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Posted on May 2, 2018

5 tips and tricks for dealing with social media trolls

How To/ Tips

While it is not uncommon for content creators to receive online abuse every now and again, I was quite fortunate to have skipped those horrible experiences for the most part of my blogging career. Fast forward a few years since launching my blog, and now the peaceful days of not dealing with online hate have become a long and distant memory to me.

Thankfully, dealing with trolls is still only a new phenomenon for me. It is one that started around the time I publicly spoke out about my experience of being hypersexualised as a Black Irish woman on dating sites. Following the publication of my viral open letter, it’s become the norm for me to moderate the comment section of my various social media platforms.

Being called a ‘darkie’ on YouTube has become such a regular occurrence for me at this point that it surprises me not to get a negative comment that is racially motivated. While I am not one to take nasty comments personally, I sometimes wonder if reading them will have negative effects on me on a subconscious level – I guess, only time will tell!

As someone who is now well versed in dealing with faceless profiles, I’ve decided to share my top tips for dealing with social media trolls 🙂

1. Stay calm and composed

If you choose to give hateful trolls the time of day, then a calm and composed reply may be a way to go! Emotionally driven arguments can only take you so far -not to mention how upset you might get after giving in to their negativity! If you keep a rational mind and reply calmly, there’s a lower chance of being dragged down to their miserable level.

2. Laugh it off

Nothing drives a social media troll crazier than seeing how little someone is affected by their nasty words and backwards ‘opinions.’ Use a bit of humour to lighten up the situation, because at the end of the day – who is this person, really? Not giving a troll their desired response will eventually wear them down and make them lose at their own pathetic game.

3. ‘Like’ it

If you’re someone who believes that online trolls don’t even deserve a millisecond of your day, then a simple liking of a comment will suffice. If it’s a Twitter troll and you’re feeling a bit generous with your time, then a retweet will show them who’s bawse! 🙂

4. Dirty tactics

I’m not one who believes in fighting fire with fire. With that said, I do believe that there are some idiots out there who deserved to be publicly named and shamed. If you ever have it in you to play dirty then take a screen shot of the abusive comment, post it on the platform where you have the most followers, tag the person (if possible), then let your fandom deal with the rest *upside down emoji*

5. Report, block and ignore

If all else fails…report, block and ignore.  I know this can be hard, but deep down most of us know that this is the best course of action to take. If a stranger is so worried about what you’re doing, it means they must lead a pathetic and lonely life. Pray for their happiness and you keep doing you.

On a final note…

If you’re really struggling to deal with online negativity, then rant to a trusted friend over a cuppa and remind yourself that even Beyoncé gets hate. I don’t know about you…..but by my logic, that basically means you’re a #kween! 🙂

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[23-04-18]

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Posted on August 23, 2017

Top tips & tricks for barely there makeup

Makeup/ Tips

Anyone who knows me personally would know that I’ve never been a fan of heavy makeup. As much as I love a good dark lip for a night out, when it comes to my everyday look, I like to keep it as natural as possible. A few products to brighten up the eyes and lips and I’m good to go! 🙂

So here are some of my top tips for that ‘barely there’ makeup look:

1. Scrub up well
Your skin is your canvas, so a mini pampering session is probably more important than anything you do after that. Cleanse, exfoliate, wash and then tone – do NOT forget to moisturise.

2. Stick to neutrals
Since the whole purpose of a ‘barely there’ look is to make it seem like you aren’t wearing much makeup,  stick to neutral tones that blend well with your skin.

3. Define the lash
It’s always important to play up the eyes when you are going for this look. Add one or two layers of mascara to draw out your eyes more – remember not to get too carried away.

4. Tinted moisturiser
Tinted moisturiser is an absolute lifesaver! It is very light so you never have to worry about having that ‘heavy’ look that some foundations can give you.

5. Bronze it up
A bit of bronzer is a good way to add some life into your face. Contour around your temples and the hollows of your cheeks – not only will it liven you up but it will also slim you down!

What is your go-to product for that barely there look? If you have one, then I’d love to hear from you! 🙂

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Posted on December 18, 2016

Smart shoe shopping tips for the party season!

shoes/ Tips

shoe-shopping

With Christmas and NY around the corner, the search for the perfect party gear is at a peak. I may not be stylist, but if there’s one thing I know when it comes to party wear, it’s shoes. I’ve spent the last two years working in the footwear retail industry, and although that may not seem like a long time to most people, I think it’s a long enough time for me to say that I’ve pretty much seen it all!

From customers taking off their socks to show me their bunions to witnessing the depths that some women would go through to avoid having to try on a bigger size – apparently it is the death of all sins in the shoe kingdom.

At this stage, I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’m qualified enough to share these five shoe shopping tips with you!

Tip #1 Timing is everything

Some people say that mornings are the best time to go shoe shopping. I personally think that you’re better off going in the middle of the day once you have been on your feet for a few hours and there’s been blood circulating throughout your body. Your feet are smallest in the morning and usually swell throughout the day so if you  shoe shop in the am you may find yourself buying shoes that are too small because there will be little to no give in them once you’re ready to show them off on the dance floor!

Tip #2 One style does not fit all

Know your feet and go for shoes that suit them. It breaks my heart to see a beautiful pair of shoes  worn on the wrong person! If you have wide feet then do not get shoes that are very pointed or have a narrow shape. Likewise if your feet are slim, then stay away from anything that is chunky or heavy looking!  Like clothes, certain styles of shoes will not suit everyone so if the style doesn’t look right on you – even if it is trending on Instagram – forget it!

Tip #3 Different brands use the different sizing

shoe-shopping-3

I have had many customers refuse to try on a certain shoe size because they were adamant about wearing a perfect five or six or whatever it may be. Never assume you’ll only ever be one size because not all brands use the same sizing. Unless you’re familiar with a certain brand, be sure to try on more than one size before buying. More often than not, the shape of a shoe can impact whether or not you need to go up or down from your usual size!

Tip #4 Choose wisely

There is no point in spending half of your wage on a pair of glitzy Red Carpet looking shoes that you’re going to wear on NYE and then end up throwing into the back of your shoerobe only to forget about its existence! If you’re going to spend a lot of money on shoes – particularly high heels, then be sure to get a pair that you can wear on more than just one occasion. You might as well invest in something you will get a good wear out of!

Tip #5 Don’t underestimate the value of insoles

 If you find yourself slipping ever so slightly in shoes when you first try them on, then an insole can do absolute wonders. I find foam insoles particularly good for this and as well as making shoes a better fit, they also add to the overall comfort. You can get different types of insoles depending on your requirements as there are so many available in the market – gel insoles, leather insoles and even custom made arch support insoles – listen to your feet, they will thank you in the long run!

And for good measure…

If you can’t walk in them, don’t buy them – there’s nothing worse than a woman who can’t walk in heels!

Happy shoe shopping gals 🙂

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Posted on September 29, 2016

10 tips for surviving The Nightmare Realm

Tips

the-nightmare-realm

It’s been over fifteen hours since I’ve been freed from unthinkable psychological torture, yet my heart still beats rapidly whenever I hear those three words: The Nightmare Realm – the name itself is enough to send shivers down your spine.

The Nightmare Realm is a walk-through horror house that brings you through different scare zones and scenarios that in my opinion are the biggest testament to how ballsy you really are. Creepy music, crackling sounds and moments of complete silence in the dark, why would anyone willingly put themselves through that?

“IRELAND’S MOST TERRIFYING HALLOWEEN SCARE HOUSE

AN EXTREME WALK-THROUGH HORROR EVENT PREYING ON YOUR DEEPEST FEARS AND NIGHTMARES AND TWISTING THEM INTO A DEADLY REALITY”

Well I can only speak for myself and there’s just something about increased heart rate and sweaty palms that come from watching horrors, that I can’t seem to turn my back on. So when the opportunity to attend the pre-opening of The Nightmare Realm with my friend Lorna at the RDS yesterday, I thought I’d be well able for it – boy, was I wrong!

If there is only one learning I can take from yesterday’s experience, it is this: in order to survive The Nightmare Realm, you have to be prepared. Without a little bit of preparation, it may be a complete nightmare – and not the kind that you’re hoping for!

So without further ado, here are my top tips:

nightmare-realm-2

  1. Comfortable footwear is fundamental to surviving any scare attraction because you are going to be running for your LIFE! Avoid heels, ditch the sandals and don’t even think about flip flops. Runners are your best bet here, after witnessing Lorna nearly losing her shoe, I can’t stress this point enough!
  2. Loose clothing is a must! With all the physiological effects this experience will have on you, the chances are, you won’t come out of it half as cute as you looked going in. You might as well wear your gym gear as you will be bathing in your own sweat by the end of it. Runners, yoga pants… treat it as a gym sesh.. except instead of a personal trainer yelling at you, you’ll have Emily Rose telling you she likes the smell of your flesh.
  3. Go with a group. Going as a duo might sound like a good idea, but after being put into a group yesterday, I think having a crowd around you definitely makes you feel safer. There’s a lot of comfort in knowing that those around you are going through similar feelings. In a way, it brings you closer – it really is a bonding experience, to say the least!
  4. A reassuring voice among your crowd makes it all the better. There has to be someone with a voice of reason, who will let you cling onto them all the way through. If you go with someone whose only instinct is to search for the emergency exit, then you’re setting yourself up for a bigger scare than you would like!
  5. Take turns going first! Going from one scary zone to the next is probably the most bloodcurdling thing about this whole experience because you never know what to expect. It would be unfair to burden one person with such a duty. Take turns being the leader, it might even toughen you up!
  6. Zip everything up! Be sure to choose a zip up bag and clothing with zip-pockets for the walk-through. Otherwise, you may lose your belongings and give the monsters something to feed i.e the energy they need to catch you! Okay,bad joke…. but do keep your phone in a safe place!
  7. Remind yourself it isn’t real. This isn’t a no-fail tactic, but I found that reminding myself that the scary clowns were just performers who wouldn’t physically harm me did prevent me from having a complete mental breakdown.
  8. Make eye contact with the enemy! This might sound ludicrous to some of you, but I can only speak from experience here and I found that the more I looked away or closed my eyes, the more I was targeted by the sinister clowns and zombies. Look them in the eye, show them you’re tougher than they think!
  9. Expect everything and anything! I expected very little from this scare house and I think that’s part of why it was such a numbing experience for me. If you expect the worst, maybe it won’t seem that bad? Not a guaranteed tactic, but hey, I’m just trying to help!
  10. Enjoy it! These things are meant to be enjoyable as much as they’re meant to scare you. At the end of the day, none of it is real and that is the beauty of it all! It may feel like you’re in a never-ending scary maze at some points. But remember, it won’t last forever  so you might as well get maximum enjoyment from it all– have fun with it! 🙂

nightmare-realm

The Nightmare Realm is in the RDS Dublin & Albert Quay Cork from today – 5th November. Full details here.

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Posted on June 30, 2015

Top tips for dealing with summer acne

Acne/ Skincare/ Tips

acne awareness month 4

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 during hot temperatures.

Here are some top tips for dealing with summer breakouts:

  1. Avoid using heavy moisturisers as they are better suited during the winter months.
  2. Look for moisturisers that are non-comedogenic as they are less likely to break you out.
  3. Cleanse before you go to bed as this will get rid of any oil or dirt your skin accumulated over the course of the day.
  4. Use an oil-free sunscreen with an SPF of at least 20 before leaving the house. If you can, use a mattifying sunscreen as it will makes your skin look less shiny.
  5. Tone your face after cleansing. Apple cider vinegar mixed with rose water make for a great natural skin toner.
  6. Use blotting paper to clean up any excess oils. A lot of them have a mattifying film to prevent more oil from appearing in your face.
  7. Try to wear cotton clothing, as it allows your skin to breathe, which can reduce body acne.
  8. Drink plenty of water. If you get bored of drinking regular water, add a few slices of cucumber some and mint leaves to give it some flavour.
  9. Change your pillow case at least twice a week. Especially if you tend to have a lot of products on your hair while you sleep. These oils can go on your pillow case and transfer to your face.

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Posted on June 3, 2015

5 common acne myths busted

Acne/ Skincare/ Tips

common acne myths

June is Acne Awareness Month. So for every week of this month, I’m going to do an acne-related post that will hopefully raise awareness of this skin problem. If you know me personally, then you would know that I grew up with acne. It’s not something I like to talk about a lot because let’s face it – when the topic of acne is brought up all you get is uncomfortable heads turning away, awkwardness filling the room, followed by a lot of rude whispers. Okay, maybe not the whispers. But if you do suffer from acne or have so in the past, then I’m sure you are well aware of some of the ignorant comments people can make.

I have a background in teaching, so naturally I am someone who loves learning and doesn’t believe that ignorance is bliss.To kick off my articles for Acne Awareness Month, I’m going to talk about common acne myths and some of the advice that was given to us as teens.

Myth #1: Only dirty people get acne

I know I spend most of my days dealing with shoes and sometimes feet. But I am not dirty. I shower every morning, wash my face before I go to bed, I have pearly whites……. I can go on really, but what good would that do? I’m not here to tell you about my hygiene practices, I’m here to tell you that people who have acne are not unsanitary. Acne can be caused by overworking sebaceous glands, a build up of cells, hormonal imbalances and a load of other reasons which do not include being dirty.  Even if you washed your face five times a day, your acne won’t disappear – in fact, it would probably make it worse.

Myth #2: Acne goes away with age

Some people get acne during the whole puberty stage and then when they hit their twenties, it miraculously goes away. Unfortunately, this isn’t case for everyone. Adult acne does exist and there are people who have it well in their thirties and some even get breakouts in their fifties.  If you’ve been told to sit down and let acne run its course, then you might be waiting for a long time. Whether it goes away after your teen years or not, you have to proactively work to control your skin and use products that will make it better.

acne meme

Myth #3: Chocolate gives you acne

I’ve come across people who eat chocolate on a daily basis and still have the clearest skin in the world. Eating chocolate does not give people acne. If you do breakout from eating chocolate, it could simply mean that you are intolerant to it.When we eat things that our bodies cannot process, it can result in acne. For some this could be chocolate and for others this could be pineapples. Either way, chocolate does not give people acne.

 

Myth #4: Acne is contagious

Acne develops from underneath the skin. It is not an infectious disease that can be passed around from person to person. If that were the case, then a lot more people would be visiting their dermatologist. Acne comes from within, not from spending too much time with someone!

Myth #5: Wearing makeup causes acne

Wearing makeup does not cause acne. In fact, there are some makeup products out there that can actually help your skin. Some products have acne fighting ingredients in them like salicylic acid. It’s all about reading the ingredients and finding the products that work for your skin. When choosing makeup, be sure to look for products that are labelled ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘hypoallergenic’ as they are less likely to cause breakouts.

Although there are a million other acne myths out there, I decided to touch on those five. If you know of any other common acne myths, feel free to comment below!

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Posted on May 9, 2015

9 things to know about applying winged liner

Eyes/ Makeup/ Tips

eye liner cover photo

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.

winged liner never ask

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!

eyeliner be even

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!giveaway time

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Posted on May 4, 2015

6 summer beauty essentials

Skincare/ Tips

Summer-makeup

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!

  1. 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!
  2. 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. 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!
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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! 🙂

giveaway time

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Makeup tips for Valentine’s Day

Makeup/ Tips

valentine's day gift

The first thing that springs to mind for a Valentine’s Day look is the red lip: a defined and sultry red lip. But what comes after that? Not a lot of people get that far!

When it comes to Valentines Day makeup, your look should be three things: subtle, but not invisible, sexy, but not slutty and effortless, but not lazy. These three things combined will surely give your date something to admire  and who knows, they might even get you another date 😉

Tip #1: Subtle, but not invisible

subtle but not invisible makeup

Like any other day, your face should not look like it’s caked with makeup. There’s nothing attractive about having foundation streaks across the face or under your jaw line. Keep your base light and natural and when choosing a blusher, use a colour that is close to your natural skin tone.

Steps:

  1. Cleanse, tone and moisturise the face.
  2. Prep it with primer.
  3. Apply foundation and then a bit of concealer on the areas that need extra coverage.
  4. Use a light bronzer to contour cheek bones.
  5. Add a pop of colour on the cheeks.

Tip #2: Sexy, but not slutty

valentine's day makeup

The iconic 50s look of the winged liner and a red lip always gets a few heads turning. When done correctly, a winged liner just oozes of sexiness. The red lip just tops that off! Be sure to take your time when doing your winged liner, a small mistake can cost you more time. And to make your lipstick last longer, make sure you blot, apply your lippy (using a lip brush) and then blot again. Blotting helps the colour get right in there!

Steps:

  1. Prepare eye makeup with a neutral eye shadow.
  2. With a gel or liquid liner, draw a line from the outer corner of your eye towards the brow.
  3. Create the winged effect by bringing the line back to the center of your eye lid.
  4. Slightly thicken the line and then fill in the gaps.
  5. Set with black eye shadow.


Tip #3: Effortless,but not lazy

beach wave curls

I can’t think of a time or place where you can’t rock beach wave curls! They give off that ‘I woke up like this’ look, without making you feel like you actually did just roll out of bed! They’re effortless and sexy at the same time, and the best part is: you don’t even need a curler to pull of this look, straighteners work just fine!

Steps:

  1. Starting from the back of your head, grab a small section of your hair.
  2. Twist the hair around your fingers until you get to the top.
  3. Put the rolled hair in between your straighteners and hold for a few seconds before releasing.
  4. Repeat the process all the way through and then spray your hair with holding spray.
  5. Run your fingers through the curls to break them up

Hope you found these tips useful! If you have any suggestions, feel free to speak up! Also, don’t forget to enter my Valentine’s Day giveaway, as you’ll be in for a very lovely treat if you do win! 🙂

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Posted on December 23, 2014

Makeup tips for the party season

Tips

party perfect makeup

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.

Here are some makeup tips that will help you look even more glamorous over the party season – before the drinking, that is.

Tip #1: Stand out lips

red lips

Nothing catches the eye more than a red lip. A pop of red instantly adds something special to your look without going over the top. To make sure you get longevity from your red lips, apply lip liner beforehand and use a lip brush to apply the lipstick.

Steps:

  1. Line your lips with a red liner and then colour them in.
  2. Use a lip brush to apply the lipstick.
  3. Blot lips a couple of times and then add more lipstick.
  4. Use a concealer around the lips to tidy up around the edges.

Tip #2: Highlighted cheeks

highlighter for cheeks

When it comes to party makeup, highlighting is definitely the name of the game. But rather than using your regular highlighter, get a fine silver/bronze glitter (depending on your skin tone) and apply it on your cheekbones. This alone, will get you into the festive spirit!

Steps:

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Dip your finger into the fine glitter and use it on the highest part of your cheekbone.
  3. Lightly blend it in so it doesn’t look too harsh.
  4. Go over it with a highlighting brush.

Tip #3: Glittery eyes

glitter eyes

Photo Credit

Glittery eyes will make you the belle of the ball! Use a vivid loose eye shadow colour on the lids of your eyes to make them stand out. Silver or gold colours absolutely scream party season! When applying your loose shadow, be sure to apply eye primer first!

Steps:

  1. Apply eye shadow primer.
  2. Put some loose powder on a mixing tray/the lid of the container.
  3. Dip brush into the shadow and tap off any excess product.
  4. Pat the shadow on the eyelid.
  5. Build the colour gradually.

Tip #4: Falsies

false lashes

I’m not a huge fan of false lashes, but I couldn’t think of a more suitable time to wear them than now! If you take only one thing from this article, let it be this: make sure you measure the length of your false lashes before applying them. There’s nothing worse than seeing someone with their eyelashes hanging off them – not classy at all!

Steps:

  1. Measure the length of the lashes and cut the ends to fit your eye shape.
  2. Apply adhesive glue and let it set for 10 seconds.
  3. Aim to apply the lash to the base of your natural lash line.
  4. Use a cotton bud to press it down properly.
  5. Finish up with some mascara.

Tip #5: Stay on spray

setting spray

When your makeup is all well and done, spritz some setting spray onto your face. This will help your makeup stay put so you dont’ have to spend half your night in the ladies toilet doing top ups!

Steps:

  1. Shake the bottle of setting spray and then spray some on a piece of tissue.
  2. Close your eyes and hold the bottle about 6 inches away from your face.
  3. Spritz twice and then lightly pat with tissue.

Hope you found these tips useful! If you have any tips for party makeup, feel free to tweet me @FilomenaKaguako 🙂

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Posted on December 5, 2014

How to make your lips look fuller

How To/ lips/ Tips

ange

As much as I hate to admit it, we can’t all be Angelina’s.We can’t all be born with full lips and we can’t all have the courage – or money – to get fillers done. That’s just life!

But like most beauty-related dilemmas, there are ways around it. With the right tricks and techniques, you can make your lips look much fuller than they actually are – it’s all about perception!

Here are some of my suggestions for plumping up your pucker without getting any fillers. After these tips, you’ll be more than just a little ready for that kiss under the mistletoe 😉

Avoid the dark side

When it comes to making your pout appear fuller, lip colour matters. Avoid dark colours and shades, as they will only make your lips look smaller . Opt for lighter shades that are closer to your skin tone if you want to visually enlarge your lips.

Line it up

Use a lip liner close to the colour of your lips to draw around the natural line of your mouth. Try not to overdo it, because it will just look wrong altogether! When you’ve finish outlining, use the same pencil to fill in the lips. Smudge and rough lines before you apply your lippy/gloss.

Highlighting matters

Apply some highlighter right above your cupid’s bow and then use your finger to blend it in lightly. Then, use a brown liner beneath your lower lip line – the line shouldn’t be harsh at all. This highlighting and contouring trick will make your lips look like they are creating a shadow because they’re THAT much fuller!

A clever finish

If you want to give off the illusion of fullness, then it’s a good idea to avoid matte textures. They tend to diminish the actual size of your lips, while shiny finishes reflect light and make your lips look more luscious and full.

Pro tip: Use your toothbrush to exfoliate your lips every morning. This promotes blood circulation to the lips, which in turn will make them seem rosier and fuller. Added bonus? You get a temporary plump!

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Christmas gifts for him

men/ Tips/ Top products

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR HIM

If you still haven’t decided on what to get the men in your life for Christmas then worry not, because I’m here to help! From your forgetful father to your football loving boyfriend, Enhance What’s Yours has pretty much got you covered for this – well, sort of…..

Here are some of my lovely gift suggestions for him:

FOR YOUR BOYFRIEND

When it comes to men, you can never go wrong with boxers or aftershave, and since it’s Black Friday Weekend, searching through high end brands to find them doesn’t sound like much of a bad idea. Here are some ideal gifts for that special someone in your life – aren’t the pillows just the cutest thing ever?

ted bakermale boxers

Ted Baker 3 Pack Luton Boxers, PRICE: €45.00, Arnotts

my side your side

My Side Your Side Pillowcase, PRICE: €39.17, Not On The Highstreet

ARMANI DIAMOND ROCKS

Armani Diamond Rocks Christmas Gift Set, PRICE: €50.00, Arnotts 

FOR YOUR FATHER

As much as we’d love to give our fathers the world, it isn’t very realistic! Here are some gifts that will surely put a smile on daddy’s face – or in this case, his feet!

mel and co

Mel & Co. Bonded  Leather  10 Watch Storage Box, PRICE: €78.98, Not On The HighStreet

guinness world record

Guinness World Records 2015, PRICE: €19.99, Eason

 slippers

RJR. John Rocha – Designer Tan Suede Slippers, PRICE: €52.50, Debenhams

FOR YOUR BROTHER/FRIEND

You can complain about your siblings all you like, but we all know that deep down it’s all just love! These suggestions will keep your brother(s) warm and giggling throughout the Christmas period – he probably wouldn’t want it any other way!

the big bang theory

The Big Bang Theory, Season 1 -7 (DVD), PRICE: €49.99, HMV

hugo boss gift set

Hugo Boss, 3 Pack Socks Gift set Multicolour, PRICE: €32.00, Arnotts

jack aND JONES JUMPER

Jack & Jones, Mens PRM Cardigan, PRICE: £34.99, Mandmdirect.com

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