January Favourites

WHAT? How is it the end of January already? 2014 is certainly underway and it's getting super exciting, I have so many things to look forward to for the rest of the year. So if you want to have a look at some of the things I am going to be getting up to keep an eye on my other blog there is a clickable link in the side bar.

Lets get on with the favourites, I have quite the array of favourite this month, including of course some beauty, books and pyjamas. I'll start with beauty because lets on forget this is meant to be a beauty blog.

TRESemme - Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Spray 

This was a discovery I made when at home over Christmas, my mum was using this spray I tried it out and LOVED IT. It makes my hair super shiny and glossy without looking greasy, it definatly creates smooth results which is definatly something I need. I have lots of flyaways and baby hair which needs taming and this does the job, I have loved it so much I bought the shampoo and conditioner too.

REVLON - Lip Butter in 025 Peach Parfait and 005 Sugar Frosting 

I tired these out last summer as they are a beauty blogger favourite but I left mine in the car and it melted, I then forgot about them until last month when they were on offer in both Superdrug and Boots. I bought these two pinks, these have been my staple in January. They are great for an easy, moisturising lip colour.

Sleek - blush in 142 Antique 

I bought this on a whim, which is super easy to do with sleek makeup as it is so cheap, and I actually really like it. It is a very dark pinky/bronze blush with a gold shimmer. I love the tone, it is almost a darker version of Benefit Rockateur.

CLINIQUE - take off the day 

I mentioned this in my blog post 'squeaky clean skin' but as it was a new purchase for January and I love it SO MUCH it has to mentioned in my Jan faves. It gets rid of any extra makeup with out being harsh on the skin, perfect - a must have.

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green 

I know I am late to the party, but seriously this book. I read it in about six hours straight on the train and then as soon as it got home. I cried A LOT but I loved it. Read it if you haven't. Read it even if you don't read books. Just read it.

Camilla Lackberg Books 

This month I got to read a lot more books and I downloaded four of her book series on to my iPad mini to read on the train. As a criminology student I love crime fiction, these are swedish fiction which is brilliantly well written and has a lovely love story background. If you like crime fiction I would definitely have a read.

And finally a general love of pyjama bottoms has happened this month. I have my classic favourites some plaid Hollister and owl Cath Kidston ones but I bought some £3 sale robin ones from Primark and some Babmi ones from Primark too. When I haven't needed to go anywhere I have been living in them!!

Let me know what you have been loving in January.

I hope January brings lots of love and luck for every single one of you.

Aisling x

CHANGES... nice ones

After having some thinking time over the past couple of week, what with having holiday from my two main stresses work and university I got to thinking about blogging. I have to say I really enjoy blogging and want to do a bit more but not alway beauty related. Although I love beauty blogging I want to also do more fashion/lifestyle/what have I been up to type blogs and also feel able to write about opinion without it seeming odd and out of the blue.

So I have decided (pressure from other sources permitting) to do one beauty/fashion type post a week and then at the beginning of each new week a 'what I got up to last week' post.

I have to be honest I have no idea if anyone really reads my blog what so ever, and if there is really any interest in my blog but last week when visiting one of my best friends who I went travelling with in 2011 she reminded me of the importance of having memories to look back on. We reread our travelling blog and I loved remembering the tiny details, so if only for myself I'd like to make a note of what I get up to.

I am hoping to include OOTDs and MOTDs in my what I got up too posts, along with pictures and little stories. I am also hoping this will help me to enjoy living in London for my final few months and I am off to Texas in April so posting will mean that there is documentation of all my adventures.

I have decided to do the 'what have I been up to' posts on a separate blog so that it flows nicely, keeping following the simple steps strictly for beauty, fashion and any other non-life relate stuffs. So now weekly simple steps is my update to you each week. So click on the link in the side bar called 'what have I been up to' to find out exactly that.

So go on take a gander, it's always fun to be a bit nosey...

Handbag makeup

The makeup I have in my handbag changes everyday, it is so dependent on the days activities and the makeup I already have on. There are a few things that are staples such as powder, concealer and my compact mirror, so hear is a sneak peak inside...

My makeup bag is the most basic and simple available a think. I like it because it is clear and super thin so it slides right into my handbag, even fitting inside a small handbag. It also opens right up with a zip around the whole of one side which means no rummaging around.

Collection - Lasting Perfection Powder

I have to be honest and say this isn't the best powder out there but since my Mac one broke and now spills powder everywhere I have this one in my bag for touch-ups throughout the day.

Collection - Lasting Perfection Concealer 

My love for this is everlasting so I carry it around for any necessary touch-ups.

YSL - Touche Eclat 

This is a beauty classic, I carry it around for those mid-afternoon tired eyes that just need brightening and highlighting. Sometimes concealer is just too heavy and can make eyes look older and makeup slightly caked on, and this just provides a light touch up.

Maybelline - Babylips 

Lip balm is a handbag essential, especially in those winter month for chapped lips and then in the summer one with an SPF to avoid burnt lips.

Lipstick

My makeup bag always has the lipstick I am wearing that day (and usually the day previous when I can't be bothered to take it out).

Revlon - Lip Butter in 025 Peach Parfait 

Revlon lip butters are defiantly a winter favourite, hydrating and colourful the best winter combo. I have a couple of colours and the colour tends to be less pigmented for a more natural look.

Eyeliner

I like to carry the eyeliner I am wearing in case of watering eyes, general rub off and emergency. This does change day to day as it could be liquid or kohl or black or brown.

Bobbi Brown - Smokey Eye Kajal Liner

This eyeliner is great for blending and also the waterline, although I do find it will need a touch-up midday or when I have been walking (I seem to get a case of the watery eye a lot).

And finally my lovely compact mirror as mentioned in my christmas gifts post is from my sister and is the Cath Kidston Guards range and I just love it, a great replacement for my £1 poundland mirror.

I hope you enjoyed that sneak peek - nosey. This year is getting underway and I am excited for lots of new opportunities.

Love Aisling

Photo Display

I thought I would share something a little different today, I have finally finished my photo display in my room. When I am back at home in the summer I want to do a full room tour but for the moment I just want to share how I display my photos.

Just before the summer last year I found an app for the iPhone which prints instagram photos called ifinki, you can choose a number of ways to have your instagram photos printed such as canvases, acrylic blocks and prints.


The photos come on a good quality thick card, which makes them durable and easy to write on.

I bought these cute boxes of string and office clips by East of India and these little ladybird pins all from Paperchase so that I could put them up.

I then took the photos and used a silver pen to caption them.

Then pinned them up on my chimney breast over my bed.

I really love how they look, and I like the different way of displaying photos.

I am really enjoying the break from University and work for a couple of weeks, and it was nice to go home and take walks at the beach and bake cakes.

Squeaky clean skin

Who doesn't dream of skin free of pesky spots and blackhead eh? I can't say I'm free of breakouts at all but I don't have the worst skin ever. As I tend to wear makeup most days I find it so important to take my makeup off and cleanse my skin morning and night, even when I have had a long day and just don't feel like it.

Bioderma - Sensibio H2O 

How many times have I and other beauty bloggers mentioned this? so many, but seriously it's the best. I cannot praise it enough, it is so quick and easily removes makeup. 

Clinique - take the day off

This cleansing balm is also wonderful, I have wanted to try a cleansing balm for ages and I am so glad I chose this one. I use it after I have taken the majority of my makeup off with bioderma for fresh, clean skin. This so easy to use and you feel like you've had a facial. It is also fine for all skin types which makes it perfect for everyone. 

Avene - Gentle gel cleanser and Gentle toner

These two are my morning routine, I use these most days of the week. Washing my face with the gel cleanser in the shower and then the toner one I get out. They are both so gentle on the skin and really leave your face feeling clean.

Biore - Warming anti-bleackhead cleanser 

I love this once or twice a week, it is a great exfoliator which is super gentle on the skin but also gets in those pores. Although the packaging says suitable for daily use I still think everyday is harsh on the skin. My face always feels great after using this and it greats rid of those pesky blackheads. 

Neal's Yard - Palmarosa facial wash

I really like this for those days when I haven't worn any makeup and just need to clean my face at the end of the day, it is just a great face wash which is super gentle on the skin. 

Sanctuary - 5 minute thermal detox mask and Polishing hot cloth cleanser 

Once a week I use each of these products, the face mask is great for relaxing and giving the skins a good cleanse in the congested areas. The hot cloth cleanser is great as a gentle exfoliator, the muslin cloth works wonders on the skin and the product is moisturising and perfect for the winter. The cleanser is a great dupe for Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser, the sanctuary one is available boots and often on offer. 

I know the winter has an effect on everyones skin so I hope you are all bearing up. 

Love Aisling 

Old Hollywoood Palette and other christmas delights

After christmas I love to see what gifts everyone got, so I thought I would share a few favourites with you. I haven't bought all my gifts back to London but you can see a selection and I'm going to talk about a few of my favourites. This year I went shopping with my Mum and Sister when they came to London for my sisters 16th birthday the weekend before Christmas, it was a lovely weekend and we went to see the Lion King on the West End and JLS at the o2 arena. Much fun was had.

I loved all my gifts this year, my stocking was filled with lovely delights such as the Dachshund mug (I love sausage dogs) and the pandasaur notebook (this combines my love for pandas, dinosaurs and stationary). I also got the cutest mirror from my sister for my christmas eve present, it is the Guards range from Cath Kidston which is my favourite. My Mum also got me a the movie Seven which as a criminology student is right up street and surprisingly I hadn't seen it. My little brother (who is much taller than me) got a me the cutest trinket box which is at home as it didn't want to brake it in transit.

Bobbi Brown - Old Hollywood Eye Palette.

This was at the top of my christmas list, a much desired eyeshadow palette with a high price tag. It was just so shiny, and I always had a little look when I was in John Lewis. When I opened it on Christmas day my eyes lit up, I of course knew I was getting it but I still couldn't help being excited to own something so beautiful. If I am honest it isn't quite as good as I hoped but it is great for delicate brown and silver/black smokey eyes. And I still love it.

Black Velvet Top - Topshop & Statement Necklace - Oasis

My Grandma had given us all some money to choose a gift that could be wrapped up, which I much prefer to actual money. I chose a beautiful velvet top from Topshop, which I wore on Boxing day along with a surprise statement necklace from my Mum and Dad. I have been loving statement necklaces so my Mum chose me a beautiful one.

The Handbag Beauty Bible by Josephine Fairley and Sarah Stacey

The wondeful book was a gift from my Godmother who chose wonderfully well. I was engrossed in this book as soon as I opened it, its full of great reviews and ratings out of 10 on some of my favourite products and ones I have wanted to try for ages. The only downside is that it is slightly outdated as it was published in 2007, the reviews are still relevant but prices have changed on most products. I have read it cover to cover and I really love it.



I hope everyone got everything they wished for this christmas, and are looking forward to what the new year brings.

Love Aisling

2013 make-up favourites

The new year has begun and I am sure it will be just as exciting and full of fabulous new adventures for me and every single one of you. Throughout the year when I have been on top of my blogging game I have posted a monthly favourites, and many products I talked tirelessly about. But if there are any repeats of favourites in this blog it is because I truly love it.


Foundation 

1. Mac - studio fix fluid

2. Rimmel - match perfection


Concealer 

1. Bobbi Brown - creamy concealer

2. Collection - lasting perfection concealer


Bronzer

1. Nars - laguna

2. Sleek - face contour kit


Blush

1. Mac - pink buttercream

2. Benefit - rockateur


Single Colour Eyeshadow

1. Mac - naked lunch

2. Emite - nect


Eyeshadow Palette

1. Stila - in the light

2. Urban Decay - naked basics


Eyeliner 

1. Bobbi Brown - long wear gel eyeliner

2. Benefit - bad gal waterproof


Mascara

1. Benefit - they're real

2. L'oreal - voluminous


Lipsticks

1. Dior - diorific

2. Topshop - lips


Extra favourites 

YSL - touche eclat
HD Brows kit


I hope everyone sees a positive new year ahead. Sending lots of good wishes