Essence Kajal Pencil in Cool Breeze (11)

One of my favourite brands for colourful makeup is Essence because I don't wear colourful makeup often I don't like to spend a fortune on it. 

With Essence, I don't feel guilty for not wearing it often as it was so cheap!

I bought this eyeliner aagggess ago because I loved the colour of it so much. 

Avon True Colour Eyeshadow Duo 'Black Pearl'

Eyeliner as Lipliner??? Barry M Kohl Pencil in KP23 Hot Pink

Unboxing: Prize Package from Erica

So around the start of December I was emailed by Erica from Abundance of Erica (you can find her amazzinngg blog here!) to say I'd won one of her giveaways. I knew the prize consisted of a box of goodies but I couldn't remember what exactly was in the box (although I thought I remembered seeing a mac lipstick..check below to see if I remembered correctly ;)) and I decided not to go back to her giveaway post to see what was in the box as I wanted to keep it as a surprise.

Because Erica lives in Canada and I live in Ireland it took a few weeks for the  package to get here, so it arrived on the 23rd and was shipped on the 15th of December (hence the Christmas wrapping paper below!)

I was woken up by the doorbell ringing and I heard my Dad say 'thank you' and start to walk upstairs, Immediately I sat upright and knew it was Erica's package, I ripped it open the minute my Dad brought it to me (hence why everything is laid out on my bed, I was still in it! LAZY!)

Anyway enough explanations lets get into the items!

I'll be doing individual reviews on these products once I try them out so I wont go into too much detail in this post!

GOSH Mono Eyeshadow in Dark Green (014)

GOSH Mono Eyeshadow Aubergine (016)

Confessions of A Beauty Blogger TAG!

1. How many hours a week do you spend writing/editing posts?

To be honest it depends on the type of posts I'm writing. I post every other day but usually I'll pre-write a few posts and schedule them . A few hours at least!  Especially with all the photo taking (I take about 50 of one particular product or eye look then narrow it down to about 5).

2. Are you a spender or a saver?

SPENDER! Money burns a hole in my pocket. If its in my purse or my bank account you can bet it wont be there for long. I honestly think I may be addicted to shopping, I get such a high from buying things. Shopping is like crack. 

3. When is it easiest for you to blog?

Probably mid morning! If I say 'ahh I'll wait until later on' I'll never actually do it. I'll find something else to do instead. Then all day its on my mind that I need to blog. If I get it done in the morning I don't feel guilty for watching telly!

4. What makes writing behind a computer easier?

I don't know, it feels sort of safe. It is a bit daunting posting photos though, I could sit for an hour staring at one photo of myself picking out everything that's wrong with it. It gets to the stage where I decide I look hideous and delete it. There goes my FOTD post :/ 

5. What’s your worst makeup/hair habit?

Brushing my hair with a hairbrush when its wet. I KNOW I KNOW you're supposed to use a comb but to be honest I haven't got the patience for that. My hair is sooooo knotty when its wet that I'd be there for hours. I just grab a hairbrush and basically pull the head off myself with it. 

Use a comb to brush my hair??

6. Whats your one quote I wish the world would live by?

Ummm.. yep..

7. How long do you spend getting ready everyday?

If its just a normal day about half an hour including hair makeup and getting dressed. If Im going on a night out...all day.  I could get ready faster for a night out but I like to take my time and piss around in between watching youtube videos/staring at my twitter timeline.

8. What’s my favourite video on youtube?

I watch far too many youtube videos to have a favourite! I spend more time on youtube than I do watching telly!

9. Who is the blogger that you read that deserves more subscribes than they have?

There are sooo many I'd be here all day, I have a list as long as my arm. I follow some amazing, lovely girls who deserve so much success.

10. What’s the one thing you most excited about in the up and coming year?

I can't wait to go to the Irish Beauty Show! I didn't get to go last year so I'm looking forward to it this year. Also I know quite a few Irish bloggers are going so maybe I'll run into a few! If you're going let me know below or on twitter!

11. Whats your most awkward blogging moment:

I don't think I've had one yet! I've had a blogger who I liked and talked to unfollow me on twitter but I don't think that really counts as awkward. 

12. How long does it take to prep a post?

If its a review I'll use the product for a while, an hour for taking photos and editing then another hour or two actually writing the post. 

13. Are you wearing jeans/pants/skirt of pyjamas right now?

PJS ALL THE WAY

14. What are you most proud of in your life right now?

Completing my college course with honours, sticking to writing regularly on here, not murdering certain people... I'm joking.. 

So that's it for the Confessions of A Beauty Blogger Tag! Let me know below if you've done this tag so I can check it out (I'm nosy).

Emma xo

*all photos taken from google.

Baylis & Harding Beauticology Vanilla Frosting Foot Lotion

My Mam actually got this in a gift set for Christmas along with a pair of slippers and some foot soak crystals but unlike me, she's not really into any kind of pampering/bath/body products so she gave them to me!

Beauticology Vanilla Frosting Foot Lotion

Heathcote & Ivory Merry Berry Shower Cream

 So I actually picked this up before Christmas when I was in my local chemist and saw it was on sale for around €2. I love any kind of shower/bath products, especially when they're scented so I snapped this 200ml Shower Cream up right away to try out! The scent is Wild Cranberry Cherry & Amber! Mmmmmm. They also had hand creams but I've already got 3 so I decided against one of those! I kind of regret it now :( 

Heathcote & Ivory Shower Cream £3.50 here

FOTD: Easy Neutral Eye

Click 'continue reading' to see more photos & to see which shadows I used!

Cheap Contact Lenses at GetLenses.ie

Hi guys so I wanted to let you all know about this website that I buy my contact lenses from. 

I used to buy them from Specsavers which cost me €30 a month. 

On getlenses.ie I get 3 months for €32! 

OOTD: Winter Warmers

Hi guys so I'm actually pre-writing and scheduling this post for Sunday! Its Monday (7th) today and I've already got posts scheduled for this week.

Today I went to Dublin to Spin1038 with my Dad to pick up a pair of Sennheiser Amperior Headphones that I won in their facebook giveaway with Harvey Norman. I knew I'd be in the car all day so I wanted something comfy. 

BATH & BODY WORKS AND VICTORIAS SECRET FOR SALE IN THE UK?!!

I think I may have just died.

I'm sure you've all heard of the company Bath & Body Works in the US? If not, have you been living under a rock? 

I've always lusted after their products and hoped that one day I could do a swap with a US blogger and maybe receive a sneaky scented hand sanitiser. 

WELL while I was searching the internet for a product for a post I came across a UK website that sells various bath and shower products etc..

HAIR SAVIOUR: HASK Macadamia Hot Oil Hair Treatment

Ever since I had my hair stripped of the dark hair dye I'd been using for years its been extremely dry. 

I picked up this HASK Macadamia Hot Oil Treatment on a whim in the local pharmacy to try as I'd heard a lot of good things about hot oil treatments.

Let me just say, I am impressed.

HASK Macadamia Hot Oil Treatment 

Monthly Starsign Makeup Tag : Capricorn

Hi guys so I wanted to let you all know that I'm going to be taking part in a monthly makeup tag over on Fiona's blog La Belle Dame Sans Merci along with Sarah from Allure Cube.

This months star sign was Capricorn and we had to create a look inspired by it.

This is the look I came up with:

Because Capricorn is usually seen as half goat, half fish. I decided to go with a white (the goat) fading to a blue (the fish). The flicked liner was inspired by the horns of the goats.

The colours used in this look came from the Urban Decay Preen and Dangerous Palettes.

Make sure to check the other girls looks out here.

I love how we all had a different interpretation of Capricorn.

If YOU'D like to take part next month (you totally should btw) make sure to email Fiona at FionaIrish@eircom.net. 

Emma xo

Hope In a Blog and Wishtrend-Giveaway.

Confused ? Why is there a dragon and a cupid ? Welcome to Hope In A Blog x Wishtrend’s  first ever blogger’s event. The Dragon represents Wishtrend, the cupid – Hope In A Blog. The Dragon represents courage, power – and the cupid represents love, passion. The Dragon represents the East, the cupid – the West.
Most importantly….
The Dragon is a symbol of the Asian Lunar New Year, while the Cupid – the symbol of Valentine’s Day.
This year, they both fall on the same month – in February, and to celebrate this special double occasion – Wishtrend and Hope In A Blog is collaborating on a special box and a special event and competition for bloggers WORLDWIDE to join us celebrate these two important days!
…And what do these two celebrations have in common ? The colour RED! Yes, that’s it ! Wishtrend will be releasing a special box – which compromises of all RED items to beautify yourselves in these two occasions. If you are a blogger, you will be able to have a chance to test this box out yourself FREE OF CHARGE – post a photo – and WIN a grand prize! Create your best ‘RED’ look with the items in the box and let your creativity take over!
Open to bloggers WORLDWIDE.

How To Enter ? 1. Create a new post on your blog and copy and paste this entry. 2. After creating the post , email the URL/Website to jwzs@wishcompany.net. 3. Selection process will begin and bloggers selected will receive an email. Red Box will be delivered on 2nd week of January with tracking number. 4. If selected, the Special Box will be mailed to your address. 5. After 2 weeks, Blogger is required to review and post a photo using all the items in the box. Dateline : 31/01/2012. Please mail the blog link to jwzs@wishcompany.net to validate your entry. 6. Wishtrend and Hope In A Blog will pick a blogger with the most creative photo and blog post ( make good use of the items and create your best ‘RED” look! )
P.S : IF You are not chosen as a Wishtrend blogger, but have purchased the Red Box on your own, you can enter this competition as well by sending us the link of your blog post with review and photo to jwzs@wishcompany.net
PRIZE : Winner will have their photo posted on the main page of the Wishtrend site as well as the Wishtrend Facebook Page with their Blog site. With over 40,000 likes on Facebook and more than 100,000 clients all over the world – this will give your blog a huge push!
Winner will also win a $50 coupon from Wishtrend.com

Urban Decay: The Dangerous Palette Swatches & Review

So as I mentioned in my previous post, I got the Feminine Palette from Urban Decay in my Christmas stocking. I was also lucky enough to get The Dangerous Palette also! (snaps for Mammy Pretty Things!)

I think these two are the only two palettes I'll be using for a while!

Urban Decay The Dangerous Palette

Urban Decay: The Feminine Palette Swatches & Review

Urban Decay is probably my favourite brand for eyeshadows, not only are they amazing quality but the palettes are always gorgeous and such good value.

For Christmas, my momma was kind enough to include this beauty in my stocking. 

P.S check back on Monday to see what other palette was included in my stocking ;)

I already have the preen palette (review here) so I was delighted to add this baby to my new collection! That's right, I'm starting a UD Palette Collection.

I love these little palettes, they're gorgeous and very handy for traveling (not that I ever actually travel!)

Urban Decay Feminine Palette

Top Picks from... DazzleBug.co.uk BAGS GLORIOUS BAGS!

So a while back I won a giveaway hosted by DazzleBug.co.uk and won a gorgeous brown bag. Ever since then I regularly visit the site and browse the bags (I've been dying over the pink skull one below, wow). I decided to share my top 3 bags from the site with you guys! Maybe you'll find something YOU like on the site? 

Top 3 Bags DazzleBug.co.uk

1: Fushia - Skull Decorative Bag with Long Chain £16.65 (on sale at the moment). This is the bag I've been lusting after for a few weeks now! Its about €20 not including shipping so I need to get my hands on the funds for this baby! I keep imagining how amazing it would look with certain outfits! This comes in a few different colours if pink isn't to your taste!

2: Brown Studded & Zipper Pockets Ladies Handbag £20.69 (on sale also!). This is such a gorgeous bag, I looove the studs on the side. It adds a little something to the bag without it being gaudy or tacky. This comes in 3 colours.

3: Apricot - Smart Bag With Charm Pendant £20.69 (on sale again! WOO BARGAINS GALORE). I think if I got this I'd be fighting with my Mam over it! Its such a pretty bag. As its quite a 'smart' dressy bag I think it would dress up a lot of boring outfits (which is essentially ALL my outfits) without looking over dressed. I love the charm on it. Like the bag above it adds a little oomph to the bag without being over the top or naff.

If I could, I'd buy all of these (Celtic Tiger please come back, I miss you.). So those are my 3 top picks from this particular site, I might do some more of these with other smaller online stores. Almost like a bit of a sharing the love/shoutout to amazing stores I've found online.

Whats your favourite bag from the site? What do you think my my top 3 picks?
Emma xo

Oh and no I am not being paid/sponsored whatever you want to call it by DazzleBug. I've won a bag from them before in a giveaway and genuinely love the bags on the site. 

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

I've wanted to try the MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation for quite some time now, but because the nearest MAC to me is Dublin, I rarely actually get to go to MAC. 

I knew we'd be going to Dundrum around Christmas time as we do every year so I'd planned to get the Studio Fix Fluid. 

When I was in MAC I asked the girl what shade I should get as it was while since I actually used a MAC foundation (Up until now I was using the Smashbox Studio Skin,  reveiw here, which is a lovely foundation but I wanted to try something new). 

After she'd picked a shade I told her about my dry skin, she put the Studio Fix Fluid back and told me Studio Sculpt would be better for my skin as it wouldn't cling to dry patches as the Studio Fix Fluid is prone to do.

So I went for the Studio Sculpt.

NYE Makeup 2012

Hi guys, I hope you all had a great New Years Eve!

I just wanted to make a quick post showing you my NYE makeup!

If you follow me on Instagram (link in sidebar) you'll have already seen it but I thought I'd share it with those of you who don't follow me.

I think this makeup look is perfect for any event, not just NYE as its not too sparkly or glittery.

Avon SuperShock Mascara

So you may have seen my review on the Avon SuperExtend Mascara (here) and I was NOT impressed with it at all. So I was a bit wary but also interested in trying the SuperShock Mascara from Avon, this is the 3rd and final item of my Avon prize from Viva Adonis. 

Item 1: Avon 6 in 1 Eyeshadow Palette

Item 2: Avon SuperShock Gel Eyeliner Pencil

Avon SuperShock Mascara* £8.50 here (packaging is different but I think the red one is for Christmas)

To put it straight. I love this. It is thankfully NOTHING like the other Avon mascara.

The brush is big but not big enough to get it everywhere, which I love.

I love how it grabs every lash and doesn't make them appear too clumpy. It separates them perfectly.

It doesn't go flaky and lasts all day.

It doesn't have a weird smell, doesn't give me panda eyes and doesn't irritate my eyes.

 are those 4 eyebrows hairs that are lying weird, annoying anyone else?!

 I am really impressed with this mascara and would definitely buy it again. 

THUMBS UP AVON, You've won back my mascara trust.

Have you tried this mascara? I love big lashes, What other mascaras should I try?

Emma xo