How To Give Better Gifts + A Giveaway Worth over €150 (ft. Urban Decay, Urban Outfitters, Primark and more)

Giving gifts can be tricky. I know a lot of people who hate it and genuinely buckle under the pressure of it. I've seen it damage relationships.

But that's not how things should be.

Gifting is one of my great joys in life. I love spending time, thinking and focusing on people I care about, one by one, and trying to find something that they will love. I don't always spend a lot of money and I don't always buy something at all. Hell, I don't even always get it entirely right but I do think that my gifts, generally, show people that I know them well and that I really thought about and considered them.

As so many struggle with finding the right thing, I thought I'd share some of my tips for getting better gifts, rather than giving specific gift ideas that might not apply at all.

1. Think about the person

I know, I know. This seems so obvious, right? But I don't mean think about them like: "Oh, she's a woman. All women like perfume, right?" (NOTE: Perfume/cologne is never a good idea unless you know the person's favourite scent) or "He likes Star Wars, I'll buy him this Chewbacca mug" (NOTE II: If someone is really a fanatic and they don't have a house full of mugs, this is, actually, a good idea. See below for more discussion on these two examples).

When I say "think about them", I mean think about conversations you've had. Think about things they've said they really wanted or things they keep meaning to get for themselves or little indulgences they can't justify. For example, my friend once bought me a fancy candle for my birthday and I was really touched by it. He'd been around when his girlfriend (my BFF) and I had been discussing our love for the candles and how we couldn't buy them regularly because they were too damn expensive and, when he was buying her one as a treat, he picked one up for me as well. Similarly, I've been talking about buying a hair curler for years, but never got around to it. This year, my sister bought me one for my birthday as a surprise and I was genuinely delighted when I opened it.


2. Do some recon

If you can't think of anything from conversations you've had, can't remember any childhood game they've mentioned or book they keep saying they want to read, go find out. Subtly probe for info or merely pay more attention when you hang out. Or ask people close to them who might know. I always check in with the aforementioned friend when buying for my bestie to make sure she doesn't have things or isn't getting them from someone else. Make use of your sources!


3. Practical gifts aren't boring

Remember the example about the perfume? It's a dangerous gift if you don't know what the person likes but, if you happen to know their favourite one and that they might be running out soon, it is a super useful and thoughtful gift! Similarly, if someone has been complaining that someone in work nicked their mug and you know that they love Chewie, get them that mug!

Practical gifts aren't boring. It is so nice to receive a pricey skincare item that you always repurchase or a new kettle if yours is dying slowly. It means the person pays attention to you, your life and woes, and it saves you having to do it! However, know your audience. You don't want to be one of those cliches that gives someone a vacuum and ends up out on their arse outside on Christmas day. Conversely, if someone has always wanted a Dyson (pricey feckers) and loves to vacuum, it might be the perfect gift. It always depends on the person!


4. Time is the best gift

I always say that getting things isn't always necessary. A voucher to go to the spa together or afternoon tea or the cinema or a gig is a lovely gift. It can be customised to their interests - if they're a foodie, have been dying for the release of a new film, love a band, need a day to relax etc - and it ensures that you get one-on-one, quality time together. Basically, it's two gifts in one!


5. Be sincere (+ always accompany gifts with hand-written notes)

Some of the best things that I have given and received have been the notes that came with things (extra points if they're handmade as well as handwritten). Loving words mean a lot and can be things of great comfort to have around for lonely nights or hard days. Shiny baubles don't do the same for us.

If you're really trying your best, that comes across to most people. Just really consider the person that you are giving a gift to, try and get them something they'd really like, and you'll be alright. It doesn't have to be big or expensive. Wrap it nicely, accompany it with heartfelt words and tell them that they matter to you...


Speaking of which, you guys really matter to me! And I wanted to do a giveaway to thank y'all for reading my stuff throughout the year. Normally, I do "12 Days of Giftmas" or "5 Golden Gifts" with multiple giveaways but my November this year was crazy and those things involve a lot of work. I usually liaise with brands for weeks and weeks and email back and forth loads in advance to organise it. And then there's the photographing, writing and promoting each of those posts and the running and regulating of each of the giveaways. I'm sorry for not being organised enough to do all of that this year but I didn't want to do nothing either. So, instead, I have this one giveaway but it's a good 'un!


Worth over €150, it includes:
A €50 Primark Voucher
A Clarins Beautiful Lip Essentials Gift Set
A Madison Makeup Contour Palette
An Urban Outfitters baseball cap (similar here)
An Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
A Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist
A Sleek Brow Kit (in the shade Light)
A Flormar Long Wearing Lipgloss (in the shade Backstage)
A mini Sumita Eye-liner Pencil (in the shade Black)
A pair of Pieces faux pearl stud earrings
A pair of Kurt Cobain style oval sunglasses (similar here)
A travel-size bottle of Oil Arganic dry oil from Tan Organic

























To win all of this, simply leave a comment on any of the social media posts promoting this article (Instagram & Facebook) before the 24th of December 2017. The winner will be chosen at random and notified on the 25th of December 2017 and the prize will be sent out shortly thereafter. Sadly, this is giveaway will only open to readers based in mind, so keep this in mind before entering. Good luck and happy holidays!

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Forget Orgasm, This Is The Prettiest Nars Blush

I've always admired Nars from afar but, for whatever reason, have never really gotten in to the brand - in fact, I have a similar relationship with Charlotte Tilbury. I really cannot, for the life of me, pin down why. I guess part of the reason is that I don't buy a lot of makeup anymore. Generally, I have so many press samples to work my way through that I have no space - mental or physical - for anything else.

But, perhaps it is also because, in my mind, the brand is really all about blush and I've never really been a blush kind of girl.

Then I tried Orgasm and I got it. I understood the hype. It quickly became one of my all time favourites. I would reach for it every time I did my makeup. Recently, however, I've come to understand the cult of blush a little better (even if I am, by no means, a fully-fledged member) and began to expand my horizons. First, I wanted to track down the perfect rosy, berry shade and found it in Flormar's Terracotta Blush-On in 45 Touch of Rose. Then I was all about peachy tones.

In the past few weeks, I became obsessed with finding the perfect pale pink that looks like the natural flush that colours the cheeks of children after running about outside on a winter's day, the kind of shade that has been popular across Asia for seasons now. I looked high and low but everything was too bright and obvious. I needed subtlety.

And then, last week, I happened to wander into Brown Thomas on my way home from work one evening and the thought struck me, if I was tracking down a particular shade of blush, where better to check than the Nars counter? Sure enough, looking up at me from the new collection displayed prominently by the cash register, there were three new shades of blush and, among them, the perfect pale pink.

This new shade is exactly what I wanted: matte, natural and incredibly pretty. I looks like the kind of natural blush I wish would spring to my cheeks. Not the bright, burning, splotchy red that I have suffered from since I was a teen and made me look permanently mortified or shy, but the kind of soft and elegant flush of maidens in Rocco paintings and K-drama actresses with perfect porcelain skin.

Orgasm, step aside, there's a new (surely soon-to-be) cult favourite in town and it's called Threesome.

(This product was purchased with my own money and I was not paid to review it. All opinions are my own.)

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Happy Birthday, Flormar!

It's a Thursday evening and I'm sipping a cocktail in the crypt of Christchurch Cathedral, watching Alesha Dixon perform...sometimes my life is a little surreal.

But why was I hanging out in a crypt? To celebrate the first birthday of Flormar in Ireland. Obviously.

Seriously though, there was a lot to celebrate. In a year, the brand has really blown up in Ireland and, now, this affordable professional line of make-up is available in 200 pharmacies around the country, with a standalone store opening in Dublin this summer. It has become a firm favourite in blogging circles and I always recommend it to people. In fact, the posts I wrote about Flormar thus far are also some of my most popular; on where to find it, a review of their new innovative 3-in-1 mascara and the launch of the brand.

To celebrate this immense (and well-deserved) success Paul, the Flormar team and Bannerton pulled out all the stops; there were flowers everywhere, cocktails flowing from a specially set up Absolut bar, at least two DJs, a nail station, live demos with the products, the prettiest cupcakes I've ever seen, food from the achingly hip Currabinny and performances from drummers and Alesha Dixon. All of this set in the atmospheric crypt of Christchurch, beautifully lit and decorated for the occasion. To top it all off, we got treated with goody bags full of peachy and dewy products perfect for summer.

It's mad to think it's been a whole year since the launch in a very full and warm room but I'm so happy for Paul and the brand and their success. May it well continue!

Happy Birthday, Flormar! Thanks for everything x

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12 Days of Giftmas - What's still live

Yesterday was the last entry into the 12 Days of Giftmas series but seven of the giveaways are still up and running. I thought I'd just pop up a quick masterpost so you can get your entries in before the rest close!

Happy Christmas!

Caudalie (Micellar Water and Divine Oil) - Closes the 13th of December 2015 at midnight.
Willow (€20 gift voucher) - Closes the 14th of December 2015 at midnight.
MyLadyBug (3 Month Subscription) - Closes the 15th of December 2015 at midnight.
OPSH (Howlite Urban Outfitters Bracelet) - Closes the 16th of December 2015 at midnight.
VOYA (Angelicus Serratus Nourishing Body and Massage Oil) - Closes the 17th of December 2015 at midnight.
The Zipyard (€30 gift voucher) - Closes the 18th of December 2015.
Flormar (2 Lipsticks, 1 Lipgloss, 1 Nail Polish and 1 Blush) - Closes the 19th of December 2015.

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12 Days of Giftmas - Flormar ¦ Giveaway

And, finally, on the 12th day of Giftmas, my true love gave to me, professional make-up made easy...

One of my posts which has been most well-received, and garnered some of the most attention and engagement this year, was about the relaunch of Flormar in Ireland. Flormar is an Italian make-up brand which is now made in Turkey and which used to be sold in Ireland in the past. However, it was relaunched into the Irish market this year after being absent for some time. It is a professional make-up brand which retails at highstreet prices, ranging from €2.95 to €12.95, which means it offers some serious quality at a really affordable price point.

Currently, it is available in over 140 locations across Ireland (pharmacies, stores etc) with a free-standing store that exclusively sells the entire line in the works and a projection that it will be available in 200 locations by February. I actually even wrote a separate post about where it is being sold at the moment because I got so many inquiries about, and interest in, it.

The real testament to a brand, however, isn't the carefully worded press samples, expansion and buzz but in the actual products themselves. And, I have to say, they live up to the hype. Some of their products have even become make-up bag staples for me, alongside brands such as Urban Decay, Benefit, Miisha, Etude House and Tony Moly.

All of which is why they are closing out my first ever 12 Days of Giftmas.

"But what, pray tell, might this 12 Days of Giftmas be?" you're probably asking.

If you didn't read yesterday's post about The Zipyard, let me explain it again!

The 12 Days of Giftmas is a project that occurred to me last week. An idea that I ambitiously decided to go through with very last minute - I must be a lunatic. It's a sort of advent calendar for me and my readers, a way of saying thank you for reading and rewarding you in a small way. For the first 12 days of December, I will be writing a post every day on a shop, brand or item that would make good gifts. This is instead of the long gift ideas posts I've done in the past and offers a more in-depth look at some amazing companies and things. To complement each post, I've also teamed up with these fantastic brands and will be giving something away each day! So, the 12 Days of Giftmas will give you some gift ideas and the potential to win something for a loved one (or yourself!).

I could recommend all of the range as potential gift ideas, particularly for the make-up addicts in your life as a smaller budget is going to go a lot further here than it might at other professional brands. However, I think it will suffice to just suggest a few of my favourites and let you do some of your own swatching and playing around at the counters for yourself.

The first item that has to be included here is probably my most-used product from Flormar, their eyeshadow palette (€9.95) in the shade 04. Containing five shades from cream to beige to brown tones, it's a slim, compact palette that is literally the perfect size for popping in an everyday make-up pouch. It's also got all the shades necessary to add definition to your eye sockets, line your eyes, add light to the inner corners and brow bone and, potentially, fill in your brows if you're stuck.

Another highlight of the line is the Illuminating Primer Make Up Base (€9.95), literally. This crap pumps out which is great for getting the right amount and being hygienic and makes you look all glowy and alive to boot.

Their Revolution Lipsticks (€6.95) are long-wearing, creamy, look like a Mod sixties dream and come in an array of gorgeous colours. And their Terracotta Blush-Ons (€11.95) are the most dreamy beautiful marbled blushes in pretty shades with flecks of metallics and glitter throughout which makes the application gorgeous.

These really are beautiful products and the prices are unbeatable. So, if you want to give this amazing brand a try for yourself, enter my giveaway of two lipsticks, a lipgloss, a nail polish and one of the Terracotta blushes.

1. Sadly, I can only keep my giveaways open to Ireland this time around. I apologise to those who might disappointed but I have to keep the generous brands that I'm working with in mind!

2. The prize is two lipsticks, a lipgloss, a nail polish and one of the Terracotta blushes from Flormar.

3. All you need to do is comment below here or on Facebook with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr), let me know which one in the comment if it's not obvious!

4. Competition closes a week from now on the 19th of December 2015 at midnight Irish time.

5. Winners will be chosen at random.

6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

And that's that! Good luck and thanks for reading. This has been the 12 Days of Giftmas.

(Thanks to Flormar for everything!)

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Where can you buy Flormar make-up in Ireland?

Ever since I wrote about the relaunch of Flormar in Ireland, I've been receiving questions about where you can purchase the products. I responded to those who asked with the simple truth that I honestly didn't know where exactly, particularly outside of Dublin. Then, yesterday, when I was conversing with one of their representatives via email about a different matter, I recalled all of those messages and asked if they could help me out. Thankfully, Flormar were able to send me a full list of their stockists. This list will be expanding over time so what I'm including here is not nearly an exhaustive list. However, you can always check out their Facebook page for updates in the "About" section.

Hope this helps you guys out!

Adamstown Pharmacy (Wexford)
Adriane Dunne Ashbourne (Meath)
Aghada Pharmacy (Cork)
AllCare Pharmacy (Douglas)
AllCare Pharmacy (Wicklow)
AllCare Pharmacy (Donaghmeade)
Ardiluan Pharmacy (Dublin 18)
Bagenalstown Pharmacy (Carlow)
Ballybay Pharmacy (Monaghan)
Bangor Erris Pharmacy (Mayo)
Barretts Castlecomer (Kilkenny)
Barry's Pharmacy (Dublin 12)
Bradley's Pharmacy Blanchardstown (Dublin 15)
Bradley's Prharmacy Ardee (Louth)
Caherconlish Pharmacy (Limerick)
Clonminch (Tullamore)
Carroll's Pharmacy (Waterford)
Christine's Pharmacy (Navan)
Clonroache Pharmacy (Wexford)
Clonsilla Pharmacy (Dublin 15)
Collin's Pharmacy (Clare)
Corrs Pharmacy (Louth)
Colm's Pharmacy (Galway)
Dalton Pharmacy (Tipperary)
Daly's Pharmacy (Dublin 7)
Donabate Pharmacy (Co.Dublin)
Dooley's Bridge Street (Limerick)
Dorrian Ballyshannon (Donegal)
Drom Pharmacy (Limerick)
Durrow Pharmacy (Laois)
Edenmore Pharmacy (Dublin 5)
Edward McManus Pharmacy (Dublin 9)
Edward McManus Pharmacy (Dublin 9)
Ennistymon Pharmacy (Clare)
Fitzmaurice Pharmacy (Dublin 3)
Flanagan's Clearwater (Dublin 9)
Foley's Pharmacy (Dublin 1)
Foxford Pharmacy (Mayo)
Georges St Pharmacy Dun Laoghaire (Dublin)
Glen Easton Pharmacy (Kildare)
Haven Pharmacy Ballybowden (Dublin 16)
Health 1st Pharmacy (Monaghan)
Heathers County Pharmacy- O'Donnells (Mayo)
Heaven Drimnagh (Dublin 12)
Heffernan's Pharmacy (Tipperary)
Hickey's Pharmacy Rush (Co. Dublin)
Janet Dillons (Leitrim)
Janet Dillon (Kildare)
Janet Dillons (Dublin 7)
Jobstown Pharmacy (Dublin 24)
Kelly's Ardara (Donegal)
Kevin Karey Pharmacy (Wicklow)
Killinarden Pharmacy (Dublin 24)
Lannon's Pharmacy (Sligo)
Lennon's Pharmacy Ballymote (Sligo)
Leonard's Corner (Dublin 8)
Life Pharmacy Ballymun (Dublin 9)
Lismore (Mari Mina) (Waterford)
Lonergans Pharmacy (Dublin 12)
Looby Haven Pharmacy (Dublin 21)
Magners Pharmacy (Dublin 5)
Maxwell Pharmacy (Dublin 6)
McCaffreys Pharmacy (Dun Laoghaire)
Mc Cartan Sutton Cross (Dublin 13)
Mc Cartans's Pharmacy (Dublin 17)
Mc Cormack's (Kildare)
Mc Guinness Dundalk (Louth)
McDevitts Pharmacy (Leitrim)
Mclaughlins Pharmacy (Dublin 12)
McManus Pharmacy Clara Offaly
McMahon Pharmacy (Tipperary)
Medipharm Dundrum (Dublin 14)
Medipharm George's St (Dublin 2)
Mitchells (Galway)
Mullaney's Pharmacy (Portlaoise)
Mulligans Pharmacy (Mayo)
N.McSweeny's (Galway)
O ' Dwyer's (Tipperary)
O'Sullivans Pharmacy (Dublin 12)
Park Pharmacy (Waterford)
Ratoath Pharmacy (Meath)
Robert's Pharmacy (Limerick)
Sk Healthcare (Louth)
Springkeel Pharmacy (Mayo)
Staunton's Pharmacy (Meath)
Strand Pharmacy (Dublin 3)
The Cosmetic Outlet (Dublin 8)
The Link Pharmacy (Mayo)
The Rise Pharmacy (Dublin 9)
Thurlas Phar, Dunnes Stores s/c Thurlas Tipperary
Varden West Clare. Milltown Malbay Clare
Village Pharmacy Dundalk (Louth)
Walsh's Pharmacy (Celbridge)
Wards Pharmacy (Longford)
Waterford Park Pharmacy (Waterford)
Woods Pharmacy (Westmeath)



(Thanks to Rebecca from Flormar for passing this information on to me)

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Relaunch of Flormar in Ireland!

A professional make-up brand at highstreet prices - sounds way too good to be true, right?

And yet, it's a reality! Flormar is an Italian make-up brand that used to be for sale in Ireland and which is now being relaunched into the Irish market. Prices range from €2.95 to €12.95 so it's some seriously affordable quality.

By the end of September, it will be stocked in pharmacies all over the country and there will be a dedicated standalone store established at a location in Dublin which has yet to be decided. So, basically, it's going to be rather widely available all around Ireland.

At the launch, we were given a demonstration of the products by MUA, Leonard Daly, showcasing some of his favourites. He notes the bronzer, baked blushes (a dupe for a very popular, more expensive professional brand), BB cream and lipsticks as standout stars from the brand.

We were also given some things to take away and try out so I'll report back on anything I dig later. If you're interested in any particular product and want to know more, comment below and I'll be sure to mention it!





























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