Friday 28 February 2014

Thirst Quencing: My Current Day Creams



I know at least 4 people with more than 1 phone case. And every man I know who doesn't understand why

women hoard shoes, has at least more than 1 pair of trainers.

So, I don't see the problem with having more than 1 daily moisturiser. It's not as if they're all the same.

                                                          Read More.......

Thirst Quencing: My Current Day Creams



I know at least 4 people with more than 1 phone case. And every man I know who doesn't understand why

women hoard shoes, has at least more than 1 pair of trainers.

So, I don't see the problem with having more than 1 daily moisturiser. It's not as if they're all the same.

Look!...


Korres Olive and Rye AntiAgeing Day Cream  40ml (€48.20) Tk Maxx find (€12.99)

What's pictured is not what's linked above because it's no longer available, but asking around, the new

formula is supposedly even better than the previous product. I've had mine in a back log of products since

the summer, and broke it out in December when it got really cold here. This product has been given some

grief from what I've read, and yes, the application of it is like putting tar on your face. But when it sinks in it's

amazing. I am ageing rapidly since I hit 30, I'm guessing due to the stress and environment of working in a

kitchen, so I'm currently using heavy duty moisturisers. This feels like it's plumping things up, and holding

everything else in place. It is heavily scented, but in a herbally/organic kind of way. 7/10


La Roche-Posey Rosaliac UV Riche Fortifying Anti-Redness Moisturiser 40ml  (€22.00)                      

Local Pharmacy (€14.00)


Most mornings, I actually have somewhere I need to go- the bank, post office, TK Maxx....

So this causes a problem because I don't like opening my eyes, getting out of bed, boiling the kettle, getting

in the shower..etc. This moisturiser is the solution of band aid pulling my morning. I do everything as quickly

as possible. Before, I would have to stand around waiting for my skincare to sink in, then wait for my primer

to sink in, then wait for the redness caused by all of the above steps to dissipate, Now I slap this on and I'm

ready for foundation. Hydrating enough for under a BB cream for Mrs dry face, no smell (meh), and in a

neat little tube. Excellent for the price,  8/10



No 7 Essential Moisture Day Cream   50ml (€11.75) bought with a voucher (€7.25).

Caroline Hirons, or Oz as she's known in my house, says that you should take your makeup off as soon as 

you get home and apply your treatment etc. So, I do, like a good girl. But some days when I get home it's 3

in the  evening, and the rest of my day includes cleaning, working out, or doin' it... things that will involve me

showering later in the day once again. Therefore, to save my pennies, and my expensive skincare, this is what

I use. There's no bells and whistles on this product, it's your standard vitamin E cream in a nice glass jar. It's

also dirt cheap, especially when you get a voucher at the till, and it keeps me hydrated til all the fancy work

later on. 6/10


So, they're my current daytime potions. Let me know what yours are on any media you like, and any

recommendations for the future.

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Chat soon,

Ava.

GLOW BOOSTING SMOOTHIE | Beauty Skin Secret

Thursday 27 February 2014

Royal Trash: Empties #1



For my first beauty post I thought I'd get rid of my garbage.


Whilst rifling, I picked out my top 10 and give you a run down of the pros and cons.

10. L'Oreal Elnett Extra Strength Flexible Hold Hairspray 75ml (link in 400ml, 75ml around €3.50).

Yes, I understand that most people hate the smell. To be honest, I've never found a hairspray I actually

like the smell of. But there's a reason the say its micro-diffused. I find it perfect for curling and waving my

mid length coarse hair. I still get hold and shine, and at the end of the day my husband can run his hands

through it, wink wink..

9. Boots Coconut Body Oil 100ml (€3.49)

My local Boots is tiny, so when I found this product in Galway, I was delighted, being the oil addict that I

am. The packaging is adorable for the price point ( glass with a screw top lid), and though the smell is

predominately coconut (obviously), there is also a hint of almond and vitamin E. I tend to drench myself in

either baby oil or Bio oil and put on thick PJ's once a week for an all over treatment, and this was a less

messy ( the product is solid till you warm it in your hands), more fragrant and pleasant change.


8. Alberto Balsam Juicy Green Apple Herbal Shampoo 400ml (€1.79)

I've tried cleansing shampoos from most of the high end brands - Kérastase, L'Oreal Professional, TIGI,

Pureology etc. - but i can guarantee that two rinses with this is exactly the same. In saying that, I have very

dry, processed, thick hair, so the result may be different to those who don't. However for something I use

once every 6 washes, I'm not gonna shell out more money than i have to. In saying that, to be honest, this

product could do absolutely nothing and I would still use it for one reason alone - the smell. It is my favourite

smell in the world, not like dish soap, or reserved like DKNY Be Delicious perfume. Just BANG - apples!

And it lasts for 2 days.



7. Dove Go Fresh 48hr Anti Perspirant Deodorant in Pomegranate and Lemon Verbena  35ml (€1.46).

I got this in tesco, I think for about €1.50, so I bought 4 of them. They're tiny, and I mean decorative clutch

friendly tiny. I keep them in my bag, work locker, desk, jeans pocket... All Dove products have that

moisturising property, and though its not the most effective anti-perspirant, my pits are not that demanding,

so I'll take moisture over efficiency. This is my favourite scent. It's fresh, girly, tart, and not too sweet. It also

doesn't leave marks on clothes, so thumbs up all round.


6. The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel  250ml (€8.95)

If you haven't guessed already it's alot about the smell for me. This gel is made with strawberry seed oil, so

I'm assuming that's what the scent is. To me it's a delicious mixture of those jelly sugared love hearts and

strawberry Ribena - in other words when i was 8 and could stay out late in the summer evening. Ok,  its not

exactly moisturising, and the squeezy bottle is stiff so its hard to get the product at the end of the bottle.But

morning or evening, this shower gel puts a smile on my face. Vibrant colour and totally edible!


5. Korress Mint Tea Body Milk 200ml (€13.30)

I found this on one of my excursions to TK Maxx- something I will talk about in a future post- on sale for

€6.99, used it once, and went back the next day to get another bottle. The packaging on mine has since been

updated but is still beautiful and pricey feeling, and for something that has more of a texture akin to a body

butter than a milk, it's wonderful that it's a tube instead of a pot. As I said it is wonderfully rich so I don't

understand the labelling, but the mixture of Shea butter, almond oil, and pro vitamin B5, means it sinks right

down and leaves zero stickiness, So much so you can get dressed 2 minutes after without transference. The

scent is fresh (the mint), soothing ( the aloe), and musky(the tea). Total steal. Yey me..


4. Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion with Subtle Gradual Tanner in fair to medium 250ml (€6.69).

I live in almost a constant winter, and until the sun decides to make an appearance in April, I must embrace

the pale. But there is pale and then there's translucent. To combat this, I use the still no1 gradual self tanner in

this part of the world (so it says). If it is the case, I can see why. The fair to medium lotion is the perfect

colour for me after an initial 3 applications, and then a top up every third day, The self tan smell is minimal

compared to others, and it does leave my morning skin nice and soft. Also minimal transfer and no cake

hands afterwards, so a must have at this time of the year for me.





3. The Body Shop Olive Body Butter  200ml (€18.95).

It is pricey, but you do get a good amount of product, and if you have normal skin it will last you for ages.

My body is like a pacific sponge however, so I lather this shit on. I would use these butters all the time if I

had the money, over any high end brand out there. They're cult status is well justified. This scent(?), the olive

one, is one of the less extreme of the range. I purchased it back when I stocked up in the summer and am

just finishing it off now. I love it for summer daytime, it makes me feel like a very clean, sophisticated,

cosmopolitan Italian mistress, having a flirty lunch by the Bridge of Sighs. Pazienza..


2. Pantene Advanced Keratin Repair Masque  200ml (€8.99)

I got 6 uses out of this tub. For me, and the amount of product I saturate my hair in for a deep condition,

that's very good. Although it's on the same price point as other high street masques, I can honestly say this

felt more high end, definitely along the lines of L'Oreal Professional or Charles Worthington, if not better. The

packaging is sleek, distinctive, and convenient with its flip top lid. The smell is an expensive floral with a hint

of sour and lasts well into the next day. And the product itself, which claims it repairs 2 years in 2 minutes

(whatever), is fantastic, really moisturising without being heavy, and no need for detangler afterwards.


I think it's new, correct me if I'm wrong, but a definite repurchase for me.


1. It's A 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner Plus Keratin 148ml (€11.56)

Firstly, yes, this is not available over here, the link above is where you can find the product on amazon.com.

This is the closest I can find to an alternative here, with an incredible price increase. It's ridiculous considering

the popularity of this range that it hasn't become available worldwide to stockists. I don't think I've watched

any beauty guru on YouTube that has not adored something from It's a 10. I found this, once again, in TK

Maxx beauty section on sale for €6.99, chi-ching! It's the only thing I've tried from the range.


The packaging is gorgeous, bright metallic blue and orange, and once again, you gotta love tube over pot.

Not too much  to say on the scent, professional if not a little soapy. It's all about how it makes your hair feel.

It's like going back 20 years to my 13 year old self and erasing all of the damage done since then, including

age- temporarily. 10 benefits is tooting its own horn, considering most of them overlap, but I was almost in

tears when I finished my last rationed drop. Goodbye my love..


So, that's my rundown. Any questions click on any of my Check Me Out links and say hi, or leave a

comment down below. I was also thinking of starting a YouTube channel so that should be coming up

shortly. And I'll be having a giveaway tomorrow for subscribers, so make sure to Follow Me to win.

Chat soon,

Ava.




Tuesday 25 February 2014

Me

Hi.

My name is Ava. This is an introduction to me and the reason I started this blog.

I'm 31, and I've been a chef for the past 14 years, by accident. Last week I quit!

I've been obsessed with beauty since at the age of 15 when I sneaked my first issue of Cosmo into my house, like porn. It's also due to the fact that i was born with eczema so one of my first phrases was E45.

So, I'm poor now. And also have no more excuses.

My posts will include reviews, product news, charts, and anything else that takes YOUR fancy.
So please comment, positively or negatively.

And also follow me on any of my social media links available on the top of the page.

Chat soon,

Ava