Surprise Gift- Victoria Jackson Lipgloss purse

Hi all!

 

So I'm back from my few days away to Donegal, it was the best craic in ages! A group of us went for my friends 21st (mines is just around the corner) and she also leaves early September for Germany so it was a great last farewell for her to celebrate.

 

 

So when I got home my brother surprised me with this gift. He was away to Salou himself with his fiancé so I'm really surprised he picked me up something, not that I was complaining. The case alone I would have been happy about, it is stunning! A mock croc skin (I hope!) case that easily opens to reveals a sleek hidden pouch with two lip-glosses inside by Victoria Jackson. The case is also slim enough to hold my phone inside and maybe some ID, so it could well easily become my new purse for nights out.

 

 

 

 

 

The two lip-glosses I'm abit let down by. Then again however, I wasn't expecting anything therefore I had no hope in the first place so technically I can't complain. Now, Victoria Jackson is a brand that I am unaware of but a quick google search and she's an American brand that specialise in barely there make up, which I am not at all fond off. There were no shades on the glosses but they were double ended. At the end of each was a clear lip plumper. The colour end is what I was let down by.

 

 

 

 

On the left, it looks like a gorgeous deep burgundy red but what came out was barely even a hint of pink on the lips. The right shade was very shimmery that I don't really like so the colour glosses are abit useless to me, I may as well just wear the plumper alone. However, I will say that they are not at all sticky and are very moisturising and smell lovely. It was more of a very light tea tree smell, very fresh and tingly.

 

 

 

 

So all in all, a lovely surprise gift! Even though I am not so fond of the glosses I will always keep one handy inside on a night out for a quick touch up, along with my phone and ID that it now holds. Result!

 

Niamh xx

 

Soap & Glory lipstick in pom pom

I bought this lipstick off a blog sale and I just love it! It is amazing! I'm glad that I had bought it at cheap price as I couldnt really find any reviews on the Soap & Glory make up line and personally I am not fond of their mascara or super mother pucker lipgloss.

This comes beautifully packaged and looks and feel expensive. It's a matte lipstick with a beautiful velvey satin finish and isnt drying at all on the lips. Two coats blotted in between will last the whole day. It does come of with drinking and eating but it doesnt flake or look like its fading on the lips. Pom Pom is a gorgeous berry purple shade and is a colour that I feel is appropiate for all seasons so it is a very versatile shade to wear and would suit all skin tones.

Excuse the dodgy photos as I have to rely on my phone camera which is only 2mp and has no flash so doesnt really do it much justice. I am most definetly going to invest in more Soap & Glory lipsticks but I really should put myself on a lipstick ban.

Niamh xx

cocoa brown tan 'tough stuff'

 

Hello!

 

 

I was sent out a sample of Cocoa Brown tan 'Tough Stuff' body exfoliator aimed for those stubborn areas and also to remove any patchy tan. All I have to say about this product is OMG BUY ME IT IN THE BUCKETLOAD!

 

I know blogger people, I had done it again and I am truly sorry. I had ignored your praises for this wonder product all over twitter and the blogosphere. After all, it is just a scrub. What is so wonderful about a scrub? Pretty common and not very high on the wow scale, that is until this bad boy.

 

 

 

 

Now Cocoa Brown tan is the lovechild of Marissa Carter. It is an Irish based company, and Ms. Carter is a highly intelligent and glamorous lady who has decided to expand into the beauty business knowing that she could deliver that many other brands and products could not. And delivered she has. I have yet to try the actual tan but I have heard rave reviews, especially the night and day tan.

 

Now 'Tough Stuff' is aimed as an exfoliator to be used both wet and dry, and also to remove any stubborn streaky tan. At the time when I tried this product I did not have any tan on, however I seriously do not doubt that this scrub could easily remove it. It's everything that shouldn't work but does, it's a living working contradiction! Tough but gentle, non-irritating, great smelling, non-abrasive yet delivers fantastic results. What is also distinctively noticeable is that it is pink and smells of fresh fruit. It actually reminded me of drinking cocktails on holiday. Another thing about it that I think is why it is so tough is that it isn't big grains, they are all quite small yet contrary to belief, they work better than big grains.

 

 

 

I used it dry on my body and it immediately got straight to work. It felt fantastic. I immediately felt my body go 'ahhhhh'. Even though I do regularly use a body scrub in the shower and daily use a body brush, this scrub knocked both of these out the window. It really was as if a layer was being taken off me, yet it was so gentle and didn't irritate me at all, and I do have sensitive skin. I couldn't help but imagine that this would be great for a hangover, to shed all the dirty shame from the night before and emerge a new person hurrah! My hands even got such an exfoliation! I swear they looked so smooth, even the very palms were so smooth due to rubbing the scrub in, I haven't felt my hands to be so smooth in YEARS!

 

Seriously this is a wonder product. And so simple. You rip the packet, rub in, rinse off. The three R's to make it sound like a dirty joke- Rip, Rub, Rinse. So filthy. I love dirty jokes. All those years previously of constantly exfoliating using various methods all seem inadequate. Silly me for ever trying to get smooth, soft skin. But now I can yaay!

 

 

You can buy two 50ml sachets of 'Tough Stuff' at feelunique.com here for £4.50 including free delivery. Both Primark and Boots stock the Cocoa Brown line so hopefully it should be there also. My only thing that maybe I can recommend is that they bring it out in the tub load, seriously. This sample was more than enough to cover my whole body from head to toe but I want it in the tub load so I can use every last bit, it is that good.

 

Niamh xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Beauty Haul Giveaway

 

Hi lovelies!

 

I've decided to do a little giveaway for no particular reason. I haven't hit a certain amount of followers or I haven't reached a blogging anniversary, I just thought I'd do it to be nice and to share some of the products that I happen to enjoy. Also to say a big thank you to the level of support and readers since starting the blog, you have all been great!

 

 

In my little giveaway you will receive these items*:

 

• No.7 limited edition eye shadow palette

 

• No.7 limited edition lip gloss

 

• Seventeen  back lash gel eyeliner in black

 

• Seventeen doll'd up mascara in black

 

• Bourjois 1 second gel silicone texture nail polish in taupe

 

• A pair of blue tassle earrings from Argento.

 

 

 

 

 

(*All of these products have been bought by me.)

 

 

 

The giveaway will last for two weeks so get entering and get sharing!

 

Open to UK and Ireland residents only. If under the age of 16 then please get a parents consent.

 

Thank you xx

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Liebster Award Nomination

Hello there!



So the lovely Daniella over at Polkadella blog has very kindly nominated me for a Liebster award. Now, I am unsure what exactly it is but its designed for smaller blogs with less than 200 followers so I do think it is giving a great platform for other bloggers to interact with each other, and to offer support and exposure of their blog.

 

The Rules:

 

So once you have been nominated you will need to follow these rules, that is if you decided to accept the nomination.

 

You will need post a blog post with the following included:

1. Accepting the award

2. Answer the questions set by the blogger who nominated you

3. Nominate 11 other bloggers (try to avoid repeats) for the award

4. Set 11 questions of your own for your nominees to answer

5. Please place the Liebster Badge on your post

Just remember when you nominate other bloggers you should post on their blog or send an email just to notify them that they have been nominated by you.

The quickest way to explain what's what is to give them a link to the rules which can be the link to your blog post. You also need to list the nominees on your blog with links so others can gain access.

 

Ok so I am now going to answer the questions asked by Daniella.

 

1. What made you want to start blogging?

 I had been an intern for a local online business based in Belfast and I was the blog manager of the company. At this time I was exposed to interacting with bloggers who wrote from different aspects-from life and relationships, food and fashion and beauty. I was in charge of editing the blogs and uploading the posts, to email the bloggers with a weekly newsletter and to brainstorm back and forth with topics to write about. After my time came to an end and I started uni, I really began to miss it so decided to start my own.

2. What is the craziest thing youv'e done?

Oh God. I really don't wana say. Define crazy?

3. What is your most precious possession?

This may sound weird and technically it's not a possession but my dog. I swear, I treat him like a baby, can't leave him on his own too long or I began to panic that he's lonely. I don't even get all that homesick but since having him I can't wait to get back home just to see the wee mongrel.

4. Have you seen Ellie Goulding live, if so where? (I just really love her)

Ah no, no I have not indeed.

5. If you was on a desert island what 5 things would you take?

1) moisturiser
2)A blanket
3)books
4)an endless supply of my ma's stew. Or her potatoes. I'm Irish, I was reared on the stuff.
5)Endless supply of alcohol. Any type. Please and thank you.

6. What skin type are you?

hmmm. My skin is constantly changing but generally, this is the best condition my skin has probably been in. Sure I still have some acne scars, redness and enlarged pores but I don't suffer from outbreaks anymore :) I have always taken care of my skin though. I would probably say normal/dehydrated.

7. Acrylic or Natural paint your self nails?

oh natural.

8. What is your favourite make up beauty brand?

Such a hard question! High street I would probably have to say max factor, high end I'm going to say illamasqua. Toughie between them and estee lauder.

9. Are you following me on any networks? (you can say no..I'm just curious

Twitter and bloglovin :)

10. If you had £10,000 you could spend on anything what would it be?

Diamonds! Then the rest to charity, i'm just being too greedy.

11. Have you ever dyed your hair pink?

nope!


So the 11 blogs that I have chosen for the Leibster award are:

Painted Petals.
red-lips-red-hair
Bernadette Christina.
crimes of a blonde
pretty not perfect
silver brogues
clingledew
laughingassasin
That Belfast Girl
life under the pink blanket
one year of fashion fasting by LK

 and here are my questions:

1)What is the first thing that pops into your head?
2) Describe yourself in three words.
3)why did you start blogging?
4) Do you agree with the leibster award in what it is trying to promote?
5) what do you like best about blogging?
6) What do you dislike about blogging?
7) Who are your fashion/beauty icons? They can be male or female.
8)What is the best thing you like most about the place where you are from/living?
9) Do you fake tan?
10) which do you prefer in a look-natural or glamorous?
11) Have you ever been caught doing something you shouldn't have? (Not necessarily breaking the law, but if it applies here to you then go on ahead.)

So that is that my lovelies!

Leave me a comment below if you accept and I can't wait to see your answers.

Niamh xx





 

ebay steal-No7 brush set

Hello lovelies!


Today I'm sharing with you all an amazing ebay steal that I won. I won the winning bid for these gorgeous eyeshadows brushes for only £3.00 and £1.50 p+p. Bargain!

The set contains a lovely wrap holder that is so sleek and compact it could easily fit in your handbag. Inside there are four very soft brushes. I've yet to use them but from the feel of them they look pretty good. A sturdy handle and no shedding so they are very good quality.

 

 

A handy step by step guide to the ultimate smokey eye and how to use the brushes to the best of their use. So altogether there is an eye shadow brush, an angled shader brush, a smudge brush and finally a liner brush.

I'm so pleased with this little gem and one of those ebay steals that you get at a low bid. I love ebay!
care to share any of your ebay steals lately?


Niamh xx

  

 

Shopping haul

So my blogger reading darlings, this is a very quick post with just a few things I had picked up in the past week. I am very, very skint at the moment and need to save to go to Donegal next week so these are my justified spending's as they are mostly sale items.

 

 

 

I bought a cream blusher from Topshop that was on sale for only £3.00. I've been wearing this a lot lately and it really is great for a flush of colour. At first I was weary that it was too pink, but just one dot and it goes on very sheer. This cream blusher is in shade 'sneakpeek' and it is great to buff into the skin or just to rub in with your fingers. I don't think I would have bought it at full price though. I also bought from Topshop their liner brush. This is really great, and only for £4.00 it was really affordable. I use this for lining my eyes and also for smudging in my eyeliner for a softer finish and it gives great definition and easy to use. I also got a cheeky 10% discount on both items, being a skint student has its perks, even if it is just 70p.

 

 

 

 

 

The next two items come from one of my favourite shops ever. I adore Argento for affordable and high quality jewellery. I mainly buy from their Karma line of products but they cater for everyone and have a wide range of lines including Thomas Sabo, Pilgrimage and Pandora. In Belfast, there is this great Argento sale shop where I got these two beauties. I love big chandelier earrings and Argento is usually my go to place for these, along with cocktail statement rings. So I got these beautiful blue earrings for £5 and the very heavy perfume bottle chain for £8 in the sale.

 

 

 

 

 

I bought these little gems from Primark. The earrings were only £2.50 and the matching statement necklace was only £4. I was on the hunt for a good statement necklace and I love the pastel gem colours. I spotted a gorgeous statement piece in topshop for £60!!! No thank you, wouldn't even buy it at sale price. Some places really charge extortionate prices for costume jewellery.


Thats about it lovelies. All the best until then.

Niamh xx

Review of illamasqua pure pigment in Alluvium

I bought this in the cracken illamasqua sale for only £5 along with a few other bits and bobs. This is brilliant! I was attracted to this because I wanted to try a regal blue eyeshadow without looking like a throwback from the eighties. What caught my eye is that you could use this wet and dry that changes the intensity of the colour. In the pictures on my hand, the swatch on the left is the pure pigment wet and the swatch to the right is dry.

I think this is a beautiful shade of blue with flecks of gold that change and glimmer in the light. I have used this as a liner and it really makes the whites of my eyes appear brighter. It is also a welcome change from black liner and doesnt clash with a bold lipstick.

Has anybody else tried any illamasqua pure pigment?

Niamh xx

Guess sunglasses courtesy of legally glam

Hello lovelies!

This post is a long time coming and I've been super busy and didn't have the time to blog any earlier. Now I won the faboulous competition that the lovely Sera McDaid was hosting on her blog The Agoraphobic Fashionista. I was so surprised and ecstatic to finally own a pair of designer sunglasses.

I recieved these at the weekend and they came beautifully packaged. I love animal print so immediately the case got my heart rate jumping. When I opened the case I wasn't dissapointed, the sunglasses are stunning!  Gorgeous classic shape of frame with the most beautiful leopard print and Guess logo embossed to the side.

All I need now is the rain to stop and the the sun to make an appearance again. A huge thank you to Sera and Legally Glam for the wonderful prize!

Niamh xx

Shoes in the Asos sale

Hi lovelies!

Well I was hoping to start doing some OOTD snaps for the blog but my trusty sony ericsson phone just died and gave up on me :( it was a sad day, I loved that phone. Alas, I had to buy a replacement phone and came away with some sort of Samsung but only with a 2MP camera and NO FLASH! Whereas my last baby was a 5MP camera with flash, all different effects and even a 3D camera-which I never knew how to work but ah well!

Anyway, I want to focus more on the fashion side of things on this blog as I fell that I have lost my knack for it a bit. I am a total fashion junkie, watching the stars, the catwalks, the trends you name it. And without meaning to blow my own trumpet here I used to write some cracking fashion articles but Ive came across some sort of artistic writers block. Anna Wintour I am not, but I had a flair for writing about fashion, what to wear it with, for investing, the inspiration behind collections yadda yadda.

So anyhoo, to ease myself back in I was having a little look on Asos on their shoe sale. It has been noticeable if you will, along the fashion circle that platform heels just aren't in no more. And I blame Victoria Beckham  . Who else remembers when baby Harper was just born and Victoria was balancing her on her hip whilst still towering in the Louboutin Daffodils? I used to get vertigo for ever imaging walking in such a heel height and platform with a baby on my hip, oh the fear of falling!

Is nobody else not queasy at the thought of walking at that height with a babe on the arm? No, just me then?

 Now however, she has ditched the platforms (but not the Louboutins) for, in my opinion, and even sexier heel. A proper heel as your feet are really put at an awkward angle and their is no platform to level things out if you will. I love this type of shoe. its the type of shoe that really lifts your posture, keeps your back aligned and gives that wiggle that Marilyn Monroe would be envious off. She has also been pictured in her brogues that she designed along with Manolo Blahnik for her S/S13 collection, so is this the end of the heel for Vicky? I hope not! For this woman is a style Queen in my opinion and she literally sets the height of whats acceptable for fashion.

Ahhhh much better Victoria!

I'm sure you have all witnessed the backlash of the platform among the high street, surely? Do not despair though for some of them are really GORGEOUS! I would recommend River Island to all my shoe loving friends, they have ditched the platform but have kept the heel height if that is what you all like ( I DO! ) with some beautiful caged sandals, blocked heels, strappy sandals. Whatever you're looking they have it!

IN LOVE with these bad boys. River Island £45

I actually bought a beautiful pair of black suede court heels form Zara, complete with studded ankle strap for only £20! I unveiled them for my first outing to my friends 21st last week and I felt so sophisticated being a reasonable height without towering over everybody. (I am quite tall, and when wearing platform 6inch heels I literally tower over everybody.) I also got loads of complements on the shoes, and coming from girls their was some serious shoe envy going on!

So the whole basis of this post was to find sexy strappy sandals/court shoes/no platform related heels at a cheap and reasonable price. Having a look online as some sort of sick pleasured enjoyment as I am so skint I am actually selling my shoes online, here is what I have come up with. I hope you enjoy :)

Asos £18

                                                  
                                                                             Asos £18

Asos £12

Hope you liked the post!

Niamh xx

Revlon Colourburst lip butter

Now, I know that Revlon lip butters have been a holy grail for many a bloggers make up bag. However, even though Revlon is a well established brand and loved by many I have never actually used their products or am a loyal returning customer to the brand.

in this photo I am wearing seventeen BB cream in shade medium, L'oreal infalliable powder, Revlon colourburst lip butter and Rimmel mascara.

However this all changed once I picked up this lip butter in boots as they were offering a buy one get one half price promotion. Oh my sweet baby jesus, why did I wait so long?! Never again my blogging buddies, will I ever ignore your judgement on a miracle product!

I am in love! It goes on like a dream, is so soft and moisturising but with great colour pigmentation and a lovely glossy sheen. Usually with some lippies I have to apply lip balm before hand but not with this little beauty! And the colour lasts forever and doesn't fade so you are left with what looks like dodgy lip liner. This is in shade Red Velvet. At first I was a tad apprehensive as it seemed too dark for summer but it is a perfect shade, and seeing how I have a tan from my holiday in Portugal it compliments my skin tone perfectly. I think it will be a great shade for the A/W season and will fit with that whole Heidi Slimane grunge look for YSL.

A wonder product that I would recommend to everybody, and I seriously need to invest in more shades.

Any recommendations for what shade I should try next? Or anything else from the Revlon brand that I might be swayed to try?

Niamh xx

Blog sale featuring L'oreal, Illamasqua, Armani, Rimmel and lots more!

I'm having a wee blog sale. Being a skint student still on the job hunt (which is so hard, I have been trying everywhere and to no avail) so i'm selling off a lot of my stuff. I have an ebay page too if you would like to have a nosey.

All payments are to be made by PayPal, so leave a comment below with what you would like or email me below at niamhg23@live.co.uk because that is my PayPal address.

I will send all items 2nd class Royal Mail p+p. I will try and add as many items in the one parcel to keep the postage down. This will cost £2.60. If you would like it recorded then this will have to be extra. The books will be £3.00 and again, I will try to fit everything into one parcel to keep costs down.

If you are buying just single jewellery items then this will cost 90p (except the bangles due to the size and weight of them) with any extra items at 20p each. Again, if there will be multiple items then I will have to put it into a parcel which will cost £2.60.

A lot of my items are new and unused. Those that have been used have only been used once or twice, the foundation has really only been swatched as they are the wrong shade for me and are basically full. Any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

I am open to an offers or a combined price for multiple items.

Enjoy xx

                                                                


                                                          SKINCARE AND MAKE UP

Armani Diamonds EDP 50ml. Hardly any have been used, basically a full bottle. RRP £49 (check here for boots) I am willing to sell this for £29.

Bio oil 200ml. Brand new and unused, never opened. RRP £19.99, I am willing to sell for £9.00

Illamasqua rich liquid foundation shade RF140. This is waaaaay too light for me, I am actually shade 200. I bought it online before ever getting tested at the illamasqua counter so this is basically a full product, it has only ever been swatched. RRP £27, I am willing to sell for £13.50

Left to right

Set of 2 Avon Planet Spa face masks. Moustirising and replenishing. Never used. Both for £4.00

Holland&Barrett Vitamin E oil 74ml never used. £2.00

Rescue oil 75ml. Over 90% left. £1.50

L'oreal skin perfection 15 second miracle cleansing oil. Only used a few times, didnt suit me at all. Over 90% full. £3.00

No.7 set of 6 eyeshadows. Only a few shades have been swatched. £4.00

Soap&Glory sexy mutherpucker in punchbowl. used twice. £2.00

Collection2000 cremepuff in shade fairy cake. used once. £1.00

Avon ideal flawless invisible coverage foundation, shade nude. Wrong shade for me so again was really only tried once and swatched a few times. like new. RRP £12.00, I am selling for £5.00

max factor lipstick shade lilac wine £1.00

max factor lipstick English Rose £1.00

Rimmel lasting finish lipstick 220 Retro £1.00

St Tropez everyday gradual tan moisturiser 75ml. Only used once. £2.00

Rodial Brazilian dark tan. never used 58ml. £4.50 (A 150ml bottle of this is £17.50 see here  so this is a bargain for a fraction of the price!)

coconut shower gel 100ml never used £1.00

molton brown energising  seamoss shower gel 100ml. never used. £4.00

Set of three Elle McPherson 75ml bath soak, nail buff and pumice stone, All new and not opened. £3.00

JEWELLERY AND BOOKS

I have a mixture of jewellery including vintage and new. I will make sure all earrings will be sterilised before sending them off. I will charge each jewellery piece at £2.00 each. I will state underneath as to which are the vintage pieces and which are new. All items are in perfect condition with no stones missing or discoloration.

                                                 L-R. Vintage art deco blue chandelier earrings.
                                                           Blue stoned detailed earrings.
                                                           Art deco style chandelier drop earrings.

                                                   L-R  Large emerald stone leaf drop earrings.
                                                            sea green glass stone chandelier earrings
                                                            large black and diamonte costume earrings
                                                            large clear and nude glass stone chandelier earrings
                                                            art deco style pearl fan drop earrings
                                                            vintage antique bracelet with purple stone.

                                   Size L ring with blue stone and clear cut glass stones around it/

                                              Mixture of red toned stones in a stretch cuff. New.

2 long drop chains. One with a bird motif and elaborate design at the back. the other with a floral interlay in a clear glass stone.

                                        H&M gold tone cuff. Suede/faux leather feel. New

 There are 2 cuffs here to be bought together or separately (2quid each)  Large stretch cuff with silver and black geometric design.

                                             Lions head attached to three strands of beads.

                                 Gorgeous red stoned cuff with a stunning baroque design.

 

vintage like ribbon necklace with floral design.

 

 

                                           Statement off white/cream stoned necklace.

                                              Brass gold statement necklace.

 

Orange and Black jewelled statement necklace. (Was originally bought as a set and with the orange cuffs above)

 

 

 

Please note: I have used these books for coffee table purposes if that makes sense. They sat on a shelf and were never used, they were used for decoration purposes mainly so are in perfect condition.

 

 "Vogue Covers of Fashion's Front Page" In very good condition, like new. No bending to spine.
Paperback, publication year 2009, by Robin Derrick & Robin Muir  £8.00

 

"Fashion A to Z: An illustrated dictionary." By Alex Newman & Zakee Shariff. Paperback, publication year 2009. In excellent condition. No spine damage at all. £6.00