Viva Adonis - Irish Beauty Blog: April 2011

Saturday, 30 April 2011

NOTD: China Glaze Temptation Carnation

Continuing on with my neutral nail obsession,Temptation Carnation is a beautiful subtle pink with gold shimmer that gives a nice sheen and dimension to the polish. Very pretty!

Natural Light

Flash

Love,

S x

Friday, 29 April 2011

FOTD: Body Shop Event

For this look, I wanted something nice and suitable for spring, without being too smokey or in-your-face. I went for a fairly neutral, gold eye with a quick slick of gel liner, and teamed it with what I think is the perfect bright red for spring, Revlon Fire & Ice.

Hot Cloth Cleansers: Soap & Glory VS No.7

Ever since I first tried the Soap & Glory Hot Cloth Cleanser back in January, I've been a huge convert to this method of cleansing. To me it really is the best method of removing every last scrap of makeup, whilst simultaneously polishing your skin thanks to the muslin cloth. This adds a lovely, noticeable glow to the complexion.

Both of the cleansers that I've tried are at the more affordable end of the scale. As much as I would love to try the likes of Liz Earle and Eve Lom, they're dearer and not readily available to me.

At the launch of Honey Bronze last night, The Body Shop had laid on a number of amazing surprises for us invitees, one of which was the opportunity to get your eyebrows threaded. (This service is available in-store at a cost of €12.) This was pretty perfect for me as I was forced to cancel my eyebrow wax earlier in the day as thesis work got in the way!

I was quite apprehensive but, having watched Karen emerge unscathed from the clutches of (I think her name is) Bushra, I hopped into the chair, ready to be groomed. Bushra was really friendly and put me right at ease, complimenting me on my natural brow shape which was nice to hear!

Haul: OPI, China Glaze & MAC

Oooh I'm so happy with what I got yesterday! S & I did a little shopping and had dinner before the Body Shop launch, such a nice evening! We hit Sally's Beauty Supply first.

Neither of us had ever been before so we were delighted to finally get our hands on some China Glaze! I also grabbed a pot of my one of my favourite lip balms, Cherry Carmex, when I saw that it had been reduced. I love the two CG shades and was delighted with the price - €6.99. I think I'll be quitting my OPI addiction in favour of collecting these for a while :)

Cherry Carmex, Blue Sparrow, Rich & Famous

Mini Haul: China Glaze

Before The Body Shop event last night, Dee and I staked out Sally's Salon Services. After much "Is it this street" and "Maybe its that street" we found it and hurried inside. Save for an overbearing sales assistant (Honestly, with the amount of squealing we were doing over the China Glaze and OPI, she can't have thought we were acting sketchy and trying to steal anything!) we were like kids in a candy shop.

Inside the door there was a number of OPI mini sets and some discounted bits and bobs. Down the back in was like nail varnish mecca with rows upon rows of China Glaze, OPI and nail art stuff. I picked up two China Glaze polishes which, at €6.99 each, are just as good value as most drugstore brands if not better. OPI was still ridiculously priced at €13 (I'll stick with Millie's I think!).

I picked up High Voltage- a neon pink and Carnation Temptation- a frosty pink with gold shimmer. I'll definitely be doing some major damage in there over the coming months!

Flash: High Voltage and Temptation Carnation

No Flash: High Voltage and Temptation Carnation

Any China Glaze polishes I should check out?

Love,

S x

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

FOTD & OOTD: The Body Shop Launch

Tonight Dee and I were lucky enough to attend the launch of The Body Shop's new Honey Bronze line. There'll be another post about the launch itself soon with pictures and (if I figure out how to edit!) video but, I just thought I would show you my OOTD and FOTD!

Dee's Nail Polish Collection

Oh God. I am ashamed. This is a filthy habit and I have to stop...

Who am I kidding, I love every single one of these babies! I have about 80 or 90 I think...wow.

I'm going to start off with OPI because they're my favourite brand. My love affair with OPI began last summer when I was working near a chemist in town that stocked them. That plus a regular income resulted in this collection!

OPI

NOTD: Essie Ballet Slippers

I couldn't wait to paint my nails with my new Essie polish and I am suitably impressed. The formula is amazing, thin so no streaking yet opaque in two coats. This colour is also gorgeous, a pale creamy pink that looks clean and crisp.

Base Coat: OPI Nail Envy

Top Coat: OPI Top Coat with OPI Drying Drops

Love,

S x

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

DUPE: MAC Russian Red and GOSH Kiss

MAC Russian Red and GOSH Kiss

You can't beat a good red lip. It's timeless and, if you find the right red, it suits everyone. I recently got matched for a suitable red lipstick for my skin tone and colouring in MAC and the result was that Russian Red was best. I love this colour as it is a true red if perhaps, slightly darkened.

I was shopping my stash the other day and came across my GOSH Cosmetics Soft n' Shine Lip Balm in Kiss and instantly wondered would it be a good dupe for Russian Red.

If you've been reading the blog for awhile, you'll be aware that I am an absolute sucker when it comes to MAC eyeshadows. I love them so much for their variety of textures, colours and formulas as well as their awesome pigmentation. You can see an overview of my MAC palettes here, which have been added to since that post but, it'll give you an idea!

It was nearly impossible for me to pick just 5 must haves but, I think I whittled it down to the ones I could create multiple looks with. Hopefully this will help some of you who want to expand your collection or, are just starting to get into MAC or make-up!

Sinéad's Make-Up Story

I saw this post on Karen's blog yesterday and it instantly got me thinking about my own make-up history.

I can't pinpoint exactly when my love affair with all things beauty began but, I do know that I was always a girlie girl. Even when I thought it was "cool" and "edgy" to be a tomboy, I could never fully commit to the rough and tumble type of childhood, always preferring pretty dresses, playing mammy to my Tiny Tears and styling my Barbie's hair!

This has become my favourite look for going out. It's nothing particularly complicated either! I took extra care on Saturday to do a good job as I was going to a 21st and I knew it was going to be a very long night...I wasn't wrong! Read on to see what I used...

NOTD: Models Own Pink Fizz

Ladies, take a deep breath...

Amazing, right? It look me about 3-4 coats to achieve this level of bling.

Love,

D x

Saturday, 23 April 2011

Battle of the Bases: Urban Decay versus MAC

A couple of years ago, when I first stumbled upon the internet beauty community, everyone and their mother seemed to be pontificating about Urban Decay Primer Potion. I was a steadfast MAC gal at the time and decided to shun the popular option in favour of MAC Prep+Prime Eye. I fast fell in love with MAC's offering and never considered getting UDPP or even the slightly less popular Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

However, when I picked up my Urban Decay Naked Palette, it came with a free UDPP and, sure, it would have been rude not to compare it to my beloved MAC primer. I based the comparison on four categories; formulation, longevity, ease of use and uses.

Just a regular red nail polish today! I love this shade, it's a nice deep red with plenty of shine :)

Friday, 22 April 2011

The Body Shop Body Butter Duo

I don't think that there is anyone, who is remotely beauty-minded, who doesn't know about (and covet) The Body Shop Body Butters. Apparently there is one sold every three seconds and, honestly, I don't doubt it. I have been a huge fan of the product for ages, the Coconut one in particular, and 100% accredit it with getting rid of my not-so-affectionately-named "chicken skin" on my upper arms.

Now, the cult beauty product has undergone an evolution and, alongside the traditional body butters we all know and love, there is now the Body Butter Duo. Hailed as a "one-pot wonder" the Duo boasts two levels of moisturisation, side-by-side in the same tub. There is then traditional butter for all-over moisturisation of normal skin and a more solid butter for super intensive moisturisation of extremely dry skin.

The lovely people at The Body Shop Ireland sent over one of the new Duos for me to test drive and I thought I would report back to you all with my thoughts!

Haul: Topshop & River Island

Recently I went shopping with my friend Aoife. It's her 21st on Saturday, so we were on a mission to find her an amazing outfit. Of course we succeeded and I managed to pick up a few things for myself as well!

Dress, €34, Topshop

I presume I'm not alone in having to pick my jaw up off the floor every morning when I open my curtains and see that yet another sunny day is upon us here in the country that is renowned for its crappy weather? Not that I'm complaining. Far from it in fact. I'm a sun fiend and I will happily lie there for hours on end just enjoying the feeling of being warm and toasty.

However, being that my ancestors were milk bottles, as I'm sure a lot of yours were too, I have to protect my skin. Surprisingly, I don't really burn but, for peace of mind and protection against melanoma, I like to slap on a bit of suncream if I'm going to be out in the direct sun for any major length of time.

However, suncreams are ten-a-penny and, it's hard to know what's good and what's bad so, here are my tried and tested picks of the bunch and, more importantly, ones to avoid like the plague.

Operation OPI Update

So, as you may know, there were two failed attempts at Operation OPI (here and here) i.e. trying to make my OPI nail varnish last 7 days on my nails. However, intent on getting my money's worth from my favourite nail varnish brand, I refused to give up and purchased an OPI topcoat and a bottle of Drip Dry in an attempt to make the manicure last a whole week.

Day 1

How did I fare? Read on to see!

5 Red Lipsticks I Love

L-R: MAC Russian Red, Heartless and Viva Glam Cyndi, Revlon Fire & Ice, Maybelline Hollywood Red.

I just love red lipstick. I used to be very wary of it - I don't know why, seeing as my lips are naturally quite red anyways. A good red lip gives me a special kind of confidence, and even makes me feel almost as fabulous as this lady:

Dita Von Teese - my make-up idol!

Review: Vichy Podexine Foot Cream

Sinéad and I both have a bit of a complex when it comes to feet. More of a hatred, really. We are both of the opinion that feet are disgusting. I dislike my own feet with a burning passion, I think that my toes in particular are foul. I remember once an ex told me that my feet were 'small and cute' and I physically gagged. Needless to say, we didn't work out.

Review: Essence Nail Polish Remover

The same day I picked up the Johnsons Eye Make-Up Remover which I reviewed yesterday, I also picked up a bottle of Essence Nail Polish Remover. I didn't know that Essence made anything other than the nail polish remover pen so, when I saw this sitting on a shelf in Penneys I decided to give it a whirl.

I picked up the blue one which moisturises nails, not because I wanted moisturisation but, because it was coconut scented and because it was the cheapest of the three at 90c while the others came in around €1.20 I think.

I'm not sure what accounts for the price difference but, I figured I couldn't go too far wrong and it wouldn't be too much of a loss if it turned out to be awful.

FOTD: Neutral (again!)

Like Dee, I too decided on a neutral FOTD today! There's something about summer weather and sunshine that makes me want to go with glowy skin and a nice light eye and lip. I never want anything too heavy, rather just something to conceal the bad and accentuate the good.

Review: Johnsons Daily Essentials Eye Make-Up Remover

You might remember a while back I picked up a bottle of Johnsons Daily Essentials Eye Make-Up Remover in Penneys.

I had been hankering after this one for awhile, eager to try an oil-based remover but, not willing to pay the prices Lancome or MAC were asking.

Most chemists and shops stock this for around the €5-€6 mark but, when I saw it in Penneys for a more favourable €2.25, I snapped it up.

Accidental Purchases...

So on a routine trip to the chemist today I ended up browsing the make-up and skincare. I love my local chemist, it seems to improve with every visit! Today I noticed they had Hairspray false lashes in which I am dying to try. However I resisted as I have plenty for the time being.

I'm really pleased with what I did buy, even if I hadn't planned on it!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar K

NOTD: Models Own Jade Stone

This was actually the first Models Own polish I ever purchased, way back when you could only get them in River Island. I still love the colour, it's just perfect for spring!

Love,

D x

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Small Haul: Lancome & MAC

MAC Antiqued, Lancome Teint Idole, Lancome Bi-Facil

I am so boring when it comes to my hair. It's naturally straight, I don't have to use heat on it and I have never dyed it. The most product I use on it it hairspray when I decide to curl it (which, incidentally, is the only time heat meets hair!).

However, I was pottering about in the bathroom the other day and noticed that one of my sisters had bought a hair masque-the L'oréal Elvive Re-nutrition Replenishing Masque. I was intrigued and she kindly let me try it out [Thanks Aisling!] with the stark warning that you only need a tiny bit and DO NOT under any circumstances put it near your roots or else I'd be a greaseball once my hair dried.

Dee's Monthly Favourites

I've been more than a bit broke for the last while, so I haven't been buying that much makeup. The majority of these products are either affordable things that I picked up, or else stuff I had lying around that I ended up relying on!

Ramblings: Operation OPI, NOTD, Neon Lips and Work Attire Shopping

I think I am going to do these ramblings posts most Sunday's as they are a good way of posting on anything and everything that may not necessarily warrant a post of its own!

Thursday Morning: Day 1

Last weekend I started Operation Naked, where I would use only my UD Naked palette for the foreseeable future. This week, I started Operation OPI. As you may recall, I ordered some OPI during the week and, while I love everything about this brand, I find it impossible not to chip withing a day or two. So, I started Operation OPI to see how long I could get out of one application (including a base coat of OPI Nail Envy and a top coat of Sally Hansen Mirror Shine).

TAG: What's in my Bag

What's in my Bag just doesn't have the same ring to it as What's in my Purse does it?! Anyways that's what this post is, what I carry around with me on a daily basis!

The bag I use is a cavernous, slouchy grey/silver one from Topshop. It is by the brand Nica and was bought mainly for college use as it is so big. I think it was reduced from about €80 to €28 last summer.

It has one huge main pocket with a zip pocket inside, a really big front pocket with a zip and a long strap so it can be used as either a cross-body bag or a shoulder bag.

Now, on to the contents!

A Special Post...

This post is “special” in nature as it doesn’t really have much to do with beauty, fashion, health or fitness as is the vein of our usual posts. Rather it has to do with another of our favourite things- music and the fact that Eoin Glackin, a young guy from mine and Dee’s area, has just been signed to Sony Ireland- their first new artist in over two years.

I have been following Eoin’s career for a few years now and the fact that he’s a local boyo and has just been signed to a subsidiary of one of the biggest record labels in the world merits him a free plug and a bit of promotion in my book!

He's 24, a Dublin native and has toured with household names like Damien Dempsey and the Coronas. He's also worked with some of the biggest and best producers in the bizz and has been tipped by UK music website Brumbeat to be "huge."

His debut album Not Lost will be available to buy and download shortly.

Check out Eoin's website and his YouTube page for more info and become a fan on Facebook!

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Review: Rimmel Glam'Eyes Trios and Quads

Over the past while I have accumulated some of Rimmel's new Glam'Eyes eyeshadow trios and quads from various events.

I have been playing around with them for a little while, trying to get a feel for whether they were as good as the ads make them out to be and I thought it was time to do a bit of a review for you all!

Both the trios and quads are priced at €7.95 and are available from all the usual outlets; Penneys, Boots, Unicare, Magner's Pharmacy, McCauley's etc.

Review: Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Facial Peel

I have a very bad habit of changing up my skincare routine quite often, as I am always looking out for new facial products that will improve my combination skin. I'm actually not sure how bad this habit actually is, as if I stick to the same regime for too long my skin tends to sort of get bored and stops reacting to the products.

On my last trip to Boots I picked up this 'facial peel' - I'm using quotation marks because I think of a 'peel' as an actual peel-off mask - this is really a clay mask.

TAG: Handwriting

I can tell a lot about people from their handwriting. I love to see their personality come through and what else you can learn about them by how they dot-their-i's and cross-their-t's so to speak!

So, when I saw this tag on ArtDonatella's blog, I knew I wanted to put it up!

Click to see more clearly!

Instructions

Get a piece of paper and write the answers to the following questions:

1. What is your name/blogger name?
2. What is your blog's name/URL?
3. Write "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog"
4. What's your favorite type of food?
5. What are some of your favorite makeup brands?
6. What are some of your nicknames?
7. What are some pictures you like to doodle?

I tag:

...and anyone else who wants to do it!

S x

Sunday, 3 April 2011

NOTD: Wild and Crazy Trashy Pink

For the lack of a better post today, here's my NOTD! Wild and Crazy's Trashy Pink is a neon coral-pink which is perfect for the gorgeous weather we've had for the last few days (and for brightening my sour thesis-induced mood!). And, it's a snip at less than €3.00!

Love,

S x

Saturday, 2 April 2011

NOTD x2: I ♥ OPI

My OPI collection is rather extensive, although I haven't been able to afford one for a couple of months now :(

I'm also dying to try out a few China Glaze after seeing this post from LovelyGirlieBits.

First up is Pamplona Purple, a very true, mid-tone purple. I love how shiny it is :)

Above is Panda-monium Pink, one of my favourite shades ever. I wore this on my 21st which is a testimony to how much I love it! It is a very pale, pinkish lilac and I haven't seen anything quite like it from other ranges.

Love,

D x

Ramblings: Operation Naked, FOTD, Lip Liner Issues

I was going to split this up into two or three different posts but, I figured it would all sit relatively well together!

First on the agenda is Operation Naked which is not as dirty as it sounds! This is merely me holding my hands up and admitting that I have had possibly THE most coveted make-up palette in the history of the world since the day it was released and I have used it a grand total of...twice. *hangs head in shame* The abandoned item in question is, of course, the Urban Decay Naked Palette.

Newsprint Nails

I saw this tutorial on a blog ages ago and I can't, for the life of me, remember which one it was. I thought it was a really cute idea and looked really good on the nails.

I also thought it was kind of appropriate since I'm studying journalism!

And, if you're like me, and don't have a steady enough hand to do some really good nail art, it's pretty fool proof!

Saturday, 30 April 2011

Friday, 29 April 2011

Thursday, 28 April 2011

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

Monday, 25 April 2011

Saturday, 23 April 2011

Friday, 22 April 2011

Thursday, 21 April 2011

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Saturday, 16 April 2011

Friday, 15 April 2011

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Monday, 11 April 2011

Sunday, 10 April 2011

Friday, 8 April 2011

Thursday, 7 April 2011

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Monday, 4 April 2011

Sunday, 3 April 2011

Saturday, 2 April 2011

Friday, 1 April 2011

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