A Weekend of Cities!

Hello Beauties,

It's that time again where we get to travel a bit around Ireland. It was a very special weekend as I got to visit some of the popular sites and landmarks in the beautiful city of Cork and the ever so popular Dublin.

As the colder days and nights roll in and the beginning of the New Year is about to commence, I was lucky enough to have some photographs taken in various spots around Ireland. Starting in Blarney Castle and Gardens, Cork. This was the first time I got to explore around the Gardens as when I was a child I just got to look at the castle from the outside, too scared to go explore. The Gardens are absolutely beautiful, there is no doubt you could get lost, there are so many different paths and trails you could follow. Although, there is a need for some fairy doors and tails in a few areas.

Black Tights: Primary

Denim Button Skirt: Primark

Grey Turtle Jumper: Primark

Navy Jacket with Fur Collar: Primark

Next was a trip up to Dublin where we shot in multiple locations, of course we had to start in the beautiful St Stephen's Green, a trip to the Capital isn't complete without a nice walk around the very autumnal park where you can just leisurely stroll while sipping on some delicious hot chocolate. Perfect for this time of year, warms up the body and the chocolate definitely puts you in that festive mood. A new discovery of mine is Grand Canal Square, the backdrop of the water is perfect, the atmosphere and modern buildings are fabulous. Ending the photoshoot day with a little tour of Trinity College followed by there a spot of lunch in Sprout&Co. 

White Collar Shirt: Primark

Cropped Embroidered Jumper: Primark

To finish of the trip we had the pleasure of staying in the magical Carton House in Maynooth, this place has a little place in my heart. The hotel is just a dream and a total luxury, I feel like a princess every time I step through those doors. The staff go above and beyond every time to make sure your needs are met to the highest standard, and I can't even express my love for the breakfast the following morning. 

Overall, this trip was just amazing and I look forward to my next photoshoot in various cities throughout Ireland and beyond. I mean, who knows what trip I'll plan next. 

Love Rouxella x

Inglot "What a Spice!" Collection is INTENSE.

Photo Credit: Inglot Cosmetics Website

If you are an avid user of social media like myself then you would have seen that news broke out regarding Inglot Cosmetics new autumn collection ‘What a Spice!’. This was definitely an unexpected release for both myself and Inglot Ireland as there wasn't any buildup or marketing here in Ireland.Having said that, for a collection that had little to no marketing or build up in terms of social media and press releases, the response was as big as ever. Just goes to show how having a big following and an outstanding employer brand goes a long way. It’s safe to say this is my favourite Inglot collection to date. The collection includes 10 new Matte Eyeshadows, 10 new Lipstick Matte and also 5 new Colour Play Lipliners. The shades in this collection are a true representative of those autumnal shades that we love, from browns to oranges to reds and even greys. These rich, powerful and fierce shades are inspired by the spices of the world including turmeric, chili and cinnamon. Inglot have truly spoilt us in more ways than one. They have released various shades in three of their existing product ranges; Freedom System Eye Shadow Matte, Lipstick Matte and Colour Play Eyeliner.

FREEDOM SYSTEM EYE SHADOW MATTE
Containing special silicones and treated pigments to give the intense pigmentation and silky texture that Inglots existing eyeshadows are known for while also promising to be long lasting and crease resistant. As you can tell from the title all the shades in this collection are fully matte, this is due to the eyeshadows oil free formula. I am delighted to hear that they will be sold separately and not just in their usual palette form. This allows us to pick and choose the shades that tickles our fancy without having to commit to particular shades that we might not use. Although saying that, I could definitely see myself using 8/10 of these shades if not all.

Photo Credit: Inglot Cosmetics Website

LIPSTICK MATTE
If you haven't copped it yet, Inglot are giving us all the mattes this season. And this makes me a very happy bunny. You may ask why I prefer a matte over a satin finish? Easy answer, the formula will last longer. Therefore you get more bang for your buck and you don’t spend your day reapplying your lipstick over and over again. However, there is a common error when it comes to matte finish lipsticks, we must ask ourselves when is a matte lipstick ‘too matte’. And by ‘too matte’ I mean the lipstick formula is very dry and tugs on the lips when applying, thus making any dry skin on the lips very apparent. The Inglot lipsticks however contain Vitamin E, macadamia oil and also avocado oil to prevent this, leaving the lips feeling moisturised and nourished. The formula is said to be long lasting, with the ideal matte finish which glides on the lips with ease and no tugging, leaving you with an even and opaque finish.

Photo Credit: Inglot Cosmetics Website

COLOUR PLAY LIPLINER
Now being honest I dont purchased a lot of lip liners as I haven't found one that has truly stood out to me as an everyday staple. Having said that,I haven't researched or even looked into what lip liners are the most raved about. But I have definitely heard great and only positive comments on the longevity and pigmentation of Inglots lip liners. Especially the nude shades as they work almost like a primer/base for your lipstick, no matter what the shade. Having quite full and plump lips means that I don't need much defining when it comes to prepping for my lipstick. Lip liners are used primarily for defining the shape of your lips, therefore, making the application of your lipstick easier. The Inglot lip liners come in an array of shades and the pigmentation and payoff of these lip liners is vibrant and most definitely opaque. One of my pet peeves when it comes to lip liners has to be the constant sharpening after every use, Inglot lip liners have a built- in-sharpener and a windup-retractable feature making this tedious task a thing of the past.

Photo Credit: Inglot Cosmetics Website

P.S Here is the Inglot ‘What a Spice’ collection video.

Video Credit: Inglot Cosmetics Youtube

I hope you enjoyed this post and are as excited as I am to get my hands on most shades in the collection. Inglot are such a high quality yet affordable brand, how could we not treat ourselves even just a little bit, I mean, we deserve it right?  Definitely let me know if you are planning on purchasing any products from the collection!

Love Rouxella x

The ULTIMATE Top 5 Brushes!

We all have those makeup brushes that we use all the time, the ones that we always find ourselves grabbing and those we feel we couldn’t live without. When I find a high quality brush I just have to have more than one in my collection. Four out of five of the brushes that I have featured on this blogpost are very affordable with the exception of one and I find that the durability and quality of these brushes are worth raving about. The fact is, most brushes that we find in the drugstore are manufactured in the same factory as those that are overly priced. There is nothing worse than when we spend a lot of money on brushes that don’t live up to our expectations. Most high end brushes tend to shed after a few washes.

F22 HD Dome Face Brush(HD Collection) €14.99

From left to right, the first brush I use is the ‘Blank Canvas Cosmetics F22 Buffing Brush’. I bought this brush over a year ago and it is still in great condition. There hasn’t been one bit of shedding and it is still as compact and soft as when I first used it. I use this for both applying my base whether it is a primer or a liquid illuminator and also for my foundation. Due to its compact bristles, this brush gets the most coverage out of any foundation, from the lightest to the very high coverage foundations. It is perfect for blending out your foundation as it requires minimal effort, it’s almost like the brush does all of the hard work. It blends everything out so effortlessly and it also allows you to build up the coverage without any cakeyness. What I love most about this brush is that it doesn’t soak up the foundation, I find this happens with a lot of foundation brushes.

Primark P.S Beauty Powder and Blusher Face Brush €2.50

For both setting my foundation and bronzing up the face I always use my ‘Primark Powder and Blusher Face Brush’. This brush is of serious quality at such an affordable price. One side is more compact, dense and smaller in size which is perfect for setting your foundation with powder. It is not as large as the opposite side so it is perfect for getting into the crevices of the face such as around the nose and it is also great for setting the under eye area. The opposite side of the brush is amazing at bronzing up the face. What is great about this brush is that it is quite fluffy so there is no worry about harsh lines or applying too much product. Because of this, its blends everything out seamlessly and it is very easy to build up the intensity. I would highly recommend stocking up on all the Primark Beauty brushes as I have every one and they are definitely comparable to the high end brushes on the market.

Blank Canvas Cosmetics: E25/E26 Blending Duo €11.99
Now this brush might surprise you, can you believe that I use this brush both on my eyes and also on my face in a variety of ways. I use it mainly for blending out my eyeshadow. I use the F26 side first for the initial blending out of the base eyeshadow, this is one of the only blending brushes that I find actually blends out the eyeshadow without having to blend and blend and blend for what feels like days upon days. Even when I am using very neutral colours I still use this as it gives such a blended and seamless eyeshadow look. The F25 side is great for blending when you are using harsher shades and creating a dramatic look. Now for the surprise, I also use this on the face for contouring my face using both creams and powders. It is also the perfect shape and size for applying a highlighter to the high points of the face. No matter what type of product you are using, from a powder to a cream and even a liquid. Because of its size and its rounded shape, I find it's perfect at setting the under eye area with a powder and also blending away any fallout from your eyeshadow.

Real Techniques Shading Brush €11.99

For the eyes I always use the ‘Real Techniques Shading Brush’. This brush is perfect for both applying a light layer of eyeshadow and also for packing on eyeshadow for a more dramatic and intense look. This brush has very compact synthetic bristles, it is perfect to use for both applying the eyeshadow and also blending the eyeshadow out with just a few swipes fur to its rounded tip. You always know you’re going to get such great quality at such an affordable price when you are purchasing any ‘Real Technique’ brushes. I have multiples of both their face and eyeshadow brushes, I highly rate all their brush sets.

MAC 266 Small Angled Brush €22

Last but not least, the eyebrow brush I use every single time I fill in my brows is the 'Mac 266'. I have had this particular brush for years now. It was one of the first travel sized brush sets that I received. It has survived countless of travels and washes. It is perfect for applying both wax and powders, it has natural bristles and is also angled so it is great for creating both a natural and structured brow. The angled brush makes it easy to shape the brow especially around the arch of the brow. It is not as dense and compact as most eyebrow brushes out there, therefore, it is easy to build up the intensity of the brow shape and also the ease of cleaning the brush as the product doesn’t get trapped in the tightly compact bristles.

Hope you enjoyed this little favourites post,

Love Rouxella x

MY 10 MINUTE FACE

  

Before beginning my internship 2 weeks ago I was definitely one to not wear makeup every day. Especially with it being the summer season there's nothing better than having a makeup free and fresh face as much as possible. But since I am in an office environment every day and  I can't deny that I love getting dressed in a smart and business attire.

It's great finding little gems which I can wear every day without my skin freaking out, but most importantly finding products that last all day while looking natural and feeling lightweight. This speedy makeup routine features only a few key products and takes a maximum of 10 minutes to complete. That's what I love most about these products is that they are all very natural, so there is no worry about harsh lines or spending a long period of time blending and blending. 

PREP

Every morning I begin with a cleansed face using my usual skincare routine. I then follow up by moisturising my face with the 'Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Daycream'. This gives my skin nourishment while also getting rid of any dry patches that I tend to get around the perimeter of my face.What is great about this moisturiser is that it doesn't leave you with an oily/greasy residue on the skin. Even though I have quite dry skin on the perimeter of my face I tend to get oily around the center of my face, especially when I’m wearing makeup.

BASE

I start off by using the ultimate concealer of all drugstore concealers. The Catrice ‘Liquid Camouflage Concealer’ is my absolute favourite for covering any imperfections and to even out my skin. For such an affordable concealer it is very comparable to the high end concealers, especially the ‘Mac Pro Longwear Concealer’. I have a detailed post written on this concealer here. I focus the concealer more on the center of my face and blend it outwards. Around the perimeter of the face I use the 'Bourjois Paris Bronzing Primer'. This is a mouse type consistency and is great for bronzing up the face as it is more on the warmer side. I love to set this bronzing primer with the ‘Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Give Me Sun’, this is the perfect bronzing shade for creating both a natural and dramatic look depending on what you are going for. It blends effortlessly and gives you a perfect bronze glow no matter what skin tone you have. To set the center of my face I have been using a combination of the setting powder and the banana powder from the 'Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette'. I give this a light sweep down my nose, over my upper lip and chin and with that I am set for the day with no worry about getting oily.

EYES

To prime the eyes, I use my ‘Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Soft-Ochre’. I don’t know how this product works but it’s a must for anyone who has oily eyelids like I do. Without any base my eyeshadow wouldn’t even last an hour, so using this product is a must and cannot be skipped.

For eyeshadow there is only one palette that does everything, my ‘Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette’ has every shade I could want for a natural eye, no matter if I want a matte or shimmery look. I always use my trusty ‘Primark Liquid Eyeliner Pen’ to line my upper lash line with one quick swipe. I have had this for months now and it is still as good as it was the first time I used it. Every other eyeliner pen I have used dries out after a month, so when I found this little gem I was just blown away. Primark has really outdone themselves with this beauty product for just €2.50. Mascaras differ for me as I am always looking out for the best of the best, I always look for a mascara which separates my lashes while thickening them as much as possible. I always grab my ‘Maybelline Falsies Mascara’ as it does just that in seconds. There is no worry with the mascara transferring to the under eye area throughout the day. It is almost waterproof without the torture of spending hours removing it at the end of the day.

BROWS

For the brows I always use my ‘Sleek Eyebrow Kit in Light’. This is the ultimate dupe for the ‘Benefit Eyebrow Kit’. From the packaging to the layout and even the longevity of the product itself. The consistency of the ‘wax’ is creamier in texture and application. Therefore, you have it lasting all day without the hard waxy tug on your eyebrow hairs when sculpting and filling the brows.

LIPS

On the lips I use the ‘Primark P.S Love Matte Long Last Lipstick in Nude‘. It is the perfect nude shade with a hint of pink undertones which is appropriate for everyday and there is no need to spend time lining the lips and being worried about re-applying it constantly throughout the day. This lipstick doesn't dry out the lips like other matte lipsticks. It has a creamy texture and the longevity of this lipstick goes beyond any drugstore lipstick I have tried in the past.

Hope you enjoyed this post on my quick everyday makeup routine,

Love Rouxella x

MAKEUP REVOLUTION: The Creators Of The Most Beautiful Palettes.

Hello Lovelies,

I purchased these beautiful palettes as I've heard such good things about the brand. The quality and also how inexpensive the products are is just mindblowing. Makeup Revolution is a UK based brand which is available online and in many Superdrug stores in the UK. From my knowledge there are an increasing number of pharmacies stocking Makeup Revolution products so it is definitely a brand to start looking out for on your weekly if not daily trips to your nearest pharmacy/chemist. The products came wrapped in plastic packaging almost like the packaging for missguided and boohoo. The palettes were thoroughly protected by a good few layers of bubble wrap which I was delighted to see as it's always a bit daunting when ordering cosmetics online, that by the time they reach you they are damaged and cracked.

On first glance I was amazed by the quality of the outside cardboard packaging followed by the compact and sleek sturdy palettes. It is evident that they are of serious high quality just by the look and feel of the thick plastic and the sleek and glossy finish. I am just amazed by the quality and pigmentation of all three palettes. I just couldn't wait to use these palettes and really get stuck into creating the most amazing contoured and highlighted looks.

Makeup Revolution are very well known for their ‘dupe’ creations of the products that are high end. If you are curious about what products they have available then I strongly recommend visiting their website (http://www.makeuprevolutionstore.com/). They have such a variety of products available, from skin bases, eyeshadow palettes, contour palettes, makeup brushes and also an enormous amount of lipsticks with different finishes and shades available. Basically they have everything!

I am seriously blown away by the quality and how sleek and expensive these palettes look. As I said previous I purchased three palettes, two for contouring and one for highlighting. The two contouring palettes I got were the 'Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette', 'Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Palette' and last but not least the highlighting trio palette is the 'Makeup Revolution Radiance Highlighting Palette'.

Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette

This palette contains three contour shades (two dark brown and one light/medium cool toned shade) two setting powders (one light skin toned and one banana shade) one natural skin toned highlighting powder and of course it doesn't stop there, it also contains a marbled white highlighting powder and a marbled bronze powder. It is clear that they have put serious thought into both the packaging and the layout of their palettes. It is a very versatile palette which can be used all over the face, it has everything you need for contouring, bronzing and highlighting the face in just one palette. What is so handy about these palettes is that they are not big and chunky, therefor they are perfect for travelling. Especially if you want just one palette which can be used all over the face and can create a lot of different yet easy looks with.

£8/€11.99

Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Palette

There was just no way I could go onto the Makeup Revolution website and not order this palette, I have seen an increasing number of brands start to bring out cream contour palettes since the beginning of this year with some palettes being overly expensive. The formulation is very creamy and insanely blendable. The palette contains four highlighting shades (one very light skin toned/white shade, one banana shade, one light/medium shade and also a white(shimmery) shade) and it of course contains four contour shades (two dark brown, one warm light/medium skin toned shade and one cool light/medium skin toned shade). It really does give you a lot of options and a variety of shades, it is very easy to create a natural contoured and highlighted look as well as being able to easily create a very structured and intense contoured and highlighted look (no surprise that this is my favourite way to contour).

£8/€11.99

Makeup Revolution Radiance Highlighting Palette

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW! Go onto The Makeup Revolution website and just take a very long look at this gorgeous palette as you seriously need it in your collection. As you can tell from the layout and shade range in this palette, it is a dupe for the 'Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette'. It is definitely a very close contender but as I do not own that palette I cannot compare it on a performance and pigmentation level. But this right here in my opinion is a definite winner. For such an affordable price, it's insane that it is this good. The shades are to die for and it gives you great variety in terms of the shades available and the different undertones that are included in this palette to match anyones skin tone, from the paler girls like myself to the more tanned/darker skin tones. What I adore most about this palette is the control you have over the intensity of the highlight, but I can definitely say, once you start applying you’re not going to want to stop.

£8/€11.99

Hope you enjoyed this review and that you are tempted to make an order,
I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

Love Rouxella x

PINAFORES & CURLS!

Hello Lovelies,

Recently I have been absolutely obsessed with ordering and looking up pinafores online and getting my hands on every type in every style I can find...literally. It is truly an obsession and I think it's safe to say that they will be worn again and again all summer long. They are so easy to wear and to couple with an array of different style tops. I absolutely love the fact that they can be worn very simple and classy with a white shirt or laced blouse but also worn in a more 'funky' 80's/90's way with a colourful striped t-shirt.

After getting my hands on this pinafore I just knew what I wanted to pair it with immediately and I just couldn't wait to finally put it on after a long time of study and college exams,and especially after being stuck in pj's and loungewear. This pinafore is so light and not tight which sometimes can be uncomfortable, I love the way it rounds out at the waist and the simple thick straps with round black buttons to tie it all together. When I saw this online I just knew I had to order it as it is perfect as an everyday pinafore that is just simple and is so versatile.

I paired it with this simple grey roll neck jumper and black thick cosy tights which are my absolute favourite as they last forever and actually keep your legs warm.There is none of those awkward situations of realising half way through the day that you have a big rip on the black leg of your tights.(nothing worse)

Now, I don't know if you're going to believe me with regard to this one but can you believe that these brogues are from penneys? They have absolutely stepped up their game recently with regards to various departments but their shoe collection has just blown me away. I got these a few months back but they still have a few pairs left in a few stores nationwide. They look exactly like the higher end brogues you get from brown thomas and for a mere fraction of the price.(usually €300 upwards) I don't have the smallest feet being over 6ft so when I say they are comfortable then trust me they are.

Pinafore // Boohoo

Grey roll-neck jumper // Penneys/Primark

Black cosy tights // Penneys/Primark

Brown brogues // Penneys/Primark

Moon Watch // Thrift Shop(unable to find online)

Alex and Ani Bracelets (Gold Feather / Blue Zircon Birthstone /Rafaelian Dragonfly)

Hope you liked this outfit post,

Love Rouxella x