Festival Essentials

So festival season is well under way, some have already been and gone but there are still plenty more to come! This weekend Body & Soul 2015 takes place. Although I'll be working on the bar, I still plan on having fun and looking cute. (Insert sassy emoji💁🏼). 

If you're like me you're a last minute packer and chances are you'll manage to forget something. So try making a list of what you need and tick it off when you have it packed. I like to group everything into what can go in my handbag, what can go in my main bag and what can go into a toiletries bag. Just make sure to double check your list to ensure you wrote everything down! 

Toilteries - Minis are going to be your best friends at festivals, Boots are currently having a special offer 3 for 2 on all minis. Toothbrush & toothpaste firstly because you're definitely going to want to brush your teeth. Penneys currently have handy toothbrush cases a pack of 2 for €1.50, great idea especially for camping. Festival showers aren't the most inviting things so deodorant and dry shampoo are definitely musts. Some people like to bring different types of wipes but for the sake of space saving I don't think you can go wrong with a packet of baby wipes. They're perfect for freshening up, cleaning mucky hands, boots etc and they're even gentle enough to use to take off your makeup. Hand sanitiser is great to have in your handbag at the best of times so for festivals it's going to be at the top of the list for obvious reasons. Nurofen is a good idea for those pesky hangovers. Festivals normally mean breaking out the wellies or Docs and they can rub and end up hurting so plasters are going to be a lifesaver, better safe than sorry! 

Staying connected - I think anyone who has an iPhone will agree the battery life isn't the best especially when taking pictures and videos so I picked up this Power Bank from Penneys for just €8. I'm not too sure how many charges I'll get out of it but anything is better than a dead phone at a festival. Try to conserve your phone battery by bringing a disposable camera, you might also get some pretty cool photos out of it too. 

Eating - Food at festivals are notoriously expensive, which is okay for a one day festival but not so much for 3 days. Capri-Suns aren't just for kids, they're great for a frefreshing hit the morning after. Rice cakes and breakfast bars aren't they typical festival snacks but I'm trying to stay semi healthy while away. If that's not your cup of tea regular chocolate & crisps will do the job. John West make lunch packs with pasta and tuna, they don't need to be refrigerated and it's a pretty substantial meal.

Extras - Things like toilet roll and plastic bags will come in handy too. You don't want to get caught in portoloos with no tissues. Bring a couple of plastic bags too, things are going to get messy at festivals so plastic bags will come in handy for bringing home any wet mucky clothes. Also having a bin in your tent will help keep the mess to a minimum. 

If anyone is heading to Body & Soul let me know who your looking forward to seeing. Remember guys stay safe and enjoy yourself.

Love, 

A x 

My Tanning Routine featuring my favourite tanning products from CocoaBrown by Marissa Carter.

So with the current Leaving Cert weather it's definitely prime time to get our tan on! For pale skin girls such as myself who don't tan naturally, tan tanning is our friend. I'm going to share my tanning routine using my favourite products. Recently Cocoa Brown has blow up with popularity and rightly so! One of my favourite things about this fake tan is that it has a brown toned guide colour which helps when applying so you can see where you've applied it. Some fake tans have an olive guide colour which is fine if you are already somewhat tan but not for pale skin as it just gives a green tint to the skin. The Ultimate Travel Set retails in Penneys nationwide for an amazing €10! 

Step 1 : Exfoliate. I like to use exfoliating gloves from Penneys (€1.50) & Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff to remove dead skin cells and old tan. This will also help tan apply smoothly and fade more evenly. When showering, I normally wait till the end of my shower to exfoliate as the skin comes off easier when hydrated. Hot water opens pours on the skin and cold water closes pours so when I'm finished exfoliating I turn the water temperature down and run cold water my skin, particularly my legs, to close my pours, to avoid fake tan sinking into open pours. 

Step 2 : Moisturise. Next I like to use Cocoa Brown Chocolate Whip to prep and moisturise dry areas such as wrists, ankles, hands, feet, knees and elbows. This will also help prevent over developing in drier areas. 

Step 3 : Apply. I like to take the Cocoa Brown tanning mitt and pump out some of the Cocoa Brown 1 hour tanning mousse and apply onto my entire body in circular motions blending out evenly. When the tan is fully developed I shower off the excess and move onto the next step.

Step 4 : Maintain. From the day after applying my tan I like to use the Chocolate Whip again daily to keep the skin feeling hydrated, smooth and ensures tan fades evenly. 

Top tip : When showering in between applications without wanting to remove tan, do not use a loofa. I tend to just wash my body with my hands or a soft facecloth. 

I hope everyone is enjoying Sunny Dublin, remember to stay safe & use your SPF! 

Love, 

A x

20 Awesome Uses for Coconut Oil!

Okay so it's been a minute since I've blogged but I am back with a product I have been absolutely obsessed with.... Coconut oil! This one product is probably the ultimate multi use product and I just had to share some of the amazing uses I've found for it. Be sure to buy organic coconut oil. Most super markets carry it on the aisle with other cooking oils I get mine in Tesco, health stores like Holland and Barrett will also carry coconut oil. 

1. Moisturiser - simply scoop some out of the jar and apply it all over your body including the neck and face 

2. Eye cream - apply underneath the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening. 

3. Pre shave - coconut oil will prep the skin for the pending damage caused by shaving. 

4. After shave - coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging  pores. 

5. Deodorant - coconut oil alone can be used as deodorant but even more effective if used with cornstarch and baking powder. 

6. Hair conditioner/deep treatment - use as a leave in conditioner by applying a teaspoon of the coconut oil to the ends of your hair then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest. For a deeper treatment rub a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your scalp and gently work through to the ends, put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bedsheets and leave overnight and rinse out the next morning. 

7. Hair gel/defrizzer - rub a little between your palms and scrunch, for curly hair, or finger comb through from scalp to ends for wavy or straight hair. 

8. Toothpaste - there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and bad a little of the mixture onto my toothbrush. 

9. Makeup remover - use a cotton swab and a bad of coconut oil, you'll be amazed at how well it works. 

10. Lipbalm - just rub a little onto the lips, it not only softens but coconut oil has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection from it as well. 

11. Massage oil - pretty simply, grab some and rub! 

12. Stretch mark cream - coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin, it won't fully remove but from personal experience it has greatly reduced the appearance of mine. 

13. Nipple cream - this is one for any mams out there, coconut oil works great at nourishing cracked, sore or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton pad and leave on your nipples between feedings. 

14. Nappy rash - very comforting on nappy rash without any harsh chemicals, this is also safe for cloth nappies. 

15. Breastfeeding mams - consuming 3 and a half tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich your milk. 

16. Body scrub - mix coconut oil with sugar and rub all over. You can also add in essential oils if you want a specific smell. 

17. Healing - when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin layer which protects the wound from outside dust and bacteria. 

18. Bug bites - when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hastening the healing process. 

*I use coconut oil when cooking because of the following reasons. 

19. Digestion - the saturated fats in coconut oil have antibacterial properties that help control indigestion. The fat in coconut oil also aids the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. 

20. Fitness - coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improves thyroid function and raises energy levels, all of which help decrease unwanted fat while increasing muscle mass. Coconut oil also helps control cravings. 

I hope you guys learned some useful tips.

Love, 

A x 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade Review

This is probably one of the most raved about products of 2014 and rightly so. The product comes in a small glass pot with a black plastic lid with the ABH logo in gold on it. The product is creamy and extremely pigmented. A little definitely goes along way so this pot will last a long time. It's also waterproof so it will last throughout the day, rain or shine. 

This is different to any other eyebrow product I've used before I'm more used to gel and powder products but this is more textured and stiff compared to gel so it took me a couple of times to get it just right. I got the colour 'Auburn' although it is slightly too red toned for me I can still make it work. I want to repurchase in a different colour, I think next time I'm going to get 'Soft Brown'.

I use a double ended brush from Crown to do my eyebrows. I start off by combing through the brows. Then I outline under and on top of the brow and extending the tail next I blend out those lines by brushing inwards adding more product where needs be. Finally I brush through again with the comb and set my brows with a clear brow gel. I use Garnier Express 2in1 eye-makeup remover to take off this product as its oil based the makeup literally melts away and it gone is seconds.

When using this product I'd highly recommend a very thin angled brush for the best outcome and sleek, smooth lines. I previously used a thicker brush and the lines it created were thick and smudged, good for blending but not for outlining. I love this Crown C158 angled/spoolie brush, it's the perfect brush for this product (and a hell of a lot cheaper than the ABH version). For more of a sculpted brow or 'Instagram brow' I would clean up the outer lines with concealer and a small flat pointed brush, I tend to do this for special occasions or nights out I personally think it's too much for everyday wear. 

I would definitely recommend this product to everyone looking to perfect their brows. I got mine from BeautyBay.com for just €12.30 and there's free delivery on orders over €14. 

Have you tried the Dipbrow pomade or any other Anastasia Beverly Hills products? 

Until next time guys, Alison x 

My Top 5 Red Lippies perfect for Valentines Day!

Now that Valentines Day is upon us, what better time than to rock a red lip.

Here are my top 5 Red lipstick picks! 

1. MAC Russian Red - A perfect blue toned red with a matte finish. Extremely similar to MAC's Ruby Woo but a lot less drying on the lips. Retails for €19.50 or free with the Back2MAC programme (bring back any 6 empty containers to get a lipstick or lipglass).

2. Wet n Wild Spotlight Red - You simply can't go wrong with Wet N Wild lipsticks, I can't praise them enough. There are a few shades of red in their collection but this one is my favourite. It's creamy on the lips with fantastic pigmentation and it is not drying what so ever. Spotlight Red is slightly pink based with a glossy finish. Wet N Wild can be found in Penneys, Dunnes and selected pharmacies, these lipsticks retail for just €2.99.

3. Rimmel London 170 Alarm - The texture is similar to that of the Wet N Wild lipsticks but the colour of 170 Alarm is a brighter orange toned shade of red. This one was my first ever red lipstick and years later I'm still going back to it. Retails for around €6-7. 

4. Sleek Matte lip cream Rioja Red - This one comes in a lipgloss tube and applicator but is essentially a liquid lipstick that dries matte but isn't drying on the lips. The staying power of this is unbelievable, it does not budge! This products retails for €6.49 

5. Urban Decay F-Bomb - Shade wise this one is probably the closest non matte colour match for MAC's Russian Red. This is a deep red with a little shine. Retails for €20 (the one in the picture isn't full size)

Tips for applying red lipstick* 

1. Make sure to exfoliate and moisturise your lips before applying lipstick especially if it is a matte lipstick. This can be done simply with a dampened toothbrush rubbing gently over the lips followed by a moisturising lip balm. 

2. Line your lips with a red lipliner to avoid the colour bleeding and to prolong the wear.

3. After applying your lipstick, blot with a tissue and apply a translucent setting powder over the top to help prolong the wear. 

Until next time guys, Alison x 

What I Got For Christmas 2014!

Better late than never right? I wasn't going to do this but I loved reading other bloggers posts about what they got for Christmas so I thought maybe someone would enjoy reading mine. I was spoiled this year and I am genuinely so grateful to all my family and friends for all the wonderful gifts. This is in no way bragging, I enjoy reading & seeing what others get for Christmas so I hope you guys enjoy mine. 

I was over the moon with all of the make up I got! What more could a girl want! I got some gorgeous Benefot Christmas sets the Beauty Bonbons set, the Cheekt Sweet Spot set & the Sweet Tintations set. I also got the Urban Decay full frontal lipstick stash, Maryln Monroe nail varnish set, Alien perfum, Muji storage drawers, a MAC vouchers, French connection lipgloss set and Michelle Phan's makeup book. My family know me so well! 

What is Christmas without getting cosy pyjamas and heaps of chocolate? Gifts like these are perfect for the lazy holiday season! 

I got some gorgeous storage boxes, a cute Jack & Jill candle with the proceeds going to the charity & there is a gorgeous diamond ring in the bottom on each candle but in a hand full of candles the diamond in the ring are real diamonds so fingers crossed! I also got some money which I will be getting a tattoo out of.

Honorary mention to my brother who got me a MAC vouchers, unreal gift! I got 2 lippes Rebel (darker purple one) & Brave (nudey mauve one), a lip pencil in Vino, 2 eyeshadow pans in Swiss Chocolate (the lighter brown shade) & Antiqued (the darker brown one with reddish undertones) and finally I got a holy grail product a MSF in Soft & Gentle (a gorgeous pink shimmery highlighter).

Shoutout to Jessie for her amazing work, as per usual! It turned out exactly how I wanted, beyond delighted with it! 

So that's what I got for Christmas 2014. I am so grateful for everything I got. Share your favourite & let me know if we got any of the same pressies. 

Until next time guys, Alison x 

New Year, New You! Doing 5 new small things a day could change youryear!

So I got a little side tracked over Christmas and I never go to finish my 12 Blogs of Christmas but I've finished all my exams and I'm back with some great ideas and high hopes for 2015! I've decided I don't want to make any major resolutions this year. I want to make small changes and do more of what makes me happy. The whole 'New Year, New Me' thing may be cringey to some people but why? If someone wants to better themselves, we should be encouraging them for that, and what better time than starting off fresh in the New Year! So here a 5 simple things you can do everyday that may just change your year for the better! 

1. Get organised! Keep a handwritten dated diary and start an address book with contact information, birthdays and any important dates. Phones are handy, until they die (which in the time of the iPhone is very likely). Have you ever been stuck somewhere with a dead phone and no charger, you thought you had some phone numbers memorised until you had to try punching in their digits. Even worse than forgetting someone's number, have you ever forgotten someone's birthday? I always wondered how my Mam remembered the entire families and extended families birthdays, anniversaries, phones numbers and addresses. Well she has a little red book with all this information, not more forgotten birthdays or anniversary cards 'lost in the post' because you couldn't remember the date or address. Things can often get forgotten about or even deleted from a phone by accident. These gorgeous little notebooks are from Penneys from just €2! 

2. Drink more water. Seems simple right? Drinking water and keep hydrated will improve the condition and appearance of your skin. This also helps improve concentration and weight loss as your body performes better when properly hydrated. Sometime drinking plain water can get a bit boring and often this is why people find it hard to drink as much as they should. One trick I've recently started doing is adding lemon slices, mint leaves and occasionally cucumber slices into a large water jug with ice cubes and putting it in the fridge over night, then I have a refreshing detoxing drink which will keep me going the entire next day.

3. Plan your meals. Create a corkboard with your favourite easy healthy recipes & shopping list for easy access and organisation. This will help you when shopping and over time save you money as you'll notice you won't have as much food wastage. Have some variations and switch it up each week so you don't get bored but remember to include all the major food groups. Another tip I've found super helpful is having a list of healthy snack idea on this cork board too, instead of just grabbing that packet of crisps because you can't think of any healthy snacks you'll have a list of healthy alternatives at hand.

4. Starting a coin jar. At the end of every day collect up all that annoying loose change you accumulate during the day, between pockets, coats and bags. Throw it in a jar and over a couple of weeks you'll notice how much money you've saved. Now a days you can bring money into banks and shops and get it changed from coins to notes. As the saying goes, look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves. 

5. Switch for 30 minutes every night. This may be the hardest one for some people. Switch off from technology at least 30 minutes before you go to bed, log off Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, turn off the TV and your phone. Choose a book that requires effort and concentration and read a little of it every day and read it from cover to cover. Switch off from technology and have some winding down time, it'll be the best nights sleep you've probably had in a long time. 

These 5 small steps could change your year and even your life for the better. Let me know of you've started doing any of these things or if you have any other New Years resolutions. 

Until next time guys, Alison x