12 Blogs of Christmas : Day 9 - Party Season Day to Night Makeup

With Christmas just around there is going to be a lot of nights out or events you may have to attend and you might not always have time to go home to get fixed up. Whether you're a working girl or a college student (or let's face it maybe both) here's some quick ways to get yourself Christmas party ready and out of the office. 

I'm going to start of with a basic face of makeup. I went for flawless matte skin with minimal blush and contouring. Then I filled in my eyebrows, applied an eyeshadow base and created a light brown smokey eye, applied 2 layers of mascara and finished off with some lipgloss. This is perfect for heading to work because you have your base for everything done making touch ups quick and easy. 

So it's the end if the day and you haven't got long to get ready to head out after college or work, here what I did to transform my makeup from day to night. 

1. I started off my darkening up the outer corner of the shadow then taking a gold loose pigment and pressing onto the centre of the lid, making sure to blend out any harsh lines with a medium brown shade, I smudged a darker shade of brown on my bottom lashes and applied a flesh tone liner to my water line to make my eyes appear bigger, I highlighted my brow bone and inner coner with a white eyeshadow. Then I created a thin winged liner and applied some lashes over the top. 

2. Now you can clean up any eyeshadow fallout and move onto the rest of your face. I took a powder and touched up my foundation, deepened my contour on my cheeks, forehead and nose, applied some blush and highlighted my cheek bones, nose and Cupid's bow. 

3. Finally I applied some red lipliner and lipstick and sprayed my entire face with a setting spray to make me makeup last all night. 

My tips for transforming your makeup from day to night : 

1. Bring multi use products eg. Use your contour shade as a crease colour on your eyes or to fill in your eyebrows, use your highlighter on your eyes aswel as on your cheeks, if you forget your liner you can use an angled brush and dip it into your mascara and apply it as eyeliner. 

2. Brushes you can use for several different things, use the same brush for contour and blush, use one eyeshadow brush for highlighter and light shades of eyeshadow.

3. MINIS! Mini products or product samples are perfect for this kind of situation because they don't take up much space and you don't have to worry about lugging around a huge makeup bag. 

That's how  transformed my makeup from day to night. Hope this helped. 

Until next time guys, Alison x 

12 Blogs of Christmas : Day 7 - Sweater Weather Tag

I've seen a lot of people doing this tag not only on YouTube but on their blogs too. I'm trying to get myself more in the winter & Christmas spirit and I thought this tag would do just that, so here we go. 

1. Favourite candle scent? 

I love vanilla scented candles and burn them all year round. I love really sweet scents but in the winter particularly around Christmas I like to change it up a bit and I'll burn some type of cinnamon scented candles. IKEA have a great selection of scented candles, they're cheat and cheerful and possibly my favourite place to get candles.

2. Tea, coffee or hot chocolate? 

I am definitely a coffee kinda girl! My favourite type of coffee to get is a caramel latte, especially from Starbucks #typicalwhitegirl hahaha.

3. What's the best fall memory you have? 

This is a hella long time ago but when I was around 9 or 10 we had our first "real snow" that I remember in Ireland. Like I mean schools, roads and even shops closed for nearly 2 weeks! At the time my dad was the caretaker of my primary school and he had the keys to the school grounds. Me, my dad & my two older brother all got to go over the the school and make proper snowman, snow angels and we had a massive snowball fight. Then we headed home changed into cosy pyjamas and our mam had the fire going in the sitting room & a stew on for dinner. It was the perfect winters day in my opinion. 

4. Which makeup trend do you prefer : dark lips or winged liner? 

Can I cheat & pick both? Bold lips and winged liner are my ultimate makeup look but if I absolutely pick one I'd go with dark lips. Recently I've been trying the no liner/blown out shadow look and I find it goes really well with a bold lip. 

5. Best fragrance for fall? 

I generally don't change up my perfumes because I find it hard to find perfumes I really like so when I found one or two I like I tend to stick between them. As I mentioned before I love sweet/floral scents. At the minute my top perfumes would be Rihanna Nude & Ralph Lauren No.3, both sweet smelling definitely not your average autumn/winter scents.

6. Must have fall nail polish? 

Hands down any wine/burgundy colour is my go-to for not only autumn & winter but all year round. My favourite nail polishes are the BarryM ones, I love everything from the formulation to the colour payoff. They retail at only €5 each and are my nail polishes EVER... Especially the matte shades! Surprise surprise! 

7. Skinny jeans or leggings? 

Ooooh this is a toughie! I easily have 20 pairs of black leggings and I find them so easy to just throw on with a baggy jumper, a scarf and some comfy boots. However a good pair of skinnys can be so versatile. They're also so easy to throw on with a jumper, scarf & boots but you can also dress them up for colder nights out, so I think it's going to have to be skinny jeans for the win! 

8. Boots or uggs? 

Boots! Definitely boots! I hate such a love hate relationship with uggs, they are so good for pottering around the house and staying toasty or running out into the garden or even just a quick trip to the local shop but get caught in the rain and you are royally screwed! Let's face it, getting caught in the rain in Ireland is practically part ou everyone's daily routine. Nothing beats a nice pair of black boots for the winter.

9. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype? 

Definitely! I sound like an anti-girlo but I absolutely hate pumpkin spice, don't like it, never have, never will. Dramatic much but I just don't understand the craze? 

10. What is fall weather like where you live? 

Well here in Ireland the weather is pretty much the same all year round... Crap! We basically have all four seasons in one day and you can nearly guarantee rain! It's not as depressing as it sounds I swear! 

Until next time guys, Alison x 

12 Blogs of Christmas : Day 8 - Festive Season Party Outfits

We're well into the festive season now and that means lots of parties and nights out. There's always those questions... What do I wear? How do I style it? So I've found some great pieces that would be perfect for this party season! 

First off we have the gorgeous sequinned dress from H&M for just €12.99! What a bargain! This dress has long sleeves and a low back and comes in two colours, the other being black. 

My next pick would be a jumpsuit, preferably in black. I find these so easy to wear, perfect for last minute because you can need to worry about tan. This one from H&M for €49.99 and has gorgeous detail around the neck so there's no need of a necklace. 

The next dress I picked also comes from H&M for just €9.99! Perfect for anyone on a budget. This dress also comes 3 colours, black, nude & purple. 

Finally when in doubt always go for the trusted LBD! Black is the most flattering colour to pull off. Even though it's just black you can make your outfit more interesting with a pop of colour in your shoes, bag or jewellery! 

How to style : 

You don't want to over accessorise. Keep it simple, pick one tone of jewellery silver, gold or the most popular this season rose-gold. Penneys have some gorgeous heels at the minute, especially these ones with a rose-gold heel for just €18. 

Until next time guys, Alison x 

12 Blogs of Christmas : Day 6 - White Eyeliner

This is going to be a suuuuuper quick post as I'm getting ready to leave to go sit my semester 1 language exam in college. Everyone pray for me! Anywayyyy for Quick Tip Thursday we're going to talk about... WHITE EYELINER! I'm all about multi purpose products, they're handy for travelling and you can find really good basic white eyeliners in the drugstore so your purse is going to be happy. My favourite white eyeliner is the cult classic NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk. I get mine from BeautyJoint.com.

Here's what you can use your favourite white eyeliner for! 

1. Use as a traditional eyeliner : Applying white eyeliner onto your waterline will instantly make your eyes pop and appear bigger. 

2. Layering colour : Putting white eyeliner on your lid then placing eyeshadow over the top will intensify the colour, make them stand out and will also act as a base for your eyeshadow. 

3. Highlighting : Apply to the inner corners of the eyes this will brighten your eye and enhance the eye look. It can also be used as a brow bone highlight. 

4. Hiding blemishes : Apply the white liner over the blemish first then concealer. The white will counteract the redness and create perfect coverage. 

Until next time guys, Alison x 

12 Blogs of Christmas : Day 5 - My Top 10 Makeup Brushes

1. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge : Normally I hate makeup sponges but this one is different. It's an affordable dupe for the Beauty Blender. Use the flat edge for patting the product and blending under the eyes, use the rounded side for flawless coverage all over the face and use the pointed end for contouring or for covering blemishes. You can get Real Techniques in Boots, this sponge retails for €5.89. (Mine is so dirty I couldn't bare to put a picture of my own in) 

2. Blank Canvas F15 tapered brush : I use this brush for under eye powder or highlighting my cheeks. The tapered point on this brush makes it perfect for getting in under the eye area  the turning it on it's side to highlight the tops on my cheeks. Due to it's shape it's also perfect of contouring. It retails for 13.99 find it here http://www.blankcanvascosmetics.com/products/f15-small-contour-highlight-black-bristles.html 

3. Nars Ita Kabuki brush : This is my ultimate brush for contouring and carving out those cheek bones. It was pricey at €42 but when I bought it there was nothing like it on the market. A new brush has similar to this has come into my life recently and I'll have a blog up on the comparison so keep your eyes peeled for that but this brush is still my favourite. 

4. Real Techniques Powder Brush : This is the perfect brush for all over face powder because of the pure size of the brush. The hair on the brush is fluffy and soft and makes powdering your entire face so quick and easy. It retails for 13.50 in Boots and on cloud10beauty.com find it here http://www.cloud10beauty.com/brands/real-techniques/real-techniques-powder-brush.html#.VJH8udb46K0

5. Crown Brush C405 Angled Contour Blush : As the name suggests it's perfect for contouring or blush. It angled hairs make it easy to carve out your cheekbones on get that contoured look. However I prefer to use it for blush, it applies beautifully and product doesn't build up in the hairs. This brush retails for €10.40 from the Crown Brush website http://www.crownbrush.ie/brushes/brushes-type/powder-blusher-brush/c405-contour-blush.html

6. Crown Brush C158 Angled Liner/Spoolie : This is my go-to brush for my brows, 2 in 1 makes it perfect travelling or just in general to have. The spoolie helps tame your brows and the liner is the perfect size to get the crisp 'Instagram brow' that we all want so bad. If that wasn't enough to convince you to buy it, the price definitely will at just €3.63 here on http://www.crownbrush.ie/catalogsearch/result/?q=C158

7. Sigma E35 Tapered Blender : This is my ultimate eyeshadow brush! If I could only have/use one eyeshadow brush this would definitely be it. I genuinely don't know what I done before this brush. You can pack on colour as well as blend it out beautifully with this brush. You can get this for just €13.50 from sigmabeauty.com but I prefer to use cloud10beauty find it here http://www.cloud10beauty.com/brands/sigma-beauty/sigma-tapered-blending-e35.html#.VJIH35D46K0

8. Royal & Langnickle Pro Tapered Blender 150 : This is my favourite brush for blending out harsh lines and blowing out eyeshadow gradually. I got this brush at the Pro Beauty Ireland in the RDS last year for just €5. I couldn't find a link for this one but Royal & Langnickle are at Pro Beauty & the Professional Beauty Show both in the RDS every year. 

9. Crown Brush C462 Shader : This brush is great for applying and blending eyeshadow on the lash line particularly the bottom lashes. It's even useful when trying a dramatic cut crease. Again another steal from Crown Brush for just €4.50 find it here http://www.crownbrush.ie/c462-infinity-chisel-shader.html

10. AYU Pro Blender Brush : So this brush comes from a relatively new Irish company. I only have 2 brushes but I love them both particularly this flat blending brush. It packs on colour brilliantly and I think it's a perfect dupe for the MAC 217 for a fraction of the cost at just €4.50 linked here of course http://www.ayumakeup.ie/products/brushes/ayu-pro-blender-200/ Check out the rest of the website for amazing brush sets for a range of affordable prices. 

Until next time guys, Alison x 

12 Blogs of Christmas : Day 4 - What's In My Bag Night Time Edition

So now that the festive season is upon us, there's going to plenty of nights out. Keeping that in mind you don't want to be lugging a huge bag around with you all night while you're trying to enjoy yourself. So I'm going to show you my handbag essentials for a night out. 

As many people will know my wardrobe colour palette is mostly made up of black with the odd bit of wine or burgundy thrown in. You probably guessed it that my handbags aren't any different. My favourite bag to bring on a night out is actually this black iPad mini case with gold hardware I got on sale from River Island that I like to pretend is a clutch. Truth is no one ever knows it's an iPad case until I tell them that is! I love using this as a clutch for going out, it's a perfect size to fit all my stuff and it's so versatile it goes with pretty much any outfit. 

Here's what I bring with me when going out. Obviously the essentials, my phone for all of the selfies, my house keys so I'm not stranded outside, my favourite River Island purse with all my cards, ID & money but its quiet big so I also keep some other things in there too like bobbins, hair clips and chewing gum, I keep these in the coin pouch so they're easy to find. Sometimes I'll also throw in a back combing brush depending on the hairstyle that night. 

The only other things I take with me on a night are things for touch ups. If I could only bring one makeup item with me it would definitely be these blotting papers from Essence (€3.49), they're perfect for soaking up excess oils or sweat and let's be real, nightclubs can get really hot. Blotting papers and a medium coverage powder are my go to for touch ups, this Inglot AMC powder is my favourite powder to use with my Blank Canvas brush for touch ups. Occasionally if I have any spots I'll throw in a concealer and beauty blender in my bag to make sure those suckers stay hidden. Last but not least I bring with me any lip products I've used, my favourites for a night out are MAC Ruby Woo lipstick and Cherry lipliner for that perfect red lip which is really suited to this party season. Ruby Woo is extremely matte and sometimes drying so I always prep my lips by exfoliating and making sure they're moisturised before applying, I like to bring Vaseline with me when wearing a matte lip and reapplying throughout the night to avoid nasty chapped and flakey lips. 

So that's it for my night out bag blog. What are your handbag essentials for a night out? Comment below. 

Until next time guys, Alison x 

12 Blogs of Christmas : Day 3 - Christmas 2014 Gift Guide

It's that time of the year again! Christmas is around the corner and my shopping senses have gone into over drive. Being a student being broke is just a part of daily life but Christmas time is the one time I don't mind picking up extra hours or odd jobs to get my family nice presents. So here's my 2014 gift guide for the men & women in your life that won't break the bank! 

For her, this can include your mam, sister, auntie, niece or girlfriend. 

1) Alex and Ani bracelet : 

Alex and Ani bracelets are in my opinion the new Pandora bracelet. Every girl seems to be wearing them and rightly so because they are gorgeous. These come in gold and silver with a range of different charms or birthstones. They can be bought from Arnotts starting from €30. What I love about these bracelets is that they are pretty on their own but they also look feminine and elegant when several are stacked on one another so this can turn into a recurring present to make things easier when choosing a present for the girl who has everything. 

2) Skincare Set :

A Skincare set would be appreciated by any woman in your life. This is nearly fool proof for any men out there looking for a present for their Mam, Sister or Otherhalf. This first set from No.7 The Skincare Collection Gift includes No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser, No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make Up Remover, No7 Protect & Perfect Day Cream, No7 Protect & Perfect Night Cream, Muslin Cloth, Headband retailing at €20.50 from Boots. 

This next one comes from No.7 too it's the Bright and Beautiful Skincare collection and both of these sets are included in the 3 for 2 mix & match in Boots so if you have several women in your life to buy for this could be handy. This set includes No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion, No7 Rapid Radiance Balm, No7 Beautiful Skin Overnight Revitalising Eye Balm, No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Revealed Exfoliator, No7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream for Normal to Dry Skin, No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream for Normal to Dry Skin and retails for just €18.

3) Pyjamas : 

This may sound boring but a nice Satin Pyjama would be perfect for your Mam or other half who seems to have everything. This set is from Marks & Spensers for €49 and also comes in black. 

4) Mini Makeup Hamper :

This one is my favourite present to give because it is completely customisable to the person getting it. You decide what to out into it, what you recommend, what you like, what you think they will like, what you think will suit them or maybe something they wouldn't normally buy for themselves. This would be good for any woman in your life and you can fill it with drugstore brand, high end brands or a mix of both, the price point is completely up to you! 

5) Perfume :

For the teenager or young adult in your life Thierry Mulger Alien is one of the most popular perfumes. This gift set retails €57.50 and it includes a 30ml refillable eu de parfum, shower gel, body lotion and body cream. 

This next one is a popular more mature scent, perfect for your Mam, Auntie or older sister. Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Collection retails exclusively at Brown Thomas for €83.

6) Christmas Sets  : 

I think we all have a major makeup lover in our lives these days and picking makeup as a present can be tricky but when done well it can earn some major brownie points! When in doubt pick the makeup sets and this time of the year there a plenty of those around. Here are my top picks...

Benefit Cheeky Sweet Spot €43 available from Benefit counters in Debnahems & Brown Thomas and also in selected Boots stock Benefit, you can find a list of stockist on Boots.ie

Urban Decay Full Frontal Lipstick Stash is perfect for any makeup lover because it has 6 mini UD lipsticks 3 exclusive shades Flower, Crush & Illict and an Ozone lipliner which retails for €29 at Urban Decay counters in Debnahems. 

Blank Canvas are an Irish company who have the most amazing brushes, brilliant quality for very affordable prices. They have several brush sets but my favourite is this 6 piece brush set including 2 face brushes F26 & F04, 4 eye brushes E10, E24, E32 & E 38 and a makeup brush case all for just €49.99 http://www.blankcanvascosmetics.com/products/6-piece-set-3-f26-f04-e24-e38-e32-e10-with-free-case.html 

For him, now this could be anyone from your dad to brother to uncle to nephew to your boyfriend.

1) Shaving set 

All Dr K Soap Company products are handmade in Ireland and you can get a range of products from shaving, grooming to skin & beard care. They also do sets for really reasonable prices. This shaving set retails for €35 find it here http://www.drksoap.com/mens-grooming-set/

2) Aftershave 

You can never go wrong with a good after shave. There's always great sets and deals around this time of the year. I love this Hugo Boss Orange set retailing for €44 in boots. 

3) Books 

Around this time of the year there are always a lot of new releases particularly books about bands or personalities but there's also books like these the '100 things to do before you die' books like these are great coffee table books and interesting conversation starters. 

4) Gadgets 

As we all know boys love gadgets and toys and honestly some of them can be quite handy. Here we have this speaker from Penneys that connects to your phone and plays your music for just €10. Also perfect as a stocking filler.

This next one looks a bit scary but it's pretty handy. This is a 10 in 1 tool the size of a credit card which includes a saw blade, a ruler, a wrench, a bottle opener a flat head screwdriver and many more. Again a perfect sticking filler for just €3.75 find it here : http://www.red5.co.uk/christmas-gifts/christmas-gift-ideas-for-brothers/10-in-1-credit-card-multitool.aspx 

Another gadget here but any iPhone owner would find this really useful! This is a rechargeable phone case, possibly one of the best inventions ever! I found this one on Amazon for an iPhone 5/5s for just €13! Whatever about the man in my life, I think I'll be getting one of these for myself.

5) Watch 

Watches can sometimes be hit or miss but when looking keep it as simple as possible, think about their job, what they do in their spare time and try to imagine them wearing it. This one from asos is an absolute steal for just €40 find it here http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Bracelet-Watch-In-Black/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4565062&cid=5034&Rf-800=-1,54&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Black&totalstyles=127&gridsize=4 

The great thing about all these presents is that they can be mixed and matched depending on the person you're buying for. There's plenty of men out there who would appreciate a good skin care set and there's plenty of women who would appreciate some cool gadgets. Hope this helped, happy holidays! 

Until next time guys, Alison x