The Lo Down - The Ordinary Skincare

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I love finding new and affordable skincare brands and The Ordinary is just that. I only heard about this brand recently but I heard all really good things so I decided to pick up some products. I bought their High-Adherence Silicone Primer and Natural Moisturising Factors + HA. and of course I'm a big fan.

This brand os so affordable I'm pretty sure that I got both products for €13 including postage which is really good. The moisturiser is really hydrating and the primer is a good backup for when I run out of my other primer.

I'm intrigued about this brand and can't wait to try some more products from the range, especially the foundations as if they are anything like these two they'll be amazing.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Garnier Moisture Bomb Super Hydrating ReBalancing Mask

Hey Guys and Dolls,

Having loved the Garnier Moisture Bomb  Super Hydrating Rebalancing Tissue Masks I decided to pick up the Super Hydrating Rebalancing Masks when I was in Boots recently. This one is for rebalancing your skin and it is said to give a matte finish. I have combination skin so I was looking forward to seeing what this mask was like as I was a big fan of the original one.

I love nothing more than to chill out in the evening with a relaxing face mask, it seriously is bliss. They leave my skin looking so good and feeling fresh which is exactly what I need lately when my skin is looking so dull and dry. I do tend to get problematic skin during this time of year so they work wonders in combating that.

I did enjoy using this mask but the original is still my favourite. The Super Hydrating Rebalancing Mask is also that little bit pricier aswell which is worth taking note of. I guess it just depends on personal preference when it comes to picking up one of these masks.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask

Hey Guys and Dolls,

My face has been unbelievably dry lately, I think the change in the weather is partially to blame to be honest. This has resulted in me trying to find a cheap and affordable face mask. Of course I headed to Boots and after looking through all the skincare that was on offer I found exactly what I was looking for. I picked up the relatively new Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask. I have to put it out there I'm absolutely in love. This mask is the exact same as the ever popular sheet masks and I can't get enough of it.

It is such good value at under €3 for one so of course I had to buy two. Sure I had to treat myself after all. I've been using these on my face alot I definitely will be repurchasing a couple on my payday this week. One sheet mask contains a weeks worth of hydrating serum so if you have dry skin like me at the moment this is definitely something to check out next time your in Boots. It's just amazing and gives a nice shot of moisture to the skin.

My skin has never looked so good since I started using these mask, I seen alone that they have brought out another version of these too so I definitely want to pick them up aswell the next time I'm in Boots.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - March/April Favourites

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I can't believe another two months have flown by, it's insane. You know what that means it's time for my favourites and I'm so excited to show you guys what I've been loving this month. I have quite a few so lets get started.

Lee Stafford Coco Loco Shampoo and Conditioner

As I've told you in a couple of posts already, I love trying new haircare and I get the opportunity to try these two products over the last months. I love them both and I was so impressed. They smell of coconut which to me is so yum!! They also leave my hair looking amazing and squeaky clean, just what I want from any shampoo and conditioner. I highly recommend them both and I can't wait to try some more products from this line once I recover from my head surgery. I did a review recently which you can check out here.

MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick and NYX Lip Lingerie Liquid Lip Glosses

I have two lip products to share with you guys this month. First up is MAC's Velvet Teddy lipstick. This lipstick has a huge following and is definitely one of the most popular MAC lipsticks that they have to offer. It's so easy to apply and looks beautiful on the lips. It has a matte finish and just goes perfectly with any makeup look which is why I love it so much. I'm almost all out of mine so I will definitely be repurchasing it really soon. A review of this product can be found here. The other lip product favourite of mine is from NYX Cosmetics which is one of my favourite drugstore brands at the moment. I haven't tried a product that I didn't like yet which is really good. My favourite product of theres at the moment is their Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipsticks. They are just amazing, I adore them. They apply as a liquid and dry to a matte finish lipstick. There are so many shades to choose from and I have quite a few that I couldn't pick just one. It's definitely worth your while to go to your local counter to have a mooch if you ask me. If you want to check out my full review you can find it here.

Uriage HandCream

I love a good hand cream as my hands do get so dry as the weather is so changeable out there at the moment. I've been using a new handcream from Uriage lately and I think it's really good. It's nice and thick but it sinks into my skin right away. I carry this everywhere with me and I'm forever pulling it out of my bag when my hands are needing that extra bit of tlc. I recently was sent that intense version of this so I'll definitely let you know my thoughts soon. This handcream smells lovely too by the way. I posted a review of this a couple of weeks ago which you can see here.

Blank Canvas Makeup Brushes

I like having good tools to apply my makeup and I've looked no further than Blank Canvas Cosmetics brushes lately. This is an Irish brand and they are such good quality. I owned a couple of their brushes then when I seen that they had a sale over Christmas I purchased the Dimension Series Hamper and I'm so glad I did. It contains so many amazing brushes from face to eye so it gives great variety. I have been using these so much lately and I definitely want to pick up another set soon. If you want to see my post on these brushes you can check it out here.

Reading

Yes you read it right, I love to read! I've been reading just about anything I can get my hands on lately. I think it's so important to keep your mind active and I love being transported into another world that I made up after reading a good book. I've been reading since I was about 6 and everyone in my house calls me the reader, I'm definitely a bit of a book nerd. I've read quite a few books over the last while so if you look back over my blog you'll definitely find a good few book reviews and there'll be more to come in the next while aswell.

College

Since I did my last favourites post I started college, I actually did a post on it already a couple of weeks back. It had to make it into my favourites as I'm enjoying the course so much at the minute. At present I'm chilling out after getting minor head surgery on Thursday but I seriously can't wait to get back into college when I'm better next week. I'm learning so much and the course is full with interesting content so I'm loving it. If you didn't know I'm studying Social Media for Business in a college in Dublin and I think this course will really help my blog in the future. It's not fully focused on Social Media all the time though which I like, there's alot of marketing content. I studied Marketing in college before so I definitely have an advantage at the moment as I love the module alot. I'll definitely keep you posted with how I'm getting on with the course. Another post about my college life is actually going up on Monday or Tuesday so keep an eye out for that for sure.

That's it, my favourites for the month of April and May. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it, which is alot by they way.My next favourites post will be up in July so definitely come back for that.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Garnier Micellar Gel Wash

Hey Guys and Dolls,

As you all know I love Micellar Waters so when Garnier brought out their new Micellar Gel Wash I was intrigued and couldn't wait to see what it was like. I bought this one in Boots and it's the original but it does come in a oily skin version aswell, I decided to go with the original though.

This is such a nice product and I'm pretty sure I got it on special aswell but I can't remember the price off hand. It wasn't too pricey thought from what I can remember. One to two pumps of this product is all you need to clean all the makeup off your face. After adding a bit of luke warm water it turns into a rich lather and when washed off it leaves your skin looking fresh. I really like this product and I can't wait to try more Garnier skincare in the future.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Nimue Face Masks

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I've done quite a few reviews on Nimue products in the past, they are by far my favourite skincare brand out there at the moment. I was recently sent two of their face masks to try from the brand so I'd thought I'd share my thoughts with you guys. I definitely don't use face masks enough and I should as my skin hasn't been in the best condition lately, it's soo dry. These products have been a lifesaver and have left my skin looking alot better thankfully.

The two masks I was sent are the Anti Ageing Leave On Mask and the Super Hydrating Mask. I've been using them both lately as I am getting to that age where I have to start using anti ageing products, I knew this day would come.

So I've been using the Super Hydrating Mask alot and it's amazing! I don't know where I'd be without it. This mask leaves my skin looking so hydrated and smooth just what it says on the tube which is what I needed. The Anti Ageing mask is a leave on mask so I put this on before I go to bed and cleanse my face as usual in the morning. This mask does not have a scent so it would be perfect for people who don't like scented products. The Super Hydrating Mask does have a light scent but it is really nice. I've recently heard about multi masking so I want to try that out soon. It's basically where you use multiple masks on your face in targeted area. I'm definitely going to give it a try soon.

The Nimue face mask retail for €36.25 for the Anti Ageing Leave On Mask, this mask actually won a Image Magazine Award recently which it thoroughly deserves and €23.95 for the Super Hydrating Mask. I f you want to give your skin that extra bit of TLC definitely check these two beautiful products out.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Seavite Super Nutrient Radiance Face Serum

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I don't have too many serums in my skincare collection so I was intrigued when I received the Seavite Super Nutrient Radiance Face Serum in the post. I've tried other products from Seavite and I was really impressed with the brand you can see my review here. I've been using this serum on my skin for the past while and I've been really happy with the results.

This serum is amazing, I love it. It's deep penetrating so sinks instantly into the skin instantly hydrating and brightening it. It works like s dream, perfect for even sensitive skin. It has many skincare benefits and contains ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, E and Quince. It feels really cooling on the skin and soothes it aswell in the process. A little bit goes a long way and I use a bit more than a pump for my whole face, considering it's a big bottle it will last ages.

It costs €57.50 which is on the pricey side but I believe if you have a good skincare regime your makeup base looks and feels amazing which is what everyone wants. I've been so impressed with Seavite, their products are definitely some of the best I've tried and if you haven't tried them yet I recommend you do so.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Mustela Vitamin Barrier Cream

Hey Guys and Dolls,

As you all know I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting skincare products. There is so many out there it's so easy for them to slip between the gaps. I was at a Skincare event back in February and I got to try some amazing products from brands I hadn't heard of before. One of the brands is called Mustela and it was completely new to me. It is a French brand and of course their skincare is always amazing. All their products are aimed at babies and mothers to be but there was one product that I got to bring home that I've been using alot myself.

The product itself is called Mustela Vitamin Barrier Cream and is used for many things but skin discomfort in particular. I have pretty bad eczema on my elbows and I've been using this on it recently and I've definitely found that it helps alot which is good. I hate having this skin condition as it can be quite irritating and itchy but I find that this product soothes my skin lots. Some may compare this product to Sudocrem but I think it's much better.

My eczema feels and looks well after starting to use this stufff, I'm definitely going to keep using it for the foreseeable future. There are alot of products in Mustela's range, there available to buy in many pharmacies nationwide.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Lierac Premium The Supreme Mask Absolute Anti Aging

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I like using face masks, I'm not going to lie I actually don't have too many but there a welcome addition to my skincare routine. A brand that is new to me is French brand Lierac, I'd never tried their products before so I was really excited to give this a whirl recently. The product itself is called The Supreme Mask Absolute Anti Aging, I know quite a mouthful, I was really looking forward to seeing what it was like.

This product is said to correct the appearance of all visible signs of aging: deep wrinkles, loss of density, slackening, dark spots, pores, skin texture and instantly replumps and illuminates so yeah it's said to do alot of stuff and you'll be happy to hear it does just that. I apply this face mask up to 3 times a week as it is quite rich. I cover my face in a thick layer of it and leave it on my skin for up to 15 minutes. The results my skin is left feeling super soft and looking so illuminated, like I'm glowing from within. This is definitely one of my favourite masks I love it and I'm so happy with the way it's left my skin.

This is definitely on the high end of the price spectrum, I saw on a website recently that it costs $100 which is a little bit over my budget personally but the question is do I think it's worth it? The answer Yes Yes Yes, I really adore this mask I really notice a difference in my skin when I used it and I was really impressed. I'm interested to see what the rest of the Lierac Premium range is like so I'll definitely try some more products from this range in the future.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Seavite Super Nutrient Head to Toe Travel Kit

Hey Guy and Dolls,

I was pretty much unfamiliar with the skincare brand Seavite a couple of weeks ago, that was until I got the opportunity to try some of their products. I did a background post on the brand which you can find here if you'd like to get the history of the brand.

I was really impressed with this brand, this little kit is so amazing it would be amazing for travelling or if your new to the brand a opportunity to try their lovely products. Included in this kit is 5 products and I'm on love with them all. I particularly like the Soothing & Replenishing Face Cream and the Super Nutrient Firming and Toning Body Lotion, they work amazingly well and they both smell incredible. It's also really nice to find a beautiful Irish brand like this, we seriously don't have enough so it's great to be able to support a homegrown brand.

The Seavite Super Nutrient Head to Toe Travel Kit retails for €47.50 which isn't bad at all as these travel kits can be very expensive sometimes. I really enjoyed using these products and I'd definitely recommend them.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Pixi & Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I haven't tried much products from Pixi Beauty. I have tried their star product though, the Pixi Glow Tonic which I reviewed here and it was amazing. I can definitely see a big difference in my skin since I started using it.

Their latest launch is a collaboration with Caroline Hirons (skincare queen) and it's called Double Cleanse. I haven't tried products that specifically double cleanse so I was looking forward to trying this. First off this product comes in a jar and it's pretty big aswell (100ml) which is a good thing.

On one side you have your Solid Cleaning Oil and on the other you have their Cleansing Cream. I love love love this product you only need the tiniest bit and it removes your makeup plus leaves your skin soft and fresh. What more could you ask for.

The Double Cleanse comes in at €30.95 but I guarantee you it's great and you'll get lots of use out of it. I bought mine on Cloud 10 Beauty's website, they usually have offers on so I'd certainly keep an eye out for them. I'm really looking forward to trying more Pixi Skincare products.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Paula's Choice Primer and Exfoliant

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I'd never heard of the new brand on the Irish market, Paula's Choice before. I saw their products recently on Cloud 10 Beauty's website and they looked amazing. When I was given the opportunity to try some of their products I definitely said yes as I was intrigued to see what they were like.

I got the chance to try their Resist Smoothing Primer Serum SPF30 and Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant so I'm going to tell you my thoughts. I'll start with the primer and boy is this stuff good I love this product. It's clear and has a gel consistency that when applied to the skin leaves it feeling so silky, perfect for makeup application. This product is fragrance free and not tested on animals so that's good to know. It retails for €32.95 which is one of the more expensive primers I own. I really like it though and I'd definitely recommend it if your looking for a new primer.

The other product is the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is another amazing product. It's a liquid exfoliant as the name suggests, I've always loved this idea as it's quick and easy step in your skincare routine. This product is said to reduce redness, unclogs and diminishes enlarged pores and creates a radiant, even skin tone. For me it does exactly that. It's similar to Alpha H Liquid Gold but I think this one is better in my opinion. I definitely want to buy the full size when I'm finished this bottle but I'm sure this will last  a while as you only need to soak a cotton pad with it.

I've been really impressed so far with the brand, Paula's Choice and I'm looking forward to trying more products in the future.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Dr. Paw Paw Multipurpose Soothing Balm

Hey Guys and Doll,

During my time as a beauty blogger I've heard lots talked about Dr. Paw Paw Multipurpose Soothing Balm so of course I had to see what the fuss was about and try it for myself. So in a nutshell Paw Paw products orignated in Australia, a friend of mine lives over there now and she swears by the stuff saying that I've only tried it recently as I saw in my local pharmacy so I picked it up, I went for the Tinted Peach Pink balm and I love it alot. The brand is called Dr. Paw Paw and it's the first UK paw paw based brand which is interesting to know. They have a good few products in their range 4 paw paw balms and a haircare. I think the latter sounds really interesting as I'm always trying to keep my hair in good condition I want to try this.

So back to the review, I've had this product for about two weeks now and I always have it in my makeup bag. It's such a nice, easy to use product. This can be used on the cheeks, eyelids and lips. I've been using it the most on my lips and it just gives a nice hint of colour, a my lips but better look. It's soo moisturising too which is exactly what my lips need during this time of the year. I think this is such a good product to have in your makeup bag for minimal makeup days or when your lips are that little bit dry. It's also fragrance free for people who may not like scented products. For 25mls it's €9.95 which isn't too bad at all in my opinion, I already want to pick up a few more for backup.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - La Roche Posay Micellar Water Ultra

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I use alot of cleansing waters as I prefer them to wipes ten times over. Lately I've been testing out the La Roche Posay Micellar Waters Ultra and yes they are amazing.

There are three versions to choose from, one for sensitive skin, one for oily skin and one for reactive skin. I have oily skin but I've been using all three and they've all been working equally good. As well as cleansing my skin they get rid of all traces of makeup there is to be seen. They are definitely up there with my favourite cleansing water Bioderma. Only a little is needed on a cotton pad to remove all my makeup.

In each bottle you get 200ml of product, considering these micellar cost €15.50 they are pretty amazing value and really affordable.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Uriage Hand Cream for Dry and Damaged Skin

Hey Guys and Dolls,

During this time of the year I get super dry hands so I like to find new hand creams to try now and again. The newest hand cream I've tried is from Uriage. I've already tried their Thermal Water and I'm a big fan. You can check out the review here.

I'm not a huge fan of scented hand creams but this smells fine. It's a lovely thick consistency and sinks into the skin beautifully. I always carry this around in my handbag as it's the perfect size. I already have an eye on alot more Uriage products at the moment. This hand cream retails for €12 which I think this is really good for an amazing product like this.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - About Face by Aisling McDermott & Laura Kennedy

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I'm a big reader I have so many books but I love beauty related books in particular. Most of my collection is made up of beauty books. Not only are they great to read but they also make amazing coffee table books. I can't wait to get my own apartment with my boyfriend Daragh.

A book I got a couple of Christmases ago was About Face by Aisling McDermott and Laura Kennedy. This book is basically described as the Smart Women's Guide to Beauty and it's so so good, I love it!If you don't recognise the authors names already you must be living under a rock this book is written by past Beaut.ie founder Aisling McDermott and Irish Times columnist Laura Kennedy who make a great combination with all their knowledge combined.

Like every great beauty book it's split into easy to ready sections e.g makeup, skincare etc. I love the imagery in this book it's so beautiful and all the pictures look really well. I think good pictures make a book for me to be honest. This book is huge, it has in and around 200 pages which means it's jam packed with lots of beauty tips and tricks, just what I wanted. It's just so informative.

About Face retails for €22.99 which I think is amazing value and you'll take so much from this book, I guarantee it. I'm definitely going to do more book reviews in the future as I really enjoy doing them.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Hey Guys and Dolls,

As you all know already I love cleansing waters, they just remove my makeup effortlessly. When I'm not forking out on the old faithful Bioderma I use Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. which is so good.

I bought the 750ml bottle for €6.50 and it's huge considering this cost the same price as a regular size bottle so this amazing value. I use a tiny bit of this on a cotton pad and remove all my makeup including stubborn eye makeup and it doesn't sting my eyes one little bit. Out of this bottle you get 350 uses which means this bottle is sure going to last me ages.

If you can get this size product on offer I'd certainly recommend it, it's amazing value.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Loreal Pure Clay Glow Scrub

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I bought this product recently in Boots as it was on offer. I purchased it for €3.99 which is pretty much next to nothing. I've used the face mask from this range and I'm in love with it so I was expecting good things from this product and it delivered.

I apply this to my face in a circular motion then rinse it off with luke warm water. It cleanses the skin aswell as lightly exfoliates. It leaves the skin super clean and glowing which is exactly what I need in my life. This product has been welcomed with open arms into my skincare collection.

For the price €3.99, I really think this is an amazing product and I love it. If you want to add a new 

product to your skincare collection I'd definitely suggest giving this a go the next time your in Boots.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - Giorgio Armani Smart Moisture Serum

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I like using highend products as I feel if you have a good base your makeup application will be amazing and your skin will look flawless. I've never tried Armani Skincare as it has always been a bit out of my price range. Last year I was invited to one of their events and I got to try some products from their newly launched Prima range and boy is it good.

The packaging is very clean and sleek which immediately drew me towards it. The formula is also light weight and absorbs into the skin right away. This product has a pipette applicator which is very hygenic and a little bit goes a long way. My skin after using this is smooth and instantly hydrated.

For €80, this product is pretty pricey I'm not going to lie. I don't think I'd honestly have enough money on my budget to buy this usually. Having said that it is a lovely product so if you want to treat yourself go for it.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I've always been a fan of La Roche Posay, I've been using it for years. I've tried alot of their products over time so I was excited when I heard of their new product, Effaclar Duo + Unifiant. I couldn't wait to give it a go.

This product works the same as the orignal hero product, the only difference is that it's tinted. I was sent the light and medium shade to try. At this time of year I'd be definitely more on the lighter side of things but I'll certainly use the darker shade in the Summer months.

This has pretty good coverage and I would be happy to wear this product alone with a bit of concealer and powder. I also really like the smell of this product it's very fresh. I do really like this product it has many good benefits and my skin looks amazing when I use it. It certainly is a great new find and I'll definitely use it more in the future. I'm pretty sure it costs in and around €20 which isn't too bad as a little bit goes a long way.

Laura<3