Pro Beauty Ireland Review & Haul

This past weekend Professional Beauty came to the RDS again. I've gone every year for the past 5 years since I've become a qualified Makeup Artist and Nail Tech, yeah that's a long time but this time it was different. This time I attended on a press pass as a blogger. I originally planned to attend on the Sunday but I changed my mind and decided to go on the Monday instead which I was told was a good call! Apparently the Sunday was jammers and the crowds were crazy. The Monday was busy but not overly packed, it was fairly easy to stroll around and window shop as well as actually shopping, of course! 

Generally this show is meant to be for professionals and people in the trade but I was quite surprised to see so many young girls in uniforms on the Monday. There was also an issue with fake Urban Decay being sold, The Beautiful Truth shared this information on her Facebook on Sunday evening after contacting the organisers. If you want to know all the details, check her out on Facebook. When I was there on Monday I didn't see any stands selling fake products, I later found out that these stands were removed before he doors opened on Monday, the organisers handled it well up by removing the stand! There were also lots of stands selling the likes of accessories and jewellery which I feel were pointless and didn't really go with the theme of the show. 

Overall I enjoyed the show but perhaps in the future I would like to see the show being exclusive to professionals and people in the trade, as well as having better quality stands and less irrelevant stands.  

Now onto the most fun bit! 

This year I didn't have that many things on my list, mostly the essentials like eyelashes, tan and backups of my favourite brushes. So I made my way to my top brand stands. For the past couple of years Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter has been at the show and I wanted to pick up some tanning goodies for the winter months but they weren't there this year which was a little disappointing. 

My first stop was to the Blank Canvas stand where I was actually served by the lovely Sinead from The Makeup Chair. I was delighted to get a signed copy of her book and have a little chat with her, we even took a selfie! Blank Canvas are easily my favourite brush brand because they are such amazing quality while still being extremely affordable. The face brushes were €10 each, the eyeshadow brushes were just €5 each and The Makeup Chair Handbook was just €12, it normally retails at €15... So still a bargain! 

I found out my favourite online site actually had a stand at the show so I had to make sure I went to the Cloud10Beauty! I had my eye on theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter which was just €20 at the show but they were all sold out so I was easily convinced to get the Manizer Sisters trio which was just €25 for all 3 highlighters! Mary-Lou is definitely my favourite but I'm excited to try out the other two. They also had special offers on GlamGlow, Tanya Burr Cosmetics and plenty of other brands. The Cloud10Beauty stand was amazing at the show! 

When I eventually got myself into the Crown Brush stand I was actually a little overwhelmed. There were a vast amount of brushes, all spread areas a large counter space, it was a little hard to make your way around but this just goes to show the reputation Crown Brush have! In the end I only got 3 eye brushes. The fluffy blending brush was just €8 is my favourite blending brush, so much so I already have 3 of them! The other two I got were different types of eyeliner brushes which were both only €3 each. 

My last stop was to Salon Savers where I wanted to stock up on some of my favourite lashes. I picked up 3 pairs of the Ardell Demi Wispies for just €2.99... I'm regretting not getting more at that price! I also got a couple of sets of individual eyelashes on a 3 for 2 deal at €6.99 per pack and to go with this I got a bottle of dark semi permanent eyelash glue which was just €3.99! 

Beside the Salon Savers stand was the Miss Fit Skinny Tea stand where Grace from Faces By Graces had a mini meet up. I was so disappointed when I realised her meet up was over by the time I found the stand. I love Graces blog & Youtube and follow her snapchat religiously and I hope to meet her soon! 

Were you at the Pro Beauty Show? What did you think? 

Love, A x  

September Favourites!

So I know it's been a minute since I've blogged but I stupidly signed myself out then forgot my password but none the less I am back and have lots of amazing blogs planned. Even though we're a good 2 weeks into October I've decided to share my September favourites anyway. This definitely won't be a monthly thing because I am such a creature of habit and once I find something I love I use it religiously but on the off chance I find several new products I love all in the same month, you can expect a little favourites blog. So now, finally, onto what I've been loving this month...

Makeup - 

Pippa Palette - Lulu highlighter. So I think it's pretty obvious from the picture below that I have an undeniable love for this highlighter from the Pippa Palette. It is the most amazing highlight for pale skin, the colour really gives it the natural look. Praying to God that this is released as a single so I can stock up. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Dipbrow Pomade in Auburn is possibly the best thing to ever happen to my brows! I have an entire review on this product from months back and this is still a favourite and a daily used product. 

Here you can see my favourite highlighter and brow product. The sheen across the tops of my cheeks, yup that's Lulu & those perfectly shaped brows are all thanks to Anastasia. 

Limecrime - Velvetine in Riot is my go to for a bold lip. I love these Velvetines for overdrawing my lips. This is a deep red with burgundy undertones that also dries matte which adds to the intensity. This product is long lasting and very durable. 

PS Love individual eyelashes have been a top pick for a lot of bloggers and MakeUp Artists since they first hit the shelves and rightly so. Althought I don't use the glue that come with the lashes they are a steal for just €1.50. The lashes come in clusters of 3 individual lashes which make them a lot easier to put on. When putting the lashes on I use duo glue and taking my tweezers I dip the lash band into the glue then place the as close the the lash line as possible, starting from the outer corner working my way in.

Urban Decay - All Nighter Setting Spray is marketed as a setting spray which prevents makeup settling into fine lines and avoids caking. It is meant to make your makeup look fresh last up to 16 hours, and boy does it live up to the description. It is perfect for using especially in humid climates, spritizing this over your face will cool your skin while setting your makeup in place. 

Hair - 

Back in August I got micro bead extensions and since then I've been making a conscious effort to keep them nice and healthy and shiny looking. 

Boots Coconut & Almond Leave in Conditioner / Intensive Hair Mask have been the perfect combination. Once a week I use the intensive hair mask and every time I wash my hair after towel drying I spray the leave in conditioner then style as normal. It's so important to keep your extensions moisturised because they are cut from the root so the hair isn't being nourished by your natural oils like you own hair is. Using these products have ensured no split ends and minimal heat damage showing. 

Pin Curling has been a God sent since having my extensions and I've don't it a lot this month. It's so simple to do with amazing results. I use my Tangle Teezer to brush through my hair before curling and as I curl each section I simply pin the curl to my head and let it set. Generally the longer you leave your hair to set the better the curl holds but I've found if I spray with hairspray before curling they will be okay to take out after about an hour( roughly the length of time I take doing my makeup for an event or night out). After I take all the pins out, I take my Tangle Teezer again and brush out the curls and I'm left with big bouncy curls that will last perfectly until the next day. This hair style is perfect for an all day or even two day event. 

Music & Movies - 

Legend was released at the start of September and as soon as I heard Tom Hardy I was in the que! Legend is based on the true story of The Kray twins, two East London gangsters in the 1940/1950's where Tom Hardy plays both characters. During parts of the film you actually forget it's one actor playing both roles, but just imagine two Tom Hardy's! Word of warning, there are fairly violent parts throughout, as you can imagine for a film about London gangsters, it's definitely not for the faint hearted but I really enjoyed it. 5/5

Ella Eyre has been around for a little while but recently I came across her cover of "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" and her voice had me hooked from there. I went back to listen to some of her old stuff and found a song I had completely forgotten about. "Comeback" http://youtu.be/KnnvfHz7qzA is one of the most perfect break up songs I've ever heard and what girl doesn't love a good break up song. Ella is only 21 but has such a unique and recognisable voice, definitely the kind of artist I'd want to be if I ever had a shot at a music career. 

The Weeknd released his album "Beauty Behind the Madness" this month. The Weeknd has been around for years but got his big break when his song "Earned It" was featured on the 50 Shades of Grey Soundtrack. There are a couple of interesting features on this album lie, Lana Del Rey & Ed Sheeran. I've been loving this album since it was released, definitely worth the purchase.

Years & Years also released an album this month called "Communion". This is an easy listening dance pop record. Some of my favourite tracks are "Desire" & "Take Shelter". Years & Years are performing in Dublin this November but unfortunately I didn't manage to get tickets, I'm still holdi out hope.

What have been your September favourites? 

Love, A x