Beauty Flash Balm Review

This is a must have in your beauty case! Ok so it is not on the cheap and cheerful front which I normally love but it is an amazing product that does three jobs.

It is a makeup primer, face mask and a skin glower ( will explain this one ) 

I use this for special occasions or when I want to give my skin that little perk up when it is looking grey and dull. 

Make up primer

Put on your normal moisturiser and give it time to settle in to your skin as always.    Next – take a little ... yes a little beauty flash balm – rub it between your hands so that it warms alittle and then rub on to your face.  I normally add this to certain spots rather than all over.  My little danger zones as I call them are under my eyes and the side of my nose.  I then put my make up on straight over it.    It gives my skin a wonderful glow and sheen and makes it look wonderful and dewy.  I find using it makes my make up stay fresh all day long.

Face Mask

Using this product as a face mask will make your skin feel wonderful, clean and fresh.  Take double what you would as a primer.     And rub this on to your clean skin.  Leave this on your skin for approximately five or ten minutes.  Like a normal face mask, you will feel it tighten and dry on to your skin.  After your time is up – wash it off.  Ensure that you take all traces off it from your face.  You will notice a wonderful sheen and cleanliness to your face.  It also helps clean out your pores of all the daily gunk as any other face mask would.  I would only recommend using this as a mask once a month at the most.

Skin Glower

Yes this is a new technical term that I have just created!  You know those days when you don’t wear any make up but your skin still looks dull and meh! Well take some beauty flash balm and place it in those areas that need alittle more attention and brightening up. For me I dab a little under my eyes and on my cheeks and voila I look healthier already.

Have you used beauty flash balm before? What do you think of it?  Any other tips and tricks for it or other products that I should try – leave a note in the comments as I would love to hear from you.

S

Beauty Day - Choosing the right foundation

The answer to this question is rather confusing isn’t it?   Well it doesn’t have to be.Here are a few things that you should know when choosing your perfect foundation.

Here is some useful information for you to read BEFORE you go and buy that new foundation you want. 

 

Know your skin type

Take some time and examine your skin type – is your skin oily?  Then look for something which is oil-free or mattifying on the bottle.  If you have dry skin look for something which says it is hydrating or moisture-rich.  If you have combination skin – it may be a little more hit and miss but cream to powder bases seem to work best.    A Mineral foundation will work good for everyone.

What coverage do you want?

Light? Medium?  If you have good skin overall, than you may consider a light coverage.  If you have alot of blemishes that you wish to cover a heavier foundation may suit you better.

For me – I may not have the best skin but I always feel that it is best to go for a light coverage this way it will look more natural and you will have a less made up look.

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Liquid? Cream? Mousse? What the hell!

Yes, there are so many different types of foundations out there.   It is confusing to know what is going to work best for you.  These are some basic rules that I have found.

Liquid foundation works best for most skin types.  Remember to look at whether you are looking for oily skin or dryer skin.

Cream to powder formulas doesn’t work in an Irish climate.   I feel them very heavy on my skin and prefer them when I am in the sun as they tend to last longer than liquid foundation.

Cream formula is very full and quite heavy in its coverage.

Mousse is very light and airy in its texture.   It is good for someone starting out with makeup and a first timer. But for my skin (mid 30’s) it doesn’t seem to work for me.

Airbrush is the new kid in town.   It is more used by professional makeup artists than for us all on every day wear.  For me, it is too heavy to wear at any stage unless maybe Tyra Banks needs for me American’s Next Top Model.

Powder/Mineral - this really is a light coverage and doesn’t last that long.  Maybe for a few hours this would work quite well but my experience is don’t buy it. 

Ask the beauty consultant

It is recommended that you go to the beauty counter with no make on.  For me that will never happen so the best advice is to look at the colour on your neck.  This is the nearest match to your face and will allow you to judge if a colour is suitable for you.  The colour which most fades in to you is the best as this will be the most natural. Remember you are only looking at walking away with a sample – I am reminding you of this as the light in most stores is very deceptive and you could end up choosing the wrong foundation

Day versus Night

I always found that going darker for foundation in the night is a much better option as the lights in pubs and clubs can be deceptive and lighter make up ( for me ) can make me look sickly.  So I tend to go for a darker make up when I am going out.  I stick with the same brand for the night, but look at a shade or two darker.  This works best for me.  But again, get yourself a sample to work this out.

Getting Samples

Where do you get them? At your beauty counter is the best place to get make up advice for anything.  Make sure you bring a small sample bottle with you.  If you have a medicine bottle this will work quite well for you.   Alternatively, you can go on to a brand company’s website and email them requesting a sample, or take a look at their facebook page – they may also be offering samples.  Beauty magazines sometimes offer samples – these are good to use also.  So don’t be a snob – use the samples and ask for them if they are not there or offered.

This is the foundation that I have found works best for my skin - Clarins.  It is alittle expensive but shop around between stores and websites and you will find it at the right price to suit you.

I hope that you have found this article helpful - what foundation are you using right now?  Leave a mesage for me in the comments section

S

Why pay full price? Be alittle thrifty.

There are so many people cash strapped each week more and more people  looking out for bargain in the shops. Have you noticed recently alot more sales and discounts in store.

Recently I took a trip shopping and discovered the beauty and joy of the sales.   I have never been one to find a bargain in the sale rack of any store, but since losing weight I have found that this task is much easier.   Sizes are more for me than ever before.    On my recent shopping trip I discovered clothes that were less than half price than their original price. These were classic items like those I previously described on fashion Friday.   So getting classics at a good price is always self satisfying.

But this makes think – if a store can reduce prices so drastically in a sale why do we need to pay full price for clothing?  Sale shopping can be madness and there are people who get up out of bed for a store to open at 0500am.  I am not one of those shoppers - never have been and that is not about to change any time soon.   But seriously, if you could get exactly what you wanted for next to nothing price wise would you do it? But when is the right time to get the items you want so that they are actually a bargain and a good deal.

Remember, something is only a bargain if you actually need it and will wear it, other than that you are wasting your money so please be careful.

Its all about planning.  Most stores once they get in new items will then have a sale on those items approximately 7 weeks after they have arrived.  So if you have the patience; hold out and see if the item you want really does go down in price.

If you are looking for winter items – you should buy them at the start of spring when the sales are on.  Remember if you are looking to buy classic you will always find something of a bargain and remember to buy something that will definitely bring you in to next year and not something that is good for now.  

Need summer items for next year – you should be looking now! Yes now.   Get out in to those stores now as there are many many sales which are currently on.

The above rules don’t only apply to clothing, but also to everyday items such as TV’s or washers.   These items normally go on sale around holiday weekends and especially the start of the New Year.   Of course, if your washer goes before then there is nothing you can do but shop around.

Under normal circumstances, shopping around is the best way to buy.  Remember to price stores in your local town along side stores on the internet.  For example,  if I buy my normal make up in my local two it will cost be 28€ plus 3€ to park.   Ok so now my make up is costing me 31€.  Compare that online, whereby I don’t have to leave the house it costs me 26€ and there is no other post and packing charges.   So, you see shopping around really will help you save money.

Why do we need to pay full price for any item when sales and research will help us get the items we want at a lower price.    This really is the way to go – take a few minutes before your next purchase and think – can I get this at a lower price?  Yes,  Do I want the item at full price? No – then I am going to chance it and wait it out.

Best of luck finding your shopping bargains and a great price.

Have you any other helpful hints and tips on getting a bargain in store or online.  Why not add them to the comments. 

S

Glossybox - OMG I need this.

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Glossybox – this is wonderful!

Wouldn’t you love to be able to try out beauty products without actually having to fork out for a full size product?  Stay up to date with current brands and trend for a fraction of the cost.

This is the product for you.    You register and pay a monthly fee of £10 and each month fabulous products are delivered to your door.    You will receive 5 beauty miniatures so that you can try items out in the comfort of your own home.   The products will be matched to your skin type as you hve to complete a questionnaire on registration.  Isn’t this a wonderful idea  - check out what was in the July Glossyboxhere.

For any Americans out there reading you can check out Birchbox which is the equivalent. 

I love this idea so much I am off to register myself. 

What do you think of the glossybox idea – genius isn’t it.

S

The classics and the basics every girl must have in their wardrobe

Every wardrobe needs some classic items in there that will take you season to season.  Let’s be honest, not everyone can afford to buy new clothes at every turn.     I also believe that your style doesn’t have change with every new fashion phase which seems to pop up on the runway or magazines.   Buying new fashion every few months ends up costly, when you buy an item think about cost per wear rather than is it on trend or not.    Having a wardrobe full of clothes does not necessarily mean that you have something to wear does it?  No, because a trend has passed and you will no longer wear an item of fear of making a fashion faux pas.  A fear my friend recently realised and ended up giving three bags of clothes to charity shops.

So lets me take you through some fashion classics and basics which also appear in my wardrobe.  In some cases I have paid a bit more for these items as only because I know that only do I get this season out of them I will also get next and hopefully the following.  Fashion doesn’t have to be on trend to fashionable – it needs to be timeless. 

Black dress

This is little number is a classic for a reason.  A black dress will take you through any event whether it is business or friends party.  The best thing about a black dress is that you can match in any accessories colour that you wish or that is currently in trend.

 

White t-shirt

Whether long sleeve or short sleeve this is a classic again for a reason.   Jeans and t-shirt can be stylish when worn with the right shoes, handbag and jewellery and it can also be a nice relax style as well. 

Black coat

A black coat is good for all occasions.  It is another wardrobe classic that will take you through any event and will look fabulous over so many items.    Again a black coat is something that you can match up the colours which are currently on trend and voila a classic is again in fashion.  The same can be done with a brown coat – placing orange and corals with this colour will add a pop of on-trend to your outfit.

 

Nice fitting classic word trousers.

Every wardrobe needs a good trouser.  A trouser which has a good fit and will take you through from day to night.  Whether it is black or brown – either classic colour will serve your wardrobe well. 

Fantastic Fit Denims.

Spend time and spend some money on a classic and comfortable pair of denims.   These are a classic item for any wardrobe and can take you from lunch with the girls to dinner with the man in your life. 

Shoes / Shoes / Shoes

We all need the comfortable work shoe but we also need a classic statement shoe.  That shoe that will pop any outfit that you have from your denims to your black dress.  Some examples below.

 

 Nude Classic shoe that will go with everything 

Classic Handbag

I love handbags – I have them in all shapes and sizes and colours.   But one thing I have realised is that a bigger handbag is more versatile for a reason.  It can take you from day to night and have every item you will need to get you through the day in there!  So for that reason I have two handbags shown below. 

 

For the night time and that special occasion it is safe to say that you will need a small classic clutch bag that will get you through.  But I would never spend too much money on those as you can easily stay on trend by getting the most up to date colours from places like Primark or A-wear at very reasonable prices.

Tank Tops

Get yourself two – one in black and one in white – perfect over a black / brown pants and over a denims as well.  Another classic look that will take you through work or lunch with the girls to an evening event. 

 

White Shirt

Another classic that goes from work to play.  Take time to pick the right one and you will see how fashionable these really can be.

I hope that you have some of these items already in your wardrobe and if not take some time the on your next shopping trip to pick up one or two items on my list.

What are you fashion classics and basics that you would never be without.  Share them in the comments section below.

S

What are my beauty staples?

I am a self confessed beauty addict.  I will buy and try anything new – but in these times of recession that part of my life has stopped! I can’t afford to buy something new just to try it.  But looking at my cabinet full of lotions and potions do you know what I have discovered – that the majority of items in my cabinet are not the expensive lotion promising to do wonders for me – but they are over the counter supermarket bought items.

 

These are my trusted brands and no matter how much I have spent in the past on beauty bits and pieces these ones remain my go to guys.  

Nivea Daily Essentials facial wash   - this will cost approximately 4 / 5 euro depending on where you buy it but it is important to keep your eyes open as this tends to be on special in supermarkets and other chemists. 

It has a gel like texture which makes taking off make up quite easy and it leaves your skin feeling soft and clean.  It is not so great at taking off eyeliner and mascara and sometimes I end up needing to go back over again separately specifically on my eyes – but hey that’s not the end of the world.  The product doesn’t dry out my skin and leaves it feeling refreshingly clean.    

Nivea Visage Light day Moisturiser.     Price wise – as above, this is cheap and cheerful and watch out for special offers !

Firstly with moisturisers especially when you are going to apply make up afterwards  - don’t put loads on your face.  This is a non greasy moisturiser so just a small little piece will be enough to gently cover your face.  You don’t want to need to leave hours before you put on your make up while it dries do you?

Gently applying your moisturiser in upwards strokes is supposed to be good for your skin as it is moving the blood for your heart up to your face – or something crazy like that.    But needless to say I do it anyway – even if it is alittle cray cray !   

Astral All overMoisturiser

Remember above I said that I use two moisturisers, well this is my second one and my night one.  Baring in mind cost – this is another one which is fantastically priced – for approximately 7 euro I have a moisturiser that does everywhere!

This one is greasy, which is why I only use it as night so as to allow my face time to absorb it in without having to put make up on over it.    You don’t need to take loads of it and blob it on your skin but alittle for your face.  I also use this on my body, at night I take time to moisturise my legs and elbows as these are my spots which tend to dry out more often than not.

Another thing to note with this, I bring this one moisturiser on holidays with me.  I find that it is easier to pack one does all rather than bring mountains of lotions and potions.  Plus I find that the sun can dry out my skin so this one really does cover all bases for me.

 Vaseline 

come on I am not really telling you guys anything that you don’t already know.  How fantastic is this product. 

From moisturising  lips, giving sheen to your eyesbrows and checks and even on my feet in the night time I cannot tell you enough how great this product is.  Again, cheap as chips.

In the night time – before you go to bed – not every night, maybe once a week for Sunday pampering, rub some Vaseline on to your feet and put on some cosy socks and let the Vaseline work in and make your skin feel soft and supple.  Miracle product that works on the same premise as the more expensive Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream.  Why bother with expensive when you can have the same product at a fraction of the cost.

So all these products come in at under ten euro each – why on earth would anyone need an expensive product when these guys do exactly what they say on the tin. 

What products do you use?  Recommend some in the comments section below.

S