Latest cosmetic purchases and reviews

Tiddlypeeps · 26-03-2015 10:28am

Moyglish wrote: »

Hiya, just wondering why you say Caroline Hirons' isn't someone you'd trust with skincare advice? I don't know much about her and I'm not what you'd call a fan of her blog, I've checked it out a few times and thought she seemed well informed and appeared to give good advice, but as I said I'm not overly familiar with her and her blog so just wondering if there's something I don't know about her?

Just curious is all

I wouldn't be her biggest fan either. She spouts a lot of nonsense on skin care and nutrition as fact that isn't backed up by anything other than her own intuition and personal experience. Even if it's contradicting the general consensus from both dieticians and dermatologists.

Couldn't think of a specific example off hand of something she said that irked me so had a quick look at her blog. On the front page is an article telling people who have been prescribed by their doctors to take antibiotics for their acne to stop taking them. Now it's quite possible she could be right, but her article does nothing to convince me of that. She gives no references to studies and simply spouts a bunch of pseudoscience and opinion.

Don't get me wrong she has a lot of good advice too. It's just so randomly mixed with both dangerous and ill-informed advice that she is not a person I would turn to when looking for answers and not someone I would recommend to others. As Bored_lad said, take everything she says with a pinch of salt.

cookiecakes · 26-03-2015 5:59pm

Moyglish wrote: »

Hiya, just wondering why you say Caroline Hirons' isn't someone you'd trust with skincare advice? I don't know much about her and I'm not what you'd call a fan of her blog, I've checked it out a few times and thought she seemed well informed and appeared to give good advice, but as I said I'm not overly familiar with her and her blog so just wondering if there's something I don't know about her?

Just curious is all

I think bored_lad and tiddlypeeps have said most it already but I find her to be woefully inconsistent with her advice and she just seems to follow the money. She'll berate people for using certain products but then promote others with almost the exact same ingredients because she's getting paid for it. I've no issue with bloggers making money but I feel consistency is key. As tiddlypeeps has said, she allows offers borderline dangerous advice without any real backing-up of her claims, instead just adapting an attitude of one-size-fits-all for skincare which I don't think is true at all!

GirlatdRockShow · 26-03-2015 6:01pm

Just bought the Clarisonic this morning...feeling a little scared now after reading the past few posts! :eek:

retro:electro · 26-03-2015 6:10pm

I don't agree with Caroline Hirons when she says not to use micellar water to cleanse in the morning. I mean surely skincare is subjective to the person and what works for one may not work for another? She does seem to have a set of "rules" that should be obeyed and I really don't think that's fair to project. I do however agree with what she says about the clarasonic, however I made my mind up about those before reading her blog so I wasn't influenced by her. I use la Roche Posay micellar water to cleanse every morning and find it suits my skin perfectly. I've never had a reaction to it and I'll continue to use it. I just find her list of "dos and donts" a bit patronising and Id never actively avoid using something just because she doesn't like it for whatever reason.

Ilyana 2.0 · 26-03-2015 7:33pm

I have found some of Hirons' posts useful but, for example, I've had great results with antibiotics for acne, whereas she advocates not taking them at all. On the other hand, she's right about people not cleaning off their make-up properly, and how important double cleansing is. IMO, if you're happy with your skin, then keep going with what you've always done. If it ain't broke

Back on topic, and I had a mini-splurge in MAC. I got a Lustre lipstick in Patisserie and an eyeshadow in Satin Taupe. I've wanted both for ages; I'm wearing Patisserie now and it's a lovely nude-pink that would probably suit anyone.

Valentina · 26-03-2015 8:41pm

Well I love my Clarisonic. I've used it every morning since last November. It's really cleared up a couple of little problem areas I had, namely dryness and redness. Sandblasting couldn't be further from the truth. It's gentle if used properly. You should be just moving it around in a circular motion applying very little pressure. If you're scrubbing it into your skin it probably will hurt and also impede the action of the brush.

How Strange · 27-03-2015 8:34am

Completely off topic but in support of Caroline Hirons; I've just finished a 6 week course of effeclar antibiotic for rosacea. My skin looks amazing but my digestive system is in ribbons. I was taking a good probiotic but I definitely paid a price for my clear skin. When I started the antibiotic I was a bit put out by her view of using them for skin conditions but I see what she means now. It'll take a long time to get my system back to normal.

I recently bought the Clinique City block spf25 which is supposed to be great for rosacea prone skin. So far so nice. I also bought and started using indeed labs retinol reface. I'm not sure how strong it is but in using it every second night for the moment.

Luno · 27-03-2015 1:51pm

Oops, I didn't mean to get into a debate on the authenticity of Caroline's blogging, I'm not even too familiar with her work I just agreed with some of the points she raised and I don't think I'd ever use a Clarisonic or something similar for that reason. Sorry to have went a bit off topic for a while but I think it's good to raise some discussion around these things especially about something as sensitive as your skin!

On topic,

I decided to pick up a sleek eyeshadow palette after reading some of the successes other on here have had with them. I think the one I've got is called 'Au Naturale' or something to that note, it has kinda purple undertones and I'm just hoping now that it doesn't look like I've black eyes

cookiecakes · 27-03-2015 8:11pm

A little mini Boots haul today. They had 3 for 2 on all make up plus triple points today..It would have been rude not to!

The two lipsticks are L'oreal - Julianne's nude and vip! The blush is Max Factor in Lovely Pink. I've heard it's a dupe for the hourglass ambient lighting blush so thought I'd give it a try. The rouge editions are from Bourgeois and are (from top) So Hap'pink, Appechissant and Don't Pink Of It. The 3 sticks are from No. 7 and are tiding me over until I can afford all the By Terry Blackstars. The colours are Cool Mink, Gunmetal Grey and Glistening Ray. Am really looking forward to give them all a try!!

Craigels · 27-03-2015 10:38pm

GirlatdRockShow wrote: »

Just bought the Clarisonic this morning...feeling a little scared now after reading the past few posts! :eek:

I bought the clarisonic aria about a month ago and I love it thankfully I didn't go through the purging stage

Penzo16 · 29-03-2015 10:47pm

Bought the Collection Lasting Perfection foundation in Ivory last week and finally got to try it out over the weekend and it's fab! Gives a lovely coverage and not at all drying on my skin, and it's only €7.99! Applies nicely with the Real Technique miracle complexion sponge.

SueBoom · 29-03-2015 10:58pm

Penzo16 wrote: »

Bought the Collection Lasting Perfection foundation in Ivory last week and finally got to try it out over the weekend and it's fab! Gives a lovely coverage and not at all drying on my skin, and it's only €7.99! Applies nicely with the Real Technique miracle complexion sponge.

I absolutely need to get this stuff, I hear nothing but really good things.

Penzo16 · 30-03-2015 3:54pm

SueBoom wrote: »

I absolutely need to get this stuff, I hear nothing but really good things.

Well worth trying! I have quite dry skin, and psoriasis on top of that and it doesn't cling to patches compared to other foundation. I have a lot of redness also and it covered it no problem and didn't need to set it with powder.

Another purchase I forgot to mention is Water wipes makeup wipes, takes all makeup off easily including eye makeup and leave the skin feeling soft and moisturised. My skin is quite sensitive and these don't irritate it, no strong smell like other wipes either.

AJmakeup · 30-03-2015 4:57pm

I've heard good things about the Collection foundation definitely going to give it a try! Absolutely LOVE their Concealer. I constantly repurchase, it's definitely one of my favourites!

SueBoom · 30-03-2015 5:08pm

I picked up Rimmel's Apocalips Lip Lacquer in the colour Galaxy (a sort of dark pink). It's fab! I don't normally like lip gloss, I'd usually wear lipstick but the colour is really strong and lasting and much more moisturising than lippy. Would really recommend it.

AJmakeup · 30-03-2015 5:11pm

I have heard ELF products are discontinuing! I could be wrong though but there has definitely been chat about it, so if you want to pick up something you might need to do it sooner rather than later! I don't have any of their brushes so I can't advise, I only use their setting powder (which is discontinuing unfortunately)

lindtee · 30-03-2015 7:58pm

Just used the No. 7 cleansing brush! I wasn't really expecting any immediate results but my skin felt oh so soft and clean after using it. The brush itself was nice and gentle on the skin. Now, I have not used any other type of cleansing brush so I can't compare but my first impressions of this are very good. I used a lancome face wash with it.

Ordered Palmers oliver oil cleansing conditioner from Feel unique as I want to try the "No Poo" method:o:D for my curly hair
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Also ordered this body oil and hair dress as feelunique have 25% off all the palmers range
palmer-s-cocoa-butter-formula-moisturizing-body-oil.jpg

Also ordered this Monu Exclusive Beauty bag as it was on special offer.

Have some vouchers for boots so am going to try that Collection foundation. Its worth a shot for 7.99

RebelScorned · 30-03-2015 9:10pm

AJmakeup wrote: »

I have heard ELF products are discontinuing! I could be wrong though but there has definitely been chat about it, so if you want to pick up something you might need to do it sooner rather than later! I don't have any of their brushes so I can't advise, I only use their setting powder (which is discontinuing unfortunately)

Don't worry- you can still order your ELF cosmetics from iherb.com

RhubarbCrumble · 31-03-2015 10:31am

Can't comment on the Collection foundation as I haven't used it (though am tempted to get it now after all the good recommendations) but the Collection concealer is excellent. Allegedly a dupe for Nars.

StripedBoxers · 31-03-2015 1:11pm

RhubarbCrumble wrote: »

Can't comment on the Collection foundation as I haven't used it (though am tempted to get it now after all the good recommendations) but the Collection concealer is excellent. Allegedly a dupe for Nars.

Is it not the Maybelline fit me that's a NARS dupe, or is the collection one another dupe for it?

I've tried the Collection one and I must be the only person who doesn't like it, I found it heavy and cakey.

I recently got the eyeshadows from Dealz and have to say I really, really like them. Cappuccino is my favourite. For €1.49 they're a fantastic price. I find the pigmentation of them to be as good as the MAC ones I have.

RhubarbCrumble · 31-03-2015 3:13pm

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Is it not the Maybelline fit me that's a NARS dupe, or is the collection one another dupe for it?

I've tried the Collection one and I must be the only person who doesn't like it, I found it heavy and cakey.

I recently got the eyeshadows from Dealz and have to say I really, really like them. Cappuccino is my favourite. For €1.49 they're a fantastic price. I find the pigmentation of them to be as good as the MAC ones I have.

They're probably all proclaimed as dupes after a while.

I haven't used Dealz eyeshadows, but the nail polishes are fantastic!

Dark Phoenix · 01-04-2015 11:59am

Got myself a sleek eye brow stylist yesterday and while i didnt like the eyeshadows or powders I tried before - I loved this. Im raging I didnt also buy the eyeliner as I tried it on my hard yesterday afternoon and its still there and hasnt washed off - talk about budgeproof!

Dark Phoenix · 01-04-2015 12:01pm

anyone got the Urban Decay 'Naked on the run pallette' and if so how do you rate it? I have naked 1 & 2 & Basics but saw this in the airport and loved it - was onloy €42 but they were sold out. Am in two minds about buying it online

cookiecakes · 01-04-2015 2:54pm

Dark Phoenix wrote: »

anyone got the Urban Decay 'Naked on the run pallette' and if so how do you rate it? I have naked 1 & 2 & Basics but saw this in the airport and loved it - was onloy €42 but they were sold out. Am in two minds about buying it online

Debenhams had it for €33 a few weeks ago and I'm raging i didn't buy it! Their blue cross is starting again though so keep an eye out over the weekend!!

Michellenman · 01-04-2015 7:08pm

I like it but I never really use it for travel. I have the naked flushed and naked 1 which I much prefer, though that's probably more out of habit than anything, although I do find on the run to be kind of bulky to carry.

That being said I currently have 11 urban decay palettes and Only about 3 that i use in anyway frequently..

ShazGV · 01-04-2015 9:10pm

Michellenman wrote: »

That being said I currently have 11 urban decay palettes and Only about 3 that i use in anyway frequently..

You're living the dream! :eek:

fussyonion · 01-04-2015 10:28pm

Picked up Argan Oil in Aldi for €2.99. Used it today for the first time and I'm seriously impressed.

My hair is quite long and for the past few years I've been using Garnier Fructis I Love My Sleek heat-resistant smoothing spray.

Today, after washing and conditioning my hair, I towel-dried it and applied three drops of Argan Oil in my hands, rubbed them together and smoothed it all over my hair, concentrating on the ends.

Blow-dried my hair and all day it's been so soft and smooth. Very impressed and now I don't need to fork out €11.99 for the L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil

Michellenman · 03-04-2015 6:36pm

ShazGV wrote: »

You're living the dream! :eek:

Wasting money more like

They've been mostly gifts to be fair but I've had to stop myself on more than one occasion from buying more. I definitely have more eyeshadow than I'll ever need in my lifetime

1. Book of shadows 2 - gift (my first love from 8/9 years ago, still use it! Mushroom is such a great soft taupe colour for blue eyes)
2. Book of shadows 4 - bought (missionary and bust a fab day colours!)
3. 15 anniversary palette - bought (barely used.. Not a fan, colours are way too bright really for me and the neutral ones are too light and all very similar when worn. Evidence and MIA are nice though)
4. Ammo palette - bought (great one for travelling!)
5. Alice in wonderland palette - gift (nice colours but nothing amazing Imo)
6. Black palette - gift (have only used it once, colours aren't really 'me')
7. Naked 1 - gift (love it!

)
8. Naked 2 - gift (wanted it because I loved the first one so much I never really got using this properly)
9. Naked basics 1 - bought (LOVE IT)
10. Naked flushed - gift (great palette for throwing your bag on a night out with basics)
11. Naked on the run - gift (really like this, good overall palette, bulky to carry around though!)

Tigger99 · 04-04-2015 1:22pm

Thanks to a very generous voucher I've splurged over the past few days.

Was originally thinking of a Charlotte Tilbury lip gloss but tried it out and found the texture drying. I popped to the Dior counter and got this baby

it's amazing, really lovely spring colour. Even the packaging makes me

Got this for a bronzer and the girl at the counter was using it as an eyeshadow. Omg it's the most beautiful rich eye colour. It's a nice bronzer too

And the best mascara ever. Better than YSL faux cils and Lancome Hypnosis in my opinion. Think it's the brush in particular.
10131321?id=8EwaB3&fmt=jpg&fit=constrain,1&wid=504&hei=548

10131321?id=8EwaB3&fmt=jpg&fit=constrain,1&wid=504&hei=548

Tilly · 04-04-2015 5:34pm

I cannot stand they're real mascara, the wand hurt my eyes when using it too. Was thinking about getting that bronzer next tho.

cookiecakes · 04-04-2015 6:12pm

Tilly wrote: »

I cannot stand they're real mascara, the wand hurt my eyes when using it too. Was thinking about getting that bronzer next tho.

Me too!! I haven't managed to use it once without poking myself in the eye with the wand! Hoola is a gorgeous bronzer though!!

retro:electro · 04-04-2015 6:30pm

Tilly wrote: »

I cannot stand they're real mascara, the wand hurt my eyes when using it too. Was thinking about getting that bronzer next tho.

Same. Anytime I use it I end up just hitting the spikey bit on the top of my nose. I'd look past that if it was even a good mascara but I thought it was rubbish. Imo Max Factor do the beat mascaras.

Michellenman · 04-04-2015 6:44pm

Michellenman wrote: »

Wasting money more like They've been mostly gifts to be fair but I've had to stop myself on more than one occasion from buying more. I definitely have more eyeshadow than I'll ever need in my lifetime

1. Book of shadows 2 - gift (my first love from 8/9 years ago, still use it! Mushroom is such a great soft taupe colour for blue eyes)
2. Book of shadows 4 - bought (missionary and bust a fab day colours!)
3. 15 anniversary palette - bought (barely used.. Not a fan, colours are way too bright really for me and the neutral ones are too light and all very similar when worn. Evidence and MIA are nice though)
4. Ammo palette - bought (great one for travelling!)
5. Alice in wonderland palette - gift (nice colours but nothing amazing Imo)
6. Black palette - gift (have only used it once, colours aren't really 'me')
7. Naked 1 - gift (love it! )
8. Naked 2 - gift (wanted it because I loved the first one so much I never really got using this properly)
9. Naked basics 1 - bought (LOVE IT)
10. Naked flushed - gift (great palette for throwing your bag on a night out with basics)
11. Naked on the run - gift (really like this, good overall palette, bulky to carry around though!)

12. Found the pulp fiction one I bought ages ago down the back of my dresser this morning

cactusgal · 04-04-2015 7:53pm

anna080 wrote: »

Same. Anytime I use it I end up just hitting the spikey bit on the top of my nose. I'd look past that if it was even a good mascara but I thought it was rubbish. Imo Max Factor do the beat mascaras.

Me three. I found it to be a totally average (but very expensive product). Bought it once, never again.

+1 on the Max Factor mascara, I bought one recently (Max Factor Masterpiece Transform) and I really like it so far: http://m.boots.ie/h5/cat_hub?unCountry=roi&path=/en/Max-Factor-Masterpiece-Transform-mascara_1538959/

Belle E. Flops · 04-04-2015 9:43pm

I really like the They're Real mascara. Its the only mascarra I've tried where people have complimented it. My lashes are longish anyway but this mascarra holds the curl for me where others will hold the curl for a bit and then drop. I'd use it as my everyday mascara.

I like the Lancome Grandiose though for nights out where I want lots of volume and curl.

charlietheminxx · 05-04-2015 9:12am

Michellenman wrote: »

12. Found the pulp fiction one I bought ages ago down the back of my dresser this morning

You should stick the ones you don't use up on adverts! That makes room for more you do like :P

I feel inferior now, having only 7 Urban Decay palettes! Haha. My favourite is probably Smoked.

Donald73 · 05-04-2015 11:21pm

charlietheminxx wrote: »

You should stick the ones you don't use up on adverts! That makes room for more you do like :P

I feel inferior now, having only 7 Urban Decay palettes! Haha. My favourite is probably Smoked.

Doing better than me lol I only have 4.

Have naked 1 and 3 (need 2 next), vice 3 and the 15 year one. Need moooooooooore lol

Storming · 06-04-2015 8:22am

I need to get some new makeup - foundation and powder. I've heard a lot about Charlotte Tilbury but don't know anyone who uses it. Does anyone have any recommendations on foundation and a couple of items to get started with this range?

cookiecakes · 06-04-2015 11:39am

Storming I don't know if you saw this post on lilypebbles this morning but it might help you out!!

http://www.lilypebbles.co.uk/2015/04/the-best-of-charlotte-tilbury.html#kbUb7wp5spEKRpkp.97

bscm · 06-04-2015 2:23pm

Having used They're Real for about 2 months now, I'm very underwhelmed

Brush really agitates my eyelids, I love wiggling mascara into the base of my lashes but can't with that brush.

Also the formula doesn't do it for me. I've fairly long, curly lashes so most mascaras work grand (only ever had issues with the Maybelline Colossal/yellow tube which was way too runny for my liking). But They're Real ends up transferring like crazy, despite being a pain to take off in the evening. Without fail, I end up with dark circles surrounding my eyes in the afternoon, unless I powder my eye area like crazy (which I don't like doing).

If it didn't come with a gift set I got for Christmas, I definitely think I would have regretted spending that much on a mascara when I could have gotten better mascaras in Boots for much less.

Tigger99 · 06-04-2015 4:50pm

It's funny how we can have such different experiences

Thankfully the transferring thing hasn't happened. I always put so many layers of mascara on that I use eye makeup remover either way, so that tends to take it off ok.

rainbow kirby · 07-04-2015 12:02am

Dark Phoenix wrote: »

anyone got the Urban Decay 'Naked on the run pallette' and if so how do you rate it? I have naked 1 & 2 & Basics but saw this in the airport and loved it - was onloy €42 but they were sold out. Am in two minds about buying it online

I quite like it - decent as a basic set of products to have. I paid £36 ish for mine in Debenhams just before Christmas. I use everything in it except the bronzer - too pale for that!

anniehoo · 07-04-2015 5:09pm

nursemar88 wrote: »

I don't think we are allowed to put up eBay links. Can anyone looking for the seller name please PM me for it instead?? I'm on my phone and it's just easier to reply for me that way. Thanks

I just wanted to come back and say thanks a million for the link to the brush set nursemar. I genuinely wasn't expecting anything brill from these and they did take almost 5 weeks to arrive but I am so surprised at how decent these brushes are. They are so soft and densely packed plus the eye ones are not scratchy at all. Very very impressed!! 10 decent brushes for €9...delighted

:D:D

Sunny Dayz · 07-04-2015 5:27pm

Same anniehoo! I got mine recently too and I can't get over how soft they are.
Thanks nursemar!

waterfordgirl · 07-04-2015 6:59pm

Me too, got mine last week and am well impressed! Thanks nursemar!

Tigger99 · 07-04-2015 7:30pm

Would you mind sending me a link too please.

Donald73 · 07-04-2015 7:39pm

Just came on to say I got mine today, love them. Thanks a mill Nursemar for the tip, they look so much more expensive than they cost

waterfordgirl · 07-04-2015 7:58pm

Tigger99 wrote: »

Would you mind sending me a link too please.

Pm sent

Luno · 07-04-2015 8:04pm

Don't mean to be a pain but I would be really interested in those brushes if somebody had a link? My student budget would be seriously grateful!

Stench Blossoms · 07-04-2015 9:31pm

Why are they so cheap?

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