Orange Vibrations - How To Recreate the Makeup Look from Giorgio Armani Prive Spring/Summer 2017

I often get emails from the high end beauty brands I work with, outlining how they did the makeup look for this or that starlet on the red carpet or, more excitingly, looks that are fresh off the runway. Show makeup is always my favourite. Particularly when it treads a careful and thin line between wearable and fantastical.

Giorgio Armani Prive SS17 was exactly that; a peachy pretty look that is not dissimilar to a marriage between the Igari makeup trend and something plucked from a sci-fi film. The dewy skin, rose-petal lips and light brows are all important but the key element is the orangey-pink blush tones carried around the eye and over the tops of the cheeks. For Spring/Summer, it is an incredibly light, sweet, suitable and somewhat fairy-like look.

Best of all? It's actually pretty wearable (IMHO). In fact, I followed the steps and wore it out to a friend's birthday dinner the other night.

Linda Cantello, International Makeup Artist at Giorgio Armani describes it as "A new take on orange" and goes on to say that it offers "a fresh vibrant Summer face."

@ Kevin Tachman for Armani Beauty

Here are her steps to recreate it for yourself.

1. Prepare and massage skin with the Armani Prima Glow-On Moisturizing Balm (or any rich moisturiser you have on hand), ensuring the cream is absorbed before adding the base.

2. Use a concealer and foundation to correct natural skin tone, matching it to the color of the neck. Cantello suggests pairing their High Precision Retouch and new Power Fabric foundation.

3. For the main action, apply some Lip Maestro Notorious (In the shade #301) or any peachy cream blush widely on  cheeks & eyelid, making sure the angle from the brow bone down to the cheek is clearly defined. If needed, redefine the shape with a concealer.

4. Fill in the eyebrows creating a straight line.

5. Intensify the eye by adding a slight shadow from the inner corner to the brow with a taupe-coloured brown gel product such as the Armani Eye & Brow Maestro in 02 “Wenge Wood”. Then add a thin line of black eyeliner as close as possible to top lashes. Use finger to extend outer corner.
Apply a mascara such as the Eccentrico mascara in “Obsidian Black” to the top lashes only.

6. Mix lip shades in peach and rose tones such as the Lip Maestro Notorious shades 301 and 515 and gently dab onto lips.

7. Finally, powder at the end using a product such as the Luminous Silk Compact for a matte finish.

@ Kevin Tachman for Armani Beauty

@ Kevin Tachman for Armani Beauty

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Recent and Upcoming Urban Decay Launches

Urban Decay have been busy, haven't they?!

When I went to their presentation on recent and upcoming launches last week, I was properly blown away. Both by particular launches (*cough* Vice Vault *cough*) and the whole presentation. They are a brand that is savvy about trends but also about listening to their customers and what they actually want. We were told that Wende, one of the founding partners of the brand, personally reads through comments on their social media and considers fans' opinions when launching and creating new products.

The biggest launch of recent months is the Naked Ultimate Basics Palette (RRP €47.00), which went on sale on the 29th of September and is already proving a firm fan favourite. The latest in the Naked family, it delivers the all matte selection of shades that lovers of the previous palettes were crying out for. Featuring 12 all-new neutral shades that are exclusive to this palette and different from the shades in Naked Basics and Naked 2 Basics. Some shades, however, may trigger memories of colours from other UD palettes, such as Extra Bitter, as they are refined versions of some of the most popular eyeshadows that the brand has produced. Speaking of Extra Bitter, of the sample pool of bloggers and makeup fans I have chatted with, it's the winner and the one shade I've managed to wear yet. I can state that it truly is gorgeous and blends out and builds like an utter dream.

Another product that had people oohing and aahing was the Naked Illuminated Trio (RRP $36.00), which is part of this year's Holiday collection and brings together three of the brand's beloved marbled highlighters in one palette that makes for a perfect gift. Given the obsession with highlighting, I struggle to think of anyone I know that likes makeup who wouldn't be pretty delighted with this as a gift. Featuring a gold (Pyrite), ivory (Oasis) and peach (Twilight) highlight shade, the palette suits a variety of skin tones and preferences or someone who merely likes options/layering/mixing highlight shades.

Other new products include the long-lasting, high-coverage All Nighter Foundation; the re-invented Brightening and Tightening Complexion Primer Potion that is now for all over the face and not just the cult-favourite for the eyelids; the Perversion Waterproof Fine Point Eye Pen, that extends the ultra-black Perversion line from just mascaras to eyeliners as well; and the Razor Sharp Long-Wear Liquid Eyeliner, that is offered in a very wide range of shades.

It was, however, the Vice Lipstick Vault that blew everyone away. The second it was put on the table, the room erupted in excitement. This limited special edition and latest "vault" product houses all 100 shades in the Vice line in one giant, beautiful box. It's enough to make one weep at the beauty of it. I don't know who's buying it but it's damn gorgeous.

(In the interest of fairness and full disclosure, while I did not strictly review any of the products here, I would like to point out that I did receive free samples but was not paid for my comments and all opinions are entirely my own)



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Youngblood Cosmetics Launch + Brow Artiste Review

Just before I headed off to fashion week I attended the launch of Youngblood Cosmetics to hear all about the brand, how it started, what it stands for, their hero products and what is launching in the next while from their MUA Daniel Chavez.

I was already majorly intrigued by the brand, having received press releases about it for a few months, but had never personally tried any of their products or seen them in action IRL. One of the particular selling points for me is that Youngblood was established by a former medical aesthetician, Paula Youngblood, who made sure that the formulations of their products would be both effective and kind to the skin. And, importantly, they are also a cruelty-free brand.

The launch itself was very entertaining (in spite of the unnatural heat that had a packed room of beauty bloggers perspiring their makeup right off) and Mr Chavez is an absolutely gas character. Tara O'Farrell interviewed the MUA about the brand and his own particular tips and tricks of the trade before he demonstrated some of the products on model Claire Treacy.

Key take-aways from the whole thing? Apparently a brow can never be too arched and there is no such thing as too much highlight, blush shades are made for mixing, and a good base does most of the work in a makeup look.

Physical take-away? Youngblood's iconic Brow Artiste (RRP €37.50), one of their Hero Products. At first, I was surprised by the price on the press release and thought it was kind of expensive. Then I compared it to similar products from the likes of Benefit and found that it is actually in pretty much the same price bracket. I've also used a lot of other similar kits in the past and, have to say, I genuinely think this is one of the better versions on the market. The packaging is sleek and sturdy and is slim and compact enough to travel well. It is also big enough, however, that the mirror in the lid is one I would actually use. Normally mirrors in compacts are so irritatingly small that I never use them but I found myself using this one. Similarly, brushes and tools in kits are usually crap but the double-ended corkscrew and angled brush has a slightly longer handle and is quite handy, as is the little tweezers.

The formulation of the powders and wax is designed to be gentle so that it will be suitable for both those with sensitive skin and people who may have just had their brows plucked, waxed or threaded and have temporary local sensitivity. The two shades in the brunette kit look very similar but the ashier colour is light enough for those with brighter hair and the darker shade built up nicely so that it worked even with my rather dark hair. I can't say that the wax alone was effective in taming the movement of my brows or getting the shape completely down but, then, only the strongest formulations are up to the task and I expected as much. 

I've found myself reaching for the kit every time I've done my brows since I got it and that's the best compliment I can ever give a product.

(This product was given to me as a press sample. However, I was not paid for this review and all opinions are my own.)

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Beauty 2015 II: Best of My Beauty Discoveries

If you read my last Beauty 2015 post, you'll know that I was talking all about my favourite beauty launches throughout the year from my pick of Urban Decay's best palette to budget make-up brushes that seriously impressed. This post, however, is things that weren't new to 2015 but new to me - products I discovered and fell in love with and that I felt deserved a shout-out.

The biggest make-up favourite has to be Missha's Magic Cushion SPF 50 (~ €27) in the shade 21. This BB cushion has become my go-to base and it makes my skin all kinds of glowy. My mother is obsessed and laments that I don't wear it all the time because it makes me look "much better" (cheers). In fact, she'd have me ordering it for her, too, if it had heavier coverage. For me, though, that's good. It doesn't look like you're wearing lots, leaves your skin feeling happy and moisturised, is SPF 50 and is pretty reasonably priced. For me, however, the best proof of how good something is/how much I like it, is if I find myself using it all. I rarely finish mascaras or foundations/BB creams before they dry up as I'm always testing things and wear make-up so little. This cushion BB has been replaced twice now and is the closest thing I've ever had to daily make-up so that says a lot. 

The next make-up fave is a product from the Balm that I've seen hyped for so long by people I respect a lot; the Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter (€20.50). This gives you serious glow right away without looking like you've slathered it on or looking too glittery. It also comes in a super-cute vintage-inspired compact with a big mirror and there's quite a bit of product at 8.5g considering that a little goes such a long way. Best of all, it's the perfect shade for me to use on my cheekbones, the tip of my nose and cupid's bow and on my aegyo sal.

While mentioning cheek products, I can't leave out Too Faced's Love Flush blush (€26.00) in Love Hangover. Not only is the packaging so freaking cute, the product is soft and finely milled and applies beautifully. It's a really pretty natural rosy-pink shade with little tiny flecks of glitter throughout but beware: a little really goes a long way. Apply with caution. 

Seriously, though. How cute is this? It's like a Polly Pocket.

A firm skincare favourite this year has to be Sunday Riley's Luna Sleeping Night Oil treatment. I've been using this for months now, every second night and I have to say that it really lives up to the hype. In fact, my only complaint is that I can't use it every night (the ingredients are too active). My acne scars (which, admittedly, aren't that bad) are fading and I can barely see some at all any more, my overall skin texture is smoother and blemishes heal faster. It's seriously changed my skin and lasts for yonks which makes it, to me, worth the €105 price tag.

Finally, a simple but effect product that I loved this year for my hair is the Naked Style Little Miracle Leave-In Conditioner. It's got argan oil and shea butter in it, smells coconutty and generally tames my hair, and flyaways, even on its most boisterous days. Plus, I've been told my hair is in remarkably good condition but several professionals and I definitely attribute it to regular use of this product.

These are the things I'm taking into 2016 for sure. How about you guys? Any holy grail discoveries this past year?! I'd love to hear about it!

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Beauty 2015 I: Best Beauty Launches of 2015

With the new year upon us, it's a time many pause and reflect on what has happened in the past year and what they would like to happen in the one that is just beginning. I didn't feel the desire to do a recap post on the year and this blog but, suffice it to say, it saw change and progress as always. I began working with lots of new brands, went to amazing events, put lots of products on my face, met lovely people, attended my first fashion week, etc, etc. As a result of all this madness and all these new PR contacts, I tried out more beauty products than ever this year and was fortunate enough to be invited to some of the biggest launches and given samples that afforded me the opportunity to try out more things than I would have been able to otherwise.

Basically, what I'm try to say is, I've personally tried a lot of the year's beauty launches and feel that I am, therefore, able to round up some of the best ones as a result. Here are the things that rocked my 2015 and will be carried over into 2016.



Urban Decay are best known for their eyeshadow palettes but their full line is also home to many a cult favourite. This past year birthed some new icons, particularly when it comes to lip products. I already discussed the products that I'm about to list here in my Winter Lip Edit but I want to briefly reiterate why they rock for anyone who hasn't read that post. First off, is one of the new matte formula Revolution Lipsticks, which were launched this winter, in the shade Bad Blood (€19.00). These lipsticks are a magic formula that gives a matte finish but are rich and creamy enough that you don't feel as though your lips are being utterly drained of any moisture and that they don't catch on any pre-existing dry skin from winter weather harshness. Basically, all the nice points of a matte lip without the downsides. 
I also have one of the 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils (€18.50), which were launched before summer, in the same shade which is actually a slightly lighter colour but both are similar berryish, deeper reds. The two products look lovely together and make for some serious staying power as a pair but also work well separately. The pencil, on its own, feels and looks lighter and less intense but is equally pretty.
Also a favourite are the recently released Urban Decay Revolution glosses (€19.00). Glosses that are super-pigmented and infused with lovely ingredients, these products give the colour of a liquid lipstick, the shine of a gloss and the sensation of a balm. They're pretty magic. I was a big fan of  Apocalypse and Big Bang - both shades are intense purplish colours with the latter being pinker and specked with glitter and the former being deep and a little Goth, in the best possible way. I can't reccommend them highly enough as they even managed to convert me - a serious lipgloss anti-fan - just remember that these require more careful application as they are so pigmented that straying off the lip even a fraction will result in disaster.

Other than my serious love for Urban Decay lip products, one other product from another brand managed to capture my heart. Chanel's Lévres Scintillantes Glossimer Lipgloss (€27.00), in the shade Allegria, came into my life at the very end of the year as a gift and I instantly fell for it. Since I'd been converted to glosses thanks to Urban Decay, I went into the relationship hopeful and found a pigmented gloss in an exceptionally pretty shade which sits beautifully on the skin and blends out perfectly for creating a gradiated Korean lip look. While this product isn't a new one, the shade is Limited Edition and I felt that merited being included in this post.

Another favourite launch from Urban Decay (they really killed it this year, didn't they?) has to be their Brow Tamer (€18.50). I've already reviewed it in detail and ranted about it multiple times but the real proof here is that it immediately kicked all the other tinted brow gels out of my make-up bag. And that remains the case.

Of course, I can't end all this talk of Urban Decay without mentioning my, hands down, favourite launch from them (and probably anyone, really) this year: the Gwen Stefani palette (€46.00). I'm not a palette fiend as some might be but it's like the woman personally inquired of me what I would like in one. Seriously. There's the neutrals, yeah, but then the pretty pink of Harajuku for a girlier, sweeter look, shimmers perfect for accentuating my aegyo sal, gold and blue for braver moments and a dark brown and intense black for liners. I don't really need any other eye products if I have it on hand. Plus: Gwen Stefani. Plus, plus: that packaging tho. Need I say more?

It would also be remiss of me not to mention Billion Dollar Brows, who officially launched into Irish and UK retailers in November after previously only being available in salons. I could talk about the whole line but a particular favourite, which has been cracked out for multiple friends and family members now, is the Brow Buddy Kit (€31.00) which includes their innovative Brow Buddy tool that allows you to measure your brows to perfection and shows where you need to pluck or fill in, a pencil for marking it out and a step-by-step guide

When it comes to skincare, the most exciting launch for me, by far, was the Clarisonic Smart Profile (€249.99). I've been using it for months now and, overall, my skin looks visibly much more refined and smooth. It even looks okay under the horrid lighting in the bathroom at work which makes everyone look terrible an saps all self-confidence away in seconds. Hormonal breakouts do continue to plague my existence but this product is a genius tool not an actual miracle-worker so what can you do?

Another skincare fave was the Hydra-V line from Artistry which is uber-luxe and makes winter look like a wimp in the face of my skin's moisture levels. I was particularly fond of the Artistry Hydra-V Nourishing Gel Cream (€40.75) which I have tragically just run out of...It was my go-to daytime moisturiser this winter as it packs a serious punch but its cream-gel formula means that you don't have to look like an oil slick all day to keep moisturised. Sigh, if only it came in an industrial-sized tube...

Finally, I want to give a shout-out to the new range of Primark/Penneys make-up brushes. I got some at the press day to play with and while I've yet to try them all out, I'm majorly impressed so far! Pretty and sleek in black with rose gold accents, many are double-ended maximising value and make-up bag space. Prices begin at just €1.50 so they're really very reasonable. They've also seriously improved. The brushes are fluffy and soft yet denser (still a little bit rough around the edges but, at that price point, you really can complain) than previous incarnations. The double-ended eyeshadow and eyeliner brush, in particular, is amazing. It blends out beautifully and having the liner brush together on one is really handy for me as that's all I really need. Seriously, if you're in need of new make-up brushes these are well worth a shot.

Now, the astute among you may have notice items in the background of the pictures which were not mentioned. These are items that aren't new to the market, but to me, and were favourites of mine in 2015 but I felt they warranted a separate post to keep things in order here. Look out for that next post as it has deets about a lot of cult faves that I tried, and was pleasantly surprised by, this year.

That's all for now, folks!

(All of these items, bar the Chanel lipgloss, were press samples. However, I was not paid to write about any of them and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

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Brand Overview: IsaDora

In a new series, I'm going to start reviewing brands as a whole, taking several products from them and giving you a better idea of what to expect and where their strengths and weaknesses lie. Today I'm talking IsaDora, a Swedish drugstore beauty brand. The price-range is the higher end of drugstore products but the quality is impressive, the packaging is neat and unfussy and the brand as a whole has a grown-up feel to it. The formulations are targeted towards sensitive skin and an extra bonus is that they don't test on animals - always a good thing!

On a personal note, some of the first make-up I ever used was from IsaDora. I still use a neutral eyeshadow quad my mother bought for me before a disco or a party or something when I was fifteen! That I'm reaching for it after all these years has to say something (not to mention how little I actually wear make-up).

Basically, I had enough of a range of their products to do a whole face (almost) exclusively with items from the brand. I did forget about eyebrows so I used the eyeliner really, really lightly to fill in the gaps in my brows just a little.

I was perhaps most impressed with their Moisturizing Lip Gloss. I normally never wear gloss as I cannot bear the consistency but this applies and dries almost matte, leaving a shine to the lip but not slickness. The shade I got was 21 Red Carpet which is a gorgeous classic true red. I also liked that it felt nice on the lips, like that Jojoba oil was actually doing something and leaving my lips feeling moisturised rather than stripped and tired. On several occasions now, it's been the first product I've reached for - even over my Coco Rouge Shine.

Admittedly, this blush scared me a little at first. It looks normal enough above but in person it looks like a dark, old-fashioned peachy-purple shade. However, the colour (22 Frosty Bordeaux) applies rather sheer with just a nice, pretty pink glow and a touch of sparkle. The applicator brush in the pack is okay but probably could have just been left out in favour of more of the product. I can't say I can rave about this item as much but that's more to do with my lacking in knowledge on blush. Again, however, it is currently the first blush I reach for so that has to say something.

Similarly with the Perfect Shade Eyeliner (in 01 Soft Black), it's not that I have an issue with the product per se but I tend to use felt eyeliners and am now bad at using pencils. However, this is nice and soft on the eyes which is really important to me. It doesn't drag and, while it can be blended, it doesn't smudge the second you go anywhere near it if you want a cleaner line. It's also a lovely rich black shade.

The BB Cream (in 01 Fair) is another stand-out product for me. The packaging reminds me of Asian beauty brands (which can only be a good thing). But the best thing about it is that it's BB cream coverage. I find that many BB creams have very high coverage, closer to foundations, and I'm just not into that. It's why I'm not choosing a foundation in the first place. I just want a light layer to pat on my skin. This one applies really smoothly, doesn't catch on dry patches overly and was really true to shade for me.

I already was a fan of their shadows but this little trio (in the shade 84 Forest) made me squeal with joy when I saw it. I'm a neutrals gal (I know, I know - so obvious and expected) true and true so the two outer shades (a sandy copper and a metallic chocolatey brown) are pretty normal ones for me but the middle shade is reminiscent of a gorgeous green Chanel had in a quad a few seasons back. Except it's richer and with slightly better colour pay-off. Admittedly, you have to work the brown a bit to get the same richness on the lid that the shadow makes you expect but it's well worth it. These shades are stunning.

Lastly, we have the Mineral Compact Powder in 21 Light Opal. It's a pretty basic compact powder and ticks all the boxes. It's not messy, it has a workable applicator included and a handy mirror inside - which is a surprise because it looks like a clear plastic lid with the applicator visible through it at first glance. For me, personally, it offers slightly too heavy coverage but it still feels nice on the skin.

Packaging: 8/10

Prettiness of Shades: 9/10

Application: 8/10

Durability: 7/10

Value for Money: 8/10

Cruelty Free

Good for sensitive skin

Have you guys tried anything by the brand? What did you think?

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Burberry SS15 Makeup Look

So, to unwind when I arrived home today, I sat and watched Youtube videos with a cup of tea. Two of my favourite Beauty bloggers/vloggers, essiebutton and ViviannaDoesMakeup, had both uploaded videos comprising of behind-the-scenes at Burberry SS15, the show, the makeup and how to do it yourself. Sometimes, these runway looks strike me so much, I need to try my hand at them (like this one from Chanel last year)! So, with two videos on the topic watched and my makeup spread across my bed, I set to work!

Sadly, I didn't have all the Burberry swag necessary to create the look but, as is often the case, I improvised. Here's what I supplemented the products with and the two tutorials from the gals!

(Images via vogue.co.uk)

So, for the base, to get the dewy, sunkissed look, I pumped a bit of Maxfactor's Facefinity Primer on the back of my hand and mixed it with Philosophy's Divine Illumination before applying with my fingers. Then I used Dermalogica's Sheer Tint in Light as a BB with the right amount of coverage and dewiness. Lastly, I used Shiseido's Concealer to cover blemishes, for under the eye and along the bridge of the nose.

Next. I filled in my brows with Benefit's Brows A-Go-Go and Billion Dollar Brows' Hint of Tint in Taupe.

Then I loaded a brush with the matte shade of Tan Organic's Bronzer and applied it to my eyelids. I also used this as a contour under my cheekbones.

Lastly, I mixed two shades of lipstick to try and emulate that gorgeous Ruby shade from Burberry - Topshop's Vamp and Rimmel's Kate in 01. I applied a coat of the Rimmel with a lip brush and applied the Topshop over to deepen it and then patted a little directly from the tube on top.

And voilà! Kinda the same thing, right?

Enjoy, and have fun with your look. I mean, who even needs mascara, right?