Review: MAC Dazzle Lash Mascara

Hey Dolls,

Mascaras are one beauty product that many agree can be bought from the high street and don't need to be forked out for. I can agree with this, as nearly all my mascaras are drugstore brands, but a few of my favourites are from the higher end brands. The MAC Dazzle Lash mascara is something I haven't heard a lot about. I'll let you in on my thoughts of the product.

I'll start with the packaging, as this is always important in my opinion. At first glance, this packaging seems very basic- a simple black tube. However, if you look closely there are tiny sparkles all over the tube, and the cap has a different texture to the tube. I love this packaging as it's sturdy, sleek and pretty.

Now for the actual product! The wand looks quite basic, but is unique in it's size. It is quite small and slim and is very handy for grabbing every lash, including the tricky inner and outer lashes. It is great for precision, and is very easy to use without causing any smudges.

This mascara is in the shade "Black Dazzle"

The formula is nice and smooth and doesn't cause any clumps. It is definitely more of a lengthening mascara rather than volumising. Perfect if you are looking for a mascara that provides length, definition and a natural effect.

Please note that I always curl my lashes prior to applying mascara as I have extremely straight lashes.

The one downside to this product is the lasting power. It tends to fade after around 5 hours but does keep your lashes looking curled throughout the entire day.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this mascara as it is great for lengthening and for everyday wear. However, there are many other less expensive mascaras that can provide the same effect.

Dazzle Lash Mascara is available from MAC Stores and counters for €16.50. 

Easter Gift Guide!

Hello Lovelies,

Easter is quickly approaching which means one thing- chocolate and lots of it, particularly in egg formation! Easter is almost like the sister holiday of Christmas, it is technically a religious holiday and there are often gifts involved. Easter gifts are usually egg-shaped and left to the last minute, so if you don't have your Easter pressies purchased, I'm here to help!

L-R from top: Butlers; Cadbury; Cadbury; EOS; Lush; Lily O'brien's; Lindt; Hop&Peck; Cadbury

Easter is the season of the chocoholic so there are no shortage of gifts in this department! This Butler's egg is a fancier gift and comes beautifully wrapped (€8.95). For another classy chocolate gift, you can't go wrong with the signature Lindt golden bunny (€4). For the kiddies, the cute chick filled with buttons (€5) or the buttons and Freddo eggs complete with plush toy (2 for €7 at Tesco) are perfect gifts. Cadbury have also released mousse-filled chocolate eggs entitled "egg 'n' spoon" (€4.99) which make the perfect, slightly more original yet traditional, gift. 

If you're purchasing a slightly bigger gift for someone this Easter, the Personalised Chocolate Photo Box from Lily O'Brien's (€19.99) would make a wonderful, thoughtful gift. I also love this Bunny Ears Egg Cup (€21.10) - so kitsch and cute! Perfect for anyone who isn't a chocolate lover but still enjoys eggs!

Of course, I had to add in a few beauty-related bits! The simple EOS lip balms (€6.25 each) are egg-shaped and are a great gift for anytime of the year. What's better, is that they're really great lip balms, are affordable and come in a variety of flavours. Lush, of course, have a great Easter range of products. The perfect gift for any bath lover out there. The gift set pictured, entitled "Hoppy Easter "(€14.95), comes with two bath bombs wrapped in an (eco-friendly) bunny re-usable wrap!

That's my round-up of Easter gifts. I hope you all have an egg-cellent Easter (I couldn't resist!).

NOTD: Understated Glamour

Hey Beauties,

You know when you just love your nail polish and can't stop looking at your nails? That was the case with this nail look that I have entitled "Understated Glamour", very classy I know. 

I used the polish "Studio Mama" from the Justin Bieber for Nicole by OPI collection. I love this colour, almost as much as I love the Biebs himself! It comes across as white in the photo but in actual fact, it's a very very pale pink. It's so gorgeous and would really accentuate a tan (Summer, please hurry up!). The only downside, is that it isn't very opaque and takes about 3 coats to build up.

Of course, I needed to add a bit of sparkle to my nails. The best way to add glitter without going over the top, is be adding a glitter accent on your ring finger. I used the gorgeous "Set in Stones" by Essie. It is a jam packed thick silver glitter polish. It's great because unlike a lot of glitter polishes, it builds up very quickly and only needs 1-2 coats.

Check out "Studio Mama" here and "Set in Stones" here.

  

Travel Diary #2: Frankfurt, Germany

Hello Darlings,

I need to start by apologising for my recent absence. I went to Frankfurt on a last minute trip and was very busy whilst there so didn't get a chance to blog. Anyway, enough with the excuses- I thought I might as well fill you in on the details of my trip.

From Top L-R: Starbucks; Delicious sliders; snow!; pretty architecture; birds eye view; irish accent spray; European Central Bank; The contrasts of Frankfurt; Visit to Jewish Museum

This collage gives a quick glance of my trip. Of course, every trip has to start with a Starbucks, in this case in the form of a strawberry frappuccino! The purpose of the trip was to gain some work experience as well as just experiences in general. I was working in a conference and in a play-school for a day, respectively. I also got to experience German school- which was difficult as I don't speak any German!

Apart from work, I did have the chance to explore Frankfurt. One thing that reminded me of home was the spray that claims to give you an Irish Accent that I spotted in Urban Outfitters. I also saw the somewhat famous European Central Bank symbol. On my last day I visited a Jewish Museum which was extremely interesting and provided me with great insight into the lives of Jews in Germany. The Jewish history in Germany is a very sensitive topic but very important also. The visit to the museum gave me a lot of knowledge that I believe I would never otherwise have been provided with. 

Overall, the trip provided me with many great life experience and I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to experience Frankfurt. If you enjoy these types of posts, do checkout my first Travel Diary here. If you don't fancy these posts- not to worry! I'll be back with fashion and beauty related posts very soon.

Instagram Diary #1

Hello Lovelies,

I don't know about all of you, but I love Instagram! I also love instagram posts, because I'm nosy and love having a peek into people's lives, especially in photo format. I have a private instagram account so I thought I'd share some of my photos with you all. 

From the top L-R: A book I've been loving; The Spire, Dublin; Justin Bieber pointing @ me; JB Concert Ticket; Inspiring book; Nandos; Wagamamas; Cute notebook; Dubai

As you can see, I've been loving reading "The Fault in Our Stars" and "It's not how good you are it's how good you want to be". The first is an amazing story and the second is more of a motivating book. I'd highly recommend both. 

Another theme you may have noticed in the collage is Justin Bieber. You may be aware of my undying love for the Biebs, and I was lucky enough to see him in concert last month. He even pointed at me!!!

No Instagram collage would be complete without some food! Of course, I have some Nandos which is delicious and you can't got wrong with Wagamamas either. 

My final two pics were taken during my trip to Singapore and Dubai in December. The notebook was bought in Singapore which I think a lot of girls can relate to, "I am Not a Shopaholic I am Helping the Economy"- Love! Also, how stunning is this picture of Dubai during sunset! Taken from the top of the Burj Al Arab. 

I hope you enjoyed this little snippet of my life. I may do another one of these posts once I have some more photos taken!

Get The Look: The Kendall & Kylie Collection!

Hey Dolls,

The Kardashians are like marmite- you either love 'em or you hate 'em. Regardless as to your opinions of the reality stars, you gotta admit, the girls got style! I especially love the style of the youngsters of the Kardashian Clan, Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Kendall and Kylie are often pictured wearing amazing outfits, but we lets face it, we don't all have the budget of reality stars so instead of Louboutins and Céline handbags the Jenners have made achieving their style more affordable with their newly released "Kendall & Kylie Collection" for PacSun. 

This collection is, as expected, based at the younger generation. I would say somewhere between teens and twenties. Of course this is definitely not the only age that can wear these clothes but they would be the target audience. The collection is described as "casual yet chic" and brings through a "California spirit". 

Images from PacSun.com

 As you can see, the collection contains a variety of clothing from dressy to casual. I love the ombre denim shirt (pictured) as it can be styled in so many different ways. I also am in love with this black dress (top right) with the detached-look collar. The fleece jacket (bottom right) is the perfect way to stay warm and stylish.

Images from Kendall & Kylie's Instagram Accounts

Personally, I am in love with this collection and can't wait to buy some of it when I visit America this Summer. If you're not planning a trip to the States anytime soon then not to worry, PacSun offer international shipping. Visit their website for more details.

If, like me, you love the Jenner's style or even just cute clothing then I would definitely recommend checking out this collection for a celebrity look without the hefty price tag.

Please note all clothing items shown in pictures are from the Kendall & Kylie Collection and are available from PacSun.

Monthly Favourites: February 2013!

Hey Everyone,

I know everyone says it, but wow did February fly by! I have never done a monthly favourites post before but there's a first time for everything, eh? 

From the top anti-clockwise: Mac Lip Conditioner; Benefit They're Real!; Benefit Hoola Bronzer (smaller size); Revlon lip butter; NYX Eye pencil

MAC Ricky Martin Lip Conditioner 

I was gifted this lovely product for Christmas but have only just started using it this month. It's such a moisturising product and really heals chapped lips.

€13.50 from MAC counters and website

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

This product works wonders on dull, tired eyes. Just apply a little in your inner corners of your eyes and you'll look instantly refreshed and awake. (Read my full review here).

€5.75 from Beautyemporium.ie

Benefit 'They're Real!' Mascara

This is one of Benefit's many renowned products and it certainly doesn't disappoint. If you love the look of super long lashes (who doesn't?!), this is definitely the product for you.

€26 from Brown Thomas/Debenhams and selected Boots

Benefit 'Hoola' Bronzer

Another famous Benefit product! This is the perfect matte medium-brown bronzer. It is perfect for pale to medium complexions and provides a gorgeous sunny glow to your face. It is also great for contouring. 

€34 from Brown Thomas/Debenhams and selected Boots

Revlon Lip Butter in Cotton Candy

This is a raved about product in the beauty world, and for good reason. These products provide a gorgeous slick of colour while moisturising the lips at the same time. (Read my full review here).

€11 from Boots