What’s In My Make Up Bag?

January 15, 2018April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkiee1 Comment

I’ll be the first to admit that I have far too much make up than I even need for freelancing never mind just for myself but, just like everyone else I like to keep my daily makeup bag simple. A few products that will change your make up from day to night, from office drab to party glam in a matter of minutes. These products I have in my make up bag are products that I can use without a bigger mirror, making them great for easy and quick application!

Foundation

I always carry a sample of my current foundation with me as it’s smaller than carrying the full product and more convenient. The next time you are in a store buying your foundation, ask nicely for a sample alongside your purchase for handiness. Not all counters sample as is their policy, so pop into Boots or Superdrug and buy a small jar, normally located in the Holiday Travel area and fill it up from your own just in case. This can come in so handy, drinks after work with the girls? Surprise date night from a loved one? More realistically I use it when I spill sauce down my face from eating something. Either way, makes for quick and easy touch ups! My go to foundation at the minute is Yves Saint Laurent All Hours £33.50, beautiful foundation and you need very little so will last you ages.

SHOP HERE

https://www.yslbeauty.co.uk/makeup/complexion/foundation/all-hours-liquid-foundation/WW-21201YSL.html

Powder

I am a lover of face powder but have yet to find the perfect one to suit me. I am currently bouncing around a few powders but in my makeup bag to bring around with me I tend to bring more afforadable powders. I have a habit of dropping them, so when I drop one that’s more affordable then it doesn’t hurt my soul as much. I once dropped my Estee Lauder Doublewear Powder £35 down the stairs and I swear, the sound I made only dogs could have heard. My favourite drug store powder is the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder £3.99 and is never far from my makeup bag. There is no makeup look that can’t be solved by a puff of powder and a lick of lipstick! Plus, powder you can throw on without even looking so there’s not even any need to run to the loos.

SHOP HERE

http://www.boots.com/rimmel-stay-matte-pressed-powder-10097901

Multi Use Palette

Whether you are more of a blush person or a bronzer person, pick the palette that’s right for you and small enough that you can keep in your make up bag. My personal favourite is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow Palette, £49. When I feel in the mood to spend a little on myself and treat myself to make up, Charlotte Tilbury is my first stop, pretty much because of the packaging. If highlight and bronzer isn’t your thing then try the Filmstar Bronze and Blush, £60 instead. Both palettes will give you the ability to sharpen any make up look no matter the occasion.

SHOP HERE

http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/filmstar-bronze-and-glow.html

http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/filmstar-bronze-and-blush.html 

Brow Gel

Normally I would have said just a brow pencil or powder however, as of recent I prefer a bushier brow and I love the way a brow gel through the hairs look. After work or before I go out somewhere this is always the last thing I do as it lifts a look and brings it to life. I use the Mac Pro Longwear Brow Gel, £14.50 and so easy and quick to use so a perfect addition to your makeup bag.

SHOP HERE

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123443187599_-1

Eyeliner

Even if I don’t take a make up bag with me I always take an eyeliner. You just never know when the situation calls for a cat eye or a smoky eye. For that reason, I carry both a liquid and a kohl, Mac Eye Kohl Ebony, £14.50 and Kat Von D Tattoo Liner £16. The pencil is best for a quick smoky eye and blend out with your finger, or if you can be bothered then bring a little blending brush in your bag too. Failing that, whip out that Tattoo Liner and cat eye your eyes for an elegant look.

SHOP HERE

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123443932599_-1

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123016001499_-1

LIPS

Whatever lip combo you feel your most sexy in, you have got to have that in your make up bag. Not going to lie, I have a ‘natural’ colour and a more out there colour for days where I don’t know what mood i’ll be in. For me I find it best to have a nude and either a red or a deep brown/plum colour to really amp up a look. As Elizabeth Hurley once said ‘Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick and pull yourself together.’

SHOP HERE

https://www.rimmellondon.com/en_gb/products/lips/lasting-finish-by-kate-moss

SERUM

I never leave the house without my Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum and I always have a little travel size in my make up bag. Pressing a little of this serum over my make up makes me feel like I can conquer the world. It rejuvenates and re hydrates my skin leaving me with a beautiful glow from within that no amount of highlighter can give you making it a perfect item to add before you head out somewhere.

SHOP HERE

https://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/681/26959/product-catalog/skincare/advanced-night-repair/synchronized-recovery-complex-ii

FRAGRANCE

I’m a perfume lover, I am always spritzing myself with my favourites scents and love picking up sample sizes to keep in my make up bag. Currently I have Chloe and a Marc Jacobs fragrance in my bag. Beautiful sweet, fresh smelling to lift your spirits for a last minute night on the town!

And so concludes what’s in my make up bag, I would love to hear from you what you put in your make up bag, and if there’s anything I am missing out on carrying around!

Best Websites For Buying Makeup

January 5, 2018April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkieeLeave a comment

As a self confessed make up lover I have found the perfect way to successfully shop for my make up but what about you guys who are watching these YouTube videos and reading these blogs about products and have no idea where or how to buy them?

I have compiled a list of the best websites to shop online for your perfect beauty picks!

https://www.beautybay.com/

This website is my immediate go to for shopping as it holds a host of beauty brands that you can’t get on the high street or even in your local department stores. From Anastasia Beverly Hills to Sigma to Morphe to Zoeva it has it all! Before Beauty Bay came along it was hard (and expensive) to get these amazing products but it is so easy.

You can view your products by brand and make up category making it easier to see what you are looking for and pick up a few bargains on the way. Speaking of bargains, they have a sale on now GO GO GO!

Not only is this a fantastic and easy to use website but you get free delivery with a £15 spend. I don’t know about you but I could spend £15 in 15 seconds so that’s not a problem for me. This is great as it appeals to even those on a budget.

https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk

When I can’t find what I need on Beauty Bay my next stop is Cult Beauty. Serving you brands from Huda Beauty to Becca Cosmetics to Lime Crime to Farsali (you know that serum Instagrammers are dripping all over their faces?). They also sell some of the same things that Beauty Bay has so if you are enquiring about prices be sure to check on both as you may save yourself some £’s.

What I like about Cult Beauty is that on their main page they have got such great blog posts that are interesting and entertaining to read (https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/blog) Not only that but you can shop a trends section to stay up to date with what’s hot in the beauty industry which is extremely helpful because I feel like the trends change weekly and can be hard to keep up. God forbid I put on a gloss when it’s back to ‘all matte everything.’

PS. There’s a sale on Cult Beauty too!

http://www.spacenk.com/uk

Us fortunate souls in the Belfast area are extremely lucky to have Space NK on our doorstep but for those who don’t or are lazier (me) then the website is perfection! What started out as a single store in Covent Garden has now graduated into 60 stores over UK & Ireland is now home to over 70 brands. Carrying some of the world’s most amazing, elusive brands Space NK provides a shopping experience like no other. From Hourglass to Rodin (oh please tell me you have tried this brand?! Their Jasmine & Neroli Luxury Body Oil is to die for…)

http://www.birchbox.com

So this is primarily a subscription service that sends subscribers five selected samples of makeup, skincare, haircare, etc. For £10 a month/ £60 for 6 months/ £110 for 12 months you get a box of goodies that are tailored to suit you. I love this website, it’s such a great idea to get to try products you never would have normally. Plus, technically you’re only buying one thing, so it’s not as bad as buying 5 things. You can also purchase products from this website like the others but this one is all about the special boxes that come every month. I love them, it’s like getting a little surprise sent to you in the mail!

In fact if you order a box in January you get a free Pop Beauty Eyeshadow Trio with a Spectrum brush – just use the code EYES at checkout – YAY!

There are so many sites that you can use but these are a selection of my favourites and the ones that I use all the time. Way more than I probably should. These sites are perfect for those amazing products that you can’t get in normal stores, or if you just hate going into places like Debenhams, Boots, etc then they are perfect for you.

Happy shopping!

New Year, Same Me

December 29, 2017April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkiee

Aloha all you beautiful people!

I am sitting here happy as a clam all toasty and wrapped up in an extra layer of fat that I put on over Christmas and just thinking about the coming year and everything that it’s going to have in store. With 2018 just around the corner it got me thinking about all of those New Year Resolutions that we make and then worry ourselves over to inevitably not stick to and feel horrible about ourselves which is why

my new years resolution this year is to not make a resolution

I am positively giddy about the fact that I am not going to starve myself for a week in order to attempt losing weight. I am over the moon that I am not going to beat myself up that I haven’t learned a new skill or taken up a hobby. I am on cloud nine that I am going to continue to drink just a little too much at the weekends therefore ruining my Sundays. I am ecstatic that I am going to have the first take out of 2018 and not feel a pick of guilt because I said I would cut down.

For years now I have busted my balls trying to become a ‘better person’ in trying to stick to these ridiculous goals and then spending the following 10 months hating myself that I never completed or stuck to them. Well, enough is enough! No longer will I waste my time on these stupid resolutions in order for me to feel down on myself.

Don’t get me wrong, I plan on accomplishing some things this coming year but none that I will write down and beat myself up about if I don’t change. For example, I really ought to start driving, clear out the pile of clothes I am in denial about, eat a little healthier and maybe put away some money in a savings account. To me those are like – life changes for a better state of mind, not a resolution that I need to force myself to change. I find resolutions very unhealthy and a lot of emphasis gets placed on them, especially at this time of year. It’s basically like saying to yourself ‘you weren’t good enough this year, let’s try again for next year.’ Of course there are some bad habits that we all would like to shake but again, I am not going to get myself down in the dumps about it.

If you are someone that loves making resolutions as a way of trying to ‘improve’ yourself then go for it – Godspeed – however, I am not one of those people. I can’t wait to wake up on New Year’s Day hungover, crawl out of bed and straight for the Diet Coke and take away menu because I am not placing myself on some strange diet that requires I eat a cube of cheese three times a day.

I am looking forward to maturing slightly next year. I feel like the year I turn 27 I really need to get my ducks in a row. That being said, 2017 I moved in with Joel in our cute little rented house in Belfast (my stuff takes up 95% of it, his 5%) and I have accomplished a lot this year. Can’t wait to see what 2018 has to offer and I can’t wait to not have to force it with New Years Resolutions.

Happy New Year!

Amy xo

Snacks

December 20, 2017April 3, 2019 cosmeticsjunkieeLeave a comment

Before I even say hello I just have to say that never have I been hungrier in my life than I was when writing this post. So thanks to this post I think I gained a stone.

Hello Fellow Hungry Hippos,

You have in fact read this title correctly. This is not about delicately delicious morsels that I cooked up in my Nigella style kitchen with methods for you to follow. No brownies, no homemade, no nothing. This is about those so-tasty-should-be-illegal things that you can bulk buy from the likes of B&M or Home Bargains for about £1. If you are reading this and you don’t have B&M or Home Bargains, I pray that one day either opens near you and you can experience the wonders they have to offer. Or go online.

Anyway, I am a snacky person. My locker in work is full of snacks. Hence why I am pushing into a new dress size and believe me I am going up not down. My mouth is already watering thinking about the snacks I am going to write about. I have compiled a list of my go to snacks but please understand I do not eat all of them every day. Just… some of them.

WARNING! Seriously unhealthy food to follow, if you are a health freak or on a diet please know, I am sorry. Click away.

Popnotch Popcorn. Something you must know about me… I love popcorn. I go to the cinema just so I can have popcorn. Is that bad? Anyway, my favourite popcorn to have actually comes from near my fabulous home in Northern Ireland. They have so many flavours and they even have little packets for kids. They have cute little popcorns with sayings on their packaging and to be honest, that’s what sold it to me firstly. Now, I make it my aim to collect all the flavours! My favourite is the Sweet & Salty Popnotch Popcorn. If you are from Northern Ireland, do yourself a favour and pick up a pack! Nom nom nom… (PS. check out their website it is so cute http://popnotch.co.uk/ )
Houmous. Oh my GOD, hello? I will dip anything, anything into houmous. Be it carrot sticks, celery or a bloody chocolate bar. I am being serious. A Mediteranean spread which works great with pitta breads, bread sticks, carbs, etc and my favourite comes from M&S. The Deli Reduced Fat Extra Virgin Olive Oil Houmous is unreal. It’s handy when you are wanting a snack that will actually fill you and not leave you full of guilt instead. Be warned though, the garlic can be a little overpowering so maybe pop a mint after if you are on a work break.
Chocolate. Ah duh. All chocolate, all colours. Say no more. The perfect little boost to get you through the ~~day~~ hour. I can’t pick one chocolate brand or bar as my favourite because… that’s crazy. However, malteasers are a fantastic snack. The little boxes you can get make me happy inside – that’s the kind of shit I get in B&M… they are always £1.
Apple & Peanut Butter. So this CAN be a healthy snack so long as you choose a natural peanut butter. I don’t normally pay much attention to the peanut butter I am picking and whether it’s healthy or not I just pick the one I know tastes good.
Chip n Dip. Be it Doritos and Salsa, Plain Crisps and Sour Cream Dip or Pringles and Nutella (trust me) chip and dip is seriously under rated as one of the best snacks out there. In fact, why not go the whole 9 yards and just make nachos… oh, maybe that’s a meal and not a snack. No matter whether it’s movie night with the gals, a hangry lunch break or a sneaky pig out sesh chip n dip is always the answer.
Tayto Cheese & Onion Sandwich. Firstly, if you aren’t Irish you can probably just skip this point as there is no other crisp that will suit, so don’t try. The Tayto Factory produces one of the greatest crisps I have ever tasted, and I have tasted my fair share of crisps. Not only is the bag of crisps itself an amazing snack, but put a bag of crisps in between two slices of bread and butter and you have got something that will make your insides warm and fuzzy. In fact… brb making a sandwich.
Cuppa and biscuits. Okay, so while this isn’t your average snack it’s one of the best. There is nothing that a cup of tea can’t fix and pair it with your favourite biscuit and you are onto a winner. I am a ginger nut, chocolate digestive lover with an occasional cookie rather than your fancy biscuit. I like to keep it old school. The question is do you dunk your biscuit? If the answer is no, I can’t associate with you. There is simply nothing better than a biscuit that has been dunked into the perfectly made cup of tea.
Cheese & Crackers. My favourite end to any dinner party. I mean, yeah sure the company and the entertainment is okay – but cheese and crackers is just the ticket. Any cheese, any cracker and a glass of port wine (or Schloer… always Schloer) will always win. M&S always do a cracking cheese board, especially for this time of year as as I write this, it is less than a week to Christmas. M&S have a wide variety of cheese boards that suit every taste and price. That being said, I prefer to create my own cheese board picking my favourite cheese and crackers. My favourite crackers to have with cheese are oldies but goodies, Jacobs crackers. They may seem boring to some, but I love them and they suit every cheese. William Jacob made a damn good cracker way back in 1850!