Top Yankee Candle Scents

Its pretty much a blogger cliche to have an obsession with candles. I have to admit I love candles, and some of my favourite video's to watch on YouTube are Bath and Bodyworks hauls, even though we can't buy them here! I know, I'm a strange girl. Saying that, we can access Yankee Candles a lot easier this side of the pond, so incase you live under a rock and never tried said candles, I'm going to share with you today my personal favourite smells! There's a variety of size candles to choose from, there's small jars, medium and large. Now I still live at home, and I don't spend a lot of time in my room, so I wouldn't be able to burn jars for the length of time necessary. However, they also do little wax tarts which when placed in a burner, melt with the heat of the flame of a tealight, and throw the scent around the room or wherever you burn it like you wouldn't believe! So this is the method I use. They are also priced at only 1.50 euro, and if you're burning it in a small space you can cut them in half and get more value for money that way, which is always a good thing!
So here are my top picks!

First up is Fireside Treats. This smells so good I could almost eat it, if it wasn't a pile of wax. This smells exactly what 'Smores' would taste like, sweet like marshmallows but yet with the smokiness of the camp fire! Yummy! Its a sweet scent but not one that's overly sickly.

Vanilla Lime: If you love the scent of Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush then you'll love this just as much. I would even go as far to say as it smells like a Margarita or some other really fruity cocktail! It has the slight subtle scent of vanilla, which stops the lime scent from being too over powering. Its just such a nice fresh scent which I think would be perfect for burning in a kitchen, especially after you've been cooking to eliminate odours such as onions and the likes.

Pink Dragonfruit: I've never heard of a dragonfruit. In fact I don't even know if it is even a real fruit. But this is just a really beautiful fruity scent. Its super sweet though, so probably best to avoid if you don't like anything too sweet. I don't even know what kind of fruit to compare it to, but from the scent itself, it smells like the type of  really juicy fruit that you would sink your teeth into and end up with juice all over the place! So in other words, really juicy.

Salted Caramel:  Are you all noticing a pattern here with all the foodie scents? Hmm, me too. Anyway, if you haven't smelt this, then go do it like right now! This smells like homemade caramel, plain and simple, with a little tiny dash of salt thrown in there, just for taste. Its delicious! And everytime I smell it, it makes me wish I could bake, purely just so I could make caramel. Someday though! This is another one I think would be good for kitchens or a larger space, as I think its too sweet for smaller rooms.

Baby Powder: And to finish, a non food one! This is new born baby smell. It is divine! And every time I smell this it just makes me picture a tiny baby wrapped up in blankets that smells so clean and innocent. This is probably the most inoffensive scent of them all, as its really mild. So if you're the type of person who's very sensitive to stronger scents then maybe give this a try, as its not too in your face, and it doesn't throw too much of a scent.

So they are some of my favourite scents. I could go on and on forever as so many of them smell fantastic but I think you'd all get bored fairly quickly! The best advice I can give is just go to a Yankee Candle shop and sniff sniff sniff! The staff in my local store in Galway are so friendly and always on hand to help if you need it, and there is more than likely always offers of some sort on in store. If you're nowhere near a store then you can buy online also from HERE.

Have you any personal favourites? If so tell me, I always love to try new smells!

Thanks for reading,
Alisha xxx

Likes and Dislikes

I'm not the most confident person in the world, and for the last few days I've been really struggling with some issues that I just can't seem to shake off. Said issues are mainly my teeth. I HATE THEM. I know that sounds a bit over the top, but they are the one part of me that I'm terrible self conscious of. Years of grinding my teeth and acid erosion has taken its toll unfortunately, and that in itself I could cope with. But its the colour and appearance I can't take. I know teeth are naturally a yellow colour (my own dentist told me so), but my teeth are really discoloured, and there's also gaps in them that I've recently become so paranoid about. Anyway after all that, I decided to make it into a blog post, not a blog post about how much I hate things about myself, but about the things I like about myself, so maybe it'll counteract my ever growing paranoia about my teeth!


1: My hair: My hair is probably my favourite feature altogether. I've super curly hair, that so many people compliment me on on a regular basis. It takes little to no effort to style my hair, a bit of mousse in it after its washed and its good to go. Another positive thing about having such curly hair is that its very dry, so it doesn't tend to get greasy too quickly, so I could easily go 3/4 days before it needs to be washed. Yay! (This doesn't mean I don't wash myself more frequently though, obviously.)

2: My small feet: I'm petite at only 5'0, and because of this my feet are only a size 3/4. This makes it super easy for me to find nice shoes and trainers etc.... But it also means I can purchase shoes in the kiddies section! Yay!! :)

3: My eyebrows: This may seem like a strange one, but with eyebrows now becoming a staple part in so many peoples make up routine I'm lucky because I have very strong eyebrows that don't require much work. They are a little sparse in sections, but its not hugely noticeable, so I get away without having to do anything major with them, bar filling in with pencil.

 4: My waist:  I have a tiny waist, that I know many other girls would only love to have. I don't find buying clothes difficult to buy generally, but sometimes I can find dresses hard to buy because while I'm small on top, my hips and legs are slightly bigger... But hey, you can't have it all!

5: My Skin: Compared to other people, I am so so privileged with my skin. Bar the odd breakout once a month, my skin is usually quite good. It used to very sensitive when I was in my teens, but as I've gotten older it seems to have sorted itself out, and I usually can get away with using whatever I like on my skin.


So that's it for today ladies, a bit of a different post, but I thought it would be nice to sit down and think about what I like about myself for a change, instead of focusing on what I don't like.
What about you ladies? What are your likes/dislikes about yourselves?

Thanks for reading guys,
Alisha xxx

Rimmel Match Perfection Blush

Hey everyone, happy Friday! Today I'm back with a review of something in my collection that I absolutely LOVE, but I haven't seen too much talk about it in the blogosphere, so I thought I'd change that with my little opinion!

It is  the Rimmel Match Perfection Blush in 01 Light. It is part of the Match Perfection line  from Rimmel that is made up of a number of other products, including the well known Match Perfection Foundation, Concealer, and Powder.
First of all for me the packaging isn't great. Its the same as the Stay Matte powder, the product is encased in a plastic bottom, and its a plastic lid the screws on to protect the product from getting damaged. I've had no problems with it yet, but I would be afraid to pop it in my handbag as the last time I brought something similar to this packaging in my handbag, my bag got destroyed! But as it's a drugstore product, I won't dwell to much on the packaging, just something to be aware of! :)
The product itself is made up of 2 shades of blush although online it says 3, but I can only see 2, which can be used seperately or together. My preferred method of use is to grab my Real Techniques Blush Brush, swirl the colours together and then pop on to my cheeks. I find it gives a really nice natural flush of colour to the cheeks, which is what Rimmel say in their blurb for the product anyway. I was having a look on the Boot's site just to see the general consensus on the product, and some people seemed disappointed because they say it has very little colour pay-off, but if you look at the colours in the pan, they are very muted, understated colours, which is why I like it. It goes with any make up look. For the day time its perfect if you're just popping to the shop for a few bits and don't want to go ott with your face, for the night time its perfect if you're going out and are going for something a bit heavier, say a smokey eye and a red lip, because it instantly just adds a pop of colour to the cheeks, without distracting from the main elements of the look! The powder itself is nice, I find it easy to apply and blend, and no fall out, which can often happen with a blush after tapping your brush into it.
I had been intending to use this today and to take a picture to show you all what it looks like, but I had my make up done when I realised I'd used another blush! Sorry guys! :( I will add in a picture the next  time I use it though promise!
Overall I really love it, but if you're someone who likes noticeable colour on your cheeks, then I would probably give this a miss! But if  you are like me and sometimes like to look a bit more natural but don't want to skip out on the blush then do give it a try! Its only around the 6 or 7 euro mark so you can't go wrong.
Its available from all usual Rimmel stockists! :)

Thanks for reading everyone,
Alisha xxx

NYX Wishlist

Ok I have to apologise, but my trip away is getting closer and closer, and because of this, my shopping list is getting longer and longer. Oops! With Inglot, Mac and Sephora at my disposal in Times Square I am going to be up to my neck in high end make up. However, sad as it may seem, I'm more excited about drugstore make up, a lot of which we can't get here. I'm not going to do a wish list for every single brand I want to buy bits from, but I thought I'd do a post on NYX, mainly because its so hyped up here, and also for the fact its not readily accessible. So no matter what happens, I'm not coming home without NYX make up!! :)

First up is probably the most obvious one of all, the Butter Lip Glosses. Raved about by beauty bloggers across the globe for being non sticky, super pigmented, and smelling delicious, I will definitely be picking up a couple of shades of these to try out!

Next up is the HD Eyeshadow base. I've actually had this before and I loved it! Any time I used it my eyeshadow did not budge, but unfortunately I tried to buy it from the site I had bought it from previously and it wasn't there!! NOOOOO!! So I shall definitely be stocking up on this when I get to a stand! :)

I'm useless at contouring. Like absolutely useless. I'm just so pale I can never seem to get a right shade of bronzer that's not too orange on my Casper white face. So seen as the Powder Blush in Taupe is meant to be the perfect contour shade for paler ladies like myself, I'll be giving it a try. And maybe one or two other shades, just for the blog of course. ;)

I'm a blush fiend ok?? The newly released Baked Blushes just look so beautiful I have to give them a go? It would be rude not to... Wouldn't it?

And lastly, a base. I don't hear a lot about NYX base products for some reason, but this Invincible Fullest Coverage Foundation sounds really interesting. It claims to offer full coverage, but with a natural looking finish! I don't have hugely problematic skin, but I'd love to try this for days I get really bad breakouts, which to tend to happen once a month... :(

There is lots more I could add to this list, and being truthful, when I get to a stand I will probably buy loads more than this! But for now this is what I definitely have my eye on, and will go to hell and back to make sure I get them!

Have you tried any NYX?
Thanks for reading,
Alisha xxx

Shine On

Hey everybody,
I have very kindly been nominated for the Shine On Award by the very lovely Clare over at The Beauty Chest, so once you're finished reading this post, why not head on over to her blog and have a look see! :)

So there are a few little rules which I'm going to mention right now to get them out of the way coz then we can get on to the fun stuff!

• First of all, you must display this 'Shine On Award' logo within the blog post.

• You must acknowledge the person who nominated you and add a link to their blog (Hi Clare thank you!!!) :) 
• Leave 7 random facts about yourself. 
• Nominate 15 bloggers that you support and think deserve the award and link their blog in your post
• And finally... Contact said bloggers and let them know they've been nominated!! :)

So lets get on to the random and juicy facts shall we??

Fact 1: I love the colour green and all variations of it. So much so that its stretched to my wardrobe, if you had a peak in there you'd find mint green Converse, a turquoise green dress, and many other items full of greenness! 

Fact 2: When I was younger, maybe about 4 or 5, I had a pet rabbit, For some reason though I decided to take him out of his cage and I ended up pulling his ears (no idea why), which resulted in him hopping away never to be found again. :(

Fact 3: I'm super close to my family. We've been through a lot over the years, with me losing two brothers, and a third brother having to visit the UK for 3 months to have a bone marrow transplant. It was tough being away from my parents and him for so long, but I stayed with an aunt who is like my second mother now, and because of all this we're super close and I'm so glad for it. 

Fact 4: I hate my teeth. My mother thinks I'm crazy and says they're fine, but they have gaps in them and I think they're an awful colour. I've decided that if the time comes for me to get married the first thing to be sorted out before the wedding will be my teeth. 

Fact 5: My favourite snack is Salt and Vinegar rice cakes with peanut butter spread on top, with a banana sliced on top. I know it sounds manky, but trust me it's actually really tasty! There's just something about the sweetness and the saltiness that work really well together! Try it! ;)

Fact 6: I worry about things too much. I've been known to freak out at my boyfriend if he doesn't reply to a text on a night out because I think he's passed out in a ditch somewhere. Its ridiculous because I can lie awake at night for hours worrying about things that may or may not even happen! I'm trying to relax a bit and change my ways in baby steps though, so fingers crossed!

Fact 7: This time next month I'm heading to America for the first time. I'm so so excited about it as I'm going to New York! I'm looking forward to doing all the touristy things like the Statue Of Liberty and Ground Zero etc, but I'm also so excited about hitting the shops and going mad buying make up in Sephora and everywhere and anywhere else I find along the way! Eeek!!

So they are my random facts... I hope you found some of them interesting.. And if not, well sorry I'm so boring!! ;) hehehehe....

So onto my nominations:
 1 :Makeup by Candlelight
 2: Twofaced
 3: beautyangel
 4:BlushfulBeauty
 5:My Stepping Stone
 6: Dolly Dowsie
 7:The Blusher Diaries
 8: Make Up by Lauren Marie
 9: Girl With The Skew Earring
 10: Love-Joice


So I tried very hard to tag 15 blogs, but most of the ones I wanted to tag had been tagged already.. However I managed to get to 10, so I didn't do too badly!

Thanks for reading guys, and if you have been nominated link your post in the comments so I can read yours! I love little insights into peoples life! :)

Thanks for reading,
Alisha xxx

Lazy Girls Guide to taking off Make-Up

As much as I love make-up and putting it on, there's no better feeling than taking it off after a long day or night. But what do you do when you arrive home late after a night out, or you're so tired after a long day at work that you'd love nothing more than jumping straight into bed as you are?
Well you'll be glad to know that happens to most of us women. The effort of having to cleanse tone and moisturise seems huge at night, so if for some reason you decided to give it a miss, I'm showing you 3 super quick ways to at least remove your make up before you hit the hay.

Soap and Glory Off Your Face Wipes: Ok, I know face wipes are bad for your skin and dry it out and this that and the other, but even if you just use them when you come in at 3am after a night on the tiles they won't do too much damage. These particular ones from Soap and Glory claim to have 3 in 1 properties, in that they cleanse, tone and smooth the skin. They also claim to minimise pores, and soften skin... All I know is they remove my make up and that's really all anyone wants from face wipes isn't it? If you're familiar with the Peaches and Clean cleanser and like the smell then you'll love these as its the exact same fruity yet minty smell! Its 6.00 for a pack, and they are just handy to have for make up removing emergencies! (If there's such a thing).

Garnier Micellar Solution: Ok so I only got this last week, but it doesn't have to be this particular one, it can be any micellar solution! They are possibly the quickest way of removing your make up! A couple of drops on a cotton pad and a quick wipe of the face and you're done! It removes any make up, even the most stubborn mascara, which is great as it cuts out needing to use a separate eye make up remover. If you're not familiar with micellar solutions at this stage, they are a clear substance which almost looks like water, which contain 'micelles' which act in a way similar to magnets, which then draw out the make up and other impurities from the skin. Again I wouldn't use it as a replacement to proper cleansing and toning, I'd use it as an extra  step in the process, but if you're feeling lazy at least if you use this you can feel slightly less guilty going to bed! ;) Its 6.29 from most pharmacies!

L'Oreal Miracle Cleansing Oil Face and Eyes: I left this until last because its the one that requires the most effort, but even at that its minimal. All you do is take 2/3 drops of the oil, rub it on to your face until it turns to a white slightly milky texture, and then rinse off with warm water. It literally removes every ounce of make up from my face! I had thought it didn't really suit my skin first, because after a couple of uses I had a couple of break outs, but I think it was coincidence because after giving it a break for a while and coming back to it again, its grand! Its 10.79 which is slightly more expensive than the others, but you use so little of it at a time that it will last ages!

So that's it ladies, that's what I do when I'm falling into bed but need to take my make up off!
What about you ladies? Do you use anything like this or do you mind going to bed with your make up on?
Thanks for reading,
Alisha xxx

Wet N Wild Mega Last Lipsticks

Happy Paddy's weekend everybody! I hope you are all well and happy and enjoying whatever you're up to! I'm back today with a review of another product from Wet N Wild, and this time its their Mega Last Lipsticks!

I had heard so much about the lipsticks from various bloggers, so I had actually been planning on picking some up when I got to the States, (4 weeks to go woohoo) but when Wet N Wild arrived here I breathed a sigh of relief. Now I could buy myself some of these famous lipsticks, while at the same time freeing up some room in my suitcase for lots more make up! Win Win! :)
So before I tell you what I think, I'll tell you what the brand themselves say about their product.

'This 4 hour, long-wearing lip colour, leaves a semi-matte, creme finish in one stroke. Glides on easily with rich velvety colour that doesn't cake, feather or bleed.'

While I do like these a lot, I don't agree with the blurb completely. I find application to be slightly difficult as the lipstick actually pulls at the lips when putting it on. So glides on? Me don't think so! However once its on its a completely different story altogether! The product itself is so comfortable when its on! Its so creamy in my opinion it doesn't feel like a lipstick! I often find myself mushing my lips together like I would if I had a lip balm on, because I honestly can't believe that its so comfortable to wear! Another great thing about these is that they last ages after being applied. I've eaten and drank while wearing these lipsticks, and although they do transfer a little bit, you're not left with all your lipstick on the side of a glass and none on your lips! I find they last maybe 4 to 5 hours on me without being topped up, but even if it didn't I wouldn't mind, because I don't have an issue with reapplying lip products throughout the day. I do notice that after wearing the lipstick for some time, my lips do eventually feel a little bit dry, but nothing that a dab of lip balm won't sort out.
Although they aren't a completely matte finish, they do cling to dry patches (I found out the hard way, so do make sure your lips are prepped before use.

                                 L-R: Rose Bud, Red Velvet, Just Peachy, Smokin Hot Pink, Mauve Outta Here


I have five of these in total and the colours I have are:

• Red Velvet which is a bright almost coral red. Its a beautiful shade and although its one I don't go to every day, I know its one I'll reach for in the Summertime quite a lot as it'll be gorgeous with a tan, be it fake or real. ;)
• Just Peachy This is a shade I just picked up recently, but it's fast becoming my favourite colour altogether! Its a lovely peach shade, which I didn't think would suit me too much, but its so nice on!  Its what I thought Rimmel's Apocalips in the shade Luna was going to be, but so much more at the same time. Since I bought this its the only lip product I've worn every day since, I just love it so much! 
• Rose-Bud I picked this up prior to Just Peachy, because I thought this would be more suitable for my skin tone as it was slightly darker. This looks like a dark peach kind of nude shade in the bullet (great descriptions I know), but when its on my lips it nearly looks more brown. I'm not saying I don't like it, because it is a very weareable shade, its just not my favourite of the bunch. 
• Mauve Outta here is a really wearable mauve pink shade. Its a great every day shade, and is something I just throw on if  I'm feeling lazy but want to wear something on my lips! As they say in the beauty blogging world its a 'your lips but better shade' ;)
• Smoking Hot Pink is last, but by no means least. I left it until last because I haven't actually worn this yet, but what I can tell you is its a bright blue toned pink which I think will be a nice alternative to the dark winter shades for nights out! 

So they are all I have for now, but I have to say there's a couple other shades catching my eye, Sugar Plum Fairy being one of them (its meant to be dupe for MAC'S Rebel). These are great lipsticks for the price, which is ridiculous at only 2.99! However, you get what you pay for in the line of packaging. Packaging never usually bothers me with products unless its impractical in some way, which in this instance it is. The lipstick itself doesn't twist down all the way, so every time you take the lid on and off the product, it nicks the lipstick leaving big marks in the product which is a bit of a pain. Besides that though, I'm seriously in love with these. It just shows that you don't have to pay big money for a good quality product, and with so many shades to choose from (26 in total on Wet N Wild's website, not sure if they all made it over here), you will more than likely find a couple of MAC dupes. 

Have you lovely ladies tried these? If so, what's your favourite?

Thanks for reading,

Alisha xxx