Sunday 26 June 2016

What was on my face you ask?

My make up details.


Hello ladies,

This post will be short and sweet, I will just be showing you guys what products I used to create this look the other night which you all went crazy for on my Snapchat. 
I had planned on putting this in with yesterday's post but it would have made it far too long!



Without further adue here you go!
Base 
I cleansed my skin and used the PS Pro Lip Scrub.
Make up Revolution Pro Prime Aqua Spritz
Inglot SPF 20 under make up base & buffed it into the skin
Inglot YSM Foundation - Shade 49. Set with Inglot Loose Powder - No.11
Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer - Shade 010 Porcelain. Set with White Blank Canvas Powder. 
Hoola Bronzer by Benefit, using a large fluffy brush to warm up the face
Blank Canvas powder to sculpt/contour, darker shade than Hoola. 
Natural Collection Blush 'Rosey Glow' & Benefit's 'Rock' Blush mixed. 
MAC Highlighter Soft & Gentle
Essence Eye Base - Set with any cream eyeshadow (fantastic budget eye shadow base)

Eyes
Crown Brush Matte Eye Shadow Palette. Mixture of pinks and burnt oranges into the crease and continue that under the eye.
From a sleek palette which the name has rubbed off, I used a sparkly dark brown shadow and pat it all across the lid and blended it close to the bottom lashline.
Artdeco waterproof eyeliner along waterline - no.10. Smoked out with black eyeshadow from Crown Brush Palette, keep the black as close to lashline as possible for the best look.
Lashes - Buff & Blend 'Side of Sassy'. These are life!!

Brows : Inglot brow gel no.21. - Set with a dark brown shadow to match.

Lips : Flormar Lip Liner no.205
I only wore the lip liner, nothing else and it did not budge all night! The colour payoff and longevity was amazing! Top marks from me. 

Hair: Remington Curl Revolution Styler, L'Oreal Pro Volume Hairspray. Toss it up and finito! 


And that is it! It only took me two hours of listening to music and getting ready lol.
 Any questions at all just ask, you will get me on any of my social media accounts.


Lots of love, 

Aoife

Saturday 25 June 2016

Taking tanning to a whole new level at Callan & Co!

Experience the luxurious new James Read Tanning Studio exclusive to Callan & Co.



You won't be disappointed! 


Welcome back to my happy space guys.

So during the week you may have seen from across my social media platforms that I was kindly invited to the launch of the first James Read Tanning Studio in Ireland. It is exclusive to Callan & Co.'s fabulous new premium salon in Ballsbridge. Check them out here.

Just incase you hadn't heard of the brand before, James Read Tan was created by the man himself Mr. James Read. He is the UK's leading self-tanning expert who is topping tanning trends worldwide. He has worked with A-listers like Rosie Huntington Whiteley, Mariah Carey, Rita Ora, Lady Gaga to name a few. The idea of his brand is to combine skincare rich in superfoods with tanning techniques and formulas to bring us unique self tanning products we will love and have never heard of before. 

I love this little piece I found in the product booklet I got so I said I'd share it with you ladies..... ''TAN-OVATION'' James has been named the brainiest in the business when it comes to thinking up the quirkiest tan innovations that you didn't even know you needed until they existed... Who can relate? Yes! I hear you! 

On arrival we were warmly welcomed in and presented with Prosecco and Sparkling Water, unfortunately I was driving so it was only non alcoholic bubbles for me! I chatted with some lovely women who were all just as passionate about the beauty world as I am! Isn't it great when you find people like that and you just click?! It's so much fun, especially at exciting events like this.

Paula Callan, owner of Callan & Co. graced the floor to introduce the man behind the tan, as if he needed much of an introduction!  Can I just say this guys personality is amazing! He is so upbeat, passionate and such a funny, cheeky chap cracking out jokes from the minute he stood up! Along with a wealth of knowledge, tanning tips and do's and don'ts don't you know. 

I feel like I have wrote an essay already and I still have so much more to say. There is so much to tell you all, I'll do my best not to ramble. Stick with me, it'll be worth the read! 
What I am going to do is share with you a few of my favourite products from his range. I choose these ones in particular because I feel they are perfect for this time of year. Plus they totally grabbed my attention!


First up : James Read Overnight Tan, Sleep Mask - Face.

**You need this in your life**


This beautiful potion came in a goodie bag we received the other night. I was chuffed because it's one of the main products I was waiting to try! Can you see why? An overnight tanning facemask?! Genious!

It's the world's' first of it's kind. Combined skincare and tanning containing Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid and Algae Extract to nourish your skin and leave it hydrated and moisturized.

  • Super fast drying formula
  • Colourless/Fragrance free = protects clothes and bedsheets!
  • Use daily for a gorgeous healthy glow
  • Suitable for all skin types





2. James Read - H2O Gradual Tanning Mist.


This product instantly grabbed my attention. A tanning mist? How is it possible you ask? Just you wait and see!

Infused with Pure Rose Water this mist will gradually build up your tan after each application. Now wait for it.....
  • Can be used as a make up primer or setting spray. Yes, that's after your make-up too!
  • Can be used as a cooling mist. Hello holidays, pop it into the fridge and let it work it's magic while cooling you down!
  • Again colourless to protect your bedsheets!
  • Infused with skin beautifying minerals.
  • Spray in quick sweep motions down your face and watch yourself glow.





3. James Read Enhance Tan Accelerator. 

The tan accelerator literally speeds up the natural tanning process. As James explained to us when you apply it, it stimulates your skin's natural melanin production to accelerate tanning and extend any other tan. It only contains a small amount of self tan and it's colourless. 
Inside is Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid and Monk's Pepper. Again, key ingredients to keep the skin hydrated and bursting with moisture.

Top Tip: To maximise results - Apply at least 7 days before your holidays, during and after your holidays. 

I think this sounds amazing don't you?!



4. James Read Self Tan Bronzing Mousse.
And of course, a tanning mousse.

Before we go any further, before any self tan skin preparation is key! It is the difference between a flawless streak free tan and a patchy tan which fades off terribly.  Exfoliate from tip to toe and moisturise prior to application. Focusing on the normal disaster areas of knees, ankles, feet and hands. 

Application: Mitt is essential as always. Focus on one area at a time. I normally work from my legs up. For a darker colour, wait 30 minutes and apply another layer. 
Top Tip: Leave hands and feet until last and apply the tan with a foundation/fluffy makeup brush to get a perfect finish. I do this with my face to!
  • The tan has a super drying formula
  • 60 second drying time
  • Very easy to apply - beginners,for you too!
  • Along with Aloe Vera. Hyaluronic Acid there is also Coenzyme q10 inside which is a natural antioxidant produced in the body. 

There you have it! A run down of some of my favourite new James Read Tanning products! Of course there are many more in the range, too many to list in this post. You can find more and purchase yours by clicking here. Also if you would like to see more about what Callan & Co offer or maybe book in for a famous James Read spray tan click here to check out their website.


That is all from me today, I really hope you enjoyed this post and learned something new about this brand! I think the products are just genius and worth the investment.


So thrilled I got to experience such a wonderful event and meet James.



Until next time, Lots of love

Aoife




Monday 20 June 2016

Find out what's new to Nima!

The Art of Nima Workshop - June 2016


Hey dolls,


Today I had the pleasure of attending the Nima Brush Workshop in The Citywest Hotel. I was invited along to see the launch of four brand new brushes. Which let me tell you did not disappoint!  

Lets jump straight in as I'm so excited to tell you all about them. First up is my favourite newbie which is named after Niamh's 6 month old daughter, have you guessed it? 

Yep you're right, below is The 'Harley'! This brush is super versatile, made from goat hair and is unbelievably soft!! So soft I kept on feeling and touching the sample one our table haha, I literally couldn't get over it. It has a number of uses which were demoed today, powder application, contouring, bronzer, highlighting and blush. It does everything bar foundation, so practically two brushes and your face is covered! What more could you want. 
€19




Next we have The 'Terrie'. This brush is named after Nima's famous brand Ambassador, the model, nurse and travel blogger as we all know her Ms.Terrie McEvoy, and if you don't know her where have you been hiding?! Check her out ladies! 
This brush is one I have been wanting for a long time, a small head kabuki type brush. Small enough for the under eye area, under brow highlighting, cream contouring, blending and so much more. You can work on the side of the brush for precision or flat on top for liquid/cream application. It has non porous fibres which ensure minimal waste of product and can also be used for powder products as was created using Taklon Synthetic fibres.
Here it is! Fab isn't it, I bought it today I just had to have it. Especially for under eye concealer and highlighting, this type of brush is my favourite to buff product in flawlessly.
 €16

They are the two new face brushes and following that are two eye brushes! 


We have The 'Fuzz' up first! This is a large shader brush made with super soft Sable hair perfect for setting your eyeshadow base by applying shadow all over the lid, or using the tip of the brush to apply colour into the crease and softly smoking out colour on and under the eye. Very similar to the shader brush in the Elite Collection.

€12


Last but by no means least, is The 'Donna'. Named after one of Niamh's gorgeous Nima team.  If you're familiar with the fantastic 'Jennie' brush, then you will love this! It is a larger version of the Jennie, The 'Donna' is a beautifully tapered blending brush made from goat's hair. 
Are you a fan of the smokey eye? the simple eye? everyday eye? seamlessly blended eye?... Yes? Well aren't we all. This is your tool girls! Applies and blends out colour into the socket/crease of the eye quickly and effectively. 





So there they are! Four beauties. All available online here along with all of the other Nima brushes and accessories. I would recommend them all 100%, I have about 32 Nima Brushes in total as well as the brush tube, Nima face mitt and the brush egg. So I think I have tried the brand enough to truly recommend it! 


Huge well done to Niamh and the Nima team, you ladies put on an amazing workshop today filled with knowledge and fantastic tips and tricks, not to mention a fabulous goodie bag. Which you can check out on my Snapchat for the next few hours - aoifemcdonnelll 

I also won a goodie bag for best Instagram / Facebook / Twitter content and posts throughout the afternoon! I left delighted with myself after a really great day.


Until next time, thank you for reading and lots of love xx


Aoife