My daily face for the last two months (Dec and Jan):

Estee Lauder Idealist serum. Use it every morning, under my day moisturiser to minimize my awful looking pores. Two drops its all you need, spread it in the essentials areas (my case cheeks and nose). I’m pleased to say it really works, seen a reduction after just a week and my pores are looking airbrushed.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation (shade 53). This is my ‘day off’ foundation, it provides a medium coverage with a dewy radiant glow. I only use it when im off just because i get loads of shine through the day and this foundation doesn’t have any mattifying properties, so its nice when i slap it on just for a few hours.

Lancome Teint Idole 24H (No. 03). Was lucky to try it before it was launched (which is 1st of Feb, tomorrow!) so had about 3 whole months of daily testing. This is my ‘work’ foundation – it doesn’t budge, needs minimal retouching for shine and has an excellent color range. I was a fan of the original Teint Idole Ultra, but sometimes i found it too drying and the coverage was too heavy. While the new is style full coverage, the texture its a lot smoother and velvety.

Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer (no. 52). An excellent concealer! Very moisturising, full coverage and with a brightening effect. I apply it first, then my foundation and then highlight with YSL Touche Eclat.

YSL Touche Eclat (no. 1). I use it on top of the Bourjois concealer, just in the inner corners of my eye and on my nose bridge.

Bourjois Smokey Eyes in 04 Nude Ingenu. I have been obsessed with these eye shadows, reach for them every morning and for the first time, hit pan on a color.

Lancome Artliner in Black. My signature look for 2011 and im sure for 2012 as well, the windged black eyeliner.

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara in Black. Love the brush, it gives me length and separation. Think that this is the type that gets better with age, when it dries up a bit after a week from opening it provides the most flawless application.

Sleek Nude Blush. Because of the cold weather i was a bit over the pink blusher, it looked like a had rosaceea cheeks! Instead i reached for the nude brown/tan blush to sculpt some cheekbones.

Mac Mineralized Powder in Medium Plus. Dewy, natural, flawless coverage what is not to love?!

Eyebrows: penciled first with Lancome eyebrow pencil (02) and then sealed the color with my all time favorite Smashbox Brow Tech in Taupe.

Other Loves

F for Salvatore Ferragamo Perfume, probably a more summer appropriate scent as it is light and floral but it makes my happy so im gonna use it up.

Kerastase Nutri Sculpt Leave-in Conditioner. The first leave in conditioner that doesnt leave my hair flat and greasy. My hair drinks it up and re becomes shiny and soft.

Vichy Lipidiose Body Exfoliant. This is the old packaging version, they have re-vamped the range since i got it (a year ago). Use it once a week and it delivers the softest skin ever. Its definetly not a gently scrub, but sometimes rough is better .

Vichy Liftactiv Serum. This serum has been an absolute savior during winter months, have been using it religiously every night under my moisturiser to plump and boost my skin. I can really see a difference in my complexion in the morning, it looks brighter and more relaxed.

Promise the next Favorites installment will be a lot shorter than this, haven’t done one in a long time so had lots of loves.

If in the last few months I’ve done mostly makeup favorites (here and here), this time I’m doing body and hair favorites. My makeup hasn’t changed at all since last month, i have been so comfortable with my routine that i didn’t bother using other products. Maybe this month I’ll spice things up a bit.

Dr. Organic Royal Jelly Leg & Vein Cream

My job involves standing a lot and running around the place, so I’m concerned about getting varicose veins. I have this routine every night of massaging my calves to stimulate the blood flow and then i stand with my legs elevated for a couple of minutes to avoid swelling. Hey i girl gotta to do, what a girl gotta do!

This cream is full of organic active ingredients with a reputation to prevent varicose veins like Royal Jelly, Horse Chestnut, Propolis, Palmaria palmata (marine extract) and much more. The texture is a silky cream that facilitates the massage, soaking in without being greasy. Leaves a lovely finish, the skin feeling very soft and toned.

                    L’oreal Sculpt Up Body Gel

Like everyone else this time of year, I’ve started to take better care of my body and prepare for summer. Which usually means, time to shed a few winter pounds and tackle the dreaded cellulite.

Loreal Sculpt Up body gel is a tightening and re-sculpting product, with an immediate effect. It really has the result of a corset, just gives the impression of a more refined silhouette and keeps everything tucked in. Also makes the most incredible silky skin, I love it!

I tend to use it before a night out or whenever i wear something more fitted, i can really see a difference. Unfortunately the effect its only temporary it lasts as long as you use it daily, so im still looking for a good cellulite cream to melt the cushions away. I would definitely bring this gel with me on beach holiday!

 Avene Cold Hand Cream

I use loads of sanitizing gel on my hands during the day and the result is a very dry, irritated skin. So far, Avene Cold Cream was the only thing that restored my hands to normality after just one use, i applied it before going to bed and in the morning i had moisturised and normal looking skin. Also i like that is not greasy and comes in a small tube, handbag friendly.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Miraculous Recovery Hair Mask

Yes, its full of silicone, but do i care? No! Just finished a pot of it and really liked it: didn’t weight my hair down, wasn’t heavy once applied- had more of a conditioner texture. But oh boy, when i blow dried my hair was left with lovely shiny tresses and most important for me, my long hair was very easy to detangle. A very good budget buy for me.

Montagne Jeunnesse Sensuous Spice Self Warming Face Mask

Im a fan of Montagne Jeunnesse face masks, everytime i go to Dunnes to do my grocery shopping i pick up a couple of satchets. I was very pleased to discover that they came up with 100g tubes for up to 10 applications.

I have the Sensuous Spice mask since Christmas, it last me a very long time – tend to use it once a week after shower and exfoliation. The mask has a clay texture, smelling lovely of cinnamon and ginger and has deep cleansing properties. Once massaged on the wet skin, it starts warming up when touched. Having this effect, i wouldn’t use it on rosacea prone skin, as it can brake even more the fragile capillaries.

The result is luminous, fresh and clear skin. My face doesn’t feel tight and all the pores are noticeably cleaner. Also, the cinnamon in the composition has anti-acne properties, believe the original home made recipe is to mix honey with cinnamon to clear out blemishes (beware it can burn the skin if left too long!)

Lancome Renergie Multiple Lift Yeux

Very excited about thisnew eye cream from Lancome, been using it for the last two weeks and so far so good! It deserves a proper review, so watch this space.

H&M Aviator Style Sunglasses

Until i manage to save some pennies for a Ray Ban pair, this aviator sunnies from H&M feel the void. At 4,99 euro a pop, had to get two pairs: one in silver and one in gold. Would be rude, not too!

Last but not least, I’m loving in March my most repurchased perfume – Marc Jacobs Daisy (almost gone) and The Body Shop  Brazil Nut Body Butter (talked about it here).

What did you love in March? x

Although i had a February favorites post, i feel the need to give more love to the month that just passed. Its safe to say that i had a fantastic time, finally adjusted perfectly to the new work environment thanks to some very nice co-workers and started to discover bit by bit the wonders of Dublin.

Still have a huge list of activities to tick off (yes im a nerd ), but I’m taking my time…want to keep this holiday feeling as long as i can. Also have discovered City Deals and Living Social discount websites, how cool are they! Got a great deal on a laser whitening treatment at White Smile Clinic, only 89 euro down from 280. Have my appointment booked in two weeks, very excited to have it done.

For the first two weeks of Feb, the weather was mainly gloomy so not many snaps of the outdoors. Enjoy my highlights!

Spring finally arrived!!! St. Stephen Green Park

Cup of tea, anyone? At the Leprechaun Museum in Dublin.

Pretty notebooks from Arnotts, for my list making compulsion

Getting ready for summer! Cute sandals from H&M

Until i save up for my Mulberry Bag, this River Island satchel fills that void. For spring, it comes in blue suede too…must be mine!

Also had the most beautiful ice cream swirl in Jervis Shopping center, oh my god its just heaven! They mix vanilla and truffle HB ice cream with morello cherrys, kiwi, strawberry and flakes of white and dark chocolate…major drool.

Hope you guys had a great month as well, fingers crossed for a fabulous March!

Got a couple of new faves in February when it comes to my makeup. Still kept nice and uncomplicated, there is no need of drama at 7.30 am when i can barely keep my eyes open.

1. Base:

Vichy Dermablend in shade 35 (sand), Vichy Dermablend transluscent setting powder andSmashbox High Definition Concealer in Light.

Lately i felt the need of a bit more coverage as the lighting in my work place is very harsh and makes every single pore or blemish 10 times worse. Had the Vichy products from last summer, the shade of the foundation is a bit too dark at the moment (the 25 would’ve been perfect for winter) but teamed up with blusher and blended well on the neck, its grand.

The foundation gives a perfect, flawless coverage without looking fake. The first day when i weared it at work, one of my friends comented on how smooth and polished my face looked.

I blend it with my fingers, using a tiny bit of product, working from the center of the face moving towards the extremities. I apply the concealer on top, under my eyes and anywhere there is the need of coverage and set with the translucent powder using a large brush. Dermablend will not budge until removed, although i get a bit of shine on my t-zone.

2. Eyes

 I used only two shades of eyeshadow, browns and blue-greys: the gold Half Baked (on the lid) and bronze brown Smog from the UD Naked palette (shadow) and Bourjois Smoky Eyes trio eyeshadow in Gris Dandy.

Maybe because my foundation is slightly darker, i felt the need to warm up my complexion with golds and bronze. To get more definition, i lined my lower waterline with UD Lucky 24/7 liner and used the Lancome LE Artliner in brown on my upper lashes (last summer collection).

  Loreal Million Lashes Mascara in Carbon Black, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Lancome Artliner and Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Lucky

 3. Blusher

For the warm brown tones i matched a Lancome Blush in Peach Fever (20) a lovely shimmery coral-peach shade with little sparkling particles. Warms up my skin and gives a lovely glow as well.

When i wear the grey Bourjois trio, I used a light cool toned pink – Loreal True Rose Blush (115) with Lancome Teint Miracle #5 underneath (very similar to Benefit High Beam). Teint Miracle #5 its a cool toned pink highliter, that can be used on the bone of your cheeks as a base for blusher, under the brow to create light and everywhere else you would like to add a bit of movement and glow.

 * with flash*

4. Setting Spray

This month i gave a go for the first time to Clarins Fix Makeup Refreshing Mist spray to set even more my makeup and to ensure it will be long lasting. To be honest i don’t know what to think about it…it smells lovely of roses, it has a fresh feeling when applied (which you could get from spraying thermal water or even mineral water) and it dries up in an instant.                                                                 

Can’t say it makes my skin dewy, or even that my makeup lasts longer. Haven’t noticed any difference with it or without it. I will take a break from spraying it until summer time, maybe then i will notice more benefits.

Lipstick wise, i didn’t feel like wearing any. Most of February i had a cold so every 5 min felt the need to blow my nose, hence lipstick on the tissue…lipstick on the nose…not worth the hassle.

Looking forward to read your February favorites, roll them on!

Month favorites its the most enjoyable post to read and write, it gives me the chance to see what other people have been using and i can make inventory of what i really like from my collection. Of course, this can change every month with all the new releases, season changes and why not hormonal imbalances of the skin.

Especially with the skincare, in December i had two main discrepancies. My skin has been either oily and congested or while i was sick (chest infection), dry and flaky. I think i will do a separate post on what i used to heal my dry face and almost raw hands.

Makeup wise i kept it nice and simple, using the beautiful neutrals from my Naked palette combined with my 2010 holy grail mascara Loreal Volume Million. Used plain black eyeliner only for nights out and sometimes didn’t even bother. 

Foundation wise, I’m still using my Lancome Teint Miracle in 03 and Vichy Aera Teint fluid in 35  which are almost gone, combined with Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer in 53 underneath - great coverage, moisturising, no cakey appearance and wonderful for layering on top of it. Tend to apply it first under my eyes and on the lids, covering the cheekbones as well.

With all the cold weather going on, shine still bothered me so i used a light powder to set the foundation. If i wanted full coverage and a polished look i used La Roche Posay Toleriane Teint Mineral in Beige Clair and if i was in a hurry, i used the Bourjois Mineral Radiance Powder in 02 vanille - mattifies for about 3 hours or so, has a slight pink undertone which i don’t like and the nice smell i liked at first, smells sour on me .

I must say I’m very impressed with the La Roche Posay Toleriane Mineral, it is a mineral compact foundation which means it can be used instead of a foundation or on top of it for a maximum coverage. I used it both ways and found it great. On its own, provides full coverage while making your skin feeling very silky and smooth; surprisingly matches my skin tone perfectly as i am extremely ghostly pale during winter. If used on top of your normal foundation, it sets it for longer and hello full coverage. Also has a 25 Spf, fragrance free and no preservatives.

No bronzer was used in December or fake tan on that matter, i just embraced my paleness . I used a soft shimmery peach blush from Urban Decay in Score. This was my first ever purchase from UD and i think it almost 3 years old (eek!),  but is still going strong. Has the most beautiful undertones, sometimes in the light can look pink and sometimes can look peach. I tend to use it obsessively for weeks and the forget about it for another month, but always come back to it. I’m surprised really that i haven’t hit pan yet.

For my lips i have only used two products: Carmex lip balm and Loreal Glam Shine Juice in Candy Juice (224). I both the gloss from the Turkish duty free on a whim and it ended up to be the perfect shade of pink for me. Its not sticky and has a good pigmentation, what more can i ask?

 Thats about it, i kept my makeup to a minimum and was mainly focused on protecting my skin from the cold.

Looking forward to read your makeup favorites!

I don’t know what it is about Fridays or Saturdays (on that matter), but i love to hit the shops for a browse. I suppose it feels like a treat, after a long week. Now don’t get me wrong, i don’t go on mad shopping sprees and it doesn’t have to be expensive things…just a small pick-me up .

This time i got a few accessory bits from Oasis, as they had a 50% off sale going on. All the jewelery was market at about 8-10 euro so it wasn’t expensive at all. Had a look at the clothing as well, but it felt expensive even after the sale…I’m trying to restrain myself and save money for the big splurge on Christmas Sales.

Cocktail Ring

Charm Necklace

Elasticated bracelet. I cant wear cuffs because my wrists are to small and bangles just fall off .

Im thinking to wear them with pastel colors for a romantic-easy look, would love a pale pink cardigan with a simple white t-shirt and jeans.

Also found this cute little bag, was down to 17 euro from 31.

This bag is sooo me! I love little bags, don’t like the big hoarder ones where you cant find anything. I just carry with me my wallet, phone, keys and tissues. That’s it.

Happy Friday everyone!!

I truly enjoy these type of posts, its nice to think about your month and just balance the good and the bad. Well…not so much the bad, i rather not dwell on it and just move on. Like my good friend Wendy would say: “oh just build a bridge!”.

That’s why, i will highlight only my In’s this time. Nobody likes a moaner.

Two whole weeks of holiday! Finally had the chance to visit places in Ireland, that i wanted to see for a long time. Been to Inishmore (Aran Islands) and discovered my love for chowder, kissed the Blarney Stone for good luck and eloquence, strolled around the National Park in Killarney, climbed (and fell) on Croagh Patrick mountain and many more. It was a great holiday, amazing sunny weather and lots of good food.

Pantene Aqua Light Shampoo and Conditioner. I don’t know if it made my hair *swishy* but it definitely didn’t add any build up to my already flat hair and was great for every day use.

Lancome Teint Miracle in 03. I love it! Makes a great foundation for day time, love the texture and the coverage. I know its not suppose to add powder on top, but i have to fight my dreadful shine so i just powder my t-zone. Usually i have a few foundations on rotations, depending on the mood/occasion but i find myself reaching for it every day.

Gosh Nail Polish in Miss Mole. Got so many comments on it when i wear it, i liked before but now i love it! For me, this taupe/mudy color makes autumn official.

Autumn Collections. Make-up or clothes, autumn always has better lines then summer. Check the new Clarins make-up collection and you’ll know what i mean.

Last but not least, the birth of the sweetest little boy in the world! No, its not mine

Hope everybody had a great September!

Can’t believe that July is almost over…only one more month of summer left for this year. Well i can’t really say that even July was very summery, with the rain and all (its Ireland, what am i expecting weather like the tropics ?!) but at least it was comforting to check the calendar and see its summer lol.

Without further ado, these are the things that i loved in July:

Cherry’s

I love the taste of cherry’s in every shape or form, but this month in particular i fell in love with the scent of them. I’m absolutely obsessed with my Yankee Candle Black Cherry’s which smells absolutely divine and my new lip balm by Agatha Ruiz in cherry flavor, bought from the Turkish duty free (it was about 5 euro).

This lip balm smells absolutely delicious, has a pink-rose tint very similar to the Vaseline Rose lip balm. It is available in other flavors too: coconut, tutti fruity, strawberry etc.

Agatha Ruiz Beaute de Levres in Cherry Lip Balm

Bourjois Shower Gel

I wonder why Bourjois shower gels are not available in Ireland, they are absolutely lovely! Abroad, Bourjois has a great selection of shower gels, deodorants, body lotions and body oil. I usually stock up on them when I’m traveling, my favorite being the chocolate shower gel, the firming one or the exfoliant and I’m obsessed with their green deodorant spray. Also they had a lovely body oil with shimmery particles.

I picked the Bourjois Detox Shower Gel in Greece for only 2,50 euro. It has a zingy lemony scent, grape extract and gentle particles of lemon peel for exfoliation. It promises a glowing skin after two weeks of usage.

Please Bourjois, bring them to Ireland!!

Light summer reading

I’m enjoying lately the chick-lite novels, the kind that trigger a laugh and make you feel life is good again. I need to read a couple of pages before i go to sleep, for a bullet proof sleeping aid .

Shoes, shoes and more shoes

Yeah, went a bit overboard with the shoes this month and River Island is to blame. I really like their summer collection of gladiator heels, mostly because they are medium sized and chunky. I love high heels, stilettos (the most lethal) but i cant walk in them. I can sit, stand or strike a pose, but don’t make me walk… the whole sexy kitten look is ruined.

These blue pumps look amazing with a black pencil skirt and they are a guarantee to bright out any office look.  Also they make your tanned legs stand out.

I pair these gladiator heels with skinny jeans, work a charm and they are very comfortable.

The tan pair i got it for my maxi dresses, for a bit of height. Being in tan they match almost any outfit and they are very flattering, especially with coral nail polish.

Last but not least, I’m loving the vanilla and almond muffins. In July my diet was out the window, i indulged in all the “forbidden” foods, eating everything i liked without guilt. Sometimes is good to let go a bit and just enjoy life.

Go on, have a muffin