Holiday Beauties Wishlist

Every year, I always plan on picking up a few beauties on my travels. This year is no different, with me planning to pick up items in The Loop, Aer Lingus Sky Mall and when I arrive in Spain. 

The Loop

I love The Loop, for me it is heaven. So many pretty makeup brands at prices a decent bit below high street price. You can even order online (www.theloop.ie) before you go and pick them up before you get on a plane or when you arrive home. 

I haven't quite decided what i want to pick up, all I know if I want to have a look in MAC and pick up some eyeshadows and lippies. I may also pick up some Benefit. If you have recommendations from either brands, please let me know.

Aer Lingus Sky Mall

I've actually never bought anything beauty related on flights. I don't know why. I always plan to but then back out at the last second. Aer Lingus Sky Mall have a pretty decent selection of cosmetics but the ones I'm keeping my eyes out for are the Rimmel Apocolips Trio and Smashbox Brow Tech To Go.

A trio of Rimmel Apocalips lacquers for €15. Given each is usually €7.95, I'll be saving over €8 buying the set

Smashbox Brow Tech To Go €19. RRP €24

Spanish Beauties

Where I'm heading, cosmetics are either the same price or a little cheaper. There is the odd bargain to be had though. There are also brands we can't get here.

I completely fell for this micellar water in the local supermarket. I was stuck for a cleanser and saw it for €2. I genuinely didnt think it'd be much good but I ended up loving it and kicking myself that I didn't buy more of it. Lesson learned! I'll be picking up at least three bottles to keep me going.

Lacoste Touch Of Pink is one of my favourite fragrances but it's really expensive over here. I checked Debenhams and the price of a 50ml is €58. The Perfumria chain in Malaga retails it at €40 and The Loop sell it for €58.65

I'll probably pick up a few more bits once I arrive, I'll be sure to share my Holiday Beauty Haul when I get back.

Get Away Gorgeous with Benefit and The Morgan Hotel

I love staying in hotels and am always on the lookout for two things.

A. A budget friendly pampering package
B. A quirky hotel

 

I found both of these last week, when I went to the launch of Get Away Gorgeous with Benefit and The Morgan Hotel.I went to the launch with Donna, Aundrea, Dani, Sarah, Marian and Sian.

 

With my first step into The Morgan Hotel, I fell in love with the quirky decor. We headed for the penthouse, where we were introduced to the Get Away Gorgeous package. This lovely package includes Overnight stay in a guest room Benefit Cosmetics masterclass in house at The Morgan including a Benefit Pop Up Shop Cocktails and Tapas platter for the group during the class. Prices start at just €100 per person

 

 

After a brief introduction, we were whisked away for a tour of the hotel. Here are just a few pics I managed to take. Thanks Donna for the spot of modelling.

 

 

 

How crazy is that bath? I'm obsessed with stand alone baths and loved the idea. After some yummy tapas, we had a nosy at the penthouse patio deck.

 

 

Next up was the hilarious Mark from Benefit who introduced us to what Get Away Gorgeous looks guests could choose from.Always in blogger mode, I logged away a couple of Benefit products that I need to purchase. My birthday is coming up in May and I would love to avail of Get Away Gorgeous with some of the girlies.

 

  To enquire about Get Away Gorgeous, you can contact The Morgan at reservations@themorgan.com

 

What do you think of this unique package?

Beauty Faves of 2012

2012 was a great year for the beauty world.When deciding to do a post on what beauties I have loved this year, I found it really difficult to cut the list to three but I eventually got there.

Decadence Tan Eliminator has been my exfoliating saviour for the year.  Everytime I use it, I am amazed at how well it works at buffing away any tan remnants and dead skin cells.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish has been the cleanser I kept returning too in 2012. I find it is one of the few cleansers that doesn't dry out my skin and leaves my skin with a healthy glow.

I first tried Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24hr in 2011, and no matter what other foundation I try, I always return to this. A little of this foundation goes a long way and I am only now running extremely low. I definitely need to repurchase this beauty asap.

xxx The lovely girls behind Makeup Monster and Girl Friday Beauty Blog would also like to share their faves of 2012 with you xxx

Makeup Monster

Collection Concealer in Fair - I had this used on me during a makeup course earlier in the year and couldn't believe how good it made my under eye area look. Up until this point I had shelled out a small fortune in Brown Thomas trying out the best and most expensive concealers, only to be disappointed. This one is under a tenner, doesn't cake under the eyes and gives you the bright eyed bushy tailed look every girl wants! A total steal!

Skin79 Hot Pink BB Cream - I've been literally obsessed with this BB Cream since I tried it last December and despite the huge amount of incredible products I've reviewed over the year, nothing comes close to how good this is. Now there are pitfalls, it only comes in one shade and you have to order it off EBay, but luckily for me I'm a certified EBay addict and the shade matches perfectly! This is a dream for dry skin, can be slapped on with your hands, makes your skin look a million times better than it is and never looks cakey or overdone. Love it!

Benefit Hervana Blusher - I was lucky enough to be gifted this at a bloggers event during the summer and ever since I've turned to this blush every day. If you're pale like me and want a natural flush of colour this is your only man! It may be a little more expensive but it'll easily last a year and you can use the different colours in the palette on their own or swish them together for the perfect natural glow! The best blusher I've ever tried and now I want all the other Benefit ones!

 Girl Friday 

Estée Lauder Doublewear Foundation in Ecru - I have struggled for years to find a foundation that covered my redness, didn't clump on my dry patches and that didn't leave my skin feeling like it was burning after I took it off. I finally found it this year! Estée Lauders Doublewear foundation is very much a full coverage foundation and so isn't to everyone's liking. I wear this only for occasions that I really do need full coverage for but it really is a godsend. It lasts forever on your skin regardless of what you put it through. It has an SPF of 10 which does result in some flashback with photography but I can honestly say that is the only negative for me!

The full of grace serum bar from Lush is one of my favourites for the last number of years. I have very dry skin and suffer with redness and while this doesn't get rid of it it certainly soothes my skin while giving an intensive moisture boost. A little goes a long way with this so while it seems expensive for the size of it I feel it really is worth it! This little bar is so packed with oils however that it takes very little to melt it so rather than lose (another) one to heat I now store mine in one of the tubs from the fresh face masks and that way it can melt and solidify as it wants!

2012 was the year that I adopted gel liner as part of my regular makeup routine. This liner is amazing! It sits great on the waterline, is incredibly black and I love how easy it is to use. It can dry out over time but I've added a drop or two of Duraline (also by Inglot) and it has been immediately restored!

 

 

 xxx What were your favourites of 2012? xxx