Selfie Sunday

Hey there.

Welcome to another Selfie Sunday!

The stupid faces we have to pull to get them to look at the camera!

• Dry Shampoo- Batiste "Bloom"
• Cleanser- Garnier "Pure Active 3 in 1"
• Toner- Lush "Tea Tree Water"
• Serum- Boots Botanics "Radiance Concentrate Serum"
• Moisturiser- Lush "Cosmetic Lad"
• Eye Cream- Boots No. 7 "Protect & Perfect"

Today myself and Ellie Bells are having a PJ day, so I just did my basic hair and skin care, to stop me feeling completely vile. Ellie was up late last night with her teeth, so I said I'd be sound and keep her company, so today is going to be a basic day all round. Kris was having the time of his life at Electric Six, so won't be back 'til later and by then it'll be time for pyjamas anyway!

Today I need to talk about my favourite eye cream, the "Protect & Perfect" eye cream by No. 7, which has of course been discontinued. I buy a new eye cream roughly every 5 months-ish, especially with the €6.50 off skincare vouchers Boots do from time to time. It was €19.50 for 15mls, but was amazing. I usually use it at night and use the Boots Botanics "Triple Age Renewal Super Serum" for day time use, just to save some money on my skincare. For a while I used the Boots Botanics for day and night time and I really did feel that my fine lines around my eyes became more obvious and my skin gradually felt less plump. I bit the bullet and paid full price, without the voucher (dedication right there) for my "P & P" and haven't looked back since. Within 4 months I felt like my eye area looked plumper and younger overall. This was a lovely, creamy and rich formulation. It just felt so nourishing. No matter how useless a day I'm having, I always felt productive for applying this. It was aimed at 20's+ skin. I can't put into words how honestly devastated I am. Queen of the First World Problems here, I know. I apply with my ring finger around my Orbital bone area, the skin is so porous and thin here, there's not need to put it directly on the undereye/eyelid. 

I went in happy out on Saturday looking for this and was quite disappointed to find it was discontinued. According to the lovely lady on the No. 7 counter "Protect & Perfect" has essentially been repackaged as the "Early Defence" range. Now I don't know how true that is, as I think they just scraped the "P & P" range. It is aimed at the 20's+ market. I'm just worried it will be a completely different formulation. Already I can say it seems much more fluid while the "P & P" was much creamier and richer. Only time will tell with this product, but I'll remain hopeful as I love No. 7 skincare. 

I'll use the complete tube before I pass judgement but if I don't like it does anyone have any suggestions for a cream/serum/etc to try out? I've used this for about 4 years, so really am at a loss. I've previously tried the "Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced" and I just found it too much for my skin. 

As always thank you for reading, and feedback is more than welcome and always appreciated. Feel free to leave any comments on this, on my Instagram, or Tweet me!

Love, 

MyBuzzyBeauty

F.O.M.O. Friday

This week I've been reviewing "Don't Look At Me", a new (to me) face mask from Lush. Every Friday I'll be reviewing new products, so you won't have that Saturday night Fear of missing out!

It retails at €9.50, for 75g, and a use by date of roughly a month (made 18/11/15 and use by 15/12/15), which is the norm for a Lush fresh face mask. I'll use this up in the time no issues, as I'd happily use a face mask every 2/3 days. These masks are to be kept in the fridge. The heat and humidity of the bathroom can absolutely destroy their shelf life.

This picture does the colour absolutely no justice. The only way I could describe this blue is bon bon blue, the same shade as those delicious sweets. It's a lovely fun shade, and is quite misleading on the senses at first. This is a very funny face mask. I'd classify it as a "Grower Not A Show-er" It does not smell anywhere as sweet as you'd hope on first sniff, which is a bit disappointing. Online and in-store it's billed as being packed full of zingy lemon juice but I could only pick that up as an end note. But in the shower, because the humidity and temperature increases your sense of smell, it became a medium citrus blast. Once you're in the shower this is a nice mask. I don't think I'd like it as a sitting around mask. Outside of the steam in the bathroom it smells quite damp or something. My bestie Dale couldn't quite put her finger on it either.

After my first use I just found it too middle of the road for me and my skin. I'm combination/oily, with a tendency to suffer from some dehydration. After this mask my skin felt quite hydrated, which could be down to the mask, or that I use slightly more moisturiser after a mask, or a combination of both. I got an ok scrub out of the mask, which could be the mask, my elbow grease, or a combination of both. Before using this mask if I wanted to feel beautifully plumped and moisturised after a mask I'd opt for Oatifix, which jut makes me feel like a goddess, and if I wanted a good scrub from a mask I'd go for my old reliable, Love Lettuce, which makes me feel so clean and gives me the cutest ruddy cheeks which die down to a lovely creamy complexion every time. I usually prefer for myself one or the other, not a combination.

Please excuse how exhausted I look, and notice how clear my skin looks!

Saying that, after a week and a half of use, I am slightly swayed by this product. I feel like if you're in the mood for a mask to treat your skin and say, "Thanks for being good, I feel like I've been working you hard and in 2 weeks I think you might have a break out, but I want to catch it before it starts so here you go. Luv yaaaaaaaa" My skin does feel clean after and I don't consider it a waste of money. I probably won't repurchase until I'm back to work and have some disposable income again, but that's due to my own preferences rather than a fault of the product. I've had no break out issues, which I rarely do from any Lush products. I also unexpectedly got my period and didn't get very bad spots, as I can do. It's too soon to put this down to the mask or my hormones.

I certainly wouldn't call this a disappointing product, but I feel like you'd have to know your skin quite well to get the most from it. This is certainly a product to keep your skin tipping along, rather than to fix any issues.Right now, financially speaking, there are better products for my skin, but I really do feel once I'm back to work and can afford it, this will be a regular in my fridge in the run up to Sept 2017 (did I mention I'm getting married? *insert smuggest emoji known to man* LOL JK my nerves if I was that much a dose unless ripping the piss.).

As always, if you've liked this, or would like a semi regular run through of the Lush fresh face masks (from the perspective of combination/oily skin, which does get dehydrated), please comment, or show me some love on my Instagram.

Love, 

MyBuzzyBeauty

Wishlist Wednesday

Hey there.

In today's post I'll be talking about some products I've been lusting after for quite awhile. I'll also show a few products at different price points, to show you don't necessarily have to break the bank, unless you want to, in which case please do and let me live vicariously through your spending.

This week I'm going to focus on liquid to matte lipsticks. These are a relatively new sensation, but I really do think they are a game changer. If applied well, they last all day, barely transfer and now you have more than just a flat matte option. I am naturally drawn to matte lipsticks myself, I have a good lip preparation routine and don't find mattes that drying as a result. I also love that I don't have to reapply every 2-3 hours. There's a few brands I've really been obsessing about lately too.

Jeffree Starr Cosmetic's Christmas releases from their Facebook page.

The first  brand I need to talk about has to be Jeffree Star Cosmetics. Created by an absolute vision, it's a vegan and cruelty free brand that packs a lot of punch. They retail at $18 for 5.6ml  which really isn't too bad, but then you consider the cost of delivery. If you buy from Jeffree Star Cosmetics it's free delivery on shopping baskets over $100, but if you purchase from Beautylish you get free delivery to Ireland on baskets over $50, which makes it seem way cheaper. The only thing about buying from secondary retailers like Beautylish is that colours you want won't be restocked as often as they will be from the main source. Coming up to Black Friday you can definitely expect some shipping deals to surface, if you have the patience for it. I generally don't, but I'm also a complete techno-phobe.

A selection from their collection named for Disney princesses.

If I talk about JSC, I have to mention LASplash Cosmetics. I've noticed online retailers seem to have the ability to choose more "alternative" colours than those who have a counter to answer to. I think their Day of the Dead collection is a great example of this, and shows that mattes don't need to be flat. They offer 6 beautiful metallic, almost foiled shades, Catrina being my pick of the litter. The only draw back is that while they retail at $14 (I can't find a quantity for this brand), it's $27.95 to ship to Ireland, which is a bad enough dose, without the ridiculous customs charges a lot of people get hit by. Customs charges really seem up to absolute luck in Ireland. Some pay every single time, and some people never get hit by them! Buuuut if you order from All Cosmetics Wholesale there seems to be free shipping to Ireland, but again, much less of a selection. They seem to only have some of their more "wearable" shades.

Above are some of their more alternative shades, photo sourced from their Facebook page.

I couldn't do a post on liquid lipstick and not mention Anastasia Beverly Hills. Originally known for her magic with brows, the company has now spread to contouring and liquid lipsticks. I'm so obsessed with these. Whoever is Head of Marketing deserves multiple handshakes. It just seems like such a glamourous brand. And when I wear lipstick that's what I want. I'm fairly sure I won't get married unless I'm wearing Heathers, a beautiful oxblood shade. I want to be a woman who drinks some water and doesn't leave a manky lip mark on my glass. I just want to be glamourous and put together, and these lipsticks are the key I'm fairly sure. They're $20 (again can't find the quantity, which is disappointing) and are $17.95 for delivery to Ireland. Have read online there are a lot of issues with ordering, such as slow processing and dispatch, and sometimes issues with the order once it's arrived. They can be bought in Macy's in the US, so if you're over there you can actually see them before purchasing, which is always nice.

Liberated from Sleek MakeUp's Twitter account.

Now, my last two choices are much more easily accessed for us Irish girls. First up we have Sleek, available from Boots online, and in larger stores, as well as from thier own online store. Their Matte Me collection isn't the largest, with 6 somewhat varied colours. I have Fandango Purple myself and I'm a huge fan. It's a beautiful, unusual purple shade, true to colour. Applies easily, but does flake off with wear, but for €6.49 it's hard to beat. Spend €25 online and you get free store collection, spend €50 and you get free home delivery, but it does take a day or two longer.

From a wonderful Twitter account.

Lastly we have TheBalm and their Meet Matt(e) Hughes collection (7.4ml), available from both Cloud10Beauty and very recently Debenhams (online only for Cork so far, but instore in Dublin). They retail at €15.50, with Debenhams currently doing 10% off right now. Cloud10Beauty do free delivery in Ireland on orders over €25 and Debenhams offer free standard delivery on orders over €30. To be honest, this is the collection I am least excited for. There just isn't enough variation in colour for the price you pay. I'd love to see a deep, dirty plum, or a very flashy magenta. I don't think you can really fault a brand for personal choice though, and you get oceans of product for the price.

All in all, if I could afford them I'd have several Jeffree Star and ABH liquid lipsticks, but for now I'll stick to my Sleek with the hope that TheBalm will release some variation. If you have any brands you think I'd be interested in, please leave a comment here or on my latest Instagram snap!

Love,

MyBuzzyBeauty

Selfie Sunday

Hey there.

Welcome to my first Selfie Sunday! So, just as a quick explanation for this weekly series: I'll upload a selfie, will link my Instagram, and will give you a rundown on what I've used on my hair and skin, from shampoo to skincare to any makeup. Usually on Sundays I don't wear much make up, so the weeks I do wear make up I'll focus on a new product every week, giving a mini review and how I've felt about it previously and how I feel it looks on that day, as well as my application process. On weeks I've neglected make up, I'll tell you about a new skin care item each week, and again, performance, application, etc. If nothing else, it might make you reach for an item you don't like and get you to give it another chance.

• Dry Shampoo- Batiste "Bloom"
• Cleanser- Garnier "Pure Active 3 in 1"
• Toner- Lush "Tea Tree Water"
• Serum- Boots Botanics "Radiance Concentrate Serum"
• Moisturiser- Lush "Cosmetic Lad"
• Eye Cream- Boots Botanics "Hydrating Eye Serum"
• Concealer- Urban Decay "Naked Skin" (in Light Warm)
• Setting Powder- Inglot "Illuminizing Loose Powder" (in 43 w/ Blank Canvas Cosmetics F15)
• Brows- Benefit "Browzings" (in Dark w/ Blank Canvas Cosmetics E30)
• Eyeliner- Soap&Glory "Supercat Fat"
• Mascara- Revlon "Photoready 3D Volume"
• Lipbalm- Blistex "Raspberry Lemonade Blast"

Now, I know that looks like a lot of products, but realistically, it's dry shampoo, skincare, concealer, brows, eyeliner and mascara. Maybe that is a lot? Let me know if you'd consider this minimal or average make up on Instagram and in the comments. To me, I don't wear much make up on Sundays, they're usually our lazy, messages day, when we'll do our weekly shop (I can't be one of the last few to call them messages?). So when I do put any on, I'll only really bother trying to emphasis my eyes. I generally have quite good skin, so will try and go as naked as possible.

The product I want to talk about is the Soap&Glory "Supercat Fat"- a carbon black, felt tip liner. 

I have a huge love/hate for the "Supercat" liners. On the one hand, I love the precision and versitility these liners afford- use the flat or curved side for a thicker line you can control well, or the tip for a fine line close, close to the lash line. These liners are great for beginners, particularly the original "Supercat".

On the other hand, for me and my oily eyelids, it goes on carbon black and by the end of the day my flick may not all be there, and it has worn a very definite brown. I get some transfer from this product (even my Urban Decay "Primer Potion", my absolute saviour, does little to help), and I cant really use it with eyeshadows, as I can't build it up dark enough. I also find that these dry out so, so quickly, which reduces wear time even more. Some of these issues are down to my skin type, some are down to the product. 

Over all, I like this product enough to keep and use occasionally (with minimal looks) until it does dry out, but it does make me wary of felt tip liners, no matter how handy they are. I won't repurchase for at least another year, until I become nostalgic for it, forgetting the negative points, and this cycle is repeated. But each time I get sucked back into this pattern I do regret spending the money.

Hopefully this will save at least one person from entering this disheartening cycle. And if you've enjoyed this blog, please let me know in comments and on my Instagram, and of course share with your friends!

Love, 

MyBuzzyBeauty

Hello, I'm Buzzy!

Hey there.

I'm Buzzy/Eimear. I'm 26, living in Cork, Ireland. I'm currently on maternity leave after bringing the wonderful Ellie Belles into this world. I'm engaged, wedding date set for Sept. 2017, to the handsome Kris.
I'm very passionate about all things beauty. My friends have been hounding me to start a blog for a while, so I figure no better time than now!
My aim is to post 3 times weekly. Here's (hopefully) what you can expect each week:
 

• Selfie Sunday- I'll post a picture each Sunday (linked to my Instagram) and give you the lowdown on what's on my face, skincare and make up, and will go into some detail on a new item each week.
• Wishlist Wednesday- I'll post various items I've been lusting after recently and why. Both rational and irrational hopes and dreams for these products will be admitted.
• F.O.M.O. Friday- This will be my weekly review of beauty, skincare, hair, recipes, apps; everything and anything will be included. This way I can let you know if you're missing out on anything

If there's anything I touch on that you'd like me to talk about more in depth, please feel free to let me know!

Love, 

MyBuzzyBeauty