Mastering Your Makeup: November 2014

Kevin Murphy Hair Products- Christmas News!

Hey Ladies....

I just got this press release sent to me from The Publicity Loft and I'm very excited, this hair care brand is deffo something I am interested in trying so here is all the info..

"The cold weather can create havoc for your hair. This winter wave goodbye to dull, dry and lifeless hair with luxurious hair care brand, KEVIN.MURPHY. This party season treat yourself or a loved one to some lavish hair care to give your hair that salon finish it deserves.

For Christmas 2014, KEVIN.MURPHY has a great range of gifts with something to suit all hair types. ‘Heaven Scent’, €44, is an angelic touch for your fine and fragile hair and your fine and fragile lifestyle! This set includes a volumising duo infused with Mango Butter, Cocoa Butter and Chamomile, with the signature scent in a limited edition soy candle. ANGEL.WASH, a delicate volumising shampoo for fine, fragile or broken hair that is coloured or damaged. ANGEL.RINSE contains milk proteins that control frizz and repair hair that may have suffered from chemical straightening or bleaching. For a heavenly scent, the ANGEL.CANDLE is a soy wax infused with our signature ANGEL scent of pure essential oil of Tangerine, Vanilla, Geranium and Grapefruit.

Hydrate from head to hands with the moisturising trio ‘Touch of Hydration’ from the KEVIN.MURPHY range. HYDRATE-ME.WASH, a super smoothing and hydrating shampoo for normal to dry hair infused with Kakadu Plum to deliver moisture. Instant hydrating and detangling properties from Evening Primrose Oil infuse the hair with moisture and gloss from HYDRATE-ME.RINSE. Due to popularity, we have created TOUCH OF HYDRATION, a weightless and fast absorbing, moisturising hand crème that will smooth and soften your hands.

Not forgetting the men, the ‘Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush’ €49.00 set is perfect for your dad, brother or special man in your life. Awaken the senses with this all-encompassing men’s essential travel pack which includes a limited edition STIMULATE-ME.WASH & RINSE, a stimulating and refreshing men’s shampoo and conditioner. The cult classic NIGHT.RIDER which provides a tough hold and a rough matte texture for short or choppy looks. Guaranteeing a healthy white smile, the SUPERSMILE toothpaste whitens, freshens, strengthens and protects, while the toothbrush provides superior oral care.

KEVIN.MURPHY Holiday Gifts are available from selected salons nationwide"

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My Guide to buying Blank Canvas Cosmetics Brushes this Christmas!

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Monday Makeup Challenge... Festive Silver!!

Another Monday, another makeup look but this week we are starting to get festive!

The first thing I'd like to point out about this look is how annoyed I am at my camera, the bloody thing just would not catch the glitter on my eyes the same way the blue glitter sparkled.

So for today’s post I am going to talk about how I created this look as well as what I used. I wanted to keep my silver look a little simpler as I knew I was wearing glitter and that in itself can be very difficult.

One thing I'd like to point out that I made the mistake of doing was, I put on my foundation and pretty much completed my face before I started on my eyes and this was a ridiculous idea considering I was using glitter so take note ladies, do your eyes first.

I started with applying the Urban Decay Potion Primer onto my lid and followed up with a sparkly pink shadow from my New York Urban Decay palette and then a silver colour. I applied my pink into the crease using an E25 Blank Canvas blending brush. I applied the silver on with an E24 shadow brush from Blank Canvas. I am going to write a brush guide for Christmas ideas tomorrow so you can learn all about the Blank Canvas brushes I recommend for Christmas. I know Elaine has recently written on this on her blog so it'll be interesting to see if we match in our views… I’m sure we will :)

My silver shadow just wasn't working for me so I went back in with the E24 brush and added a silver MAC shadow I have had for ages, this is much darker almost a grey but it went onto my lid much easier. My glitter was of course my favourite part. I used a little sparkle pot I had bought in Inglot last Christmas and mixing it with a little duraline I added this to my lid, patting it on with another flat brush this time from Nima. The brush is slightly wider so it covered my lid and I just kept applying until I was happy I had turned into a disco ball!! I added a cranberry toned shadow to my under eye and a small amount to the outer corner so it wasn’t just all silver. I didn’t want this to look too dramatic but once it was on I knew I wanted a dark lip and this is MAC’s cyber.

To keep with my usual look, I added some eylure volume lashes and then the no.77 inglot gel liner. It’s so dark and lovely when you get it right but an absolute nightmare if you get it wrong. I have a little brush which helps me with the flick at the end of my eye but I can’t find it at the minute so my flicks have been terrible!!

So much glitter had fallen all over my face I was raging!! But I was happy enough with the look just wish the camera took the glitter better. I think this look is really quick and easy (if you have a naked face) and you can look so festive without needing 4-5 colours on your eyes. I hope you like the look and of course any questions please let me know.

Elaine’s look is deadly! I think they extra little details just make this look crazy cool and something I would love at this time of year. Fair play to her for being so brave. It’s amazing this girl’s talent and I get so excited when my phone goes off with her latest pictures. She hasn't been well lately and still after being so sick she creates flawless makeup and just looks brilliant!

If there’s any festive looks you’d like to see be sure to give us a shout and hope you are all getting ready for the best time of year…. One month today and it’s Christmas Eve YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

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SkinLogics 10 Piece Brush Set... Great deal on now for Christmas!

Hi Ladies,

Brushes are everywhere this side of Christmas and sometimes choosing them can be really difficult if you are not 'in the know', actually if even if you do feel confident knowing brushes, it can still be a really hard task to buy for yourself or for someone else.

At the latest beauty show in the RDS I of course popped along to the SkinLogic stand to say hello to the lovely Elena who has been very good to me with Glo Minerals products, getting to test out and review some high end makeup which to be fair I loved! You can check out my previous posts on SkinLogics HERE and HERE so I was gobsmacked when she handed me a beautiful 10 piece brush set to try out and review for you all.

This brush set includes;
Large powder brush: A full, soft brush designed to achieve a light base application.
Flat Bronzer brush: Use for an all over powder application when looking for medium to heavy coverage.
Angled blush brush: Use to contour the cheek bones with colour when applying blush.
Foundation brush: Allows for smooth and even application of liquid foundation or creams.
Eye base: Use to apply an eyeshadow base colour over the entire eyelid.
Lip definer brush: Use to apply lipstick or liner to the lips and to enhance definition.
Crease brush: Designed to give a light or heavy contour application to the eye crease.
Precision camouflage brush: A precision tool used to apply concealer to the smallest, most difficult areas such as skin imperfections.
Dual brow/eyeliner brush: Use wet or dry with eyeshadow or a cream liner to define the lash line and the brows.

Smudge brush: Designed for applying eyeshadow near the lash line and for blending and contouring to create a smokey effect. (www.skinlogiconline.com)

The first thing to note about this brush roll is the cost, it's €199 which is really expensive when you first think of it, making each brush costed at €20. I was unaware of this so I am glad not to have known the price until I went to write this brush post having tried all the brushes over the last couple of months. I do however have fantastic news which thanks to the wonderful Elaine in Ruby Laine spotted, but you can pick up this exact brush kit from Skinlogics as part of a Dealrush Deal for the amazing price of €49.99 and of course here is the link http://www.dealrush.ie/deal/8617 Again as I said I didn't know this before writing my review so please have a read and then see if this is something you'd like to have or to gift someone with this Christmas.

So the kit... Firstly the packaging is great, a wrap around faux leather pouch with individual slots for each brush and with long strings so you can tie it up and bring it away with you hassle free. I have to say from taking it out of the plastic, there was a slight smell but this is to be expected with things cooped up and in no air but this faded very quickly so all is well with the pouch.

The brushes are all 100% natural and when I first began to play with them I was almost nervous to use them, they are so soft and pretty. Let's face it they are cream and black so I knew I was going to destroy them in product so I took my time using them. Each brush is as soft as the next, and the flat foundation brush I have to admit is one of the nicest I have used. I am not a big fan of flat foundation brushes, I prefer the finish with a beauty blender or a buffing brush but I have used this a number of times and I really like it. Another brush from the 10 piece kit that I like is the brow brush. Last night I posted a review of some new Eylure products I have been using and for the brow palette I have had the little brow brush from this kit in my on the go bag and it's been great!

I think all in all the kit really does have every brush you may need or want for a starter kit or to add some luxury to your collection. The powder brushes ( I consider 3 in this kit) are lovely on the skin and they do hold product really well.

It's a funny thing cost... I have invested in cheaper products and more expensive brands over the years and both can have amazing results, it's really each to their own, what your skin is like and what you as an individual likes. I know SkinLogics do high end luxury skin brands such as Glo Minerals which are an amazing brand and I have loved every product I was ever sent, But I was a little shocked when I saw that the kit retails at €199. Now where as I personally would love this kit and I know that I would use it without worry, I think if you consider this as a gift then now is the time to buy it over on DealRush, it's a steal for only €50 and my opinion would deffo get out there and get it for someone who loves makeup!

I hope this post was helpful as it can be difficult to buy a kit for someone if you are not overly aware of what they may need. This is a wonderful kit which can literally sort out your entire face quite easily so it gets the thumbs up from me and fair play to SkinLogics for the amazing deal on DealRush!!

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Eylure Brow Products- New and Good???

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Makeup Storage in my Room

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My morning at Laura's Beauty Rooms Wexford

Hello Beauties...

Heading to Wexford for a night was a wonderful idea and just what I needed. We all need a little escape every now and then so myself and J headed off for a night away to chill out and escape Dublin life.

I was really feeling the tension in my back and shoulders lately, I think it’s just a build-up of not really looking after myself so I decided I was going to hunt for a beauty salon for Friday morning.

I had put a shout out on my Facebook page and was given loads of different suggestions as to where to try. Some places which had been mentioned I had heard of before and some I hadn't so I decided to take to Facebook pages to look up some possibilities. I quite like finding places on Facebook, you can get a really good view of somewhere as well as checking out a website so I stumbled across Laura's Beauty Rooms and was immediately drawn into the page by this amazing offer they had available.

“ULTIMATE LUXURY SPECIAL, including a Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage, a 1 Hour Dermalogica Facial (including a face and décolletage massage) a hand massage with heated mitts, a foot massage with heated booties and a scalp massage! One and a half hours of pure luxury! ALL THIS IS ONLY €45! AMAZING VALUE!”

The value alone was enough to make me want to get there straight away but I booked myself in for Friday morning at 10:15. We didn't have any trouble finding the salon, I had google maps on as J drove and on both ends of the street, there are very pretty signposts directing you to the salon. The building is on a residential street but thankfully I am not one for busy shopping centre beauty salons so the quiet of the street suited me perfectly.

When I walked in the door of the salon, I was immediately hit by that lovely salon smell (which I can never figure out what is it) and it was so cosy. There are loads of lovely Dermalogica products on display which I love as I have recently discovered this brand having been faced mapped at a Beauty Show in the RDS. I was greeted by Gillian and taken to her treatment room. There was loads of space, a beautiful scent, candles lighting and the overall appearance of the room was lovely.

So I got myself ready on the bed and Gillian explained we'd be doing my back neck and shoulder massage first, followed by my facial with the hand and arm massage with heated gloves and also a foot massage with booties. Now let me be very clear, I have a total feet phobia, there is a clear reason God invented beautiful shoes and it’s so people like me never have to see feet!!

My back really needed the work Gillian gave it, that fine line between wanting to cry and the relief when a knot was finally worked out was great. I really did need it and while Dido played softly in the background I became more and more relaxed.

We had a very brief chat about my face before Gillian began the facial, I was lovely and cosy and the scent from the Dermalogica products were lovely and not overpowering that before I knew it, wait for it…. I was asleep!! I literally cannot say for how long but these random thoughts were in my head and all of a sudden I was telling myself to WAKE up! Mortified I had to concentrate really hard to stay away I was so relaxed.

The hand massage was wonderful and the mitts were so toasty! Now here’s the mad bit.. As you can see earlier I do not like feet at all but after my snooze and in general just being so relaxed I really enjoyed the foot massage! Mental I know! I just lay there, let all the tension leave my feet and relaxed with the little booties on until the treatment was finished.

A huge thanks to Gillian and her magic hands, I loved the whole treatment package so ladies if you are anywhere near Wexford town and have a free hour and a half get yourself to Laura’s Beauty Rooms!! I met owner Laura as I was leaving and herself and Gillian had very kindly bagged up some Dermalogica sample products for me as a treat and in my treat bag there was even a little Laura’s Beauty Rooms pocket mirror which now lives in my handbag and I’m delighted!

I love finding new places and as always I am a real bargain hunter and my god did that hunt pay off, I had one of the most relaxing mornings of my life and was so so glad to have met Laura and Gillian. I hope they have loads of continued success with the salon and if I am heading down the Wexford way again I will be sure to pop in.

Check them out on Facebook HERE!!

10:00:00
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Monday Rainbow Challenge- Gold!!

Happy Monday Ladies!

Well I hope you all had a nice weekend, mine was a big one, it marked my 1^st year living in Dublin. I was asked on Saturday if I had any regrets on my move to Dublin and I said no, not one, and it’s true. Although I miss home a lot at times (your own bed and your best friends) I am so happy I took the chance and made the move, if I hadn't, there’s no way I'd be sitting here writing to you guys as the blog would never have happened!

So where are we with our challenge? Well if you have been following on the Monday’s you'll know myself and Elaine from RubyLaineMakeup have taken on lots of colours and now we are back with a gold look.

Gold is something I think blue eyed people like me go for a lot, I know when I started to take an interest in makeup, gold was a go to colour for me, I had heard gold, cream and brown looked good on blue eyes so it’s all I ever went for with my looks.

For my look I used a number of products you can see pictured here.

I wanted to make it a fancy gold look suitable for a night out but I'm afraid it didn't work out exactly as I had planned. I had a pigment I thought would brighten the look up a lot with and then I also had quite a glittery shadow from one of my Urban Decay palettes, I attempted to use my flat brush with some duraline on it and it didn't help at all, the shadow went quite clumpy so it turned into a big of a fix job if I'm totally honest.

It can be quite difficult to play with shimmer shadows, I found my dark shadows on the outer corner quite hard to blend but that’s just a practice thing with me I think, I'll get there with time :)

So the brushes I used were as always my faithful Blank canvas E24 flat brush my E25 & E26 fluffy brushes and I also used my pencil brush from my Nima brush collection and a 6SS from Inglot.

I used about 3 different brown tones, a black and my gold glitter shadow from Urban Decay. I also added some Sleek pigment which didn't go too well so piled back on the shadow. I had prepped my eyes with a MAC paint pot in Soft Ochre.

Here is a couple of shots of my gold look…

This pic is no flash taken inward on the S4

Using flash on my Samsung S4 phone

These two are filtered using Beauty Mode on my Samsung S4 phone

Elaine’s look is quite similar to mine but she has a beautiful darker crease and her lashes look amazing.

I also love the little pout she has going on here. Be sure to click over to Elaine’s blog post to read how she achieved this look. I would have liked a darker crease like Elaine and I really like how strong the gold colour looks on her eyes. As always her accessory is perfect for this look, it’s always the little touches she adds that just make her looks perfect.

If you have any suggestions on what we should use for our colour challenge getting closer to Christmas then please do let us know and we will give it a go for you :)

Elaine's Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Ruby-Laine-Make-Up-Special-FX
Twitter: @RubyL_MakeUp
Instagram: @rubylainemakeup

Have a great evening...