UPDATED FOUNDATION ROUTINE & REVIEW

 I've always been a foundation enthusiast ever since I started wearing makeup. My very first proper foundation was Nars sheerglow which was unheard of as a thirteen year old - I was really into watching makeup videos on Youtube and I couldn't settle for anything less than what the top Youtubers were using! I always say that foundation is the most important part of your makeup routine and is totally worth investing in so I'm 100% okay with forking out extra cash for mine. 

While I was away in New York in November I picked up the Makeup Forever Ultra HD stick foundation that I had seen NikkiTutorials using in most of her videos. I'm never one for full coverage but I was getting bored of my YSL touché eclat foundation and wanted something that would give more of a flawless look. I was kind of apprehensive because I thought a stick foundation would give me the dreaded cake face look and clog my pores but this was not the case!

 

 

As always, I start with my YSL blur primer to even out my skin and ensure the foundation lasts all day. I have normal to dry skin so even though I don't get oily I still like to do this step make sure my face stays put all day.

I bought the shade 123 with the help of a Sephora makeup artist which matched my face perfectly. But I soon realized my face is wayyy lighter than my body so last month I bought a much darker shade 177 to bronze up my face. I figured that I could use them as a highlight and contour duo for now and mix both of them to make the perfect shade during the summer when I'm much more tan. This foundation is made for T.V and film and is invisible to 4K lens technology which also means it photographs beautifully!

 

 This is seriously the best foundation I have ever used (and I've used a lot) it blends seamlessly into the skin and has a creamy texture. It can be sheered out or built up to full coverage without feeling heavy or cakey. I wore this foundation to work everyday over Christmas and I couldn't even keep track of how many people stopped me to ask what I was wearing. There's something magical about this foundation that makes it look better the longer it's on. I came home from work one day after having the foundation on for about 9-10 hours and my sister complemented how nice my dewy foundation was. I honestly thought she was making fun of me because my foundation never looks good after that amount of time but when I inspected my face it still looked perfect. It gives a satin radiant finish and gives the skin a healthy glow all while giving amazing coverage.

  

 While I was in Sephora, I picked up a concealer to go with my new foundation. I decided to try out the full cover concealer in shade number 5 to brighten my under eyes. These two work like a dream and I don't get any creasing at all. I set my face with the Ben Nye banana powder that I have used for about two years now and my face does not budge at all! All I ever need is a tiny bit of powder top-up throughout the day.

 When it comes to application, this brush is my new best friend! This beauty is the Lock-it Edge Foundation Brush from the Kat Von D range and it is amazing. It's so dense and works at every angle of your face - I would happily replace all of my face brushes with these babies! It also works wonders for blending out under eye concealer or cream contour because it fits perfectly into the hollows of the face. Luckily for us Irish gals, Kat Von D is now being stocked in Debenhams! If you get chance to pop into the K.V.D stand you need to get your hands on the shade and light contour palette because it will change your life! If I want a more sheer application I'll use a damp beauty blender sponge which works amazingly as well. I've used the Primark version of the beauty blender but after using the real thing there really is no comparison. I used to think 'how can a sponge be any different' but the authentic beauty blender is just in a league of it's own because its so airy and light which applies the product much better than any other version I've tried. 

The foundation retails for €39 and the concealer retails for €28. Makeup Forever have a boutique on Clarendon street and they also have a stand in Debenhams on Henry street so you can go in and see the products for yourself.

I hope you guys liked this review!

 

 

DENIM X LEATHER | JANUARY '17

 

Hello everyone! I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New Year!

Like most of the population right now, I am sick with the flu and I am writing this from my bed (which I haven't left all morning). The January Blues have well and truly set in and I need a holiday ASAP!

On a more positive note I am feeling more motivated than ever! Now, I'm not one for the whole 'New Year, new me' thing but I definitely see the New Year as a time of reflection and a time to set some new goals. It's really only when I look back on the year that I realize how much I've ticked off my goal list and how grateful I am for all of the opportunities that came my way. I have a very exciting project with amazing brand (that I know you all will love)  that will hopefully kick off the new year very soon. I also just bought a new lens for my Olympus Pen camera which will mean better quality photos for the likes of beauty and product posts. Aghhh the excitment! 

Getting to work with PrettyLittleThing.com was definitely the highlight of my year and I am delighted to able to continue to bring you outfit looks featuring their amazing product. This week I'm rocking the Band Tee that has without a doubt taken over my casual wardrobe. I've paired mine with my beloved biker trousers from Zara and some killer boots that are almost an exact dupe of the Givenchy pair at a fraction of the price. Seriously, you could buy ten pairs and it still wouldn't cost as much as the Givenchy boots!

Hope you liked this look!

SHOP THE LOOK 

BAND TEE // JACKET (SIMILAR) // TROUSERS (SIMILAR) // SUNGLASSES // BOOTS // CHOKER 

 | Photography by Patrick Quinn Byrne |

CASUAL CHIC | DECEMBER '16

 Hello everyone! I hope you all had an amazing Christmas! 

Mine has been very chilled out - mostly catching up on some well needed sleep after another Christmas in retail. To be honest it never fully feels like Christmas when you're working during the holidays, Xmas day just crept up out of nowhere for me but luckily I did all my present buying online so I was fully prepared!

I'm back with another look featuring one of my favourite brands - PrettyLittleThing.com.

This look is feminine but also edgy with the biker leather trousers which make this outfit perfect for cocktails with the girls or a lunch date and shopping. All of these pieces are extremely versatile and I would consider them to be wardrobe staples that every girl should have some sort of variation of. A white lace bodysuit, leather trousers and a tailored white blazer - these aren't pieces that will break the bank to invest in and you will definitely get your wear out of them.

On another note I recently lightened up my hair after months of overgrown roots (it got to a stage where people actually thought I got a root drop!) and just before I had my hair done I kept getting compliments on my "new" darker locks. I personally hate when my hair is darker.. it just seems to make me looked sort of drained. So I definitely felt refreshed after my stylist, Dani from The Style Club on North Earle street, brightened up my mane. I still get questions on the daily about what I have done to my hair, I have a full FAQ post here where you read everything!

I also have my Luxury for Princess 20"clip in hair extensions in the shade Butterscotch in for thickness and body. I've been using these extensions for over a year now and I swear by them for when you just want a little extra! I will be doing a blog post on them soon and you can use my code 'Aisling' at the checkout to save some money!

SHOP THE LOOK

BODYSUIT (SIMILAR) // BLAZER // LEATHER TROUSERS (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) // BOOTS

BAG - CÉLINE // SUNGLASSES - DIOR

 

 

 

| Photography by Patrick Quinn Bryne |

CREAM FAUX FUR - PLT

I'm back with another outfit post featuring the fabulous PrettyLittleThing.com. This time I'm showcasing this faux fur shaggy jacket that is definitely needed in this weather.

It is slightly cropped which cuts the body at the perfect length so that you don't look like a human marshmallow! This beauty also comes in grey and black.

Winter is well and truly here so expect to see some more winter warmers and also Christmas Gift Guides on my blog over the next few weeks!

It is currently T-6 days until I jet off to the one and only New York City for a few days of Christmas shopping and girl time. I'm going with Mother bear, my two Aunties and of course the matriarch of the family - my Glammother (she really is the most fabulous grandmother you've ever seen!). With that said, expect your Instagram newsfeed to be flooded with my NYC photos - sorry in advance!

Back to the outfit...

I've paired the jacket with my coated jeans that I wore in my last outfit post because I can't stop wearing them and, as I mentioned in my last post, you get the leather look without the discomfort of regular faux leather leggings. I wear size 26"30 which is a UK 8 and regular leg.

I fell in love with these boots ever since I saw the Kim K wearing the Yeezy version. By now I'm sure you've seen them all over Insta but I couldn't be without them! The quality is pretty good for the price but I will be investing in some protective spray as they are made of a knit material so if you brought these beauties on a night on the town they would be destroyed! 

 Scroll down for direct links to everything! 

 

SHOP THE LOOK

JACKET // JEANS // BOOTS

|photography by Patrick Quinn Byrne| 

RED X BLACK | OOTD

I have been rocking the top knot bun a lot recently - partly because I think it can make an outfit look really chic...partly because I've been too lazy to do my hair! And the perfect complement to a top knot is some killer red lips.

Continuing my love affair with Zara, I've been loving their slogan graphic tee's and jumpers - all very Pablo/Yeezy-esque. This jumper cost me just under €16! Zara can do no wrong and their prices make it seriously difficult for me to find a reason not to spend all of my money in there. 

  

You can't really tell from the photos but my jeans are actually coated giving them a leather look. I bought these on a whim for work but I haven't stopped wearing them since! They instantly dress up an outfit without having the discomfort of typical faux leather trousers. These are the coated Jamie jeans from Topshop which are my favourite style of jean ( I wear waist 26" leg 30"). I've ditched the ever so popular Joni jeans because I feel as though the Jamie's have a better hold and also have belt hooks which the Joni's do not.

Of course you could trade the thigh high's for some trainers for everyday wear but it wouldn't be me if I didn't add a bit of glam to this look. These booties are surprisingly comfortable so they will definitely be making an appearance this party season.

Hope you liked this post!

SHOP THE LOOK
 

 JUMPER // JEANS // BOOTS // CHOKER // SUNGLASSES

 

photography by Patrick Quinn Byrne

NEUTRALS | OOTD NOVEMBER '16

 

Neutral tones are an all time fave of mine and I always find myself gravitating towards that colour palette whenever I'm shopping - it's almost like a comfort blanket. There are plenty of you who live in all black... I'm the girl who says 'I'd buy it if it came in nude'. And luckily for me the neutral trend hasn't gone anywhere but I've started to incorporate some more autumnal colours into my outfits; enter Khaki jacket and boots.

If you've been following my blog for a while you'll remember when I said I finally found the perfect leather jacket from Zara. Well, they've made it in suede Khaki and I died when I saw it. For just under €60 the quality is amazing. It looks very premium to me.

The bodysuit is my ideal material for weekend drinks and introduces a different texture to an outfit. Unfortunately this beautiful colour is sold out but it does come in a killer cobalt blue. 

SHOP THE LOOK

JACKET // BODYSUIT // LEGGINGS // SUNGLASSES // BOOTS

Photography by Patrick Quinn Byrne 

MY SKINCARE ROUTINE

 

Skincare is something that has always been just as important as makeup to me when it comes to using quality products. If your skin isn't being looked after it can lead to breakouts and clogged pores. So, to combat this I make sure to cleanse my face every morning, followed by moisturizing, and every evening after removing my makeup I rinse my face with water just to make sure there is no residue left over.

 

I've been using  Kiehl's Ultra facial Moisturizer and Cleanser after I heard great things about it last year. I have normal to dry skin and this works a treat for my skin as its not too oily. I'm currently using the travel size versions of these products as I bought them to bring on holiday with me but this is a great way for you to trial the product before buying the full size! One thing I love about Kiehl's is that they always give you plenty of samples to try out other products when you purchase something. 

 

Face masks are one of my favourite products to use on my face (I'm actually wearing one as I write this). TIP: Try steaming your face before using a face mask to really open your pores and let the mask work it's magic! I like using them after a long day to unwind and have a little weekly pamper session - I love the cooling sensation it gives to the skin!

Two of my faves are the Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Clay Mask & the L'oreal Pure clay mask. I use the C.T mask when I want my skin to glow but also get rid of impurities - usually masks make your skin dry but this one leaves the skin dewy and refreshed. 

But when I need some heavy duty purifying I opt for the L'oreal mask - it's amazing for unclogging pores but it does leave my skin very dry! 

 

 Now this next product is classified as a mask but I would definitely say it's more of a moisturizer. ThirstyMud Hydrating treatment by GlamGlow is what I would use after the L'oreal mask I just spoke about. It's kind of like a balm you put on your skin to rehydrate any dry or tired skin - and it smells like coconuts! I bought mine from Space.NK on Grafton street (they stock Eve Lom, ByTerry, Hourglass and loads more).

And of course my beloved Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream needs a mention because it is simply amazing! Like I've said on previous posts, It is expensive but the best way to try out the product is to purchase one of the Christmas skincare gift sets - I've had my 15ml pot for almost a year now and it still has product left! The gift sets may be different than last year but hopefully they have something that includes this baby!

Another little gem I've been using is Witch Hazel Gel. If you haven't heard of it before, Witch hazel gel naturally soothes and helps to tone and close pores. It helps to keep skin clear and dissolves grease from the skins surface. I put a little bit of product on a cotton pad and apply to my face or just concentrate it on any problem areas I may have.

I hop you guys found this helpful and try out some of these amazing products for yourselves!

Aisling x