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Posted on June 23, 2015

9 foods for a flatter tum

fitness/ food/ Health

lean abs

You can do all the abs in the world, if you wanted to. But, if you don’t pay attention to what goes into your mouth, then all your hard work will most likely go to waste. “Abs are made in the kitchen,” is probably one of the most used lines by fitness fanatics,and I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but it is true – if you want to get rid of ab flab, you need to make wiser food choices.

The good news is, that there are a lot of tasty foods out there that actually encourage weight loss around your midsection, so you don’t have to confine yourself to a life of leaves and tasteless meals.

Here are some foods that can help trim down a few inches on the waist:

Salmon

Salmon, along with other seafoods such as tuna and mackerel, are a great source of omega-3 acids. These fats can help reduce a few inches off your midsection by making your metabolism more efficient. They also contain ab-friendly proteins –hello, six pack!

Eggs

Eggs are loaded with protein and filling properties. Eating a heavy dose of eggs will help keep you full which will make you less likely to overindulge on unhealthy snacks. As for the protein, eggs are highly praised by dietitians for how much protein it has (about 6 grams per egg).

Apple

Foods that have a high water content tend to take up more room in your gut. This means you stay full for much longer and consume less unhealthy foods through out the day. The hunger busting properties in foods like apples and pears can surely help you get the midsection you’ve always wanted.

leafy greens

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli help shrink your waistline because they’re low in calories and high in calcium. Calcium is needed for muscle contraction so the more greens you eat, the quicker you’ll see results.

Beans

Beans are often avoided by people because eating too much can give off gas (just calling a spade a spade here!). But, a lot of people don’t know that they help burn fat and develop muscle. The best part is, they minimise the whole “I just ate a horse” look – so it’s a win-win!

Quinoa

Quinoa has become a recent addition to my diet. This grain looks like a mix between brown rice and couscous, and is very high in dietary fibre and protein. A serving of quinoa can fend of hunger as the day progresses so it’s a good idea to have it early in the day! Oh and it’s pronounced keen-wa, in case you were wondering! 🙂

abs are made in the kitchen

Green Tea

Green tea can help fire off fat by stimulating the body to burn ab fat. Consuming green tea on a regular basis helps cause your metabolism to work at a faster weight. Since fat is stored as fuel for the body, a metabolism which consumes fat at a faster rate helps you drop a few extra pounds – guess it’s time to ditch those diet teas!

Greek yoghurt

Greek yoghurt contains more protein than regular yoghurt. As you probably already know at this stage, protein is essential for building muscle mass and trimming down on a few inches. When choosing greek yoghurt, be sure to go for the unflavoured kind which is full of sugar. Oh and remember, your body burns more calories digesting protein than it does digesting carbs!

Skinned almonds

Not only do almonds contain fibre and protein, they also contain magnesium, a mineral that is needed to produce energy, build muscle tissue and regulate blood sugar. Since having a stable blood sugar level reduces cravings, almonds make for a great healthy snack – just make sure you avoid salted almonds (sodium makes you retain water which puffs up the belly – that’s not exactly the aim here!).

I hope you found this useful, if you’ve started eating any foods to trim down the tum, do let me know! 🙂 xx

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Posted on June 14, 2015

12 things you shouldn’t say to someone with acne

Acne/ Skincare

acne awareness month week 2

I know we’ve come to the end of the week, but because I am a firm believer of making everyday count, I’m going to carry on with my blog post for week two of Acne Awareness Month –  I’m a rebel like that!

So for my second acne -related post, I will be discussing things you should never ever ever say to someone with acne. For starters, if you don’t know a lot about the skin problem, then I’m sorry to say but your input doesn’t really help – nor does it matter. As well as that, you might come across as being a passive aggressive cow, and nobody wants that, right? 🙂

1. “What happened to your face?”

Eh I have acne, what happened to yours? Like seriously? I mean you wouldn’t ask someone in a wheelchair why they’re on a wheelchair so why would you ask someone with acne why they have acne.

tf meme black girl

2. “Have you tried this product?”

I know this might sound completely out of this world to some of you, but acne comes from within (shocker!). Topical solutions only help with what’s already on your face, it doesn’t solve acne in the long run. Also, there is a 99.9% chance that I have tried it.

3. “You know you have a huge spot on your face, right?”

No, I don’t. I just woke up and forgot to look in the mirror today, so I have no idea what I look like right now.

4. “OMG! I have a spot on my chin, I feel so ugly”

So in all the time that I’ve known you, you’ve had perfect clear skin and the one time you have the tiniest spot ever, you’re going to make a big deal about it? You really want to be that friend? really?

regina george shut up

5. “What’s that on your face?”

You know what’s on my face, and I know what’s on my face, you don’t need to call any more  attention to it. Cut the bull please.

6. “This worked for my friend, maybe it will work for you too?”

Just because this worked for your ‘friend,’ it doesn’t necessarily mean that this will work for me. Nonetheless, I appreciate your unsolicited advice. Merci beaucoup!

7. “You have acne, really? You can’t even notice it!”

Let’s not downplay this, you’re making this awkward for the both of us.

liars liars everywhere

8. “You know, you really shouldn’t eat chocolate…..”

Because chocolate has EVERYTHING to do with this, right?

9. “Ugh, I’m breaking out like mad”

If this is your sick way of trying to bond with me, then I really don’t think this relationship is going to work. Just Saying.

10. “You can get herpes on your face?”

Some people just don’t know when to be quiet.

I'm surrounded by idiots

11. “Does it hurt?”

Yes, it hurts. It hurts. A lot. You Suck!

12. “My friend suffers from acne, I feel so sorry for her”

One does not simply respond to such idiotic statements…… ever.        

I could go on, but I think you get the picture! If you’ve ever had acne, then I hope you got a good few giggles out of this. If you’re not an acne sufferer or never have been, then I hope this will make you think twice about some of things you might want to say to people who do have it.

None of these words help, add value to, or  change the situation so please shut your gob (excuse my French) and keep your opinion to yourself! Until next time 🙂

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Posted on June 9, 2015

Healthy homemade Nutella

food/ recipes

homemade nutella

Today was a very productive day: I made my very own Nutella.That’s right, I made a thick and gooey hazelnut spread with a touch of cocoa that tastes very much like the much-loved ‘breakfast’ spread, Nutella itself.

Now I know it doesn’t look like the most appetising chocolate spread out there and I’m probably losing a lot of points for presentation here, but it just tastes so damn good!

What I used:

Directions:

1. Arrange the hazelnuts on a lined and rimmed baking tray and then toast for about 20 minutes at 150C. Once the skins begin to crack, remove from heat and allow to cool.

2. Remove as much skin from the hazelnuts by rubbing them in a clean kitchen towel – don’t worry if you don’t manage to get it all off!

nutella 1

3. Once you have most of the skins peeled. Put the peeled nuts in a food processor and then process until creamy. You can stop to scrape down the sides if needs be.

nutella 2

nutella 3

nutella 4

4. Once you have a smooth butter (usually takes about 5 – 6 minutes with a decent food processor), add the coconut sugar, cocoa powder, coconut oil and 3 tbsp of water and blend, blend, blend!

nutella 5

5. Keep processing the mixture until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, add one tbsp of water at a time. If it isn’t sweet enough (although I think it should be), you can add some honey to it. Store the finished spread in a sealed container in the fridge for no more than a week.

If you decide to try this recipe, let me know how it goes. Remember, it tastes 100 times better than it looks! xx 🙂

homemade nutella

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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 June 2, 2015

5 drinks every ‘dieter’ should try

Health/ Nutrition

5 drinks every dieter should try 2

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been big into dieting. I don’t even like using the word ‘diet.’  I just think that moderation is key when it comes to healthy eating or weight management, and that nobody should ever deprive their body of what it needs. So if you want to practice healthy eating habits and shed a few pounds along the way, then here are five drinks you might like to try:

Coconut water

Anyone who knows me well would tell you that I am a completely addicted to coconut water. Not only because it’s unbelievably refreshing, but because I do notice an instant boost in my energy levels when I consume it. It also keeps me pretty full on the days when I don’t have a big breakfast. If you’re looking after your weight and want something that is low in fat, calories and sugar then this is your winning ticket. I wrote a full article on the many benefits of coconut water here.

Green tea

The antioxidants in green tea have a lot of health benefits for your body. As well as stimulating the body’s metabolism and speeding up the weight loss process, they also stimulate your muscle cells to use more fatty acids when exercising.  That means your body uses carbs at a slower weight. With more carbs in your body, you can exercise for much longer time and burn more calories which helps with the whole weight loss process. I like to call it the Domino effect!

Lemon water

Poor digestion could be a reason why losing weight may be difficult for people. If your digestive system isn’t working properly, it stops your body from getting the nutrients it needs to burn fat. Drinking lemon water can help improve digestion by increasing acidity in the stomach. Lemon water is definitely my go to drink when I feel guilty about having a cheat snack, it is also a great hangover cure! (everything in moderation right?)

lemon water

Beet Juice

Beets are widely-known for helping the natural detoxification process of the body. They help toxins be excreted from the body, keeping the blood and liver purified. Beet juice can facilitate weight loss by increasing stamina. It’s been said that those who had a glass of beet juice before their workout lasted up to 15% longer. So if you’re a fitness junkie, then you might want to stack up on some of this stuff! Here’s how I make my homemade beet juice.

Cucumber water

Cucumber water is another one of my faves. Since it adds a bit of  flavour to regular water, it makes drinking 8 glasses a day a lot easier! Not only that, but cucumbers act like a natural diuretic to help get rid of excess water and bloating – hello bikini body! 🙂

Although there are several other drinks out there to help you achieve your fitness goals, I think these five are a good start!  So rather than reaching for calorie – laden beverages over the summer, try one of these instead.There’s no way you won’t fall in love with at least three of them! 🙂

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Posted on May 29, 2015

The Gloss Magazine teams up with Links of London

Events

links of london cover photo

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.

 the gloss rebecca

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.

links of london links of london jewellery

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!

macaroons 

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. 

illustrator fashion

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

fashion illustrator

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

Events

wet n wild cover 2

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!

wet n wild cover

But the fun didn’t end there……

wet n wild make up

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 goodie bag

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

sesame and honey bars cover2

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.

sesame 1

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

seasam seeds boil

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.

sesame seeds flattened

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

sesame seeds honey

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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Posted on May 19, 2015

5 natural ways to reduce cellulite

Natural beauty/ Skincare

5 ways to reduce cellulite

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.

  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. 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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Posted on May 15, 2015

Get a sun kissed glow with MeMeMe Cosmetics

Makeup/ product review

me me me cosmetics

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

me me me lip

me me stick 2

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

me me me cheek

meme me lip

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

eye line me me me

me me liner

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

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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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