Due to a mixture of stress and maybe a thyroid problem, in November- early December I’ve lost my eyelashes. It literally happened over night, one day i was fine the other, had nothing to put mascara on. Well not really nothing, still have some of my top ones but the bottom are gone.

Behold the evidence:

GONE!

Now this is no stranger to me, since i was a child my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes fall out when im stressed. Don’t know how to translate the condition name in english, but yeah I’ve lived with it all my life. Thankfully no one can notice, or so ive been told, when i have my makeup on. And no, fake eyelashes are not a solution for my everyday life.

Anyway, this is what ive bought to tackle the issue:

RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum (€50)

A cult product for lash growth, been reading about it for ages on blogs and was amazed by the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures. Was a bit worried about the side-effects, apparently it can be irritant for some people, change the eye color (!?!) and promote a mild pigmentation on the lids. It should be used for approximately 8 weeks.

How to use: every night, apply RapidLash at the base of the eyelashes. Its very easy, just like applying liquid eyeliner (well minus the messy evidence)

So far i have been using it for 2 weeks and these are my preliminary thoughts:

a) no irritation, stinginess, redness or other nasty side-effects. Also my eyes are the same green/hazel they have ever been.

b) no growth whatsoever. Nope, my bottom lid is as bare as the dessert.

NB. I will continue to use it until the 8 weeks are up, i was just hopping ill see some results in just two weeks.

Talika Lipocils (€20)

The Lipocils was recommended by my eyebrow threading specialist, to grow my eyebrows. It is meant for lashes, but really cant see how this will work at all. The brush is so big and it appears drying, like there is nothing on it when you try to comb your lashes. When used on the eyebrows, i can tell that there is a gel-like texture on the wand.

Again i only used it for two weeks, only on my eyebrows. No massive difference yet.

Mavala Double Lash (€10)

This product i have been using all summer and im still using it daily in the morning time. To be honest i don’t even know why im using it still, no difference whatsoever on my lashes and this was in the times i had luscious, long lashes (ah…memories). Think its more a lash conditioner rather then ‘lash growth’ product. Im applying it in the morning before my mascara.

As a natural remedy, i have tried the castor oil every night on my lashes for a month or more (in Nov/December) but no luck. Usually this cure made the trick in the past, but this time nope.

Also ive started taking Perfectil and Silica supplements. Really cant do more then im doing, just pray for growth lol. Oh yeah, i could have a ZEN attitude!

Any lash growth remedies/products that i should now about? I would try anything!

- to be continued after 6 weeks -

Only two weeks in my cosmetic/makeup spending ban and i already break the rules. Jeez i have the willpower of a fly!

It just has taken me by surprise, the sale i mean. You see, if i know there will be sale in a shop i prepare myself and if it really comes to it, i just don’t enter the shop at all. The crowds and the mess put me off (unless it is a Zara sale!) and im usually too tired for a good rummage.

But what do you do when the sale its at your counter and you have to re-label the products for the sale?

It all started with some products that didn’t have a tester so i just checked the color out of curiosity. Big mistake! Cue three lipsticks and two lip glosses:

Lancome Color Fever Lipsticks and Color Fever Glosses

Warning! I’ve taken the photos at night time with a pretty crappy camera. Capturing the tones of a lipstick its an art that i haven’t mastered yet. Ill be doing swatches in the morning, with natural light and update the post.

Lancome Color Fever Lipstick 332 (was €24 now €16)

Its a lot prettier and lighter in real life than in the photo, its a beautiful barbie pink suitable for a casual day.

Lancome Color Fever Lipstick 147 (was €24 now €16)

The classic red lipstick! Not too pink, not too blue…just perfect. Need to byte the bullet and start wearing reds, im in my late twenties for heaven’s sake.

Lancome Color Fever Lipstick 104 (was €24 now €16)

My absolute favorite from the bunch. Yes, my camera fails miserably and probably you cant even notice the differences between the two reds. 104 its a coral/orange toned red who would look fabulous on blondes and makes an ultimate summer staple. Tanned skin, tasseled beach hair, a sexy maxi dress and this lipstick, can not wait for summer nights!

Color Fever Glosses in 326 (top) and 334 (bottom) (was €20 now €13.50)

Non sticky, medium coverage, delicious pink tones. 334 its a cooler pink, while 326 has a touch of peach in it, making it warmer.

Perhaps if i’ll stop buying lipsticks, i could afford a proper DSLR…

Disclaimer: I have paid for the products with my own money.

Its a tradition of mine for the last years to do my New Year resolutions either on the 1st of Jan or on the 3rd of Jan (my birthday). I tend to keep them on the first page of my diary to remind me to stay focused and cross them with great satisfaction at the end of the year. Usually im doing very well with the big goals like get a good job or save money, but not so good with the little ones – get fit, eat healthy, spend more time with your friends etc.

So after thinking long and hard, these are a few of my 2012 resolutions:

1. Become more organized

 Have to find a good work – life balance, this is probably my biggest issue: when im at home i still think about work. Need to spend more time with my friends, no more rain checks for lunch dates, movies etc.. This girl is going to have a good time!

2. Be fit and healthy

So sugar its No.1 enemy, followed by carbs (found in 99% of my meals) and coffee. It got to the point where i have to change something to re-gain my energy and keep my mind clear.

Also want to start again on my workout DVD’s with Jillian, had such a good routine last year really want to get back on it.

3. Keep my stress levels under control.

I suffer with anxiety and im by nature a worrier. My anxiety gets so bad sometimes that i cant breath, have pains in my chest and an uncontrollable fear. Usually i get it at night time, nothing triggers my attacks i can very well be watching tv or having a shower. Im frankly sick of it.

4. Be grateful for what i have.

Sometimes i forget that i have a really blessed life, im spoiled and loved to the max by my fiance, have wonderful friends and thank goodness a good job that keeps me motivated. As silly as it sounds, im determined to count my blessings every night to remind my self there is light in my life.

5. Travel more.

Because of my dental bills from last year, i didn’t get to go everywhere we planned. Hopefully this year i’ll get to see more places.

6. Stop buying all the magazines under the sun. Read more.

Every month im buying every glossy magazine i can get hold off, fickle to it and then abandon it in my basket. Because the blogging world got so good and of course,my job in the beauty industry,  i find that glossy magazines don’t bring anything new to the table for me. Loads of adds, expensive clothes and sponsored posts, sometimes even wrong product information. No thank you.

Instead ill be re-directing my pennies to buy books for my kindle. The plan is to read a book per week or every two weeks.

7. Stop buying makeup.

Yes you heard me right. Must not buy any more makeup, perfume or cellulite creams (my weakness). Have tons, wasted money gathering dust on the shelfs or in drawers. Its such a waste, i get excited about the next best thing…it becomes some sort of a quest to have it and then when its mine, sometimes don’t even bother to open the wrapping.

And you know whats the funny thing, if you tell me a cream costs 100 euro i don’t even bat an eyelid, but if i see that price tag on a pair of shoes i think its too expensive. So i end up with loads of luxury toiletries and have nothing to wear in exchange.

                                                                                              only half of my lip glosses…

So from now on,  ill be shopping my stash. Every week/month ill rotate my perfumes and makeup and do my monthly favorites.

8. Blog more.

This goes without saying it’s been on the table since i started this blog (almost 3 years ago sigh!). Ill be investing this year in a new camera, so hopefully that will give me the kick i need.

Have a fabulous 2012 and don’t forget to stay positive!

Lots of love,

Happy New Year lovely people! Hope the New Year found you healthy, happy and safe.

I’m so excited about this year, the last one wasn’t great for me…it seemed i wasted too much time, money and energy on random stuff without focusing on whats important. With this in my mind, I’m planning to do a 2012 resolution post this week, so keep an eye for that.

I haven’t gone mad like other times on the beauty stuff, i received most of my wish list over Christmas so was happy with that.

This is what i’ve bought:

Lush 12 Days of Christmas and Under the Mistletoe gift sets 50% off

I just joined the two sets in the big green box.

These were incredible value, got them both for about 35 euro. I’m storing the lot in the 12 Days of Christmas box, its like my treasure box.

Clarins Complexion Instant Smoothing Essentials 30% off

and my new grown-up scent:

Dior Hypnotic Poison gift set 30% off

Its such a gourmand, sexy, feminine scent…honestly cant get enough.

What have you picked up in the beauty sales?

I’ve been sent the iWhite teeth whitening kit a while ago, but due to my dental misfortunes i didn’t get around to see it in action. To be fair, i didn’t see it in action at all on my teeth as my dentist almost hit me in the head with the box when he heard what i wanna do. Well after two root canals and two crowns, plus my gum problems…yeah i could see how teeth whitening wasn’t really a priority.

So Himself, had to sacrifice for science purposes…Yeah right, he wanted to use it since he saw it in the mail box! We are such a vain couple .

iWhite Oxygen Activated Teeth Whitening Kit

The box contains a mouth tray and 14 whitening foam strips.

And how it looks just before you place it in your mouth:

How to use iWhite

After you fixed the strips in the mouth tray, place it in your mouth and wait for 20 minutes. The whole treatment is for just 7 days.

Review

First of all, himself is a smoker (disgusting i know) and he never ever used a whitening kit so it kinda makes him an ideal candidate. During the 7 days, it didn’t cause any sort of teeth sensitivity and it was easy to use. The mouth guard was relatively comfortable, but he had to be careful because of his gag reflex. So if there are sensitive people out there regarding this aspect, take note.

Result wise, it definitely brighten his teeth. Now im not saying that is that fake white smile, but i can notice a difference for sure. I would totally recommend iWhite as a brightening quick fix before a big event, but if you need major whitening i would still go to a dental clinic for a professional treatment.

RRP.29.99

Time certainly flies when you’re having fun, can’t believe its almost a month since my last post. Ive been so focused on work and become too excited to think about anything else – im the typical workaholic when im not at work, im thinking about work lol.

Also it seems im not that inspired to blog, im craving for a new site layout and desperately need a better camera. Santa, are you reading this? Im very much into fashion blogs lately, find myself looking up lifestyle and fashion blogs on blogloving more then the beauty ones. Who knows, i might start doing some OOTD in the new year and maybe some videos to spice things up a bit here.

I haven’t been shopping loads in the last month, im trying to save my pennies for the January sales. Every year im promising myself ill have a decent budget to splurge on the sales and on my birthday (new year baby – 3rd of Jan) and i end up broke, so im determined to get organized. Im already so excited about the next year resolutions!

Well, enough chit chating ill get straight to business:

Took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer in Boots at the start of November and got my skincare staples: La Roche Posay Effaclar K and Vichy Normaderm Anti-Age. Seriously, this routine is the best ever for my skin! I tend to test out other products for ‘research’ purposes, but nothing agrees with me better then this two products. In just three days from re-starting with my routine my skin was looking perfect again: smooth, clear, no bumps in sight. I use the Effaclar K in the morning with Shu Uemura spf 30 priming mousse and the Normaderm Anti-Age during the night.

The Kerium Extra Gentle shampoo is for himself, its the only shampoo that he can use. Unfortunately he suffers of seboreic dermatitis on his scalp and face, when i met him was using Nizoral shampoo for every wash. Now he only uses the Nizoral once per week or even once every two weeks, and washes with the Kerium every day. He never looked back.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

This foundation deserves a proper post by itself, it is absolutely amazing. Excellent color match on my skin (im no 53), light weigh with a medium coverage, dewy radiant finish. Find it very similar to the more expensive Chanel Aqua Lumiere that i’ve had a couple of samples during the summer. The only drawback is that it gives me shine on my t-zone, but again even the Double Wear is not strong enough for my oiliness. Also it doesn’t have any SPF, so make sure you use a primer or skincare with SPF.

Last but not least, got some Clarins goodies: One Step Exfoliating Cleanser and the Energizing Lotion for the legs. Had them both before, the One Step exfoliant is a cult product for Clarins, it gives such a good scrub and the smell is delicious. Felt the need of a more rigourous face exfoliant, the Liz Earle is good and still have loads, but with my oily skin likes rougher stuff.

The Energizing Lotion is a God sent for anyone working on their feet all day, its so refreshing and stimulating. The only warning is that is very, very cooling so use it sparingly.

Any news with you guys?

xo

PS. Sale alert: The Body Shop are having 30% off this Friday (25th Nov) and Clerys Department Store on O’Connell street (Dublin) are starting the Mega Days this Thursday (24th Nov) with 10% off on all beauty counters/cosmetics.

It is Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf.

If i could have it on tap, drink it and bathe in it every day, i would be the happiest girl in Dublin.To be honest, when i gave a blood sample last week, i was surprised that Flowerbomb didn’t came pouring out. That’s how much i love it.

Of course i own the whole shebang:

From left to right: Luxorious Body Cream, Body Lotion, the Flowerbomb itself EDP and Flowerbomb Intense.

Personally i don’t sense any difference between the original Flowerbomb and the Intense version, supposedly it should last longer then the usual EDP or its meant to be heavier…i just cant tell them apart.

Flowerbomb its the utmost feminine perfume i own – heady, sweet and sexy turn heads every time i wear it.

Top notes: Bergamot and Tea

Middle notes: Jasmine, Freesia and Orchid

Base notes: Centiflora Rose and Patchouli

It is available in gift sets from now forward, its always nice to get some extra bits with your purchase (body lotion and shower gel).

* A more affordable dupe is the new Jimmy Choo perfume, currently waiting for a pretty lady to win it over ArtDonatella’s blog (here).

Last night I’ve stepped in the magical land of Christmas, with spicy warm mulled wine, canapes and ginger bread biscuits all courtesy of The Body Shop.

And for the record, no i don’t care that its only end of October…I love Christmas!!! The sooner, the better!

This post is just part 1, i will do another post about what i learned from the ever so fabulous Makeup Artist Karim and some reviews of what ive tried from new collection.

I’m still torn between the Candied Ginger and Cranberry Joy Limited Edition body products, they are both so warming and festive scented.

Stars of the Christmas makeup collection are by far the new smokey eyeshadow palettes. Generous sizes, excellent eyeshadow brush and a travel size eye pencil, what could you as for more?

And my favorite product: The Sparkler in Gold

Add that little bit of sparkle to any night out, the magpie in me adores it! Plus, how fab is the packaging?!

I’m very happy i was able to attend the event, its always such a pleasure to meet my favorite Irish bloggers and try out fantastic products.

From left to right: Suzanne PR The Body Shop, Andreea from ArtDonatella, Karen from Lovelygirlybits, Me and Paula from Cornflakegirl’s Musing.

Chat soon x0

Seeing this online, my mouth salivated. Bold, bright colors mixed in with rich autumnals? Mine please. What arrived on my lap a few days later is a thing of beauty, 12 deeply pigmented shadows for less than a tenner. Bargainous. I was looking for a nice quality palette with some more interesting colors to play around with (despite owning several of the infamous 88 palettes).

This LE from Sleek in collaboration with PPQ was ideal. There’s definitely some scary colors, I’ll give you that, but honestly once you play around enough anything can be wearable! (even that scary red). Here’s a run-through off the shades with their finishes and my thoughts! Oh, and all swatches are over a light bit of NYX’s milk, as always!

Barry White – This one is a sheer wash of ivory sheen, not as white as the name suggests. No chunky glitter here, it works excellently as a wash over a matte shade or as a highlight colour. (I’m so pale this barely swatched in the photo!)

Black Box – Hmm, not as pigmented as the usual black inclusion in the sleek palettes, this may be useful if you find using a true black a little harsh. The finish is matte and quite chalky, good to set liner for sure.

Salt ‘N’ Peppermint – This is what drew me to the palette originally. I’m a total sucker for these beautiful teal shades, whether on the lid or underneath on the lower lash line. Again this is a matte shade, but creamy and nicely pigmented. This is very close to MAC’s  L.E ‘Surfin’ USA’ (which I love and have hit pan on sadly).

Simply Red -  I know, I  know, red? Not the most wearable of shades! When I saw this I thought, “Eye infection? No thanks.” But upon swatching I saw how beautifully pigmented it was and I knew I had to find a way to wear it! So, today I wore it in my crease with Chris De Burgundy over it to soften the colour, blended with a smidge of matte brown. It’s do-able, I promise, and I actually love it. I’m wearing it right now, and together they make this season’s very on-trend maroon shade. So don’t be put off!

Pink Beret -  Another matte, this time the name is completely unrelated. This is best described as a baby-neon-coral. Hard to imagine, I know! This is actually really cute for a pastel look and is nicely creamy for a matte. So nicely creamy that I may or may not have worn it as a blush..

Primal Green – This is a GORGEOUS golden khaki shade, a bit like a greeny version of Urban Decay’s Half-Baked. It’s a nice and easy way to update your basic neutral look while still playing it safe. This has a smooth, satin finish.

Fade To Grey -  Grey? You mean pure, metallic silver! I realized I don’t actually have any other silvers.. This one is super high-shine and has a lovely cool tone to it. It’ll be amazing as we approach the dreaded Christmas party season!

 Blue Monday – Okay, this most certainly is not blue. It has a slight blue tinge is some lights I guess? But anyway, to me this is a slightly darker version of MAC’s ‘Humid’, a dark, cool-toned khaki. This is a softer satin, not too shiny, would be lovely on the outer ‘V’ with Primal Green or Fade to Grey.

Super Nova – With a name like that you’d expect a nice metallic, no? Well this is a lavender-taupey colour, lovely to throw in the crease if you’re having a ‘no makeup’ makeup day. This one is again a matte, not overly pigmented though.

Chris De Burgundy – BEST NAME. BEST SHADE. I’m sorry, I lovveeee this. It’s such an amazing autumn colour, can’t stop using it! And wow, it is goood on blue/grey eyes. This one is a creamy matte, so beautifully pigmented it looks like a glass of Pinot Noir. Amazing!

Lilac Allen – A very frosted pinkie-purple satin shade. Not sure how much use this will be personally but if you like your frosted purple’s, this is really quite nice.

 Golden silver’s – A pale, very yellow-toned gold, this one I wore today with my reds (sounds crazy but it’s wearable). This is a little disappointing, not very pigmented but still usable, it fades a little faster than the others.

Overall

Under ten euro for twelve shades of this quality is unreal. Even if there’s two in there that stick out to you I say get it, or regret it.

 Availability

Sometimes found in the hair-extension shops on Moore street, your best bet is either Beautyemporium.ie or Cloud10beauty.com.