Skinni Peach

Little bits Im lovin' right now......

2011-11-16T11:01:00.000Z

I should really do this more often because I find myself falling in love with a host of little things every week!

First up is the song Video Games by Lana Del Rey. What a song. Its so dreamy and it sweeps me away to another era. And Lana Del Ray? How GORGEOUS is she! She's a breath of fresh air.

Im in his favourite sun dress, watching me get undressed, take that body down-town. I say ''you the bestest'', lean in for a big kiss, put his favourite perfume on. Go play a video game. It's you, it's you, it's all for you. Heaven is place on earth with you. Tell me all the things you wanna do......

Laura Mercier Eyelash Curler. This is actually on loan from my friend. I told her I'd give it back. I lied. She thinks she's getting it back. She's wrong. This little dinky contraption works a treat on my eyelashes. For someone who never believed in eyelash curlers, Im sold! Its easy to use and the rubber rim gives my lashes a fabulous curl and lift that lasts. It comes in its own little pouch and for 15 euro.....my friend can buy another one!

The film Anonymous. I actually saw this about two weeks ago and have thought about it ever since. It was an amazing film! If you love period drama, you'll definitely love this. Set in Tudor England, its about Shakespeare being a fraud. It gives a revealing insight into Queen Elizabeth I's past and how the English royal blood line could have been so different. The setting of the film and the costumes are perfection in my opinion and the story alone will have you questioning Shakespeare's entire work and life! And I never thought I write this but...Rhys Ifans was quite ride-ish in this....in a kind of, sexy- for-a-600 year old-Tudor-guy way, and his performance was fantastic! Looking at him in a whole new light now!

The Shoe Rooms in Brown Thomas. My God. I was in there over the weekend and had to hold back the tears of complete and utter joy of being surrounded by the most beautiful shoes. And the Louboutin room? PLEASE! I'd happily spend hours in there trying on every single shoe. I tried on a gorgeous pair of Jimmy Choo knee length boots....brown sued......the most perfect fit......light as a feather.......695 EUROS! A girl can drool!

No7 Lash Adapt Mascara. I first read about this on BeckyDazzler's Blog a couple of weeks back and she raved about it big time so of COURSE one had to purchase! Yet ANOTHER mascara to add to my stash. This is an old school mascara, nothing fancy arse here. A plain old brush and bobs your uncle. It gives incredible volume, has amazing staying power, you can add coat upon coat til' the cows come home and best of all, it leaves lashes feeling soft, not clumpy or hard. I think mascara's these days are trying to hard. Make-up companies need to take it easy and tone down on the, "we'll give you lashes sooooo long and thick they'll gouge someone's eye out" kinda lark. Sometimes simple just works!

My skincare favourites at the moment....there's a GANG of them!

2011-10-14T14:02:00.000+01:00

Skincare gets me excited. Make-up does too, but not as much. I'm a firm believer that make-up can only do so much and its the canvas underneath all the make-up that needs to be worked on. If the canvas is looking good, your make-up will look even better. If you're a regular reader of the Peach, you'll know that I'm having a love affair with natural skincare lines. I have a little, no actually scrap that, I have a HUGE wicker basket full of skincare treats. In the above pic you can see my favourites at the moment. They all hang out in the wicker basket in their gangs, waiting to be slathered over my skin so they can do their bit, moisturising, rejuvenating and boosting. Yep, looks like I may have a problem folks. No girl needs all this stuff, this I KNOW, but I wanted to try every single one of them! So I bought them and I must say, these are some mighty skincare picks ladies!

First up is the Trilogy Gang. This is a gang you'll want to hang around with for life. I've been a fan of this line since it came out a few years ago and I used to have to order straight from New Zealand to get my fix in the early days! Over the years, Trilogy has developed and introduced some fantastic products that really do what they say on the tin.....

1. Age Proof CoQ10 Booster Serum: This is a powerful anti-oxidant treatment for dull and tired skin. It's packed with vitamins and Co-enzyme Q10 for cellular renewal. This is like an overnight gym for your skin! I use this at night and my skin in the morning is bright and rested looking and completely pampered. Fabulous stuff. I literally use a drop as my skin doesn't need much more than that, but I can see older skins needing a drop or two more. This has one up on the old, regular Trilogy Rosehip Oil!

2. Very Gentle Calming Fluid: Let me start by saying....I DIDN'T need this. I don't suffer from intolerant or super sensitive skin, but the reviews I read for it were phenomenal and it also won a beauty award in the Tatler Beauty awards 2011/2012, so I was sold. Plus, it has some impressive ant-ageing ingredients too. I really like this and can see it being great for giving extra moisture in the winter months. When using this I didn't use as much moisturiser and my skin seemed a lot more plumped out. It sinks into the skin effortlessly and calms any redness, protecting it from external aggressions. Lovely. I can see sensitive souls making this one of their cult products!

3. Nutrient Plus Firming Serum: Don't get scared off by the 'Firming' part in the name here, its still great for skins 25+. This is one of my absolute FAVOURITE serums. My skin is always in great condition when I use this. Its super light and my skin just drinks it up. It has an impressive list of powerful anti-ageing ingredients inside, like the all important Hyaluronic Acid, Licorice and Green Tea. This leaves my skin bright and seems to smooth out any fine lines. And there's no silicones in sight! Nice one. If you're thinking of venturing into the serum world, try this one first!

4.CoQ10 Eye Recovery Concentrate: This little bit of eye goodness is just gorgeous! It's a powerful eye serum that showers the eye area with a serious amount of love folks! It's packed with Q10 and green coffee and it's so cooling and soothing in the mornings, cant live without it now! It has a handy roller device to distribute the serum, whilst giving the eye area a little massage. Now, this wont get rid of deep set wrinkles and it wont totally eradicate black circles and super heavy bags, but it does definitely brighten the area and if you have minor issues under the eyes, like lack of sleep bags or super fine lines then this will do wonders for you!

All the above are priced at around 30euro each. Well worth it and only the tiniest amounts are needed every time you use them!

Next up is The Dr. Hauschka Gang. What a gang! This is a gang you wanna make friends with people, trust me! These folks will treat your skin like no other and they're loved by ladies all over the globe, including celebs! If your skin could choose which skincare brand to be friends with, this is the gang it would choose!

1. Moisturising Day Cream: This is a light cream yet it's seriously moisturising. It has witch hazel to refresh and it also regulates oiliness. However, it may be a tad too moisturising for oily skins. This is going to be a great one throughout the winter months!

2. Quince Moisturiser: This is a gem for keeps. Out of the three moisturisers from Dr. Hauschka I've bee trying, this is my favourite. It really has made a difference to my skin. It contains beeswax extracts which have fantastic protecting qualities and my skin just feels super smooth, soft and plump when I use this. If you're thinking of investing in any of the creams, this would be the one I'd recommend for everyday use!

3. Melissa Cream: This is a new kid to the Dr. Hauschka gang. Its especially for sensitive, combination skin. It smells absolutely divine, of lemon balm. It really does keep oily areas matte, I couldn't believe the results after using it for a while. However, although I found it great at for keeping oiliness at bay, it just wasn't moisturising enough for my dry areas. If oiliness is your main concern, this is the one for you. It really does do what it says on the tin!

4. Daily Revitalising Eye Cream: I usually alternate between this and the Trilogy one above. This is probably one of the most effective eye creams I've used. It moisturises the eye area perfectly without being too heavy and it seems to have softened some fine dehydration lines. It contains Sea Buckthorn, which is rich in vitamins to regenerate the area. Its super lightweight so wont mess with your makeup afterwards! Fantastic bit of stuff!

All the above Dr. Hauschka product range from 20euro to 30euro. As with the Trilogy products, these too are really concentrated so only little amounts are needed each time!

So there's my skincare picks at the moment! Am I crazy to have so much? What are you loving right now?

Pai's Lotus & Orange Blossom Bioffinity Toner - a bit of organic luxury your skin will love....

2011-10-03T11:13:00.001+01:00

I'll be straight up here...I aint a toner kinda gal. Its a product I've always thought of as a waste of time. I never got into the whole toner thing and thought my skin was just fine without the extra step, thanks very much! Although I've tried a mound of them, I've always been left thinking "Meh?' Plus, toners can be seriously harsh, even the ones for sensitive skin. But then there's Pai toners. Not just any toners mind you......these are Bioffinity Toners. Snazzy stuff eh!

Pai have to be one of my favourite natural skincare lines (I raved about the brand HERE a while back). The products are effective, made from organic ingredients and just feel delish on my skin. It sings hallelujahs from the roof tops when I use Pai products. Plus, the skincare line has a couple of celebrity followers - not that that makes Pai any better, but you know yourself, when a gorgeous celeb claims to use and love a product you use and love, it makes the experience that bit better! Heck, whats good enough for Natalie Portman sure as hell is good enough for the Peach!

So recently, Pai launched their brand new toners and I had to get my paws on one. They claim to contain pure living waters, extracted straight from the plant source. I got the Pai Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Toner which is aimed at sensitive, dry skin. This is packed with vitamin and mineral rich elixirs which claim to soothe and hydrate the skin, and protect it from free-radical damage.The 'living waters' have the exact pH and resistivity balance of healthy skin, which has a serious effect on skin tone and texture.You wont find one drop of alcohol in this toner, not one! So sensitive souls can chillax, you wont experience any stinging or tightness with this baby.

This has a spritz nozzle device for spraying the toner over the face, however I spray it onto a cotton pad and swipe it gently across my skin. I leave it to dry into my skin then follow with my usual routine. I must say, I'm definitely using less moisturiser with this, its incredibly moisturising. Oily and combination skins beware of this one though, it may be too heavy so I'd go with the Rice Plant & Rosemary version. After using this for more than 3 weeks, I'm in love. My skin just seems to drink this up and it thanks me by being all glowy and plumpy. RESULT! I can see older skins loving this too. Yes, its an extra step in my routine but its so worth it. The ONLY downside to this product is the scent....its not the nicest in my books. But seriously, ignore it and wait for the results, the yuck scent will be worth it.

Yet another fantastic product from the Pai range. If you haven't heard of the brand before check out www.paiskincare.com. This toner is a little on the steeeeeep side at €35.95, but it will last you yonks! Well worth your spondulux.

joyful, joyful CLEANSE! My top 3 cleansers at the mo.......

2011-09-26T14:55:00.001+01:00

Yep. Cleansing can be joyful ladies! OK I can see most of you reading this and thinking, 'Eh, this Skinni Peach one has lost it....joyful cleansing?' - but once you have your cleansing routine down to a T and you start to see real results in your skin, cleansing will no longer be a chore. It ain't enough to wash your face with soap or scrub it with a face wipe (if you're doing any of these routines STOP IT NOW!), a good cleansing routine takes 5-10mins a night and its the foundation of great skin. Cleansers needn't be expensive to be effective, but they should be soap and sulphate free. Sulphates can dry out and parch the skin. Creams, balms and oils are usually the cleansers I go for. Creams are gentle and moisturising, great for dry, normal and mature skins. Balms are fab for combination, dry, sensitive and mature skins. Oils are the bomb for combination and oily skins. Yep.....oils are great for oily skins. Treat like with like.

Cleansing in my books should always be done with a hot face cloth, no matter what cleanser you're using. Your main cleansing routine should be at night, removing the makeup and grime that builds up throughout the day. In the morning, water is all you need. All you've done is sleep and any oily build up from the night before can be wiped away with a hot cloth followed by a cold rinse. Try not to complicate things by using a night cleanser and a morning cleanser, you'll overload your skin big time. Believe it or not, your skin is intelligent, it knows what its doing, so just help it a bit on the way but don't wreck its head with a mound of products. Speaking of which, my skins head must be wrecked big time with all the testing I do. But its in the name of research like!

My top 3 cleansers at the mo are the following.......

1. Trilogy Cream Cleanser - Trilogy products have to be one of my favourite skincare lines out there. They're effective and do what they say on the tin. I've been using them for years and think I'll continue for years to come. This cream is gorgeous. Its a fantastic makeup remover and it leaves the skin super nourished and soft with evening primrose oil, jojoba oil and half a bottle of rosehip oil. I use this on dry skin and massage it for a few minutes. Afterwards I rinse it off with a warm cloth and follow with a cold rinse. You'll need a separate eye makeup remover with this one as it doesn't remove too well. It is a bit on the expensive side at around €26 but it will last you an age and its a seriously effective cleanser. Well worth it!

2. Alpha H Balancing Cleanser - This skincare line has serious cult status in Australia and I totally get why......because its UNREAL! The Alpha H brand is a leader in corrective and preventative skincare and uses Glycolic Acid as one of their main ingredients throughout their products, mixed with other effective ingredients. Glycolic Acid works by dissolving the dead skin cells lying around on your skin allowing new healthy cells come to the surface. So its like exfoliation minus the scrubby bits. Its super creamy and removes all traces of makeup including mascara. You wont see an improvement over night, but after around 3 weeks you'll definitely see some changes. My breakouts have drastically improved around the jaw line and my skin seems to be clearer, brighter and my pores have shrunk big time. I use this on damp skin then rinse with a warm cloth. When I use the cloth I run it under warm water, place it on my skin and press gently. I repeat this twice then buff off the cleanser. This method used with any cleanser is seriously effective. This line is only available in salons and online at www.beautybay.com for €26.40 for 200mls.

3. Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream - This is more than a cream, its an mild exfoliant too. Im not a fan of scrubby exfoliators but this leaves my skin in remarkable condition every time I use it. I've used this cleanser for a few years on and off and always come back to it. Its a tough one to get used to but once you get the hang of it, savage skin awaits. Before we go any further with praising this bit of goodness, you should know that this cleanser wont remove makeup, so be prepared for that extra step. I use this once a week as a treat before a mask. Theres a bit of technique to using this cleanser. Your skin must be moist and the smallest amount is all you need. Squeeze some onto your finger and mix it with a bit of warm water. Then apply to the skin in rolling, pressing movements using the tips of your fingers and palms. No scrubbing or rubbing needed! See, this is why it ain't good for makeup removal, its more of a skin conditioning treatment. I do this for 1-2 mins and then remove it with a warm cloth followed by a cold rinse. This is another cult classic in the cleansing world and women around the globe thank this baby for their fantastic skin days. Its packed with gorgeous natural ingredients like Sweet Almond Oil and Peanut Oil, which leave the skin super soft with little little grainy bits that ever so gently exfoliate. This one is great for combination/oily skins. €18 for 50mls.

So the above may all be on the expensive side, but they're super concentrated so the tiniest amount is all thats needed each time. Therefore, they'll all last you a good while........which makes sense in the long run!

Whats your favourite cleanser? Have you used any of the above?

Im one HAPPY peach!!!

2011-09-21T15:32:00.003+01:00

I've got a couple of good newsie bits to share with ya'll!

First off, theres a new supplement coming out with the Evening Echo here in Cork every Thursday from 6th October. Its one for the ladies (mostly), packed to the brim with lifestyle, health, fashion and beauty features,with a little bit of news squashed in too. Just a little bit. So it will be coming in the Echo, but it will also be delivered to houses too! Think of it as Cork's very own metro magazine...except way more on the pretty side....and you wont be reading it on the metro.....cos we dont have one, but you get the drift! Its design will be fresh and feminine with the modern Cork woman in mind. And guess who's going to be the beauty writer??? ME! MOI! MESELF! Along with Editor and fellow beauty maniac Wendy Good, we'll be talking beauty guff til the cows come home. It feels great to be having my stuff published again! So if you're from Cork, please look out for it from the 6th of October onwards. I'll be posting my columns on here too.

Second bit of news is that I was offered a job in a cosmetic clinic in Dublin and Im moving up this week! EXCITMENT OVERLOAD! My background is clinical research but my true passion is to work in the beauty world, so now Im kinda merging the two!

So there's my news! Lots of changes ahead so bare with me on the Peach while Im getting myself sorted!

The Skincare Diaries - Entry #2: Jen from Beauty Junkie in London

2011-09-19T11:16:00.001+01:00

Dear Skincare Diary,

Today's guest talking about her skincare habits is Jen from London, the beauty fanatic behind the fantastic Beauty Junkie in London blog. Helping you be 'polished to perfection', Beauty Junkie in London is one of the top beauty blogs in the UK. Shortlisted for a Cosmopolitan Blog Award in 2010, this blog is a brilliant place to stop by for an in depth, honest review. I'm not sure how she does it, but Jen seems to have reviewed nearly every hot product out there!

Read on to find out why the No7 Protect & Perfect range dominates her skincare regime, whats the most expensive bit of skincare she's bought and why she falls for product claims every time!

What products are in you morning routine?

At the moment I'm alternating between Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose in It and Palmers Facial Wash. I then use Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect SPF15 and a touch of Protect and Perfect Eye Cream.

And your night routine?

I'll usually clean my face off as soon as I get in with a face wipe, but then before bed I'll give it a proper cleanse. I use Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil followed by Palmers Facial Wash. I'm currently using No7 Protect and Perfect Night Cream and every few nights I'll use Alpha-H Liquid Gold.

Whats the most expensive skincare product you've bought? Was it worth it?

Probably has to be Biotherm Aqua Source Moisturiser, which was around £30. It was definitely worth it - I was lucky enough to be sent one to try and loved it so much I had to re-purchase.

What skincare products have you bought that didn't live up to their claims?

I remember there being a lot of fuss around Simple Eye Make-Up remover, I bought it but felt really let down - it just didn't really remove my make-up at all!

Do you ever check the ingredients on the back of a product?

I know I probably should but I rarely do. I tend to rely more on blog reviews from people I trust to influence purchases. I would be more likely to look for more expensive products though.

Do you use any natural products?

I do use some, but like specific ingredients I don't look for natural products specifically. That being said, I wouldn't discriminate against a natural product. What matters to me is that the product does it's job (and smells nice at the same time.)

Whats your main skincare worry?

I think it has to be fine lines around my eyes and generally the first signs of ageing. I also would love to find some miracle cure for blackheads, I've never found a product that really, truly works to get rid of them.

When you buy a product that claims to do this, that and the other....do you trust the claims or take them with a pinch of salt?

I'm a total sucker for claims! I know I should know better but I can't help it - all it takes are those special words like 'radiance' and 'glow' and you have me rushing to the tills. I do, rationally, know that there's a vast majority of products out there that make amazing claims but don't do anything but I do love to try them anyway!

How about the claims beauty magazines make on a product? Do you trust them?

Not really, but magazines do tend to spark my interest when I see something new. I always bear in mind that magazine journalists have every product out there at their disposal (not jealous...) so the select few must have something that stands out enough to make it onto the pages. Of course advertising is an influence, but there's something else in there too.

Is there one product you buy over and over, or do you switch it up all the time?

There are some products I'll always come back to - Biotherm Aqua Source, The Body Shop Tea Tree Exfoliating Pads, Demalogica Skin Hydrating Booster and No7 Eye Make Up remover - it's my absolute go-to! It just does the job, for a really reasonable price! I feel like I'm turning into a walking No 7 ad! But I do like to switch it up all the time too. It's the only way to discover a new wonder product!

And finally, what are your tips for achieving glowing skin?

It's really boring and predictable, but drink loads of water... I know I should probably be recommending some sort of wonder cream - but I haven't found anything that works as well as drinking lots of water. My other tip though... if you think you are developing fine lines, check your skin is really hydrated - my fine lines are far more obvious when my skin is dehydrated. That's where products like Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster come in!

So there's Jen's diary entry. I'm actually trialing Alpha H Liquid Gold at the moment....review coming up on that soon. I'm with Jen on her skincare worries, but as she mentions below, always make sure your skin is hydrated as dehydration is usually the main culprit behind fine lines. Left untreated and dehydrated, they'll eventually get worse!

Thanks for taking part Jen!

www.beautyjunkieinlondon.com

Scrubbin' it DIY style: Part 2 - Lip Service.....

2011-09-19T11:10:00.001+01:00

A couple of weeks back I did a post about making your own scrummy coffee and brown sugar body scrub at home. This time its another tasty scrub treat....but for your lips! I was in LUSH last weekend and was THIS close to buying one of their lip scrubs, until I read the ingredients. I thought, "Hey, I could totally make this at home, Skinni Peach style!" Its not as fancy as a LUSH lip scrub, but its my take on it. Every ingredient I used was renting a space in my cupboards anyway, so I worked with what I had!

So above are the ingredients I used - Caster Sugar, Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Honey and Red Food Colouring. The little plastic tub is from in Boots, which I bought a while back for €2.50 - they're handy for conditioner etc when going away on weekends.

Because its a milder exfoliant than normal sugar which can be quite abrasive. Caster sugar has tiny granules which gently slough away dry, cracked skin without being too harsh on the delicate lip area.

Because its an excellent natural emollient that soothes and softens dry skin. It conditions and nourishes the skin, rebalancing moisture levels.

Because it has the ability to retain moisture levels in the skin. Its naturally packed with antioxidants and anti-microbial properties which support the skins ability to rejuvenate itself.

The food colouring injects a subtle stain to the lips. A drop or two is literally all you need! If you use too much you'll end up staining the tips of your fingers and your lips will look ridiculous.

How to make it.....

1. Put a tbl spoon of Almond Oil into a small bowl.

2. Add in two tbl spoons of Caster Sugar.

3. Then a tea spoon of Honey.

4. Now add a drop or two of the food colouring. I just added a drop.

5. Mix the ingredients together until it forms a coarse paste. Don't worry about the food colouring, the more you mix the more it will blend.

6. Pop the mixture into the plastic container.

7. Clean up the mess!

And the end result should look like this.......

How to use it......

Smear the scrub onto your lips and swirl around in a circular motion. Best to do this over the sink as it can be a bit messy.

Wash it off, dab dry and then......

QUICK TIP: You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil into the mixture for pouty, bee-stung lips!

So there you have it! Above I just have a clear lip balm on. The subtle tint on my lips is from the food colouring. Will you be trying this one out?

Beauty spotting in TK Maxx - Some serious finds here folks!

2011-09-15T18:38:00.002+01:00

When my Mr. Lover Man comes to Cork for the weekend, all the way from the back of the beyonds in Wexford, we have this little Saturday ritual. We get up, he cooks brekkie, I take 10 HOURS to get my act together and actually get ready, we drive in town and spend the day wondering around the shops on Patrick Street. We sip coffee, stuff our faces and generally talk alot of guff about this, that and the other. I give him advice on the clothes he picks out and in return he MUST come into Brown Thomas and watch me try on an array of the prettiest shoes and with every shoe I slip my foot into, I'm winking at him.......and he knows what this winking means......it means "Its my birthday and Christmas soon, gimme summa these in a bun Mista!"

And then we head to TK MAXX. In here we split up for a half hour or so. He heads to the suit section.....I head to the beauty section. Yep......In a store packed with shoes and clothes with a humongous percentage off, I head straight for the beauty isle. Thats Skinni Peach for ya!

Have you ever seen the range of haircare at TK MAXX? Its something else! I love how they have brands I've never heard of. Thats where I found a range called Hair by Monica Olsen. I was instantly drawn to her version of the much loved Morrocan Oil. Now, I blogged a few months back about the wonder of Morrocan Oil Light. Although it initially worked wonders for my hair, the first two ingredients are silicones and the third is Morrocan Oil. So I knew, I JUST KNEW that eventually it would cause a serious amount of build up in my hair. Silicones do that. But the Morrocon Oil by Monica Olsen is different. Why? Well its Morrocan Oil..... THAT'S IT! Nothing else. Now this is what I'm talking about! It's taken me a while to master just how many drops I need of this - a drop too much and you're a grease monkey. But its a fantastic product with no build up attached. It soothes frizz like a dream and leaves the hair super shiny. It also claims to make hair stronger with prolonged use. It can also be used as a cleanser and night oil! And at €12.99 , its nearly €30 cheaper than the other famed brand!

Another offering from Monica Olsen I picked up was her Protein Conditioner. A feature I like about her products is that the ingredients are printed at the front of the product, so you don't have to squint to try and find them on the back. And the ingredients are impressive. We're talking Kiwi Fruit, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and protein. There are silicones present but they're way down the list. It smells absolutely delish and I don't even have to use a detangling spray afterwards, which I normally have to do. Very impressed Monica! €6.99

Last up is this cute little eyeshadow pot from Molton Brown. However, I didn't buy it with the intention of using it as an eyeshadow. I bought it to use it as a highlighter. The shadow is velvety smooth to the touch and with just a dab you get the most gorgeous pinky/creamy, super fine pigment with subtle light reflecting particles. I've used this lightly under my brow and it works a treat. I got the Waterlilly shade for €6.99

Now, the only thing is...will they be restocked? See that's the thing, you'll rarely see the same beauty product twice in TK Maxx!

Do you get any of your beauty bits in TK Maxx?

Rimmel Lipstick Collection By Kate Moss - Worth all the fuss?

2011-09-15T17:17:00.000+01:00

So Rimmel and Kate are celebrating 10 years of collaboration today and what better a day to buy new lippy! Any excuse eh?! I've read a heap of beauty blog posts about the upcoming lipstick collection created by Kate Moss and being a lippy fiend, of course I was going to invest - much to the dismay of the rest of my lipsticks squashed in a cosmetic drawer....I can just hear them scream now..."Noooo, no more...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!" I cant help it though, this is an historic lippy event! One of the worlds most profilic models has her own lipstick collection! Damn feckin' right I want in. But do they impress?

To be completely honest.......Im not head over heels in love with them. They're OK but not WOW-ZAA! And I was kinda expecting a certain amount of WOW-ZAA! The shades look absolutely fabulous and are of course bang on trend, but the result on my lips just didn't do it for me with relation to quality and lip saturation. They are quite pigmented, I'll give them that, but I cant say they're going to be my new lippy go-to. I picked up shade 03 and 04. Shade 03 is fine...but I've seen it before. And 04? WHAT WAS I THINKING! Seriously, who did I think I was fooling when I thought I'd pull this one off? Have a look below and let me know what you think. If you like lippy but hate spending big bucks on it, then these these are fine. But basically its just the Lasting Finish range with Kate's signature on the packaging. Meh. (€6.95)

But as I always say...just because I'm not a fan of this product doesnt mean you wont be! Has anyone tried them?

Fourties glam returns for Autumn/Winter.......

2011-09-07T09:21:00.001+01:00

(I wanted to leave off talk of Autumn and Winter for as long as I could.....but I couldn't any longer...Autumn is well and truly here folks *sigh*)

Two of my favourite eras of fashion have to be the 40s and 50s. You just cant beat the feminine, elegant, classic silhouettes of these decades. It was definitely a time rich in fashion and a time which celebrated the female form to the fullest. Slipping into a 40s inspired pencil skirt (which was first introduced by Christian Dior in the late 1940's!), teamed with a killer pair of heels and sultry, statement red lips makes me feel more sexy and sophisticated instantly.....

After a Summer of bold colours in the makeup and clothes department, 1940's glam, among other trends, is taking center stage this Autumn/Winter.....and I'm loving every minute of it! Wave goodbye to neon eyes and lips and say 'How ya!' to lips drenched in plums, reds and berries. Hold up on the plucking and make way for bolder, thicker, superbly structured brows. Its time to practice and practice some more in applying perfect, super smooth eyeliner and flawless, true to skin foundation. Although nude makeup is still big for Autumn/Winter with toffees and caramels in full swing, Winter is a time when my collection of red lippy's come out to play. Natural, barely there makeup will always have a gold place in the makeup stakes for me, but its safe and predictable. Time to shake it up 40s style!

Gucci

Deep lips made an appearance in a big way on the catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2011, with Gucci and Miu Miu standing out most for me. Gucci kept skin and eyes fresh, but upped the ante in the lip department. Lips looked rich and delicious with hues of the deepest cherry. This would be a hard look to achieve in the real world, but I'm still going to try it out, so watch this space! I think Miu Miu has the 40s look sorted with perfectly dressed, blood red lips. Excluding the shoes, Miu Miu has nailed the 40s era, with subtle hints of the 80s peeping through here and there.

Miu Miu

So...is the 40s a look you'll be rocking this Autumn/Winter?? Need some inspiration??

P.S - all images via www.weheartit.com & www.elleuk.com

The Skincare Diaries - Entry #1: Sarah from Pretty-Easy

2011-09-06T09:42:00.001+01:00

Dear Skincare Diary,

First up in this new feature to Skinni Peach is makeup artist and hair stylist, Sarah Lanagan. A regular on Xposè and 4fm, Sarah's work has been featured in many a glossy magazine and her fantastic blog, Pretty-Easy - one that was featured on The New York Daily News in the “Articles from Around the web Section”- is a must read and one of my daily go-to's! Through Pretty-Easy, Sarah gives a 'pretty' heads up on the newest products and trends in the beauty world, lets you in on her latest beauty and hair tips, showcases her recent work and gives you the odd beauty history lesson - one of my favourite features on her blog!

I caught up with Sarah and asked her to write an entry in The Skincare Diaries. Read on to see why she buys Dermalogica over and over, why she hates 3 in 1 wipes, how Manuka Honey is her number one natural product and what her biggest skin worry is....

What products are in you morning routine?

I started using Dermalogica Ultra Calming Cleanser about 8 months ago; it's fantastic - in the morning it leaves your skin feeling really clean but without any tightness. Another plus is that you don't need very much moisturiser after using it, meaning I can throw on make-up and know it won't start sliding off after 5 minutes!

And your night routine?

To take eye make-up off I use Boots No 7 bi-phase eye make-up remover which is just as good as high end beauty versions but more purse friendly. I've found Dermalogica pre-cleanse oil is great as well, it's similar to Shu Uemura's cleansing oil in that it dissolves make-up and cleans deep down into pores for a refreshed feeling. At night I always apply Dermalogica Active Moist moisturiser so it can be working while I'm sleeping.

Whats the most expensive skincare product you've bought? Was it worth it?

When I was about 19 I worked in a boutique called Nue Blu Eriu and later Brown Thomas, so I was selling some incredibly expensive skin care. I remember there was a moisturiser from Sisley that cost €250 for a small jar but the most expensive things were always La Prairie; like an exfoliator made from diamonds and crushed pearls that was about €300 or a Caviar Elixir for €360. Being around those kinds of things does something to your mind because I cracked and once and bought a miniscule pot of Creme de la Mer for €120. It was entirely wrong for my skin type but I loved it anyway!

What skincare products have you bought that didn't live up to their claims?

Personally I don't think 3-in-1 make-up wipes are very good, you end up rubbing your eyes a bit too much and damaging the skin around them only to find you still wake up with panda eyes the next morning. Anti-fatigue eye creams are a bit of a racquet as well, you can reduce dehydration but the darkness is mostly hereditary unfortunately.

Do you ever check the ingredients on the back of a product?

I do with skin care, because I wouldn't use products that contain lanolin as it blocks pores.

Do you use any natural products?

These days it's quite difficult to decipher what "natural" really means because some companies add a small amount of herbs or oils so they can be made more marketable by being "natural". Aside from that though, no matter how organic an initial formula is, there still has to be preservatives and chemical stabilising ingredients used in mass produced beauty so they can travel well and last 12 months after opening. I guess the most natural I get... is using Manuka Honey as a brightening mask for my skin (it works a treat by the way!).

Whats your main skincare worry?

It still is, and always was... spots. They are the bane of my life and the reason that I became a make-up artist in the first place! Although, I will admit that using good skin care and getting older has helped it a lot so it's not such an issue these days, thankfully.

When you buy a product that claims to do this, that and the other....do you trust the claims or take them with a pinch of salt?

It depends on what it is really. One thing I never fully trust until I've seen it in action is mascara because the advertisers really are starting to take the mickey, using lash inserts and post production to create images that could never be a reality! It's almost counter productive at this stage - the more extreme the advert the more it makes me want to avoid it, but a few companies have had their ads banned which is a positive sign.

A recent banned Rimmel mascara advert

How about the claims beauty magazines make on a product? Do you trust them?

Again it can depend on the magazine, sometimes I agree with them and sometimes I don't. It's difficult to find something that everyone is happy with. Usually if lots of magazines are going on about the same product I'll end up getting it to see what all the fuss is about, but don't we all?

Is there one product you buy over and over, or do you switch it up all the time?

When it comes to skin care a bit of consistency makes all the difference so I've been sticking to my Dermalogica routine and re-buying those few products, but apart from that i chop and change quite a lot when it comes to hair care, shower gels, make-up and general beauty paraphernalia.

And finally, what are your tips for achieving glowing skin?

Use an exfoliating peel like the one by YSL or REN rather than a harsh scrub; they do the same job but are a lot gentler on skin and there's no risk of spreading bacteria from any little break outs. Another easy way to look after your skin is by taking Omega 3 or fish oil tablets. They work to improve the over all condition of skin, hair & nails, so you'll be glowing with health in no time!

So, there's Sarah's recommendations.....fancy trying out any of the above? Or do you use anything Sarah uses? I agree with Sarah on the ridiculous photo-shopped adverts mascaras come with these days, do they think we're STUPID? and Im with her on the facial wipes too....evil things, unless they're Water Wipes! Oh, and I'm a HUGE fan of using Manuka Honey on my skin as a mask too.....it's fantastic stuff!

Thanks for making an entry Sarah!

www.pretty-easy.tumblr.com

The Skincare Diaries on Skinni Peach

2011-09-02T16:34:00.002+01:00

I'm cracked about skincare. Think that's obvious by now! I love researching into the newest products and googling their ingredients, to see exactly what role they'll play on my skin. Everybody wants great skin right? I'm a bit of a skincare nerd - I want to know about the latest advances in skincare, about the science behind the brand and about the fresh skincare products on the block. I'm one of those girls who loves to search through my friends skincare stash, get their skincare tips and recommendations of products they're loving right now. And that's where The Skincare Diaries comes in!

This is going to be a regular feature on the Peach. I've even added a new page dedicated to it! (It's still under construction though!) The Skincare Diaries will feature some of my favourite bloggers in the blogsphere, with appearances from the Beaut.ie ladies, makeup artist and Xposè regular Sarah Lanagan and a few surprises along the way. Everybody will be given the same list of questions, about their morning and night routine, what they use, what products didn't live up to their claims, what products do etc. I think its interesting to see how everyone's skin habits differ and of course its great to find out what products they swear by.

So I hope this is a feature you'll all enjoy and I'd love to know what you think! It will be starting next week, so keep your pretty eyes peeled!

P.S - Pic of book is from here. Pic has been edited by Skinni P.

Scrubbin' it DIY style!

2011-08-30T18:51:00.002+01:00

I'm a huge fan of body scrubs and usually give myself a full scrubbin' around three times a week. Regular body exfoliation gets rid of dead skin cells revealing new, smoother skin underneath. Also, exfoliation enables the skin to better absorb your body moisturiser or oil after the shower. I've gone through a mound of scrubs and whilst The Body Shop and LUSH have some fantastic scrubs on their shelves, I really cant say I love any of them enough to buy again. I do have my eyes on Kiehl's Creme De Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish - It smells like heaven and I just KNOW its a scrub I'd love. However, I also 'just know' that I ain't going to spend the bucks on it! (I cant remember how much it is exactly but I do remember its expensive stuff)...

So with my lack of funds and my lack of love for any scrub out there......I've started to experiment in the kitchen and make my own. I'm just starting off, so the ingredients are pretty basic right now but what ingredients I have used are proving to be effective. I know making your own is hassle and a bit on the messy side, but its FUN and cheap!

Here are the ingredients I've used in my first body scrub......

Ground Coffee

Brown Sugar

Jojoba Oil 50mls (€4)

Lavender Oil

These are the ingredients I had lying around the house, apart from the Jojoba Oil which I bought in a health shop. It was 50 ml in size, so I just used 50mls each of coffee and sugar mixed with 10 drops of lavender. Nothing too fussy here folks! In future I'll probably add some honey and other oils like Lemon Grass and Ginger, but as I mentioned, this was my first go so I though simple was best.

Why these ingredients?

Coffee is rich in caffeine which is a natural anti-oxidant and we all know the benefits of those! (If you don't, click here for more info!) Coffee is a coarse granule and is super effective in promoting smooth skin. Some say it helps get rid of cellulite, massaging and squeezing the area as you scrub. Brown Sugar is packed with natural glycolic acid which is crucial for maintaining smooth, healthy skin and is usually the main ingredient in pricey scrubs. Its a great exfoliant and smells delish! Jojaba Oil is one of the best oils to use on your skin and is the closest oil you'll get to your own skins natural oils. It sinks into the skin without leaving any greasy residue and does a superb job at moisturising. Its also one of the best anti-ageing oils out there. And Lavender oil....well its all I had in the house!

So here's what you do....

The above amount will last around four or five showers - not a lot, but enough for your first go! If you like the scrub you can go again with larger amounts. If you don't like the smell of coffee then this obviously wont be for you, as your bathroom will smell like a coffee house afterwards. I love the smell of coffee so this suits me fine! After you've used the srub, rinse it off and cleanse with your normal body wash to rinse away any residue. Make sure to wash down the shower/bath afterwards too. Your skin will be left deliciously smooth and soft, so much so you'll want to EAT IT!

So what do you think? Will you be trying this one out?

Mini Mascara Haul with Benefit, La Roche-Posay, UNE & Revlon

2011-08-30T13:08:00.001+01:00

I have the same obsession with mascara as I do with shampoo and conditioner.....always looking for the next best thing. Even if I find a mascara and love it and VOW to never stray form it again, I always, and I mean ALWAYS, stray. The only mascara I've repurchased has been Rimmels Glam Eyes Day 2 Night and although that's two mascaras in one, in the last month or two Ive managed to collect a further four. FOUR! There's no need for it! But I cant help it! What can I do when Boots have offers on the newest mascaras on the market, with pretty stands and SAVAGE claims that this particular mascara will transform your lashes like never before. Suddenly I forget that I have more than enough mascara at home, lying around waiting to be used. Suddenly I NEED this new mascara and no other will do! Yeah....there have been four of those this month......

I'm starting off my haul with the mother of all mascaras - Benefit They're Real! As usual, I stalked the web for reviews and as with most Benefit products, this mascara came with GLOWING reviews in tow. I posted on twitter that I was going to buy it and got a heap of responses back telling me how amazing it was. So as you can imagine, I was sold already and I hadn't even used it yet! I cant describe my love for this mascara, its just every great mascara I've ever had rolled into one. When I first looked at the brush I wasn't overly impressed and thought I'd seen many like it before, but how wrong was I? Horizontally the bristles grab and coat every lash, curling, lengthening and volumizing. When used vertically, the dome shaped bristles at the very top of the wand fan out the tiniest lashes you never knew you had. If I want a dramatic look I'll apply the mascara straight from the tube, but if I'm looking for a more subtle look I'll wipe the wand with tissue to remove the bulk of the mascara. This way I still get the fantastic effect, but a tad toned down. The staying ability of the mascara is tops and it doesn't flake off towards the end of the day either. Taking it off however can be a bit of a nightmare, but my trusty coconut oil does the job nicely. If there is one product you're thinking of purchasing this month, let this be it. You wont be disappointed! €24.50

La Roche-Posay Respectissime Volumizing Mascara - According to the La Roche-Posay folk, 50% of us ladies use waterproof mascara regularly as it offers extreme hold. However, removal of waterproof mascara can be a bit of a joke and if you have super sensitive eyes, waterproof mascara can be a nightmare. Well rest assured you sensitive souls, La Roche-Posay have come up with the answer...The first waterproof mascara for sensitive eyes which offers serious hold with va-va-voom volume, yet easy removal. This was actually sent to me by La Roche-Posay to try out for myself a few weeks back. I'm a fan of their makeup products anyway and their concealers are some of the best I've tried. This mascara didn't fail to impress either. Again, the brush didn't excite me much and it looks a bit messy and clumpy when its taken out of the tube, but it just happens to coat the lashes perfectly, with no clumps and great volume. The formula is enriched with jojoba oil and ceramides which nourish the lashes. There's no hard feeling to the lashes after its dried and as stated above, the hold is impressive. Its recommended to remove the mascara with the matching Physiological Eye Makeup Remover but I haven't used this, so really cant comment on its effectiveness. Again, coconut oil does the job fine for me. Anyway, I'm a fan of the mascara, enough said! €17.00 from pharmacies nationwide.

Revlon Grow Luscious - A sister of the Fabulash mascara, I had super high hopes for this one. Unfortunately I can't say I'm super impressed. Its just 'meh'. The wand is HUGE and I understand that was their intention.....a huge brush = huge lashes right? Meh. Its too big in my opinion and I end up getting product on my eyelid, every time! Not a good look. Its adds length alright, but volume wise I just wasn't impressed. Its very hard to layer with this one as the mascara formulation dries too quickly and I was left with spider eyes. Revlon make claims that using this mascara will improve your lashes over time by complementing their natural growth cycle. Those are some major claims and I've only used this on and off so cant comment. Its an average mascara in my books. The picture of it on my lashes below actually looks OK but trust me, it took time to achieve that look and I had to carefully remove product from my lids with an ear bud before I took the picture, so be warned! But as I always say, just because a product doesn't do it for me, doesn't mean it wont do it for you! Around €14.

Finally up is a mascara from the organic makeup brand, UNE. The line have a couple of mascaras on offer but I went with the Smart Length Mascara. This mascara is super light. It should be called Super Light Mascara. Those of you who like the look of barely there mascara will love this. Those of you who love the mad, woohaa, dramatic mascara look will HATE this. I'm OK with the lightness of this mascara. It doesn't make any outlandish claims (apart from being smart) and I like the fact that its contents are 98.7% from natural origin. I also like the wand - it looks like a poor mans version of Lancome's Doll Eyes. Somehow, the wand doesn't seem to grab a lot of product from the tube and the result is very, very natural. In the image below, I added a few coats but still was unable to achieve an even slightly heavier look. Which is OK too. Some days I don't want to wear any makeup except a lick of mascara and this does the job nicely on those days. One thing I love about this is the feel of it on my lashes, its like I have nothing on and my lashes feel soft to the touch. €12.50

Have you tried any of the above? Are you a mascara nut like me?

"Where are you going?.....On a Safari??"

2011-08-25T20:41:00.003+01:00

One of my best gal pals came home today from Manchester for the weekend and I met her in the city for a good aul chinwag. Although I talk to her most days on the phone, there's nothing like having your bestie back in town! Above is what I wore. It was strange wearing tights today so early into Autumn, but the weather didn't know what it was at today, raining one minute, sun shinning the next. Plus it was kinda chilly, so I was left with no choice! As I was heading out the door, my13 year old brother took a glimpse of me and asked....."Where are you going? On a Safari?". Nice one.

Below are the earrings I wore. They're really old and battered at this stage but they go with everything! Although I have a pretty box full of gorgeous earrings, these are the ones I tend to reach for the whole time!

Shorts - H&M

Belt - Came with a skirt from New Look

Tee - GAP

Pumps - New Look
Brown Tights - ZARA

Earrings - Boots of all places!!

Trial done and dusted - Body Shop Rainforest Shine Range

2011-08-24T18:35:00.001+01:00

My review on these products are long over due so apologies about that. I suppose the reason behind it is the simple fact that I wasn't impressed, unfortunately. I'll start by saying that my hair is fine and naturally curly, therefore it's naturally dry. So that's a messed up and very difficult cruaig to deal with. Anything too heavy weighs my hair down and anything too light leaves it dry. This added to the fact that I go for shampoos that are sulphate and silicone free and conditioners that are equally silicone free, I think I may be fighting a loosing battle in the quest for The Greatest Shampoo & Conditioner of ALL for Dawn's hair!

The range is for normal hair, which the sales assistant recommended for me as there was nothing specifically for fine hair. The first couple of uses were good, but then the shampoo started to leave my hair knotty and matted. The conditioner wasn't moisturising enough and I ended up using massive amounts to combat the knots left behind from the shampoo. My hair wasn't particularly smooth or shiny after drying it either. I sooooo wanted to love these as the ingredient list looked promising, but unfortunately they just weren't for me. BUT, just because they didn't do it for me doesn't necessarily mean they wont do it for you. On a side note, the comb is actually fantastic! Great for combing through conditioner and post-washing products.

I know some folk will think, "hey, shampoo and conditioner is shampoo and conditioner, let it go woman!".....but it ain't so. I don't believe in paying astronomical amounts for haircare but generally I find the higher end products do a better job than your average bottle of shampoo on a Tesco shelf, packed to the core with shabby ingredients that leave your hair in a worse state in the long run.

And so the quest continues.....

Rocking Rockstar Tan with Fame & Entourage.....

2011-08-24T18:12:00.000+01:00

I know its Autumn and you may start to push that fake tan to the back of your cosmetic pile in favour of 50 denier tights, but I just have to tell you about Rockstar Tan first. I received a few samples in the post last week and I thought I'd give them a good few whirls before I did a post, but there was no need. A whirl or two later, I'M SOLD! I don't wear tan often and when I do its applied with a light hand. I have my tanning favourites already which include Vita Liberata for night time and St Tropez Everyday gradual tanning moisturiser for daytime. But now I'm adding a further two to my bronzing favourites.

I've read a heap about Rockstar Tan and its all good, plus it has some snazzy awards under its belt from the likes of Tatler and Social and Personal. I like the fact that the company use 'premium Eco-certified organic DHA, designed to build a lasting colour that doesn’t dry out or irritate the skin, allowing for an even fade.'

Each product has a formula that adjusts to each individuals skin tone, so you get the glow that suits you, no fear of being tangoed. Intelligent stuff eh! Best of all its orderless, a must in my books! The brand is against animal testing, is paraben free and non-comedogenic (wont block those pores!).

First off I tried FAME. This is an instant, wash-off, mineral tan and it's now my new go-to for quick application in a hurry. The tan itself is dark mahogany in colour with tiny light reflecting particles. This scared me a bit as I hate anything with shimmer, but it blends beautifully into the skin, not a shimmer in sight. Its packed with lovely ingredients like jojoba, sesame seed, vitamin A and green tea to nourish the skin. It also has fancy technologies in tow like RejuvenOx, Isoslim and Bio-Essential Complex which claim to rejuvenate and oxygenate the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and encourage collagen production. These are mighty BIG claims that I really cant comment on, but what I will comment on is the result. It's beautiful. These Rockstar folk know how to make a good wash off tan. Literally, I was pasty pale Patricia before I applied this and within a few minutes I was a healthy, bronzed goddess (the goddess part is an exaggeration, but I was bronzed!). It smells gorgeous too and the result is so so natural! And when you're done, just wash off with soap and water! I applied it to my legs below, what do you think? If you're curious about the brand, this is the product I'd try first! €19.99 for 150mls.

Second up is the gradual tanner, Entourage. This is also a fantastic product. It smells absolutely DIVINE (coconut and lime) and the scent lingers after application. This is very similar to my St. Tropez Everyday - its super creamy and nourishing and gives a beautiful, natural, healthy glow to skin that can be intensified as much as you want. I used this two nights in a row before bed and on day three I had a believable, natural tan. The ingredient list has fantastic moisturisers like hemp seed oil, olive and grape seed oil and aloe vera. It also has 'Anti-Ageing Astra Cran which is 'a super concentrated antioxidant that has 500 times the protective benefits of Vitamin C, keeping skin youthful.' This is basically just applied like a moisturiser, slap it on and forget about it.....but don't forget to wash your hands afterwards! I apply Entourage on my arms and decolletage. Then with the tiniest amount I apply it lightly on the front of my hands - its seriously foolproof. Those of you who don't like fake tan and just want a subtle glow will love this! €24.99 for 240mls.

So long story short.....Rockstar Tan has a new fan!

Buy the products online at www.rockstartan.ie

Some afternoon toonage......................

2011-08-23T13:10:00.002+01:00

One word. Beautiful.

Made with LOVE in the Laundry Room - My last Summer purchase of 2011.....

2011-08-22T17:24:00.001+01:00

Summer? PAH! What Summer? I had a pretty pile of summer clothes that barely got a look outside my wardrobe door this 'Summer' and now the Summer is nearly over, they'll have to be packed away until next year. But I'm hoping for a SCORCHER at the end of this month and early September. This is why I made one last Summery purchase for 2011...........

Nope, I didnt need it. Nope, I dont have anywhere to wear it to and nope, I dont care! Although......I do have a little something coming up in U MAGAZINE! But that's all I'm saying for now.

I bought this from the Irish label Laundry Room in Brown Thomas. And I'm in love. Laundry Room dresses hit the style note for me every time and their prices are fantastic. Just keep that one to yourself! 'Like' their Facebook page here!!

Quick Post # 2: Water Wipes - The Worlds Purest Baby Wipe!

2011-08-17T16:36:00.001+01:00

You'd never in a million years catch me doing a post on facial wipes on this here blog. They're little sheets soaked to the core with nasty ingredients, alcohol and chemicals in my view. Even the wipes aimed at sensitive skins are packed with unnecessary ingredients. Water Wipes are a different ball game altogether. Before you think of buying another pack of normal wipes, consider these first!

Water Wipes have TWO ingredients folks.....just TWO! 99.9% water and 0.1% fruit extract. That's it! Zilch else! Granted, these are intended for use on babies but trust me, they do a fantastic job of removing makeup at four in the morning on a Saturday night. I use these on my lazy cleansing nights, when I just cant face the usual 10 min routine of cleanser, massaging, hot water, face cloth, hot water again and a cold rinse. You wont experience any stinging, tightness, greasy after feeling or sensitivity with these gems - just seriously soft, clean skin. I cant rave enough about these! Baby wise, they're suitable from birth, preservative free and they avoid nappy rash. Plus they're 100% biodegradable!!! Due to the lack of of preservatives each pack lasts just three months after opening. Boots currently have an offer of buy one get one free on these too. At €3.49 they're a complete steal!!!

Quick Post #1 - Barry M in all his Peach-ness

2011-08-17T16:10:00.000+01:00

How GORGEOUS is this shade? It may not be everyone's piece of cake, but its mine with whipped cream and a slice of peach on top! I was in Boots yesterday and this shade - Peach Melba - was the last one on the Barry M shelf. I grabbed it right off that shelf as fast as I could, holding it close to my chest in case a raving, nail varnish lunatic came running down the isle and tried to snatch it off me! *ahem*

Seriously, I'm addicted to peach. The shade in the bottle looks a lot more toned down when compared to the result on my nails, which were seriously peachy - but no matter how many pictures I took I couldn't seem to capture just how peachy the finish is. Its lush! I achieved the above finish with just two coats. The varnish itself is a bit on the gloopy side, but it's thick and I like that in a varnish. The staying power is nothing to write home about, your talking a day or two MAX. But this shade gets a firm, Peach Melba thumbs up from me!

Liz Earle goodness - Daily Eye Repair &Deep Cleansing Mask AND a new Liz Earle offering (Exciting Stuff!)

2011-08-16T19:15:00.004+01:00

Around two months ago I was invited to a Liz Earle event at Wilde & Green in Miltown in Dublin. Well, it was more of a 'sample our stuff!' event rather than an event for one product in particular. I had a gorgeous hand massage, a little lowdown on some products I haven't tried yet and got myself a fantastic, out of this world salad afterwards. I never knew Wilde & Green existed before this event. They're actually the only store in Ireland that sell the Liz Earle range. So a little sconce around and a few pictures later, I was walking out the door with lovely soft hands, a full belly and of course....two products from the range. Ah c'mere, you didn't think I'd leave without buying anything did you? C'mon now folks, ye know me better!!

To be honest, I didn't need ANY of the products there but I swear they spoke to me and jumped off the shelf into my hands. Just like that. I bought the Daily Eye Repair & the Deep Cleansing Mask. So, how did they fair?

Daily Eye Repair

You know what? I'm on the fence big time when it comes to eye creams. I really don't think we need them and countless beauty experts would agree. Just like I don't think we need a toner. Anyhoo, I bought this as it was given good reviews on the web and fellow blogger Simone Loves Makeup raves about it. At €15 its a very cheap eye cream when you compare it to the masses of them out there that go for €30 plus. I was impressed mostly by the fact that its a 'Triple Eye Care' product - I love a product that has a few strings to its bow. This has active ingredients including Borage Oil, natural vitamin E, Echinacea and Beta-Carotene packed in to help reduce the appearance of fine lines around the mouth, forehead AND eyes. It has a premium quality mineral SPF 10 (big brownie point for that) and has the tiniest light reflecting particles that brighten dark circles.

At the ripe old age of 27 (it actually HURT to type that!) I think I may have some fine dehydration lines forming around my eyes, although I've been told I'm imagining it. I'm not. They're there. Now I really cant say that this eye cream has lessened them, but it is doing a fantastic job of hydrating the area which is what I need most. I'm impressed with the light reflecting side to it too. Its very subtle so you wont see any bits of glitter but it definitely brightens the area. The tiniest amount is all you need and a tube of 10mls will last ages! I really like this although it wouldn't be a cult, cant live without product for me - but its definitely one to consider investing in if you're on the lookout for a good eye care product and are just starting out. One downside is the presence of parabens in the ingredients list. They are at the very end of the list, and Liz does state that they're present in the tiniest amounts in order to preserve the ingredients, but I'd love to see a more natural ingredient used instead.

Deep Cleansing Mask

I really dont need another mask in my beauty drawer but the ingredient list on this product caught my eye. The first ingredient is Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, second is Kaolin and the third is Manuka Honey. These all do the job of softening, drawing out impurities and soothing the skin. I was particularly impressed with the amount of Mauka Honey in it - Manuka Honey is THE JOB for skin! You'll find me with Manuka slathered on my skin on a weekly basis! (Read a post I wrote about it back in the day HERE). This comes with its own pouch for storage and two sponges for washing the mask off (excuse the ones above, they've been used a bit!). The mask itself is clay green in colour and dries after 10 mins of application. Although it dries onto the skin, your skin wont be left dry after removal. Instead it's left silky soft, looking and feeling fresh and smelling of Geranium. Gorgeous! This is a lovely weekly treat to perk up skin and it does leave the skin looking great, but I'm not sure how effective it would be for troublesome skin. I'd say this is more for combination skins who want something mildly cleansing. However it's not mild enough for sensitive souls. Overall this is a lovely product that does what it says on the tube, but just don't expect it to work any major miracles! €14.25

And now for something NEW! Liz Earle Skin Tint!

I woke this morning to find a package on the kitchen table from the Liz Earle team - their first skin tint! Exciting stuff! This product sounds promising and I used it today, but I want to give it fair shot so wont review it yet. Give me another week. But I will say this..........I LIKE IT! Liz Earle fans have been waiting for a makeup range for years so I'll be intrigued to see how the reviews on the web go! It's really rich and creamy to the touch and glides effortlessly with a sheer result. It also includes a mineral SPF 15 along with ingredients like avocado and vitamin E. So keep tuned for a review on this baby!

www.lizearle.com

Have you got any Liz Earle favourites??

Benefit greats - Cha Cha Tint & Brow Zings

2011-08-08T12:13:00.000+01:00

After reading a gazillion reviews, I FINALLY got Benefits new lip and cheek stain, Cha Cha Tint. Whilst I was at the counter I picked up Brow Zings too. Oh be jaysis....my credit card HURTS! But my eyebrows and cheeks LOVE ME for it!

I've mentioned before on the blog about my love for Benetint.....and absolute HATRED for its price. Despite the hefty price tag, Benetint was my go-to cheek stain all through college. Then Poise Tint came out and I thought I'd never find anything better. It made me look alive and fresh with a subtle candy pink flush in just a few swipes! Now Cha Cha Tint has taken over completely! It looks a scary bright orange/coral shade in the pot but once it is applied to the skin and blended in, it dries to a gorgeous light peachy/pink tint. It works well on the lips too with a smidgen of balm over it. As with all the Benefit tints, the staying power is like no other and you can go as subtle or as dramatic as you want with this, depending on your look. This gem is the new kid on the block in my makeup bag, but its here to stay! Ive applied just a few dots to my cheeks in the image below and a little on the lips, nice and subtle for a daytime look.

And now for the Brow Zings! It isn't a new product in the beauty world and I've read some serious glowing reviews on it but the price, for such a fart of a product, just always turned me off (€33.50). But I finally buckled!

When it comes to eyebrows, I'm a tad obsessed. Brows, when shaped correctly, can frame the entire face and can totally transform your look. Eyebrows in my books should be thick with a well defined arch, and finding the right product for your brows can seriously make all the difference. Brow Zings come in three shades, light, medium and dark. Inside the compact is a mini brow kit complete with a pigmented wax, a blending powder, the smallest tweezers you've ever seen (smaller than my baby finger!) and two blending brushes, one angled for the wax and one flat for the powder. Be warned, these tools are TINY but they do a great job. Firstly the wax is applied to define the brows and keep strays intact. The powder is then applied lightly to fill in any gaps. The tweezers is a handy little bit of stuff too with a slanted edge to grab the tiniest hairs. I bought the light shade which is actually FAR from light, its more on the medium side. Again, you can go as subtle or as dramatic as you like with application. Either way, the result is pretty natural. I'm really impressed with this and it has definitely made it onto my CULT CLASSIC list.

Have you tried any of the above??

The Price of Beauty.....

2011-08-07T18:19:00.000+01:00

I recently did a guest blog post over on my friend Jo's fashion and style blog, s-oh-s-ew.com about beauty....eh, what else! Click HERE to take a trip over and have an ol' sconce! By the way....I robbed the image above from s-oh-s-ew.....how amazing is it!

Freebies Ahoy!

2011-08-07T18:01:00.000+01:00

First off let me start by saying......the Peach has been a bit neglected recently....this I know! But I've been going up and down to Dublin like a mad thing for interviews and events etc. So the blog has taken a back seat unfortunately. Apologies folks! But here, I have a major FREEBIES AHOY heads up for ya'll!!

Magazines are currently falling over themselves offering freebies. I went to Tesco today to get my monthly magazine round up and noticed that most of the best glossies on the shelves have some sort of beauty gift in tow. LOVE IT! Marie Claire, ELLE and Red are my monhtly must-have reads. ELLE is my bible, Marie Claire is always great for beauty and fashion bits and in recent months, Red Magazine has become another staple on my list. I think it has a slight 'grown-up' feel to it, and it has some fantastic interviews and features.

So, onto the freebies! Marie Claire this month comes with a free Ciatè Paint Pot. I've mentioned these before on the blog, they're definitely my favourite brand of polish. The packaging alone has me sold! There are two shades to collect, My Fair Lady and a shimmery purple shade too (not sure of the name). I went for My Fair Lady as I'm a sucker for natural, sheer shades. They've also popped in a sample of Dove's newest conditioning treatment, Nourishing Oil Care. It promises to give you super smooth hair, full of movement and life, with the help of Nutri-Oils which have 3x the nourishing power of a 'normal' conditioner. Hmmmm...I'll be taking that claim with a pinch of salt. It has silicones GALORE in the ingredient list although, it does smell delish and its two-toned in colour which looks all mad and fancy!

ELLE comes with a Mavala varnish and there are three shades to collect - ELLE Orange, ELLE Grey and ELLE Red. I picked up the ELLE Red, not that I need anymore red varnish, but this just looked so damn lusty in the pack! Mavala are always a good pick anyway and definitely one of the better nail varnish brands out there.

And finally Red Magazine comes with a gorgeous Balance Me Super Moisturising Body Wash. I've only read good things about the Balance Me brand. This has a beautiful rich scent of Patchouli oil bursting out from the packaging and its packed with fab ingredients which claim that due to the amount of Shea Butter in the product, you wont even have to moisturise after the shower!Cant wait to road test that claim. Plus, the ingredients are 99% from natural origin with no parabens, sulphates, silicones, mineral oils etc so its a winner straight away in my books right there!

So there you have it ladies. Get yourselves some of these freebies pronto!

Elie Saab Autumn/Winter 2011 Couture collection......

2011-07-27T11:23:00.000+01:00

Are there any designers out there who make your heart WOOHAA!? I have one. He goes by the name of Elie Saab. Other designers float my boat too. I'm talking Lanvin, Victoria Beckham and Valentino to name a few. But none of these turn me into a complete swooning mess. Elie Saab dresses literally set butterflies fluttering around my tummy. His designs hit the note every time. If you're into feminine pieces made with elaborate and luxurious materials that hug every curve of the feminine form, that are floaty and romantic with a modern fairytale feel to them, Elie is your guy. His Autumn/Winter Couture collection for 2011 makes me weak at the knees. There's one or two dresses in there that would make the most perfect wedding dress too.....provided you have a few grand lying around.

Elie Saab Show - Haute Couture Autumn/Winter... by afp-fashion

P.S...all images from Elleuk.com

I WANT these and I'm gonna GET THEM!

2011-07-25T13:29:00.001+01:00

See the Louboutins above? I want them. Scrap that, I need them and will have them! See the quote above? Those are the words of a buddy of mine. Yep.....bet you thought they were written by some top fashion editor or something. Well watch out world, Sarah Waldron aka The Licentiate will be just that some day soon, mark my words. I read her column for the Cork Independent today and as always, she hits the nail on the head with fashion and the things it can drive you to in order to obtain that one piece of fashion you lust after. I tried to convince myself that I don't need Louboutins. "Nah, they're too common these days, every wag has them and its too easy to get fakes, the good is gone from them," but I'm just FOOLING myself!! I do INDEED want these 120 patent-leather pumps. Simple they may be, but these will serve my feet forever! Classic and chic. And at €390, I'm gonna get to saving soon as that perfect job is offered.....even if it means living on beans as Sarah puts it!! Thanks for the motivation Sarah!!! (The Alexander McQueen clutch will come later).

On Trial @ Skinni Peach - The Body Shop Rainforest Shine Range

2011-07-25T11:35:00.000+01:00

From one hair-care post to another, these lovelies are on trial here at the Peach headquarters. Like I mentioned in my recent post, Ive been trying a fair load of shampoos and conditioners of late, forever searching, you know yourself! I read about the new Body Shop range on a few sites and decided to invest. But I got myself a bargain! I got the Rainforest Shine Shampoo and Conditioner PLUS a little mini version of the Rainforest Moisture Butter all for €19.95! Delira! ( the offer is still in stores as far as I know) I also picked up a handy comb for €5. So far so good lads! I've been using these all week and I'm liking them. But give me another week or two and we'll see. Oh and best of all, this range is free from sulphates, silicones, colourants and parabens! Ticks all my boxes!

Hair Masks - The cheap one, the salon one and the cult one!

2011-07-25T11:24:00.006+01:00

I'm up to my hair care tricks again and over the past few months I've been trying a MOUND of hair masks. Most aren't even worth a mention on the peach, so they ain't gonna get one. However, there's three in particular that have tickled my hair fancy. They're not my usual natural picks mind you, but I'm liking the results nevertheless!

First up is The Cheap one - Carino Professional Anti - Breakage Intensive Hair Treatment from....ALDI! Yep, you read right folks, ALDI! This stuff is cheap as chips at around €5 for 250mls, but it does a pretty good job at softening and adding shine. The ingredients aren't anything too fantastical and although it contains avocado oil, it's so far down the list I doubt your locks will benefit from it really. But that little bit of negativity aside, it deserved a spot on the peach because its a great, cheap, pick-me-up for your hair and you can slather it on as much as you want without worrying about the hefty price tag!

It's thick in consistency, smells lovely and rinses out well with no heavy, flat feeling afterwards so, you fine-haired ladies wont be left with greasy locks after a few hours! Defo worth a try if you don't fancy spending too much on a hair mask.

Next is The Salon one - L'Orèal Professional Curl Contour Mask. Very impressed with this mask and have nearly reached the end of the pot, which is a first for me. I was sent this for review a few months ago and promised myself I'd let my inner curl out to play with it. I didn't do it though. So although it's aimed at curly hair folk, it will still work a treat for straight heads too. The texture has a light and airy gel consistency to it with Hydra Cell technology which, promises to smooth out every curl and give them bounce.

Any curly heads out there will know, it's SO hard to find a product that leaves your curls looking bouncy, fresh and soft without that hard, sticky feeling. Now obviously you'll need more than this mask to make your curls bounce in a Taylor Swift fashion, but this is a good start. My hair is like a PERM if I leave it to dry naturally so, I blow dry my crazy curls into more laid-back, softer curls and I find when I use this baby, they're easier to tame and sit better. The third ingredient in this is palm oil and the fifth is glycerin, so I think these little gems are doing all the hard work in controlling my naturally 'mad woman' hair.

The only downside to this is the scent. It's very strong and a tad on the manly side. However upon drying, it ain't so bad. My hair is left super soft, shiny and bouncy after using it and this in turn makes me happy! I think this mask is around €11 - €13 and it's available from salons nationwide.

Finally, we have The Cult one - Philip Kingsley Elasticizer. Check this out; this pre-shampoo treatment was originally created by Philip Kingsley specifically for Audrey Hepburn!!! She wanted a super-moisturising treatment that would repair her hair and keep it in tip-top condition through styling, colouring and all that jazz. This gemt is around YEARS and is one of those cult products that celebs and beauty editors across the globe swear by.

You apply this to your hair BEFORE shampooing and leave it on from 20 to 40 minutes, wrapped under the provided plastic cap. Its seems quite thick in consistency but it washes out to leave incredibly moisturised hair and the results get even better the more you use it. It also provides UV protection even after washing as well as leaving your locks seriously smooth and shiny. The mask is unscented which is the only 'meh' part about it. You should see the reviews of this baby online - I couldn't find a bad one!

This is €26.24 for 150mls from www.feelunique.com (with FREE delivery!) and it will last an age! If you've been searching for a fab multi-tasking mask, look no further. This stuff is THE JOB! Don't believe me? Just google it and you'll see all the reviews!

And now for something a little more natural. One of the best natural masks out there is Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. This stuff is FANTASTIC. I heat it a bit in the microwave, slap it on, go to bed and wash it out the next morning. I'd usually do this around twice a month and it leaves my hair in fantastic condition, naturally. I use coconut oil for LOADS of things, even in my white tea (its all the rage in celeb land don't-cha know!) Click HERE to see my post on the uses for coconut oil.

Any great hair masks out there you guys are using that I should know about?

STOP Sex Trafficking with The Body Shop

2011-07-15T12:31:00.000+01:00

Did you know that Human trafficking is the third largest criminal industry in the world and it is thought that 1.2 million children and young people are trafficked every year for sexual exploitation and cheap labour? Are you aware that trafficking exists on this island? It does and its time we sat up and did something about it instead of burying our heads in the sand.

For the past three years a partnership between The Body Shop Ireland, the Children’s Rights Alliance and ECPAT International has existed and together they have rallied endlessly to combat child trafficking for sexual exploitation. A petition was launched here in 2010 along with 50 countries around the world and the current signature total stands at 6.8 million. The total will be submitted to the UN later this year in a united call for action. You can have your stamp on the Irish Petition by clicking on this link: www.thebodyshop.com/stop

On the 21st July 2011 at 11.30am, The Body Shop Ireland and campaign partners the Children's Rights Alliance and ECPAT International will be handing over their Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People campaign petition to the Irish Government. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald will be accepting the petition on behalf of the Government.

Please click on the link above and show your support. By doing so you will help to;

1. Identify Child Victims and Enforce laws to prosecute child traffickers.

2. Provide child victims with the support they need to escape their traffickers and rebuild their lives.

3. Implement the Irish Government’s National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings 2009-2012.

4. Ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of theChild on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.

Spread the word and forward the link to your friends and family. YOUR signature really can make a difference.

Cant STOP listening to this song......

2011-07-11T17:25:00.001+01:00

Have any of you heard this song? I absolutely LOVE Robyn - she's out there on her own and her music is fantastic with a get-up-off-your-arse-and-dance quality to it. I think this video is fab too, strutting her stuff in an empty warehouse - so simple, but I cant stop clicking replay!

Quick Post: How to apply the perfect lippy

2011-07-11T16:54:00.025+01:00

You know I LOVE lippy right? Yep, I'm sure you're all bored to death with my lippy tales. But did you know, there's more to applying lipstick than simply sweeping it across your lips? If you want the lipstick to pop from your lips in an almost 3D manner and if you want the shade to last and last, there's a little technique in applying it correctly. Want to know how?

I actually picked up these little tips from Keiko Lynn - a fantastic blogger from America. Let's get started!

Firstly, apply some of your favourite balm and remove the excess with some tissue. Im using Figs & Rouge Organic Balm. (savage stuff!)

Then, line your lips with your chosen lip liner - here I'm using Clinique's Quickliner for lips in Cocoa Rose.

Fill in the rest of your lips with the lip liner.

Get your lipstick and apply it with a lip brush using light strokes. It's best to apply your lippy with a brush as it gives you more control over how much you apply, along with achieving the perfect edges. It also makes the lipstick appear more intense. Here I've used Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick in Fig.

Take off the excess and repeat the last step, just to layer it up.

And VOILÀ! Perfect kissable lips.

Dress Candy from AIWear for....wait for it.... €8!!!

2011-07-08T19:24:00.003+01:00

Yep, you read right! EIGHT EURO! Down from €34. Bargain and a frickin' half or what! I saw it thrown over one of the sale rails, swiped it and legged it into the dressing room....perfect fit! I LOVE it. It's super feminine, floral and VERY 50s esque - perfect! Three things I adore in a dress. I teamed it with a peachy/tan leather bow-belt and fresh, barely-there makeup with an appearance from one of my favourite coral lippies of the moment, Topshops Gloss Stick in Ablaze (read the review on it HERE!). So this is my second outfit post, getting the hang of this lark!

Dress - A Wear on Sale

Belt - Warehouse

Get your beauty kit festival ready with Beaut.ie & Co

2011-07-07T12:44:00.000+01:00

If you're going to Oxygen this weekend and haven't left yet or if you're planning on heading to Electric Picnic in a few weeks, you need to read the skinni on festival beauty over on Beaut.ie - they asked some of Ireland's fashion and beauty bloggers for their beauty advice when roughing it festival style. There are some great tips in there folks and I'm there too!! Click HERE to read it. Oh, and have you ever read my interview with the Beaut.ie ladies? YOU HAVEN'T? Then click HERE dammit!

Ever heard of Jones & Jones dresses??

2011-07-05T13:35:00.000+01:00

Well if you haven't heard, listen up - these dresses are just lush! So feminine, girly, cute, quirky and inspired by my two favourite eras, the 40s and 50s, with a 21st century twist. Prices aint too expensive either. I'm gonna get saving, saving big time for some of these beauts....

What do you think? Some of the dresses above are only €54! Check out the site - www.jonesandjonesfashion.com

Feast your eyes on the Clarins Autumn 2011 collection.......

2011-07-05T13:06:00.001+01:00

Two weeks ago I was invited to the launch of Clarins new Autumn 2011 makeup collection. We all know they're renowned in the beauty industry for their skincare and makeup collections - its a luxury brand that mixes science with nature. This Autumn they're releasing a new makeup collection called Colour Definition. The best word to describe the collection? STUNNING!

The event was held at the Hayfield Manor Hotel in Cork. What a place! It reminded me of something from years gone by! The staff made me feel like a lady of the manor - I asked one member of staff where the loo was and he practically fell over himself to show me the way. All he was short was coming into the cubicle with me! Fabulous place.

Clarins International French makeup artist Claude Defresne was at the event and my God....what a man! Think of this....an absolute model of a man spilling all his knowledge about makeup and how to apply it to a group of beauty hounds, who hung on his every word, mouths open and eyes dreamy as he explained how best to apply mascara. Amazing! He knows the Clarins brand, new products and old, inside out and the new collection wont fail to impress once it hits counters mid August. After chats we got the chance to have our makeup done by him and yes.....I made sure I was FIRST in line.

In the new range theres a beautiful complexion powder almost to pretty to use, six eye shadow palettes, a 'high-tech' mascara, a 'high-preceision' eye-liner and some of the most beautiful nude lipsticks.

The Eye Quartet Mineral Palettes come in six colours; Pastels, Nudes, Rosewood, Indigo, Violet and Graphites. Each palette has two satin shades, a darker eye shadow liner and an iridescent highlighter, along with a little diagram on the back of the palette package box showing you how to achieve the perfect look. These eye shadows are softly pigmented dry, but for an intensely pigmented effect they can be used wet. Their packaging is pure luxury, a mirrored gold case with a red velvet pouch to keep it in....Gorgeous! The texture of the shadows are soft and easily blended to get the effect you want. Theres a palette to suit everyone. My favourite from the range has to be the pastels - its natural, light, fresh and feminine. I've tried it out in the last image below, although the little crummy camera I have does it no justice! But trust me, it's a stunning palette on the eyes!

Clarins have developed a new mascara folks - cue screams of pure DELIGHT from all you mascara hounds! It's called Instant Definition Mascara. This beaut has double-brush technology - so its kind of two brushes in one. The first three-quarters of the brush is made from nylon fibres and the last quarter, at the very tip, you have a flexible brush with elastomer fibres. The objective of the brush is to coat every single lash, even the tiniest ones for a double wide-eyed look. This is a keeper! The end of the brush is fantastic for getting to those tiny lashes along the inner eye and the mascara solution itself is dreamy. You can go as light or as heavy as you want. On the day, Claude spoke at length about proper mascara application. He explained that in order to frame and make eyes pop, you need to start with the very inner lashes then work your way out. Start at the root of the lashes and slowly brush up and out. I can see this mascara becoming a cult product!

Another eye product in the range is the Instant Liner. I'm absolutely shocking at applying liquid liner - I get one eye OK and then I go to try and do the other eye and I might as well have got a five year old to do it for me...in the DARK, it looks that bad. And believe me, I've practised. But now I know, I was approaching the whole thing wrong! Here's where Claude comes in again! He showed us how to apply liquid eyeliner - to get the best line possible, your elbow must be resting on a hard surface, be it your knee or dressing table. Instead of holding the liner at a horizontal angle and sweeping across the eye, to achieve the perfect line it must be held and applied at a vertical angle. Now, maybe you folks already do that and I'm late to the party, but.....I can apply eyeliner now! YES BOY! The liner has a foam applicator, like a felt tip, which soaks just enough product and bends and glides easily along the eye. It dries quickly and lasts and lasts.

And now to the best part.....THE LIPPIES!!! You'll know WELL by know that I'm infatuated with lipsticks full stop. But, when it comes to nude/peach/pinky lips.....I go weak at the knees. And guess what? The lipsticks in the new Clarins Rouge Prodige are a pretty group of nudes, peaches and pinks. Apparently, according to Claude, their nude shade, Creamy Toffee, is THE perfect nude. Is he right? HELL YEAH! Its absolutely gorgeous! And I mean gorgeous! Theres something about the Rouge Prodige range, its sophisticated packaging, its slender stick and its rich colour that saturates your lips and doesn't budge for ages, thanks to its 'High Fidelity Pearl' - a new generation polymer made of transparent molecules that resemble multi-facetted pearls containing colour pigments. The super creamy texture of the lipsticks has me hooked and the colours? Could they BE any more perfect? In addition to these, Clarins have also released two new shades in the Joli Rouge range, Grenadine and Fig. Again, gorgeous lipsticks packed with moisture and colour, but they're a bit on the safe side for me shade wise. Below I've soaked my lips with my two favourite shades from the Rouge Prodige range, Creamy Toffee and Rosy Coral.

And now for a bit of prettiness. The 3D Radiance Face Powder is out there on its own, a work of art, almost to lovely to use! In a single brush stoke you're picking up beiges, peaches, pinks and mauves, which may read like a strange combination for a face powder but the results are beautiful. It gives the skin a soft kind of freshness and glow without shimmer bits, which is a major plus for me, I'm a matte kind of girl. The futuristic 3D block design of the powder has me swooning over it every time I open it. Yep, EVERY TIME! And anyone I've shown it to has just turned into a babbling ejit, marvelling over it! It's suitable for all skin tones and promises to be the 'star' powder of the season. (Apologies for the image again, it does it NO justice!)

Price List

Eye Quartet Mineral Palette €40 each

Instant Definition Mascara in Black, Brown & Blue €25

Instant Liner €24

Rouge Prodige Lipstick in Peach Sorbet, Rosy Coral & Creamy Toffee €20

Joli Rouge Lipstick in Grenadine & Joli €20

3D Radiance Face Powder €37

Available from Clarins counters in Brown Thomas from mid August and from counters nationwide at the start of September!

Anti-oxidants - So, whats the story there then?

2011-06-24T10:20:00.001+01:00

The word Anti-oxidant seems to be shoved in every 'anti-wrinkle' article I read these days and there's a reason why. Our skin needs these little soldiers. They are the BOMB, so to speak. But do you know why? Do you buy a pot of moisturiser because it has ANTI-OXIDANT PROTECTION, but have no idea what its doing in the line of protection for your skin? Well, here is a quick lowdown with the help of top beauty therapist, Queen of facials and super knowledgeable, Mariga Sheedy.....

Firstly - free radicals are the enemies here folks. Whats a free radical? Its a molecule that's produced when your body breaks down food, or when your body is exposed to pollution, second hand smoke and UV rays from the sun. So basically, free radicals are everywhere! GAH! Free radicals can damage skin cells which means easy formation of the dreaded WRINKLES! Anti-oxidants are your knights in shining armor when it comes to free radical protection and battle it out to the end, to kill them off and banish them from your skin and your system (when consumed - more on that later!)

I had a few questions about the use of anti-oxidants in skincare and put them to Mariga....

Can you sum up what an anti-oxidant actually is?

"Anti-oxidants are substances that have the ability to reduce or prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals."

Theres so much talk about the benefits of anti-oxidants these days and every skincare company seems to have a products out there that claim to have anti-oxidants in them. What should we look out for in the product ingredient list to see how much is actually in the pot?

"As product ingredients are listed in descending order, generally the higher up the list the better (although some ingredients are potent in such small amounts, they're OK near the bottom, notably peptides and EGF). With anti-oxidants, you want them to be above the middle of the list in general. Most companies will try to push their own 'unique' anti-oxidant as best whatever it might be. This of course is only marketing. There is no single best one, each does a slightly different job in a slightly different way so a cocktail approach is best. Think five a day but for skin. The most common are Vitamin C and Vitamin A, but you will not see these written in this way. Vitamin C is too unstable in its pure form when liquefied, so the stable form of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate will be listed. Vitamin A is usually listed as a Retinoid. Lots of natural oils have inherent anti-oxidant properties, think Rose Hip, jojoba, pomegranate." (fixed oils not essential oils).

Is it true that anti-oxidants enhance the efficacy of and SPF?

"Anti-oxidants do offer some protection against UV rays and help to repair damage done by them and as such are a great addition to any sunscreen. Vit A is an exception to this as it can make the skin sun sensitive and therefore it's better used in your night treatment."

Can you overload your skin with too many anti-oxidants?

"Your skin will absorb what it needs from your skincare and flush the rest so you can't overload."

Is there on one KING anti-oxidant or should we be using a cocktail of antioxidants on our skin?

"You want anti-oxidants to penetrate deeply, so they are best delivered in serum form rather than cream, again with the exception of Vitamin A."

Is natural the way to go with an anti-oxidant cream?

"As ever, your skin can't differentiate natural from synthetic, so that's a personal choice. For me, there are so many great anti-oxidants occurring in natural oils I think it's a nice way to get them. For Vitamin C, I prefer a synthetic as it's unstable and potentially irritant in it citrus form."

So there you have it from a professional! But you'll need to do more than slap some product on your skin to stock up on anti-oxidants. Foods rich in anti-oxidants include broccoli, avocado, blueberries, nuts and white/green tea (to name but a tiny few) and you need to get these into your diet daily! I cant stress enough about the tea! I bring my own white tea teabags with me everywhere! Read a post I did last year on the benefits white tea HERE!

Another quick tip: When buying a moisturiser with anti-oxidants, make sure the container is a squeezy or pump-action tube. Anti-oxidants loose their efficacy when exposed to air, so if you have a tub of moisturiser with a twist off cap, every time you open it to get some out you are exposing the moisturiser to air, hence damaging the antioxidant goodness.

Check out Marigas website on www.wexfordbeautysalon.com and her blog HERE!

p.s - All images from www.weheartit.com

The Results are in! Did Soft Sole Exfoliating Foot Peel do the job?

2011-06-24T10:15:00.003+01:00

I blogged a couple of weeks ago about trying the new Soft Sole Exfoliating Foot Peel - Well, I finally got around to trying it ten days ago. Its taken me this long to put up the review as the peeling process finished only a couple of days ago! So, did it do the job?

YES it did! Before my very own eyes, the dryness on the balls of my feet and my heels was munched away by the creme de la creme of peeling ingredients, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lemon Extract and Vitamin E which encourage the shedding and exfoliation of dead skin.

One thing I will say is this; if you have an event coming up, a wedding or a hot date, make damn sure you use this product about two weeks before the event takes place....just to ensure the peeling process has had enough time to munch on your feet. Because, trust me folks, the peeling process ain't pretty and the last thing you want are manky, peeling feet, sticking out of your favourite sandals. I didn't have terribly dry feet to begin with as I file any dry skin regularly, but the ingredients in this seemed to seek out any dry skin lurking around, because BE JAYSIS, there was a huge amount of skin shedding!

In the Soft Sole pack you get two little foot-bags of solution, two socks and an after peeling lotion. I picked a rainy Friday night, slipped my feet into the solution bags, covered them with the socks provided and got myself cosy with a glass of red. You wont feel like anything is happening in the foot bags, but you'll feel a bit weird sitting there with bags and socks on your feet and feel stranger still when you have to go to the kitchen or the loo, looking like a cross between a cave man and a zombie as you try to walk. But as with most of my weird beauty ventures, the results are phenomenal!

I washed off the solution and waited. Approximately three days later I noticed some slight peeling and by day five, the peeling was well and truly in full swing. Quick tip: you might want to wear bed socks to bed for the duration of the peeling process - your sheets WILL be destroyed with flaky skin!

So ten days on, my feet are bloomin' gorgeous! They're just so soft and smooth and fresh looking. And it will be easy to keep the results by doing a weekly file. I can imagine it doing wonders for those of you who do have problem areas on the sole of your feet and I'd definitely recommend giving this a shot if you're at your wits end! €19.99 from pharmacies nationwide.

I'm only delira with the results. Sure, if there was a prize for smooth, gorgeous feet, good enough to eat, dont'cha know I'd win!

Amity are now Online! Excitement OVERLOAD!

2011-06-20T15:54:00.001+01:00

If vintage inspired bits are your thing then LISTEN UP! One of my favourite shops in Cork, Amity, now has an online store! So all you readers from around the globe can now get your fashion hungry paws on some of their stunning goods. Want to see what I'm talking about?

Check out the new site www.myamity.ie for more and read my interview with Hazel and Tina of Amity HERE!

CACI Hydratone Treatment Mask - a treatment from THE FUTURE!

2011-06-20T14:59:00.000+01:00

A couple of weeks ago a package was squeezed through my letterbox sent from Dublin. This isn't a strange occurrence. As a beauty blogger, naturally I get all sorts stuffed through the letterbox to try and review, although not everything makes it onto the Peach. But this package? Oh, this one was different. It had me INTRIGUED! If you're a regular reader of the blog, you'll know I'm head over heels about masks. I love me some good old fashioned masking time. The more a mask claims to do, the better. Hell, if a mask claimed to make me fly and upon landing burst into an Olivia Palmero look-alike, I'd be all over it.

Inside this particular package was the new treatment from The Pink Beauty Boutique called the Hydratone Treatment. A child of the CACI skincare line, I knew, I just KNEW it wouldn't fail to impress. And just wait until you see the mask!

First off, if you have dry/parched/Sahara like skin, you'll love this. Your skin will literally jump for joy. If your skin is just looking tired or lacking a bit of WOOHAA, this mask will also do wonders. Its super moisturising and beautifully refreshing. Plus, all you sensitive souls out there, don't fret, it will work wonders for you too.

The mask comes in two halves - one half for the forehead and eye area and the other for the lower face. Both halves are submerged in a clear, gel-like solution, so when you remove them for the packaging, they're quite slippery and a tad on the difficult side to apply. But once you get them into place on your face, heavenly skin is just around the corner.

I say that it looks like something from the future because number one; its a mask like nothing I've ever used before and number two; when I had the mask on, I looked like some sort of human robot, like one of those scary ones out of i Robot....remember that film with Will Smith? I was going to put up a picture of me with it on but couldn't, it just looks too weird! The whole time I had the mask on, my brother just sat there looking at me and asking WHY? My Mr. Lover Man didn't even batt an eyelid, he's more than used to me by now.

Weirdness aside, this mask works and that's the important thing here folks! My skin felt great for days afterwards, supple and soft. It will most certainly be a regular mask in my masking routine. And the best thing of all? The price - €6.75! Yep! Cheap-Tastic! This is going to be a great one after flights too, not in-flight though, Oh Lord no!

Get it from www.pinkbeautyboutique.ie

My current daily makeup favourites.......

2011-06-15T20:08:00.005+01:00

Although I have a shameful mound of makeup in my possession, it's only a tiny section of it I use everyday. Some beauty bits I'm faithful to and keep buying, others come and go with the tide. I'm not a fan of heavy makeup at all and prefer the 'no-makeup' look for daytime although, I do like to max it up when I'm going out or going for a meal. And when I say max it up, I don't mean false eyelashes and lashings of foundation...I just go a bit heavier on the eyes and add a pop of lippy. At the moment I'm having a daily love affair with around NINE products. I get asked a lot what I use, so you wanna take a peek??........

Clarins Skin Illusion - I'm a huge fan of foundations that give my skin a sort of, 'second-skin' appearance. I'm completely head over heels with my MAC Face & Body foundation and with Lancome Teint Miracle - read about them HERE - but this was sent to me a few months back for review, and its another winner in my foundation books. I got the Honey shade which just happens to suit my skin tone to a T! It goes on sheer, but dries ever so slightly matte. It gives a gorgeous glow to my skin and it smells DELISH! Its staying power is good enough but nothing to sing home about. But I'm only delira with the results - my skin looks like I've nothing on when I'm wearing this, and the foundation does its utmost best to hide minor imperfections... so its perfect for me! By the way, thats my dog Bobby in one of the pics above - more on him later!

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer - Im a YSL Touche Èclat girl, but lets face facts here folks, it doesn't conceal...it HIGHLIGHTS. So you cant use it to conceal under-eye circles or blemishes...unless you want to 'highlight' your blemishes that is?? Ahem. Plus, its break the bank material! So I saw this mentioned on a few beauty blogs and ran to my local boots to purchase it, and LORD, Im glad I did. Its fantastic. I was skeptical at first how such a cheapy product could deliver, but it does, and brilliantly. The only thing now, is that I cant leave the house without it. DAMN YOU ALL AT RIMMEL! It conceals perfectly but wait! Its a highlighter too! A 2 in 1 product! I haven't picked up my abandoned Touche Èclat since purchasing this beaut, so let that little bit of info do the talking. Around €7 from pharmacies nationwide.

MAC Select Moisture Cover - Another concealer, but I use this for blemishes more so than anything else. I actually have a little story to go with this. I bought this last year...got bored of it...as I do, and gave it to my Mum. She, along with friends, get all my cast offs. But around last month I was staying in my Mums and didn't bring my makeup bag, so I raided hers. And who should pop up, only my long lost MAC buddy. So...I stole it back! Don't judge! This conceals really well and lasts all day which is a major plus. Its very moisturising too, as the name suggests, so instead of looking caked on the skin, it sinks in, covering everything in its path. So glad I 'found' it again. Sorry Mum.

GOSH Brow Kit - I think this is a new addition to the GOSH range. I picked this up about a month ago and its a handy little case of 3 brow shadows, with a waxy/balm little part for keeping eyebrows in place. The colours are highly pigmented and can be blended to get the desired shade. The only bad thing about this is the application brush it comes with... it's shocking. Its the one thing that lets this product down. I actually threw out the brush and now just use a slanted liner brush for application. So listen up GOSH...change the brush! Around €12.

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes - Love these and have done since college. The crayon is smooth, well pigmented and easily smudged. There's a little sponge on one end to smudge the liner to the effect you want. I have these Quickliners in a range of colours and they're a must in my makeup bag. Above, I just used the liner to 'tight-line' my eye. Read the full review on the eyeliners and 'tight-lining' HERE! Around €17.

Rimmel Glam'Eyes Day 2 Night - Are you like me..always searching for the perfect mascara? I think every girl goes through around 10-15 mascaras a year...or maybe thats just me? I found a few good ones in my time but again, Im blown away by Rimmel. This is another 2 in 1 product from them that lives up to its claims, not a bother to it. So, you have one wand that defines and lengthens lashes and another wand to thicken and volumize. Actually, I'm not sure how the mascara works, maybe its just one wand and depending on which option you go for, the lengthening one or the volumizing one, less or more mascara is distributed on the wand. Whatever the mechanics behind it, this stuff is fantastic. I use the lenghtening one during the day and swap it up then for night. It really does separate every lash perfectly, with no clumps in sight. I usually need to wipe mascara wands with tissue before use to stop it clumping, but theres no need with this. Im seriously impressed. I got the Brown/Black shade as I find it suits my skin tone better. It doesn't flake off throughout the day either, its a keeper! I have the lengthening one on above. Around €7.

Benefit Freebies - I got these little gems free with Glamour Magazine this month...and yes....I had to buy 3 magazines to get them. Each bottle is only 4 mls in size, but that will last ages! My trusty Stainiac by the Balm ran out last week, so Im back on the Benetint radar and I forgot how much I love it. I switch between the Benetint and Posie Tint, and the High Beam is a fantastic highlighter for under the brows and around the ocular bone. Glamour Magazine is around €2.50 but hurry up and get them while you can!

Body Shop Honey Bronze in shade 03 Medium Matte - Really loving this bronzer at the moment and have been wearing it everyday. Its the most gorgeous, natural, sun-kissed shade, perfect for day-wear. Read the full review HERE!

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stains- Now, I think Max Factor have stolen the 'lip-stain' lime light for too long...it's Revlon's turn! Plus, the Revlon stains have a little something extra that had me sold......a staining felt-tip pen on one end and a balm on the other! Genius! I have the Passion shade, which is a pop-pink that can be worn as lightly or as mad as you want. The balm that comes with it is super moisturising and glossy, although it doesn't last well at all. But, the novelty of it alone is lovely! The stain itself is long wearing and they have some great shades in the range too. Around €11.

And how cute is this makeup bag? I picked it up last week in H&M for €3.50. I think its so pretty and kind of oriental. Love it!

I did this post today at my Mums house. She has the most gorgeous view of Cork City and it was such a lovely day today, so I just had to take a photo. Our dog Bobby was running around the place, being his usual mad-yoke self, jumping up on me and destroying my pants, trying to eat his little toy turkey and barking with all his might at the birds!

So, what are you using daily that you cant live without?

Skinni Peach travels to Barcelona for 1 night only with the Soooali Grand Tour.....

2011-06-13T22:22:00.002+01:00

The gorgeous Ali from www.soooali.com asked me to contribute to her little Grand Tour experiment on her blog, where she has asked some Irish bloggers to go to a European city for one night only. Ali picks the destination and gives the blogger a list of questions about what they will do when they get there. I went to Barcelona with my 2 favourite ladies! Click HERE to read it! (by the way......the trip was purely fictional folks. Nope. Ali did'nt send us all away for the night!)

Peachy/Nudy/Coral lippy lust with Topshop, YSL and NARS......

2011-06-13T12:30:00.001+01:00

I know. You probably read the heading and thought 'what?!' But the lippies in question are difficult to put under one heading. Coral, peaches and nudes are my favourite lipstick shades. I love me some pretty pink lippy and lashings of sultry red lippy too for the winter months, but I find peaches/nudes the most wearable shades and they're the shades I mostly reach for. I'm a lippy nut. You know this by now I'm sure. I have a HUGE collection and I cant seem to stop myself from adding to it. I get all tingly when I buy a lipstick.....the same kinda feeling I get with shoes....you know, that little high you get? And a girl can NEVER have too much lippy! It doesn't matter if you have insufficient funds in your bank, or nothing more than a can of beans and a box of crackers in your kitchen....you'll always find a way to get you some lippy! First up is my first purchase from the Topshop makeup line.....

Topshop Gloss Stick in Ablaze - WHY has it taken me so long to fall for the charms of Topshop makeup? I go into Topshop a lot for a snoop and always seem to pass on the makeup stand. But yesterday, I went in specifically to hang around the makeup and try EVERYTHING on my arm! The lipsticks and cream blushes were the first things I went for, and this beaut stood out the most. A super slim lipstick, which looks like a mad coral shade at first, but on the lips its a tad more subtle. I absolutely love the packaging, it looks like a higher end lipstick. Its ridiculously glossy and very pigmented. In fact, its so pigmented, it leaves a bit of a stain on the lips, so although the gloss fades the colour remains that tad bit longer. I have my greedy eyes on 4 more lipsticks, but I'm holding back...for now. I know I'm probably the last kid on the block to be raving about the line, but I'm SERIOUSLY impressed and will most DEFINITELY be purchasing a whole lotta Topshop makeup! €12 Topshop.

YSL Pur Couture Pink Coral - The image above does this shade absolutely no justice. In reality, its a rich peach shade with a hint of coral and a deliciously creamy texture, that literally saturates the lips with colour. It definitely lives up to it 'couture' tag - its out there on it own and its not a shade you'd wear everyday but when you do wear it, your lips get a whole lotta attention! €31 Brown Thomas

NARS Barbarella - This is one of my favourite lipsticks. Out of my mound of lippies, only a few have my heart completely, and this is one of them. My Mr Lover Man bought me this in the States last year. I actually wrote about it on the blog a few months back, but this deserves a second post. The lipstick at first glance is the most gorgeous peach colour, but when its applied to the lips, it gives a beautiful sheer, nude tint with just a glimpse of peach. Like the YSL above, its another super creamy lippy, but this one is more on the glossy side. I absolutely LOVE this lipstick, its one of my cult products. I've also put this on my cheeks to give them a peachy glow and it works a treat! The packaging, as with all NARS products, is just the BOMB - very simple, but its a winner for me. You can get your paws on it from www.narscosmetics.eu for €25. But be warned....this site is DANGEROUS!!!

Freebie Alert!!! A free Jemma Kidd lipgloss with Red Magazine

2011-06-09T14:43:00.005+01:00

I don't usually reach for Red Magazine, but after reading the fab MakeupSavvy blog during the week, I made it my mission to get a copy, or TWO, of the July issue. Which, I must say, the beauty section this month is fantastic, if not too short. So, back to the freebie - a Jemma Kidd High-Shine Silk Touch Lip Gloss. If you're a regular reader of this here blog, you'll know well by now, I'm not fond of gloss. Sticky stuff. Although, a few glosses have surprised me and these freebies don't fail to impress either. Then again, they are by Jemma Kidd - her makeup line has graced the pages of top glossy magazines, with great reviews in tow and I've often pondered about investing in the line. But now, based on the results from the lip glosses, I shall most definitely be buying her stuff......in fact, after the swatches below, I've even made an aul' wishlist for myself!

You have a choice of 3 shades - pink petal, red and a coral shade. I stood in Super Valu for at least 15 minutes, trying to decide between the pink and the red - which one would I wear more, is the red just a tad too red, is the pink too nude...GAH! So I bought 2 copies. You're talking €4.50 ish for the magazine, depending on where you go, and the glosses themselves are worth £14 each.

As I mentioned above - I'm impressed. There's not one bit of gloopy-ness in sight and they're seriously pigmented, so a little goes a very long way. They give a fantastic high gloss shine to the lips and can be layered for a more dramatic effect. The gloss wand is the perfect size to distribute even amounts of the product and the consistency of it is just right. The gloss feels almost like a balm on the lips, smooth and soft.

The Pink Petal shade is very wearable and will be renting a space in my handbag for a while. Its fresh and feminine, great for day wear. Although in the pic below it looks to be more on the nude side, it's actually a soft,powder-pink shade.

The Red on the other hand will only be coming out to play on nights out, maybe to jazz up a simple LBD. I'm a huge fan of red lippy, but this gloss just screams off my face! Even when applied lightly, its still a showstopper. In the below pics I applied it lightly then layered it, just so you can see the effect.

And now, for my Jemma Kidd wishlist....pass me the credit card!!!

Blushwear Creme Cheek Colour

Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme

Hi-shine Hydrating Glosstick SPF 15

So these are the main things I want from the latest collection. I think they'd fit perfectly in my makeup bag! I love the packaging of the line too, especially on the lippy above.

So, what do you think of the glosses? Will you be legging it out the door to get this months Red Magazine? What about the rest of the makeup line? Check out more of it on http://www.jemmakidd.com/

Dress Candy from Dunne Boutique...aka...DUNNES STORES!!

2011-06-02T15:48:00.000+01:00

Yep...you read right, Dunnes Stores! It's not a place I'd go for dresses ever, but snooping around there last week for socks and pj's, I came across these beauts. They didn't look much on the hanger but aren't they the dresses that always surprise you! So, I was going to just hang them on my door like above and take pictures of them, but then my friend said, "Sure put them on and do an outfit post!"....Now, I've often pondered about doing an outfit post, but I ain't no fashion expert and thought it was best left to the professionals, like Irish fashion bloggers BeckyDazzler and Anouska Proetta Brandon. But then I thought "Sure, why not?"....so I did. GAH! After the cut is a little outfit post....nothing fancy now mind you....oooooh, I'm all nervous now!

This dress doesn't come with a belt - I teamed it with a peachy one from Warehouse. It has a cute row of buttons that start at the centre of the back and the sleeves are actually long, I've just rolled them up here.

So theres my first outfit post! Not sure if there will be more, but this was FUN! Fair play to Dunnes Stores eh?

CULT product alert! 3 Custom Color Clarifying Eye Pencil....

2011-05-31T11:29:00.001+01:00

British beauty site cultbeauty.co.uk is my favourite place to search for new products to add to my wishlist. It's a trove of cult products, that really do what they say on the tin. This eye pencil was one of my first purchases from the site - and it didnt fail to impress...

Clarifying pencils can be tricky and most that claim to 'brighten' the eye are whitish or pinky in colour, which I find impossible to master. I find them too much of a contrast on my eye - a pasty white line on my lower lid, that's supposed to make me look wide eyed, but instead makes me look like an ejit - and a sick looking one at that. 3 Custom Color Clarifying Eye Pencil knocks all these wanna-be eye brighteners out of the water, you seriously cant go wrong with it. Instead of the usual chalky white shade, this pencil is flesh coloured, therefore, it isn't as obvious, it does its job in a more discreet manner.

This pen is fantastic for those hung-over days, those days when you got only 2 hours sleep the night before and those days when you just look crap, no matter how much makeup you pile on your face! Before use, I usually warm the pencil a bit between my fingers or even for a millisecond against the radiator - it softens the waxy texture of the pencil, which makes it easier to glide along the lower lid. The pencil can also be used to hide minor blemishes and broken veins. Its a great one for perfecting the cupids bow on your upper lip and also for highlighting the arch of your brow. A small little pencil with all these uses, it's seriously worth it. I use mine almost every day and its had a secure place in my makeup bag for over a year now....not many products last that long in there and live to tell the tale! Its won a mound of beauty awards and Angelina herself is a fan, so now! I got mine for £13.50 from www.cultbeauty.co.uk - which may seem a bit steep for an pencil, once you convert to Euro and pay for postage, but trust me folks, this gem is worth your dosh. Take a look at it on my lower lid below...

Something for the weekend...Cutest Video EVER - Momma cat hugs her kitten having a nightmare....

2011-05-28T19:55:00.000+01:00

Sweet like Honey! The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder....

2011-05-28T12:42:00.003+01:00

I am...or was, a die hard fan of M.A.C matte bronzing powder and have been faithful to it since college, but I got my beauty obsessed paws on this beaut and I'm impressed..........

I've been trying out the Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder in 03- Medium Matte. Its the perfect shade for my skin and gives a gorgeous natural finish, sort of sun-kissed instead of bronzed. There's not one bit of shimmer in this, which I like - it gives a smooth matte finish. I think this shade is perfect for day time wear if you want a subtle glow and not a, 'I've just applied my makeup with a shovel' look. When applying bronzer, I sweep it down each side of my face using a number 3 sweep, starting in the center of the forehead, to the center of the cheek, to the tip of the chin. I then sweep a tad down the bridge of my nose. These are the areas the sun hits your face. Its a tip I picked up on ELLEUK TV. It may sound like a mad technique, but bronzer should be used lightly and if used lightly enough, you'll get the technique right. I've used it as a bronzed blush too and the results are lovely. Because the shade is so natural, it's hard to go wrong when applying it really. There are four shades available, with each containing Community Fair Trade honey from Ethiopia, beeswax from Cameroon and marula oil from Namibia, all for €20.50. Check out the swatch below...

The Animalier Collection by Dolce & Gabbana Make Up....

2011-05-25T16:30:00.000+01:00

Are you ready for a complete leopard print SWOONFEST?? Heres the new bronzer from the Animalier range by Dolce & Gabbana. Don't think I could actually use this, I think it would best be framed on my wall where I would drool over it every day!

A prescription from Dr. Denim....the jeans maker!

2011-05-25T15:57:00.000+01:00

I'm going to be buried in my skinny jeans, thats how much I love them. Some may say they've had their day, but I'm gonna wear mine till death...or until I can get away with it. I own too many altogether from the likes of Zara to River Island to Topshop, but I HATE shopping for them, they have to be the hardest item of clothing to get right. Until now. The best skinny's I've come across to date are the Dr. Denim brand (thanks Aisling!). My God, what a pair of jeans. They hug every curve and although they've faded a bit since I've first bought them, they still look fantastic after every wash. They fit absolutely perfectly. With prices starting at €55 they're fantastic value, cheaper than most of the highstreet brands. These jean makers know their stuff. You can get yourself a life-changing pair at Brown Thomas. Here some of my favorites from the new collection......

www.drdenimjeans.com

Beauty in the clouds.....

2011-05-25T14:09:00.000+01:00

For the first summer in YEARS...I'm not jetting off to some exotic location and its killing me. Last year it was Australia, the year before Malaysia and before that was Egypt. This year, I'll be lucky if I see Kerry, unless my lover man decides to whisk me off somewhere pretty! (hint hint Mr. Lover Man....that's yooooou I'm talking to!) When it comes to packing, I'll hold my hands up and admit...I'm the worst. I'm a just in-caser. I bring EVERYTHING! Then I stress that I've brought too much, but refuse to lighten the load...you know...just in case like! However, when it comes to packing my beauty kit for the plane, I do it with military precision. The plane journey can wreak havoc with your skin, so you need to have a little party of skin saviors at the ready. Now, if you're taking a short hop, skip and a jump across to the likes of the UK or somewhere close in Europe, you probably wont need a whole lot on the plane. But if you're lucky enough to be jetting off somewhere a few thousand more miles away (DAMN YOU!!), a kit is something you shall definitely need!

It feels a bit strange doing a post on sunny getaways for the Summer when as a write this, November might as well be the month we're in right now, grey, cold and wet. But we'll soldier on!

Below are a few of my must haves for a plane journey............

Mòa Green Balm - this little pot of balmy goodness comes all the way from Iceland, has just EIGHT ingredients and is fantastic for dry patches, chapped lips, cuticles etc. Most beauty writers and bloggers would have Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream as their number one balm, but I don't see why really. The ingredients in it just ain't the greatest - the main one is Mineral Oil....one of the cheapest ingredients on the planet! Mòa sinks straight into the skin and does what it says on the tin. I reviewed this in one of my very first posts and its definitely a cult product in my books. It can also be used as a deep cleanser. If I'm on a long haul flight, I'll have a face cloth with me too and before landing I'll have myself a mini hot cloth cleanse in the loo. Just smear and massage the balm into skin and buff off with the hot facecloth. Lovely, soft, cleansed skin is a givin! And before you say, "ah sure, I wouldn't be doing that now in a plane loo in fairness!", why not? It takes 5 minutes to cleanse, moisturise and lash on some concealer and mascara, 5 MINUTES! www.lovelula.com - €5.75

Figs & Rouge Rambling Rose 100% Organic Balm - You can use the above as a lip balm too but I like to have a separate one and this organic beaut is fantastic. If you read this blog regularly you'll know that I'm a lip balm nut!! This one is one of the best I've tried at tackling chapped lips. The vintage inspired tin alone had me sold! I prefer to use balms without petroleum based moisturisers in it as petroleum can actually dry the lips out more. In this tin you have, organic sunflower oil, organic shea butter, organic beeswax, organic rosehip oil, organic calendula extract, organic rose geranium essential oil and nothing else! Theres a gorgeous scent to it too, Rose and Geranium. www.lovelula.com - €4

Purederm Anti-Wrinkle Gel Patches - For €3.99, you seriously wont find a better bargain for your eyes. These patches are moist and gel-like on one side and have a cotton feel to the other. They're half-moon in shape so fit around the ocular bone area perfectly. The gel side is placed onto the skin and you can leave them there all through the flight, if you couldn't care less about the weird stares and the "state of yer one!" gasps. I use these all the time anyway and find them very effective. They reduce those little fine dehydration lines and moisturise the eye area beautifully. I have sensitive eyes and these don't irritate them one bit. To get the full effect, these need to be used regularly, but from the first use you'll see a difference. For €3.99 you get 8 patches which is fantastic value. If you're looking to try something new, get these beauts. You'll get them in pharmacies nationwide.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eye Roll-On - Another great eye product for bags under your eyes the size of suitcases! This has a little roller ball device for sweeping under the eyes. Paraben free, it uses Dextran and Escin, which helps to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags and although it claims to banish dark circles, I cant really vouch for that...I'm not sure anything can get rid of dark circles, except a good concealer. But this does work well in the de-puffing and cooling department. You'll get this in pharmacies and Boots. (Cant remember the price though, apologies folks!)

Eau Thermale D'Uriage - A new french brand on the block is Uriage with its magic thermal water in tow. This thermal water spray is the bomb for dry, tired skins. It can be sprayed around the eyes and even over makeup to set it. Its great after cleansing and its the job on flights too. Just spray it all over your face for an instant pick-me-up. This is 100% pure thermal 'isotonic' water, which means its in complete balance with the skin, respecting it completely. You might wonder, "sure why would ya waste your money on water when you can just get it out of the tap?" Well, because this thermal water is seriously rich in minerals and trace elements, which instantly soothes and repairs the skin. I'm a huge fan of facial sprays and this one deserves a shot. Its only €5 for a travel friendly 100mls and you can get it from pharmacies nationwide.

Clippers White Tea - a dehydrated body leads to dehydrated skin, lips and eye bags. White Tea is one of those super teas that hydrates whilst packing in a huge amount of anti-oxidants on the way. I don't know about you, but on long haul flights I'm always gasping...and cold! Tea is the only way to go! I bring my own tea bags nearly everywhere with me and these are the nicest white tea ones I've found. Read my review of White Tea here. You'll get Clippers in Tesco or in health food stores for around €1.99 for 20 bags.

And those are the main things I'd recommend...along with the usuals like your favourite moisturiser, hand cream, wipes, hand sanitizer and a cooling foot spray. Eucerin do some fantastic face creams that work like a dream on dehydrated skin. Their bog standard face cream with 5% Urea is one of my favourites from the line for plane journeys, but if you don't fancy buying another moisturiser on top of the one you have, just pop some of the one you use into a small tub for the journey and re-apply throughout the flight. Oh and don't forget your toothbrush......and a spare knickers!

What are your must-haves for a plane journey?

Beauty & The Blog....a feature I did for RSVP Magazine, highlighting my fav beauty blogs...

2011-05-25T10:45:00.000+01:00

See any of your favourites above?

On Trial @ Skinni Peach - Soft Sole Exfoliating Foot Peel

2011-05-17T17:11:00.001+01:00

Theres a new foot product in town - Soft Sole. If you have cracked heels or hard skin on your feet, apparently this is the yoke-a-bob for you. I don't really have either of those problems, but I'll gladly try it out...not a bother! All in the name of Skinni Peach!
The method behind it is interesting - basically you apply the Soft Sole solution to your feet, pop on the socks provided and leave it get to work for 2 hours. After the two hours you wash it off and follow with the provided moisturiser. Within 3-7 days, the skin on your feet starts to peel, revealing sparkly new skin underneath. After two weeks you have feet like you had before all the high heels and crappy shoes, smooth and silky. The ingredients that do the job are, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lemon Extract and Vitamin E which are the creme de la creme of ingredients for encouraging the shedding and exfoliation of dead skin. I'm INTRIGUED if not a little freaked out...check out the pics below, jaysis! But I'm going ahead with it.....keep your pretty eyes peeled for the result!

These are a few of my favourite things....

2011-05-17T16:19:00.001+01:00

My wardrobe is home to a mound of possessions. We're talking around 40 belts, lots of shoes, a good few dresses, another few blazers and too many skinny jeans. I would actually have a lot more to sing and dance about if I didn't have a quarterly clean out. I'm a bit weird like that. I buy a few new things and my old (old as in, 3 months old) bits are tossed to one side, or adopted by a certain friend. Then I meet this friend with my once loved clothes, looking gorgeous and then, I vow never to give another garment away again, whilst plotting how to get back what I gave her! GAH! One thing I have a lot of is Clutches. I cant get enough of them and spend a tad too much on them! I have small clutches, over sized clutches, little boxy clutches and clutches too pretty to use! I've picked out some of my current favourite squeezes, along with a pair of shoes that I bought nearly 3 years ago, which are only now being introduced to the world....

First up is this cute-a-ful and classic box clutch. You cant fit much into it but who cares! Its similar to the Bottega Veneta and Alexander McQueen clutches that every celeb seems to have in their grasp on the red carpet, but this beaut is from Accessorize. I love the little jaguar clasp and the snake skin detail. This bag is a mini investment buy that can glam up a plain dress, or a pair of skinny's, coupled with a statement ring.

I got this bag from my lover man for Valentines day. I saw it in River Island and stood there, feeling it and swooning over it for around 20 mins....It had to be MINE! For River Island, the quality is seriously good and I get compliments on it everywhere I go. I like how it can be held, either with the handle or as a clutch. There's also long straps that can be attached if you want to wear it over the shoulder. The inside lining it stunning too, a silky grey leopard pattern. Also, stitched into lining is a little label which reads, "Love conquers hate. What is obtained through love is retained for all time. Recognise the law of love". This bag is perfect for work if you feel like dolling it up a bit and its gorgeous with jeans too.

I got this bag only last week in Warehouse and its one of my favourites already. Its one of those bags that can be worn for day time or night. It has a simple twisty clasp and the inside is very simple too, with the trademark Warehouse logo etched into a mini bronzed plaque, sewed on the inside. The outside feels super soft to the touch and a lot more expensive than it was. This is going to go with most things in my wardrobe and its a lovely one for summer.

Lastly, are these mad looking shoes I got 3 years ago. They literally jumped off the shelves into my arms. I swear! Tis' true! These look gorgeous on the feet and are actually very comfortable. I think the heels look a bit like candy and they draw a few confused glances..."how the hell is she walking on those?!" They're from the Miss L-Fire range - www.misslfire.com. I bought them in a sale after the summer and put them away to wear them the next summer....yeah.....I packed them away so good I only rediscovered them a month ago!

Ch Ch Ch Changes.....

2011-05-16T16:33:00.000+01:00

Hey folks....Just a quick post to let ya'll know, Skinni Peach is under construction at the mo. I changed it around last week, but the blogger network decided to have a freak attack and all my changing around was LOST! Yep. So I had to do it all again, but its taking a bit of time. Have lots more to add to it, but take a look around and let me know what you think!

Makeup Bag......what's exactly in mine?

2011-05-11T10:38:00.005+01:00

Makeup. Tis a strange thing when you really think of it. Slapping on chemically rich foundation to create a second skin, shading in and drawing on eyebrows and coating lashes with even more chemically drenched gunk. If you asked a woman to go a week without her beloved makeup bag, that's including nights out at the weekend, there would be war! Would I do it? Nope. I'd do without everything EXCEPT mascara and lippy...oh and my eyebrow stuff....and blusher....oh and...nope, couldn't do it! What does that say about me? Does it mean I'm not comfortable with my own natural look? I don't think so. Some use makeup as a mask, others as a tool to 'enhance' what they have. I fall into the enhancing category and use the bare amount. Now, I'm not completely reliant on it either, you wouldn't catch me wearing makeup in the gym or out walking or hanging around the house. However, if I'm popping to the shops for something I'd definitely lash on a bit of mascara. I absolutely hate the feel of heavy foundation on my face and I keep it minimal on the eyes too. Blusher and mascara are my saviors for daytime and make me look alive. For night time I splash out. Lippies are my best friends here and I splash out on them something awful....think I'm obsessed! I'm also a bit obsessed when it comes to mascara...I think most girls are. It's like this constant quest to find the perfect one.....I have about 5 on the go at the moment... RIDICULOUS! I've only showcased 3 here though. Same with lippies......have a mound of them but have just let a few out to play for this post. What you'll see below is a collection of makeup I have living in two makeup bags. In the pink bag above I keep my daily bits including my skincare loves and the floral bag houses my night-time bits.....tis' going to be a long post folks.....

So, above are some of my current squeezes. Let me take you on a journey through each department.....

Eyes....

Yep....theres whole lot of eye-product-lovin' going on here. I'm mad about eyeliners and in the first pic you'll see Clinique Quickliners for eyes - Ive been using these since my college days and probably will be for life! Eyebrows are seriously important in any makeup regime and I use Clinique Instant Lift for Brows to shape them up and fill in any gaps....super stuff. A new addition to my bag is Rimmel Perfect Match for Eyes - this stuff is fantastic. Its an eye concealer and highlighter in one and is my new morning saviour for eyes, plus its seriously cheap. At the end of the first pic is the 3 Custom Clarifying eye pencil - its a flesh coloured pencil for the inside lower lid - brilliant for early mornings and gives and effortless wide eye effect. Love my gel eyeliners for night-time flicks too, above I have a brown one from Essence and a black Maybelline Eyestudio gel eye liner - both cheap, both last well, both fantastic. Not a huge fan of eye shadows, but I'm loving the YSL Pure Chromatics above. They can be used wet or dry. Either way, they're seriously rich in pigment and are pure luxury! Mascara wise, lately I've been trying out L'oreals Volume Million Lashes in Brown after seeing it in a 'whats in my bag' feature in Red Magazine.....It was in 3 handbags and I was sold. For the record...I see why, this stuff is mascara heaven! For reviews on Clinique Quickliners see here. For review on The Balms Shady Lady eyeshadow, click here.

Lips......

You can probably see from above...I stick to the same colours, nude, pinks, reds and peaches. The first two are the new Revlon Just a Bitten tints. I was a die hard fan of the Max Factor Lipfinity tints but Revlon came in and stole my lippie heart. These ones have a tint on one end and a lip balm on the other! Genius! I've done reviews on most of these beauts....for YSL Pur Couture, Bobbi Brown, Clinique and Lancome click here. For NARS click here. The rest will have their own reviews soon!

Skin - Foundation and Skincare........

The first pic has my 3 fav foundations of the moment. Mac Face and Body, Lancome Teint Miracle and Clarins Skin Illusions. All 3 are beautiful on the skin and give a second skin illusion - very sheer in coverage but seriously long lasting. I couldn't pick a favourite here! The second pic has my beloved Kimberly Sayer Anti-Oxidant Daily Moiturizing Cream SPF 25, which is seriously moisturising with some lovely natural ingredients. Theres the Clarins UV Plus Ecran Multi Protection SPF 40 too, for an extra bit of protection on the days when I'm outside more. Its' a completely mineral based sunscreen instead of chemical, using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, so the UV rays just bounce straight off the face. Theres also some trilogy up there - the Age Proof serum and Q10 facial oil. Both are still in the reviewing stage but so far so F A B! You cant beat Trilogy, the brand never lets me down. Lastly theres a water spray by Avene. Its great to use after cleansing and to set your makeup too! The Aveda Toning Mist is still in the review stage and its gorgeous so far, if not a tad hard to master. Then theres the Fruitful Nights Moisturiser by the Green People - read the review here.

Tools....

Meh. Nothing major here. I know what they say...tools are important in creating the perfect makeup finish, but I've never really invested. Maybe I should, but I've been doing fine without them to be honest! Above at the end, I have a Clinique powder brush which I love. Its so soft, doesn't shed all over my skin and distributes bronzer perfectly. The foundation brush is a cheapy from Boots Eco collection, but I usually just go old school and use my fingers. I find the makeup blends into my skin better this way as the heat of my fingers melts the makeup a tad. Makeup brushes tend to just sweep the makeup around my face. There's also a blusher brush there from KENT Brushes, who have the title of the best made brushes in the world. It's a brush. It does the job. Although I wont lie, the title sold me! Then there's a lip brush, eyeshadow brushes from Sephora and MAC and a Catrice Gel Eyeliner brush which has a bent tip for super easy application.

Powders........

As you can see, I kinda have a crush on MAC powders. The first is their Mineralize Skin Finish Powder in Medium Plus. This is fantastic for setting makeup and it gives a gorgeous flawless finish. Sometimes, if I'm not in the mood for foundation, I'll sweep a bit of this over my skin to smooth it out, whilst adding a bit of colour. Next is their Matte Bronzer which gives a natural, light tanned, non-shimmery finish. Good stuff. Lastly from MAC is a blusher in Pinch O' Peach. I'm constantly on the lookout for the perfect blush and I haven't really found it yet. This shade is pretty, more pinky than peachy though, but its a shade that will suit most skin tones. You can wear it as light and barely there as you like or go the complete opposite, it's seriously pigmented. And at the end is NARS Orgasm Blusher......I don't really like this at all, but I waited so many years to get it, it ain't going anywhere yet! I just can't seem to let it go! Read my review on it here.

So there you have it! But beware....ALL the above products are subject to change in my makeup bag at ANY given time. I'm a fickle kinda girl!

Something for the weekend.......

2011-05-06T13:49:00.000+01:00

Picked myself up a mound of magazines yesterday, including my bible, ELLE of course and InStyle, a mag I would usually buy, but the smart InStyle folk twisted my rubber arm and just MADE me buy it by offering me, a free Nails Inc varnish. Theres 3 shades to choose from, Electric Teel, a bright coral colour and a nude colour (not sure of their individual names). I went with the Electric Teal...have tons of the other shades already! I've never ventured into the Nails Inc varnish relm, but I'm impressed. You get perfect coverage with just one application and the colour is seriously rich and true to what you see in the bottle. Will definitely be investing in some more Nails Inc! Get you June edition of InStyle for this freebie, the varnish usually retails at around €11!

What do you think of the shade?