BEAUTY :: KARORA TAN

My love of a good ol' tan has definitely not been kept in the dark round these parts, in fact it's probably one of the sub-categories of beauty that i have covered most often. Mousses, lotions and tan mists- you name the formulation and i've tried it. One thing i've grown to understand throughout this never ending tan love-affair and as a result of trying copious amounts, is that Irish brands do self-tanners like no other.

The latest Irish brand I've been introduced to is KARORA Tan - a brand that have all tan formulations covered - even down to the up-keep of tan with their CC Cream. The signature sleek purple packaging of their terrific tan adds a hint of luxury to the whole process, while delivering. And while i have only delved into the shallow end of the brands' selection of products, it's safe to say it's made the hit-list.

K A R O R A  T I N T E D  S E L F  T A N   M I S T - L I G H T / M E D I U M - (£16.30/€22.00)*

Undoubtedly the winner of the pair, this mist is one of the best i have tried. This delivers, and delivers real good. Mist formulas, to me are the most difficult to apply - i often find the soak into the skin much quicker than its opponents, but surprisingly this mist begs to differ and is tres easy to work with while soaking into the skin just in time to avoid that idle time between tanning and getting dressed - ain't nobody got time for that! I like to spray onto a mitt and apply in a circular movement ensuring an even cover ensues. Delivering a gorgeous medium-brown golden glow, it's one of the most resistant and long lasting tans i have ever tried. Once applied this tan really stays put for days before fading beautifully evenly remaining as a sublime glow for anything up to 7 days! 

K A R O R A  C C  C R E A M - (£19.66/€26.50)*
I must admit the concept of this is what initially drew me in, CC creams are a very intriguing product with their colour correcting abilities and the various other benefits they host - so when i discovered this face and body CC cream, i was consumed with wonder! To me, this is a hybrid of a very heavy coverage foundation and a tanning lotion, and to be perfectly honest i found it extremely difficult to work with, particularly on the face. It's incredibly heavy duty, tres difficult to blend and quite suffocating on areas of the skin such as the visage. With it's one colour for all skin tones, it can run a little dark, verging on orange if you don't use the less is more way of thinking, and plaster it on without another thought. However, the concept still has me good, and while it will never be the first CC cream i will reach for for day-to-day makeup - i can completely get how this miracle cream could work. Fake tan fails are extremely common, and no matter how experienced you are in the field, nobody is excluded from the possibility of having orange hands, or a big white patch on your neck where you completely forgot to cover due to dodgy lighting and your lack of night vision. And all the qualities that make it unsuitable for the face, make it the perfect offering for rectifying these faux pas'. Missed a spot on your neck? Not a bother, blend this cream into the said area and it is guaranteed to stay put all day with it's long-lasting qualities. The same goes for any other fails, which appears to be when this cream shines. So while it won't be making my list of face CC cream faves any-time soon, this CC cream is a miracle worker when put to the correct use. Fret no more about the unavoidable fake tan disasters because to me, this CC cream can resolve all these issues to see the day run more smoothly and less.. patchy.

KARORA have definitely set the bar high for the qualities i now desire in a tan, and give a whole new meaning to a long-lasting, evenly fading golden glow. Their Instant Tan Mist is a real winner for me, with the instant glow it delivers that stays, and stays and stays. With one bottle down, cash is at the ready to repurchase my the beloved mist and delve deeper in to their range of glow-getters, adding more formulas to my ever-growing abundance of tan, just watch this space..

F i n d  a  f u l l  l i s t  o f  K A R O R A  s t o c k i s t s   h e r e.

* denotes PR sample, read my full disclaimer here.

BEAUTY:: SKINCARE SAVIOURS | THE MOISTURE EDIT

It's safe to say the recent weather conditions seen my typically healthy combination/dry skin evolve into something dehydrated and lacking serious moisture, cue a frantic search of my skincare stash to solve this atrocity with a quick remedy routine that will renew and restore much needed moisture to my visage.

Surprisingly, the remedy routine consisted of basic brands like Nivea - a brand i have discovered i began to belittle because of my 'beauty blogger' status but one that should most definitely not be overlooked. Nivea, for me, has been the saving grace of drugstore skincare and with the assistance of some more expensive products, has restored what moisture and nourishment my skin had been lacking.

N I V E A  R I C H  M O I S T U R I S I N G  D A Y  C R E A M: (£4.49/€5.99)

I have a vague memory of using this daily moisturiser back in the day, when VT was non-existent, but it didn't stand out to me or amaze me in any way. Used as part of this little mix-up however, it's a good'un. Targeted to dry skin, its the perfect morning moisturiser to pop on the skin before makeup application- it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave the skin feeling oily or greasy, just well nourished.

N I V E A  G E N T L E  C L E A N S I N G  C R E A M  W A S H: (£3.59/€4.80)

One thing i've always found difficult is to find a face wash that assists in the quest to well-hydrated skin, as most cleansers i have tried can be very stripping and harsh on the skin- but this offering from Nivea manages to do exactly that. Due to it being a cream formulation, rather than a gel or foam means it doesn't strip the skin of natural oils but instead gently cleanses the skin while retaining the natural moisture. Gently massaged into the skin it manages to breakdown dirt and free the skin of any residue from pre-cleansing.

N I V E A  L I P  B U T T E R - R A S P B E R R Y  R O S E: (£2.10/€2.80)

Another Nivea offering worth the mention is their lip butters. A thick buttery consistency, i like to apply this generously to my lips in the evening to work its magic overnight so i can wake up with beautiful soft and moisturised lips. I do however, find it much to thick for use throughout the day as i am not a huge fan of thick lip products and often feel like my lips are suffocating, but for overnight use this is a real winner! Also worth noting is how delicious it smells!

E O S  L I P  B A L M - L E M O N  D R O P: (£5.95/€6.95)

Behold one of the most renowned lip balms going, and surprisingly one that doesn't disappoint cynical ol' me. While i like to use the aforementioned lip butter for overnight use, throughout the day i like to use this citrus-y sweet lemon lip balm to lock in moisture throughout the day. It's quite a thick balm, but one that manages to not feel too heavy or suffocating on the lips. The only downside is the awkward in-compact packaging, that's not the most easy to chuck in a pocket!

N I V E A  S E N S I T I V E  N I G H T  C R E A M: (£4.49/€5.99)

This is my favourite of this moisture-ridden line up. An almost balm like consistency, this rich moisturiser is perfect for lathering on before bed. Like most of the aforementioned Nivea products it's targeted for sensitive skin so it's gentle on the skin and contains no fragrance or harsh ingredients. I like to apply as part of my night-time routine, with the products mentioned below and let the trio soak into the skin as i sleep to re-hydrate after a day of being smothered in foundation and parched by artificial heating - allowing me to wake up with beautifully soft and well nourished skin.

Y O U  O R G A N I C  N I G H T  B A L M:(£22.50/€29.99)*

Dry skin is banished with this offering from Irish Natural Skincare brand YouOrganic.  Packed with a collection of natural anti- oxidants and skin protecting ingredients which work at nourishing the skin and hydrating any dry areas, this balm is the perfect assistance to the aforementioned Nivea products, locking in moisture. With its thick consistency a little goes along way, and when massaged onto cleansed skin before bed your skin looks visibly much more radiant and smooth the following morning, appearing much more hydrated.

R E N  O M E G A  3  O P T I M U M  O I L: (£23.00/€28.00)*

REN are a brand that have continued to wow me with their remarkable range of natural skincare of impeccable quality. This oil from their range is no different, i like to alter use between this and the aforementioned balm. The oil is again enriched with a range of nourishing ingredients that work at promoting cell repair and visibly increasing the skills moisture levels, while also optimising the effects of your skincare routine. Used in conjunction with the above product line up, it's the cherry on top seeing my skin become visibly healthier, plumper and rejuvenated. 

While each of the products mentioned work wonders alone, when used as part of a moisture-mash routine you have the perfect line-up with results become much more visible on the skin. Each product mentioned compliments each other, assisting in each others' effectiveness to create the perfect list of skincare saviours in the moisture department..

* denotes PR sample, read my full disclaimer here.

LIFESTYLE :: THE BLOGGING RETURN

T H E  R E T U R N:
The impromptu, yet somewhat planned blog break I recently undertook has now called itself to a conclusion the misty haze has been lifted, my written words now once again gracing your computer screens. The creative juices are flowing, notebooks are compiling - each filled with wonderful new ideas, and i am now ready to put my new DSLR to the beauty test.

The concise break of a little under a month has worked wonders in all areas of my life. Sometimes it's nice to just detox from things, even if it's something like blogging - a hobby you are continually overjoyed by. The saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" really comes into play in this situation, as I cannot wait to return to this online space and showcase every little thing that tickles my fancy. 

N E W  B E G I N I N G S:

I bought a diary, a pretty diary with dogs on- and to me, new stationery always marks the start of some serious changes, things like structure, professionalism, organisation and all things clerical spring to mind when the topic of stationary arises - all things that give me the blogger buzz that i need to get back on track. If that doesn't help paint the picture of my current motivation levels, then here's some of the things I'm hoping to introduce or alter around my little creative space;

D E S I G N In the next couple of days i am hoping to make a few alterations to my current design, make a few html tweaks here and there and just make this whole new start a little more authentic.
T O P I C I am sticking to my beauty blogging roots, because i'm not yet willing to stray from what i love, but i will also be looking to incorporate a wide range of posts including a variety of lifestyle, photography, and maybe even some recipes!

I N T E R A C T I O N From this moment onwards i pledge to allocate time each week to reply to any comments, emails and all other forms of interaction - something i have grown to forget to do. Take this as a public declaration, if you must.

P H O T O G R A P H Y Finally, photography will hopefully become a core attribute of this blog in the coming months (the above picture being a very poor example) as since receiving my new camera i have become very snap happy!

LIFESTYLE :: SNOW DAYS AND A MISTY HAZE

A crisp white carpet of snow has enveloped the west coast of Ireland, and while the trees have obtained a new found warmth in this fluffy blanket, a sea of uncertainty has found it's way to me, leaving my visions and opinions on blogging a little distorted. On top of that, the new year has brought a lot of changes to my way of thinking; my outlook on life is now a little less negative, giving me the ability to see beyond the materialistic wealth and happiness of the world.

This somewhat 'reformation' of my inner self has brought many alterations to my approach to blogging, putting a dark cloud over this - almost 3 year - pastime. There is no way of denying that since my return to education back in September, my blog has been very inconsistent and, as consistency is one of the core factors of blog growth, it saw me reach a plateau of  development of both readership and more importantly content. This further promoted a lack of motivation to tend to my little blog and i began comparing myself to other content creators, comparing my content and becoming somewhat bitter of their hard-earned success due to my feelings of inferiority and inadequacy translating from my personal life to my place in this ever growing world of online content. It is a feeling that has lingered for longer than anticipated, and one that seems to have overwhelmed me, until now.

As a teenager, my interests are also evolving, but the strong passion for beauty i acquired throughout the past 3 years is now much more containable and while i still have a wishlist the length of the equator, i have come to see there is much more out there to indulge in, without the need to splash the cash. For example, reading now holds a predominant place in my life, to a much greater extent than before so much so that i can't remember the last time i've watched television for more than just an episode of TVD on Netflix!

For so long beauty was the dominating topic on here, but in this present moment i'm suffering from the aforementioned lack of interest and also the lack of freedom of writing a structured beauty post makes me repel the whole process. Also, while i have always experimented with other avenues, i feel beauty is my niche and i know somewhere in here my beauty-lovin' makeup-obsessin' self is screaming for freedom, wanting to let out her love of makeup or the latest skincare trick she has discovered. Another thing worth mentiong, is that this is not down to the lack of post ideas or inspiration(i have a full schedule for both this month and next), and instead it all falls back to my lack of motivation to sit and write a beauty post. Another contributing factor; having been exposed to how materialistic beauty blogging can be. *Beauty bloggers themselves are not materialistic people, i just feel that beauty blogging itself often tends to be.

The conclusion is that I've been stuck in a blogging rut, feeling forced to post content i feel hasn't been 100% up to scratch because i felt obliged to stick to a schedule. However, at the end of the day blogging is a hobby i am (usually) incredibly passionate about, and not my full-time job. I feel you will appreciate that, and appreciate that as a full time student sometimes it's just not feasible to dedicate my full weekend- after 5 days of non-stop school work- to writing content and photographing products because i feel i need to and not because i want to.

Like most things in the world, sometimes a break works wonders, so i am now taking an announced blog break. I don't know for how long i intend to take this said break, until the spark reignites, i guess, because i miss blogging and the feeling of ecstasy it brought. But don't fret, i will return, and i will return with fresh content, new products and all things VT..

Long story short: i feel mediocre when i blog, but i feel mediocre when i don't blog. I'm stuck in a blogging rut and hoping to seek solace in a concise break, but i will be returning(and you can catch me on all my social media, as always); this is not the end. I hope you can all understand. Thank you. Thank you for the constant support these past 3 years, thank you for the comments that lighten up even the dullest of days and most importantly thank you for reading my rambles on all topics- it's appreciated more than you could ever imagine, ever.

"Sorry for the honesty, but i had to get this off my chest" - Ed Sheeran, X - The Man

Apologies for the ongoing negativity, but it's one of those things that i needed to say

LIFESTYLE: SPINNING DOWN SOUTH

Followers of my social media will be well and truly aware of my recent fly-in visit to the South of England, which included a trip to beautiful Brighton. Often the picturesque appearance of a city captured in photos doesn't always translate into real life but Brighton differed from the vast majority, even on a crisp chilly Winter's evening. As we approached the outskirts of the city i was already mesmerized by it's appearance and whilst we left the city centre untouched, the lanes and Brighton Pier were where our hours were consumed.

My infatuation with sunsets is already undeniable, and when i got to witness the sunset over what i now claim to be the prettiest city i have ever stepped foot in, my euphoria was unmeasurable. As dusk approached, the slowly darkening sky became littered with flashing lights from the amusements. The crystal clear blue water glimmered under the suns rays, and i struggled to believe that an area of such sheer beauty lies so near, yet so far from my nest in the West of Ireland.

Equipped with my new DSLR, it was the ideal setting to give it a good road testing. While i still remain a little daunted with the techy side of things and i'm adjusting to the different settings best suited to certain conditions, i've opted to throw myself into the deep end and take all pictures on manual mode and using manual focus in order to get the best out of it, even if its proving a little tricky at the moment - i'm sure it'll eventually become a sixth sense with a little googling and toying with the various options!

My fleeting visit really got me pondering the future and what lies ahead, now with my brother nestled down South just a mere 30 minutes away from Brighton i was made brutally aware of the unhesitating passing of time. What career path i will be choosing this time 18 months, still remains unknown. However, something inside me has sparked a need to reside in Brighton for at least a year of my life. I haven't yet out-ruled the possibility of applying for college down South, but would i be mentally ready for moving across the water at what seems like such a young age? Only time will tell..

Until next time Brighton, i have no doubt your beauty will continue to beam through as the crisp Winter evenings evolve into Spring sunshine..

LIFESTYLE: THE 2014 NON-BEAUTY FAVES

Many things beyond the world of beauty have managed to impress me this past year. From fashion accessories to methods of entertainment these aforementioned items have added a little joy these past 12 months, and later found themselves making the cut for my 2014 non-beauty faves list.

STELLAR MAGAZINE:
Unfortunately this is one only available to the Irish gals among us. I'm typically not a huge magazine reader and much prefer to get my fashion and beauty fixes online,  this however magazine has got me well and truly converted. With it's affordable price in comparison to others available, it's jam-packed with all things beauty and fashion and other life features thrown in for good measure while being the perfect offering to keep in the loop with all things celeb. Joy seems to run through my fingers as i flick through the glossy pages and i have found myself counting down the days until the next issue..somebody get this girl a subscription.

GOK WAN GLASSES: 
Something i seem to have unknowingly kept on the down-low round these parts is that i have possibly the worlds worst long distance vision and in between squinting to bring images into focus, i am a glasses wearer. On a ballsy trip to Specsavers mid-year i made what seemed like a pretty irrational decision to pick up this pair from Gok Wan's range of spectacles completely unaware of how much i would actually enjoy wearing them. The quirky-sophisticated edge they add to any outfit makes them a real winner for me while immensely improving my vision, which is always good, right?

ED SHEERAN'S ALBUMS:
If i were to choose my favourite person of the year 2014, it would undoubtedly be this man with my year seeming to center around both him and his music. His debut studio album + was always a good'un and since it's release way back when it was more than likely the music you would find blaring from my headphones but then he went and released his second album X and i fell in love all over again. Ed's lyrics speak to me in such a peculiar way, each song of his goes hand in hand with memories i have gathered throughout the day, sparking certain feelings and often mixed emotions. 2014 was also the year i got to witness his sheer talent live, an experience shared with the most wonderful people, and an experience which will be impossible to forget.

MORE THAN THIS - PATRICK NESS:
Do you ever complete a book and finding yourself reeling hours later in it's wake, pondering over it's hidden messages and questioning it's complexity? This is exactly what happened prior to completing this book, Ness has a way with words something that translates in this mindbogglingly accurate story. I found myself questioning everything after closing the book that one last time, the story, the characters, the setting and the almost cliff-hanger finale all contribute to it's greatness. It's definitely a must read, and in this list for a very great reason.

MONOGRAM COMPACT INITIAL MIRROR:*
There is something unbeatable about a customised item, the difference two letters can make to something as simple as this compact mirror is undeniable. My initials present and the quirky 90's colour vibe of this compact adds a twist to the usual. With it's high-quality steel casing, it's perfect for popping in your handbag for on the go use, without worrying about attaining 7 years bad luck for smashing a mirror on your morning commute. With a vast variety of other designs available too, Zazzle, the seller is your one stop shop for all your personalized needs.

SPIRIT WATCH 
While my desire for an authentic Michael Kors watch is somewhat uncontrollable at times given my current budget and funds i will be pursuing dupes for the foreseeable future. This particular rose gold offering from Spirit is uncanningly similar to some available from the aforementioned in all their luxury. With its highly budget friendly price tag and it's high quality, expensive appearance it's an all round winner and the perfect addition to anybody's arm candy collection, and it's entry to my accessories collection has been highly welcomed.


From reading to wrist candy, these items have proven to be well loved in the past twelve months and everything suggests that love will continue to grow far beyond the 14th year of the 2000's..

* denotes PR sample, read my full disclaimer here.

BEAUTY: THIS YEAR'S MOST ADORED | 2014

With the first day of 2015 upon us, i thought it was time to round up my most loved beauty products of the past year. Undoubtedly, 2014 saw the rapid expansion of my makeup collection, feeding my beauty hoarder tendencies and upping the standard of products i seek dramatically. Many products gripped my attention this year which can be seen in a collection of This Months Most Adored posts, but only a set range made this hit list..

MAC MINERALIZE SKINFINISH IN SOFT AND GENTLE: (£23.00/€30.00)
On the more luxurious end of this apparent budget-friendly collection, this highlighter has carried me from start to finish. The velvety soft texture of this champagne toned highlighter gives it the ability to apply seamlessly, allowing for blending for a more subtle glow. Highly pigmented, it's important to note to need for a light-handed when applying, to avoid an over-powering glow. Since my review in the earlier stages of the year(here), my opinion still remains the same as it is quickly becoming my holy grail highlight.

ELF COOL BRONZER: (£3.95/€5.04)
2014 saw my love of contour reach an all time high, and while many methods of contouring were experimented with, the old reliable powder contour undoubtedly came out on top. With a swirl in the centre of the pan, this ELF quad makes the perfect matte warm brown contour shade to sculpt how cheek bones and add an overall definition to the face or to add an overall glow to the complexion. Undoubtedly, a budget-friendly highly pigmented bronzer to add to any collection.

SLEEK BROW KIT: (£8.49/€9.99)
To me, beauty-wise 2014 has been dubbed the year of eyebrows and my trusty old powder methods of filling brows were fast replaced with this highly-acclaimed brow offering from Sleek. Fitted with a wax and powder duo, this highly pigmented kit is ideal for shaping the brows and adding definition paired with an angled shadow brush this has been an important member of my daily makeup routine the past 12 months.

KARORA SELF TAN MIST: (£17.00/€22.00)*
An abundance of fake tans made their way into my stash this year, however one tan managed to stick out from the rest due to it's ability to fade evenly while carrying you over five days with a sublime glow. While it's on the more luxurious end of the scale, it's fulfilled the role as my occasion tan since it's found it's way into my collection. As a tan mist, it absorbs into the skin almost immediately while being tres easy to apply. A fast absorbing tan that there ain't no denying i have been loving.

L'OREAL MISS MANGA MASCARA: (£8.99/€13.49) 
Undeniably, this mascara was a firm favourite for me in the earlier parts of the year and no else seemed to outweigh it's glory. While it has since been somewhat out done, it was still deserving of a mention.  Equipped with it's highly celebrated flexible wand, its the perfect offering to apply an even lashing of mascara, while separating and adding a notable amount of volume and length to the lashes.

YVES ROCHER LASH PLUMPING MASCARA: (£18.50/€23.50)
This mascara is the one that robbed the aforementioned of it's spotlight fast becoming a firm favourite in my daily get-up. With a pretty standard mascara wand it works wonders at working through the lashes creating volume and length all in one go. While the wet formula suggests the possibility of clumpy lashes, it goes against all odds leaving behind to clumpy lashes. The waterproof formula makes it entirely smudge-proof allowing for long lasting wear.

YOU ORGANIC NIGHT BALM: (£11.60/€14.99)*
Dry skin be gone with this offering from Irish natural skincare brand You Organic. Packed with a collection of natural anti- oxidants and skin protecting ingredients which works at nourishing the skin, working on hydrating any dry areas. A little goes along way with this balm, and when massaged onto cleansed skin before bed your skin looks visibly much more radiant and smooth the morning after..the night before.

BOURJOIS ROUGE EDITION VELVET LIP LACQUER: (£8.99/€12.49)
These lip creams in all their long lasting glory have satisfied every checklist in my book that a lip product must satisfy. The fact i have accumulateda trio of shades with full intentions on gathering more of the vast shade range available suggests my ever-growing love of them. In terms of formulation they have got it all goin' and the list of positive qualities is seemingly never ending, scoring them a full blog post in their dedication.

BOURJOIS CREAM BLUSH 02 NATURAL GLOW: (£7.99/€10.49)
Blush has gotta be a staple in any girls makeup collection at any time of the year. This highly pigmented coral cream blush from Bourjois is the perfect shade for adding colour to any skin tone. With long-lasting staying power and a cream finish it provides the perfect natural glow to brighten any complexion during any season. Applied with my trusty Real Techniques Buffing Brush dabbed just above the cheek bones and worked back to the temples its perfect for both day time and night time wear.

FUSCHIA EYESHADOW PALETTE: (£19.80/€25.00)*
Fuschia is an Irish makeup brand that came onto my radar during 2014, one particular product from there that managed to woo me was this custom shadow palette fitted with five beautiful eyeshadows that i've found myself regularly reaching for for daily wear. The decent colour pay-off and notable longevity of the shadows all make it a real winner in my book.

BLANK CANVAS COSMETICS BRUSHES*
BCC brushes really grabbed my attention this year with some incredible new releases. They are most definitely a brand to watch; with supreme quality brushes at affordable prices while still looking on the expensive end of the spectrum. Two of their brushes that particularly woo'ed me was both the F40 and F42. The F40 comes in at a small tapered contour brush perfect for fitting under the eyes, down the sides of the nose or in the hollows of your cheekbones to add precise contour. The F42 on the other hand is quite big in comparison, perfect for adding an all over glow. With a full review readable here.

A outstanding collection of products that have ticked all the boxes in my year long makeup routine, covering all bases while ending the lust for long lashes..

* denotes PR sample, read my full disclaimer here.

  

LIFESTYLE: 2014 - THE LESSONS LEARNT

As the sun is preparing to set on the evening of the penultimate day of 2014, i have found myself pondering the past year- a tradition I have grown to acquire as the eve of a new year dawns. Something I've grown to understand is that without any denial, every year sees the formation of precious memories, joyous occasions, and some less memorable events. However, as the years progress the challenges and obstacles we were previously confronted with begin to seem so minor and so minute, as we come equipped with the valuable life lessons acquired as the years pass us by. 2014, like any other was a year in which these said life lessons were rife..

THE 14 LIFE LESSONS OF 2014:
Don't stress about things entirely out of your control; Just believe and trust in your journey, what's meant to be, will be.
Ask yourself in 5 years, will this all really matter?; Before loosing sleep as a result of over-stressing, propose this question, often the answer will be the negative - highlighting the unnecessary stress created.
Everything happens for a reason; and sometimes you've just got to accept this and the fact you just can't have a say in everything that happens.
Learn to accept not everybody is going to like you; You may not be the most popular colour, but remember you are somebody's favourite colour.
Ooze positivity and positivity will find you; A positive approach to all you are greeted with sees you get the best out of every situation and opportunity.
Sometimes it's okay to be sad; It's okay to feel overwhelmed with sadness, even on the brightest day.
Everyone needs their own space at times; Taking a breather and enjoying your own company often is the only medicine needed.
There's light to be found in every situation; Even in the darkest and most stressful situations there is always a glimmer of hope and positivity. “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
Ed Sheeran and a bubble bath is all that's required to relax; When times seem tough and life gets you down, Ed will run you a hot bath and fill it up with bubbles. A bubble bath and your favourite artist's album on replay is an unbeatable relaxation remedy.
Things are never as bad as first imagined; You often envisage situations to be many, many times worse than they will ever be. Your first perception of situations are often totally inaccurate, and much worse than the actual outcome.
The good always outweighs the negative; For every difficult situation confronted, there are multiple more good things that await you.
Happiness extends far beyond the material world; No amount of material worth will ever exceed the sheer happiness you can achieve by being immersed in the love of your nearest and dearest.
One step at a time; Nothing worthwhile comes all at once, or happens quick and easily. The most deserved achievements are as a result of hard work and sheer determination over a process of time.
Just breathe; and you will have the ability to overcome any obstacle, and nothing will take you by surprise.

"Year's end is neither an end or a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instil in us" - Hal Borland

BEAUTY: YVES ROCHER BEAUTY

With party season in full swing, it calls for floral scents, dramatic lashes and a statement lip. Fortunately, for all the aforementioned necessities, French natural cosmetic brand Yves Rocher have ticked all the above boxes and more with their vast selection of high-quality products available at affordable prices. A bundle of their products recently made their way into my stash just in time for this said season, and here's the verdict..

MOISTURISING CREAM LIPSTICK - ORANGE MUSCADE (£15.00/€19.00)*
The sheer consistency of this lipstick makes it the most unusual, yet the most wearable orange lipstick i have ever encountered. It glides on beautifully, and gives a buildable colour from a subtle orange tint to a vivid orange pout. Fitted with a long-lasting formula, its the perfect party season lippy paired with a golden glitter, or winged liner.


FLOWER PARY BY NIGHT FRAGRANCE (£38.00/€48.00)*
If the beautiful bottle of this perfume doesn't make it a strong contender, the stunning scent will definitely make it a winner. Described as a fruity floral with signature notes of addictive flavours, it's the perfect aroma to opt for on any night out while lingering all night long. It's strong sturdy, yet lightweight packaging, also makes it the perfect clutch companion for any late night party.

LASH PLUMPING MASCARA (£18.50/€23.50)*
Undoubtedly my favourite of the bunch, this mascara has become a firm favourite in my daily get-up, kicking all my old reliables out of the spot light. The apparently basic wand works wonders at working the mascara through the lashes, creating volume and length all in one go. Unlike other mascaras i have tried, there's no clumpy lashes, albeit the wet formula. The waterproof formula allows for long-lasting hold, while not smudging as the night/day progresses. It's undeniably becoming my holy grail mascara!

This trio form the perfect party line-up from dressing table to handbag essentials, paired with glitter galore you are neatly kitted out for any party night out, and now you can nib them at a nifty half price over on Yves Rocher..

* denotes PR sample, read my full disclaimer here.

IRISH BRAND WEEK: WAXPERTS

Festivity has truly began 'round these parts as for the following 10 week-days, i will be showcasing the crème de la crème of Irish beauty products, and brands alike in order to share the love and convey the impeccable products originating from the Emerald Isle, available both here and further a field..

So far us Irish appear to have all everything from makeup and makeup brushes to tan covered. The next avenue to by opened by the Irish is waxing, with thanks to Waxperts. An Irish Waxing company which was established in 2008 when Ellen Kavanagh and Trish O'Brien went about creating their own wax and has been making waves in the beauty industry ever since.

Waxperts unique wax has gained truly deserved popularity in salons and is now widely available in salons in both Ireland and the UK since its release, with a salon in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin run by both founders. With cleanliness, client safety and comfort their top priority, all suppliers of the wax abide by the reknowned Waxpert "no double dipping" policy to ensure these priorities are always achieved.

Their first retail product to be released to the Irish market comes in the form of their Ingrown Hair Pads(€9.99)*. A multi-use product, these award winning pads are the ultimate beauty must have. Ideal for the treatment and prevention of ingrown hairs after waxing or shaving, while also working at banishing breakouts, skin rashes and Keratosis Pilaris (bumps found on the upper arm). Equipped with salicylic acid they are tough enough to achieve results while being gentle enough for daily use.

Essentially like exfoliating pads, you simply rub it over the area you wish to treat, be it your upper arms to reduce the keratosis pilaris, or simply swiping over your face to help combat any break outs. These pads feel gentle and rather soothing on the skin while guaranteeing results. For it's principle use of treating ingrown hairs for both men and women alike, these pads can be used on the skin 24 hours after waxing and 12 hours after shaving. 

After multiple uses, these pads are seen to cause little to no irritation to my skin, while greatly reducing the appearance of keratosis pilaris on my upper arms, and treating any ingrown hairs left behind from shaving and waxing. Leading me to believe we have a new found beauty stash essential.

The wonder product status of these Waxperts Pads is undoubtedly one of true deserving. Anything that can reduce my loathing of my arms and i am all over it, thank you Waxperts for your incredibly innovative addition to the beauty world, and more importantly- my regime..

* denotes PR sample, read my full disclaimer here.

IRISH BRAND WEEK: COCOA BROWN

Festivity has truly began 'round these parts as for the following 10 week-days, i will be showcasing the crème de la crème of Irish beauty products, and brands alike in order to share the love and convey the impeccable products originating from the Emerald Isle, available both here and further a field..

Undoubtedly of the whole bunch of products featured this series, Cocoa Brown is the most renowned and the one most widely available to my international followers. An Irish tan brand, founded by the beauty expert Marissa Carter, they offer a vast variety of tanning products to help you get your glow on all year round. With their wide selection of formulations to choose from, Cocoa Brown are quite easily the royalty of tanning on a budget.

With the release of a jolly good selection of gift sets this Christmas, it's almost a given that one is going to make it under any tan lover's tree. One particular gift set that made it my way is the Bronzed & Beautiful Gift Set (£7.95/€9.95)* equipped with the perfect trio of products to maintain a long lasting glow; 1 Hour Tan Mousse, Tough Stuff 50ml Sample, and Gentle Bronze Gradual Tan.

1 HOUR TAN MOUSSE: (£6.99/€5.95)*

This creme de la creme of all tanning mousses has already had a full feature where i excessively sung it's praises (read here), but a quick low-down; an easily blended, non fake-tan smelling mousse that glides on to the skin for an even, all over glow. Whether you opt to build it up for a medium to dark glow, or keep it au naturale for a subtle tint, this no-fuss tan is a must have for all your upcoming parties this glitzy season..

TOUGH STUFF EXFOLIATOR: (£6.95/€7.99)*

Undeniably, this is an essential in any tan fiend's routine. This multi-use product can be used to prep skin before a pamper evening tanning sesh' before the big work night out, or can be used to frantically remove your tan the morning after the night before as your 6am shift calls. On the more intense side of all exfoliators i have tried, this may not be the one for sensitive skin gals. However, for ladies with normal skin it can be used on both dry or wet skin, opt for massaging it onto dry skin to deeply exfoliate and banish all stubborn tan present, or on wet skin for more frequent use. Used the day before applying tan, it creates the perfect canvas on which to get your bronze on.

GENTLE BRONZE GRADUAL TAN: (£4.95/€5.95)*

The perfect addition to any ghostly pale girl's stash, this gradual tanner adds a soft subtle glow to the skin after just one use. Fitted with Cocoa Brown's signature floral scent, this tan glides onto the skin, and absorbs into the skin almost immediately. Without the fretting of getting tan on your bed sheets, or carrying the fake tan stench for the following day, this tan has got all us lazy, hassle-free girls covered. Gradual top up as the week progresses to achieve the desired bronzed pins just in time for the weekend, or keep it natural by slowly letting it fade. Without the need to use a mitt to apply it in order to achieve a streak-free application, this offering is a real winner in any girl's book.

An stunning summer glow in the midst of Winter, Cocoa Brown's range have got you covered whatever the occasion may be, while ticking all the boxes on the lazy-girls fake tan requirements check-list, achieving that olive toned glow really can be hassle free with this Bronzed & Beautiful Gift Set..

* denotes PR sample, read my full disclaimer here.