September Favourites & Giveaway!!

September went by for me like a whirlwind, I had so much going on! The highlight for me was going on holidays to Spain with my family. It's true what they say nice weather really does make you happier. You can check out pictures from my holidays on my Instagram and in this post. Hard to believe we're in October!! It's freezing here in Ireland and I've already stopped off at Penneys to stock up on my winter woolies. Halloween wasn't my favourite time of year growing up but now I love it. I like the fun atmosphere and of course all the spooky goodies in shops that goes along with it. I can't wait to bring my nephew out tricker treating, he already knows what he wants to dress up as, a train driver. Random I know! I'm doubtful I'll be going out on Halloween night as it falls on a Thursday this  year and unfortunately I will be in work on Friday. I'm not going to dwell on it for too long as I have more important thing to talk about like my September favourites. Most of the products I have to share with you are ones that were used alot by me on holidays, some were purchased there aswell. I'm going to start with the two products I bought in Spain.

During my time in Spain I took a trip to Gibraltar which I loved. Whilst I was there I came across a MAC counter, I picked up two of their new release Pro Longwear Paint Pots. Quite Natural is my favourite shade out of the two. It's a gorgeous matte neutral shade which I think is perfect for everyday. One thing to bear in mind is that it does look alot lighter in the the pot than on your skin. I literally put this on my eyelids, blend, slap on some eyeliner & mascara and voila I'm good to go. Couldn't be more simple! I'm not one for matte shades normally but this product has definitely opened my eyes to them. Another product I pick up in Spain is this makeup remover from Klorane. I did come across Bioderma but the chemist was trying to flog it off to me for €28! No thanks! This 400ml bottle cost me a more reasonable €17 which I could live with. I'm new to the brand Klorane but if this makeup remover is anything to go by I'll be checking out their products online. It takes my makeup off beautifullu plus it's nice and gentle on my skin, what more could I ask for?

Now for some of the products that made the journey with me to Spain!

At a recent Harvey Nichols Press Day I was given this deluxe sample of Ginerva's Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream. I seriously couldn't get enough of this stuff on holidays. It was great for those days when I didn't want to lash on makeup in the heat. It gives a really nice even coverage which I like, sometimes I find BB creams can be a bit dodgy on my skin and can go patchy throughout the day. When set with a bit of powder I didn't have this problem at all. The tube may seem small but it got me through my whole holidays and I still have a far bit left. I may take a trip to Harvey Nichols soon to pick this up but I'm dreading to the thought of reading the price tag.

Another MAC product I dug out of my collection to bring on holidays is MAC's Mineralise Skinfinish, Soft & Gentle. I've had this for ages and I seriously don't use it enough. It's such a lovely product that definitely came in handy on holidays. I used it in two ways as a blush and highlight. It gives a gorgeous glow to the skin. Some people use it as a eyeshadow too but I haven't tried that yet.

Lastly I have a nailpolish favourite from Wet n'Wild's Megalast Salon Nail Colour (mouthful) in I Need a Refresh Mint. This polish certainly lived up to its name! I applied it to my nails the day before I jetted of to Spain and bar one or two minor chips it stayed intact for the full seven days. It's such a pity that we can't get this great brand over here, I know I along with lots of other bloggers would keep them in business.

To keep with the holiday theme I have a little giveaway for you guys. The lovely folks at La Roche Posay have given me some goodies from their suncare range. If your heading on a Winter Getaway these will just be perfect for you. If you are heading away I'm already super jealous! I haven't tried some of the products myself so you'll have to let me know how you get on. 

Here's all you have to do to enter, let me know in the comments what your favourite products are at the moment. I'd love to know as I'm always looking for new beauty buys and of course it's great to hear them off fellow beauty bloggers. I'm going to announce the winner via Twitter so don't forget to include your Twitter handle in there too.

Hope you enjoyed my favourites!

Laura<3

September Favourites

I'm going to grab just about the only free time I have today and show you my favourites from the past month. Everything has been all go for me over the past week or so getting things sorted for college. The first night of my course was last night and I had such a good time, I wish I could say the same for my student card photo which looks atrocious. I can't believe were in October already, the weather change has certainly given it away. I'm not going lie Halloween isn't my favourite time of year. I used to hate dressing up when I was younger for some reason, looking back I feel sorry for my poor Mom. Nothings really changed in the past few years, I still don't like dressing up but if I'm going out on Halloween night it's a must I suppose. This year I'm going to a Haunted Farm with some of the girls, I get creeped out really quickly so I doubt I'll last two minutes in it. I know photography isn't allowed at it but I may do a sneaky post to let you know how I got on. Well back to my favourites, all the products featured are new discoveries for me so I couldn't want to share them with you all. I also have two random favourites this month which I didn't want to leave out.

I'm going to start with everyones favourite part (I know it's mine) the beauty favourites. This month I've tried a number of new products and these ones definitely ticked all the right boxes with me. I'm going to start with the two palettes I've been loving this month, the Nars All About Cheek and Urban Smoked Palette. As the title of the latter would suggest this palette contains eyeshadows to create a smokey eye. All the shadows are really pigmented and I haven't had problems with fallout at all. There's a nice mixture of shimmer and matte shadows which I know alot of people will be happy about. I've been using this alot on night outs as it has basically has all the shades you could possibly need to create a smokey eye. It also comes with a brilliant tutorial book which includes pictures and step by step guides. The only thing that annoys me about this palette is the packaging and I'll get to that when I do a review. The Nars palette I've been loving lately was kindly sent over from the States by Chie as unfortunately there not available this side of the pond. It contain 6 popular blush/bronzer shades from the brand, my favourite being Luster. When I hit pan on this shade I'll have to buy a new one, it's the perfect peachy shade that gives a gorgeous glow to the cheeks. I've been using this one the most but I really think this palette is great as it gives me so many options. After running out of my Lingering Eyebrow Pencil from MAC, I've found something else to use on my brows and it may be even better. Fashionista's Eyebrow Kit* contains everything you need to get tidy brows. I have quite dark brows but I still find myself using the light shade on the top left hand side and it's a perfect match. I find using powder as opposed to eyebrow pencils much quicker to apply and you don't have the added issue of it breaking like a pencil can. It's also a much cheaper alternative to my old favourite the MAC Brow Pencil which is why I'd go out and buy this again. I've found a new mascara love this month in Max Factor's False Lash Effect mascara. When I first saw the brush (HUGE), I wasn't too keen but after using it once I fell in love. It makes my eyelashes look much fuller, maybe even longer. This mascara definitely lives up to its name in my books, I can't believe it's taken me so long to try it. My last beauty favourite this month is Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey. This hasn't left my page since I bought it last month. It's a gorgeous wearable shade that would suit everyone, I've picked up a few shades from this range and this is definitely my favourite. I love how there so easy to apply and don't take up too much space in my makeup bag either.

Now onto my two random favourites. The weather has been so terrible lately over here, it's unreal. In Ireland we have one cold day and then it could do a complete 360 and be gorgeous the next day. For the cold days I bought these snuggly pyjamas bottoms from Penneys/Primark, they are like slippers for your legs and whenever I wear these around my house I feel instantly warm and cosy. If I do recall they weren't too expensive at all and I got them in a set with a snuggly hoody. I haven't been wearing the hoody too much as I don't think all the heart print would look too good. My other random favourite is this candle from Woodwick. The scent is Vanilla Bourbon and it smells amazing. The sweet scent stays in my room for hours after I burn, it's so nice for this time of year. The other feature of this candle I love is the sound it makes while it's burning. Woodwick used a new innovation called Plus Wick which results in the candle crackling like a fire. I find this sound so soothing and relaxing. I'm thinking about buying some of these as gifts for people this Christmas as I think they'd be perfect.

What has made it into your favourites this month? Is there any products I've mentioned above that you'd like to see a review on?

Laura<3

September Empties

I don't have too many empties to show you guys this month, so I thought I'd put it up a little earlier. Some products are repurchases that I really like. I have alot of products that I'm nearly finished with so expect a pretty big post at the end of October. I can't believe how quick the year has gone, I'm starting college in two weeks so I'm hoping to still be able to post regularly. I can see myself being really busy with work and college but I'm excited to start my course, I'll definitely let you guys know how its going throughout.

I have alot of skincare empties this month so I'll show you them first. The Caudalie Cleansing Water was in my empties in August. I go through this stuff at a ridiculous rate but I like how it removes my face makeup aswell as eye makeup really well. It's for sensitive eyes so I haven't had any irritation whilst using this which is a plus as I find some micellar solutions can't be used on the eyes. It is a bit on the expensive side at around €17 but I think it's definitely worth the money. I'm going to pick another up next week on payday as I also used up my miniature one I got in their travel set. I found their travel set really good and for €15 I would certainly recommend to anyone who wants to try the brand as you get a shampoo, body lotion, face serum and shower gel in it too. They are all decent sizes too so you get a good idea of what the brand is like. My Mom is coming back from Spain tomorrow and she picked me up Bioderma. After reading so many brilliant reviews on this I'm really looking forward to trying it, maybe I'll be converted to using it instead, we'll have to wait and see. Next up I have two moisturisers, Vichy's Normaderm Total Mat* and the Elemis Fresh Skin Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser. I got the latter as a part of a set in Superdrug while I was in Manchester in July. It's a pretty small mini so I can't really determine how good this actually is. From what I've felt after using this, it does the job quite well. Like Normaderm Total Mat it's quite light but very moisturising. I know the Fresh Skin range is not readily available here but you can get it online. After having a bit of trouble with ordering stuff from the web lately I can't see myself repurchasing this and the full sized product seems pretty expensive (€28) On the other hand Normaderm Total Mat, is more on the affordable side of things (€16).  It's light gel formula which I found great with my oily skin. I did find it kept my shine at bay and it works really well under my makeup as it gives a nice matte finish. It has a beautiful scent that I love, but if you don't like scented skincare maybe I'd stay clear of it. This is another product I'll be repurchasing come payday.

I have two makeup empties this month and they both come from MAC. This is the second Lingering Eye Brow Pencil I've gone through, it remind me of those rotating pencils you use to get in school. I bought this while I was in Manchester and I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. I really like the way it looks on my eyebrows and the colour is great but it is awfully expensive and I can never see how much I've used up. I could be doing my eyebrows and run out this after doing one eyebrow which would be embarrassing. This pencil also snaps easily which could be me as it use to happen in school with those rotating pencils. Another empty is their Pro Longwear Concealer, I've had this ages and the pump is broken so that's why it looks like there is so much product left. There probably is but I can't get to it as it's all caked to the side, I think it has dried up by now. I like this concealer as it has nice coverage, great for covering blemishes and lasts pretty much all day. I wouldn't use this under my eyes as it is quite heavy and I don't think it would look right at all.. I've found so many cheaper alternatives since I bought this that I don't think there is a need to repurchase it anytime soon.

I've done a full review on both these eye makeup removers recently. I wasn't too keen on No7's offering but I really like Vichy's Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover for Sensitive Eyes*. It does exactly what it says on the tin and removes every trace of my eye makeup. This even removed Benefit's They're Real mascara which I find a nightmare to get off my lashes in the evenings. I know in my review I list the prices for both of these products, I remember Vichy's eye makeup remover not being too expensive aswell. I'd just love if it came in a bigger bottle.

Here are three random empties that didn't really fit in anywhere else. I got this mini Kiehl's Grapefruit Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser in a goodie bag at a instore event when I purchased their whipped body butter. I didn't notice anything too amazing when I was using this but it smells gorgeous and it apparently contains humectants that traps the moisture in your skin. I don't know if I'd repurchase this again it remains to be seen. I can't take full credit for finishing this whopper bottle of Soap & Glory Clean On Me, I left it in my shower and the whole family has been using it. I got it in a gift set last Christmas so it has taken ages to use up the whole thing. This shower gel has that gorgeous scent that you'd recognise with most Soap & Glory goodies. I would buy this again but maybe not this humongous bottle. Before I forget has anyone seen all the Christmas gift sets already in Boots? There's so many gorgeous Soap & Glory ones this year, I have my eye on so many especially the makeup ones. The last random empty is the Body Shop's Almond Hand & Nail Cream which I absolutely love. It smells amazing, works really well and leaves my hands feeling super soft. The only thing I dislike is the packaging, I don't if it's the pressure in the small tube but everytime I open this it goes everywhere, resulting in me losing so much of the product. I want to repurchase this again but I may try the Hand & Nail Butter in the tube and use it at night.

Have you tried any of these products? What have you finished up this month?

Laura<3

September Favourites

I find it so hard to believe it's October already. I feel like such an oldie when I say this year is going so fast. It's made even worse when I see Christmas decorations instore already. Halloween has not even come around yet. I've been delayed putting up this post but it's finally here... My October Favourites!

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils No1

I bought this mascara in duty free on holidays. I love how it gives my lashes so much added volume. People in work have commented on how nice they look too. The only thing I don't like about this mascara is the price tag, that's why I waited to get it in the airport. It's definitely only a product I'd treat myself to occasionally, other than that I'd wait til my next holiday.

Clean and Clear Skin Brightening Daily Facial Scrub

I got this product in my local pharmacy after seeing it was on special for €3. It's oil-free and is also very gentle on my skin which is a plus. I've just bought my second bottle of this stuff as I'm nearly all out. It has a gorgeous citrus scent.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime

Recently when I was getting my hair done I was given a sample of Kerastase Elixir Ultime. It contains a number of oils which nourish and condition the hair. I like it as it leaves my hair smooth and super shiny. I love it because it's a multi-use product that I can use as a deep conditioner and a finishing product.

Sigma F80 Brush

I've been using this brush for a quite a while now and I adore it. I'm surprise it hasn't featured in one of my 'favourites' posts already. I don't only use this to apply my foundation, but it's also great for applying my Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel (YAY finally got my hands on it!) This brush blends my foundation into my skin so well and it leaves me with a flawless finish.

Liz Earle Overnight Bag

I brought this Liz Earle Overnight bag to Barcelona with me. When I go away I always tend to bring too many travel size products with me. This was perfect as it had everything I could possibly need for my trip. I will be doing a full review on this soon.

Korres Wild Rose Foundation

This is my favourite everyday foundation. I love how it looks so natural and how a little goes a long way. I just did a full review, you can check it out here.

Barcelona

This is the random favourite of the bunch. As you all know from reading recent posts, I went to Barcelona this month. I had such an amazing time in this lovely city. I wish I got to stay for longer than five days. Everything from the tourist attractions to the shopping were brilliant. I'm actually hoping to go back sometime in the New Year so watch this space.

What have you been loving in September??

Laura<3

September Empties

All the items I finished this month were skincare products. Which isn't a big surprise to me as I always try to look after my skin as it's such a big importance.

Let's have a look at the empties shall we??

Soap & Glory Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em Body Buff

Wow I'm such a big fan of this brand. This was the first time I purchased Scrub 'Em or Leave 'Em. I love Soap & Glory scrubs as their not only effective with getting rid of dry skin but they also smell yummy!!!  I'd definitely recommend this body buff in particular. It's one of my new Soap & Glory favourites.

Garnier Simply Essentials Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

This is my favourite eye makeup remover. It's very gentle on my eyes which is excellent as my eyes are quite sensitive. I'm going through bottles of this fast. Thankfully it's only €3.99...bargain.

Liz Earle Instant Skin Tonic Spritzer

I got this product at a Liz Earle event in June. I know you girls must be thinking how did a small bottle like this last so long but suprisingly it did. I love this tonic it's so refeshing. I also prefer the spray bottle to the other one as it's great if your in a rush. I'm hoping to pick this up soon.

Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser
I finished not just one but two Liz Earle products this month. I'm such a big fan of their products. I especially love this moisturiser. I have oily skin so this really suits me as it's not heavy like my previous moisturisers. I highly recommend this moisturiser if you have oily skin.

I'm hoping to do a 'Empties' post every month depending on how many products I finish. It takes me forever to finish products. Hopefully doing one of these posts every month will encourage me to use up makeup items that I haven't used in a while.

Laura<3