Ah...perfection...is it really out there?

Do you ever see one person and they always look perfectly groomed and presentable. Or know of someone who can achieve this and you never look put together even if it takes two hours to get ready in the morning! I have a few tips that I think will help as we strive for perfection!

WHAT IS PERFECTION TO YOU? 

* I'll start with the DETAILS. If you want a look that appears very put together and like it's easily achieved, it is all about details. The correct accessories, flawless make-up, well cared for skin (which can be a nightmare) and the list goes on......

* Perfect skin is not easy to maintain...or at least I find it difficult. I'm prone to skin breakouts, therefore this is a thing I find very difficult, although through some trail and...much error...I've found a few things that help...which will be for another post. But to look polished, clear skin is essential as it's the base for good make-up. If you have the time and money, it helps to get someone to advice you on your make-up and also on the correct skin care products. It really does make a difference. Moisturising is important not just for your face but whole body, along with wearing an SPF to avoid sun damage.  

* I'm very into how my nails look. Try to have clean and filed nails, if it takes too much time to apply a polish. When deciding on a polish, pick one similar to your skin tone or a shade darker for the day time as it appears more professional. If picking dark or bright colour, they should not be chipped.  

* Clothing.  There is so much to be said about this topic.  Firstly, clean and ironed is important. Secondy, accessories should match within reason, or at least in the same colour range.  Statement pieces can be great to revive an outfit, if done correctly. 

* Shoes. Similar to the clothing, clean is important. Shoes go through a lot so it in important that they receive care and are polished regularly or treated with a suitable product, depending on the fabric.  Keeping shoes, especially heels, re-heeled is also an essential task.  

* I think perfume is a great way too to add something more to your overall look, or scent in this case. There are so many to pick, so there's one for everyone! 

*Hair is also a tricky area. It's affected by so many things, for me it's usually the weather. Given where I live is either always raining or wet, it causes me great stress in keeping my hair looking perfect.  Hairspray is a great way to  help with the wind problems and there are so many types available that there is one for every type of hair.  I think trial and error also works in relation to hair, as no ones is the same and it does take a while to find one that is perfect for you. Even now I am in the process of changing what I do with mine.

I hope this helped and if any one has any extra suggestions for increased levels of perfection, we are always happy to hear them :) 

Pastel Blue Sparkle Design

I want to explain in this post how I created the design on my thumb and ring finger...it's very easy.

A few things that you will need:

One light bottle of nail polish

A darker complementing colour

A triangular make-up sponge

A clear top coat polish

A sparkly clear nail polish. 

I applied a base coat and then two coats of the pastel blue polish. 

After this has tried thoroughly, I applied the dark blue to by thumb and ring finger. It doesn't have to be a perfect clean line. 

Next, I poured a small amount of the glitter on a white sheet of paper. I then placed the makeup sponge into in and dabbed it onto the desired nails. 

This does not have to be done precisely has it looks best when messily applied. 

Finally, apply a clear top coat.

And then your finished...easy!

Glo Baby Glo nail polish: Yes Cyan

Product

I love this nail polish and it's goes excellently with Barry M black crackle nail polish. This is a creme type polish and it is also very smooth. I always apply two coats of this polish which is what I have applied in the pictures below.  The brush is also great as it covers the nails in three strokes.

Longevity

This polish will last four to five days without chipping. I do usually apply a base coat to prevent discolouration and I don't use a top coat with this polish. 

Packaging

This nail polish comes in a very simple plastic box. The bottle is clear and has a black plastic top. There is 8ml of this product in this bottle. 

Price

I bought this in Penny's/Primark and it cost me €2.50. This is great considering how good the polish is. 

Would I buy this again? Yes. 

Cartice Ultimate Nail Lacquer: 430 Purplelized

Product
This nail polish is described as 'absolutely breathtaking', with an 'innovative, flat professional brush that ensures an optimal application'. There are 46 colours in this range. This nail polish is very glittery, however very small glittery particles. The polish has a smooth texture and applies very smoothly. The first coat isn't sheer but I always apply two coats to get full coverage.

Longevity
The longevity from this nail polish is amazing. I can get five to six days from this polish without any chipping and when it does begin to chip it is very unnoticeable.

Packaging
The packaging for this product is very simple. The bottle is made of a clear glass and the lid is a black plastic. There is 10ml or 0.33 Fl.oz.

Price
I paid €3.49 for this nail polish. It has recently been limited it certain pharmacies. I purchased this in McCabes in Dundrum Shopping Centre. I know that it is also available in Dunnes Stores shopping centre on BriarHill, Co. Galway and it is also available in Duffy's in Kilrush, Co. Clare. It is available online at Catrice.

Would I buy this again? Yes. I love this nail polish.

Barbara Daly Goodbye Yellow

Any one who is interested in nails or needs a good clear clear nail polish should definitely have this polish. 

Product
Barbara Daly Goodbye Yellow is a nail polish that intends to say goodbye to yellow nails. It is designed to disguise staining left from other nail polishes. It is clear nail polish that can be used alone or as a base coat. It makes nails appear pink and healthier and also gives the tips a whiter look. It is great for giving nails a clean appearance. This nail polish dries very fast. It also doesn't appear think or lumpy when applied.

This nail polish won't remove discolouration but it will disguise the discolouration caused by nail polishes. Also, I only apply one layer of this when using it alone as when you apply a few coats it makes the nails go a purplish colour and they don't appear to be healthy.

Longevity
This polish lasts for five to six days when I use it. It won't chip for this long and when it does it is a very small amount of chipping.

Packaging
This nail polish comes in a nice plastic box. The polish itself comes in a cloudy coloured glass bottle with a black plastic handle.

Price
I paid approximately €6 for this nail polish. It is available in any Tesco stores that stocks the Barbara Daly range.

Would I buy this again? Yes. I have bought many bottles of this nail polish.

August Favourites

It's the end of the month already so that means another monthly favourites post. 

1. I have been using two foundations this month. The first is Max Factor Lasting Performance and the second is Max Factor Xperience Foundation. I have been using Lasting Performance for a long time and really like it but do find that sometimes the colour can be a bit dark. I am still trying out the Xperience foundation but so far I like is and the shade is lighter that the Lasting Performance.

2. For my eyes, I am still using Urban Decay's Naked Palette a lot. I have also been using Mac's Parfait Amour eyeshadow. I have been trying some of Michael Todd's single eyeshadows.

3. I have haven't tried anything new with mascara's this month so I have been sticking with Urban Decay's Supercurl and NYX Doll Eye Mascara.

4. For my lips I have been using a very simple product, Vaseline. It seems to have resolved my dry lips problem. I have also been using Benefit's Wild Card lipstick.

5. I am using Michael Todd's 'Sugar Daddy' blush for my blushing needs. I have also been using Elf's blush from the Elf blush and bronzer.

6. I have tried keeping my nails without polish but when I have used polish I have used Catrice Purplelized nail polish, along with Barbara Daly 'Goodye Yellow'. I will review this soon as I have been using it for a long time.

7.  Regarding brushes I have been using Elf's powder brush and I am also liking a new, well new to me, eyeshadow brush from No7. I am also using Elf.s blusher brush a lot.

8. To keep my make-up on longer I have been loving and using 'All nighter', which is a makeup setting spray. It is a very light mist which is why I like it and it also really helps make-up stay fresh.

What have you been using for August?

Ciate Paint Pot: My Fair Lady

I received this nail polish in this months Maire Claire and I must say that I really like it. 

Product

I really like this nail polish. It is very creamy and also provides good coverage. In the picture below I have applied one coat of nail polish and it gives a really nice natural look. With two coats applied it gives a very light cream colour. The formula isn't thick but it is also not too runny and applies very smoothly. 

Longevity
The longevity from this nail polish is excellent. I got approximately five days from this nail polish before I changed it. At five days there was still very little chipping, I just wanted to put on another colour.

Packaging

I love the packaging for this nail polish. It has a very cute bow on the front of the bottle. It also has a unique shade, in that, it is in a curved shaped bottle. The bottle is glass and the lid is plastic. There is 13.5ml of product provided.

Price

I didn't pay for this as it was in a magazine. They are available from Ciate and cost £9.00, which is €10.30 or $14.83. 

Would I buy this again? Yes

Elf nail polish: Purple Pleaser

I have purchased a number of Elf's nail polishes and of the most part they are great. 

Product
Purple Pleaser has a glossy finish however is free from any form of shimmer. I find that the first coat of this polish can be sheer so I usually apply two costs to achieve the result I want.  The first coat of this dries very quickly and the second coat also dries quickly.
I also like that the formula of this nail polish doesn't get thick and the brush applies in smoothly and without any thickness on the nails.

Longevity

I was  very surprised as to how long this lasts. I can usually wear this for four to five days before I will see the top of the nail polish chipping.  I usually only apply a base coat with this polish and I dont use a top cost as I like the finish that this polish provides. 

Packaging

This nail polish comes in a small black box. I think this is nice considering the price and many expensive brands don't come like this. The bottle is a rectangular shape with 10ml or .35oz of product inside.  

Price

These are very inexpensive. I paid €1.70 for this nail polish. They are only available online at ELF. They also have really good offers if you like their Facebook page.  

Would I buy this again? Yes. I am currently loving purple nail polish and have use a lot of this bottle. So I will be ordering more of this when I make another order. 

July Favourites

I know it's a few days into August so I apologise for being a little bit late with my July Favourites.  

1. I'll start with what I have definitely been using the most. It also made an appearance for the June favourites.  It's Urban Decay's Naked palette.  I still use this nearly everyday and also night for creating different looks. 

2. I have also been using Urban Decay's Supercurl mascara a lot this month since I received it for my birthday. It  really finishes off an eye look and is great for day and night time.  

3. With regards to foundation I have been using Max Factor Lasting Performance. It gives me great coverage and also gives a flawless look.  

4. For priming my eyes before eyeshadow I have been using Revlon Vital Radiance. It gives great longevity to any eyeshadow that I apply and also prevents any creasing.  

5. For my lips I have been using a Benefit lipstick in LaLa Land. I will be reviewing a few of Benefits lipsticks soon. 

6.  I have been using a variety of different blushers and bronzers over the past month. I have been trying to use different ones instead of using my Benefit Coralista and also testing some other's for review purposes.  

7. For my nails I have been using, again, Penny's Cornflower and also Tesco's Barbara Daly Goodbye Yellow.

8. For my brushes I have been using mainly MAC 187 for foundation and No7 concealer brush and also Elf stippling brush for applying my high definition powder. I have used some other brushes too but these have been the ones I have used most.  

Elf nail polish: Coral

Coral is a colour that I didn't usually wear as a nail polish but when I saw this I loved it and had to get it.  

Product

This  nail polish, I feel,  looks different when applied to the colour from in the bottle.  I think that this has a somewhat 'pearlized' finish.  I actually like this as it is different to the finishes I usually wear. 

I think that this applies a little light with the first coat and out of habit I like to apply two coats of polish. I think that two coats of this polish gives a very strong colour. I do find that this polish can apply thicker than other Elf polishes.  

Longevity

This polish usually stays on my nails for three days. I would like it to stay longer but considering the price I would consider that a reasonable length for the polish to stay on.  

Packaging

This nail polish comes in a small black box. I think this is nice considering the price and many expensive brands don't come like this. The bottle is a rectangular shape with 10ml or .35oz of product inside.  The one problem that I would have with this is that the brush appeared different to other Elf polishes I have used. 

Price

I purchased this from Elf and it cost €1.70, which is very inexpensive.  

Would I buy this again? Yes.