Make Up MVP's

While you not have the entourage of Rhianna (yet) you can definitely build an arsenal of products that work perfectly and tirelessly throughout the day to keep you looking Yonce flawless. Makeup is my guilty pleasure, and of all my collections, gets updated the most regularly. I am constantly on the hunt for the next best product that will just bring me to entirely new levels of fleek.

Within my over flowing makeup bag I have a few MVP's that deserve a shout out. Starting with the newest first:

1. Sleek cream to powder oil free foundation.

I love Sleek for their range of products specially tailored to women of colour. I have been looking for a contour powder for a while now, I had a mac concealer but felt that it wasn't quite right. The other day on a Superdrug binge I came across this. It is usually a cream foundation but when purchased in darker shades works perfectly for contour. It's light air whipped texture means it is so easy to expertly buffer and blend. Another thing I REALLY like about it is that because it is a cream, you can apply with lip gloss to your lips to give them a great nude tone for darker skin tones. Yaas honey. 2 in one thats my jam. You can get this at £7.99 Superdrug Buy 

2. Real Techniques foundation brush

These brushes are such a great price and really compare well in quality to the more expensive Mac brushes. This one is fluffy yet firm and it is the perfect weight to buffer in contour and foundation.

Just make sure you wash regularly to retail fluffiness. I use super drugs, B cosmetics brush cleaner spray.

Brush £8.99

3. Bare Minerals Liquid Foundation

Ok so what I wanted was a foundation which looked flawless, was undetectable and covered blemishes. I had heard of bare minerals products before , but stayed away because I thought they had very little coverage and were mainly for people with near perfect skin. How wrong I was...

My main reason for foundation is to cover my uneven skin tone (hyper pigmentation ) and dark marks, I just happened past the bare minerals counter and on a whim thought- let's see what you got.

The makeup artist suggested liquid for me, which is in line with the natural dewy finish I love. The foundation used is called, Bare Minerals Brightening Serum Foundation, and is applied with an unusual buffer brush- this brush is crucial for application, and although I was sceptical about paying out for new foundation plus brush, now I have applied it at home, I can guarantee this to be a needed component. The brush just makes it ridiculously flawless and easy to apply.

How I used it

To prep -

Moisturiser : Mac Strobe Cream

Primer : Mac Natural Radiance (yellow tone)

Application

Foundation : Shake the bare minerals foundation well, as it does not contain mixants, drop 2 -3 drops in the centre of the brush, and then buffer on in circular motion. Add more drops and buffer as needed.I was so impressed with the level of coverage this foundation gives , all the while looking and feeling lightweight- like I had nothing on!

Bare Minerals Liquid Foundation £20.80 Feel Unique Buy

4. Mac Pro Long Wear Concealer.

When this product says pro long wear it does not lie. I love the long lasting nature of this because I really hate when my scars start to show through.This product is perfect for layering over foundation to cover scars or hyper pigmentation. Although it is a small bottle it really does last long. One small pump can cover all my scars, use with a fluffy concealer brush and lightly buffer in to cover blemishes. 

£17.50 House of Fraser Buy

5. Mac Prep & Prime Finishing Powder.

I have recently started to use this for my highlight, similar to the way that people use Ben Nye Banana powder (which I also have). This is great for lighter skin tones and those who perhaps want a more dramatic night time look. To apply, lighty tap out powder, and use a sponge to apply generously on your highlight concealer. Let sit whilst you move on to your contour, once you are done brush off the excess powder with a fluffy brush.

£20.50 House of Fraser Buy

6. Avon Luxe Collection Eyeshadow

Subtle golds, pinks and corals, this is a great go to day time palette. 6 shades of eyeshadow compacts available with complimenting rose gold edition mascara, for a subtle yet dramatic look.

Rose Gold Edition Mascara £9.00

Lux Eyeshadow Compact £10

Gorgeous wallet by Ted Baker. This came with my pink Shopper Bag. Trimmed in rose gold, this handy clutch is included with bag purchases. I often bring it with me on nights out and get complimented on it so much. It is very strong and versatile as far as blending into outfits. Ted Baker They are now doing a glittery version of this clutch. Shop the collection of bags here

BallyGarry House Hotel and Spa Review Part 1

Looking out on to the backdrop of rolling hills, tall grass, trees and mountains, I sit in a white pod, engulfed in cushions, courted by the sweet melody of classical music and utterly content.  Living in London, one of the busiest cities in the world, 'content' is not a feeling that I regularly experience. London is all about the next, the hustle, getting there- being first. It is a place where 'room for improvement' is the constant grade and for the most part I love it- yet ever so often I have to escape. So here I am, in Tralee Kerry Ireland at the BallyGarry Hotel and Spa. 

After last nights partying till 4 am during the annual Listowel Races Ladies day, Kieran and I opted against round two of madness in Dublin for the All Ireland Final and instead opted to recharge. We booked easily online in minutes via the BallyGarry House website: http://www.ballygarryhouse.com . Choosing their overnight spa deal we received  2 nights for 2 people, with Breakfast, Dinner and 50 euro off a spa treatment each included for only £211.

I know - what the heck?! Almost too good to be true, but when we reached the lobby of the 4 star hotel and were were greeted by really warm staff I realised that today, we had booked well. 

                               

Decorated in soothing neutral tones our room boasted A king sized bed, 4 chair seating area, large modern stone bathroom with a bath and separate shower and a real coffee machine (this sealed the deal for me). 

After getting settled we headed to the spa to book a treatment for the next day with the beautiful, friendly and so helpful spa host Bonnie. Treatments range from beauty (tanning, nails, facials) to Aromatherapy, massages and detoxing wraps. My back has been at me so I booked a hot stone back massage for 45 minutes this was £70 but with our voucher it was £20 difference to pay.  

Once booked we were then free to head to the facilities - which are breath taking. An in ground out door hot tub over looks the Kerry hills, a shower with 3 settings - including 'mist' preps you for the " Herbal Glass Sauna,  a dry sauna described as "a traditional dry sauna experience with intensifying dry heat, infused with herbal essences to induce a deep state of relaxation". I found that the dry heat soothed my muscle aches. The view of the hot tub and hills are visible from the dry sauna, and I soaked in the back drop as the stress left my body. Next: "The Crystal Steam Room", where Humid heat and colour therapy is enhanced with eucalyptus essence to improve restoration  and detoxify the body". The Crystal Steamroom is a refreshing change after the dry heat, this room and I definitely noticed that the infused humid air was great for my breathing.

Top tip:  I usually use saunas as a chance to deep condition my hair. The heat is great for penetrating hair follicles. As this was a last minute trip I didn't have my conditioning stuff so regrettably missed out on this hair treat experience but it's a great tip for next time you're at a spa ;) 

After some time in the wet sauna  we headed to the relaxation room which over looks a beautiful garden, set In front of the famous Kerry mountains. Here there are large pods, water, ice, berry juice and magazines. As spa music plays my body finally switched gear into relaxation mode. And here my loves I must leave you, sleep is calling.

Stay tuned for my part 2 , on my treatment, dinner and breakfast.

Cocktails at 45 Park Lane Hotel

Cocktails in a hotel lobby are a great way to get the tourist experience in London without actually spending half your rent in a hotel in London. I actually prefer hotel bars to the actual hotel room. The hotel bar is like dating before the relationship, the hotel is on its best sparkly behaviour, it's guests are at their most interesting and no matter what your budget, the decor is the same for the prince as it is for the pauper. That and the fact that when you stay in a hotel room, all you is sleep and shower- the essential boring stuff. In a hotel bar you talk, laugh, drink and drink some more.

So long as we are evaluating hotel bars the 45 Park Lane, is a great place to go. Set on actual park lane, we now enter premium Monopoly board territory.

I had always seen its impressive artists Art Deco exterior and wanted to go in, and so the other day, I decided I would.

The bar is upstairs, the seating is comfy, the colours warm and the art engaging.

The staff are friendly and come around with bowls and bowls of delicious butter salt garlic popcorn as well as offering great service.

I ordered my signature Margharita love, and being a tequila fanatic found it to be exquisite.

It had soft jazz playing in the lobby, and all in all - if this was a date with 45 Park Lane, I would certainly be up for a second, and perhaps even up for a hotel room...