HIDDEN GEMS: DRUGSTORE MAKEUP

When buying new makeup products, I always go by what is popular in the beauty blogger world, but sometimes I like to venture out and try things that I haven't really heard much about.

There are so many great products out there that I love and don't feel they get as much recognition as they deserve, so I thought I would show you some of them.

Natural Collection Mascaras

I was looking for an affordable mascara to use every day, and after seeing good reviews for these mascaras I thought I would try them out - and they are so good!! They are only £1.99 and they are amazing for that price, especially if you're just starting out with makeup!

 Max Factor CC Cream

 This is really great for when you want more coverage than a BB Cream, but don't want to use a full on foundation. It has really good coverage but never feels heavy on the skin and looks really natural and healthy.

Miss Sporty Eye Pencil

For only £1.99 this eyeliner has really good pigmentation and stays on really well throughout the day. Great for the price and also really good for a starter kit if you're new to makeup.

Maybelline Dream Touch Blusher

I used to stay well clear of cream blushers because I knew I would end up looking like a clown, but I tried this and it makes it so easy. All you need to do is tap your brush in it once and it is so pigmented, so it will last you ages. It makes you look so much healthier than a powder blush, and stays on really well. I would really recommend this to mature woman as it gives you a really nice glow to make you look younger!

xo, Orlagh

Instagram - @_orlaghmccloskey

Twitter - @_orlaghmarie

REVIEW: CLEAN AND CLEAR MORNING ENERGY FACE WASH

Hi! 

First of all, I apologize for the lack of blog posts recently, I hate making excuses but I have my GCSE's next month so studying for them is my top priority at the minute. Don't worry though, I'll be posting loads in the summer!

My old face wash ran out (Nspa melting gel cleanser), so I thought I would pick up something a little different. I liked the look of this Clean & Clear face wash because it seemed that it would be very energizing and help wake me up a bit in the morning.

Clean&Clear always get it spot on with their packaging, as it is very colourful and eye-catching, which I personally really like. (who wants all boring colourless bottles?) 

The bottle is what drew me in at the start, as I just bought it randomly and had never heard anyone talk about it. This is really strange for me because usually I will do some serious research on reviews for a product before I buy it.

What it says on their website:

'This unique gel cleanser with Vitamin C and Ginseng wakes you up with a fresh citrus scent while soft BURSTING BEADS® burst with energy and vitamins, leaving your skin feeling clean, energized and ready to face the day.'

I do agree with what they say to a certain extent. It definitely makes your skin feel clean, and it feels nice and refreshing in the morning. What I would say is that I expected it to be a lot more energizing than what it is, but it is still a really good face wash and it makes your skin feel fresh.

It has a gel-like consistency, which I quite like for face washes. Since I have oily/combination skin, I used to think that foaming cleansers would be the best choice, but they actually really dry out my skin, so gel cleansers are great for combination skin. 

I was quite surprised when it didn't go foamy, and it was quite hard to form a lather. I don't mind this however, as it still made my face really clean.

As you can see in the picture, it has orange beads through the cleanser, which apprently 'burst with energy and vitamins'. Personally, I think things like this are just a gimmick and don't really make a difference, but maybe it does - i'm not a skincare professional!

Overall, I really like this face wash, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with oily to combination skin types. You can't really go wrong as it is only £3.49, and I do think it is amazing for the price.

xo, Orlagh

THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF RED LIPSTICK

Red Lipstick... It can be a touchy subject.
It's a great way of making a statement, and can completely transform your look. However, for all of you out there who are terrified of even the thought, I completely understand.

Red lipstick is a tricky thing to master as it can be very messy and when I first tried it, I looked a bit like Miranda Sings (YouTube reference).

After trial and error, I've realized that there are some things you do and some things you definitely don't do. Hopefully some of these tips can help you master red lippie!

Do's:

Do: Research 
This may sound silly, but it is so important that you know what shade of red will suit your skin tone because the wrong red lipstick can completely wash you out or clash with your skin. Before I knew this, I bought a red lipstick with an orange tone, but I soon realized that it did not look good with my ridiculously pale skin, so these shades of lipstick look best with darker skin.
Here are the type of shades which will look best on you according to the shade of your skin:

Do: Use a lipliner

This step can make all the difference. Since red is so eye catching, you want to make sure it's applied neatly, as people will be staring at it all day. Messy red lipstick? Not a good look.

Do: Touch-ups
The last thing you want when wearing red lipstick is to have it on the entire day without checking and then coming home only to realize it had been on your teeth the whole time! I always check every hour or so to see if it has faded so I just apply more

Do: Use lip balm
This makes applying the lipstick sooo much easier; especially if it's matte.



Dont's:

Don't: Apply straight from the bullet
Unless you have incredibly steady hands, I wouldn't recommend this. Using a lip brush can give you a lot more control and precision.

Don't: Be afraid!
Don't be scared to step out of your comfort zone, just have a little fun with it! The way you present yourself is an expression of your personality, so if you like something, don't be afraid of what anybody else thinks! If you feel confident in your own skin, it will be so much more obvious on the outside.


I hope these tips helped you out, please leave your thoughts in the comments and don't be afraid to ask me any questions you have!

xo, Orlagh

My social medias:

Instagram - @_orlaghmccloskey 

Twitter - @_orlaghmarie

Bloglovin - bloglovin.com/blog/13215749

BEAUTY TRENDS: S/S 15

Spring is coming very soon, so I thought I would show you some of the most prominent trends that I have seen on the catwalks and in magazines

1) Plum/purple shades

So many designers have used plums and purples as the main focus on the face, whether it be the eyes, lips or cheeks

Dolce & Gabana

Derek Lam

Matthew Williamson

Pull off the look:

2) Pops of blue

Many designers had their models rocking hints of blue on the waterline, as graphic liner and even all over the eye. This look isn't easily pulled off, but can be done by adding just a small amount - less is more in this case.

Elie Saab

Fendi

Rochas

Pull off the look:

3) Minimal/Glowy skin
A main look that was seen on the runway was very natural makeup or none at all, and fresh dewy skin.

Chloé

 Jason Wu

Marc Jacobs

Pull off the look:

I can't wait to try out these looks, and hopefully this gave you some inspiration to switch up your makeup for this season!

xo, Orlagh

My social medias:

Instagram - @_orlaghmccloskey 

Twitter - @_orlaghmarie

Bloglovin - bloglovin.com/blog/13215749

GET THE LOOK: KENDALL JENNER

I'm pretty sure we all know who Kendall Jenner is, and if you don't, have you been living in a cave?

We all knew her as being a sister of the well known Kardashians (who I am obsessed with), but now she has come out of their shadow and rose to fame walking the catwalk for designers like Marc Jacobs, and has more recently become the face of Estée Lauder.  

Although sometimes her makeup is very dramatic and smokey, I love her natural, everyday makeup and style, so I am going to show you how to achieve that look.

Makeup

Kendall's everyday makeup is so natural and fresh, so I tried to recreate it as best as I could. It's a great makeup look if you're in a hurry but still want to look presentable as it is very quick and easy to do.

Here's what I used:

(Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, Maybelline bb cream, Max factor eyeshadow, Maybelline Dream Touch blush in Berry, Natural Collection Waterguard mascara, Benefit Ultra Plush lipgloss in A-lister, Benefit Watt's Up highlighter, Soap&Glory Perfect Ten eyeshadow palette.) 

All of the makeup I used is very natural, and I used a cream blush so it wouldn't look as powdery on the skin.
The kardashians all have amazing, thick eyelashes, so I used the black eyeshadow called Smokin' from the Soap and Glory Palette to make my lashline look thicker.
I used eyeshadow instead of eyeliner as it is a lot more natural looking. I used the colour Gold Coast all over my eyes because Kendall always has a light gold shimmery colour on.
 I didn't draw on my eyebrows as heaavily as I usually would, I just filled in the sparse areas.

Outfit

Kendall's everyday style is very casual and effortless, but it  is still quite girly and chic which I love. Here is the look I came up with that I think is something she would wear:

Denim shirt: http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/denim-897/denim-tops-2277129/moto-fitted-chambray-shirt-2749154?bi=1&ps=20

Tshirt: Primark

Jeans: http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/jeans-446/leigh-jeans-3533615/moto-black-ripped-leigh-jeans-4015175?bi=1&ps=20

Shoes: http://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/2,30/1625801375


The reason I didn't add any accesories is because I feel that you should tailor this to your own style.
So many 'get the looks' are the exact replica of the celebrity, but I feel that you should interpret into your own; not hide behind a celebrity's style.
Fashion is such a good way to express yourself, so you should never be afraid to wear what makes you happy, and what you feel comfortable in.

I hope this gave you some inspiration, and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!
xo, Orlagh

My social medias:

Instagram - orlaghmccloskey (personal) and orlaghhmarie (blog)

Twitter - @_orlaghmarie

Bloglovin - bloglovin.com/blog/13215749

2014 BEAUTY FAVOURTIES

This time last year, I probably didn't even have half of the amount of makeup products I have now. From having older sisters, I've always been interested in makeup and beauty, but over the past year I have definitely came to love makeup a lot more and experiment with makeup looks that I would have never tried before. Now, I see makeup as my main hobby, and a way to express yourself. I have collected quite a lot of it over the past year (with my own money!). I love how you can completely transform how you look, and how it can make you feel so much more confident. 

There are so many products that I love, so I found it really difficult to choose my favourites. I have chosen my favourite thing from each type of makeup (mascara, foundation, etc.) 

Face:

Favourite foundation 

Loreal True Match in Rose Ivory

Nars Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc

I couldn't choose between these two foundations so I had to show you both! I had always heard lots about the two of them so I decided to buy both this year and i'm really glad I did.
The Loreal foundation is good if you're on a budget, and it's just as nice as a high end foundation! It's the first foundation I've ever owned that matched my skin colour perfectly, and it lasts really well. It's not dewy but not matte either, so it looks really natural.
If you want to spend a little more, the Nars foundation is gorgeous. It gives a dewy finish, without making you look shiny, and it photographs really well! Its just an overal great foundation. 
They both have a medium/high coverage, and they cover things like acne scars and redness. If you have quite a lot of spots, you may need concealer, but they can both be built up to a high coverage.


Favourite concealer

Collection Lasting Perfection

This concealer is amazing for the price (only £4.19), and I would never even think of using any other one. It has really good coverage and doesn't look cakey. It is definitely worth all the hype it gets.


Favourite powder

Collection Sheer Loose Powder

This powder is also the same brand as the concealer. I had this in my drawer for ages and sort of forgot about until I finished my Rimmel Stay Matte powder and needed something else to use, and I actually like it better than the Rimmel powder now! The powder is really fine so it dosen't give your face that horrible powdery look, and it's great for setting concealer.


Favourite blush

Mac Mineralise Blush in Dainty

I could talk about this blush for ages, I absolutely love it. It's baby pink with tiny flecks of glitter, so it's really nice on pale skin and makes you look really healthy and glowy! I wear it so much because it goes with almost every eye look.


Favourite bronzer

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

There is so much hype around this bronzer, and i've always wanted to try it so when I got this set and saw that it was inside, I was really excited to try it. I also have a review of this on my blog already so here it is : http://orlaghmarie.blogspot.com/2014/09/benefit-bronze-of-champions-review.html


Favourite highlighter

Topshop Highlighter

This is my first makeup product I ever bought from Topshop, but after using this I will definitely go out and try some other things from their makeup range! This highlighter is so pretty and makes your skin look gorgeous and glowy, without looking too obvious. It also photographs really nicely


Eyes:

 Favourite mascara

Maybelline The Falsies in Black Drama

I cannot say enough good things about this mascara, it's amazing! I bought it after watching Tanya Burr say how good it was, and she was definitely right! It does everything you'd want a mascara to do; lengthens, separates, and thickens! It's amazing for the price and I would highly recommend it.


Favourite Eyebrow Product

Benefit Browzings in Light

This brow palette is really good if you're not exactly a pro at filling in your brows, as the brushes make it a lot easier. It comes with a waxy side, which I like to use to draw out the shape I want, and also a powder side which I use to fill them in. It is really handy to take if you are on the go/travelling because it also has tweezers. I love it because it's really hard to get the right shade because of my hair colour, but this is perfect!


Favourite palette

Mua Undressed Palette

I'm not going to say much about this palette because I already have a blog post on it, so here it is : http://orlaghmarie.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/mua-undressed-palette-3-looks.html , but it basically has every colour you'd ever need.


Favourite eye primer

Too Faced Shadow Insurance in Champagne

I only got this earlier in the month, but I am so obsessed with it already. As soon as I swatched it in the shop I fell in love with it. I had never even heard about it until Ingrid Nilsen (MissGlamourazzi on Youtube) showed it in a video, and I thought it was gorgeous. It's a gold/champagne colour and it's so shimmery. It's gorgeous on it's own but it works really well as a primer under eyeshadow.


Favourite eye product

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Brown Perfection

This is a little pricey, but it is so worth it. It's so easy to use because it's in a stick form, and I use it for so many different things. You can use it as an all over eyeshadow, on your waterline and its great to use as eyeliner too. It's a really easy way of making a smokey eye.


Lips:

Lipstick

Mac Lipstick in Hot Gossip

I love this lipstick sooo much. I had a few MAC lipsticks already, but they were all very bold and I wanted an everyday one, so I thought this one was perfect. It's a 'your lips but better colour' so it's really versatile and I love wearing it if my eyes are more dramatic because it is quite natural.


I hope you enjoyed this post and that you all have a happy New Year!
xo, Orlagh

My social medias:

Instagram - @_orlaghmccloskey 

Twitter - @_orlaghmarie

Bloglovin - bloglovin.com/blog/13215749

FAMILY DAY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

On Sunday, me and my family decided that since I've been a hermit for the past few weeks (I just had an operation so I've been off school), and I can't do anything particularly that active, that we would go out for lunch in a lovely hotel in the countryside about an hour from where we live. I was delighted considering I haven't seen anything remotely interesting in the past few weeks, and the views were beautiful around the grounds of the hotel!

 #squadgoals

MOTD:

I decided to keep my skin and eyes quite neutral and go for a berry/red lip. I wanted to keep the rest natural so it wouldn't be too over powering. Here's what I used:

OOTD:

My outfit was quite plain and black, so I decided to add a floppy hat and chunky boots to dress it up a little. Here are the links to most of the things I wore:

Skirt: http://www.boohoo.com/new-in/rosie-full-circle-scuba-skater-skirt/invt/azz17665

Scarf: http://www.boohoo.com/scarves+hats/paige-boucle-check-oversized-tartan-scarf/invt/azz19388

Boots: http://www.boohoo.com/boots/sophia-buckled-strap-cleated-boot/invt/azz23539

Hat: http://www.hm.com/gb/product/22737?article=22737-A

Necklaces: http://www.hm.com/gb/product/68687?article=68687-A

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Feel free to leave a comment,

xo, Orlagh 

My social medias:

Instagram - @_orlaghmccloskey

Twitter - @_orlaghmarie

Bloglovin - bloglovin.com/blog/13215749