May 2015

Posted on May 29, 2015

The Gloss Magazine teams up with Links of London

Events

Yesterday evening, I attended an exclusive Links of London shopping event which took place on 25 – 26 South Anne Street, Dublin. In association with THE GLOSS, it was an opportunity to meet fashion blogger Rebecca O’Byrne who was recently featured in the much-loved magazine herself. She spoke to style editor Aislinn Coffey about how she narrates her style with Links of London jewellery.

On arrival, myself and Nirina of Killer-Fashion were greeted by Tracy Ormiston, who is part of THE GLOSS team. We felt very welcomed by her and after a quick introduction, we didn’t waste any time before having a nosey at all the lovely jewellery pieces.

Like always, there were cocktails & nibbles, and the most amazing macaroon mountain ever! At first it was too pretty to even look at – never mind touch!! But once we got over the fact that somebody had to eat it, we made sure we tried every flavour!

My favourite part of the evening was meeting fashion illustrator Miss Magpie Fashion Spy. She came fully prepared. She brought her tools to do illustrations of the guests, and I personally found it fascinating to see an artist at work. She is incredibly talented and did a lovely little illustration of me to take home.

I think the only thing missing from this illustration is a picture frame, I love it! 🙂

A big thanks to Tracy from THE GLOSS, Rebecca O’Byrne, Miss Magpie Fashion Spy and everyone who contributed to the success of yesterday’s event!

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Wet n Wild Summer Launch Party
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On Wednesday evening, I attended the Wet n Wild Summer launch party with my favourite blogger gal Nirina of Killer-Fashion, which took place in 9 Bond Street Studios. Initially, I thought the venue seemed a bit odd. It was dark and gloomy and it just didn’t seem like the best…
Ziaja Cocoa Butter Creamy Shower Soap & Body Scrub
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Last Thursday, I attended the 25th Anniversary of Ziaja Skincare in Cleary’s Pharmacy, Talbot Street Dublin. Emma of Mastering Your Makeup hosted the event, and gave us a quick talk-through of some of the Ziaja products as well as an opportunity to test out the body butters. Throughout the event,…
Stila Cosmetics Press Day
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On Thursday evening, I was invited to attend the press launch of Stila Cosmetics Bomb Shell Collection in Harvey Nichols, Dundrum Shopping Centre. Myself and some other lovely bloggers got the opportunity to preview the new Stila Collection SS15, which put a lot of focus on the much loved…

Posted on May 22, 2015

Wet n Wild Summer Launch Party

Events

On Wednesday evening, I attended the Wet n Wild Summer launch party with my favourite blogger gal Nirina of Killer-Fashion, which took place in 9 Bond Street Studios.

Initially, I thought the venue seemed a bit odd. It was dark and gloomy and it just didn’t seem like the best place to host a party – especially a summer one, for that matter! But as soon as we got upstairs to where the actual celebration was being held, those thoughts quickly vanished!

The upstairs scenery was more than just a little lively! The place was decorated with massive balloons and bright lights. The tables were covered with Wet n Wild’s newest makeup collection, feature product magazines, cupcakes and there was even a slush puppy machine it really brought out the child in me!

But the fun didn’t end there……

There was also a DJ on deck who kept us buzzing for the night, free glasses of bubbly on the house and two makeup artists who were showcasing Wet n Wild Products and doing makeovers at a makeup station. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my makeup done by any of those lovely gals. But I did see before and after’s which I loved!

Overall, I thought the summer launch party was a true reflection of the Wet n Wild brand itself – which you probably know at this stage – is bright, colourful and fun!

A special thanks to the Wet n Wild team, Amy and Caroline from Publicity Loft, DJ Avila Lipsett and everyone who helped put this whole event together!

Keep an eye out on the blog for upcoming reviews on Wet n Wild products! 🙂

Wet n Wild is available in Dunnes Stores nationwide, selected Penney’s and pharmacies nationwide. Check out www.wetnwildcosmeticsireland.com to find your local stockist!

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Posted on May 20, 2015

Sesame and honey bars

Health/ recipes

I have a terrible habit of eating on the go. For some strange reason, I feel like time passes quicker when I’m chewing! So unless I have some sort of healthy snack prepared with me when out and about, I just end up at a corner shop buying something that makes me feel like I’ve wasted my morning workout –my inner dialogue never stops judging me for it!

My go-to snack have always been my infamous protein bars. But I’ve decided to give peanut butter and nuts in general a bit of a rest for a change (no pun intended!) and start reintroducing more seeds to my diet.

Sesame seeds are flat little seeds with a nutty taste. You’ve probably come across white ones in baking, but they also come in yellow, black and even red. For this recipe I will be using white sesame seeds and like most of these recipes, there is always room for variety! Once you get the swing of things, you can start adding your favourite nuts and seeds to this recipe.

For now, you will need the following ingredients to make basic sesame and honey bars –

Ingredients:

2 tbsp oil
140g sesame seed
280g honey
A pinch of sea salt (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat up the oil in a saucepan and then add in the honey. Bring to boil before adding the seeds.

2. Throw in the seeds and mix continuously for about 8 minutes or until the mixture begins to thicken and caramelise.

3. Once the seeds begin to change colour, you can remove from the heat and flatten onto a lined baking tray or in this case, greased tin foil.

4. Cover up and put in the freezer for about an hour. Once it hardens, remove from freezer and break into parts.

Although they are quite hard to break, these bars have quite a chewy texture. They are perfect for conquering sugar cravings without the guilt! If you want to have them for snacking on the go, wrap each bar individually with tin foil!

Hope you get the chance to try this recipe out! These bars are so simple to make and yet so tasty! 🙂

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Home-made protein bars
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I’m excited to finally have my first recipe up! I know, it’s long overdue, but I guess I’ve just been a bit distracted by all the pretty makeup - you can’t exactly fault me for that, now can you? :) Initially, I planned to have an avocado smoothie recipe up for my first food…
Coconut Chia Pudding
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Chia seeds have been a staple food in the health and fitness world for quite some time. They are loaded with antioxidants, have a good amount of protein, and they also have a serious amount of calcium in them – gotta look after those bones! For this recipe, you only…
Healthy homemade granola
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When it comes to granola, I’ve always thought that making it at home was far better than consuming the store-bought stuff (like most things, I suppose). Ready-made granola tends to be packed with sugar, unhealthy fats/oils and unnecessary ingredients. Homemade granola allows you to have full control of what you put in…

Posted on May 19, 2015

5 natural ways to reduce cellulite

Natural beauty/ Skincare

Cellulite is one of those things that most women will have to deal with at some stage in their life. The majority of women will have this skin condition to one degree or another and for some and it can be a source of embarrassment that keeps them shying away during bikini season – which is nearly upon us! But before I get into the nitty gritty as to how cellulite can be reduced naturally, I think it’s a good idea to explain what it actual is.

So what is cellulite?

Often known as orange peel skin, cellulite occurs when certain areas of the skin have underlying fat deposits between their muscles and skin. This gives the skin a dimpled or bumpy appearance.

Who gets cellulite?

A lot of people are under the impression that only larger women get cellulite. But as it turns out, cellulite does not discriminate. Whether you’re at the higher end of the scale or the lower, in your prime or past it, you too can be a victim of cottage cheese thighs!

Fortunately, there are ways around making your cellulite look too obvious – some of which are pretty inexpensive. I’m not talking about ineffective cellulite creams or those ridiculously looking cellulite shoes you can get (I’d like to think we’re not quite there yet).I’m talking about those few little steps you can take in the comfort of your own home.

Get moving
Exercise plays a huge role in reducing cellulite. When you exercise, you’re increasing blood flow in the area and improving muscle tone. Although it isn’t the end-all cure , exercising regularly can help with the cellulite reduction (as well as many other things). Target your most common problem areas and watch it shrink in appearance.

Drink more water
It may seem like the cure to everything these days involves the mention of exercise or water. But both can be easily incorporated into your daily schedule. Drinking more water helps get rid of the toxins in your body which can play a role is cellulite formation.
Omega-3
Since omega-3 reduces inflammation and stimulates the production of collagen (the main structural protein that holds the body together), taking fish oil supplements is quick and timeless way to help reduce cellulite. One a day may keep the fear of wearing a bikini away!
Coffee scrub
Coffee can do more than just wake you up in the morning! When applied topically, it can really improve blood flow – which, you probably already know at this stage – helps with cellulite reduction. Massage some coffee grounds on your lumpy parts before you hop into the shower and then shower as normally before you moisturise your skin. Do this about once a week.
Kettle bells
Not only does weight lifting help stimulate blood flow, it’s also a great way to help your muscles grow and tighten up. This will help avoid the dreaded bumpy and dimpled looking skin.

While there is no guarantee that every single one of these solutions will work, they’re definitely worth a try! After all, you have nothing to lose 🙂

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Must-have beauty tools for the skincare obsessive
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This year, I've decided to revolutionise my beauty regime. I know, I know, it's a big step for me - especially since I’m so used my own ways of doing things! But I guess there's no harm in trying new things, and besides, “new year, new me,” right? To kick…
Turmeric anti-inflammatory juice
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If you tried and liked my ginger and carrot juice recipe, then there’s no doubt you’ll like this one too. This anti-inflammatory juice does absolute wonders when it comes to boosting your immune system and supporting your health – lord knows we need it around this time of year! Each…
7 natural skin toners
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If your beauty regime consists of cleansing, exfoliating, toning, moisturising and the occasional face mask, then you’ve probably already noticed that things can get a bit heavy on your pocket – particularly around this time of year. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a huge amount of cash to find a…
Skincare glossary: what do these popular beauty terms really mean?
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We're often told to go for products with certain ingredients. If you dry skin, you're told to go for a moisturiser with an emollient and if you're at the other end of the spectrum and have oily skin, then a cleanser with salicylic acid is your winning ticket. But what…
Tags: skin, help

Posted on May 15, 2015

Get a sun kissed glow with MeMeMe Cosmetics

Makeup/ product review

For this review, I’m going to be looking at the MeMeMe products that were sent to me a few weeks back. If you are familiar with MeMeMe, then you’ve probably noticed the brand’s growing presence in Ireland. Years ago, MeMeMe products were always under stocked and generally not the easiest to find. But now that the brand has become more popular, you can find different lines of this affordable brand in pharmacies all over Ireland.

I’m no stranger to MeMeMe products at all, as I have (and use) their Beat the Blues highlighter (€6.99) which I think is very hard to dislike. It adds that extra bit of glam to your look, it’s affordable and it also comes in the cutest packaging ever! But let’s not go off on a tangent here……

Today’s review is about eyes, lips and cheeks – pretty much all you need to focus on to keep your look fresh and natural!

So let’s get started 🙂

Long Wear Satin Lip Cream (€10.50) Coral Cloak

I don’t think I need to point out that this is not the best shade for my skin tone so I’m just going to jump right into what I did like about this product! I think this lipstick has quite a creamy texture to it. It wasn’t the most difficult to apply straight from the tube, but because it contains such a huge amount of shea butter, it’s a good idea to apply the product using a lip brush. You’ll have more control over how much you apply and it will also prevent the stick from breaking. This lipstick comes in 10 different other shades so you have a good few to choose from and it is also highly pigmented. Added bonus? The lovely rose scent!

Cheek & Lip Tint (€6.99) Coral Blossom

Again, I won’t rule out this product because I don’t like the shade, especially since I tend to like products that have a multipurpose. MeMeMe’s Lip & Cheek tint is one of the brand’s best-selling products. It’s great for adding a natural flush to the face and freshen things up a bit! It is quite liquidy and tends to set really fast so you have to blend it as quick as you can. Another thing that is important to note about this product is that it draws attention to imperfections in the cheek area so be sure to prep the skin beforehand!

Eye Line Eye Pencil (€6.50) Clay

This is definitely my favourite product of the three. Not only because it actually suited me, but because I love how it glides on without pulling at the skin. It is super soft and can easily be smudged to create a smokey eye look – always a plus! You can apply it on your water line or wear it on the base of your lashes and smudge it for a sultry smokey effect.

If you’ve tried any of the above products (or their highlighter) do let me know in the comment section below! 🙂

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Stockists:

Louth –

Cottage Phy, Drogheda
Village Phy, Carringford
Conlon/Byrnes Phy, Dundalk

Dublin –

Pharmacy O’Regan Balbriggan
Roches Rathmines
Cottage Drogheda
Pharmacy O’Regan Clontarf
Rathoath Pharmacy
Lloyds Pharmacy,Artane Castle SC, Artane.
Pharmacy O’Regan Old Bawn Tallaght
Dalkey Pharmacy, Dalkey
Walshs Pharmacy, Tesco SC, Celbridge
Pellys Pharmacy, Cabra
Fitzmorris Pharmacy, East Wall
ODC Pharmacy, Kilnamanagh SC, Tallaght
Mc Cormacks Pharmacy, Maynooth
Neighbourhood Pharmacy, Santry, D9
Lloyds Pharmacy, Leopardstown SC

For more, visit the MeMeMe Cosmetics Ireland Facebook Page

The ins and outs of using blusher
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Photo credit When it comes to putting on blusher, some people get it right but a whole lot of people get it wrong. It’s almost like the ones who get it wrong put very little thought into the colour and formula of their blusher and then simply dab the product…
Top 5 red lipsticks for any skin tone
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Many women don’t have the confidence to wear a red lippy: some think they’re far too bright, while others would rather stick to a safer option. But, a good red lipstick can easily transform your look and give you that extra va va voom! Here are the five red lipsticks…
9 things to know about applying winged liner
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Do you sometimes wonder how some girls have the most perfect winged liner? Or more precisely, how they manage to keep their eye makeup looking flawless while yours is close to smudging away? Well, we’ve all been on that boat at some stage or another but thankfully, it’s not a…

Posted on May 9, 2015

9 things to know about applying winged liner

Eyes/ Makeup/ Tips

Do you sometimes wonder how some girls have the most perfect winged liner? Or more precisely, how they manage to keep their eye makeup looking flawless while yours is close to smudging away? Well, we’ve all been on that boat at some stage or another but thankfully, it’s not a place you’ll be revisiting any time soon!

Although having steady hands plays a big part in having your liner next to perfect, having the right tools is just as important.

Here are 9 things you should know about applying eyeliner:

1. Start off clean
There’s nothing worse than applying makeup on a not-so-clean face. Make sure you’ve cleansed, toned and moisturised your face well before applying any make up on it.

2. Tools are everything
The quality of your makeup tools are just as important of the quality of the products you use. A good quality eye liner brush will help give you maximum definition and precision. For best results, use a super thin brush!

3. Time is the essence
If Leonardo Da Vinci rushed The Last Supper, then it probably wouldn’t be the masterpiece that it is today. Remember, one little slip could cost you a lot so just take your time with it.

4. Hands-free mirror
Look down into a hands-free mirror so this way you can keep your eyes partly opened as you line. Tilt your chin upwards and look directly into your mirror instead of straight on.

5. Gel liner helps
If you aren’t gifted with steady hands(not many of us are), then try using a gel liner with a good quality eye liner brush. With a gel liner, you have more control over how much product you use.

6. Connect the dot
Sometimes it’s hard to get the perfect line in one go. One of the easiest ways to do this is to draw small dots extending out from your bottom lash line before connecting them to make your wings –it works 99.9% of the time!

7. Go waterproof
Nobody wants to end up with panda eyes – a look that is most likely to happen around this time of year!One of the best ways to avoid ending up smudged eyes is to use a waterproof liner.

8. Prevent smudging
Top up your liner with some black eye shadow. This will help the liner stay on put for much longer and it’ll also prevent it from smudging.

9. Tidy up
It’s always a good idea to tidy up around the edges. If you want a sharp and clean finish, use a cotton bud to tidy up around the inner corner of your eyes. Finish off with some concealer under the line. This will give it more precision.

And there you have it, 9 things to know about applying winged liner. If you have any more tips to add to this list, feel free to comment below!

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5 major eyebrow mistakes you’re probably making
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As you might have already guessed, I am big into eyebrows and if there was an award for the person who pays the most attention to their brows, I’d probably win it! (no jokes). Not many people know that brows hold centre stage in the beauty world and if you…
Makeup Tips: 5 Quick Beauty Fixes
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We've all been in a situation where we think we're nearly finished with our makeup, then all of a sudden one of our cheeky lashes manages to make it's way into our eyes...... not the best feeling in the world is it? As much as it irritates me, I've managed to find…
Makeup tips for the party season
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When I think of makeup for Christmas or New Year’s Eve, the first thought that comes to mind is glitter: lots and lots of glitter. It’s glamorous, it’s feminine, but most of all, it stands out! If you’re along the same line of thought, then you will appreciate these tips.…
Tags: makeup, will, eye, brush, eyes, applying, liner

Posted on May 4, 2015

6 summer beauty essentials

Skincare/ Tips

The sun is finally back! This means, we’ll have a few summer-related beauty posts with plenty of tips for keeping shiny skin in check – always a priority in summer weather!

So are some of the first things that spring to mind when you think of summer?

Ice-cream, light clothing, the beach, tanning and so on and so fourth….. I’d be lying if I said that those things don’t automatically come into my mind when I think of summer (well maybe not the tanning part), but what I will say is this: not only do the clothes in your wardrobe change during the summer, but one of the biggest changes you’d have to make is in your beauty routine so that’s why it’s always important to have a special storage place for your summer essentials.

Due to the high temperatures (which we will hopefully be seeing a lot more of), your skin will go through a lot of changes: from darkening to over working sebaceous glands, no matter what it is, you will have to make a few adjustments to your beauty routine in order to suit the changes your skin will undergo during the summer.

Without further ado, here are some summer essentials that will help you get through the summer without looking like a hot mess!

SPF:sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen!! I just can’t stress it enough! If you use a moisturiser that contains an SPF of some sort then you’re safe. Other than that, you need sun protector. Since summers in Ireland can be a bit unpredictable, an SPF of 50 isn’t necessary. But even 20 SPF should do the trick!
PRIMER:If you’re going to wear a light layer of foundation, remember to use a face primer! It will help you avoid meltdowns and keep your skin on the matte side of things. As well as that, a good primer helps your foundation stay put throughout the day.
3.THERMAL SPRAY is what will save you during a long hot day! After a few spritz of thermal water, you will feel as fresh as a daisy! It truly is a miracle water in the hot weather, not to mention it’s also great for setting your makeup!
LIP BALM with an SPF of course! Having a burnt back is bad enough, now imagine having burnt lips– yes, this can happen. The skin on your lips is pretty sensitive so it shouldn’t be forgotten about. Keep your lips moisturised with a good lip balm and hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
WATERPROOF everything! It might take slightly longer to remove after a hard day of work, but it’ll be well worth using waterproof eye makeup. Particularly mascara and eyeliner, this way you don’t have to wake up to panda eyes.
BLOTTING PAPER: Blotting paper is handy for throwing in your bag. They clean up any excess oils that build up throughout the day. Some even have a mattifying film to prevent more oil from appearing on your face – genius!

These 6 products are about all you need to survive the summer without having a meltdown! Here are a few mental notes you might want to make to yourself:

– Stay hydrated (water not beer)

– Avoid spraying perfume directly on your skin and

– Make sure you use a moisturiser with a lighter consistency

Bearing all these summer essentials in mind, you won’t have a single thing to worry about!

Thanks for reading! So long as the weather stays beautiful, enjoy it! 🙂

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Why use sunscreen?
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Before I start, I think it may be a good idea to clear the air about something.....yes I'm know that my post is about sunscreen, yes I'm aware of my skin tone, and no I'm not oblivious of the fact that that I live in Ireland! So why should anyone in Ireland,…
Top 3 primers for smooth skin
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Now that the sun has finally started to come out, it's only fair that I do a review on the products you (and I) will probably need in the next couple of weeks (if we're lucky, that is). bareMinerals Prime Time This is a reasonably priced primer that has a velvety…
Benefit: The POREfessional
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Unfortunately for me (and any other person who has been cursed with sebum-prone skin), when it comes to maintaining a healthy look throughout the day, a little bit of extra care has to be taken into account. This can be particularly stressful on warm and summer days, so one of…
Top tips for dealing with summer acne
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My final post for Acne Awareness Month will be about dealing with summer breakouts. As you well know, our bodies produce more oil and perspiration tends to increase during the summer. This can lead to acne breakouts, which is why it is important to take extra care of your skin…
Tags: skin, summer, will, water, hot, well, spf, day

Posted on May 2, 2015

Win!!! Cocoa Brown Gift Set +More!!!

win

And the winners are:

1. Laura Rahill

2. Zoe Forde

3. Kimberly Edosa

I’ve emailed you all, please reply with your address details as soon as you can, as you only have 24 hours to claim your prize. Thanks a mill for entering the competition, looking forward to hearing how you get on! Until next time 🙂

It’s competition time!!!!!

Realistically, I should be calling this my summer giveaway, but it hurts me to say those words when I look outside the window – typical Irish weather! So to take the sting out of things, we are going to call this my bank holiday giveaway until things begin to brighten up (gotta stay hopeful!).

~~So what’s up for grabs!?~~

~~1. Catrice Gift Set & Eylure Dramatic Lashes~~

This makeup set has everything you need to go from a soft day time look to a sexy night time look. From beautifying lip smoother to dramatic false lashes, these bad boys will take you a step further from your basic everyday look!

~~2. Cocoa Brown Gift Set~~

Not that I can ever be an advocate for this brand, but word on the street has it that Cocoa Brown is one of the top brands in Ireland for faking some colour! Marissa Carter’s Cocoa Brown Tan is an award-winning product in the Emerald Isle and will soon be launching in UK and the U.S!

~~3. €25 giftcard for Arnotts~~

Nothing beats knowing you will get €25 off one of your favourite purchases. So whether you are a makeup addict or shoe lover, you can spend this gift card anywhere in the store! And if you do happen to be a shoe lover (it’s hard not to be), then come and say hello to me in the Shoe Garden. I promise I won’t try to sell you anything 🙂

~~To win one of these fabulous prizes, you must do the following:~~

Comment on any blog post.
Subscribe to http://enhancewhatsyours.com
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter
Like my Facebook page

~~Remember, those who engage with my posts the most have a better chance of winning! Good luck gals 🙂~~

Terms & Conditions:

You must be a resident of Ireland. If you are under 18, you must consent from your parents to enter the giveaway as the winners will be required to give me their address in order to have their prize sent out to them. There will be three winners. Each winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize, otherwise another winner will be chosen in their place. Giveaway ends on Sunday 24th^th June at 10pm.

Note: I’ve extended the entry date for giveaway so you have more time to enter 🙂

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Back to school giveaway with Flormar makeup
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And the winner is Leona Melling! Big congrats and please check your Facebook messages! x September means uniforms for some, fresher’s week for others and the end of summer for everyone else. I know, it all sounds so dreary, doesn’t it just? Because I know a lot of people don't…
Tags: will, giveaway, facebook, winner, twitter, prize, instagram, winners, makeup, things
Win!!! SOSU Christmas Gel Polishes!!!
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The winner is simmybellenails!!!!! Please check your Instagram messages to see how you can claim your prize! Thank you all for entering, keep an eye out for the next one! x With Christmas just around the corner, I’ve decided to do a giveaway for one of my much-loved readers. As…
Tags: prize, winner, will, giveaway, instagram, facebook, twitter, claim

The Gloss Magazine teams up with Links of London

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Wet n Wild Summer Launch Party

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Sesame and honey bars

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5 natural ways to reduce cellulite

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Get a sun kissed glow with MeMeMe Cosmetics

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9 things to know about applying winged liner

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6 summer beauty essentials

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Win!!! Cocoa Brown Gift Set +More!!!

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May 2015
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May 2015

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