New Look – Best of the Sale

October 2, 2018October 2, 2018 cosmeticsjunkieeLeave a comment

New Look is one of those stores that I go through phases of loving and seeing everything in and then seeing absolutely nothing. This season however, New Look has totally been on my side and the majority of clothes I have purchased for myself have come from New Look. They currently have up to 70% off and there are some amazing things in the sale that I just have to share with you, some of them I have purchased for myself too.

Black Spot Print Button Front Jumpsuit, ~~£27.99~~ £14

I recently wore this jumpsuit for my little trip to The Junction (you can read about the trip here) but I received so many compliments on it and noone could believe I only paid £14 for it. It comes with a matching polka dot belt however I removed it and use my faux Gucci belt from Ros Oir Boutique to cinch in my waist to make it a little more flattering.

Khaki Button Front Tapered Leg Jumpsuit, ~~£24.99~~ £11

This jumpsuit will always be what I wore to Shania Twain. The day I saw SHANIA TWAIN I wore this jumpsuit. Such a comfortable outfit and very easy to dress up or down and I don’t know what it is about khaki colour, but when i’m not feeling an outfit I add khaki and it’s instantly better. Similar with the above jumpsuit it comes with a matching belt however I find that the belts that come with the outfits are never great quality so I swapped out the belt for a leopard print belt, matching bag and heels – all New Look of course.

Tall Pale Blue Paperbag Waist Trousers, ~~£19.99~~ £8

Okay, yes you may be thinking – tall? Really Amy? I honestly didn’t realise I was buying tall when I purchased them however, they fit perfectly so it was all meant to be. They really shouldn’t have fit considering I am not even 5 foot…

Blue Rinse Wash Double Breasted Denim Midi Dress, ~~£25.99~~ £12

I am so in love with this dress and I love it paired with these white boots!

Orange Round Buckle Cross Hatch Pinafore Dress, ~~£19.99~~ £10

Team this cute rust orange pinafore with a polo neck to transition this pinafore into an outfit perfect for Autumn!

Rust Polka Dot Scuba Crop Trousers , ~~£19.99~~ £10

Continuing on with the rust theme, these culottes are perfect for brightening up a Winter wardrobe and will be easily taken into your Spring/Summer wardrobe too as polka dots never go out of style!

Black & White Stripe Duster, ~~£34.99~~ £10

I’m in love with this duster jacket and have ordered this for myself. Wear it like the model, styled down or dial it up for a night out this duster will become a staple in my wardrobe. Would be gorgeous worn closed with a skinny belt! Plus, for £10 it’s such a bargain!

White Spot Print Double Breasted Midi Dress, ~~£29.99~~ £10

I’m sorry, but I can’t stop with the polka dots. I just picture this outfit all glammed up like Julia Roberts, would be gorgeous with a big hat! In reality I would wear it with vans and hair shoved up in a bun – still cute though!

Mela Cream Lace Trim Tie Neck Blouse, ~~£28~~ £18

You can never have enough white blouses. They simply go with everything, whether you’ve got trousers, skirts or culottes a white shirt or blouse should be your safety net and I love the detailing on the sleeves. I’m tempted to buy two…

Black Faux Snakeskin Baker Boy Hat ~~£9.99~~ £3

Black Prince of Wales Check Baker Boy Hat, ~~£9.99~~ £3

I do love baker hats however sometimes I feel like Oliver Twist when I wear them, that being said they are too good an offer to pass up!

Have you got any bargains recently? I’d love to hear!

Top 5 Blushers

September 5, 2018 cosmeticsjunkiee8 Comments

The beauty world has become so obsessed with highlighters and bronzers that
we have forgotten about one very important part of our makeup routine – the
blush. I have always loved blush and if I am honest, probably have loved it a little
too much in the past. When I was 15 I definitely had that Aunt Sally look nailed.
Fast-forward a few years and a practice in application I finally see what the fuss
was all about.

Before I begin listing my favourite blushers let’s talk about what it does for your
face. Blusher has the power to actually brighten and lift your face and is the
perfect finish to create a beautiful makeup look. Blusher is classy and enhances a
real, natural face shape as opposed to ‘look at my natural sunken in cheekbones’
a la Kim K. As nice as that look can be, when done right, there’s something about
a blush that makes all the difference.

When I look for blushers I tend to buy fairly versatile shades that suit a variety of
skin tones so that I can keep them in my kit to suit everyone. Whatever your
preference be it matte or shimmery, there is always something out there to suit
you.

MAC ‘Melba’ Powder Blush, £19.50

I have always loved MAC’s blushers as their formula is perfectly creamy and they have an amazing variety of shades. My most used shade is by far Melba and as it is a beautiful soft coral peach shade this blusher beautifully compliments a huge variety of skin tones. It is super pigmented so just use a little each time you are using it. With no shimmer it’s great for all skin types and ages and is a staple in my Make Up Kit giving a the skin a perfect glow.

Shop Here

NARS Blush ‘Orgasm’, £24

This blusher shouldn’t need any introduction as if you are familiar with blushes at all, you should have tried this one. If you haven’t, what are you doing? You owe it to yourself to try the blush that permanently tops the list as one of the best blushers on the market. An iconic blusher that gives natural, healthy looking colour without looking too heavy and again, you only need a light application to give a beautiful colour.

Shop Here

Milani Baked Blush ‘Luminoso’, £10

These blushers are unreal and for £10 they are such a good quality! It’s very hard to pick just one shade that I like from this range as I use them all and love them all. As I tend to go for more coral colours with blush I tend to use ‘Luminoso’ the most. Baked on Italian terracotta the powder is so finely milled that it delivers a smooth and silky application.

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Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic ‘Ecstasy’, £30

Charlotte’s range of blushers are my absolute favourite. They scream luxury and everyone needs a little luxury in their make up bag! Currently there are 6 powder shades to choose from and again, sorry I like the coral shades so my favourite is the shade ‘Ecstasy’ but there are colours to suit everyone. I love having a glow from my blusher and with Light Flex Technology these blushers capture and reflect light again leaving your skin with a beautiful soft sheen.

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Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush ‘Pretty In Pink’, £22

Seriously blendable and buildable blushers this range from Bare Minerals is a staple in my own routine and in my makeup kit. I’ve collected a few shades since they have launched however, I use ‘Pretty In Pink’ most often, a beautiful subtle pink shade and ‘Bellini Brunch’ which is a beautiful peach shade. The formula is so creamy and glides on to the skin effortlessly without catching and giving the skin texture giving the skin a soft focus effect.

Shop Here

What blushers do you like, or do you even use blusher at all? I would love to hear your favourites.

You can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

And if you like this Top 5 series then you can check out my other Top 5 posts HERE

Have Make Up Looks Become Too Dramatic?

April 13, 2018April 13, 2018 cosmeticsjunkiee2 Comments

If you follow me on Instagram then last night you may have seen me post a totally innocent few Instagram stories on my thoughts on certain styles of Make Up that are floating around our social media pages at the minute. I put out a poll asking whether you agreed or disagreed on how I feel that makeups are too over dramatic and over the top.

Since posting my thoughts my inbox blew up. I received all kinds of messages including ones saying ‘Finally, someone said it’ and messages that made me really sad from fellow Make Up Artists who said that these images are hurting not only their business but also their courage and drive to post creative content and it sets unrealistic ideals for their clients because they wanted to look like the girl on Instagram with 4 filters.

I am a Make Up Artist who still to this day sometimes shies away from using the term MUA even though I have been in the industry for 8 years. In my opinion the term Make Up Artist has lost all meaning since make up boomed onto the scene. Our job has become viewed as an easy way to start a career earning money with what’s thought as little to no work. In an age where people can go to a day course with their favourite artists/instagrammers and then slap MUA at the end of their name, actual Make Up Artists, pre make up boom are suffering. The reality however, is that to be a Make Up Artist requires a lot of work. I am talking early starts, late finishes, dealing with clients, customer service, buying and investing in a make up kit and spending a huge amount of money before you even make money. Not to mention basically having no social life.

Of course, everyone has to start somewhere but you cannot call yourself a Make Up Artist after you attend a one day course where you learnt one look that suited the model that happened to be there that day. There are so many looks that can be created and all I seem to see is the same look, repeated over and over again just with different colours. One of my favourite local Make Up Artists, @heatherallenmakeup_ in response said ‘I agree that they are artistic but when everyone starts doing the same artistic look is gets boring.’ We see so many of these looks that when we see the creative makeups they are now classed as the norm.

The point I am making, or trying to make is that social media has completely blown the role of a Make Up Artist and what normal glam makeup is out of the water. It doesn’t hold the same meaning that it once did and while Beauty Bloggers (hello) and YouTube, etc all have a part to play the one that does the most detrimental damage is Instagram. Instagram, is by far my favourite app and it’s disgusting how often I am on it. That being said when it comes to clients coming in with images of makeup that they want that they have seen on their feeds I am immediately disheartened because no amount of amazing skills or make up products can turn your client into a real life Face Tuned image.

I’m talking smooth, poreless skin with cut creases and halo eyes and triple stacked lashes. Don’t get me wrong, I do love doing the Make Up itself as it allows me to explore an area of creativity that years ago I didn’t even know was possible. The people doing these make ups are so crazily talented, I am not taking that away from them but those makeups are fine for Instagram, but that’s Instagram – your face is real life and an unrealistic standard is being set that regular makeup artists using regular make up struggle to live up to. Think of this from not even a Make Up Artist’s point of view, as a client you are being lied to by viewing these amazing looks, walking into your Make Up Artist expecting to leave looking like the photo and being bitterly disappointed at the end even though you are absolutely beautiful (with and without makeup). You didn’t look how you expected because you are not a walking filter. These makeups only look great from one head tilted angle and tend to look a little strange head on. Take a glitter cut crease for example, I went out with this look and someone took a photograph of me that wasn’t a posing selfie and I looked plain weird. I vowed that a regular smokey eye is my go to for nights out.

I really do pity anyone who is genuinely trying to make it as a Make Up Artist because looking at these images would make me want to cry, filled with the dread that I would never be able to do make up like that. My advice to anyone starting out is do not get put down by these drastic dramatic looks, do make up how you want to do it and I guarantee your clients will love it. As well as that, do your research and understand different people suit different looks. Have confidence in your work and believe in yourself, you do not need to copy Instagram to be successful, if anything I think it’s the opposite.

99% of my Instagram feed are dramatic looks because as I say, they are so fun to do. But guys and gals, you must understand the difference between Instagram and real life and set yourself a realistic make up look to ask for. Make up is designed to enhance your own natural beauty, social media makeups have made us lose sight of this. When did it become about making a woman look nothing like herself?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this, do you think that the makeup is too much or do you think I should get over it. There is so much more I could say about this topic but I’ll quit while I am ahead. Send me a message and let me know.

You can find me on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

Bare Minerals Blogger Event

April 11, 2018April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkieeLeave a comment

Recently I was invited to attend my local Bare Minerals counter for a gloriously, intimate blogger event for just a handful of us. Even though I write a blog, I still don’t see myself as a blogger as there have been people doing FAR longer than me. That being said, it’s amazing being thought of as a blogger and I thoroughly enjoy attending these events as one. Being greeted upon arrival with a slate of chocolates and a glass of prosecco is something I can get used to. If only I was greeted that way in my house!

The amazing Kerri Devereux hosted our Masterclass portraying the perfect go to summer look with effortlessly glowing skin. Taking us from skincare to a full makeup application we learned the how to’s and what we need to recreate this look at home! I’m not going to spoil the tips and tricks for you but the ladies on the counter are there for you to quiz and learn from at Debenhams, Castlecourt.

What I am going to talk about however, is all the lovely things that I was treated to in my goodiebag! I have been trying them out for nearly a week now and I am obsessed. If I am being honest, Bare Minerals isn’t a counter I would run towards when I walk around a department store because it’s not overly talked about and to me there are no ‘cult’ products that I associate with them (Powder Foundation aside). I’m quite glad of this because there’s nothing worse than buying something or trying a product just because 200 YouTubers saying ‘it’s amazing’ so I was able to have a completely neutral response to these products.

As you can see from the main photograph, I was absolutely spoiled rotten. So many things to try, I honestly got home from the event and ripped straight into the bag. The first thing I tried that night was the Pure Plush Gentle Deep Cleansing Foam, £18. Normally, I am not one for foam cleansers as I have drier skin however, this did not dry my skin out at all. The first thing I noticed was the glorious Grapefruit scent washing over my face immediately awakening my skin. My skin felt so smooth afterwards and my other skincare products went on like a dream. I have been using it for a week now and still no sign of drying out which means even if you are of a drier skin type then you can still use this. That being said Bare Minerals have a whole range of cleansers so you can definitely get the perfect one for you.

The next morning after the event I sat and stared at everything and thoughtfully decided how I could put all the products on my face at once. After the luxurious cleansing, I decided to try out the serum that was sampled to us. The Skin Longevity Vital Power Serum, £48 went on like a dream leaving my skin looking crazy glowy. It’s a morning and night serum that claims to unleash skin’s vitality and luminosity while nourishing skin with essential minerals and hydration to reveal softer, more supple skin. I have to say that it felt amazing on the skin and almost cooling on the face which seemed to help calm down the redness that I usually get after cleansing. I’ve been using it in the mornings rather than just at night just so I get a little longer out of it, but this is firmly placed on my TO BUY list.

The next item on my list to use just HAD to be the Prime Time Original Face Primer, £24. I have said it before in previous posts but I am a little bit of a primer snob in that I expect the best from my primers, especially as it’s the product that is supposed to set your makeup up for the day. I am pleased to say that I really do like this primer but I can’t get away with using it all over my face. It just happens to dry me out all over and I know that there are other primers that would be better suited to me. The primer itself is mineral infused and glides onto the skin leaving it silky soft and actually looks amazing over my porous areas.

The fab girls gave me a sample of the foundation that was used in the Masterclass because all I wanted was that beautiful glow and I was so excited to try it. The Bare Pro Performance Wear Foundation, £29 is an award winning foundation that claims to leave you with 24 hours wear with full coverage. My first thoughts on the consistency was that there could be no way you could get full coverage out of it because it felt so thin. Oh my God, I was so wrong. The coverage was brilliant especially considering I used it with the Luxe Performance Brush, £24. The brush is nice and dense which will create a fuller coverage look anyway. I fell in love with the brush and the foundation almost instantly. I tried not to get ahead of myself because I wanted to see how the foundation wore before I made up my mind. It definitely stayed on all day however, moved a little on my chin but after I re powdered I was good to go again. If that’s my only complaint then this is definitely a foundation to try!

The Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara, £20 was the next thing I tried and this mascara has the funkiest looking wand. Normally, I am not one for a plastic wand as I find they tend to leave lashes looking clumpy but this brush separated through every single lash, not a clump in sight! For once my mascara didn’t smudge down during the day, normally I end up with a little black smudge at the corner of my eye and I was surprised to look in the mirror and see that I was smudge free.

To add the finishing touches to my Bare Minerals look I applied the Statement Lip Luxe Shine, £18 in the shade Alpha – the most beautiful pop of deep pink, perfect to amp up any make up look and take you from day to night. It’ll be my go to colour for Summer!

So there you have it, all the goodies that I received and I honestly can’t wait to go back and buy the rest of the products that were featured in the Masterclass (I see you Invisible Glow Highlighter). Pop into your local Bare Minerals counter to see all the amazing things they have in store! If you are local to the Belfast area then you can stop by Debenhams, Belfast and see the amazing team that treated us so well! Their customer service is always amazing.

You can book and treat yourself to an amazing service by calling 02890435574

If you have used any of these products then please leave a comment or send me a message and let me know!

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Nu-Skin Products Review

April 8, 2018April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkiee1 Comment

I was recently sent a variety of products to try out from a lady called Maura Gilmore. For those of you that don’t know her, she is a local Health, Wellness and Beauty Expert with access to award winning products proven to help appearance and health. It’s important to be happy with your skin and maybe one of these products will do just that for you!

Having tried the samples out I would love to share my thoughts on them with you.

Nu Skin Polishing Peel Skin Refresher

This exfoliating cream contains Pumpkin Enzymes that resurface and soften the skin and Bentonite Clay removes dead skin cells leaving skin healthy, soft and smooth. I loved the feeling of this as it went on as it’s the kind of product that you can feel working. Apply to clean dry skin and leave for around 30-60 seconds until the products feels tacky. As your rub your fingers in circular motions the products begins to dissolve dead skin cells and removing them. I have rather sensitive skin so the fact that there aren’t any small beads in it doesn’t leave my skin feeling rough.

Nu Skin Exfoliant Scrub

For those of you that prefer the little beads in your exfoliator then this would be the better option for you. Although it has mini beads in it, it contains an Aloe Vera base that conditions and safe guards your hydration levels so you don’t get that dried out feeling after you exfoliate. Exfoliating your skin is important as it helps to leave a brighter complexion and you’ll be less likely to get blemishes/pimples. When I used this I found that my pores were immediately unclogged and my skin felt a whole lot smoother. I actually kept this one for use in the shower and it was so easily taken off. Simply apply to a clean face and neck with a little warm water with gentle circular movements and rinse with warm water.

Epoch Glacial Marine Mud Mask

A revitalizing clay mask with sea botanicals that draws out the dirt and impurities from the skin. Designed for all skin types but I prefer to use this on my oilier areas as I personally find it can be a little drying. It has a thinner consistency to most mud masks I have tried which is good because you can still move your face when it’s on, most masks make my face feel like a brick! My face felt seriously smooth and had a beautiful shine off it once I took this mask off. I find it interesting to watch mud masks change colour (just me?). As the mask dries on the skin it will turn to a lightish green colour but the dark spots on the mask show you where the dirt is being drawn out of the pores. COOL.

Nu Skin Creamy Hydrating Masque

This mask is a nourishing treatment that works to protect the skin from dry and harsh environments by boosting skin’s moisture levels. This is probably my favourite thing I tried from the products that were sent as the smell alone had me feeling like I was in a spa. Designed for those with normal to drier skin types this mask has my name written all over it! The products claims to reduce redness and infuse skin with soothing nutrients from Cactus Extract into the skin for a healthy, beautiful, moisturised glow. The soothing can be felt immediately and feels almost cold as it goes onto the face which feels so relaxing. I applied this to dry skin and left on for around 20 minutes, just long enough to watch an episode of Santa Clarita Diet and tissued off, you can also remove with warm water. I can’t wait to do my skincare regime tonight and reuse this masque.

AP-24 Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste

I was so excited to try this product because who wouldn’t want whiter teeth? To be used after each meal or at least twice a day this toothpaste lightens teeth without harmful peroxides. Not only that but the toothpaste really leaves your mouth feeling clean for all day freshness. I have used this for about a week now and I find myself using my normal toothpaste and then using this afterwards in the mornings and same as in the evenings. Containing a proprietary blend of mild abrasives that polishes and smooths teeth without eroding the enamel. This toothpaste doesn’t contain peroxides or harsh abrasives as these can be harmful to the teeth especially when not used in a professional setting!

A stain reduction test was performed to determine the percent increase in tooth brightness. The whitening effects were measured after brushing with toothpaste.
AP-24® Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste resulted in a 63% increase in tooth brightness. I definitely notice a difference in the short time I have been using it and I will definitely keep using this.

If any of these products interest you and you want to find out a little more for yourself and maybe even try them you can contact Maura directly and she can sort you out!

CONTACT MAURA on her Be More Facebook or you can EMAIL mauratg@hotmail.co.uk or PHONE 07753354771

Top 5 Pencil Eyeliners

April 4, 2018April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkieeLeave a comment

You might read this title of this and go, ‘Really? But surely everyone has a black eyeliner…’ While yes, this is true let’s face it, there’s always something wrong with the black eyeliners that we own.

For years I suffered with black smudges because I just assumed that’s what happened when you wore a kohl liner. I dreaded peeking into my compact mirror to see my inner corners bleeding liner. Fast forward a few years and I uncovered a select few eyeliner pencils that are my go to that don’t cause any of these annoying problems. Why suffer when your eyeliner can stay perfect all day long?

Before I start, there is a difference between eye pencils and kohl pencils. I thought I would mention this as every time I talk about this with people their face is blank. Without going into the science and ingredients an eye pencil is harder and a kohl pencil is a softer material. Therefore a pencil is great for liner but a kohl is better for smudgier, smokier eyes. Personally I prefer kohl pencils as when I want to have winged liner I use a gel or a liquid.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, £15.50

I can always count on this eyeliner when I am in a rush and need a smoky eye, FAST. With it’s seriously soft tip it doesn’t drag on the eye allowing colour to glide on effortlessly. A highly moisturising pencil with Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E and Cottonseed Oil allows for creamy, easy application. Once the pencil is applied however, it stays in place all day without the need to check up on it.

An impressive range of colours will have you weak at the knees the next time you visit the counter, Perversion however is the nicest black shade I have ever seen.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil, £18.50

Similar to the 24/7 Glide On, Estee Lauder’s pencil is an extremely creamy and versatile eyeliner perfect for eyelids and waterline. In addition to 12 hours wear it is water resistant allowing it to stay in your water line all day making it the go to for days where you are going from office to party. The colour in this liner doesn’t smudge out unless you use the smudger allowing for precise application. This pencil sets very quickly so I wouldn’t recommend using as the base for a smokey eye unless you are working very quickly. That being said as it sets so quickly there is no fear of it transferring to your upper eyelid.

Again, a wide range of colours to choose from with Onyx as the black. Might I suggest Burgundy Suede (used in blog picture) as it’s such a beautiful colour and one of my go to eyeliners for clients makeups.

The Body Shop Smokey Eye Definer, £9

For something a little more defined instead of something smudgier look no further than this pencil from The Body Shop. The formula glides on and doesn’t catch or pull on your eyelids and gives a perfect line every time. You can of course smudge it out if you wish as it comes with a smudger on the other end but is great without. This liner is excellent for those that want and eyeliner look but without the dramatic effect as a subtle look is easier achieved with this liner.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL, £16

This pencil is The Notebook-proof. You could go swimming, have a crying session, have drink thrown over you or simply wash you hair and this eye pencil will not move. Definitely on the thicker, creamier side of eye pencils so perhaps not for those looking something natural but this pencil is ideal for someone who is constantly smoking out your waterline. It blends effortlessly but once that sucker has set it isn’t coming off until it is pried off with your cleanser.

Coming in a variety of finishes from Matte, Diamond, Satin, Metallic and Iridescent there is definitely a finish and colour that will take your fancy. This is a Saturday Night out kinda eyeliner…

Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajaal Eye Liner Pencil, £2.99

There are very few drug store eye liner pencils that I would trust but this one from Rimmel has made the cut into the Top 5. I burn through quite a lot of eye liner and that can wreak havoc on my bank balance so for sheer price alone this pencil is amazing. I use this shade Jet Black constantly when I am using it as the base for a smokey eye. I run it all over the eye and blend the life out of it with my Mac 217 Brush creating a beautiful, easy smokey eye. On it’s own for actual liner purposes it has a tendency to bleed out a little on my eye, this isn’t a big deal so I don’t care but as a base for a smokey eye it’s the one.

So there you have it, a list of my favourite eye pencils that I use for wings, smudgy eye and smokey eyes. Have you used any of these or do you use one that I need to try – let me know!

You can find my other Top 5 Posts HERE

Let’s be friends, you can follow me on Instagram , Twitter , Facebook and YouTube

I Got Lip Fillers

March 31, 2018April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkiee1 Comment

Before I write anything, I just want to make a point of the fact that I KNOW everyone is naturally beautiful and I KNOW I don’t need to have procedures to change my face. I KNOW. That being said, I got my lips done because I wanted to. If that bothers you then you can click off this post, but for those of you who are thinking of getting them done or want to know a little bit about how my lip fillers are then read on…

I live in Belfast and thoroughly done my research before I committed to going anywhere for the procedure. I searched high and low on Instagram, Facebook and asked friends all about their experiences and who they went to. I heard horror stories and dream stories and I started to prepare my should I should I not list.

I had been thinking about getting my lips done for a long time now and when I finally decided to take the plunge there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to get them done. A little nervous, don’t get me wrong but excited all the same. After my research and scrupulously dissecting before and after photos I decided to book in with Lisa Sloan at Simply Be Beautiful on the Lisburn Road, Belfast. Lisa is an experienced and established professional who holds advanced qualifications in facial rejuvenation and anti aging treatments. Not only that, but Lisa also has 26 years of nursing experience and 7 years of practice in the aesthetic industry. I have heard nothing but great things about Lisa for all her treatments and all her photos, including those with lip fillers looked amazing.

Prep

Upon arrival I walked into a beautifully open reception with calm friendly greetings and was handed a numbing cream straight away and told to apply. The cream felt like how you would imagine, cold and tingly for a few seconds and I definitely got some on my tongue by accident.

Treatment (if you are squeamish maybe don’t read…)

I was so excited by this point but due to the numbing cream I honestly wasn’t sure if I was smiling or not. Lisa smiled and me and made me feel so at ease and walked me through all the things she had to (terms, conditions, aftercare, etc). I told her exactly what I wanted in that I didn’t want to end up looking like a TOWIE experiment gone wrong, that I just wanted fuller looking lips and she nodded and told me not to worry. I lay down on the comfiest bed ever and closed my eyes as Lisa began to prepare.

As the needles went into my lips I honestly didn’t feel any discomfort. I knew that there was something happening to my lips but thanks to the decent helping of numbing cream I couldn’t feel much. I had been given a tissue in case of any eye watering but my eye liner remained in tact! I had intended to receive 0.5ml of product into my lips but after a mirror was handed to me, I could definitely see a difference but decided to opt for an extra 0.5ml bringing the total to 1ml added.

So ignoring the camera quality and all that, this was a before and after picture of my lips. As you can see from the before picture my top lip was far thinner than my bottom lip and in the after picture it certainly isn’t anymore! Obviously, this is a photo of them as they were just done so they have still to come down and reduce the swelling but I was so happy with them.

After

After I had left I came home and thoroughly inspected my lips, then PANIC set in. I was so worried, being like ‘what if they don’t go down?’ and immediately forgot everything that Lisa had told me about swelling and that they wouldn’t be as red when they go down. Joel came home and his face dropped but he did his best to calm me down and through laughter he told me everything would be okay.

This photo was taken the next day and while there is still swelling I was far more relaxed about them the next day than I had been the night before.

One Month Later

A month later and I am still loving them! While lip fillers may not be for everyone to me it just completes my make up look and makes me feel more confident. Below are some photos from the last week or so and they have come down greatly but they are still definitely bigger and exactly what I asked for. I can’t thank Lisa enough for actually listening to what I wanted.

I wanted to write a post about the fact that I have had lip fillers put in because so many bloggers and make up artists talk about how amazing certain lip products are while they have clearly had their lips done and people buy these products because they want to look like that. While clever lip tricks and certain products can change the appearance of your lips, I think it’s important people know the difference between lip fillers and a lip liner.

I hope you enjoyed reading about this and seeing my before and after pictures. If you are thinking about getting your lips done or any other treatment I urge you to please do you research and don’t automatically go for the cheapest one just to save money! Do what’s best for you!

Feel free to send me questions about this or anything else and you can find me on Social Media –

Top 5 Primers For Dry Skin

March 30, 2018April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkiee3 Comments

Whether you agree with the need for a primer or not, I personally think they were one of the greatest products to come to light out of the recent make up boom. For those of you that know me, my skin is drier and at the minute the texture of my skin has been playing up. While there are certain things that only switching up a skincare regime can fix, a primer gives a little short term help to fixing those issues.

I have used an insane variety of primers in my time and while some work great for a few months, inevitably most stop working at what they did at the start. The list below are the ones that have stuck by my side and done the job they claimed to do. I use these on myself and I trust them enough to use them on clients whose skin is drier also.

What is primer? A make up primer is a product that you apply before your foundation (or you can mix with foundation!) to allow for a longer lasting finish. Not only do primers keep your make up on for longer, but primers typically make your face look smoother and can have other benefits too like hydrating, mattifying, smoothing, etc. Primers take a little pressure of your foundation and if anything, you’ll probably need less foundation than if you don’t use one. So there’s that!

Marc Jacobs Undercover Perfecting Coconut Face Primer, £32

I will never forget the first time I bought this as I had read somewhere that this primer was all the rage and I wanted nothing more than to bury my face in it as I am obsessed with anything coconut scented. I scrambled and saved every extra penny I could as at this point I was at university, a poor student. Eventually, I bought the primer and upon the first usage my face almost sighed with relief as it was cooling. If I am going to an event, or know that I need to look like utmost best then this is the primer I use as any foundation I have sits beautifully on top.

The primer hydrates and nourishes thanks to the coconut infused formula including cold pressed coconut water, juice and pulp that forms a natural, vitamin rich barrier between your skin and your makeup. My skin feels fresh and natural, all day.

Make Up For Ever Nourishing Primer, £25.50

Make Up For Ever have a vast range of primers that cater to each and every skin type and I find myself bouncing between the Nourishing Primer and the Hydrating Primer. Where the Hydrating Primer hydrates (shocking) the nourishing primer just goes that extra mile and has a richer, creamier texture which I prefer. The Nourishing Primer feeds skin, repairing and hydrating all day while anti oxidants actually help to prevent from the elements. As if that’s not enough, the primer restores elasticity and revitalizes skin creating a more even textured, flawless finish.

Today for example, as I said my skin was feeling a little more textured and so this is the primer I have used today. My make up has been on my hours now and you can’t tell, my skin still looks and feels seriously smooth.

Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow, £38.50

Before you gasp at the price, give me a minute! This primer is multi functional and contains an amazing blend of ingredients that can make all the different to your beautiful face! I bought this originally as a primer but after a few uses started wearing this on it’s own also. I am off on holidays soon and this will be firmly packed in my make up bag for daily wear!

I absolutely love a glowy finish on my skin but it can be hard to get a product that will give you that finish that lasts longer than 2 hours. That’s why I am so glad I took the plunge with this product because my make up stays on forever – hey, if it’s good enough for Jamie Genevieve then it’s good enough for me – SEE HERE Jamie Genevieve Night Out GRWM

*NOTE* This is what I am wearing in this picture for this post

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – Hydrating, £30

Yes, yes Laura Mercier are so much more than their loose powder. I like this primer because all the others I have mentioned are on the thicker side and sometimes it’s nice to have products on your face that are a little thinner, especially for days where you don’t want to wear a lot of make up. Again, it hydrates and leaves the skin nice and glowy while multi tasking to help minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines and imperfections.

I notice that as my make up wears, my make up can tend to settles into lines on my forehead but when I use this primer that doesn’t happen! So a bonus if any of you struggle to keep foundation out of any little crevices!

Estee Lauder The Illuminator, £26

The thing I love about this primer is that it is designed for use on top of your make up as well as a primer underneath. It’ll always be in my kit for events and make ups that require a lot of photography as it photographs beautifully. Not only that but it really makes your skin feel fresh and awake, so if your skin is feeling very lacklustre and needs waking up then this would be the primer for you. It’s the only primer that I would probably mix with any foundation to thin out as it doesn’t separate on the skin.

It hydrates, smoothes and illuminates giving you that Hollywood glamorous glow and is one that you can depend on to make your skin look flawless all day long.

Let me know if you have used any of my favourites or if you have a Primer that you absolutely adore and think I need to try out.

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Top 5 Powders

March 27, 2018April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkiee3 Comments

As somebody who works on a make up counter, powders seem to be the thing people question the most. Will it give me flashback? Do powders dry the skin out? Do they clog my pores? Do I use translucent or coloured powder? Do I even need it? Are loose and pressed powders the same? Do I a different powder for the face and under the eyes? The questions are endless and to be honest, how and why you use a powder should be a whole other blog post. For now, I have picked my favourite powders that I like for different reasons and use in different ways.

To answer one of the questions before I begin, loose powders come in a jar and have smaller particles therefore giving them a lighter feel and finish. Some can be messy and a pain in the butt to carry around so advice from me to you, keep loose in the stay at home make up bag. Pressed powders are are compacted and tend to contain ingredients like silicones and waxes to keep them in pressed solid form. If your skin can get irritated easily this is maybe something to be aware of! The particles in a pressed powder and slightly bigger and can therefore look cakey when too much product is applied.

To me, loose and pressed powders are completely different so I have included a mix of these products in this list to appeal to everyone!

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Powder, £5.99

This powder is a beauty because it comes in colour and translucent. Personally I prefer the translucent shade as but have used the coloured on clients. If you know anything about me at all, you’ll know my skin is on the dry/combination side which makes me annoying because I’m a little bit of everything. I have dry skin overall but with an oilier chin and quite open pores. That’s why I reach for this powder on a daily basis as even though it gives a matte finish and fills my pores it doesn’t dry out my skin.

Using the translucent powder stops any clogging too like I mentioned earlier and really only sets the coverage that you have already put down which is perfect if you aren’t looking full coverage.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Powder, £35

This is a powder perfect for someone who wants to have a flawless base (everyone right?) so long as you like to add a little coverage. Now, this powder is classed as a foundation before you go straight to online shopping but I love it on top of foundation too. It’s my go to for days where I am going straight out after work and it’s always in my handbag for emergencies. In fact, when I buy it I buy two at once because I keep one in my beauty room and one in my bag! That’s when you know that a product is one of your must haves!

Not only is the powder itself amazing offering medium coverage and a natural finish and SPF10, but there are 28 shades of this powder which is amazing for a powder shade range making it so easy for you to find your perfect shade.

RCMA No Colour Loose Powder, £13

My ultimate all time favourite powder for underneath my eyes and at only £13, it’s a bargain considering just how long it lasts. With it’s extremely lightweight texture it doesn’t dry out the skin and keeps under eyes crease free. There are several types of RCMA powders you you can get however, the no colour powder suits me best as I know that no matter whether I have tan on or not this powder will match. I originally bought this powder because one of my favourite YouTuber’s Make Up By Jaack used it and OBVIOUSLY I had to buy it. At a time where baking was the go to trend this powder was perfection. Trends may come and go but this great product is here to stay!

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder, £3.99

I don’t have much to say about this powder other than that it’s the best, most affordable powder I have ever used. I keep this powder for daytime and for when I am just running about and don’t need my make up cemented to my face. It has up to 5 hours wear and sits beautifully on the face. Although it is called Stay Matte the powder doesn’t take away all the shine in the face and it’s for this reason that I actually like it so much. With that in mind if you are very oily and reaching for it just know that in my opinion it’s not completely matte.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish, £33

So, I have saved the best for last! My favourite pressed powder of all time ever is this one from Charlotte Tilbury. When my skin isn’t looking as great as I would like it to be this is what I use. When my skin looks great, this powder makes it look even better.

With dry skin, I have to be careful about what powders I use so as not to make my skin dryer! This powder sits so lightly on the skin you wouldn’t think I had it on, but it sets all my foundations perfectly giving a soft, airbrushed finish. The powder doesn’t give you that dry powdery look either, creating a beautiful luminous finish.

So there you have it, my top 5 powders. Let me know if you have used any of these or if there’s a powder out there that I just HAVE to try. You can check out my other TOP 5 posts here –

top 5 bronzers

top 5 concealers

top 5 foundations

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The Ordinary Foundation Review

March 6, 2018April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkiee9 Comments

Isn’t it the dream for your new favourite foundation to cost less than a Starbucks order? Well, if you are lucky enough like me then this morning you found it. Yesterday I received my fabulous brown cardboard box from Beauty Bay and inside I was so happy to see a foundation that I have wanted to try for ages. Sometimes, it just takes you ages to get around to testing something new, especially a foundation.

First of all, a little bit of background on The Ordinary. I have used this brand for awhile now but have only used the skincare. The Ordinary is a brand owned by DECEIM and focus on ‘advanced functional beauty.’ The brand contains a vast collection of effective skincare and makeup with breakthrough technologies and a holistic honest approach. The brand should appeal to all especially considering DECIEM does not test on animals and does not pay others to do so.

The foundation stands at £5.95 for 30ml which compared to even the likes of Rimmel, Maybelline, L’oreal and other drug store brands is definitely one of the cheapest. Price point aside I know the reason people tend to stay away from drug store products are the restricted colour range but with The Ordinary there are 21 Shades available that cater to all skin undertones whether there are pink, yellow and neutral. I purchased the shade Light 1.2Y on a whim as I normally pick pale yellow based shades and there is a pretty good description on each shade on the Beauty Bay website.

I love the packaging on The Ordinary products as again, even for the price of it the boxes look so sleek. The skincare comes in beautiful white boxes and the foundation comes in sultry black packaging. Breaking into the box (more like ripping into because I was so excited) I pulled out a gorgeous bottle of foundation. Thankfully, I read the instructions first as you have to shake before use – otherwise I would have had a runny mess on a my face!

Application

The foundation applied like a dream, needing very little it covered my whole face. When testing out foundations I always use my trusty Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and this allowed this foundation to give me an even, full coverage foundation. Normally with even my full coverage foundations I find I always have to take 2 pumps to get proper coverage but I needed so little of this foundation in comparison. So this foundation is going to last me quite a long time!

Finish & Wear

I had thought it was going to be a matte finish but I was presently surprised to find that it was more semi-matte as I’m not a fan of totally matte foundations. I put it on this morning at 7am and it’s still on looking as perfect as when I first put it on and I’ve had a bit of a mental day. It hasn’t got any shinier like my makeup normally does and with my dry ass skin the foundation doesn’t gather towards any dry patches. The foundation didn’t sit in my lines or crease up anywhere either so this foundation is really ticking all the boxes for me. WINNING.

Removal

One thing that never really gets mentioned when talking about foundations is how easy or difficult they are to get off. So having just removed the foundation it was so easy to take off compared to how many pads I go through with my other foundations. There’s nothing I hate more than having to spend ages (and loads of product) on removing a face of makeup. I used my Estee Lauder Take It Away Make Up Remover like normal and it did an amazing job of taking it off.

*Fear not if full coverage isn’t for you then there’s a more natural coverage foundation available by The Ordinary. Will definitely be trying this one next! – The Ordinary Serum Foundation*

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Amy Savage

Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

Tag: beauty blogger

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