2018

image via Pinterest

It's been a while. 

I have been missing for way too long and I definitely feel guilty about my recent neglect for this platform but I had my reasons! The main reason I've been gone is pure laziness. Not going to lie to you all but life just got in the way. I also was self doubting thinking 'do people even care about this stuff?' because I was so bothered about the amount of views a post would get. Just last week a girl messaged me on Instagram asking about a certain product I'd mentioned before but she couldn't find anything about it on my blog. And it just made me think that it doesn't matter how many people see a certain post or review on my blog because those people trust my opinion enough buy a something based on my recommendation. I just love to share the things I love! And I love when you girls message me with questions so never hesitate! 

My time away has let me reflect on things and I want to be real and authentic with everything I do. I just want to write about things that make me happy and not worry what other bloggers are doing because we're all different. 

I'm sure most of you are aware of the drama surrounding the Irish blogging community at the moment and the whole topic of people over-editing or manipulating photos to show a better version of themselves made me think about how I had been censoring my online presence in my own way. A lot of people don't realise that Instagram is a highlight reel of peoples lives and so many girls are comparing themselves to these one-time photos that show a split second of a persons lives. 

 If you take look at my Instagram you would have no idea that I am suffering with a chronic illness. I feel as though I'm not being truthfull by not speaking about something that I affects me almost every day. I haven't been posting on Instagram much lately and I haven't posted on Snapchat in months (worlds worst snapchatter by the way) because I don't want to pretend that I feel fine just to show you what I've been up to that day.I think it's important to remember everyone is human and has their own issues that they deal with. What you see online isn't always real life.

 I've recently discovered that I am suffering from Fibromyalgia which is a chronic pain condition. It means my joints and muscles all over my body ache almost everyday, I get migraines and I'm constantly exhausted due to chronic fatigue. Basically it feels like my body is sick - you know that horrible pain your body gets when you have the flu.. except I don't have the flu. If any of you have seen Lady Gaga's documentary on Netflix you'll see that she suffers with the condition too. And honestly if it wasn't for her sharing that part of her life I probably wouldn't have heard of Fibromyalgia because her voice got so much attention from the press. It finally all makes sense to me after years of not knowing why my body felt this way and why I always wanted to stay in on my days off or skip a girls night out because I was too tired.

 Although I now have peace of mind knowing what's wrong with me, I also have had to accept that this is something I will have to live with. I'm so lucky to have support from my family and my boyfriend who are all so patient and understanding with me when I have days that I can't seem to get out of bed or do 'normal' things. I can't count the amount of times I've had to cancel food plans with Cian because the pain was so bad I just needed to lie in bed all day.(Sorry babe!)

I've had to adjust to my new normal which means taking everything one day at a time and finally listening to what my body needs. I remember months ago before I even heard of the condition I would get these flu-like symptoms and feel absolutely horrible but I refused to call in sick to work because I didn't want to let my job down and of course I ended up making myself worse. That mindset is completely gone because at the end of the day you have to look after yourself, no one else is going to do that for you. And that goes for anything you may be dealing with in life. You have to put yourself first and I'm trying to take care of myself from the inside out. I have my good days and bad days and I'm used to hiding my pain on a day to day basis but it's okay to ask for help. 

One thing that has helps me feel more human on my worst days is something some people might find superficial but dressing as I normally would and doing my hair and makeup does wonders for my happiness. There's only so many messy bun and pyjama days you can take! If I dressed for how I felt I would wear a duvet around everyday but it's nice to look at myself and feel 'normal' on the outside even though you would never know the pain I'm in on the inside. I'm finding ways to keep my soul happy and that includes something as small as sharing what makeup I'm wearing or where I bought something because it's hopefully helping someone else feel good about themselves too.

 So for that reason I will be posting more on my blog again! No promises as to how often but I will be posting when I feel up to it. My hopes of starting a Youtube channel are on hold for the moment until I have a better understanding of my body but fingers crossed!

 If any of you have Fibromyalgia and know any tips or tricks to make things easier please let me know! I'm trying out CBD oil at the moment along with my medication but any help is welcome. Yoga is supposed to really help so that will be one of my daily goals for 2018.

I had no idea where I was going with this post and my arms are absolutely aching as I type but I really wanted to be transparent with you all. And even though I will still be posting my usual OOTD'S and selfies on Instagram, I won't be pressuring myself to be at the same pace as others.

Aisling x

24 HOURS IN PARIS WITH ALCATEL

 Hello everyone! I know this post is long overdue and I'm so sorry I've been neglecting my blog for past few months! My laptop has been broke and I was sick of it crashing in the middle of writing a post so i kind of just gave up on it for a while.

Fast forward a few months later and it's still broke.. BUT I really wanted to share my Paris trip with you guys because I had such an amazing time. I had intentions to actually vlog the trip but I got too scared! I know it sounds silly but I just cant get used to speaking into a camera - but I'm going to have to suck it up if I eventually want to start a Youtube channel! I have so many visions and ideas for my channel but I'm such a perfectionist that I know I will everything to a certain standard which means : a better lens for my camera, studio lighting, a cute setup and of course a laptop that doesn't crash every ten minutes! But these things are all achievable and I've set myself a goal to start a channel before the year ends.

 I was kindly invited to Paris with Alcatel Mobile for the launch of their new A5 LED phone along with a group of five other bloggers from the UK, check them out: Naomi Victoria , Gemma Storey , Just Jodes , Lucy Jane Wood & Jessy Ball. There were bloggers and Youtubers from all around the world being flown into Paris for the occasion. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty nervous because I didn't know any of the girls going and I was flying over by myself but I didn't let myself get into my own head and I just kept focusing on how fun it would be. So i flew solo to Charles de Gaulle airport where I was picked up by a driver (and yes, he had my name on one of those signs!) and chauffeured to the Hotel.

We spent the afternoon exploring the Eiffel Tower which was a ten minute walk from our hotel and then Myself, Naomi and Gemma adventured off to the Mothership... SEPHORA! I would be penniless if we had Sephora in Ireland!

We headed back to our rooms to get ready for the launch party event and we boarded a coach that brought us on a quick tour of landmarks before we headed into the Venue. This Venue was so dreamy! It had the most beautiful spiral staircase and classic Parisian architecture. We were greeted by cocktails and champagne and had an amazing night! We were also lucky enough to have been gifted the brand new A5 LED smartphone which was so generous of Alcatel!

 

The following morning I had a few hours to kill before my flight home so Naomi and I decided to ditch the hotel breakfast and get a taxi to Avenue de Champs-Élyseés for quick bite at my favourite place Ladureé. It's always a treat when I buy myself macaroons at the Ladureé store in Dublin but it was even more magical in Paris! Although I ended up spending €12 (eek) on the worlds smallest fruit salad it was still a lovely experience seeing all of the decor and tea rooms they had. Every corner of Avenue de Champs-Élyseé was so stunning I could have spent the whole day wandering around.

After that I had to rush back to the hotel because the car was waiting to bring me to the airport - I felt like such a Princess being chauffeured around! I have to say I'm extremely proud of myself for navigating through the airport by myself because I'm usually useless and leave it whoever else I'm flying with! 

As soon as I passed through security I saw the Gucci store and thought I'd treat myself to something to remember my trip to Paris by. Basically just looking for any excuse to treat myself! Anyone who knows me will know that I never carry cash. I hate it and It's too easy to spend when it's physically in your hand. Sooo I invested in a card holder after going a year without a purse, carelessly throwing my hard in my bag everyday. I went for the Gucci Marmont cardholder in the light pink shade and I'm in love! The sales assistants were so lovely and made the experience so enjoyable - I know it can be daunting in some designer stores. This baby cost me €170 euro because it was VAT free in the airport but it will set you back €190 retail price. Some of my friends think I'm crazy for spending that amount on something so small with the sole purpose of holding your cards but I love it and I know I will take care of it and have it for years. Not to mention it is absolutely beautiful! 

 

Thank you so much to Nicole and Kirsty from Alter Agency for taking such good care of me and thank you to Alcatel Mobile for having me! I had an amazing jam packed 24 hours in Paris and I will definitely be back for another visit to this gorgeous city. Here's a photo from the #A5LEDparty of the lights in all their glory! 

 

I hope you all enjoyed this post.

Aisling x

MY MOST USED BEAUTY PRODUCTS

 Hello everyone! I thought I'd share what products I've been reaching most for in the past few months. I bought the majority of them while I was in New York last November but I've listed some UK stockists so you can get your hands on these goodies too! 

Firstly I'll start off with the NIP+FAB Glycolic fix daily cleansing pads which are insane! I've noticed that they have upped their prices lately but it's worth it to stock up when Boots have their 3 for 2 offers on. I have tried the Extreme night version of these pads but I found them to be a little harsh. I use them as a toning pad - in the morning after I've washed my face, and in the evening after I've removed my makeup. The glycolic acid retexures your face giving you a light exfoliation while the hyaluronic acid refreshes the skin. These are an essential in my skincare routine!

 The Kat Von D shade and light palette was number one on my New York list after hearing such amazing things about it and it did not disappoint! It comes with three contour shades and three highlight shades. The highlight shades are matte powders aimed for using where you would highlight with concealer rather than the shimmery kind of highlight. I love that each contour shade has a different undertone - one is more of a cool undertone to really sculpt, the second is a little warmer that I tend to use to add colour to my face, and the last is a beautiful deep shade which is quite neutral. The pigment is amazing so you can use a lighter or heavier hand depending on how strong you want your contour.

I was silly enough to forget my mascara while I was in N.Y so off to Sephora I went (I went twice a day everyday by the way) to pick up a new one. I'm not really fussy when it comes to mascaras but one in particular caught my eye because I heard SO much about it. It was the Two Faced Better than sex mascara and I am delighted I bought it. It absolutely lives up to the hype and even makes my stubborn lashes look long and full. The only downside is that I notice a little flaking towards the end of the day but nothing major! It's sold out online but you can buy Two Faced cosmetics from Debenhams.

 

I'm sure almost every girl on the planet has one of these sponges in their makeup kit by now. I have used a lot of different variations of this makeup sponge but I had never tried the real deal. I was one of those people who thought 'how could there be a difference in sponges?'. Boy was I wrong! The BeautyBlender is so bouncy and light compared to the dense versions I've tried that just drink up all of your foundation. I always damped mine and I've been using it almost everyday. I use the pointed end to set my foundation with my beloved banana powder. 

And of course I had to try out the BeautyBlender cleanser because cleaning sponges is the bain of my life! I was really surprised at how quickly this cleanser melted the makeup from the sponge. I have seen that Primark released a version of this for €2 or something ridiculously cheap so definitely try that out because I've heard amazing things about it 

- and who doesn't love a bargain!

The NARS radiant creamy concealer is no stranger to my blog but I have been having a bit of a love-hate relationship with it lately. I find myself reaching for it more and more but I've also been noticing a few breakouts in the areas that I apply it. I have been blessed with clear skin and I would only get the odd hormonal breakout but I'm starting to think I'm going to have to end my love affair with this concealer! The finish and coverage are so beautiful that I keep using it but my skin just seems to be getting worse! 

 

 

Next up is the Charlotte Tillbury bar of gold highlighter which has replaced my Anastasia glow kit as my daily highlight. The ABH glow kit can be quite chunky for day time but this little gem is so smooth and finely milled that it just blends in with the skin while giving off an amazing sheen.

I bought the eyeshadow quad and the eyeshadow pans separately so I could choose the colours myself. It's from Anastasia Beverly Hills but I cant seem to find the eyeshadows on any UK stockist websites! But if any of you girls are ever abroad these eyeshadows are amazing! They're not chalky at all and last all day without creasing.

And last but not least is my secret weapon when removing my makeup. This is the Charlotte Tillbury Multi-Miracle Glow balm and this pot is huge so don't let the price tag scare you off. It has a cream to oil balm formula and it honestly feels like a facial in a jar. I massage the product into my face and let it breakdown all of my makeup, then I use a wet face pad or sometimes I use Garnier Miceller water to wipe off all of the residue. You can also use this product on its own as a mask as it is enriched with vitamins and floral extracts that will nourish the skin. This is one of those products that I'd think I didn't need in my skincare regime but it is so amazing and leaves my skin baby soft!

 

HOW TO GET FULLER HAIR WITH CLIP IN EXTENSIONS

I've always had long hair for as long as I can remember, but recently I've been having my hair cut a lot shorter than usual. Partly because I'm not as daunted at the thought of having 2-3 inches cut off my hair anymore - and partly because I desperately need it! Bleached hair + hot styling tools do not do any favours for the health of my locks. I remember when I was 15 I would die at the though of having to cut more than half an inch off my hair even though my split ends were visible from space. I think it was more of a comfort thing because let's be honest, your hair is basically your identity when you're that age.

Fast forward five years and who would have known I would be willing to sacrifice my length in order to maintain the colour and health of my hair?!

When your hairdresser says she's proud of you for suggesting to cut 2 inches off your hair you know you're a changed woman!  Whenever I visit the babes at The Style Club on North Earle street I always ask for a blunt cut and long layers which I think is what suits my hair best.

Now my hair is by no means short but it is definitely the shortest it has been since I was 13. I started wearing clip-in extensions on the odd occasion for fullness two years ago when this amazing company got in contact with me about testing out some of their hair. Initially I laughed it off because my hair was 22 inches long and I didn't need any length but I decided to try them out for fullness and I am so happy I did! I find that having clip in extensions makes my hair hold a curl for longer and when I wear my hair straight I don't get that annoying curve around my face or neck which usually happens after a few hours so that's always a plus!

THE EXTENSIONS
 The first set of hair I got was 22 inches in the colour Butterscotch Blonde. I figured out my colour by looking at their Instagram page and comparing my hair colour to their photos. Butterscotch Blonde is the perfect colour for me because it has multiple tones going through it just like my own hair does. I decided the 22" was too long after having my hair cut so I switched it up with the 20".. you might think there would hardly be any difference but trust me there is! This hair is of such a high quality and is thick from root to tip!
I have the 20" Princess exquisite 300gram pack which is a lot of hair so unless you have very short thin hair I would suggest downsizing on the grammage. 

  It's worth noting that when you purchase a set of extensions you receive a separate little sample piece so that you can match the colour of the hair in person. If the sample doesn't match - don't open the full set of extensions and you'll be able to get a refund to purchase a different colour that might be a better suit.

Typically when I wear mine for daily use, if I'm shooting outfit photos, going for lunch or on a date with the boy, I only need 2 wefts to achieve my desired thickness because I have a lot of hair anyway. But for nights out I tend to go for 3 or 4 max because the hair is so thick and luxurious that's all I need. Of course, if you have thinner hair than mine and are using the extensions for length then you would use more wefts.

The great thing about these extensions is that they have a realistic shine and texture which doesn't scream "I'm wearing fake hair!" and they blend easily into your natural hair allowing you to straighten or curl them as if you grew it yourself!

TIP 
Make sure to section off your hair as you apply each layer of extensions. I like to section above the ears first and apply a three clip weft. Then use your eye level as a guide and apply a four clip weft. Then I section off at the temples and apply another 4 clip weft and maybe a one clip weft on each side if needed. And I always give my hair a quick tease before apply the extensions because it gives the teeth of the clips something to hold onto!  

 I love these extensions because I can pick and choose whenever I want to wear them and nobody ever notices that it's not all my real hair - you just feel more glam when you have big hair! I use a curler on my set whenever I wear them and they really age well and don't become ratty or frizzy at the ends at all. But be sure to us heat protecting spray on the hair to minimize damage. 

Luxury for Princess are a Dutch brand so shipping usually takes 2-4 days which is great! If you do decide to try out the brand be sure to use my discount code 'Aisling' so save some money at the checkout!


 


I am not being paid to write this review, all opinions are my own! I would never recommend a product I didn't truly love.