Sephora Make Up Shampoo

I just can't live without my makeup sponges anymore, makeup just doesn't go on right without them for me but I also hate cleaning them. This is why I have two, I did have three but one had seen better days. I'm always looking for ways to clean them quickly but properly. I had a cleaner that I had started to like but unfortunately I left that in Ireland and can't get it here. 

Now since I'm in Canada where they have sephora I headed there to see what I could find. I used this last year too but for my brushes and didn't want to get a separate cleaner this time, so I thought I'd give it ago and see how well it works for my sponges. The shampoo costs $10 and is a small bottle but I only needed a tiny bit so I think it will last a little while. 

I ran the sponge under the warm water and then put a bit of the shampoo into my hand and rib it into the sponge. As soon as I ran it under the water again and squeezed out the remaining shampoo I could see all the foundation running out with it leaving a really nice and clean sponge behind. I've used some other shampoos and solid cleaners and sometimes the sponge is still a little stained but this really brought it back up. I am quiet impressed with the results to be honest. I knew it would clean them but it really cleaned them and didn't cost that much.

Lime Crime Velvetines

Going back a while I went to the Beauty Show in the RDS and picked up a few bits and pieces. One of these was the Lime Crime Velvetines liquid matte lipstick. I got the shade Red Velvet. I've never used any products from these guys before but was told it was very long lasting which I love the sound of,  there's nothing worse then having to keep reapplying lipstick all day or night long or every time you take a sip of your drink. 

I tried this the next time I was heading out and my sister tried it as well. We both where really impressed with how long it lasted. I was sipping away and eating nibbles all evening and it hardly made a difference to my lips. 

It goes on really silky and creamy and was easy to apply with no bleeding or leaving marks on my teeth (most embarrassing thing ever). It doesn't feel very dry on and didn't leave my lips dried out and was easy enough to take off compared to some long lasting  lipsticks I've tried out before. I won't name any names but I once ended up with my lips stuck to each other, kind of felt like tar and took forever to get off. The matte effect is really nice and the shade is a perfect red, not to orange or dark just a nice red which I loved from the moment I saw it. I sometimes think I'm a bit too pale for reds but this one doesn't make me too place at all, not for winter anyway. 

The second time I wore it I did need to reapply it but only after wearing it all morning and afternoon, so that's not really that bad at all.

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My current makeup and tools

I wanted to do a post about what I'm currently using for my everyday makeup and what tools I like to use to do it. I recently changed the makeup I was using and think it suites me much better. I was a little nervous to post a before picture as my skin hasn't been great lately but then I thought why not after seeing other bloggers and vloggers showing off their no makeup faces and it is how I look after all. I do have to say that my skin here is so much better then it was a few weeks ago as I've started to use face masks and other products to help with my acne and eczema and scaring from it. 

Tools

Real techniques multi task brush (blusher)

Real techniques contour brush (bronze contour)

Real techniques setting brush (highlight)

Powder Brush (eBay)

Sponge (foundation)

Face

Boots Botanic All bright radiance balm.

Maybelline super stay better skin flawless finish foundation (005 Light Beige)

Rimmel Wake me up concealer (010 Ivory)

Rimmel Match perfection silky loose face powder (001 Transparent)

L'oreal Glam bronze and highlight (101 Blonde Harmony)

Blusher from blush palette (top right coral shade)

Eyes

W7 absolute lashes mascara (Blackest Black)

Eyebrows

Catrice eye brow pencil (040 Don't let me brown)

Lips

Burt's bees lip gloss (257 Ruby Moon)

Setting Spray

Models Prefer Finale make-up setting mist

Thanks for reading 

Neads xx

What I found on ebay

OK so I think at this stage everyone knows how addictive eBay can be right? You know you go on for a little look or to look for one new make up brush and a hour later you have found about an million new things that you now have to have and can no longer live with out being yours. Well at least I hope others are like this too or maybe I need to rethink my life lol. Well this is what happened to me I went on eBay (why did my tablet come with the eBay app 😕) to look for a new powder brush as my old one has seen better days and I thought I would get a cheap one to do me for now. That's what the plan was but then I saw all these lovely pink brushes and start to think well a lot my brushes have seen better days and they look good and they don't cost that much. Oh and then I saw the lip plumping suction tools or whatever they are called. I keep seeing these and am dying to give them a go even if its just for a bit of fun. I've seen a few posts and videos about them and they all say there about €20 or so but these where €8/8.50 for all three sizes. Crazy so I couldn't close the page I had to buy them. The other brushes where all very well priced too. Actually this whole lot only cost €25 at the most including potage. The only downside is the waiting for them to come so I can play with it all 🙌. I will of course do a proper post about them all when they arrive which should be fun trying out the lip plumper things lol. But for now I thought I would share my fantastic finds.

March Favourites

I feel Like I only just posted my February favourites and now march is already over. Here's what I've been loving this March.

Real Techniques Brushes

I finally got around to getting myself some Real Techniques Brushes. I know they have been around for ages but I really like the brushes I had but I have had them ages and they where in need of replacing. These brushes are so soft and gives a good finish. I use them all the time now and so glad I bought them. 

The brushes I got are:

Multi task brush which I have been using for powder.

Buffing brush I use for my foundation.

Contour brush which I have been using for contouring and blush.

Domed shadow brush I use for highlighting my cheekbones.

Detailer brush I like to use for concealer

Essential foundation brush and pointed foundation brush I have been using when applying cream contour.

I played around with them and this is how I kept using them and how I found they worked best for me. 

P.S. Love Make-up Brush Cleanser

Since I bought new brushes I thought I should get myself a brush cleanser too. I picked this up for €2.50 in penneys and it works great as an everyday cleaner. I do still deep clean them with my brush egg and shampoo but only once a week as apposed to all the time now. I suffer from acne and I'm very fussy about only using clean brushes so that i don't make it worse. It's so easy to use all you have to do is spray it on the brushes then I use kitchen paper to clean them. 

Britney Spears Ionic Hair Brush

I got this as part of my Christmas present from my sister and have used it a lot since then but over the last month I have started to use it all the time. It works with batterys. All I do is turn it on and brush my hair and it gets rid of all the frizz and static in my hair. I was a little skeptical to it at first thinking will it really get rid of frizz but it does work and leaves my hair silky and soft looking. I don't even use my straighteners as much any more as I have found that just blowdrying my hair and brushing it with this brush gives it a really nice finish. I wish I had this when my hair was longer and really frizzy and I practically fried it with a straightener daily.  

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Almay Smart Shades Perfect and correct Primer Review

Yet another find from Australia. This one I picked up in Gloss for $12.95. 

What it says:

• Instantly smooths and colour corrects skin.
• Lavender to even out and brighten skin tone. Green to reduce redness.
• Lightweight formula can be used alone or underneath foundation.
• Hyper allergenic 
• Dermatologicaly tested
• oil-free

How to use:

Smooth primer onto face using fingertips and blend outwards. Apply before foundation for a perfectly-prepped canvas.

My thoughts:

The lavender and green swirls through the primer looks impressive. But outside of the bottle, not so impressive. It just looks like a mess. Anyway the texture is a little greasy at first but it does go on nicely. It doesn't do much for colour correcting and I didn't notice it making my foundation lasting dramatically longer or anything. Saying that as a prep for the skin before applying foundation it great. My skin feels like I've applied a moisturiser with out the heavy feeling of a moisturiser. At first I kept pressing it to hard and getting loads of product i didn't need or want. When i say a tiny bit is needed I mean a tiny bit is all you need. It spreads so easily across the skin. Overall as a colour correcting primer not so great but as a product to mositerise your skin before applying foundation it works really well. It moisterises the dry skin with out it making the oily areas worse. Not the best primer in the world but not the worst I do still use this regularly and do like it.

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Australis Primer Review

I picked this primer up in Priceline while I was in Australia and have been using it alot so thought I would do a little review of it.

What it says:

• Prevents foundation fading
• Smooths and refines skin texture
• Locks in moisture

A specialized foundation primer that fills fine lines, preventing skin from absorbing foundation to extend we arability for longer lasting, flawless finish.

How to use:

Using fingertips, apply a layer of primer. Cover the face concentrating on the eye area and skin zones that are deeply lined or rough in texture. This will provide a smooth base for your foundation. Use primer prior to the application of foundation.

My thoughts:

The texture is different to other primers I have used. It feels more like a moisturiser. it does feel nice to apply and doesn't leave a sticky or thick feeling on the skin. It actually feels like having nothing on the skin which is nice. My skin feels so soft after applying this. I have worn this a lot and it definitely does make my foundation last longer as it says. When I first bought it my make up was almost melting off my face by the end of a hot day. I do suffer from oily and dry sensitive skin and for me this worked well for both. It's a 40ml tube and even after using it this last while it's still pretty full. You really only need a little of this as it spends quite well and leaves my skin soft and foundation goes on very well over this. 

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Shopping

While I'm supposed to be saving money at the moment I can't help but pick up a few bits here and there especially when its a bargain. This is what I've managed to accumulate in a week. (Must try better at saving).

Batiste Dry shampoo - Seductive & Elegant Lace

Essence eyebrow designer - 02 brown 

Lacura Mosaic Blush - Pink 

Essence all -in-one BB cream - 02 Natural

Kelly Brook Blusher - Bardot 

Kelly Brook nail polish - Regal Riches

I got the Dry shampoo, brow pencil and BB cream in Unicare Pharmacy. I have just run out of BB cream and as I couldn't get to where I had bought it before I thought I'd give the Essence one a go. I'm pretty happy with it, it goes on great and doesn't look like its disappeared halfway trough the day. I wouldn't feel very confident going without make up but have a lot of problems finding a good foundation that suits my skin I definitely prefer BB creams. I also like that it is SPF 30 as I think it's very important to protect your skin.

The brow pencil is actually a little light for me at the moment as I have just had my eyebrows darkened. But does go on nicely and very easy to use I was able to get good shape using this pencil. I normally use powder so it was nice to see the difference.

I love dry shampoo as my skin seems to be oily these days I find that sometimes the front sections of my hair look a little flat during the day when I wear it down. Dry shampoo gives it a little boost and keeps it looking volumised and the smell is gorgeous. I like to buy the little travel sized ones to keep in my bag for days and nights out.

The Kelly Brook Blusher and nail polish I picked up in New Look conveniently placed at the Que for the till! Well played new look well played. The blusher is so cute it comes in an adorable bow imprinted into it and a a little brush and mirror underneath the blusher. I liked this blusher on, I think it gives me a more natural look. I am trying to find a nice day look and I think this fits what I would like. I would normally go for a darker shade like my favourite Beneifit Coralista. The nail polish is a light, almost transparent purple with some sparkle ( I love sparkle). It drys quickly so for people with no patience like me its great.

Last but not least I found this Lacura Mosaic Blush in Aldi and a complete bargain at only 50 cent that I just had to buy and try it out and I'm happy I did as its lovely on. 

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