New York Haul

Hey guys!

As promised, here's my haul for NYC. It took me a while to get this up because after New York, I was sick for a good ten days. Then I went to France and I've been working ridiculous hours since I've been home!

I know this haul doesn't look like much but to be honest, I was surprised with the restraint I had while I was in NYC! I knew I didn't need to buy any makeup as I have SO MUCH to get through so I only picked up a few bits I have wanted for ages!

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

A cult favourite in America, this cream isn't too widely available in Ireland and after seeing so many people gush about the Bum Bum Cream online, I knew I had to pick it up this time!

I went for the largest tub because I felt like treating myself and I cannot wait to use it. Sol de Janeiro claims that this all over body cream smoothens your skin while leaving it soft and hydrated. My skin can get so dry in the summer months, even though I moisturise and drink lots of water!

I haven't opened the tub yet but I will be sure to let everyone know how I get on with the Bum Bum Cream!

I picked mine up in Sephora for $45.

Urban Decay Born to Run Palette

I know I said I didn't need anymore palettes a while back but I've had UD's Born to Run on my list for a few months now! I love the neutrals in this palette and the shades on the more adventurous side (the jewel shades) really do compliment any neutral look with a gorgeous pop of colour.

Urban Decay's quality never disappoints and these really do last all day! I couldn't say no to purchasing the palette when it was only $29 over Memorial Day Weekend in Sephora!

While it's not on sale anymore, you can pick up the Born to Run palette in Sephora for $49.

Hawaiian Pink Hibiscus PocketBac Hand Sanitiser 

I picked up a small hand sanitiser in Bath & Body Works when I got some candles as well because, lets face it, the NYC Subway is not clean! You need to sanitise your hands after each ride and it is 100% necessary to do so before eating as well!

I chose this one because it's pink and also smells fantastic. I definitely wish I had picked up a few more because they're so handy and smell great!

You can get single sanitisers or a packet from Bath & Body Works.

Sephora Collection Pro Domed Foundation Brush #78

I'll admit that I completely splurged on this brush! I have heard so many people rave about Sephora's brushes and after talking to one of the lovely girls that works there, she suggested the Pro Domed Foundation Brush, having described it as a blending sponge in a brush. 

I swear by the Real Techniques Sponge and having tried this brush a few times now, I definitely agree with the employee's description! My foundation just glides on and it is beyond easy to blend and nothing becomes cakey and there are never any spots on my face that aren't covered!

If you're looking for a new foundation brush, I would definitely recommend this one!

You can get the Sephora Pro Domed Founation Brush in stores and online for $36.

Colourpop Cosmetics Yes, Please! Palette

 I love Colourpop and have used their single pressed shadows for years now. I didn't see any palettes in stock in the Ulta I went to last year so couldn't resist buying one when I saw the stand was fully stocked this year!

For $16 this palette is a steal and it just screams gorgeous, sunkissed glowing looks to me. The warm neutrals paired with the metallic shades are the perfect combination for any evening or summer session looks!

If you're in NYC, the Ulta nearest to The MET has a Colourpop stand and it is well worth the visit.

Otherwise, the palette is available from Ulta's website for $16.

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder

This powder is hands down my favourite purchase from the whole trip! A lot of you won't know this but I was super close to my granny, Kitty, before she passed away when I was younger. We both loved pink and I was literally called Mini Kitty but a lot of people who knew the two of us. I chose Kitty as my confirmation name when I was 12 and always use it now, hence CiaraKittyK!

If I was to describe what Kitty smelt like, it would literally be this powder so I knew I had to purchase it on this trip to New York. I haven't opened it yet and don't plan on doing so anytime soon but I love being able to just take it off my shelf and smell it.

The CVS website is not available outside of the US so I can't access the page or how much it was but this loose powder is available from CVS Pharmacy!

Sephora Insider Kat Von D Birthday Gift 2019

I have a Sephora Insider card and the staff in one of the stores was kind enough to give me my birthday gift for this year when I said I was visiting from Ireland and I chose the Kat Von D birthday gift.

The gift includes a mini Tattoo Liner, a mini Lock It powder and small samples of the Studded Kiss line. I have wanted to try the liner and powder for a while now so it was a no-brainer when I was asked which gift I would like.

If you're in the US on a J1 or just a visit, it's totally worth getting an Insider card and asking for your birthday gift before you come home!

Well, there you guys have it! A rundown of all of the makeup related products I bought this time around in New York! There were definitely a lot of products I wanted but knew I didn't need at all so this haul isn't huge but I am definitely happy with everything I bought!

Have you just returned from America?
What kind of products did you buy?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

Bloglovin: www.bloglovin.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleofpink

Snapchat: Ciarakxo

New York Haul Part 2

Hey guys!

Wow, it's almost been three moths since my last post. I took a break from blogging this summer because I have been interning in Portugal and after a 40 hour week, on my days off I made the most of them and the crappy wifi in my house didn't help at all.

I'm home soon (August 31st) and have a lot of posts planned for before I go back to college and during the year. I will be heading into the final year of my degree so posts will be less frequent but I will aim for a new post every two weeks.

For now, I finally have part 2 of my New York haul which includes everything I bought in Sephora and the sweets I brought home with me!

Sephora

Tarteist™ Creamy Matte Lip Paint in TBT

I bought this matte lipstick in TBT because I am a sucker for nudes and while I was there, it was on offer for $12 so I couldn't say no.

I haven't used this yet because I tried (and failed) not to bring too much makeup over to Portugal and left this one at home! I cannot wait to wear in coming into autumn and you'll definitely see this shade on my feed in the coming weeks.

Tarte's matte lip paint is available here for $20

Tarte To Go Mini Sets

I picked up these two mini sets from the Sephora mini section before leaving NYC.

The first set is a mascara, blusher and bronzer, I haven't opened the set yet but it is no longer available on the Sephora or Tarte website. I also have not had the chance to try any of these out because I left so soon after I got home! This set cost $12.

The second set is the Wide Awake skincare mini which was such good value! Advertised as a "3-piece travel set to fake a full night's sleep" the set has a pair of 911 undereye rescue patches, their famous lights, camera, lashes™ 4-in1 mascara and a deluxe maracuja C-brighter™.

All three of these products have received stellar reviews and I cannot wait to use this set, which I got for a steal at $12.

Sephora Favourites Give Me Some Lip

This set was a complete impulse buy on my last night in NYC. I had seen it in every Sephora I had been to and finally caved on my last night. It came with one full size Anastasia Beverly Hills matte lipstick in Ruby, Grande Cosmetics HydraPlump Semi-Matte Liquid Lipstick in Smoked Sherry, Tarte Rainforest of the Sea H2O gloss Lip Gloss in Bora Bora, Urban Decay Hi-Fi Lip Gloss in SPL, Kat Von D Beauty Studded Kiss Crème in Lovecraft and Bite Beauty Prismatic Multistick in Pink Pearl.

I gave my mum the full-size lipstick because she loves red lipstick and has worn it a lot over the summer. I left the majority of the box at home but did take the Kat von D mini and I am in love with it! It lasts for quite a few drinks and doesn't dry out my lips at all!

The set cost $28 with a total value of $68. It is still available from Sephora.

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet Foundation

This was a repurchase for my sister purely because it is cheaper to buy in America and she's so pale I'm fairly sure you can only buy this shade over there. Sadly I left it at home though so I have no idea what shade it is. All I know is that she loves the coverage and finish of the foundation.

Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment

I spent a certain amount (I honestly can't remember how much) so with the Sephora VIB card I brought over with me (It's my sister's from when she was in San Diego last year), I got a free gift. I chose this Boscia wash-off treatment because I had heard so much about their skincare. The full-size of this product retails for $38 and while this is not full-size, it is a very generous sample.

I left it in Dublin when I moved over to Portugal but I cannot wait to go home and use it!

 Glamglow Hello Sexy Insider Birthday Gift

As it was my sister's card, I also got to redeem her birthday gift while I was in New York. I chose this GlamGlow set as it had the GlamGlow Supermud mask and the Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturiser in Nude Glow. I have never used GlamGlow products so this little gift made the most sense for me to choose.

Sephora Collection Eye Masks

I am a sucker for a good mask (eyes, hair, face, feet - the girls I've been living with will testify to that!) so I had to pick up some eye masks before I left. I find these so useful after flights or a long night out as they just reduce puffiness and feel fab after application.

I chose a selection of masks - algae mask for tonifying and detoxifying, green tea mask for relaxing and refreshing, lotus mask for reducing signs of fatique and the rose mask for a radiance boost.

 Sephora Collection Face Masks 

I always do a sheet mask at least once a week and seen as I cannot buy these masks at home, I stocked up on a few in NYC as well!

I chose a selection of masks I had never tried before including the pineapple mask for pore perfecting and smoothing, the grape mask as a shield for urban pollution, the avocado mask for nourishing and repairing and the algae mask for eliminating impurities.

I love these masks so much and will probably be picking some more up here before I leave!

Candy and Chocolate

Caramel M&Ms

I brought these home for my brother but now I wish I had gotten some for myself! I wouldn't quite call these caramel, they are more like a soft toffee and they are fabulous!

I bought these in Target but saw them in a lot of other stores too!

 Mint M&Ms

Also a Target purchase, I got these for my family (hence the large size) and we hadn't opened them before I left so they better still be there when I get home next week!

 Sour Patch Kids and Watermelon and Mike&Ike Intense Fruit

Anyone that knows me knows I am OBSESSED with Sour Patch Watermelon, I love them so much. I really did stock up on these before I left and also got a mix of other jellies and jelly beans for myself and my family to try.

 Swedish Fish

My brother really did well out of my trip. He asked me to bring home some Swedish Fish and I brought a very very very large bag home for him. They also disappeared very quickly!

 Trident Watermelon Twist Chewing Gum

I picked a multipack of this chewing gum when I went to Costco and I do not regret it at all! A pack of 15 cost $8 which was really good compared to the price in most stores. The flavour doesn't last as long as I would like it to but it's sugar free and tastes great!

Hot Fudge Sundae Pop Tarts

Another purchase for my very lucky brother and a very hard flavour to find! I went to at least 5 different stores looking for these and had almost given up hope until I saw these near to where I was staying.

I wasn't lucky enough to try these but my brother loved them so I'm sure they tasted good!

Have you ever visited America?

Did you bring back any of the same products/food as I did?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

Bloglovin: www.bloglovin.com

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

My Current Skincare Routine

Hey guys!

So I've been MIA for a while because college work kept on piling up and I was taking more hours in work so I could have enough money for my summer travels!

I'm back now and I am going to try really hard to be consistent and stay on top of my assignments at the same time!

One thing I have been working on over the past few weeks is a skincare regime that works for my skin and I'm gonna let you guys know what I've been loving and what's been helping my skin out as well.

& Other Stories - Body Soufflé (Miami Muse)

I've been using this body soufflé after every shower for the past few weeks and it feels fabulous!

It smells so sweet and makes my skin feel hydrated and smooth.

I wasn't one to use anything on my body (unless is was before or after tanning) before I started using this and I don't know what I ever did without it!

& Other Stories have a range of body soufflés in store and online for €12.

Payot Peeling Oxygénant Dépolluant

A PR company kindly sent me this peeling mask to try a few weeks ago and I have been loving it! What intrigued me originally was the fact that it bubbled on your face and few seconds after application but since using it, I have noticed a real difference in my skin!

It's an exfoliating mask without any particles and it has really helped even out my skin and help it loo healthier and brighter! It's also pink so what's not to love?

Payot's Peeling Oxygénant Dépolluant has a €38 RRP and is available in selected pharmacies and online!

Sephora Overnight Mask

I stocked up on Sephora's range of overnight masks while I was in Milan and have been making my way through them since.

I find it best to use these once or twice a week and after I open one (there's about three applications per pack) I leave it in the fridge until I use it next. Leaving it on overnight and washing the remnants off in the morning really lets the mask and all its goodness sink into your skin.

My favourite mask so far is the algae mask as it helps to purify and detoxify the skin which is great after weekends away!

Sephora's range of overnight masks are available for €3 from stores and online.

Nivea's Micellar Water for Dry Skin

When I'm too lazy to do my whole routine at night I just use this micellar water and some moisturiser before bed. It's so much better than using makeup wipes (which I'm usually very guilty of using) and much kinder on your skin as well.

I use this every morning as well just to go over my skin and make sure it's clean before I start any makeup.

I bought it in Superdrug a few months ago and haven't seen it since but there's so many great brands out there with fabulous micellar water!

The Ordinary - Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Okay so I have a love-hate relationship with this solution. It's marketed as a daily solution for blemishes that claims to gently exfolaite the inside walls of the skin, clearing and clarifying the complexion.

The instructions on the bottle say apply directly to blemishes or a small amount all over the face. I started with applying a small amount all over my face and it was working well for a few weeks until I started to give me salicylic burn on a patch of my skin so I discontinued use for a few days until it cleared. After it cleared, I started to use it all over my face except on the patch that it had irritated and it was doing wonders for me again.

The other night, I stupidly applied it all over my face again and woke up in the middle of the night with my face stinging me again, only to find I had salicylic burn on the same patch again. While it works on most of my face, it does clearly irritate patches of it so the jury's still out on this one!

The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is available from Beauty Bay for €4.70.

L'Oreal's Fine Flowers Gel-Cream Wash

This gel-cream is perfect for dry and sensitive skin, both of which I have, as rose is known for its soothing properties and jasmine is known for its protecting and moisturising properties. This wash is unscented and lathers easily in water.

I use this wash in the shower (yes I am that lazy) every second day. I apply it to wet skin and massage it all over my face and neck. It helps my skin stay hydrated and it provides the perfect base for makeup in the morning!

I picked this wash up in Dunnes on a whim but it is available from FeelUnique for €4.80.

Kotoha London's Shoyaku Herb Essence Silk Cream

The lovely Yoko from Kotoha London sent me this to try a few months ago and I am in love with it! This moisturiser can be used on normal, oily and combination skin.

I use it sparingly and on very dry patches of my skin when needed and it works wonders overnight. The cream helps to reduce the appearance of open pores and when applied on dry patches of my skin overnight, and not rubbing the cream in, it sinks into my skin and helps to hydrate my skin and reduce the appearance of dry patches, helping them to disappear over a few days.

I love the quality of this product and the fact that it doesn't have a scent. The product comes with a lid but I lost it on my travels a few weeks ago!

The Silk Cream is available from Kotoha London for €43.52.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser

This is my third bottle of this cleanser and I love it! I used it to remove my makeup at night, along with the micellar water and it leaves my skin feeling clean after removing all my makeup!

You don't have to rinse the cleanser off which is great and it smells fantastic as well! The cleanser helps to cleanse the skin as well as locking in moisture.

Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Cleanser is available for €10.99 from Boots.

They're all the products I'm using in my skincare routine at the moment! 

Do you use any of the same products?

What did you think of them?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

Bloglovin: www.bloglovin.com

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

Mini Sephora Haul

Hey guys!

So while I was in Milan, I made it my mission to find a Sephora (or two) and they did not disappoint! I had only ever been in one other Sephora (In Krakow) so I didn't really know what to expect walking in. At first I was kind of overwhelmed with the various floors in the store and seen as Ali had just come back from the States with a whole load of new makeup for us, I wasn't really looking for any makeup in particular.

That being said, I did spend the guts of an hour just browsing around the store and ended up coming out with a heap of Sephora skincare and one primer that I've been dying to try!

I have a few of their sheet masks left from when Ali came home but I hadn't come across their overnight masks before and I just had to try them! While I was there, they were two for €5 so I took advantage of this by buying a few different ones.

Each mask has a different purpose and they are so easy to use.

The green mask (green tea) is used for clean. smooth and matte skin.

The ivory mask (pearl) is used for evening out and brightening the skin.

The pink mask (rose) is used for hydrated, luminous and brighter skin.

The blue mask (algae) is used for a fresh and radiant complexion in the morning.

The purple mask (orchid) is used for skin that feels firmer in the morning.

I used the orchid mask while I was away and I loved it! I applied a thin layer of the mask on my face and neck after I had cleansed my face. I found there was enough in the pack for two applications so I shared it with my sister!

I love using eye masks after flights and have used this one before. It smells fab and the rose mask is aimed at giving you plumper, fresher and brighter looking eyes!

This mask was €3.95

The final thing I picked up in Sephora was a mini version of Too Faced's Hangover primer. I have wanted to try the primer for ages and the mini is quite big (20ml) and was only €15 so I thought it was the perfect way to try it out without fully committing.

I haven't tried it yet but once a do, expect a review!

Have you been in a Sephora recently?

What did you buy?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

Bloglovin: www.bloglovin.com

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

What I Got For Christmas 2016

Happy New Year guys!

I took some time out over Christmas and the start of the New Year to spend some time with family and friends. I'm so excited for 2017 and all of the new opportunities and experiences it'll bring!

So many people have been sharing what they got for Christmas on their blogs and vlogs and after a few comments about whether or not I would do one. I decided I would. I am so thankful for everything I got from family over Christmas and by no means expected the sheer generosity of everyone.

I was lucky enough to receive two Micheal Kors products this Christmas - one which I was lusting after for months as well!

The first one I got was the Rhea Medium Backpack in a gold metallic colour that I absolutely love! I had seen the bag in Brown Thomas and just fell in love. If you are looking to invest in a bag, I would definitely recommend this one! There is a lot more room in the bag than I expected and the zipper only opens on one side which makes me feel a lot safer when walking around with it.

The second item I received was a gorgeous maroon wallet that matches the bag I got for my 18th birthday last year. It was a surprise present and I was so happy when I got it! There is plenty of card room in the wallet (coming from me, someone who owns too many cards!) and I just adore the colour. Unfortunately I couldn't find the wallet online but the website has a lot of similar styles!

The bag and the wallet (or similar designs) can be found on the Michael Kors website and they currently have a sale on as well!

If you know me, you know this picture has two of my favourite things in it; Harry Potter and scented candles.

Some of my family visited the States just before Christmas and I had to send them into Bath and Body Works to pick up a candle for me! My requirements were sweet and pink, two things that this candle most definitely is. If you don't like sweet scents I'd steer clear of the Red Velvet Cupcake candle but I love it and my room smells delicious!

Bath and Body Works candles are available from their website.

I also got a set of Harry Potter mugs from Penneys that are fab. I love Harry Potter and have done since I was tiny, the books and movies have always been on my shelves and I may have bought a few pairs of pyjamas over the years as well.

Two more things I got from the States are Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck perfume and a Victoria Secret body spray.

Wonderstruck has become like gold dust over here and I love it so much so I asked my mum to look for it while she was away. I was so happy when I got this because it's my signature scent and I am running out of my last bottle.

I also got a Victoria Secret body spray in Love Spell Night. Love Spell is one of my favourite sprays from Victoria Secret and Love Spell Night is slightly more muskier and just as divine!

Check out the full collection on Victoria Secret's website!

It wouldn't be Christmas without new makeup and I love the new products I got for Christmas and trying them out has been fab!

I love Anastasia Beverly Hill's Glow Kits and kept on hinting that Moonchild was my favourite to my sister who thankfully picked up on it! Moonchild has six duo-chrome metallic finish shades that are adventurous for highlight so if you flinch at the thought of a metallic green highlight (I wore it for NYE!) then this palette definitely isn't for you.

Moonchild is available from the ABH website and they ship to Ireland!

I also got a mini matte lip kit from Colourpop, I chose It's Vintage because it has so many shades that are perfect for all the seasons, not just the colder months. I have only worn Bianca and Love Bug, both of which I loved and cannot wait to wear the rest of these! They lasted all day and didn't smudge or transfer onto mugs which I loved.

I also got Maneater - an ultra metallic lip from Colourpop that is amazing. It's a rose gold shade and perfect for a night out if you're going for a neutral eye and a bold lip.

Both of these products are available from Colourpop's website.

 I also got the NYX Glitter Primer because I recently bought a few glitters from MAC and NYX but forgot to pick up a primer so the glitter would actually stay on my lid! I have used the primer twice since Christmas and I love it! It does the job and prevents fallout which is all you need in a primer.

You can pick up the NYX Glitter Primer in their new stand in Arnotts!

The last beauty related item I got was an eye mask from Sephora. I have heard so many people rave about how great these are to wear during long haul flights and decided to try one out for myself as I have a few trips planned for 2017 already.

Sephora's collection of eye masks are available in stores and online.

The last few bits I got for Christmas are some of my favourites.

My mum picked up some essentials for me in Victoria Secret was she was in the States and I also got my all-time favourite jellies - Sour Patch Watermelon. 

If you haven't tried Sour Patch Watermelon you are seriously missing out! I love them so much and if I know anyone visiting the States, I always ask them to bring home some for me.

If you guys want swatches or a review of any of the products in this post let me know in the comments below!

Happy New Year everyone and I hope you had a happy and safe break with your friends and family.

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

Bloglovin: www.bloglovin.com

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