swamped with work and Ciara is just back to school!)

Alison x.

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MAC x Giambattista Valli Review

MAC launched their new collection with Giambattista Valli two weeks ago in Ireland. The collection consisted of five lipsticks and a crystal glaze gloss.

I was working the day the collection was released and I knew it would sell out quickly so I sent my sister into town to pick it up for me! The MAC counter in Brown Thomas on Grafton Street was the only store carrying it in the country, there was also a limited supply available on their website.

I got Tats, a vibrant hot pink shade. I'm not one for corals, the reviews I read about the light pink shade were not great, the only red lipstick I will ever wear is Ruby Woo and I own way too many berry colours so I went for Tats.

The lipstick cost €21.50.

I am so in love with the packaging because it's the same colour as the lipstick, a first for MAC. 

Tats is such a pretty colour and it's perfect for the spring and summer months! The lipstick itself is a matte lipstick but it is not drying on my lips at all! As with any matte lipstick, you should moisturize beforehand.

I swatched the lipstick on my arm so you could see the colour. It is a completely buildable colour although I found one swatch was perfect for the look I was going for. 

I love MAC and this collection was no different.

Did you buy anything from this collection?

Do you have any suggestions as to what I should try next?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

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Gerard Cosmetics Review

I ordered five Gerard Cosmetics lipsticks about three weeks ago and they arrived a few days ago! After all the hype from beauty bloggers and youtubers alike, I caved and bought some when I saw a 50% off code online!

I paid €42 for the five, €8.40 each. The lipsticks are usually €16.66 each, close enough to what a MAC lipstick costs. 

After I ordered the lipsticks, I noticed that they had slightly overcharged me and it took four different employees to finally figure out that the mistake was on their end and they refunded me the money. They were fairly prompt with sorting out the issue but I do not find calling something 'Love' or 'Beautiful' is professional at all.

My first impression of the lipsticks was pretty good, I liked the packaging because it is just like the  MAC packaging but on closer inspection, it is made from really cheap plastic, something you wouldn't expect from the price! The lipsticks also smell like crayons, there is no scent to them. For €16.66, that's really bad. Even drugstore lipsticks have a scent to them so it's obvious Gerard Cosmetics are trying to cut corners!

The five shades I got are 1995, Nude, Lilac Moon, Rodeo Drive and Underground.

1995 is a matte, nude brown lipstick. The formula for this lipstick is pretty good, I didn't find it too drying but the longevity of this lipstick is a different story. I haven't worn it out yet but I did put it on purely to see how long it would last. The lipstick lasted about two hours before I had to reapply it and I only had a drink during that period, I didn't do anything that would make the lipstick wear off.

I bought Nude for my sister so there isn't much I can say about this shade. I did swatch it and it's a really nice creamy matte lipstick!

Lilac Moon is the perfect pastel colour with a creamy finish. Again, I put this lipstick on to see how long it would last and I was so sad to discover it lasted less than an hour! I love pastel colours though so I will definitely be wearing this during the summer!

Rodeo Drive is a medium shade with mauve undertones. This lipstick also has a creamy matte finish and it does not dry out your lips! If you're unsure of which Gerard Cosmetics lipstick to buy, Rodeo Drive suits most skin tones so you cannot go wrong with this shade!

Underground is another lipstick I bought for my sister. The only thing I can say about this lipstick is it is a very close dupe to Limecrime's Cashmere! I cannot wait for you guys to see the look my sister creates with this lipstick for the 1989 World Tour on June 29th!

Do you own any Gerard Cosmetics products?

Did you have a similar mishap to mine?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

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