My Week In Tunes ..................

 Here we are again, another week another account of my vocal favourites! This week I have been feeling rather rocky or should I say hello rock, all the same my music of choice this week has provided great opportunities to sing my little heart out while driving. As I have mentioned before I have a very eclectic taste in music so you never know what you will get when you turn on my IPod.

1.  Intervention by Arcade Fire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO7ZWfvCjBE

This has to be one of my all time favourite driving songs playing the louder the better. Love the lyrics, love the music, and love the melody. Arcade fire is a great band over all who offer something different every time they release a song. I remember playing this song on my way home from passing my driving test and it has stock in my car ever since. The only thing I don’t like about this song is the video which accompanies it so apologies if you feel the same. Despite this a definite favourite of mine.

2.  Lightning Bolt By Jack Bugg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY0oPg1h8fQ

What a great new artist. This one of his first releases and it is impressive. It has a 60’s American coming of age sound to it yet he is young and French (I think) and in my opinion very talented.

3.  Time to Pretend by MGMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9dSYgd5Elk

MGMT are one of those bands for me that released a brilliant first album and did not follow up with anything near as good. This song is catchy and very sing along friendly with its electric undertone and provocative lyrics. Another tune played the louder the better.

4.  Fans by Kings of Leon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1hgRDRc3ug

By far one of the best Kings of Leon songs so far. Many people comment that they cannot understand the lyrics and this is probably true for me and I am probably singing the complete wrong lyrics as I drive my little car along to work. Despite this again I <3 it! The band is on a break seemingly so I look forward to hearing some of the new material.

 5.  We Are Young by Fun 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts

I always sing this ALWAYS. It is a reminder that I am in fact young and have lots to sing about (“,). It is a happy song with great tempo, fabulous lyrics and I simply find it a little uplifting! Another driving favourite! Not a bad video accompanying this tune either. Enjoy!

With the volume turned up and no one hear me only myself I continue to sing along to all these little tunes. Hope you found one or two songs that just might become your favourite.

What have you been listening to this week? I would love to hear some of your suggestions. Please leave a comment and I will be replying ASAP!

Have a good Thursday

Xoxo

I <3 Drugstore Makeup!

I was watching one of the my favourite YouTubers Essiebutton (http://www.youtube.com/user/essiebutton) do a vlog on this topic and I loved it so much I just had to complete a blog post on this topic. I spend way too much of my hard earned money in drugstores or chemist shops as we call them here in Ireland so answering these questions was fun .

I have tagged a few of my favourite bloggers in this post below so I hope you participate and I cannot wait to read your post.

QUESTIONS

What is your favourite drugstore make up brand?

What is your favourite face product?

What is your favourite lip product?

What is your favourite eye product?

What is your favourite hair product?

What is your favourite body product?

What is your least favourite drugstore product?

What is the best drugstore bargain?

What drug store brand or product is overpriced?

What is your best drugstore dupe?

So let’s get started.............

What is your favourite drugstore make up brand?

Oh this is difficult as I like different products from different brands. I tend to buy a lot of products from L’Oreal. Examples of some L’Oreal products I have bought in the last few months are True Match Foundation, Volume Million Lashes Diamantissime, and Sublime Bronzer. I use a large variety of product such as fake tan, hair products, body products and makeup. I like L’Oreal as it tends to be good quality and is nice on the skin. I have to admit some products can be a little expensive but overall it is a good brand which offers a varied product line.

What is your favourite face product?

I am in love with Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer. I had seen so many reviews I just had to try it. I am so glad I did. I had been using MAC concealers and I have to admit this Rimmel concealer is better. It is pigmented, really excellent consistency and provides excellent coverage. I simply cannot say enough good things about this product.

What is your favourite lip product?

Revlon Lip Butter in Cotton Candy. Much loved by so many people it is a favourite of mine also. It is a mixture of the perfect lip butter balm with the hint of delicate colour. The range of colours on offer are excellent, the quality is fabulous and the price very competitive.

What is your favourite eye product?

Volume Million Lashes Diamantissime by L’Oreal. This is by far one of my all time favourite mascara’s. It gives you big volume lashes that are separated and bright.  Priced really well this is, in my opinion, a perfect drugstore buy.

Volume Million Lashes Diamantissime by L’Oreal. 

What is your favourite hair product?

Once again L’Oreal comes up trumps via L’Oreal Elnett Hair Spray and Heat Protector Spray. The hair spray does not leave your hair hard and can be simply brushed out. I also love James Brown Volume Mouse. Once again my pursuit of big hair brought me this product. It gives volume and helps to hold style in my hair.

What is your favourite body product?

Soap and Glory all the way! Any shower or bath products by this brand are fabulous. It is rich, leaves your skin so soft and smells divine. It is really a luxury product at a decent price.  Each year Boots Stores have a special soap and glory gift set on offer at Christmas and it is just brilliant value. I have bought it for the last 3 years. It contains such as items as bath foam, shower gel, body lotion, face wash, hand and foot cream etc. I last me months and an added bonus you also receive money off voucher pack which gives you Boots advantage points for purchases, money off coupons and value certificates. Love it!

What is your least favourite drugstore product?

I have had a long standing love affair with all things cosmetic and beauty related, I have tried so many brands and the one brand that simply fails to impress me in any way is Bourjois. I have tried lots of products including mascara to nail varnish and they just don’t impress me. I found the mascara did not offer the desired look that I hoped to achieve and it had no staying power at all. The nail varnish took too many coats to achieve the colour and due to the number of coats you had to use it took forever to dry and chipped too easily. In summary I tend to stay clear from this brand.

What is the best drugstore bargain?

As earlier mentioned I <3 Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer and I think at the moment this product is the best drugstore bargain. I gives a lot of high end branded concealers a good run for their money.  It is a great product at a great price.

What drug store brand or product is overpriced?

I have two options here. First off is No7. I find this brand to be very overpriced for the products offered. No 7 may not be very widely available outside boots stores so I shall pick a second brand. Philosophy is the second brand. I really like this brand and the products but I just find them expensive so I would tend to purchase these products as a treat to myself!

What is your best drugstore dupe?

One of the best dupes I have found recently is Essence Colour and Go in Hot Pink. It is the perfect dupe for Nails Inc Walton Place. I can see little difference between the two only in the price.

There it is the best, worst and all the rest of drugstore products and brands. Ok so real fun part tagging time. I tag the following fabulous bloggers.

Rachel @ Little Purple Orchid ............http://littlepurpleorchid.blogspot.ie/

Laura @ Hiyaitsluar ............. http://hiyaitslaura.blogspot.ie/

Beka @ Beka’s Beauty............. http://bekasbeauty.blogspot.ie

Emma @Emziecole ................. http://emziecole.blogspot.ie/

Chelsea @ Beauty is Perfection........ http://chelsschapman.blogspot.ie/

Krysti @ Beauty by Krysti................http://www.beautybykrysti.blogspot.ie

January Likes and Dislikes

January Likes and Dislikes

As I have mentioned in a few posts January can be a bleak month for I have managed to compile a list of the products I have been enjoying using. Just to point out the products I have mentioned below are products I have used and formed my own opinion through use. I am always honest about my experience. I hope you find something you might like to try from my favourites. <3

 Likes

1.   

¬  Vichy Normaderm Triple Action 3 in 1 Cleanser

I am loving this cleanser, so much so I have repurchased it. 

By 3 way cleanser it means:

¬  facial wash to cleanse skin

¬  facial scrub to clean pores

¬  mask to control shine

I like a wash cleanse and this is perfect. In the shower it is the perfect wash or scrub and a perfect face mask to give an extra special pore cleanse while in the bath. It does not dry your skin; leave it over sensitive or with too much shine.

Since using it my skin has defiantly improved I have fewer breakouts. I will continue to use this cleanser.

Cost = €14.00 or £11.00 for 4.2 FL OZ 125 mL

http://www.vichyusa.com/_us/_en/face-care/cleansers-toners/Normaderm-TripleAction-3in1Cleanser.htm

2.   

¬  MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner with SPF 15

I was gifted this from my sister and oh how well does she know me. I am a self confessed MAC addict and a self confessed lip balm addict and this product fulfils both of my addictions. This lip conditioner has a lovely consistency and is not sticky at all. It stays on your lips and genuinely conditions the lips. The rose tint is delicate and subtle yet gives a lovely glow. The added bonus is the SPF which is need in all weather. I have worn this lip conditioner every day and it has pride of place in my purse. Highly recommend this product.

Cost = €8.70 or £7.33 for 15ml 0.5 FL OZ

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/164/642/Tinted-Lip-Conditioner-SPF-15/index.tmpl

3.     

¬  Soap and Glory  

Calm One Calm All Bubble Bath - €6.50 or £5.50

Clean On Me Creamy Shower Gel - €6.50 or £5.50

Well clearly I am only one of many girls who love these products. They smell fabulous, they are so creamy and they leave your skin feeling so soft. They are a really nice alternative to many high end brands and personally for me they are better. Once again I intend to repurchase these products.

http://www.soapandglory.com/products/bath-body/shower-gel-bubble-bath

4.     

¬  Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia Cologne

Once again I was gifted this by my perfume addict of a sister. I am currently on my third bottle. Jo Malone is very well known for many fabulous colognes and perfumes. This is by far my favourite. It is strong but it is not over powering. It has a flower undertone but also a fiery hue to it. Honestly it is a difficult scent to describe so I highly recommend you go treat yourself to a sample. I like the small bottle as I carry it in by bag everywhere.

Cost - €45.00 or £38 30 ml 1 fl oz

http://www.jomalone.co.uk/products/3608/Fragrances/The-Collections/Fruity/English-Pear-Freesia/index.tmpl

5.        

¬  Mac BB Cream in Light

This product comes in the Prep and Prime range. Traditionally I have not been a great fan of BB Creams. Having tried a few of them I was not overly impresses. I am glad to find the opposite this product. It is light and creamy and does give nice coverage. It is lightly tinted with sheer beige so it gave me a really nice glow that looks extremely natural. On days I wanted a little darker or fuller coverage I simply blended My BB cream with another MAC favourite of mine face and body foundation. A little bronzer or highlighter and its fabulous. I will continue to use this product and I am actually hoping to purchase a darker shade for the spring or for days I have tan on.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/160/17377/Prep-Prime-BB-Beauty-Balm-SPF-35/index.tmpl

€22 or £18.50 for 40 ml 1.3 fl oz

January Dislikes!

¯       Ayuuri | Purifying Neem Face Wash

I received this product as part of the December 2012 Glossy Box. I had high hopes for this face wash as I am always on the lookout for a good cleanser and tea tree screams clean. Well how wrong was I! The first time I used this product my face went red. I don’t mean a flushed blush look I mean a roaring fire red.  I put this down to maybe hormones or the fact that I had been out doors lots etc. So the next night I washed my face the red got worse and it was accompanied with heat. Once my face calmed down the dryness hit in. Anyway as you can imagine this face wash did not suit me and is topped using it. I gave it to my boyfriend and he now using it as a hand wash so suppose waste not want not! My skin is classified as normal to combination and very rarely has a reaction to anything. This face wash brought out a reaction. Definitely will be running a mile if I see this wash again.

Non Cosmetic Favourite

This month I bought this jumper in Penny’s/Primark and I love it. Priced at €14 it was a real bargain. Grey sliver lose knit jumper is very versatile, comfortable and cosy and very on trend. It is styled to be a worn a little over sized which makes it a perfect worn over a vest and a perfect partner for skinny jeans, jeggings or leggings and boots. I have teamed this jumper with the scarf below (a black and grey design scarf priced at €6 Penny’s/Primark) or the chunky silver jewellery which added a little element of glamour to the look €5 Penny’s/Primark. I love this jumper so much I went and bought the same jumper today in the black version and plan to team it with gold or deep pink! Definitely a great little find.

So there you have it my favourites for January. This January has been a month for great little finds.

Have you had a favourite anything this month? I would love to hear so please leave a comment below I love to hear them.

Xoxo

 ¬  No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Brush 

What a little find! 

In my pursuit of deeply cleansed skin I literally found this cleansing brush my mistake. I was just wondering through Boots facial cleansers and the likes when a really helpful member of staff asked did I see the offer of the day. The offer was in fact this little brush. Reduced from €39.99 to €20 I simply had to treat myself. There have been so many mixed opinions on many cleansing brushes so this to me was a relatively inexpensive way of trying it out. 

This brush comes with a detachable rotating brush head which can be replaced and 2 batteries for operation. Extremely simple to use with one button function and 2 speeds. Press once for gentle rotation and press twice for a stronger rotation. I found the gentler option just right for my skin.

I did treat myself to No 7 Radiance Melting Cleanser but I have not used it as yet. I am really liking Vichy 3 in 1 Cleanser at the moment. I applied my cleanser lightly over my face and let the brush take over and do some work! Work it did. The rotating motion is a really pleasant sensation and my skin actually felt like it was getting cleaner as the brush did its magic. Playing special attention to my problem areas that are prone to breakouts I used the brush for maybe 5 mins. Using a washcloth I wiped my face clean and left to day. 

I have to say my skin already looked gleaming and defiantly clean. I like the deep cleaning and the results so far on my skin. The brush is not harsh at all. It does polish the skin and leaves it well exfoliated. I definitely intend to continue using this product every second night and hope the good results continue. 

At this price it is a find I would highly recommend! 

Do u use a cleansing brush? What has been your experience I would love to hear please leave a comment? 

Have a lovely weekend 

Xoxo 

My Week in Tunes....

This is a tradition now for me share the music I have been listening to this week.

Instead of a variety of music belting in my ears I have been listening to one of my all time favourite C.D’s. I love this C.D so much that I genuinely know every single lyric on the album. The band is BellX1. An Irish band I cannot recommend highly enough. The Album is question is titled “Tour De Flock”.

It is always amazing to see this band live and this C.D is a live recording from a gig they played in the O2 arena (originally The Point) in Dublin, Ireland in 2006. This album consists of a set list drawn from a number of the band’s previous albums. It shows cases the some of the best songs delivered by the band.

 The lead singer, Paul Noonan, has a very distinctive voice which is backed up by a group of excellent musicians. The lyrics of the songs are really good, often comical and catchy ranging from lively and upbeat to mellow and deep.

The only way to describe Bellx1 is to listen to them for yourself so here are just a few of my favourite 

¬  Rocky Took A lover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WN1pHbeCkg

¬  Eve Apple of my Eye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5hRa_l9VAE

¬  Flame

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCgKC_qSfY4

¬  Bad Skin Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw1rXLJ9vWc

¬  Tongue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WcjVLZeLQ4

Bellx1 – Probably my favourite band! I hope one or two people out there grow to like them too now (“,)

What have you been listening to this week? I love to hear your recommendations. Please leave a comment.

xoxo