#SBBC 29: An Era I Love

Todays post choice was sharing my earliest makeup memories, I already posted something similar. So I thought I would share with you and era I am completely obsessed with. 

I am just obssessed. The 60's marked a massive change for us women. We were entering the workplace more frequently, the clothes were rebellious and makeup also became more dramatic.

From when I was a child, it was a decade I loved. I would listen to the music all the time, something I still do to this day. What I really loved about the 60's was the makeup. The big lashes, dark crease, natural blush and natural lip. The ultimate example of this is British model Twiggy

Are you a 60's child at heart?

#SBBC Day 19: Makeup Storage Dreams

 

I confess, I am a nightmare when it comes to storing my makeup. You can often find makeup in the bedroom, on the fireplace, on the kitchen table and in the kitchen. I am so bold. Lately I have been thinking more and more about makeup storage and have created this shopping list.

Storages Boxes €6-€12 from Dunnes

These would be really handy for storing lippies, mascaras and other few bits.

Alex €100

This is another option I could do, one I am more drawn to. While I love the storage boxes, this is more practical for the space I have in the house

What are your makeup storage dreams? Or if you have any ideas please share with me.

Introducing Irish Rain Skincare

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Irish Rain Skincare. I love discovering Irish businesses so I was delighted when they sent me out a few of their products to try. 

A Bit About Irish Rain
 

 Irish Rain was created by John and Cathy, both hugely passionate when it comes to natural ingredients. The approach to the products is holistic so they include essential oils aimed at targeting skin ailments. The products contain no nasties and are cruelty free. Price range is €19.99 to €39.99

 

The Products

I was sent the Revitalising Facial Oil, Regenerative Cellular Repair Cream and Nourishing Restorative Body Oil. 

These are still been road tested for another bit before I give my final verdict but so far I am really loving them. They smell incredible thanks to the Essential Oils and over all I'm feeling pretty good about my skin.

There are lots of other lovelies in the range which you can see on IrishRain.org and delivery is €2.50 for orders under €20 and free on orders over €20 in Ireland. They also ship overseas. Pop over to like them on Facebook too

Have you ever heard of Irish Rain Skincare?

#SBBC Day 18: 10 Desert Island Products

If all my makeup was taken away from and I could only repurchase ten. Nightmare!! These lovelies would definitely be the ones that I would need A.S.A.P. I have come to rely on each and every one of these to get me through my beauty life.

Cocoa Brown One Hour Tan and La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

Bia Beauty Detox Scrub

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 In 1 Micellar Water, MUA Undressed Palette and Lipikar Lait

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara, Vichy Dermablend Foundation, NYC In A New York Minute and Roger & Gallet Fleur d'Osmanthus

What products be your desert island products

#SBBC Day 16: Things I Love

Todays post is all about things I love, well it is supposed to be but I thought I would share animals I love. All images are extremely cute and deserve an Aaaw or two.

First up, I thought I would show you my pets because I adore them.

L-R Pepper, Ellie and Suki

Then of course we have horses and dolphins. I love most animals to be honest, but horses and dolphins have a special pull for me.

*All Pics My Own*

Are you an animal lover like me?



#SBBC Day 15: Beauty Things I Suck At

While I love everything beauty, I am not a master at them all. There are a few things that come to mind.

 

Contouring... While I don't want to be contoured within an inch of my life like certain celebrities I can think of, I would like to be able to achieve some sort of contour perfection. I really should buy a contouring kit and practice.

 

Washing My Makeup Brushes... I know! It is so bold of me but I don't wash my makeup brushes nearly enough. I really don't have an excuse because I actually enjoy washing them, I just don't seem to make the time to do it as much as a should.

 

Using a Night Cream... I am terrible for remembering to use a night cream. It's not that I never have one, I just rarely think of putting it on. I even have one left on my nightstand so I can confirm I have no excurse for ignoring it.

 

Keeping My Makeup In One Place... I am so bad at this one. You can find my makeup somewhere completely random. It drives hubby mad. I really should invest in more storage options.

 

 Applying False Eyelashes... Ask me to put falsies on you or anyone else and I won't even break a sweat. Now ask me to put them on myself. It's a whole different ball game. I just can't do it. I get really frustrated trying to put a full set on so I have purchased some half falsies and found them much easier to put on.

 

Are there any beauty things you suck at?

 

 

 

 



#SBBC Day 14: Where I Get My Inspiration From

Blogging is great fun but it can also be a cruel master. I can't tell you how many times I have suffered from writer's block. I definitely find being organised a huge help. Every few weeks I will write a list of posts ideas and reviews that I want to put up here.

 

 

 

When it comes to inspiration for posts, I get it from a couple of different sources

• A new product will arrive in work that I like the sound of so I will invest in it and if it's worth a look I will post a review of it.
• Fellow Bloggers - Every night I have a look at all the lovely #irishbbloggers blogs to see what they are posting about. If there is something that jumps out at me, I will write it down and do research on it.
• Random Thoughts in my head -  I'm always subconsciously in blogging mode. I could be doing the housework or in the shower when an idea just comes to me. A few examples where this has happened was http://anitasbeautyspot.blogspot.ie/2013/07/diy-nail-polish.html and http://anitasbeautyspot.blogspot.ie/2013/06/unusual-uses-of-toothpaste.html
• Life - If there is something going on in my life that I think you may find interesting I will share it. This has happened quite a bit over the summer where I have shared our family days out.

#SBBC Day 13: A Craft Project- Glitter Nail Polish

Since posting my DIY Nail Polish post, I have been playing around with nail polishes a lot. Today I wanted to share with you how to make Glitter Nail Polish.

For this, I am using solvent resistant glitters that I picked up online with a nail polish suspension base. The reason I have picked these two is so the glitter in the nail polish wont bleed and won't sink to the bottom.

I've made six glitter polishes. It's so easy to make just add a few scoops of glitter and Shake! Shake! Shake!

** I have decided to sell these glitter babies and have launched a nail polish store on Big Cartel, where you can pick these lovelies up. I have a couple of collections lined up and really hope you enjoy seeing them**

Clarins Autumn/Winter Graphic Expressions

Following on from Catrice Autumn/Winter, I wanted to share another Autumn/Winter collection. This time from a brand that I grow a little more in love with all the time- Clarins.

 

There are four stand outs in the collection for me

 

 

 

• Face and Blush Powder
• Be Long Mascara
• As part of collection, Clarins have also reformulated their 3 Dot Eyeliner. I have previously used the 3 dot eyeliner and loved it. The newest incarnation has the same growth stimulating ingredient as the Be Long Mascara so it will not only give you gorgeous eyeliner but it will help with the condition of your lashes. Genius!!
• Mineral Eye Quartet

As always, Clarins have knocked it out of the park with the collection everything including the gold packaging is stunning. You can find Graphic Expressions on counter now so definitely check it out and have a swatch or two.

 



#SBBC Day 11: How I Got My Blog Name

Finding a blog name can be really hard. I know when I first thought of starting a blog, I couldn't decide on a name. It was actually hubby who said why not call it after yourself. This was back in the days when I was on wordpress. Anita's Beauty Blog served me well, it was simple and there was no need to ask what my name was.

 

When wordpress decided to close my blog without even notifying me, I knew I wanted to keep the name in my move to blogger. Unfortunately the name Anita's Beauty Blog was taken. I'm not going to lie, I panicked ever so slightly because I really wanted to keep my name somewhere in the blog name.

 

I toyed with lots of different ideas but the one I kept coming back to was Anita's Beauty Spot.

 

 

It just kind of called to me. It had me name and I thought Beauty Spot was good to go for as I like to think of the blog as a place readers can come to for all their beauty bits.

 

If you were to start a beauty blog what would you call it or if you are a fellow beauty blogger how did you decide on your name?

 

 



#SBBC Day 10: Beauty Pet Peeves

Today I'm talking about Beauty Pet Peeves. These are five things that happen to me on occasion that really frustrate me.

 

 

• Having perfectly clear skin when I have a few days off only to wake up for work with a spot magically after appearing overnight.
• Spending ages painting my nails only for it to chip or smudge five minutes later.
• Resorting to using face wipes because I've run out of cotton wool or cleanser.
• Being out and about only to realise I have no lipstick when I have a million lipsticks at home.
• Spend ages straightening my hair only to go out and it starts raining - Curly Hair Syndrome soon follows

Do you share any of these or do you have any different ones?

 

 

#SBBC Day 7: Fantasy Dinner Party

When I first saw this topic, my mind wondered to all the cute actors and singers out there. Then, I remembered I am a married woman and mother so I should probably be a bit more responsible and focus on a mix of people.

 

 

Of course, my first guest would be hubby. I couldn't leave him out besides he is a chatterbox and would keep the guests entertained while I was serving the food. Next up would be Jon Bon Jovi, I love his music so he could help with the entertainment no end. Then I would say Marilyn Monroe, I've always been obsessed with her and would love to know more about her.

A more recent female I would have in attendance would be Sharon Osbourne, I know she is not ev3eryones cup of tea but I love her, Then I would have to invite Michael Mc Intyre, both me and hubby think he is hilarious. Ok so I have to have a little bit more eye candy and that would come in the form of Alexander Skarsguard ( Eric In True Blood)

 

 

Foodwise,  I would serve an Italian feast starting with a platter of different meats and chesses, next up I would share my infamous Bacon and Leek pasta, then for dessert I would serve a Strawberry Cheesecake with some summer fruits. This is another firm favourite in my house. Then for after dinner the Grappa would be shared.


If you were to have a fantasy dinner party who would you invite?

#SBBC Day 9; Incorporating Colour

Firstly apologies for not posting over the weekend, the little man has been a bit sick so I've been on mummy duty. I'll bring you the topics for both Day 7 and Day 8 later in the week.

 

 

I'm pretty much a brown or black smokey eye and natural better than me lip shade so when it comes to incorporating colour, I tend to use nail polish. One week , I could be wearing a neon pink, the next a bright blue or even a luminous yellow.  I love experimenting with coloured polishes. Here are just a few of my favourites.

 

 

• NYC Lexington Yellow
• Illamasqua Collide
• Rimmel Salon Pro Sea Green
• OPI Blue My Mind
• Essence Colour and Go Ultimate Pink
• Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Kook A Mango

What ways do you incorporate colour?

 

 



#SBBC Day Six: Staple Beauty Items

Today, I wanted to share what my staple beauty items are. These are the little things that make my beauty life a little easier and they are things that I don't give a second thought to.

With my nail polish obsession  nail polish remover is always in the house. I use the Cutex Moisture Guard so it doesn't dry my nails out too much.

I'm a huge fan of Muslin cloths but instead of buying branded ones, I buy the three pack in the baby section of Dunnes. They are much bigger but I cut them in two meaning I have a pretty decent supply to return to.

Cotton Wool is always in my house,I use it for removing makeup and with my nail polish remover. Always keeping budget in mind, I buy the Tesco one for 65c and I find it just as good as the dearer brands.

Tweezers are such a handy beauty item. Not only do I use them for plucking my eyebrows, I also use them for picking up false eyelashes out of the packet. I have a Tweezerman tweezers for about six years and love it. 

Do you have any staple beauty items?



#SBBC Day 5 : Faves and Fails Makeup Removers

Todays post is aimed at sharing my faves and fails of makeup removers so thought I would focus on Eye Makeup Removers. I have tried what feels like hundreds of them but I have two firm favs.

  

Essence Eye Makeup Remover

I first purchased this back in January and fell in love with it. Since then I have bought a couple more bottles. This is a dual phase formula that is excellent for removing heavy makeup. It can be picked up for a measly €1.90, the first time I bought it, I managed to bag it for 50c. Raging I didn't buy more at the time but the normal €1.90 is still a bargain

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover is a newbie in my life. I find it great for removing even heavy eye makeup remover aswell as removing stubborn lippie. This lovely is €13.50 and I have found you only need a tiny amount so I think it will last me quiet some time.

With the good, comes the ones that never seemed to agree with me, for me one that comes to mind is Clarins  Instant Eye Makeup remover.

I love my clear based eye makeup removers but I just can't get on with this lovely. It's dual based which I love but I find it almost too oily on my skin. Unfortunately not one for me.

Have you any makeup removers you rate?

The Buzz About Honeymania

A couple of weeks ago, I popped along to The Body Shop to check out the new Honeymania collection.

 I love honey so I was excited to see the collection. All the products in the range are made with Community Fair Trade Honey from Ethiopia.

I was lucky enough to receive the body butter, lip balm and  shower gel, so over the next while I go more in depth with those.

The range is definitely worth taking a look at next time you are in The Body Shop.

#SBBC Day Two: My Favourite Eyeshadow Palette

I am a big fan of Eyeshadow Palettes. I find them really handy for both at home and travelling. There is a great choice of colours and they don't take up loads of room like having lots of single shadows. I have a pretty good selection of palettes but one I always return to is Makeup Academy Undressed, the renowned dupe of Urban Decay Naked Palette.

I first bought this beauty on my U.K holiday last year and fell hook line and sinker for it. There was a good selection of neutral colours along with darker colours ideal for both day and night. This first palette lasted me ages, almost a year in fact. Until one day, it met with the little man and ended up smashed on the floor. I was gutted and ordered another one straight away on the MUA website

*I'm currently sans Undressed palette because it broke on my way home from a weekend away, I keep meaning to repurchase but every time I think of it, the palette is sold out on the website.*

On the whole the pigmentation is pretty good for a budget palette, the only colour I have issue with is the gold on the top row as it takes a good few layers to get any decent colour on the eyelids.

This palette is extremely affordable coming in around the €5 mark on the website. It is definitely my go to palette.

Have you tried Undressed or any other of the M.U.A palettes?