Monday 23 November 2015

Soap And Glory Favourites

Hey lads and lassies, hope you've all recovered from the dreaded Monday Blues, it's almost done and dusted thank the lord!
I'm back today with a post that I honestly don't know how I haven't done it before this, because the brand is genuinely one of my favourites, for both make up and body care.
If you haven't guessed by the name of the title, it's the extremely popular Soap And Glory. Renowned for their cute and quirky packaging, and their fabulous bath and body care more so, I thought I'd give you an insight today into some of my favourite products from the brand.
So let's get cracking!

Sugar Crush Body Scrub: I love absolutely all of the the Sugar Crush range, because it smells DIVINE, but in particular the body scrub. Some scrubs don't do a lot for me except leave an oily residue on my skin, but this actually does something. It's ingredients include smashed brown sugar, sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains, so while the sugar and the macadamia grains provide a good scrub, the almond oil make sure it isn't too drying. But the smell of this, my good god! If you're into citrus scents and/or sweet smells, then check this out. It smells gorgeous, kind of like a mojito but a bit sweeter! This is 11.29.

Photo from www.boots.ie


Whipped Clean Shower Butter: So this is a shower wash, but Soap And Glory say it's a wash/butter all in one, so if  you're in a rush, you could get away without moisturising. as it's made up of 25 percent moisturising oils and butters, including sweet almond oil, grape seed oils, macadamia nut oil, and cocoa and Shea butters. For me it's not enough to get away without a moisturiser after, but I've just gotten used to always using one so for someone not partial to moisturising frequently this could be a winner. It's a lot thicker than a normal shower wash, it's more of a cream consistency than a lot of other washes I've used. But I love it, particularly in the winter if I want to feel a lot more moisturised, as my skin tends to get very dry in the colder weather, particularly around my elbows, and also the scent to me is a lot more suited to colder weather, as it smells like pistachio, almond, and sweet vanilla! This is 9.99.

Photo from www.soapandglory.com

Solar Powder Bronzer: Myself and bronzing product's have never really seen eye to eye. Anything I've tried has always just left me looking orange. I got this in a gift set in the January sales a couple of year's ago (good old half price in Boots) and eventually I took it out of the box and gave it a go. Since then I've been hooked, so much so I've hit pan fairly hard! It contains two shades, and there's a bit of overspray on the SG, but after a sweep of the brush that disappears, so need to worry about being a glitterball. I tend to sweep my brush in the two colours, and apply it to the points of my face where the sun would naturally hit (if it ever shone in Ireland), so the forehead, cheekbones and a small bit on my nose. I just love how it makes my face look, it gives me a nice healthy glow. Now that the Autumn is coming fast and hard though I may have to put this away again and attempt to give contouring a go, again! This is 15 euro.


Photo from www.soapandglory.com


The Righteous Butter: This is probably the most well known of all Soap And Glory's body butters. It has the typical smell that the brand is known for, it's a really musky but yet floral feminine scent. The body butter itself is thick and luxurious, and I honestly feel so much better after using it. I also love how if I put it on at night after having a shower, the next morning I can still smell it off my pyjamas, the scent lingers that long. This costs 14 euro.

Photo from www.soapandglory.com

Thick And Fast Mascara: I'm not too fussy or demanding when it comes to mascara. To me really it's main use is to darken my lashes as they're so fair. So after that volume or thickness aren't really things I look for, so I was genuinely surprised when I actually really fell for this mascara. It gives me thicker, longer, fluttery to the point that they're almost false, lashes. I haven't used it in a while as I've always had a fair few mascara's on the go, and I like this one so much I don't want to open it and then forget about it as they say you should ideally throw out an open mascara after 6 months, and I ain't going throwing out any of these! The price is 13.50.

Photo from www.soapandglory.com



Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Shine Lacquer: When I tried this first I was petrified it was going to be like the Lip Glosses from the same line that had a plumping effect and stung the bejaysus out of them. But thankfully with this lacquer it's not the case. It's just a really lovely highly pigmented lip colour, that applies really easily thanks to the flattened doe foot applicator. It has a real high shine, but once the shine goes there is still some colour left, and I don't find it too drying on the lips. It's not too expensive either at 9.50.


Photo from www.boots.ie

Apologies for not actually taking my own pictures, but all my Soap And Glory bit's are so well loved they aren't in the best of shape! But I have put the names of where I got the pictures under the products.
I honestly could keep going on for ages, but the post would be ridiculously long then. There are so many products from the brand that there's always something new to try! I know some of  these products seem expensive enough for drugstore product's, but more often than not they're on offer in Boot's, so it's worth a look at the website or in store!

Have you tried any Soap and Glory bits?
What are your faves?
Thanks for reading,
Alisha xxx


Monday 16 November 2015

Top 4 Netflix picks!

Hello lovelies,
I'm back again with a different type of post, nothing related to make up or beauty, but instead what I watch on Netflix! There's so much on there that it can be hard to pin down something to watch, so I thought I'd give you a little guide to my favourite shows/movies on there!

1 Once Upon A Time: This is probably the main reason I signed up to Netflix. The likes of Zoella and Tanya Burr were raving about it in favourites videos, so I figured I'd give it a go! And I'm obsessed! I'm currently on Season 3 Episode 10 and there's another 2 and a half seasons for me to watch on Netflix so I'm in no rush. :) It revolves around a little village called Storybrooke and a boy called Henry who goes to look for his birth mother to break a curse. I know it sounds childish, especially when you see the amount of fairy tale characters that make an appearance, but it's far from it, in fact it can be very dark and dangerous in some episodes, so really not for children! There are some famous faces in there too, Robert Carlisle and Jamie Dornan to name a couple! ;)

photo from www.amazon.com



2: Suits: Ok, so this one is on the scene a good while now, and chances are you've probably watched it already, but I've only gotten into it the last while now! It's based in a high flying New York solicitors firm, and a young man called Mike Ross who, even though he has no law qualifications still manages to bag himself a job in the firm. This is one that appeals to a broad enough audience, as me and my boyfriend watch it together, and he loves it. Once Upon a Time is possibly one just for the girls ;)

picture from www.youtube.com




3: Grace and Frankie: This was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. It's a Netflix original series, and I watched the whole thing in a matter of days it was that funny. It's about two couples in their late 60's early 70's (I think), who are complete opposites personality wise,   and I won't ruin the plot, but trust me, it's definitely worth a watch!


photo from imdb.com

4: Miranda: This is an oldie, but a goodie. Miranda Harte is a well known British comedian, and I laughed out loud during every show. I was disgusted there was only one series! It's based around her love life (or lack of), and her joke shop. I can't say enough good things about it, I had to go searching the Internet afterwards for more series to watch!




So they are  my recommendations for Netflix at the minute, obviously as I watch more these will change, so I may do one every few month's or so.
What do ye like to watch?

Thanks for reading,
Alisha xxx


MUA Skin Define Hydro Primer

Hi Ladies,
I hope you all had a great weekend, the weeks are just flying by! Today I'm back with a super affordable budget buy that will put a smile back on your face, especially in the run up to Christmas.
I was over to visit my brother a few week's ago in Liverpool, so as per usual when I visit the UK, I popped into Superdrug. Don't get me wrong, I love Boots, but I love Superdrug for the brand's that you can only order online here in Ireland, them mostly being MUA and Make Up Revolution. In the two stores I went to, both Make Up Revolution stands were crowded, so I stuck with good old MUA. I've tried a good few products from MUA, and for the most part I've been impressed, (until I picked up an under eye radiance concealer that's just made up of glitter, not a good look). So when I saw the new Skin Define Hydro range from the brand, I'd no bother in picking up a few bit's to try. I picked up the setting powder, which so far I've no complaint's about, but the thing that's really impressed me is the Hydro Primer. I've only been using it for a week so far, but let me tell you, it's love!






From the website and the packaging itself MUA say the primer is

A fresh and hydrating primer in a lightweight gel formula. The soothing aqua base leaves skin refreshed and smooth allowing for even makeup application. The hydro primer has a self-repairing system, designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and prime your face for a smooth complexion. 

So first off, the packaging. It comes in a neat plastic tub, which is fine. Packaging as I've said before isn't a huge issue for me as long as the product inside lives up to it's claims. So I'll just skip right ahead on to the product itself. 
It's the most unusual consistency that I've ever used in a primer. I'm mostly used to silicone based primers, and some that are cream but yet still feel like silicone, but this one is just like jelly. To be honest it remind me very much of an extremely high end primer that people raved about on the blogging scene a while back, but I never tried it so I can't compare the two. It's just such an unusual texture! Even when I put my finger in it makes a little dent in the product, but it's not too long before the primer smooths over again! 
When I apply it to my skin it has a very cooling hydrating effect. It dries in fairly quickly too, which is a big thumbs up for me, because I'm always rushing in the mornings! 
But, the big thing is, does it work? I think so.
It definitely does hydrate the skin, as for reducing the appearance of fine lines, I can't say as I thankfully don't have too many yet, but it definitely does a good job of priming the skin. And although it's not marketed as a primer that makes your base last longer, I find it does. My nose is  the first place that my make up disappears from, thanks to a combination of having a very shiney red nose, along with very very obvious pores. But this primer seems to hold it a bit longer than usual! 
Overall I'm very impressed with this primer. I've tried quite a few of them, and I do have a particular favourite from No 7, but it's just so expensive for the amount you get that I can't justify repurchasing it just yet. 
This one was just 5 pounds, I'm not sure what exactly that is in euro, but obviously it's no that expensive, and I only use a little at a time so I think it will last a fair while! :)

You can pick up MUA product's online HERE, or from Superdrug stores. 

Do any of you lovely ladies have any favourite primers?
Thanks for reading,
Alisha xxx






Tuesday 18 August 2015

Glam Glow ThirstyMud Hydrating Treatment

Everyone and their mother has heard of Glam Glow, and beauty bloggers and You Tubers alike have been singing it's praises for years. But I could never justify the price tag, until on a recent trip to the Aladdin's Cave that is TK Maxx, I found it for the insane price of 24.99! Sure for that price I'd have been mental to not give it a go. (It's usual price tag is around the 50 euro mark for the 50ml jar). There's a few different versions of GlamGlow, depending on what you're skin type is, and what result's you want from a face mask, but the one I picked up (mainly because it's the only one that was there) was the Thirsty Mud treatment. My skin used to be fairly dry and sensitive, but in recent years it's seemed to change to more combination, but I would get dry skin on occasion, usually after wearing a heavy foundation, or else after a night on the tiles and a few drinks. So I figured it wouldn't hurt to have this in my collection.


 First off I love the packaging. It comes in a sealed  cardboard box with all the details off the product on it, so you know what you're getting.When you open the box up it contains all the information you need about the product and all the way's in which you can use the mask, which is handy if you're a newbie! The jar is exactly what you'd expect from such a luxurious product. Glass, strong and sturdy.
So what exactly is Thirsty Mud?

Well, here's what the folk over at GlamGlow HQ have to say about it.
What is isA nondrying hydration mask to deliver instant, extreme hydration.
What it is formulated to do: THIRSTYMUD™ uses the newest, most advanced, and extreme hydration active technologies. It moisturises, restores, replenishes, and calms the skin. Dewdration™ boosts and locks in moisture for a dewy and youthful result while HydraPack™ leaves skin with an instant silky, soft, and supple feel. GreenEnergy™ smooths and energises the skin, giving you a healthy-looking, glowing complexion.
 Free From: 
 - Parabens
- Sulfates 
- Phthalates



The texture is not what I expected at all. I genuinely thought it was going to be a  mask that would harden and dry out, as most of the others are, but this was more like a cream, or a gel texture, which I suppose makes sense when you think about it as it's a hydrating treatment, so a mask that dried out wouldn't really do the intended job. It also smells really nice, kind of like coconut or something similar. 
It is recommended you use this mask 2 to 3 mask's when needed, and to leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes, allowing the product to absorb into the skin. Glamglow also recommend wiping off with a tissue and then massaging the remaining product into the skin, but eh, how can you do that if you've wiped it off? Bit of a contradiction in itself there isn't it
But my preferred way to use it is on clean dry skin, after a shower when I'm heading for bed and leaving it on overnight. By the time I get up the next morning my skin feels completely different and nowhere near as dehydrated as it was before!  
Overall, this is a great product that I think when used regularly enough will help my skin stay hydrated and in good knick, I know I should be drinking a lot more water, but I just never do. 
I would really like to try more from the range, but I don't think I'd run out and buy them at full price, maybe if  I was to find some more bargain's in TK Maxx I would give more a go. :P 
However, if you are in the market for a good hydrating face mask and the GlamGlow is out of your price range, there's a great one by the No7 brand that is brilliant also, and it's only 16 euro! 

Have any of you tried any of the GlamGlow range? 
What would you recommend? 
Thanks for reading,
Alisha xx

(Also apologies about the two different font sizes, I've been going mad trying to change it but nothing is working)

Monday 3 August 2015

Flormar 'Haul'

Hi Ladies,
I hope you're all enjoying the ahem 'Summer'...
Today I'm going to show you a few bit's I picked up from a new make up brand called Flormar. Now I say new, but it actually isn't. They're actually around since the 70's, having been born in Milan, and also having been extremely popular in Turkey, but imagine, it's taken this long to get to us!
Well when I say us, I actually picked up these bits in Lanzarote a few week's back, but fear not, they are on the way to Irish soil very soon I do believe!
I could've gone nut's in the shop so very easily. I mean there was so much of everything! Multiple nail and lip colours, eyeshadow, blushes, you name it they had it! They even had staff on hand to give make-overs, which I genuinely would have loved, but in 36 degree heat it would've just slid right of my face! The staff in there were so pleasant helpful as well, which is always a plus!
So finally, I'm going to show you now what I bought! I haven't done any swatches for the products, but I'll more than likely be doing individual blog post's on all the item's, so I shall add in the swatches to those posts.




  • High Performance Rotating Volume Mascara: Yep, you read that right, A rotating mascara, which I believe the girl in store told me is battery operated! I was a bit dubious that it would do anything, but after having it tried on one of my eye's I had to have it. It instantly made my eyelashes appear longer and thicker, without that clumpy look! I haven't used it properly since because I've such a huge amount of mascara to get through, but I look forward to using it! 

  • Sheer Tinted BB Cream with SPF 15: This I have yet to try properly, but once I do I'll definitely let you guy's know how I got on with it. Some day's I just can't be bothered with a full face of make up, but it's still nice to put something on when I have to go out and run some errands and what not. From the little bit the sales assistant tried on my hand it seems to have a decent amount of coverage, even though the name is 'sheer tinted'. I'm not a fan of really full coverage bases anyway, so this will be nice to have in my ever expanding collection! Colour wise though I did struggle to find a good match, but then again I was in Spain where the ladies are a lot more bronzed than me, but I'm sure they'll cater to us pale skinned lassies when they arrive on our shores!It doesn't actually give a shade name on this, it just says 01, so I'm just assuming it's the lightest shade! 

  • Extra Colour Lip Lacquer Shade 04 Peace Out: I have given this serious usage since picking it up, I'm absolutely loving it! For me Lip Lacquer's have a tendency to be extremely drying and leave my lips in a heap. Not this chap! It's so creamy and comfortable to wear, and it lasts forever! The pigmentation is amazing as well, like you literally only need the smallest amount. I really love the colour of this, it's like a light pink/peach colour, but to be honest, I don't think it really suits me. But ya know, YOLO and all that. :P

  • Terracotta Blush in Shade 45 Touch of Rose: This is a baked blush, and it's absolutely gorgeous! It kind of reminds me of the Mineralized Skin Finishes from MAC to look at, I can't say if it performs the same as I don't own any of them :( But this is a beautiful pink, with hint's of brown and gold glitter. I find that when I apply it that it nearly does the job of a blush and a bronzer all in one, and we all love a product that's multi purpose! However if you don't like glitter I wouldn't recommend this, as it is very heavy on glitter, and I find as the day goes on and the colour fades a bit, the glitter is more prominent. I don't care though I still luurrrve it! 


  • Puffy Eyeshadow 03 in Its My Headband: This is a lovely burgundy, rusty kind of shade, It probably won't suit me at all but the colour was so pretty I just had to have it! I haven't tried it properly, but one swipe in the shop resulted in such pigmentation, and it seemed to be really smooth, so once this post is up and pictures are taken I'll be sure to give it a good go! I'm thinking it would be perfect for a statement eye look on a night out! 
       
 So these are the few items I picked up. I really could have bought the shop but I was good and            restrained  myself, but I definitely will be picking up a few more bit's when it gets to Ireland.              The prices are fantastic, think somewhere along the lines of Rimmel and Maybelline, and the               packaging is a lot more luxurious than the prices would lead you to believe! If I can find prices           I will add them in for the item's, but I would advise getting out and trying the brand because for           the price you can't really go wrong! 


        Have any of you tried Flormar? What did you think?

        Thanks for reading,
         Alisha xxx

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Rimmel Self-Tan Mousse

For the most part I'm a massive tanaphobe. (I'm not even sure if that's a word, but for the sake of this post it is). I've tried a fair few tans, and a lot of them just haven't worked for me. Even Cocoa Brown, which is probably the easiest tan in the world to use, just didn't seem to look right on my Casper skin. However, Rimmel released a new mousse tan recently, (when I say recently it's definitely a few months ago), so of course I decided I'd try it.
First off, the packaging. It comes in a plastic bottle that contains 150ml of product.  It's about the 7.99 mark, so not expensive at all for what you get. The nozzle makes it really easy to dispense the product, in comparison to some other tan's which I often find get clogged and stop dispensing the product after a certain amount of time! It's not exactly the fanciest looking, but it's fine. And honestly, I'm not a huge packaging fiend, as long as a product does the job I'm extremely happy.
And let me tell you this product definitely does a mighty job. I think I have finally found a 'holy grail tan'.
On Rimmels' website, www.rimmellondon.com if you're interested, this is what they have to say about the product.


  • Instant colour which develops into a long lasting colour over 3-6 hours
  • Gives a natural tan for 2-3 weeks (with an application once a week during 3 weeks)
  • Blends flawlessly and seamlessly for a streak free result
  • No fake tan smell.

  • The tan itself does provide instant colour, but nothing too mad, I think it's more a guide colour so you can see where it's been applied already.
     I also find after an hour the shade has started to deepen a bit, and after maybe 4 hours it's developed into a nice bronzed shade, that's deep enough for me. (I'm using the light shade for the record. The best bit for me is that it doesn't have to be washed off!
     You just apply it, let it dry (it dries very quickly FYI,) and you're good to go!
    It goes on really easily, and it doesn't streak at all.
     It doesn't transfer onto clothes or sheets which is a pain in the backside with most tans.
    It's matte, so it's really natural looking, so nothing like the sunshimmer of day's gone by where we'd look like a disco ball after application!
    However, the only claim I'd disagree with is the claim that there's no fake tan smell. Because there is. Not as strong as most other tan's, but after a while you do get that biscuit smell.
    But to be honest, because I think the product is so brilliant, I'll forgive it that! I genuinely think this is the most fool proof tan I've ever tried. It doesn't even go funny on my hands, which happens with every tan I've used!
    As for longevity, I find if I moisturise well after I shower and exfoliate, I can get a good week out of the tan. I haven't reapplied it so I can't say whether it lives up to the claim that it lasts' 2-3 weeks. But a week for me is plenty!
    I'm currently rocking the pale look, so I shall update this at the weekend  with some pictures
    when I'm a bronzed goddess to show you all what the colour is like! :)

    It's priced around 7.99 I believe, and you can buy it in most Penney's and most pharmacies!
    Have you tried it?
    What are your thoughts on it?

    Thanks for reading,
    Alisha xxx

    (Image taken from www.boots.ie)

    Tuesday 13 January 2015

    2015 Beauty New Years Resolutions

    Hey ladies!
    Hope you all had a great Christmas and a fantastic New Year!
    This is what feels like my millionth attempt to get back to blogging, so what better way to get back into it than a quick and easy post on what my New Years Resolutions are, beauty style!


     1: This is probably the biggest one, and the one that will I find most difficult, but I need to stop buying so much make up! It's ridiculous the amount I have, and there's only so much I can put on my face at any given time. So I'm not going to buy any more for the foreseeable future, I have far too many mascara's, foundations,  blushes and eyeshadow than I can count! So hopefully I shall discover some new favourite's hidden away at the back of my drawers! :)


    2: Improve my skincare routine. I need to hugely overhaul my skincare regime. It's not in too bad a shape really, I always cleanse,tone and moisturise in the morning, but nighttime is where I get a bit lazy. I do more often than not take my make up off at the end of the day, (this may not be the case for night's out however but shhhhh..) But as for the moisturising, well, it just seems like a huge job at night, so I aim to get a lot better at that for 2015 so I can have skin like that of a teenager! :)

    3: Use up some of the stash of shower gel's, body butter's and lotions and potions that I've gathered up. Yep, we all know the drill. It's hard to resist the 3 for 2's and the Christmas gift sets that do be on offer, but when you know you have enough to last you for 2 year's (ish) worth of showers and baths, it's time to reign it in! Hopefully I will use up a good amount this year, although I may have to start showering twice a day with the amount I have!

    So they are the 3 main beauty resolutions I have for 2015. Not a lot, but ones that I really need to keep before I get lost in a flood of make up and shower products! I think I'll do OK with regards to the lotions and potions, but as for the make up, I'm not sure! I've already used the excuse of my powder being smashed up as an excuse to buy a new one! (I haven't yet though.)

    So ladies, have you made any beauty new years resolutions?
    If so what are they?
    Thanks for reading,
    Alisha xx