Foundation review - Rimmel Lasting 25 Hour Foundation

This foundation has recently been released by Rimmel and is on special offer in Boots for only 5.25euro. When I saw this, I really wasn't expecting a whole lot, but its really surprised me. It's one of the best foundations from the cheaper brands out there. The coverage I would say is medium coverage and it dries to a matt finish (because of the matt finish i don't think this would be great for someone with very dry skin). It feels quiet thick and almost sticky to begin with but after a minute it sinks into your skin. It covers blemishes, evens skin tone, and leaves your skin feeling hydrated all day and it really does last. I have put it on at 6 in the morning and its still there at 10 at night. There are 6 shades available and after quickly checking them out in store, I picked the shade 303 which is perfect for everyday wear but for night time or when I have tan on it's a little pale. I'll probably get the next shade(400 which looks like orange muck) and mix them and then I'd have the perfect shade. These colours aren't going to suit anyone with olive or black skin, it will just make them grey looking. I would definitely recommend this. I'm incredibly impressed that you get this kind of lasting, flawless finish from a drugstore brand. It's most certainly a good replacement for Estee Lauder Double Wear which is almost 5 or 6 times the price of this. This is very fragranced so if you have very sensitive skin I would be careful in case it causes a breakout.

Overall it's a really good foundation, that is a brilliant price.  Let me know what ye think of it...xx

My favourite Brow Pencil...

Thick brows are a big trend at the minute, so if yours are thin or you've overplucked like me, then MAC Brow Pencils are the way forward. They are 16.50 each and are the only brow pencils I would really recommend. Some eyebrow pencils are too waxy and hard, which makes them painful to apply, but this one is great. Always easy to apply, always sharp, nice and thin packaging and lasts forever.

The three colours I have in my kit and always use are:

Fling - For Blondes

Lingering - Mid Brown

Spiked - Dark Brown

I use Spiked to create the shape and then fill in with Lingering. The joys of having no eyebrows...

Laters xxx

Corrective Makeup Tips...

*Tips for High or Low Forehead....

The best way to disguise a high forehead is to cut a fringe, either a layered or a full fringe. Make up wise, the best way is to apply a matt bronzer to the top of your forehead and to the sides of the the temple....

If you have a low forehead, you should wear your hair off your face, or if you wanted a fringe ask for a deep fringe- a fringe that starts high up on the forehead, to give the illusion of  higher forehead. Avoid applying bronzer on the forehead with a short forehead as this will just emphasise how small your forehead is.....

*Tips for a Large Nose......

Apply a matt bronzer down the sides and bottom of the nose..it instantly contours the nose and hides the size of your honker. With hair avoid any styles that are flat at the back of your head, volume in the back of your hair will balance your profile and take away from your nose.....

*Tips for a Long Nose.....

Use your make up to help create the illusion of a shorter nose. Highlight the nostril area with a light shade of foundation or concealer and use a darker shade down the centre of the nose. This makes your nose look wider and shorter. Avoid a centre parting as this will just draw attention to the length of your nose.

*Tips for a Long Chin.....

Apply foundation that is darker, or a matt bronzer to the whole chin area. Make sure you have a lighter shade of foundation on the cheekbone area to draw the attention away from the chin....

Hope this helps...
Laters...xx

My New Skin Saviour - Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream

I have been scouring every bloody Boots and Chemist looking for this cream for ever and I finally got my hands on this in Cassidy's Chemist in Ennis. Everyone is raving about this cream on YouTube. Its 11.00 euro and worth every penny. This is selling like hot cakes and is sold out in most places in Ireland and the UK.
What it says on the tin...x

Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream is an innovative new therapy specially formulated to intensively nourish an repair your skins natural barrier. Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream penetrates deeply to rehydrate facial skin relieving tightness and irritation and leaving it feeling smooth. Suitable for dry and sensitive skins. Free from fragrances, preservatives and emulsifiers.

 The texture is somewhere between a cream and gel and it just sinks into your skin leaving it feeling gorgeous and smooth. I've been using as a night cream for the past few nights and its made such a difference. My skin looks clearer and less old hag looking. It definitely can be used as a day cream(make sure and let it sink in for 10 mins before applying make up) under make up but I wouldn't use it myself as there is no SPF in it. This product is safe for anyone with skin problems like eczema etc. My son is having awful patches of eczema on his cheeks, from having the central heating on so much and this cleared up his little face over night.

This stuff feels incredible on, a little really does go a long way and leaves your skin feeling deeply soft and nourished. I think this would me a must have for anyone with dry skin. Bye bye crocodile skin..xxx

My new fave lippie and only 2.99...xxx

I've heard quite a lot about the Natural Collections lipsticks so I thought I’d pop into Boots (any excuse..lol) and have a look. Natural Collection is Boots own brand and I never really stopped to look at them because they kinda look like they are marketed for teenagers. I ignored the rest of the products and focused on the lipsticks(even though some of the blushes look really nice). With the lipsticks, some of the colours are a bit wishy washy but my all time favourite was the shade Rose Bud.

It's a gorgeous natural pink, really handy to have in your bag and looks fab for everyday wear. It was only 2.99euro and it really is a good buy and the quality is really good. This is one for my makeup bag. Here's a peek at it.....


Laters...xxx

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer Review....

Hey everyone,
I'm constantly on the search for a good value concealer. I keep my top end products for my kit and tend to search for cheaper brands to use on myself everyday and also to use as research for my blog. I hit Boots again, (I'd say they think I've a problem, I'm never out of the bloody place) and I came across this one. I'd read about this in a magazine so I said i'd give it a try.

Shades: Available in 3 shades, Soft Beige, Classic Beige and Ivory. (I bought Soft Beige 040)

Packaging: It comes in a plastic squeezy tube with a brush attached.

The description about the product is "It's a 2 in 1 concealer and highlighter that banishes signs of fatique and illuminates the eye area. With an oxygen complex that let's the skin breathe". 

It comes with a brush and reminds me of the YSL Touche Eclat but at a fraction of the price. I bought the shade 040 as there was only 2 choices in my Boots 010 or 040. I have to say I love this, the consistency is really creamy and lightweight. Its very easy to blend and blends perfectly into my skin. I find under the eye area(now that I'm turning into an old hag) that some concealers can look too heavy if you try and build it up to cover dark circles-- and by jesus I've circles(thanks to my chuckie who stays up most nights talking to me). This concealer doesn't do this, it lasts all day and doesn't settle into fine lines. It really opens up your eyes and is a lifesaver for my haggard old head.

 Overall this is a fantastic product that I would really recommend. I reach for this before MAC, Laura Mercier etc. and for 6.99euro you cant go wrong.

Laters...xxx

IMATS LONDON 2011...xxx

Hi everyone,

I had an amazing time at the IMATS in London. I went with Elaine from Blush Make Up Boutique in Galway and saw and met some amazing artists. We went to get some new stock and brands for Blush and I can't wait until she gets it all in to the shop. To see her gorgeous shop visit her website at :www.blushmakeupboutique.com

I haven't been to London in years, its amazing but soooo not me. I've never felt like such a fat frump in my life. Everyone is so funky, skinny and cool and there we were, 2 mammies trying to figure out tubes, dragging our suitcases behind us, waiting to be mugged (I've defo watched way to much CSI). We only found Alexandra Palace because we decided to follow people who looked like make up artists...lol. I spent a small fortune, picked up some brushes, makeup palettes, hit sleek makeup, guru makeup emporium, got a lully brush belt and lots of NYX products. We literally stopped at every stand and I definitely was in makeup heaven....here's some pics of me and Elaine's adventure.....To see more pictures just look at my facebook page... http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Hilda-Murphy-Make-Up-Artistry/134831316563355

Me and the lovey EnKore Makeup from youtube..he was so friendly and helpful...excuse the state of my head.....




Me and Elaine tipsy in London