Foundation Review; YSL Fusion Ink.

Just to start, I know I deserve an absolute lynching for being AWOL lately. I can't help it, apparently a life outside Instagram and a blog can actually exist. I never had one before, but sure look!

We'll begin this week's post afresh as if I'm not in the wrong, ok? Grand!

This week I'm bringing you a review of a foundation that I've been eye balling for the last while. It is (as the title suggests) the Fusion Ink foundation by YSL. I'll go into the detail about the foundation further on in the post, but I'll start by saying that I've been looking for this kind of foundation for a while.
I prefer a sheer liquid product to blend my concealers into so that I can use a powder foundation over top for fuller coverage and better staying power. We all know my skin is an oil reservoir so tinted moisturisers are a no no as they stay creamy on the skin. I was looking for something with sheer coverage but a natural to matte finish.

With that kind of foundation in mind I decided to try this product out after a recommendation from our very own Susan. To see her verdict you should check out the post before this one! On a shopping trip in town I very cheekily got a sample from YSL in Brown Thomas and I've been playing with it ever since!

As with my previous review on MAC's Studio Fix Powder foundation I'll break this down into YSL's description, my own thoughts, application process and overall verdict. Grab your popcorn!

Fusion Ink Foundation by YvesSaintLaurent.

My tiny little sample, so cute!

YSL says: "24 hours of soft-matte perfection and comfort. Our exclusive fine-as-ink formula perfects the skin yet wears weightlessly all day. Never cakey or heavy. Feel the difference of all day perfection and freedom." Just to note as well that this retails at €40 in Brown Thomas.

I say; This is a sheer fluid foundation that sets to a natural matte finish on the skin. I find that it improves the look of surface texture and doesn't settle into pores. The coverage is light but can be built up to a degree. The skin looks polished but not flat or powdery. I would disagree with the "all day" part as I've yet to find a foundation that doesn't settle or slip at some stage. Read on for deets on that aspect!

From top to bottom: Clean skin, a single layer of YSL Fusion Ink, and finally the same layer of foundation with concealer where needed and set in place with MAC Studio Fix Powder in NW15

How I apply; I use the applicator that comes in the sample bottle to swipe the product onto the skin. The full size bottle comes with its own that's shaped like the nib of fountain pen. Genius!

I start across my nose and cheeks and move out towards my hairline. That's followed by my forehead, jawline and chin. I use a damp Real Technique's Miracle Complexion Sponge to blend the foundation into my skin. 

I know that this technique will reduce the coverage a little. As that's not what I reply on this for I'm not too concerned. I find that using the product this way gives the most natural finish. I then layer concealer where needed. As you can see in the images this is mainly under the eyes and around the nose. I used a thicker concealer just to hide the blemishes on my chin. Once that's all in place I set down with a light layer of my MAC powder foundation. 

Overall verdict; This is the kind of product I've been on the hunt for! It gives a gorgeous natural finish that lasts on an oilier skin. For anyone with an oily skin that isn't looking for massive coverage this product is one to try out. 

As I mentioned before I look for something that will even out my skin and look more natural but without the traditional tinted moisturiser feel. Again I prefer to use a powder foundation on top of everything for more coverage. I find that my base will last longer this way rather than if I use a heavy liquid.

As with any foundation the coverage will thin out as oil comes through. I wore this without a primer to see how long it would last, and it held up well for the most part for such a fluid consistency. I found that it did crease into my smile lines towards the middle of the day but that's a problem with any liquid foundation for me. Other than that the skin had more of a sheen than an oily, greasy look. I personally like the look of make up that's disintegrated a little so I actually like this once it's melted a little bit.

I have a particularly congested forehead at times so I did see a little separation where there were minor dry patches around blemishes. The pigments clung to the drier skin while the rest appeared more diffused at the end of the day. This was only visible on close inspection but if you're of the dry skinned persuasion I'd make sure to prep accordingly. 

With all of the said I think you get the gist! I'll definitely be buying a full size bottle of this, I'm smitten. Any issues that I have with this can be monitored and taken care of, they're down to my skin condition rather than any short comings. I'm eager to pit this against similar foundation consistencies in future so keep an eye out for that!

If you have any further questions or you want to have a chinwag about other base products you love then definitely get in touch, I'm a foundation fiend!

Until next time,

goodnight and God bless.

J x 

The Daily Grind; My skincare routine.

Hey ladies and gents!

I seriously need to work on sticking to a routine, because this month it seems to just not be happening. I do apologise though and I'll get back into hitting the keyboard every Monday. I can't guarantee which Monday but it'll happen!

My post from last week was a review of Vichy's Aqualia Thermal Serum and Eye Balm. To summarise; I adore both. If you want to know a little bit more about these products and find out more about my skin type you can check out that post here.

For those who don't know, my skin is oily but prone to dehydration. This lead to a lot of confusion as to what kind of treatment my skin needed and a lot of trial and error with products. Thanks be to Jaysus I've nailed down what seems to be a solid and dependable routine that keeps my skin in check. During these summer months I can't quite get the oiliness under wraps but sure look! It's better than what it was.

For today's post I'll be breaking down each step in my routine and letting you know what I use and why I like it. Fair warning, this routine is beefed up with a good bit of Clinique (you know what they say, if it ain't broke...) but you can totally find similar products from different brands. Have a nosy online on places like Paula's Choice for some alternative ideas for your own skin.

Anyway, on with the show!

Make Up Removers.

Removing your make up and cleaning your skin are two different steps. The first (naturally enough) will only remove the product and oil from the surface, but won't clean the skin itself. I like to use dual phase removers for my eyes as the oil breaks product down really well. I use a ton of slap in the eye area so I use No. 7's Beautiful Skin Eye Make Up Remover. Shake it up, whack a bit on a cotton pad and you're good to go. I think it's €11, so keep your eye out for 3 for 2 offers and the like. They're so handy to have!

Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil is amazing. It contains no actual oil (sounds weird but it works) so it emulsifies when introduced to water. This turns into a milk after it dissolves even the heaviest of foundation and rinses away. There is literally zero residue left behind after this cleanser. As it turns to a milk I never use this around my eyes. I made that mistake once. It got into them and my vision turned snow white. I thought I was Halle Berry in X-Men for a hot minute. I won't be doing it again.

Cleanser.

My weapon of choice for cleaning my skin is Clinique's Liquid Facial Soap in the Extra Mild formula. It's a soft gel that doesn't lather, so I generally apply it to dry skin. I use my hands to gently massage it into my skin and then rinse away with a warm flannel. It does the job of cleaning excess oil from my skin without foaming and drying it out. As someone who suffers from dehydration that part is kind of essential. 

I personally don't use a cleanser to treat any problems in the skin. That part comes in the next couple of stages. This section is literally removing the dirt and oil so that the products I put on top can get to work. 

"Toners" or Liquid Exfoliators.

Did you know that exfoliating in a liquid form was even a thing? I didn't. I'm glad I do now.

Liquid exfoliators contain low levels of skin friendly acids that break down dead skin and can work inside the pores to gently clear blemishes and refine pores. 

These products replace traditional toners. Seeing as I clean my cleanser off with water I don't need to use a product to take off any remaining product. What a product like this will do is help to remove any lingering dead skin and actively work to clean and repair the skin on a deeper level. Doing this will allow your moisturisers and serums to really get to work instead of being absorbed by useless skin cells. I use two liquid exfoliants from Clinique as pictured above.

The first is the Clarifying Lotion in Mild. This contains salicylic acid which is great for clearing blocked pores. As I'm a boy I shave quite regularly. I'm prone to ingrown hairs and small breakouts in the beard region so this helps to keep them in check. It also contains no alcohol so it doesn't do that drying thing that I don't like. 

Clarifying Lotion number 2 from Clinique is a bit stronger. This one does contain alcohol and also witch hazel. Both are brilliant for giving my skin a kick start if it's feeling sluggish or particularly spotty. I use this after I take off a lot of make up or if I've been to the gym and my face is looking swamped under sweat and sebum. I don't use this as often because of the alcohol content.

It's worth mentioning that Clinique do a range of Clarifying lotions so they're worth looking into as each one works differently. Introducing this step to my routine literally saved my skin. I can't promise, but I'm certain you will love it.

Serum.

This step is my favourite! I look for a lightweight serum that contains ingredients that will help to flood my skin with water and keep it nice and comfortable. I find that if I do this, I'm less likely to see heavy oil production in my skin. This is because it's not working so hard to combat a lack of water. 

Serums are designated products to treat any prominent skin concerns. Their ingredients tend to be more active and will work better for combating the designated issue. 

Aqualia Thermal contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Both are ingredients to trap water in the skin so naturally I'm all about this baby. I won't go into too much detail as I have a post on this linked above, so if you like the sound of this be sure to check that one out! 

Moisturiser and Eye Cream.

Last but not least! After I've cleaned and clarified my skin and followed up with a serum I pop a moisturiser and eye cream on top. If you think about it; a serum will treat a skin condition while the moisturiser and eye cream will take care of the surface skin and keep it protected and nourished. 

I use Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm (ignore the name, I use it at night as well) around the eyes. Again, the post on this chap is linked above so more detail can be found there. Suffice it to say it's a lightweight gel product packed with the same ingredients as the serum. It stops my under eye area looking tired and dry, so I love it. 

My moisturiser of choice at the moment is Moisture Surge from Clinique. I adore this stuff. Given the name I thought I'd run a mile. It's actually a thick gel consistency, so it's not heavy with oil and emollients. What it does do is give the skin what actually feels like a drink of water. It's rich and luxurious enough for me to enjoy putting on, but full of all the right things so it doesn't break me out. I feel like Joan Collins at a vanity mirror even if I'm throwing it at myself at the end of the day and hanging onto the skin so I don't collapse where I stand. 

I've used the Dramatically Different gel from Clinique also. I like both, but I prefer Moisture Surge for the time being. 

After all of that lengthy procedure I either put on make up and head out or dive head first into bed. I know that some of you will be looking at the steps involved and think that I'm an absolute weirdo with more time than sense. You're actually right, but I can genuinely say that since I listened to my skin and started to take care of it properly the difference has been outstanding. 

I know I use a lot of products from one brand in particular. This is because I find that their products really work for me, but that might not be the case for everyone. Take a look at each step and have a look around for appropriate products to add to your routine. You can absolutely find more affordable versions of each step. I know I probably should, but I'm a greedy guts. 

Now that I've discussed how I clean my skin I better get back to make up babble. I'm planning on bringing you a foundation review next week so definitely stay tuned for that! It's one I've been coveting for ages so I'm very excited to put pen to paper.

As always, throw any questions or comments down below. We looove them! Our social media links are at the top of the blog so if you have a very pressing question to ask then those are your best bet!

Until next time,

J x

Product Review; Vichy Aqualia Thermal.

Good evening!

I can't actually describe how excited I am to be bringing you this review. I'm a little bit worried that it's a Friday night and I'm more excited to talk about a facial serum than throw on clean jeans and go out. That being said, the money most people spend on a good session I plug into skincare. No hangover, and a cleansing routine so regimental and steadfast that any neat freak would experience nirvana. It's not all bad.

I've been on a bit of a skincare crusade for the last while, as my skin is temperamental at the best times. I have oily skin that's prone to dehydration, which can cause havoc. My main issue was always either loading my skin with products that were too heavy or not adding enough water back to my skin. Both scenarios had desperate consequences. Skip through many years of stressed teenage skin (can you imagine?! My face was in the horrors) to my discovery of liquid exfoliation, hyaluronic acid, and gel moisturisers. My skin is by no means heavenly but I know enough to manage it at this stage. Big thanks to Caroline Hirons' blog and our very own Susan for giving me advice along the way. My face thanks you both.

This week I added to my collection. I've been trialling Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum and Awakening Eye Balm for the last few days. I got about three uses out of each product before I was itching to rave about them. I discovered the serum online (big kudos to the Hirons and Sali Hughes) and it ticked all the proverbial boxes for me. Lightweight, but packed with skin loving and water infusing ingredients. In my hunt for it I also came across the eye balm which I promptly snapped up to go with it. I've been indulging ever since.

I'm going to do this review in two parts, and give an overall verdict. This way I can give the most information on each product, but keep it all as organised and understandable as possible.

The Serum. 

What is it?
A fluid product designed to soothe sensitive and dehydrated skin. As a serum, this is applied your moisturiser.

How does it work? 
Aqualia Thermal has glycerin and hyaluronic acid derivatives inside. Glycerin attracts moisture to the skin, while hyaluronic acid can hold a dense amount of water and store it. Together these flood the skin with water instead of oil to relieve dehydration without weighing the skin down with oil.

How does it feel?
Amazing, really refreshing. A little goes a long way with this. My skin feels so comfortable since I've started using these. There's no tight, drawn feeling after cleansing. It doesn't soak in ridiculously fast either so I never feel like I have to load more product on to get the full effect. A couple of pumps should be enough for the entire face.

The Eye Balm.

What is it?
A "balm" to combat dehydration around the eye area. I would call this a gel, to be honest. Either way it's a moisturising product for the eye that promises to reduce the signs of dehydration and soothe the delicate skin in that region. The title says "Awakening" but I use it morning and evening.

How does it work?
This product contains the same hydrating ingredients as the facial serum, and also caffeine. Given that this combats a lack of water in the skin I'm glad to see these ingredients here. If budget is an issue, you can totally use the serum around the eye. I've tried both, both ways work fine, I just like the richer texture of the gel around the eye. Caffeine? You could leave it to be honest.

How does it feel? 
Once again, this feels lovely. Because it's a thicker consistency it does take longer to soak in, but it feel nice and soothing. I use a lot of eye make up when I trowel on the war paint, so the removal can get a bit heavy duty. This was a pleasure to pop on after a serious strip down, with a slight cooling feeling.

The Overall Verdict. 

I'm sold on these guys. With the Serum clocking in at €22.49 and the Eye Balm at €19.90 (both from Boots) I can't complain. As I mentioned, both contain the same ingredients to boost water levels in the skin so if money is an issue I'd grab the serum and just use it around the eye.
As someone with an oily skin finding something to hydrate without heaviness has been a bit of a task. My skin reacts quite quickly to anything weighing it down, but this has been a delight.
Anyone with a drier skin, this is worth checking out. If your skin feels tight or tender it could be a lack of water as well as oil. Tackling one will help you cope with the other.

And that, lads and lassies, is that. I've just used these after a shower, and I'm still stuck in the novelty like a child at Christmas. I kind of want to clean my face again just to have another go. I won't though, they're too precious to waste!

Next week I'll be posting a full skincare routine and what I use at each step, so keep an eye out for that.

Until next time,
J x

Colour Correcting; The even better solution to fabulous skin.

Hola compadrés!

Apologies for the delay in my post this week, I can only imagine the devastation the delay caused. I have returned at the opposite end of the week to bring you more tips and tricks. As per usual real life decided to park itself right in the middle of my routine. Honest to God, the cheek.

Anyway! My skin has been a bit unruly as of late, so I've taken to using an old school green corrector under my foundation to tackle the high colouring around some choice "activity". I haven't used a correcting product in ages, so naturally the novelty kicked in and I had to have a go of everything; the under-eye blackness, the blemishes, and a little bit of brightening primer for the whole shooting galley. I lost the run of myself entirely.

I've since calmed down and gone back to a more moderate routine that lets me out the door at a reasonable time in the morning. Today I've brought a little bit of information with me about correcting products and what they do. I'll be sharing this info with you ('cause I'm nice, see) and talking about how to use different products for different problems. If needs be then now would be the time to grab a cuppa/snack/put the child to bed before we move on.

The whole theory behind colour correcting is that opposite colours on the colour wheel will cancel each other out. Products with specific tones in them will even the look of the skin once foundation is applied on top, helping to conceal really stubborn colour issues. There are different colours for different problems, but we'll get into that a little bit later on. The general rule with this technique is that the deeper your skin tone is, the more intense the colour of your corrector should be.

It can all be a little bit complicated if it's new to you. Chances are that either the packaging or a consultant will inform you as to what each product does, so take your time when picking out one for yourself if you think you'd like to try it out. 

Colour correctors usually come in two forms, one being a densely pigmented cream product. These are used for specific areas of discolouration on the skin. These usually include heavy under eye circles and redness or red blemishes. These creamy products are applied to the area and your foundation is applied on top. They're best applied only to the offending colour, as if they bleed onto any areas of clear skin the colour can show through your base. 

The second kind of product is a sheer primer to be applied all over the face. A product like this will counteract more widespread discolouration. These have less colour in them and are used to even out a difference in skin tone rather than specific problems. Redness is one that crops up here a lot, but also sallow complections and dull, tired skin benefit from these bad boys. Again, both formulas come in different colours to take care of different things. The general, run of the mill colours that crop up again and again will be broken down for you below. 

Green: As far as I've seen this is by and large the most common colour marketed to the public. It's also very easy to use this wrong, although I kind of feel like that's not always the consumer's fault. Green tones will cancel out excess redness, be it widespread or localised. These come in either a concentrated corrector or a fluid base depending on what your skin needs.

Green can be notoriously difficult to hide with a foundation, so using a softer green tone is definitely more advisable. Less intense redness could get away with a yellow toned primer, and it'll be far easier to cover.

Peach/Pink: Either a soft peach or a rosy pink will cancel out blue tones in the skin. Sometimes these guys go unnoticed because they're often sold as concealers for the under eye area rather than dedicated correctors. That being said they're most suited to that area as they combat the cool tone in under eye darkness. For paler skin, try a more pink tone. For medium skin tones a warm peach will be fine. If you have a deeper skin tone then something more orange-peach will work better for you. 

If you find a primer with this tone to it (Smashbox do a fantastic one) then you can use it to brighten dull skin. Darker ladies will see a renewed glow to their skin if a warm base is applied under foundation. 

Yellow: This is for covering bruising or scar tissue with a purple hue to a it. Yellow creams are fantastic for hiding stubborn purple discolouration, especially those found in healing surface injuries. An eye primer with a yellow tone to it can help to disguise visible veins under the thin skin on the eyelid. That much has been learned from experience!

A sheer base with a yellow tint to it will liven up tired skin on the paler end of the spectrum, or kick start a warmer skin tone and give it an extra lit-from-within kind of radiance. 

Lilac: So we know that yellow will cancel out purple, so a purple will cancel out... Yup. Sallowness, or excessive yellow tones in the skin. 

Purple creams can be used to correct brown age spots in pale skin, disguise old bruising or any other discolouration with a visibly warm hue to it. I wouldn't use this colour on warmer or black skin as it'll show up as ashy and grey. Us white walkers can pull this off, though. 

Lilac toned base products will revive cooler skin tones and add back a porcelain glow. The palest of pink tones will love the effect this has one waking up your skin. Just don't go too purple, anyone remember that scene with Edward Scissorhands and the Avon lady? Yeah. That can actually happen. 

Beyond those listed above there are a multitude of colours that aim to conceal and correct something or other. Take your time picking out one for you, and keep in mind the four basic colours above. Any other variations will generally stem from one of the problem solvers we discussed mere moments ago. 

Colour correcting can be a fantastic weapon in your beauty arsenal but if you're still a bit iffy, feel free to contact a make up artist and book an appointment. Let them know what it is you're looking to learn and achieve, I've no doubt they'll be more than happy to give you a dig out.

As always, any queries or questions are more than welcome! You know where to find us.

Until next time,

J x 

Cream Eyeshadow; how it can brighten, tighten, and lock in your look.

Good evening!

Even lifting my body off of my bed to sit down in front of my laptop and type this post is working out to be a whole lot more effort than it should. That tells you exactly the kind of day I'm having. So naturally I'm doing things the easy way today. Lazy, much?

Today's post is inspired by the amount of activity I've been doing for most of the day, i.e as little as is necessary. If you read my latest post (and why wouldn't you? Shame...) then you know that MAC's Painterly paint pot is my go to eye base. It's basically a cream eye shadow that matches my skin tone. But there are other cream products in a variety of colours that you can use to create almost any eye look. These products make doing your make up quick, easy and foolproof with minimal effort. No prizes for guessing why I love them. Intrigued? Thought so. Let me break it down.

To start with, there are two kinds of cream products for the eyes; ones that set in place to last longer and ones that stay creamy. The ones that set in place can be used alone for a quick application of colour to the eye, or they can be used as an eye shadow base. The colour and texture you use will determine how the eye make up will look overall. You can use designated products like paints pots, or even gel liners. I find Anastasia Beverly Hills' "Dipbrow" to be a brilliant cream shadow as well. These all dry to last throughout the day.

Using a cream eye shadow that matches your own skin tone will simply keep the colours on longer and make them easier to blend. It'll make the colour a little more vibrant but overall they should look the same as in the pan. Using a bright base will make vivid colours appear more intense. Using a darker coloured primer will make the eye make up appear more smokey and dramatic. If you use a particular tone or colour similar to powder shadows applied on top then you'll amp up the drama and make them more vibrant! 

Example; MAC "Deeply Dashing" pressed pigment applied alone, then over "Painterly" Paint Pot and finally on top of  "Pomegranate" Colour Tattoo by Maybeline. The darker red base brings out the warmth in Deeply Dashing, changing the tone of the product.

The second kind of product, the one that stays creamy, can be a multitude of things. You can use coloured face paint, concealers, eye liner pencils, and tons more. These products tend not to last as long and definitely need to be set in place with a powder product in a similar colour. You do have much more choice of colour, though. I'd stay away from lipsticks, lip liners and cream blushes as some of the red pigments can irritate the eyes. The most popular choice for this option is pencil eye liners. They're waxy and smooth and often quite easy to blend. This option is more suited to photographic or fashion make up looks, as it won't last all day on most people. 

Cream colours are essential for many make up artists and they're a fab little technique to add to your make up routine to make day to day beautifying that little bit easier. Whether you want to add a brightened effect to your eyes (that's me of an early morning shift) or you want something more dramatic and smokey then a cream shadow will work wonders for you. 

If you decide to experiment with some more colourful products and take a step outside your own comfort zone then definitely show me! You know where to find me, as always links are at the top of the blog. 

As for me, I'm cleaning up after myself and diving into bed. Don't judge, the evenings are already getting shorter. Say nothing'! 

Until next time!

J x 

SPF; How does it factor in?

Well hello!

I'm back and, to be quite frank, shattered! I just attended my first ever "hot yoga" class and I can feel a habit forming already. The basic idea is that you go through yoga poses in a heated room to maximise the effects and relax muscles. This worked, and I'm definitely the better for it.

However! I was far too blissed out to even consider what would happen when I left the room. As you can imagine, spending over an hour stretching your body in a heated room produces sweat. A lot of it. Despite that fact it's actually a really nice experience. I didn't think that once I stepped out into the cold Irish evening that my soaking t-shirt would go ice cold. As I hopped into my car I made contact with a sodden, chilly piece of clothing. I nearly leapt through the windscreen. That will definitely be put down with notes for the next time.

All this experience with heat and the fact that it's July (combined with a fantastic point that Susan made in her post about your big day) got me thinking about SPF. As I'm a wrecked little bunny I'm going to go through some quick facts about SPF, how it works in make up products, and how to avoid the dreaded flashback! Read on, my lovelies.

• SPF cannot be layered to increase the protection factor. Layering an SPF 15 over an SPF 15 won't give you an SPF 30. Layering an SPF 15 and and SPF 30 won't give you 45, it'll remain at thirty. The highest factor you apply will be the highest protection your skin will have. 
• The little rascal in make up and skincare products that causes flashback is "Titanium dioxide". This is a physical sunscreen that protects the skin by bouncing light back, so it reduces the amount of sunlight that actually has the chance to burn the skin. When photographed this ingredient does the same thing to a camera flash. This reflected light is caught on camera and makes your skin appear much paler. 
• If you know you're going to be photographed it's best to avoid SPF altogether. If your primer or moisturiser contains an SPF you should be fine, as long as it doesn't exceed SPF 15/20. Try not to layer products that contain any sun factor as you'll only build up layers of TD and I don't think I need to tell you what that does! Definitely avoid any foundation products that contain this as they're right on top of the skin and in prime position to bounce back that flash.
• If you're not sure whether or not your base products will give you hassle, check the ingredients. If the aforementioned bad boy is high up on the list then I suggest you run a mile! 
• Lastly, make sure you do wear an SPF every single day. I know I probably sound like some ridiculous medical professional or an Irish Mammy gone rogue but it really is important. Sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature ageing. That alone has me operating on vampire status and trying to avoid direct contact with sunlight as much as possible! You'd think that would be easy in Ireland, but funnily enough... 

That, m'loves, is about all of the essentials I can think of. I know this was short and sweet but when summer rolls around I inevitably get asked by one or two people about the effects of sun protection in make up, so I thought I'd jot this down for any other confused souls out there. It's really simple once you know what to look out for, it's just getting that info that helps. 

As always, any questions or queries are more than welcome! Give us a shout on any of our social media and either myself, Susan or Aisling will get back in touch. 

I'm off to curl up in a ball and probably pass out peacefully. 

Until next time!

J x

A lesson in etiquette.

Ok, lovelies!

Buckle your belts, I'm back in a not so usual slot this week. As I mentioned in my last post I'd had some time away from work. I'm now back into the swing of things, and quite happy about it. I want to preface this post by saying that I do actually love my job (beauty consultant, for those who don't know. That's corporate speak for "counter bitch with a brush belt") but there's one aspect in particular that I want to talk about.

Since the middle of last week I've been jack-knifed from a life of leisure to a world of work and the one thing dulling the shine for me is how people behave at a make up counter. I'm not going into any details regarding specific situations but rest assured, my sleep-addled brain repressed any former experiences in this department. In the words of HRH Céline Dion "It's all coming back to me..."

Like, seriously. If you're not reeling from the shock of someone barking that they're "only having a look" from across the lipstick display then you're throwing yourself bodily against the shelving units and re-merchandising an entire section before an investigating manager finds the placed ripped asunder.

Now, I know in my own heart and soul that some sales people will hound you until you part with your hard earned cash. I'll get to that part later on. Making a purchase isn't always a smooth sail, but let me run through a few tips with some helpful input from the "inside", as it were. I promise you, we're not all bad. A fair few of us genuinely want to help, having either witnessed or been on the end of a service similar to the above description.

Read on for a revised etiquette curriculum.

Hygiene.

Please, please, do not approach a make up counter and use products or testers straight from the display packaging. Would you share your lipstick with a friend? If the answer's yes, you'd want to be fairly good friends and privy to each other's oral hygiene. If your answer is no, then why would you do it with so many potential other people?!

Applicators will be supplied for appropriate products, if not then the products will have been cleaned and sanitised. That's to cover the necessary bases for hygiene regulation and to keep you safe. You should still ask a consultant to apply products, or lend you a clean brush for you to use on yourself. 

I am openly pleading with you not to make one of my clan follow your around the counter with sanitizing spray and a spatula to scrape away cream products. 

Communicate.

You know that product you read about? Or maybe you just wandered in to a store but it caught your eye anyway? Yeah? Well guess who knows a good bit of fairly relevant information about it. 

The person who asked you if you needed help, most likely. 

The best thing you can ever do is talk to your consultant. Whether you know exactly what you want or you haven't a clue, always ask. If you're just having a browse, work away. If you end up needing something then by all means holler. 

Everything you need to know about the product will have been handed down to us by the company themselves. If we've discovered anything unusual or interesting about the product in our time using it, you'll be informed. The worst thing you can do for yourself is fly solo through your mission and end up missing out. Being frosty doesn't make our day go quicker either. 

Respect the counter condition.

By that I mean, try to leave the counter the way you found it. It's just simple manners, to be quite honest. I'm not asking you to bring Detol and wet wipes in your handbag but try to pop things back on shelves. Putting your testers back in the wrong place is not a problem, we appreciate that you took the time to put them back at all! We'll straighten everything up later.
Part of our job is to maintain the space we work in for the public, by helping us out we really appreciate that. If you frequent any counter and you do leave the place in a horrific state, please amend your ways. The boys and girls looking after you have other responsibilities too.

Don't fear your consultant.

Let me say this. No one is gonna nail you to the floor and rob your wallet. No ons is gonna take you aside and give you a Chinese burn until you cough up the dough. You'll definitely never see a line of mascara'd and lipsticked counter staff doing the Haka between you and the door until you agree to buy the serum, moisturiser and the foundation. We're not scary people, honestly!
We work with a range of products, if you give us your situation we'll do our best to provide you with the best of what we have for your needs. I won't lie and say that making money isn't part of our job, it absolutely is. Targets are a key factor in working in retail and they determine how well we do. I've yet to meet a sales person who would send someone away with the wrong products just to rack up some numbers. The right people for the job will never lump you with something you can't use. If someone does, avoid them like the plague!
In retail your customer care is as important, if not more important, than your figures. So if I have a fantastic run on my targets but I'm horrible to people, can you guess where I'll end up? The post office of a Thursday. It literally pays us to be nice. Plus we get to play with make up all day. We're like pigs in shite!

Don't take the piss. 

I can't put it any plainer than this. Do not walk into a store and take the mickey out of the people working there. It's rude, it's disrespectful, and it's a waste of time on both parts.
Do not repeatedly ask for samples of products. Many companies work on a tester order basis. If the majority of product is given away as samples, they're left waiting for new testers to arrive.
Do not sit at a counter with no intention of buying anything but requesting that your consultant apply a full face of make up. Seriously, do not do this. There's a service charge at the very least.
Do NOT do the above and then follow it up with "Oh, well I'll be going through duty free.." They have their own staff, thanks.
Lastly, do not berate whoever is serving you about the price of your purchase. We have no control over that whatsoever. You're paying for higher quality ingredients as well as the service you receive at the point of sale. This is why the products have the price tag.


After that, I think I have no more bases to cover. Let me just say that there are so many fantastic people that I meet on a daily basis. One of my favourite things about my job is the amount of interaction and communication that goes on. Many's the time a woman has come in to top up her essentials and five minutes later we're burning the ears off each other because there's some common denominator between our lives. That's Ireland in general for you, but still.

There's always one or two characters who'll shake up your day one way or another. They say variety is the spice of life, so I suppose I should appreciate that if my job were an ice cream, it wouldn't be vanilla!

I'll have more make up based posts for you soon, don't you worry. For the time being I've been pre-occupied finding my feet a little bit. Documenting the experience has been a help!

If you've had any bizarre experiences at a make up counter, let me know. You hear the best stories about counter connections!

Until next time,
clean up after yourselves!
J x

The BIG Day!

Aloha,

Jamie will be back with you on Wednesday so today you have me (Susan) instead! Wedding season is well and truly in full swing and if your getting married well than lucky you....I'm gonna be giving you my best tips on the vital last minute things that will get you ready for the big day.

Preparation is key. You want to be looking your best on your big day so ideally you will have had been on a strict skincare routine in the run up to the wedding. Cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, eye cream and SPF are the essentials. A week before your wedding scrub your skin to remove any dead cells that could hamper your makeup....from then on out you need to be on your best behaviour to prevent break outs....no picking....plenty of water and most of all try control your diet! Much easier said than done when its a very stressful time. If you are unsure of what skincare to be using, I would recommend visiting a spa and having a facial or alternatively go to a beauty counter that is geared towards skin and speak to an experienced consultant. Do your research online (more on that later).

Last minute prep on the big day before your makeup artist arrives is very fuss free. Use a lip scrub (Lush is my fave) and apply a balm afterwards to hydrate lips as we want that pout perfect especially if your going for a stronger colour like reds. You probably searched high and low for your makeup artist and without a doubt he/she is the bees knees but there is a few things that are essential to your wedding makeup that you definitely want to make sure are included. Primer is key to making sure your makeup lasts all day and prevents oil so you don't look shiny in your photographs. Avoid SPF at all costs as it can flash back in photography and give you the white face and tanned body look...not good. Eye primer is also essential to the longevity of your makeup, it will prevent shadows from creasing and will make colours appear much brighter. Ask your MUA to set your makeup with a setting spray rather than a powder and that way if all else fails you know you have something to fall back on (trust Urban Decay on this one) and your skin won't look overly dry or cake-y.

Not neglecting your body, make sure to scrub your skin once/twice a week to make sure it is in super condition if you decide to wear false tan. Add a moisturiser afterwards as this will prevent the tan from sticking to dry patches. 

Weddings can be super expensive but they can also be a learning curve when it comes to skincare and makeup. If you know your getting married in a year or twos time why not ask family and friends for your birthday, Christmas, anniversary etc to receive vouchers instead of gifts. And then when you have had your makeup trial you have the money there to buy all the bits'n'bobs you've seen a professional use and you can learn a few tips along the way on how to use them. 

So I think I have waffled enough so I'm gonna leave it there for now but I will come back to this topic at a later stage to tell you my top secret, tried and true best skincare products to get your skin in perfect nick for your big day! 

Love,

S

The new kid on the block; "Strobing"

From the top, let me apologise for being absent last week. I shirked all responsibilities and took a week off work and blogging, as you do! Of course yous missed me like crazy, so naturally enough I have some making up to do.

During my week away from functioning as an actual human being I was plenty busy catching up on Youtube and Instagram. The latter brought my attention to a technique knowing as "Strobing". Me being the beauty addict that I am, I looked into it further. The look consists of a sheer to medium coverage base with highlighting products placed on the high points of the face. What this does is reflect light only where you've applied the product to subtly lift and define the features. The skin appears healthy and dewy while the face still has dimension, but without heavy contouring. Where possible, people tend to use cream highlighters to maintain a natural, seamless finish. The whole idea is to shape the face without using a lot of product.

Some are heralding this as a new-found miracle, while others are of the opinion that this has been around for ages and we were all too busy contouring ourselves and hiding our true identities behind full coverage foundation that we didn't even think about lightweight, translucent wondrousness.

Personally, I think this is a classic marketing routine that happens every year. Summer trends very rarely wander off a certain track. You have tinted moisturisers, BB creams, sheer lip and cheek colours (usually creams and gels) all coming out around the same time. To me this make sense as no one wants to be wearing a full face of war paint in upwards of 25 degree heat. Talk about creating a rod for your skincare routine.

The clever clogs behind advertising and retail promotion have to find new ways to excite us year in and year out to ensure that we continue to buy these new products. "Strobing" is this year's answer to "dewy skin","illuminated skin," "a natural sunlit glow", "a healthy sheen" ad infinitum. I think the name is really appropriate given that seventies disco glamour is definitely back with a bang (as made evident by MAC's upcoming "Le Discko" collection and the current fashion trends we're seeing) so why not call to mind disco lighting and the gorgeous seventies glow that made everyone look so soft focus and sultry?

Whatever name is being put on it, I'm in. I love it. I love everything about strategically highlighting the skin so that you look radiant and glossy. I love pairing it with bronzer and looking like the sun loves me. With that said, let me show you some of the tips and tricks I have for using different kinds of highlight this summer so that you can get'cha glow on!

Shown above; MAC Mineralize Skinfinsh in "Lightscapade", Sleek Makeup Precious Metals Highlighting palette and Benefit Cosmetics' "High Beam"

When doing this look you want to take three things into consideration; the Formula, the Placement, and the Finish. 

Formula. 

As I mentioned in a previous post about foundation, the formula of a product is how it comes in the packaging. You have three main formulas for highlighters and illuminators; powder, cream and liquid. All three have different benefits and different ways to be used. 

• Powder; These products last the longest on the skin. They're best suited for oily skins or those who want their make up to stay put as long as possible. These are best used after you've set your base with a powder, or directly over a matte base. This will stop the product underneath from catching and will help with blending. 
• Cream; These products tend to have the most colour intensity and pay off. These are best used over the top of your base, but definitely don't use powder under these. The cream will melt into the liquid or cream you have on underneath and give you a really natural, seamless blend. Best used over something that doesn't set matte. These work really well to add luminosity to dry and dull skin.
• Liquid; These babies can generally be used under or over your base. Some can even be mixed into the foundation to add a less intense all-over glow. Again, I would use these without any powder underneath and I'd steer clear of using them over anything that sets to a matte finish. Liquid highlighters tend to look softer than cream versions but will add similar oomph to a thirsty, dull skin. 

Placement.

Where you place the product is going to make a big difference, similar to contouring. You want to bring forward the highest points of the face but keep everything in proportion. The best places to highlight are the tops of the cheekbones, the brow bone, just above the arch of the eyebrow, the bridge of the nose and the cupids bow. 

What you want to do is make sure that you're applying the right amount to each area. For example if you wanted to make your nose appear slimmer, apply a thin line down the centre of the nose. This will make the nose appear as though it comes to a thinner "peak" across the bridge. Similarly if you felt that adding highlighter above the brow wouldn't suit your features then by all means skip that part. 

Even without deeper shades to carve out the hollows of the face, we're still shaping with this technique. There are plenty of contouring guides across the wide, wide web. I'd totally recommend checking them out, but pay more attention to where you're highlighting and lifting rather than hollowing out. A little trick I love is to use a matte powder, either translucent or matching your base, where you don't want shine. This will help to contain the glow to those more complimentary locations. 

Finish.

The last thing to think about is the "finish" or how the products look on the skin. Do you want a high intensity sheen? Are you comfortable with something a bit more low key with a soft, satin glow instead? Is it a appropriate to receive Holy Communion looking practically bio-luminescent? Just some things to consider...  

If you're a little bit more timid, work with small increments of product. I always say you're better off starting small and building your colour and intensity rather than applying too much and wearing the face off yourself with a wipe trying to put things back in order. I'd recommend a powder highlighter to anyone looking for something more natural.

On the opposite end of the scale, if God-like glow is your thing then definitely check out cream illuminators. They blend gorgeously into the skin but impart far more sheen and shimmer than other fomulations in my experience. But do be careful and start with less than you think you need. These blend really well and can sometimes get out of hand. A little practice will set you right, though. 

With all of that said and done the only other advice I can offer you is just to jump in the deep end, bag yourself the necessary products and give it a go! This look is one that anybody can wear and it will look absolutely knockout, don't be afraid of the light! 

If you do give this a go please please pleeeease tag us on twiiter @threescompanybb or Instagram @threescompanybeauty and let us see!

Until next time,

glow get 'em! (Pun central...)

J x 

Wingin' it: Top tips for applying winged liquid/gel eyeliner.

'Ello!

Monday has rolled around again and I'm back. After a couple of weeks of skin related posts I'm bringing you more make up this time around. Today I'll be going through how I apply gel or liquid liner. I'll be including some tips and tricks along the way, as well as products I would recommend! Let's get down to business...

The first thing to think about is what product you prefer to use. I prefer a gel as I find it's easier to create a smooth line with this type of product. The formula is a little bit thicker and doesn't smudge as easily as a liquid. However, if liquid is your thing then by all means go hell for leather with that!

If you're using a gel like me then nine times out of ten it'll come in a small pot. You can use either an angled or pointed liner brush to apply this. I prefer to use an angled brush (I used Inglot's 31T brush for this particular look) as the flat edge creates a smooth line for you. I also used Inglot's #77 gel liner. It's matte black and waterproof, so it's a must have for keeping your liner looking fresh all day. Once you nail down what you want to use, it's time to start the application.

• Start by following your lower water line and applying a line of product. The water line is the ledge of skin just above your lower lashes. By following the curve that this creates you'll find the most complimentary angle for your eye shape. Everyone's eyes are relatively close in shape so this will help create an even angle for both wings. 
• Create a line towards the eyelid, aiming for your top lashes. You want to create a lifted triangle from your lash line to the end of your liner. This will be the body of your wing. By starting this line just away from the end of the first one you applied, you keep the thin and pointed tip on your wing. 

• Next I take my liner right into my inner corner and lift it up along my lid. I use less product here and keep it nice and thin at the beginning. You can always build this up later if you want it thicker. 
• Next is the part where I take my line across the top lash line! By doing this last I already have the width of my liner determined by the wing and the inner corner. I find that this stops the liner from becoming thicker than I intended. As before, you can always build on top of this later if you prefer. 

• The last thing I do is fill in the space left between the top of my line and my lashes. I take my time here and make sure I have enough liner pushed down into my lashes so that no skin is showing between my lashes and my liner. You can use this step to add any thickness to your liner or tweak the shape. You'll see the overall shape once it's filled in completely, so I'd say wait until this step before you add on to it. 

Another little goodie worth mentioning is Duraline by Inglot. It's a mixing medium that you add to any gel liner to make it more liquid. This product is absolutely genius! Manys the time this has saved a dried liner in my kit and extended the life of it by miles. You literally only need the tiniest bit though, so do be careful. You can also use this to clean up and sharpen your eye liner once you're finished. Take it on a flat concealer brush and run it against the wing of your liner for a clean, crisp finish.

Of course there are many different liner products and brushes that you can use to achieve a gorgeous finish. Have a little shop around and a little play with some bits and pieces. By finding a product that works well you'll have half the job done before you even start.

If you have any questions, you know where to find me. Any feedback would also be really appreciated, let me know what you'd like to see! We have some fab posts planned for the coming weeks so I'm really excited for them to go live. 

Until next time,

J x 

Where To Invest?

I'm back and back with a bang none the less. I had to take a slight hiatus last week due to a very poorly dog who is currently in my lap having a power snooze as I write this post. But lets move on... following Jamie's post on Monday all about looking after your skin I thought I share with you the area's I like to spend my hard earned cash on. When it comes to makeup and skin care its easy to settle for less than the best but there are a certain few areas that I will always spend that little more on!

• Skincare - Cleanser and Moisturiser

Your makeup will only look as good as the skin underneath and using a good cleanser and moisturiser will make a huge difference to your skin. Choosing the correct products for your skin type is key so if your unsure pop to your local department store and fish around the skincare counters and ask for some advice! And the three most essential things...water, SPF and taking your makeup off which might mean two cleansers so be it! You're skin is with you for life so it is worth the investment and make sure you bring that moisturiser down the neck too, it holds your face up so don't neglect it! 

• Foundation

Similarly to above, choosing a good foundation will show off your skin in the best light. Texture and colour are key. Foundation can be 'spensive so if your unsure, start from the bottom by visiting makeup counters and getting samples to try. When you find "The One" everything else that goes on top should just fall into place! If your not comfortable spending too much on a foundation that you wear everyday and will more than likely fly through in no time, why not keep it for special occasions or nights out? Then scouring the self selection aisle in Boots to find the one that will take you through the day/work. 

• Mascara

Give a girl the right mascara and she can conquer the world. Length, volume and curl....I want it all and believe you me I have a mascara graveyard to prove it. Mascara's can cost between a few euro right up to the price of a meal for 2 so it can be an expensive treasure hunt. But if your like me and your days off consist of only a tinted moisturiser and a mascara they are worth it, it can take me from tired to bright eyed and bushy tailed in one step! 

They are just a few things that I don't mind dishing out for! What are the items you spend the most on or do you think you can find just as good in budget brands? Let me know in the comments..

Love,

S and Paddy. x 

Looking after the skin you're in.

Good morning!

I'm having a balanced breakfast of coffee and Netflix, how you doin'?! I know I'm a day early but tomorrow (June 1st) I'll be doing the VHI Mini Marathon for charity with the lovely ladies I work with so I decided to check in with you guys while I have a free day on my hands.

While we were preparing and making lists of essentials (a hoody just in case, a change of clothes for after, wine, etc...) of course the topic of SPF came up. Being outside in the elements for 10K poses a certain level of risk. Naturally we have all bases covered by now with weatherproof clothing and SPF Factor 50 all in the one bag (I won't mention the dreaded Irish climate), but it's nice to be careful.

All of this got me thinking about taking care of your skin in general. I'll be doing an in depth post on my actual skin care routine and the products that I love soon enough. For now I've compiled a list of tips and tricks that I find make a huge difference to my skin and how it looks. Some might be obvious, but maybe one or two might be new to you and you can hopefully incorporate them from here on out. Read on and see!

Review your skin care routine every 6 months;
Just like the whole winter vs. summer wardrobe routine, your skin care should go through a little editing process every 6 months or so. Whether it just be adding something moisturising in the winter or changing your SPF level in summer, your skin will need to little bit of TLC once the temperature gauge takes a large swing in either direction. The changes don't have to be massive and you certainly don't have to spend a whole lot of money, but doing a little de-cluttering and freshening up will do your skin the world of good.

Don't forget your body;
I'm a demon for doing this. I'll go weeks without so much as a lick of lotion on my knees or elbows and I'll be howling! Wearing skinnies for prolonged periods of time when you should have slapped E45 onto your legs is punishment in itself. Take it from me, I use the exfoliating side of a sponge once a week from the neck down and use a generic body lotion to keep my skin in check. I find this helps prevent blemishes down onto the neck and chest as well. Bonus! Obviously if you have drier skin on your body or a skin condition, please be careful with the scrubbing part.

Diet;
You all know what's coming. I starts with W- and ends in -ater. There's that, and also making sure that you get decent vitamins and good food into you. You'll have more energy and appear more vibrant all around, as well as giving your skin a little boost. At the start of this year I made a major change in my diet and started a fitness routine. My skin has thanked me for it, which is a nice side effect! If that's not your cup of tea, try to include a multivitamin with breakfast as an added boost!

Sleep with your hair away from your face;
Sebum secretes onto the skin and also onto the hair. Therefore sebum is just hitching a ride along your hair shafts in between washes. If you're sleeping with your hair in your face, the oil is more likely to transfer onto your skin. I'm sure you've guessed it, but introducing excess sebum back to your skin after cleaning it isn't beneficial. Get yourself a nice lil' girlo bun on the top of your head before you settle down for fourty winks and you be grand!

Change your bedding frequently; 
This ties into the previous tip. During the night your skin will produce oil and shed dead skin cells. I know it sounds gross but it's harmless and a natural procedure for the skin to go through! However, the longer you sleep on the same bedding the more build up that will be there. I personally flip my pillows each night so that I'm sleeping on each surface as few times as possible. This will help prevent a build up on one surface. I know we're all fabulously clean and hygienic anyway, but it doesn't hurt to get into a routine.

Don't be digging in your pores;
I'm going to sound like someone's mam but leave your face alone! I'm so guilty of this, I know there's nothing more satisfying than getting rid of a nasty white head but you'll do damage. Squeezing too hard can drive the blockage deeper into the skin and damage the pore even further. It will take longer for your blemishes to heal, and there's a chance you'll leave permanent marks. If I can try, you can try!

I know a fair few of these are generic enough but you'd be surprised the differences that can be made! As I mentioned I'll be putting together a proper skin care routine post, including reviews of some products I've been quite liking. Until then I'll be incorporating the above as much as possible!

Here's hoping we're all glowing and gorgeous for this summer,
Until next time,
J x

"Setting" the record straight; Hydrating sprays vs. Setting sprays.

Good evening, ladies and gents. I'm outside of my usual Monday time frame I know, but that can't be helped. I'm here tonight instead, and I'm going to address a misconception that I come across quite frequently. This is something I used to take as gospel as well, but I'm now the wiser. The presumed notion I'll be referring to is as follows;

"MAC Fix+ is a setting spray."

On closer inspection Fix+ isn't a setting spray (although it does leave a nice finish once all of the make up has been applied.) It won't, however, increase the wear time of your make up. It's far from "setting" that this beauty was reared. 

Given that various beauty houses and even skincare brands have their own version of spray on products (be they toners, moisturising mists or other inventions) I think it's important to address the difference between the two key groups and let you guys know what they can be used for, and how to get the best out of your product. I'll start with the hydrating lads, shall I?

Hydrating sprays.

Main use; To add moisture back to dry, dehydrated skins. 

Key Ingredients; Glycerin. Rosewater, Aloe Vera extract is also listed quite frequently.

These sprays are generally marketed more as skincare, and they work really well at this step. Fix+ contains glycerin which is a humectant. Any humectant ingredient binds water to the skin by absorbing moisture in the environment. Layering these under serums and moisturisers will help to hydrate the skin. Products like Moisture Surge Face Spray by Clinique and Jurlique's Calming Mist are both hydrating and soothing sprays that contain this fantastic little ingredient. 

For the drier skin types out there, feel free to spritz a light layer over your make up to bring back a healthy sheen to the skin! These won't lock your war paint into place so for my oily skinned clan, stick to using these in your skin routine.

Setting sprays. 

Main use; To set the make up and keep it in place all day. Some can be used to prime the skin also.

Key Ingredients; Silicon ingredients, many contain alcohol.

In the style of Ronseal, these do exactly what they say on the tin. These products are designed to set the make up in place by leaving a lightweight, oil-controlling film across the skin so that the end result doesn't look heavy or cakey. These are usually offered as an alternative to setting powders, or to take away the look of heavy powder application. 

I've looked at the ingredients of a few choice options and they mostly contain silicon elements. If you remember the post about skin primers you'll know that these ingredients are beneficial for oily skins. This makes them fantastic primers as well, especially if you don't want too many heavy duty products on your skin. The down side is that they often contain alcohol so that the liquid can evaporate from the skin's surface. This will stop it mingling with any naturally occurring sebum but if you're in any way dry or sensitive I'd turn your head at this point. 

If you're interested in taking them for a test drive then definitely check out Urban Decay's De-Slick, Cinema Secrets Super Sealer or Model in a Bottle's Original Setting Spray. 

I know there's not a whole world of difference when it boils down to it but picking up the wrong one could wreak havoc on your beauty regimen. I'm by no means a skincare or product development aficionado, but my college days left me with some valuable info. Get into the habit of checking out what's in your beauty bits and pieces and you'll thank me, promise!

If you want to see some more product break downs like this one, definitely let me know! Give me another reason to spend hours reading about make up. Like, please? 

*insert the usual tired speech about various social media links at the top of the blog right here* I know I'm dragging the arse out of it now, I'm sorry. Not sorry enough to stop but I do feel a small twinge of guilt. Definite character progression, no? 

I hope this was in some way helpful.

Until next time, 

J x 

The Big Day: I Do & I Dont's

Your wedding day is approaching so here is a few dos and dont's from me, to help you prepare and know what to expect when it comes to getting beautified before you say I do.

Skincare:

Please do not admit that your skincare routine consists of a make-up wipe, if it does get yourself down to your nearest chemist or beauty counter. Don't be afraid to talk to a consultant and find out which products best suit your skin. Personally I am a huge fan of Clinique products as they are all allergy tested and fragrance free, Clinique Smart Serum works wonders, if you want to a radiant glowing bride.

Trial:

I would always recommend a Bridal Trial as a must because everyone has they're own interpretations of natural make-up or a smokey eye. If you will be wearing false tan on your wedding day, it's a good idea to a tan trial if possible therefore your make-up artist can be fully prepared to match your foundation.

Make-Up:

Your make-up for the day should be a perfected version of you, your wedding day isn't the day to try a new look. If you have never worn eyeliner or a red lip you probably won't feel comfortable on the big day and looking back on pictures might regret your choice.

Bridesmaids:

Your bridesmaids should be prepared to do whatever you ask of them, after all it is your big day. They shouldn't refuse to wear the look you chose, request different make-up or go and alter the make-up after. So just be sure inform them of the look and what you say goes.


Timing:
 Allow extra time. You might be the most organised bride ever but be sure to allow extra time because you cannot be prepared for everything and something is bound to be forgotten or mislaid and more often than not someone will be late. Book Hair and Make-Up at the same time, if needs be they can work simultaneously or alternate between them.

Photography:

Allowing extra time will also give your photographer a chance to take some candid shots of you in the preparation stages and he or she might also have time pose some shots. Also be mindful of the rooms or area you are being photographed as these will be in the background of your wedding images.

If you're reading this in preparation for big day, I hope you have an amazing day and feel like the princess you dreamed of being as a child.


Same time next week!

Lots of Love,
A

Foundation Fact File.

Guess who has coffee and a full post's worth of make up chatter to get through? Yeah. Me. You guessed it. 

This week we're having a chinwag about foundation. Years of doing make up, and a few extra years of doing my own make up, have taught me that your foundation can make or break your look. It's also the major point of stipulation when it comes to a lot of make overs. Owing to the great passion that people have for their war paint I decided to do up a little guideline for those of you who are a bit lost when it comes to buying a foundation. 

I'll go through some common make up jargon (i.e the words that'll no doubt be hurled at you at some point when you're in store having a wander) and break them down so that the next time you need to invest the process won't be so daunting. 

Undertone; The undertone of a foundation is grouped as either warm, neutral or cool. "Warm" foundations have more yellow pigment in them, and "cool" toned products have more pink pigment. "Neutral", naturally enough, is somewhere in the middle. 

The undertone is usually the first hurdle that knocks people down. Some bases have more prominent pigments than others. As a rule of thumb, if the foundation looks grey or washed out you should try something warmer. If your foundation is coming across too yellow, or even orange, try something with a more neutral or cool tone. 

Formula; The formula is basically the way the product looks in the packaging, i.e liquid, powder, cream, etc. Different formulas have different benefits and strong points. For example a powder foundation is ideal for an oily skin type as it will absorb excess oil while you wear it. A richer liquid or cream product will be best for a drier skin as it will add a healthy sheen to the skin. 

Do a little research into the products you like the look of, as not all formulas stick to straight forward rules. There are some liquid foundations that work amazingly on oily skin and some powders that work nicely on dry skin. It all depends on the finish, which we'll cover next. 

Finish; When we talk about the "finish" of a foundation we mean how it looks on the skin. Matte, dewy and satin are all finishes. The finish isn't always determined by the formula, so as I said definitely do a little inside snooping to find out about some attractive products. 

A matte finish has no shine to it and gives a soft, powdered look to the skin. A lot of oily skin types like to go for this finish as many matte formulas will absorb excess oil and reduce unwanted shine. On the flip side we have drier skinned folk who like to add some faux glow. They might opt for a dewy finish which leaves the skin looking fresh with a sheen to it. Have a play with some foundations, ask some questions and see what takes your fancy!

Coverage; Oh, the Irish ladies are big into their coverage! Whether they like a light and sheer base or they want full on foundation, the Irish cailíns know their stuff! This is the one area that the Irish public has definitely educated themselves on, and brilliantly so. 

The coverage of a foundation determines how opaque the product is. Full coverage will completely obliterate your natural skin tone and replace it with your base colour. Medium coverage will show some texture and natural colour. Light coverage will show your skin and let it shine through while evening out the skin tone. 

One thing to consider here is whether or not you actually need a lot of coverage. One or two hormonal spots on your chin won't warrant a blanket of base across the gorgeous clear skin along your cheeks. Consider pairing your foundation with a concealer. Examine how your skin changes and behaves and let that help you in picking your foundation. 

So, armed with this knowledge, I hope that you guys and dolls have a little bit more confidence when it comes to picking out your new holy grail product. Buying a foundation can be one of the most influential purchases of your entire make up wardrobe, so I'm aiming to make it a little easier.There's a lot more that goes into creating the perfect foundation but with these four points under your belt you'll be fresh faced and fancy free in no time!

Don't forget to also follow us on twitter and Instagram, both of those are linked at the top of the home page. If you want us to see any of your posts tag us and hashtag "#ThreesCompanyBeauty"

I hope this was helpful guys!

Until next time,

J x