One of the worst things in the world -okay, it probably isn’t- is when you discover your favourite moisturiser or cleanser is on its last legs. Or when you’re getting ready for a night out and fighting with the pump on your primer to get the last of it out. First world problem, I know. However, there are some positives when it comes to finishing a product. I am a massive beauty junkie so for me, it's the perfect excuse to try a new skincare product out. 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish // I love this product! I purchased it on Boxing Day last year and this product has been my saviour for when I’m too lazy and cold to take off my makeup or wash my face. This product can be put on directly to a dry face, covered in makeup or not, and you wipe it off with a warm muslin cloth. I’ll definitely be buying this again and I’ll write a full review so keep your eyes open for that. I also tried the special edition version with Lavender the other month. However, it caused my skin to break out all over my forehead so I had to donate it. 

Pixi Glow Tonic // This product is raved about all the time and personally, I’m on the fence. The only time I noticed a difference is when I stopped using it for about a week and my skin was totally different. One thing I will say is that the tonic contains a micro-exfoliator which with regular use, I find myself reaching for my exfoliating scrub less and less. Read my full review here.

Avéne Rich Hydrating Creme // Someone recommended this to me in passing about four years ago and I’ve only now just picked this up. This creme is super hydrating especially after I've washed my face and it's in need of a little boost. However, my skin is oily and as this creme is quite strong and rich in hydration, I tend to use this creme at night. 

Revlon Photoready pore reducing primer // I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this primer. There’s something about it I don’t like but it’s the best I’ve come across, so I kind of like it. Having a moisturised base is key with this primer otherwise it doesn’t sit properly. Other than that, it’s a great primer and is a great barrier between my skin and makeup. Read my full review here.

La Roche-Posay Effacular Face Wash // If you’re a long term reader, you know the deal with this. I buy this product on repeat and it’s great for my oily skin. I've had a lot of breakouts recently so I decided to go back to the basics. You can read my first impressions here and an updated review here.

What products have you finished recently? 

Love, Aoife xo 

It’s been almost two years since French brand La Roche-Posay revolutionised my skincare routine and my skin has never felt or looked healthier. I wrote a review on the Effacular range last year, which you can read here. The review is one of my most popular posts so I thought I’d come back to do an update of what my year has been like since using them.

I was introduced to the brand when they kindly sent me an email asking if I’d like to have some of their products. They didn’t want anything in return but they did turn me into a convert. And more importantly, a French skincare convert. All of their products are made with special thermal water meaning they are filled with goodness. <- My interpretation. 

In my current routine, I use the Effacular face wash and Effacular corrector cream. As well as their BB cream for light coverage. The Effacular range is targeted at acne-prone oily skin. The price range is in between high street and luxury. The most expensive thing costing you £16 for a BB cream and also the corrector cream. 

Before I started using La Roche-Posay, I had a lot of chin acne that would often flare up and I’d also get these annoying pimples popping up on my forehead or my cheek. I was really self-conscious of how red the spots would be against my pale skin so I did end up wearing a lot of foundation. Don’t get me wrong, I still get spots around my chin and other parts of my face like you can see in the picture but very rarely are they clusters of massive vibrant red volcanos. They are more like little bumps that never quite form into proper spots. 

The face wash is £12 or £18 depending on the size. I bought the £18 bottle for uni and I have to say, it’s lasted me longer than a year! You only need a coin-sized amount of face wash as it foams up really well. It’s my favourite product from the range and I feel it really helps to reduce the amount of excess oil my skin produces. It leaves my skin feeling a lot more balanced and actually cleaner from within. 

This review is similar to my last one as I love all of the products. I still buy the corrector cream even though it is the most expensive part of my routine. But that and the BB cream are my little splurges. In my last review, I complained that I didn’t feel the corrector cream was hydrating enough and the instructions on the packet confused me. It still does. However, I’ve figured out how to use the cream- yay! I only use a small amount as it is expensive and apply it to the key problem areas on my face such as cheeks and chin. I also find it easier to use and it glides on when my skin is healthier and not dry.

I occasionally use the Serozinc toning spray but only when I feel my skin is feeling really oily. When I first started using these products, my face used to feel so oily but it's definitely calmed down since. Something I accredit to a mixture of these products and a better diet. I don’t really eat greasy fast food or dairy as much as I used to and that’s really improved how my skin feels and looks. The spray contains zinc, which is common in a lot of oily skin products. It’s a very cooling and refreshing spray.

I’m still amazed at the Effacular range and how well it still works. Sometimes I find products become less effective the more you use them. However, I feel my skin has found balance with these products and I still recommend them to anyone with oily skin. My skin definitely feels fresher and free of oil (without that dry feeling) after every wash. They are pricey but they’re definitely worth the coin and you can see results within a week of using them. Plus, the face wash lasts you ages so it probably works out cheaply per wash.

Please note that my skin has cleared up from a mixture of these products, other skincare products I use and a change in my diet. I have cut out as much dairy as I can and I eat dairy-free alternatives. I also wash my face twice a day and a regular routine will help make a noticeable difference. 

La Roche-Posay is available online or instore in Boots and it's often on special offer. Also, if you're a student you can get 10% off. Bargain!

Love, Aoife xo

It’s no secret that skincare is one of my favourite things to purchase. In this new series, I want to put to the test whether some of the holy grail and most talked about products are worth the hype they receive. In the first post I’m reviewing Pixi's Glow Tonic.  

Pixi’s Glow Tonic is a staple feature when it comes to skincare products appearing on my Instagram feed. The bottle’s iconic packaging of an orange tinted plastic bottle with a pea green lid and label is instantly recognisable anywhere. The 250ml bottle retails for £18, but 100ml and 500ml are also available to buy from most beauty outlets. The 250ml bottle lasted me about nine months.

The Tonic contains 5% glycolic acid which is a micro-exfoliant. (Read here what glycolic acid is and it's benefits.) On the label, it recommends using the tonic either in the morning and at night or when needed. At first, I used it at both times at the day before switching to only at night. I actually prefer using the product once a day as two times is too strong for my skin. After consistently using the product for about a month, I slowly started using my exfoliating scrub less and less. However, I still exfoliate once a week to smooth my skin and give it a little TLC boost.

It also contains Aloe Vera to soothe and hydrate the skin as well as ginseng to improve circulation for a brighter, healthier looking complexion. I agree that the tonic has helped improve my skin’s appearance in looking brighter and healthier. My pore’s have also been looking pretty great at the moment.

It took me a little while to understand this product. It might seem a bit silly but at first I wasn’t quite sure what its purpose was. I understand slightly better now that it's a light daily chemical exfoliater. The results were quite gradual and for the most part, I’m still on the fence. However, I stopped using the tonic for a week and I could really feel and see a difference in the texture of my skin. 

Overall, I’d say this product is worth the hype. It’s a bit of a luxury to add to your routine and I like the simplicity of it. It’s a micro-exfoliant that works best with regular use.

Have you tried Pixi Glow Tonic?

Love, Aoife xo

If you’ve read my post on joining the sustainable fashion conversation then you may have gathered that as of recently I’m trying to encourage a change within my lifestyle. There is currently six of us at home and between us, we create a lot of rubbish. The kitchen bin gets full pretty much within a day or two. And, it’s starting to get quite disturbing at the amount that gets thrown away.

Looking at my own lifestyle and beauty routine, I decided to try and change one of the main culprits that fill up my own rubbish; cotton pads. Cotton pads are awesome. They’re so versatile; removing a full face of makeup, putting on toner, removing nail varnish, putting on cream… the list goes on. On an average day when I don’t wear makeup, I probably go through three cotton pads. When I wear a full face, you’re looking at five or six. And if you add that all up, using them every day, that’s a lot of cotton pads in my bin. 

Reusable cotton pads are something I’ve seen buzzing around on the internet. People are using them in tutorials and tweeting about how much they love them. So, in true Aoife fashion, I decided to put them to the test. 

Reusable makeup pads are typically made from organic bamboo and have a texture similar to a microfibre flannel. To clean them all you need to do is put them in with your clothes wash. Most reusable pads come with a little pouch to put them in. I picked up a box of 20 Eco-Friendly Reusable Makeup pads made by a company called Bamboo Feels on Amazon. The general price range of most boxes fit in between £10 to £20, which can seem a little costly but you are able to use these a lot more than disposable ones. Therefore, in the long term, they can work out cheaper.

The cotton pads, or Eco-friendly reusable makeup pads, I bought come in three different colours; white, grey and black. They are larger than normal cotton pads and are double-sided. I use them mainly for removing my makeup and I’ll use both sides of them. They are quite good at removing all my makeup, however, there is occasionally some residue left behind. 

With that said, I haven’t completely eliminated disposable cotton pads from my routine. I only use them for applying my Pixi Glow Tonic because it’s quite expensive and I feel like there’s less product waste on the disposable ones.

I really like them. I like that they’re effective at removing makeup and good for the environment. Being able to wash them with my normal clothes wash is really handy. They're not as soft as I thought they would be but are still gentle on the skin. 

These are alternatives for removing makeup so I haven't used them for anything else such as applying toner or removing nail polish.

Even though I haven’t fully swapped my disposables, just incorporating them with has helped drastically reduce my waste. I’ll definitely be keeping these on.

Love, Aoife xo

Givenchy’s Noir Couture Volume Mascara- I have always struggled to find a good mascara. One that doesn’t clump my lashes or make them look like squashed spider legs. That was until I found this Givenchy number as part of Glamour’s Beauty club. I absolutely love this mascara and I won’t be going back to high street brands for a long time. The difference between the before and after one swipe is amazing, my lashes look naturally volumised. 

Tom Ford 03 Loveshade eye shadow- My eye shadow game is shocking. Shockingly bad. I very rarely experiment with colours instead I choose at most 3 shades of nude. This colour (as you can see) is a golden pink colour and perfect for swiping over the eyes for a work look. It has a slight shimmer to it and the golden colour warms up my eyes.

Eylure False Lashes*- Fake eyelashes are a staple in every makeup bag. These lashes are from falseeyelashes.co.uk I really like the No70 lashes as they’re closest to my natural lash pattern, enhancing my features rather than covering them.

Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil- I have to say no one does eyebrows quite like a Benefit brow. I like that the pencil is quite basic because 1, I don’t have the time to be doing them properly and 2, I don’t have the skill to do anything more than fill my brows in a little bit.

My friend once told me that in France a Mother will take her daughter to a perfume shop when she turns a certain age. There she would choose a perfume that would become her ‘scent’. It was like a coming of age event. I have no clue how much of that is true or whether I’m getting mixed up with another country but I like to think so much of it is true. The idea that a scent, personalised to you, is made when you were younger and something you carry through in life.

Everyone has a different relationship with scent and different scents hold different memories. In the past, I never took much consideration and attention to the perfumes I would use. However, that all changed a few years ago when I finally had the money and learnt how important a good perfume can be. And so, my coming of age story began. 

For me, I associate scents with different outfits and places. I choose one depending on what I'm wearing and how I feel in it. Summer is my favourite season; the lovely sunny weather, the relaxing feeling that takes over and eating al fresco every night. The perfumes I wear during the summer season are generally light, floral and a little sweet. 

Gucci Bloom

This perfume is very special to me and is my favourite one. The scent unravels as you wear it and each time you smell it, you get hints of something else. It contains base notes of natural tuberose and heart notes of Jasmine Bud. The beautiful Dakota Johnson is the face of it, who I absolutely adore, and she put us on to the good stuff. I don't know if it's just me but reading the descriptions of this perfume and the ideas behind it, make me fall more in love with it.

Burberry Her

I received this perfume as a Christmas gift and at first, I wasn't sure as I'm not a big fan of sweet smelling perfumes but it's growing on me. Her is sweet smelling but not overpowering, giving it a classy, elegant edge. The smell reminds me of youth and freedom so I usually pair it with light, fun outfits.

Stradivarius Pretty Blossom

I LOVE scents that smell edible. Pretty Blossom has a subtle hint of chocolate which makes it a mouthwatering scent. It’s doesn't have one domineering scent but rather a mixture of subtle smells. Compared to the others on my list, this is from a high street brand and costs £15. It's really good quality and the scent lingers all day.

Victoria Secret Body Sprays are a must have in any wardrobe and I use mine every day. I picked up the scent Wild Flower last year and it smells of coconuts and hot sunny days. I'm don't actually like the taste of coconuts but I love the smell of them. Coconut smelling perfumes are perfect for the summer as the scent is a summer staple. 

I also have a billion little perfume samples sitting in a drawer and so here are a couple of extra favourites that are perfect for summer: Givenchy’s L'Interdit and Emporio Armani’s Stronger With You. Elie Saab's Girl of Now has a hint of almond which is perfect for a lush Summer’s day.

What’s your favourite perfume?

Love, Aoife xo

Did you know that deodorant contains aluminium? The aluminium is used to cover your pores and stop you from sweating. Which is perfectly fine but I feel like it's quite an aggressive way of saying don't sweat.

For the last month, I swapped my normal Sure deodorant to go organic and use Green People’s Natural Aloe Vera deodorant. I’d heard mixed thoughts on using an organic/ natural deodorant, some good and some bad, so I decided to put it to the test.

NORMAL DEODORANT

I typically buy antiperspirant deodorant because my body likes to sweat a lot. Not that it actually works, I sweat right through it. I then switched to roll-on deodorant because I kept gassing myself out every time I used the spray and I was fed up of the white marks left behind. The main reason I made the switch was that I felt like the normal deodorant was becoming less effective and my armpits were starting to ache.

THE LOWDOWN

Organic deodorant is named so as it does not contain or have as many harsh chemicals and aluminium like normal deodorants on the market. They typically contain some essential oils and organic ingredients. You can read more about the benefits here.

The price range for natural deodorant varies with the most expensive being £22.50 and the cheapest £4.99. (on feelunique.com)  Green People’s deodorant was £10.50 on Feel Unique and is made with 89% organically certified ingredients. The description says it contains a subtle scent of Sandalwood and Chamomile with organic aloe vera, probiotics and zinc ricinoleate which is used to absorb odour particles. The description breaks down the natural ingredients and their purposes.

RUMOURS

When it comes to organic deodorant, a lot of people say there’s a transitional period for the first few weeks. This is where your body adjusts to the new pH in the less chemically filled deodorant which can cause B.O. I was quite worried about this and self-conscious that I could start smelling like a pubescent teenager. They also say that it’s not as strong as a normal deodorant so you will need to reapply it throughout the day. I didn’t mind this but it could start to get annoying after a while. 

As gross as it may sound, I had already stopped wearing normal deodorant a few weeks before and I’d go days without wearing it. This was because I felt better without it on. However, I would wash more as a way to compensate so I didn’t smell. But I never smelt massively bad.

WHAT I LEARNT

I love using organic deodorant. My armpits feel so much better than they used to and there isn’t that sting that comes with normal deodorant. It seems weird but I feel as though my underarms don’t sweat as much as they used to and when they do, it feels like a healthier sweat if that’s possible.

The deodorant is a roll on and dries quite quickly. The B.O smell isn’t as full on as I thought it would be and most times you can’t smell it. Or if it is there then you have to give it a big sniff.  And... no white marks!!

Overall, I’d recommend trying a more natural deodorant. If anything you limit the number of toxins going into your body and it feels so much better than having the sticky sweat that builds up. I don’t know how much this is true, but it probably helps the environment too.

UPDATE: I can officially say I’m out of the transitional period. Last Thursday was the first day where there wasn’t a hint of B.O under my arms at the end of the day. 

Have you ever tried organic deodorant? If not, would you make the swap?

Love, Aoife xo

When it comes to make-up, I have three simple requests: it works on my pale skin, it’s hardly there and it doesn’t cause breakouts. 

When I first started wearing make-up, I used to slap it on, and all would be dandy. Then as I got older, my skin decided she didn’t want to participate in this activity anymore and I would breakout whenever I wore it. This issue was fixed by using a great primer. I wrote a review on my current primer which you can check out here. 

With the first step handled, I required a base that gave something back to my skin and let it breathe. I carry the opinion that spending a little more on things are worth it and are much better overall. And this is how I came to stand at the Estée Lauder counter in John Lewis. 

The lady introduced the Double Wear water fresh finish to me based on the fact I preferred lighter coverage and I didn’t like anything that would sit too heavy on my face. Ever since I picked it up, it’s become my new favourite go-to foundation.

The Water Fresh version gives a lighter coverage compared to the original Double Wear and is also buildable. The foundation has a water base and so will sit nicely on the skin. 

The foundation comes in a frosted glass bottle, has SPF 30 and is sold as 30ml. It’s a mid-range luxury foundation at £33.50 a bottle. However, I did get a student discount with my foundation which made it considerably cheaper. It’s quite runny so you have to be careful when you pour it. I wear the shade 1C2 Petal and is the perfect match for my skin tone.

I pour a pea-sized amount on the back of my hand and use my fingers to apply it. As I mentioned earlier, I prefer light coverage so I am only looking to cover my face with a thin layer. However, let the first layer dry a little to apply another for move coverage. With this foundation, you have to build it to get a better, smoother finish than putting it all on at once.

The only issue I have with the foundation is that you need a moist base. It doesn’t work that great with dry skin, and it can start to separate after the water dries. This can easily be corrected with setting spray; spray it all over to prevent it from drying out. With that said, I do need to make sure my base is as hydrated as possible. Which there is no harm in doing because your skin could probably do with the extra nutrients.

The foundation lasts all day giving me a flawless finish. It feels like a second skin and sits comfortably not sinking into my pores. I hardly ever break out anymore and my skin feels a lot better after as well.

Love, Aoife xo

I have wanted to do a review on a beauty subscription box for ages! I can’t tell you what has stopped me but you’ll have to excuse me for being a bit late to the party. Not only am I late to the Glossybox party but I will be reviewing September's box (Back to School edition) when it's now November. Great time keeping, Aoife.

What is Glossybox?

Glossybox is a beauty subscription service based in the UK and I think they have it in a few other countries too. Each box will cost you £10 plus postage. Every month they release a new box featuring five select products that are worth over £50. Some are miniature sizes and other full sizes. Occasionally these boxes come with a theme such as September had a Back to School theme and October has Halloween.

Products inside:

Your Facial Mini Scrubber- I love this! I have been using it for a couple of weeks and my skin is glowing! It is much smoother and my skin is looking clearer and purified. Facial brushes/ scrubbers are set out to lift away dead skin cells and encourage blood flow to the face, hence my newly found glow. The perk of the Your Facial is that the writing on the label will come off when it's time to replace it which I think is a really good idea because it's something I'm always forgetting.

Grow Gorgeous, Scalp detox- This is the product that I am most excited to try. I have heard of exfoliating your scalp before but never did I think I would do it. This is the mini-size version with the full 190ml costing £28. It smells gorgeous and reminds me of a Percy & Reed Conditioning mask I used to have. I have yet to try this out but I'll let you know how it goes.

Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes- I have to admit I was a little disappointed when I found a pack of wet wipes in the box. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting from a beauty subscription box. But never less, wet wipes can prove quite helpful especially since this pack is small. Perfect for slipping into your bag.

Bang beauty, Brow Cream in Milk Chocolate- Personally, I would not trust myself with a brow cream. The texture is very creamy, as you'd expect from a brow cream. The only thing is that it wasn't as soft as I thought it would be and you have to dig a little to get some product out. The shade is a little dark but I like the end result just the same. The product also comes with a mini angled brush for application. 

Karl Lagerfeld lip liner- I don't really wear much on my lips so lip liners are more of an occasional thing when I do. This is the first lip liner I have used that isn't a pencil. It's a gorgeous deep pink colour and it's soft and creamy to apply. Unfortunately, I think it's a tad too dark and pink for me.

Beauty Pro, Bubbling Cleansing Mask- Face masks are a godsend. Honestly, the most perfect invention. I once did a bubbling face mask with my friend and it was quite a fun catastrophe. When you first apply the face mask, it looks like any other sheet mask. But then it starts to foam. And before you know it, you have two inches of foam coming out of your face!

Final thoughts:

I quite like the idea of receiving a parcel every month with a bunch of goodies inside. Even though you are buying it, you don’t know what you are going to get so it’s a bit of fun opening it. Plus, the box itself is adorable and very aesthetic. 

Is it VFM? In some ways it is, the products inside are collectively worth over £50. That's five times as much as you pay for the box! On the other hand, they may supply you with products that you won't use or never intended to buy. Personally, I'd see what other boxes are selling and look at other reviews before taking the plunge. I love the concept of a beauty subscription service but GlossyBox can be a little gimmicky.


What do you think of beauty subscription services?

Love,  Aoife x

 

Insisting you need to buy a whole skincare range- But it looks pretty though *crying emoji*. Great skincare products are designed to complement other great products. I've learnt that if a product is good enough and lives up to what it says, it will work on its own without the aid of the other products in the range. 

Thinking a good skincare routine will solve all your skin problems- Trust me, it's more than just the lotions and potions you put on your skin every morning and night. The truth is, good skincare is more than just how often you wash your face. Although that really does help. It's about diet, the body's hydration, mental wellness etc. Set yourself a challenge of drinking more water in a week and see if there's a difference in your skin.

Sun cream is only for the sun- Except it isn’t. We all use sun cream in the summer, we put it on our arms, legs, shoulders and faces. Sun cream is designed to protect us from UV rays which are the cause of sun damage and skin cancer. It’s important to wear sun cream all year round to protect your face from UV rays. You may not be able to see or feel them, but they are there. Remember to slap some on before you next go out. If you don't believe me, check out the real doctors here.

Using toothpaste to get rid of spots- Is it just me who thought this was a hack? I'm sure my friend told me about it. As it turns out, it's anything but a hack. The acidity in toothpaste actually causes your skin to erode, removing healthy layers of skin. I found out the hard way when my chin was left peeling for about a week. I couldn’t even cover it with makeup as it continued to peel throughout the day. There’s a reason it’s called toothpaste and not multi-purpose paste.

So there you have a list of five common skincare mistakes. How many are you guilty of? Got any to add?

Love, Aoife x

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The other day I was looking around on InTheGloss when I came across a post by Anna Stevenett, who after trying all forms, had written about her experiences with different types of hair removal. Click to read the original post, The Best ways to Remove Body Hair. Anna divided her opinions into pro’s and con’s of each method that she had tried. It was quite a fun read so I thought I’d do the same.

Pro’s: Quick and simple. It is one of the cheapest methods too. When done properly, your legs can feel silky smooth.

Con’s: On the other hand, it can be massively time-consuming. If you want it done well you need to exfoliate, shave and moisturise. All of which cannot be done in under five minutes, I've tried. Plus, you're bound to get cut every time you shave and end up with missed patches.

Pro’s: As painful as it is, I love waxing. I love how it lasts for two/ three weeks. If I could afford it, I would get it done every time. Honestly, the greatest thing ever and the hair grows back softer as well.

Con’s: Pretty hurts I'm afraid. And unfortunately, waxing can hurt like hell. The good news is you will find over time that your pain tolerance increases. The bad news is it might take a while to get there. Waxing can become quite expensive depending on what you get. But it's completely worth paying to get it done in a salon rather than it at home.

Hair removal cream- 

Pro’s: Hair removal cream feels like a more softer approach when it comes to hair removal. There’s no blade involved which means you are less likely to cause any physical damage to yourself. Hair regrowth is a little slower compared to shaving but it's not a huge difference.

Con’s: In short- it smells. Hair removal cream comes with a very particular scent and it’s not the most pleasant of smells. When using the cream, you are often sat immobile on the bathroom floor waiting for it to work. If you move, you risk the chance of smudging the cream everywhere.

Epilating- 

Pro’s: After only managing to epilate a small section of my shin, I found the hair didn’t fully grow back until almost a year later. Crazy, I know.

Con’s: The most painful form of hair removal ever! Just the mere thought sends shivers down my spine. Not only do you have to deal with the physical pain but the buzz of the rotating head still sets goosebumps everywhere.


No hair removal-
Pro’s: It clears up a huge chunk of time and can be quite empowering.

Con’s: Unfortunately, personal preference has me leaning toward methods of actual hair removal. Since the hair on my legs tends to irritate me, it doesn't stick around long.

So there are my opinions and thoughts on the four methods that I have used. The best kind of hair removal is down to personal preference and choice. I'm curious about the other forms of hair removal out there. Laser and Sugaring are down on my list to try next.

Comment below your thoughts on hair removal and if you’ve tried any other methods.

If you’ve kept up with the latest beauty news then you know that Korean beauty a.k.a K-Beauty has become a new market favourite. Their quirky but phenomenal products are revolutionising the market and I am in full support of it.

One of my favourite Korean beauty products is the Faith in Face, I Need Relaxing Care pearl cellulose sheet mask. As far as sheet masks go, this is the most hydrating mask I have ever tried. When you take the folded sheet out of the packet, it is dripping in serum. It took me by surprise the first time I used it as I juggled with it my hands. The serum was easily and quickly absorbed by my skin, leaving it with a much-needed burst of hydration. The pack recommends that you leave it one for 15-20 minutes. It's longer than most masks but sitting down and not doing much for that time with a cooling mask on your face is seriously one of the most relaxing activities.

K-beauty is impressing everyone and it's obvious as to why. Not only do they have quirky packaging but they're selling quality products and adding fun back into beauty. I've only had a snippet of k-beauty and I'm excited to try what's next. 

Love, Aoife x

I've only been able to find these masks in person in TK Maxx but I have found them available on Amazon.

Going on holiday? Wondering what essentials to pick up before you go? With the holiday season officially underway, I’ve compiled a list/ edit of some of my favourite holiday items that will make your holiday that extra bit sweeter.

One of my favourite things about going on holiday -as cheesy as it is- is doing my nails. I love picking out a new colour and having a fresh coat that will last even after the holiday. Spool Me Over by Essie is a gorgeous pink. It’s not as bright as what I usually wear but this colour gets better as the days go on and the slightly faded look really compliments a tan. 

Effacular Blur, La Roche-Posay (Makeup base)

Finding some sort of coverage whilst on holiday can be a bit tricky as you’re pretty much going to sweat everything off. One solution is to spend a lot of time prepping and baking to prevent it. But, who can really be asked to do that? I’ve been using Effacular Blur for a while now and it’s been great. The BB cream can also be used as an SPF (suncream alternative). Double whammy; as you get your coverage and your skin is protected from the sun. It can look a little dry at first -if you look really closely- but it soaks up those pesky oils throughout the day. Making you look better throughout the day, something you don’t get often. It has a light-weight mousey texture and is a perfect base for any look.

Sea You Later Floppy Hat, Accessorize (Fedora)

I feel like everyone should have a fedora/ floppy hat. They’re not only fashionable but practical too. (Protecting your scalp from the sun, etc) It’s hard to find the perfect one that fits right but when you do, it’s great. Inspired by Meghan Markle and Dakota Johnson, I had to add a fedora to my holiday wardrobe. This one by Accessorise is adorable with the little tassels along the writing, Sea you Later. Fedora’s are everywhere this year and you can find them in H&M, Zara and Primark. They also make extremely cute Instagram pictures.

Tan Strappy Gladiator Sandals, New Look (Footwear)

There is always that one pair of sandals in your shoe collection that lasts for years and for me, it’s my New Look pair. Gladiator sandals are a summer wardrobe staple and having them in tan makes them extremely versatile. You’ll struggle to find something that doesn’t go with them. The last pair of tan sandals I bought from New Look lasted ages and I wore them everywhere, all summer long.

Those are my holiday essentials, what essentials are you taking away with you?

Love, Aoife x