Look Fantastic November Box

So if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen that I got my first look fantastic box during the week. I have tried a couple of these beauty box subscription services before but I've never been particularly impressed by any of them, but let me tell you this look fantastic one is a whole other level. I decided to try this one out after my friend Orla recommended it to me. Now Orla is just as obsessed with all things beauty as I am (if not more) so I knew when she recommended this it had to be a winner! She had got it the previous month and said it was the best beauty box she had ever gotten( now this is a serious claim if you knew how many of these Orla has tried). And let me tell you she is not wrong, I am SO happy with it!!

Look fantastic is a great website that has a brilliant range of hair, make up and skincare products and they have only recently become a player in the world of beauty boxes. So far so good for them as their boxes almost always sell out every month. 

The November box contains 6 products, all of which I will definitely be using, which is saying something as any time I have got beauty box before I can't say I have really made good use of any of the products. The reason I think this one is so impressive is because it contains some really high end, cult products which is exactly what you need from a beauty box. We all want be buy these cult products that claim to work miracles but often the price can be off putting. When you can't be sure if they're going to work for you it's hard to justify spending half your wages on yet another cleanser or serum or whatever it may be. So the opportunity to test them out is just what you need, and then you can console yourself with the fact that it's definitely worth the money :) 

First up is the world renowned Eve Lom cleanser. Famously described by Vogue magazine as "probably the best cleanser in the world". It's a balm and unlike any other cleanser I've used before. It claims to give a unique cleansing experience, removing make up whilst also toning and exfoliating the skin. The tub is a perfect 30ml size and quite generous considering it's such a high end brand. I am so looking forward to trying to this out and shall report back and let you know if I become addicted to this cult favourite.


Next up we have another favourite among celebs,models and make up artists the world over. The GLAMGLOW Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment. Honestly this is the one product I'm most excited about. I have yet to see a bad review of this mask, it claims to be a "10 minute facial in a jar", I mean who wouldn't want to try it? 


Onto the final brand which I am familiar with from the box which is Nuxe. The Nuxellence Jeunesse Youth and Radiance Revealing Fluid. I love Nuxe products and this is actually one that I hadn't heard of. It's basically a moisturiser that is designed to recharge the skin,boost radiance and give your complexion a clearer more youthful look. Sounds good to me, here's hoping!

The last skincare product is the Monu Recovery Balm. This is a brand that's new to me so I'm intrigued to see what it's like. Designed for sensitive or stressed skin, it will definitely come in handy when I'm having a breakout or my skin is feeling tired after a few days in work. The top tip in the little look fantastic book suggests using it as an overnight mask so I will certainly give that a go and report back.

The one and only make up product is the New Cid Cosmetics Lip and Cheek Tint. I have a slight addiction to lip crayons so this is already a hit with me. The shade I got is Rose tint, a nice warm pink colour so hopefully the formula is nice and I'll get good use out of it.

Lastly we have the Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex Hand Cream. I have seen this brand in pharmacies but have yet to try anything from the range so this is the perfect opportunity. Hand cream is something I use a lot of in my work as a nurse so I was delighted to see this in the box. I'm going to bring it to work over the next few weeks and really put it to the test!

I think you'll agree it's a great mix of products and I can't wait to get stuck in and try them all!! If you like what you see and want to get your hands on the December box head over and get your order in now because it's sure to sell out fast.

http://www.lookfantastic.com/beauty-box/lookfantastic-beauty-box-december-2014/11028458.html

October Favourites!

It may be a few days late but it's here my October faves! 
I have been MIA for the last couple of months just because I have been pretty busy with work and I had a holiday thrown in too, so apologies but I'm back on the blogging buzz now so here goes :)

NYX Shine Killer

I had been hearing good things about this for a while and I finally got my hands on it last month. I've been slowly building up my collection of NYX products and so far there's been nothing I haven't liked. And this little beauty has been no different- I love it! My skin is more oily than dry these days so I've had to change around some of my skincare and make-up products and this has been a great addition to my daily routine. It has a lovely light texture and feels velvety soft. It absorbs straight away gives an instant matte effect to the skin, while softening the appearance of pores. It's the perfect base to keep your face matte and fresh all day.I apply it underneath my foundation and it really combats my shiny T-zone. It's particularly good for when I'm working because my days are quite long and the environment is very warm and really not great for my skin. It makes my foundation last longer and really does stop oily patches popping up. A definite recommendation from me!

Johnson's Baby Spray Conditioner

Now you may think this is a strange one but trust me here. My hair gets ridiculously knotty when I wash it, as in it all gets matted together and is seriously hard to manage. I don't know why, maybe it's just because I have so much hair but whatever the reason it's pretty annoying. I condition my hair and use a mask once a week and it really doesn't make much difference. I have tried a couple of detangling products before too and they've never been of much use either so I decided to go for something different. I was in boots wandering through the aisles overwhelmed by all the hair care products when I decided to take myself to the baby section. Babies and toddlers often have tangled hair due to the fact that it's growing pretty fast and so that's exactly what the No Tangles range is for. So finally I've found the answer to all my hair woes ( well one of them at least). It's a spray on conditioner that can be used on wet or dry hair. I spray it on straight after I wash my hair and then brush with my tangle teaser and my God does it make things easy. I can just brush my hair like a normal person without almost tearing my hair out. This is an absolute win for me and one of the best discoveries I've made.

L'oreal Super Liner Mat-matic 

Over the last few months I've gone off liquid eyeliner I don't really know why probably just out of laziness but anyways this is what I've been using instead. It's a gel formula in a pen which makes it so easy to apply. I have the shade deep violet, also just because I was a little sick of black all the time. I have to say I love the colour it's a very subtle change from black but I think it's great for a daytime look. Especially this time of year with some warmer toned eye shadows. It has a great colour pay off and lasts all day, another great little gem from l'oreal!

Revlon Colourstay Longwear Nail Enamel                                            
So I almost always feature nail polish in my posts simply because I am obsessed with it and a girl can never have too many nail polishes right? I actually bought these polishes in duty free on my way back from my holiday at the end of September. The box had 3 different pink shades and then the top coat. So basically the idea of this polish is that it gives you the high-shine look of a gel manicure and lasts just as long but you can do it yourself at home. The formula is great and goes on so easy one coat is enough in all the shades I have. The top coat is what seals it all in and keeps your nails looking perfect for at least 7 days. It stays glossy and the colour stays bright and honestly it does look like a professional gel manicure, but without the hassle of having to get it taken off and ruining your nails. I love love love these polishes but I haven't been able to find them in any pharmacies here in Ireland so if anybody knows where I could get some more I would be delighted to know. I knew I should have stocked up in duty free! So if you can get your hands on these you are in for a treat and you will be addicted. I have the shades passionate pink, pale cashmere and vintage rose which are all beautiful colours.


No 7 High Shine Intense Lip Crayon

Well it wouldn't be a post without a lip product and the October shout out goes to this lovely glossy crayon from No7 in the shade Romantic Soul. I have a few regular no7 lip crayons but this was the first of the high shine ones that I bought. It's a thinner pencil which is good for precision application and is that lovely creamy not sticky glossy formula. I think this shade is just perfect for autumn/winter. It almost looks like a deep purple but when it's applied it's a beautiful kind of warm berry colour and I love it! Not too dark for daytime and the light glossy formula makes it easy to wear. This one has made it's home firmly in my handbag and that's where it'll be staying for the next couple of months!

Special mention goes out to my sister Karen who has been getting all crafty and made the lovely tray and letter C that you can see in the pictures. How cute are they? Thanks sis keep em coming they were great for all my picture taking, so pretty :)

Sunday Roundup

Hey everyone hope you are all well :)

Just a quick little check in! I had my first full weekend off work in a while this weekend so I made the most of it!

On Saturday I got a bit domesticated and made quite a tasty dinner, if I do say so myself. Shoutout to my friend Ruth who made a yummy smoked salmon starter-we make a good team:) But I think the chocolate biscuit cake was the winner of the night, malteaser,marshmallow,galaxy caramel and biscuit goodness mmmmm so bold but so tasty!!
I went out with a few friends on Saturday night and had a great night, I love having an excuse to get dolled up. I'm hoping to do a couple of posts during the week on my hair and make-up looks from the night so keep an eye out for them!
It wasn't just a food filled weekend though, I started the Fitness Blender 5 day challenge on Thursday so I had to fit in my daily workouts along with everything else. I've been using Fitness Blender for quite a while now doing different workouts whenever I can, so when I saw there was a 5 day challenge happening coming up I thought why not! Let me tell you it is a challenge, but I've been really enjoying it! I love Kelli and Daniel and I can't recommend Fitness Blender enough they have something for everyone, check them out at fitnessblender.com .

So that's it just wanted to do a quick little catch up and let you know what's coming up this week.Have a good one!
Until next time,
Claire :) x

July Favourites

Hello all!!

Hope everyone is keeping well and happy Friday:)

So I'm back with another post and this time it's my July favourites. It's my first monthly favourites post and hopefully there'll be many more to come. I've thrown in some non beauty favourites too so I hope you enjoy and as always I look forward to your comments :)

Umberto Giannini Bad hair day smoothing shampoo and conditioner

So first up it's haircare. Now anyone who knows me knows I have a serious head of hair and it can be pretty hard to control at times. Frizz is always a problem and my friend Ruth shares the same hair woes as me so when she recommended this shampoo and conditioner combo that claims to leave you frizz free, I had to try it. And I am happy to report it really does work!! I used it every time I washed my hair for about three weeks and really noticed the difference. I very rarely dry my hair (as the hairdryer usually seriously ups the frizz factor) I just leave it to dry naturally and this is usually when the frizz takes hold. But after using this my hair was so much smoother and sleeker and waaaaay easier to manage. Even after the first shampoo I noticed a difference, my hair felt lighter and was much easier to style. After I used it solidly for a couple of weeks I did find it a little harsh on my hair so now rather than using it every wash I alternate between it and my regular colour protect shampoo and this routine works perfectly. Highly recommended to anyone with a frizzy mane like mine!

Sanctuary Spa Fresh Faced Purifying Wash

Sanctuary is slowly but surely becoming one of my favourite skincare brands. This cleanser is now firmly part of my daily routine. It provides a lovely deep cleanse without being harsh on the skin, so your skin feels fresh and revitalised without feeling tight or dry. As my skin is quite oily it's prone to getting congested and with this face wash I can really feel it dislodging any grime that may have built up over the day. It has quite a thick gel like texture and so you only need to use the smallest amount to work up a lather all over the face. It melts away all of my make up perfectly even mascara which we all know can be stubborn at times. I can't recommend this enough, it will leave your skin feeling fresh, soft and so clean. Everyone needs to get on the sanctuary bandwagon, and I've only recently discovered they often do sample sizes of their products in sachets or in mini size. So if you want to try before you buy the full size this is great for a little trial. Just look in the mini's section in most larger boots stores and you should find them!

Bioderma Photoderm Bronze SPF 30 

I went on holiday's early in July and bought this new facial suncream on escentual.com before I went. I decided to go for bioderma as I know their products agree with my skin and so thought it would be a safe bet. I definitely made a good choice and will be repurchasing before my next holiday. In the past I have often found face specific suncreams very rich and they often don't absorb into my skin very well. This formula is just the right consistency, it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave any heavy residue which is great and exactly what you need in sun. It's perfect for sensitive skin and I found it to be great on my skin. It wasn't in any way drying but at the same time didn't feel greasy either. All in all a great high protection face suncream.

Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss in Glorious Grapefruit

My new favourite lipgloss!! Now I love the maybelline colour elixir glosses but unfortunately they are not available in Ireland or the UK, but we do have the colour sensational shine glosses which in my opinion are every bit as good. I bought a couple of shades (of course I couldn't just buy one!) and glorious grapefruit is the one that has taken up residence in my handbag recently. I love a good lipgloss and this has the perfect formula. It's not sticky or gloopy, there's a good colour payoff and it applies really nice. There's 6 lovely shades definitely something for everyone so  go try them out!

Maybelline Superstay Gel Nail Colour

I had been hearing such good reports about these nail polishes I knew I had to give them a try, and it's safe to say I am now addicted and must buy every colour. All the hype is true they actually do last for up to 7 days !! There's so many polishes out there that claim to last for whatever amount of time, so I generally don't get too excited but believe me you need to get excited about these. They just do not budge!So far I've got to 6 days without a single chip!! Whatever Maybelline have done here they're onto a winner. They are super shiny and just generally gorgeous. So far I have the shades Hot Salsa, Pink in the Park and Uptown Blue and I love them all. Get yourself to your nearest pharmacy now people!!

Now I'm gonna throw in a few non-beauty favourites too, I should really just call it food favourites cause it's all about food! What a surprise eh?

So over the past couple of weeks I've tried out some great places in Dublin and just wanted to share my love for them with you guys. First up is the The Breakfast Club at Yogism in the George's street arcade. This venture by Daniella Moyles offers a healthy all day breakfast menu. I had the pancakes which are served with greek yoghurt and berries and my God were they good!! It's hard to believe something that tastes soooo nice can actually be healthy but it's true. Go try it people, I will most certainly be going back, next on my list is the overnight oats in a jar! 

http://www.tbcdublin.com/people.html

Continuing on the healthy trail the next place I want to recommend is Pog-Froyo on Bachelor's Walk. They offer yummy froyo, salads and juices. I had lunch there so went for a salad. They have a list of speciality salads to choose from and there's also the option to build your own salad which is what I went for. So basically you can pick all your favourite ingredients and they rustle up a yummy salad for you. So tasty, so many options and great value. Check it out and let me know what you think!

http://www.ifancyapog.ie/

So that's it, what I've been loving in July hope it was an enjoyable read. Let me know if you've tried anything I've mentioned :)

Until next time!

Claire x

Current Foundation Faves

Hey all! Hope everyone's having a good week :) I've finally got around to getting this post up so I hope you enjoy it. It's just a quick little overview of the top 3 foundations I've been using the most recently. I'm sure none of them will be new to you but they are reliable and never disappoint! 

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

I've been using this foundation for probably about a year now and I can honestly say it's one of the best drugstore/pharmacy foundations out there. It's a perfect everyday foundation for light to medium coverage. The formula is very light and blends very easily on the skin and it doesn't even feel like you're wearing foundation which is always good. The finished look leaves skin looking radiant with just the right amount of coverage for any blemishes or uneven skintone. The best thing about this foundation is it's lasting power! It really does last all day, there's no catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and realising that your foundation has disappeared from half your face. There are 12 shades in the range(think there may be more in the US)so it's not hard to find one that's the right fit for you. I use the shade 120 which I find to be just right for my skintone. Oh and I almost forgot it has the all important SPF in it and SPF 18 at that which is great for everyday to protect that lovely skin of yours.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum

This is a recent enough addition to my foundation collection but it has been getting quite a lot of use lately. Similar to the Fit Me it is perfect for light coverage however it does build up nicely if you need more coverage. The light gel texture blends into the skin so easily and is really good for when you're having a good skin day. It works best for me with just one pump blended evenly over the face, I find it evens out any redness very nicely and leaves a beautiful fresh finish. It feels really nice on the skin, not oily or greasy and once blended in it really does not look like you're wearing foundation. It has more of a finish of BB cream but with the benefit of a little bit more coverage. Now there are only 6 shades to choose from in this range, so it might be more difficult to find one that suits you, but I use the shade 53 which I find to be quite a good match. It lasts very well throughout the day once you set it with powder and overall it is a great summer foundation.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Make-Up

Love, Love, Love this foundation!! This has been getting a bit of a revival lately since it was revealed that it was the foundation Kim Kardashian wore on her wedding day. I'm a fan of all things urban decay and have been using this foundation for about 2 years now. For the most the part I use this foundation when I'm going out at night and I want something that will stay put no matter what. It has a very thin liquid consistency that is super easy to blend and is great for layering up which is why I use it for a more full coverage night time look. The coverage it gives is just perfect and even if you have to layer it up a bit it still looks quite natural and gives a lovely polished, almost airbrushed look to the skin. The lasting power is brilliant it always lasts all night so even if it's 4 in the morning and you're tucking into a burger your skin will still look flawless :) I cannot recommend this enough it's perfect for a night out or for an event such as wedding or graduation where you want that bit more coverage and a beautiful lasting finish. There are 18 shades to choose from in this range so you will almost definitely be able to find a suitable shade. I use the shade 4.0 which is quite a bit darker than my regular foundation shades however because I usually use it when I'm going out or to an event it is the perfect shade for when I'm all tanned up.

I'd love to hear your top foundation picks so let me know in the comments below :)

Until next time!

Claire x

Summer Ready Essentials

So finally it's here the much longed for summer! But after a few too many months in hibernation are you ready to bare all?

The thought of suddenly having more than just your wrists on show can be terrifying. Especially for us Irish folk as our "summer" often just happens upon us unexpectedly, one day your wrapped up in your cosiest duffle coat next thing you know a mini heatwave has arrived. Luckily this year it has been pretty warm over the last while so we have been able to ease ourselves into it a little more and having actual hot weather here gives us a chance to prep ourselves for any upcoming exotic getaways.

So if you're in need of some tips for getting prepped for BBQ and beer garden season here goes! 

Garnier Oil Infused Nourishing Scrub 

First things first you need to get scrubbing that skin! As we all know the colder months mean dry skin galore so when it's finally time to let your skin breathe a bit more, nobody wants pesky dry skin ruining the party.

So I may have a slight obsession with this garnier beauty oil infused nourishing scrub. The love affair began a couple of months ago and it is definitely set to continue. It is just the perfect everyday shower scrub. The exfoliating particles are quite small and so not too harsh on the skin just enough to gently get rid any dead surface skin cells. It has a nice gel like texture and the scent that comes from the combination of macadamia, almond and rose oils is just like summer in a scrub!

This has really made a difference to my skin over the last couple of months, it feels much more radiant and definitely summer ready.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Cool and Creamy Wash

To get your face feeling super fresh you really can't beat this beauty from the body shop. You really need to try this to understand exactly how clean and refreshed it makes you feel. It's as if you've just had someone power wash your face(not sure if that would actually be nice though ha!) and your skin is as clean as it's ever going to be. The scent is quite strong but I think this just adds to the fresh feeling and it's the kind of smell that reminds you of being in a nice relaxing spa. I have nothing bad to say about this and it's perfect to get your face ready for those lovely rays of sunshine.

Sanctuary Pumice foot scrub and Moisture rich foot butter

Now if I'm being completely honest I definitely don't give my feet the attention they deserve throughout the year. I think we can all be a bit guilty of neglecting our poor feet when they're cooped up in socks and boots for about 9 months of the year. Then all of a sudden it's flip flop season and you need to get your hooves in order. These Sanctuary products are exactly what you need. The scrub removes any rough patches and is lovely and cooling on the feet. Once you've scrubbed away, the butter just melts into your feet leaving them feeling beautifully soft and you'll wonder why you don't do this more often.

Nuxe Fondant Firming Cream

This is a very recent purchase but God am I glad I got it. Confession time: I may have only purchased this because it is called fondant cream and I just couldn't resist something that sounded so yummy!

It's essentially a body butter but the consistency is not as thick as most body butters that are on the market. Your skin almost drinks it up and it doesn't feel greasy or leave any kind of residue on the skin. I've been using this religiously and I can safely say I love it. I find it has really evened out the tone of my skin, and it makes my skin feel so nourished and smooth. Just what you need to make you feel confident about exposing more skin than usual.

Nuxe Multi-Purpose Shimmering Dry oil

This is THE ultimate summer product. If you've never used this before oh are you missing out. Now you might be thinking eh gold shimmering body oil no thanks but let me tell you, you need this in your life. Sun-kissed skin plus a few dollops of this is just perfection, you'll look like you've been sunning yourself in some tropical paradise, not just your back garden! This is perfect for summer nights out and definitely needs to go in your holiday suitcase.

Essie Splash of Grenadine

Now your body is scrubbed and buttered up all you need to top it all off is a fabulous nail polish. Enter splash of grenadine. What can I say about this, I mean just look at the colour it's like summer in a bottle. It's a perfect bright summer shade without being too neon and the perfect compliment to your beautiful sun-kissed skin. 

As always hope you enjoy reading and all comments are appreciated. I'd love to hear some of your must haves for getting bikini body ready. 

Until next time :)

Claire x

Sunday Roundup

Hey everyone hope you all had a lovely weekend. I've finished up work now for a couple of days so I'm looking forward to enjoying what I like to call my midweekend:) 


Thanks to everyone who has read my first post and followed me. I'm really enjoying getting this all up and running and hopefully you will enjoy some of the posts I have planned for the next few weeks. 

Last week was super sun filled and I'm really getting used to waking up and having my breakfast outside, so please Mr.Sun stick around for another while. Also getting used to having an excuse to eat ice cream whenever I want, oh that dairymilk ice cream with extra chocolate-too good.  

Hoping to get a couple of new posts up in the coming week so stick around and if you fancy seeing more of what I get up to everyday check out my instagram. I'm doing the #100happydays challenge at the moment so I post something everyday. Actually let me know if any of you guys are doing it too would love to hear how you're getting on. 

Anyways just wanted to check in. I hope you all have a great week!
Until next time :)
Claire x

5 product face

So here it is (finally!) my very first blog post!! It's been a long time coming for me and I finally feel like this is a good time to get started. As you may have gathered from the name, my ramblings will be mainly beauty related , but of course there will be plenty of extras thrown in along the way. So lets get to it.

Over the past month or so there's been a few products that I've been coming back to almost everyday to create a very quick and easy, minimal make-up look. When the weather starts to get that bit nicer I always like to tone down my make-up. Not that I wear a lot anyway but I love having my skin looking as natural and fresh as possible in the warmer months. So here's my five go to products.

L'oreal lumi maqique pure light primer
I'm all for primers and I had been hearing great things about this one for a long time and when I eventually purchased it I was not disappointed. It has a lovely light, smoothing texture which feels so nice on the skin. What I love most about this is it's highlighting quality. It instantly brightens up the face and leaves your skin looking radiant. It's exactly what I need after a few nights in work. 

Garnier Miracle Skin Cream

This has been the perfect foundation substitute for me and exactly what my skin needs this time of year to create that natural dewy look. It has a light creamy texture that comes out white, and then the colour develops as you start to blend it in. I find it gives just the right amount of coverage and leaves your skin with a healthy glow. Definately one of my favourite of these BB type products and also I love the scent it has, anyone else with me on this?

L'oreal Glam Bronze bronzer and highlighter compact

As this is a seriously quick and minimal effort look, once I've buffed in my base I go straight for my current favourite bronzer and highlighter combo the l'oreal glam bronze compact in the shade blonde harmony. When I originally purchased this I was thinking I would be using it for creating a more sculpted and contoured look, but I've actually been loving it for just a nice warm sweep of colour on the face. I like to swirl the two colours together and I find it just adds a nice natural glow and gives a nice matte finish to the face but still allows the fresh, dewy look to come through. 

Maybelline great lash mascara
I have a ridiculous collection of mascaras but you can never have too many can you? Staying with the minimal make-up look rather than going for a dramatic black mascara instead I've been going for the old reliable maybelline great lash in brownish black. It separates the lashes nicely and and really opens up the eyes for this fresh faced look. 

L'oreal collection privee lipstick
Picking a lipstick is nearly always my favourite part of doing my make up and also the most time consuming as I can never decide! But the chosen one for the last while has been Cheryl's nude shade from the l'oreal privee collection. I love a good nude lippy and this one is particularly nice. It has just the right amount of sheen, looks gorgeous on the lips and the shade perfectly compliments the glow from the bronzer to complete this simple, fresh, radiant look.

So that's it! Hopefully some of you enjoy reading this and any feedback would be greatly appreciated I'm very new to all this and it's all pretty daunting so let me know what you think.

Until the next time :)