Wide-Eyed and Bargain: Healthpoint Tea Tree Facial Cleansing Wipes

I stopped using face-wipes a while back as they are just one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Even if I didn't know that, I'd have figured it out. My skin does not like. When I use them around my eyes, angry little red bumps pop up and it's not pretty.

So, at the end of the day, I just wash my face with a cleanser and go without wipes. Most days this is fine, but if I've been wearing eye makeup, I never feel like I've totally gotten rid of it. I'd been looking into makeup removers etc. but I didn't feel the need to apply anything new over all of my face as it was only the eye area that was causing problems. I also wanted to interrupt my all-organic skincare as little as possible. And while I have used organic wipes in the past (in fact, the last pack I bought before I ditched them were by Dr Organic) I had the same problems with them. No matter how many said "for sensitive skin" on them, they were never sensitive enough.

I'd walked by the Healthpoint Tea Tree Facial Cleansing Wipes countless times in my Tesco as the line for the automated checkouts usually ends up winding all the way back into the beauty aisle. Each time, the wipes caught my eye. "Tea Tree" written on anything always intrigues me as I'm blemish prone and would do anything to change that. The fact that they were a quarter the price of many of the other options also made me curious - you all know how much I love a bargain! I finally decided they were worth the gamble the other day as I was only spending €1.19 on them.

I've only used them to remove eye makeup so they're not affecting my regular routine too hugely. And I have to say, I'm impressed. They do an excellent job at removing the makeup without much effort and don't leave my eyes sore or red.

In summation, if you're looking for an inexpensive way to remove your eye makeup before cleansing, this is a great option.

They're really only an interim solution for me as I'm not mad about using anything less natural on my face but, for now, they'll do! And if you don't have those sorts of concerns, they're perfect!

Available online and in Tesco stores.

What's in my bag/Wide-Eyed and Bargain.

This is a two-for and a combo of some signature Colette-posts - a bargain and a bag post! I think I initially promised a What's In My Bag every week but I came to realise that that got repetitive real fast. So, instead, I'll only be doing them when I buy/have interesting things with me.

So, yeah, here's what I had.

My trusty Longchamp Le Pliage avec my Mulberry wallet, diary, passport, Topshop sunglasses, keys, my Tangle Attack, my Andy Warhol pencil case, some snackage in the form of a Wispa, a Pink Lady apple and a travel mug of tea.

I also had this room freshening spray in Tangerine and Vanilla that I picked up in a random shop. It's from a brand called Pan Aroma and they're often in gift shops, DIY stores etc. It is, indeed, as it says on the tin (/label) - blissful. Both fruity and warm! 

I had this egg box in there as well. It originally had little cakes in it (so cute!) that our course director brought along to a meeting that day. Not sure how I ended up with the box....too lazy to walk to the bin? Most probably. 

Above are the Dexter's Laboratory pens I found in a pound shop kind of place - I'm pretty damn excited about them.

Here are some badges I had floating around in there - for the National Gallery of Ireland's 150th Anniversary and for the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). Also pictured are the makeup essentials and only products I carry around on the reg - L'Oréal's Collection Privée Color Riche in Freida, Soap and Glory's Thick & Fast Super Volume mascara and Dr Bronner's Organic Lip Balm in Peppermint. 

And this is the point at which the bargain aspect comes in! In Style UK is giving away Eyeko eyelash curlers with this months issue. Worth £12, the magazine only costs around €5...a magazine and a really good eyelash curler for under a tenner? Em, yeah, I'll be having that.

Anyone else purchase In Style this month? Pleased with the freebie too?

Wide-Eyed and Bargain: Rockstud Designer Dupe from Dunnes.

I love Rockstud everything.

However, Valentino are just running with the stud craze of recent years. They may have it down to a 't' but it isn't an original idea.

Dunnes (€25) do a clutch very similar to the Rockstud (€1050) but for 1/42 the price. Yep, forty-two times cheaper. It's not the same but it's making the Rockstud vibe viable for a larger audience.

You can debate the morality of highstreet taking from High Fashion, you can debate the difference between inspiration versus knock-off and you can debate the morality of designer prices some other time. Right now I'm giving my lovely readers a tip on how to save some money.

We'll talk about the tough stuff some other time.

Valentino Rockstud Clutch Designer Dupe by fitzpac featuring a valentino purse

Wide-Eyed and Bargain: Tangle Attack.

I have extremely knotty hair. It's been better since I started using Argan Oil in it but sometimes it's a real bitch to brush through. My friend used to brush it out for me with her Tangle Teezer when it was really bad and I always liked the product, I just think it remains over-priced.

The "Tangle Attack" (which is available in Ireland in the €2 Shop and, sadly, nowhere else as far as I'm aware) costs just €1.50 and is just as good as the Tangle Teezer, at around a tenth of the price. The design is slightly different and looks less like a dog brush. It also comes with a little travel cover with a mirror inside. The mirror is kind of pointless and too small to be very useful but the case is nice for throwing it in a bag without getting dirty. 

Overall, it's crazy-good value for money. So, if you were looking to invest in a Tangle Teezer, save yourself a few quid. 

I give it 4/5 Colettes. 

(How d'y'all like my new ranking system?)

Wide-Eyed and Bargain - SEVENTEEN SUPERlash Mascara

Another new segment here on Wide-Eyed and Blind is going to be bargains I share with y'all. This probably won't be a weekly post but I'll try to do one every time I've got a good'ne.

I mentioned having bought SEVENTEEN's new mascara in a previous post. Now, I'll admit to having initially been suckered in by the cute packaging - it intrigued me, what can I say? I've never bought anything from the brand before but have been previously tempted by its price bracket and packaging.

The pop art style of design and reference to superheroes in the bold primary colour scheme immediately drew my interest but it was the bargain that cinched the deal. At the moment, if you buy it in Boots, it's at a lower introductory price of €5.99 plus with a free gift of their SUPERlash eyeliner pen.

So, I bit the bullet and gave it a go.

And boy, am I impressed by both products. The mascara has a wand with a small brush that creates a fuller lash look that is very natural and suited to everyday use. The combination of the eyeliner pen (the first I've used) and mascara promises to be great for more dramatic event or evening looks. The eyeliner is very dark and the shape of the nib means that it can be applied quite thick or more thinly and precisely if you have a steady hand. I certainly am going to need some practice if I want to get the hang of it.

Overall, I'm impressed. The mascara is probably going to become a regular favourite and it rivals my sister's recent purchase of the Mac Extended Play mascara, at a much lower price. The liner proves tricky for someone as inept with makeup as I but I like it and it'll be fun for procrastination days.

If you're in search of a new mascara, look no further - especially if you're not up for spending a whole lot.