Urban Decay Beauty Box

Hello beauties!

I am soo sorry this post has taken so long to publish – I wrote this last week however my computer and internet crashed and have only just had the chance to get back online to HIT the publish button! I hope you enjoy this review post and from now on I will be back on track with my 1 or 2 posts a week!

I hope you are all well and enjoying the New Year, it’s been pretty chilly where I am and we even had a bit of snow on Saturday! I haven’t posted in a while because I’ve been pretty hectic at work and been going away of weekends a lot recently – I have been reading a lot of your blog posts on my travels though and have finally found a bit of time to start writing some new posts.

You may have read on my last post about the reviews that were to come on some of the gorgeous Christmas gifts I received and this will be one of them. This post is going to be all about my Urban Decay beauty box that I was very lucky to receive….

I absolutely adore this brand and although it is quite new to the UK market I am crazy for it and the products, so opening this beauty of a little purple box on Christmas day was a real excitement. There were 3 products within this including the All Nighter – Makeup Setting Spray, Naked2 Eye shadow Palette and Naked Flushed contour palette.

Naked Flushed - Streak

Now I love this palette, it’s very simple and basic – yet the colours match my skin tone perfectly. It includes a bronzer, highlighter and blusher (which for me I find perfect for a quick contour for everyday/ work based makeup). All three powders are very light on the skin, and can be built up quite easily for a thicker, fuller coverage – so depending on where I am going and what I am doing it’s very easy to create different looks. However if I was to pick out a negative for this product it would be that the highlighter is quite shimmery so if applied a little to thickly or too much you would look a bit like a Christmas bauble so just a tip – use a little and spread.



Naked 2 Palette

This palette was one of the first things that I wrote on my list to “Santa” – I love playing about with makeup and creating different looks, after reading a few other bloggers reviews this looked the perfect palette to create so many types of smoky eyes and looks. The shades are just soo pretty with a combination of matte and metallic shades, I have used this since Christmas day and can’t say there has been a combination that I haven’t been happy with. A few of my favourite shades are Half baked, Bootycall, Pistol and YDK. If you have this palette what are your favourite shades or combinations for a smoky eye – I’d love to try some of your ideas!?

All Nighter - Make-up Setting Spray

I have always been looking for a product that would make my makeup last on a night out, without making me look cakey or oily – which I find most primers can do after long use. However this spray is the most perfect thing ever created, once all your makeup is complete all you need to do is spray a few spritz onto your face in an ‘X’ and ‘T’ motion and BAM your makeup will be perfect until you remove with cleanser. It is a very lightweight spray and you don’t feel sticky or residue on the skin either which is great. I know it’s a sin to sleep with your makeup on but I wanted to give this spray the ultimate test so on New Years when I used this spray, I slept in my makeup and I can honestly admit when I woke up (minus the headache and feeling sick) my face was absolutely fine – smoky eye, eyeliner the lot – I looked ready for round 2 ha-ha. So I would 100% recommend this makeup setting spray to anyone who likes their makeup to last all night without having to go for toilet breaks to top the face up.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this and I will hopefully speak to you all soon J

Feel free to ask me anything xxx

A festive Christmas Tag

A perfect little blog today, I saw this Christmas tag on a few blogs and thought it was so festive and cute that I would do it myself on Christmas day. So now I am fully over indulged on turkey, veg, pigs in blankets and sweets and chocolates galore here goes…

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?
 I absolutely love Elf, although it’s a Christmas movie I can happily sit and watch it all year round – no matter how many times I’ve seen it I will still be crying of laughter all the way along. The other is The Holiday, I just love the story line and it’s such a feel-good movie and gets me ready for Christmas PLUS I have a keen eye for Jude Law (who doesn’t).

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
First thing Christmas morning! I usually get woken up by my three younger siblings at the crack of dawn and the excitement begins – we had a bit of a lay-in today 8am compared to 05:30 last year!! We then sit in a circle on the floor with our piles that Santa left and take it in turns to open one each youngest to oldest.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
My favourite Christmas memory (even though there is many) is when my little sister was still quite ickle and decided to eat one of the chocolates hanging on the tree when no-one was looking, then later on Christmas day we could see chocolate melting down the tree, as it turned out she had taken a bite and quickly chucked it back in the tree when someone came in. We still remind her of it every year.

4. Favourite festive food?
It has to be the pigs in blankets, they just melt in my mouth…. But then I do have a real sweet tooth and although I don’t eat Christmas pudding my mum usually buys me GU chocolate pudding or profiteroles.

5. Favourite Christmas gift?
This is really hard to choose one overall, but my favourite Christmas gift of this year would have to be the full collection of Real Techniques brushes (a review blog will come soon, I promise). But then my mum still does me a stocking, which is always some small bits and bobs like my favourite fluffy socks and chocolate coins.

6. Favourite Christmas scent?
My favourite Christmas scent has to be the turkey, slow-roasting in the oven throughout the day – it’s the best smell in the morning when the Christmas songs are on and we’re opening the presents.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
We don’t tend to have a tradition, but my grandparents come down Christmas eve and stay overnight – we usually just watch the soaps, and then me and mum are usually manically wrapping the presents like little elves… however we were more prepared this year and managed to sit down with a drink and just relax for the evening.

8. What tops your tree?
We have a china-faced angel on the top of the tree, it has been the decoration on the top of the tree ever since I was a little child and every year I remember the arguments I had with my older brother as to who got to put it on each year.

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

I myself don’t class it as a crazy or wild gift but I always ask for a puppy…. Maybe one day Santa will bring me a little pug!? I have always been told if you don’t ask you don’t get so to me there’s no harm in asking every year, just in case.

 

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

The best part of Christmas for me, is watching everyone open there presents and seeing their reactions (let’s be honest we can all tell when someone doesn’t like something but still smiles)… but spending it with my family and having a HUGE roast which is my favourite meal. The whole festive season is just amazing and one of my favourite times of year (except my birthday of course!).

Feed your skin fellas!

Hello fellas!

So the last few weeks I have been increasing my knowledge of you guys and what type of stuff you read, so yes I throw my hands up and admit, I have read articles from Men’s Health as well as some other ‘manly’ articles and journals.  As mentioned at the end of the last blog for you guys, this blog is all about different skin types and what moisturisers would be best – being a woman I haven’t ‘tried & tested’ these products personally, however after asking certain friends and family I have gained a better taste  for them, so here goes.

The first thing you are probably thinking is why do I need to moisturise? Not only can they help to prevent dry skin they also help to reduce premature ageing through hydrating and keeping the skin supple. And now you’re probably thinking, how do they do that? Moisturisers work in two ways hydrating and locking in moisture; however the effects only seem to usually last for 6-8 hours which is why it is important to moisturise twice a day as mentioned in my previous blog. (If you haven’t caught my post on men’s skincare you can catch up here)

Acne/Oily
- usually has a ‘shine’ to the surface of the skin, large open pores, blemishes and outbreaks.

Clarins – Ultra-matte Rebalancing Lotion
- A lightweight moisturiser with purifying and rebalancing properties, tightening pores and reducing sebum production. This moisturiser not only helps reduce the oil production but has a mattifying finish too!

Lab Series – Treat Daily Moisture Defense Lotion
- A very lightweight, quick absorbing moisturiser with a high content of antioxidants to reduce bacteria levels within the skin’s surface.

Combination
- tends to have an oily T-zone (chin, nose, and forehead) and dry/normal skin on the cheeks and neck.

Bulldog – Original Moisturiser
- This is a natural moisturiser containing 8 essential oils – three of which help to detoxifying, purify and tighten the pores whilst the others have high hydrating and nourishing properties.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar – H Soothing Compensation Moisturiser
- Helps to rebalance the skin and soothe any irritation that may have been caused to blemish creams or strong astringent properties in other products – this cream is a great pick me up to the skin.

Dry/Sensitive
- usually has a ‘flaky’ or rough surface to the skin, tight pores and small pimples under the surface.

Polaar – Moisturising Face Cream
- This ultra-rich, long lasting cream helps to repair damaged skin, soothing any irritations and providing rapid relief.

Clinique – SPF21 Moisturiser
- This has recently been awarded “Best Moisturiser for Men’s Health Grooming Awards” not only does it have the added benefit of a high spf protecting your skin against damaging UVA and UVB rays, it has a high moisturising content too.

If you’re still unsure to what skin type you may be there are many salons, and department stores that will have a consultant more than happy to help you. It is more than normal for your skin type to change throughout the year depending on the seasons, environment and even products that you are using and that’s why it’s important to use a specific product that has been formulated for a skin type.

If you have any questions regarding any of the products mentioned or want any information on a product, I am more than happy to help or to point you in the right direction J

How did you find this blog? What could I improve? Is there anything in particular you would like to know about or have any questions on?

So get in touch…
Comment below this post.
Email: Hannah-fehily@live.co.uk
Twitter: @Missfehily

makeup - 8 simple steps

Hello Beauties!

I’ve been so busy lately getting into the festive swing, ordered so many Christmas gifts and getting so excited for all the wrapping and decorating to come!! I haven’t really thought about what I am going to put on my own Christmas list so today I thought I’d share my daily makeup routine, it doesn’t take too long to do and is just a basic classic for me to be honest.

 

1. PRIME
   I find that using a primer really helps to create a perfect base for any makeup and also helps the longevity too, I recently purchased a new primer and I am in love with how good it works, it doesn’t feel heavy on my skin and has great added benefits of all day hydration.
2. FOUNDATION
   I like to have a full coverage of foundation however not to look too cakey, I apply my foundation with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and slowly build up the coverage as I go. I would use a slightly thicker and fuller coverage for a night out but for the everyday/work makeup a light coverage is all that is needed.
3. CONCEAL
   For all those dark shadows, spots and blemishes that we all curse, concealer is a miracle, I tend to use a liquid concealer as I find it easier to apply and blend. I apply using the wand that it comes with and then blend using my Real Techniques Setting Brush.
4. CONTOUR
   On an everyday basis I don’t tend to do much contour but using my palette I can do the essential bronzer, highlighter and blusher. I use my Eco Tools Bamboo Domed Bronzer brush to apply the bronzer over the top points of my forehead, under cheekbones, jaw line and down the nose. I then use Bamboo Airbrush Concealer Brush for the highlighter just lightly swept over the top of my cheekbones, and the Tapered Blush Brush to apply a light coverage to the apple of my cheeks. 
5. POWDER
   To set the makeup and to help blend it all in effectively using my Mary Kay Kabuki brush I apply my powder in downward sweeps then circular motions all over my face.
6. EYES
   For an everyday quick and easy smoky eye look I use a duo stick in Golden Haze. One end is a creamy/gold which I apply all over then blend with Eco Tools Bamboo Eye shadow brush, then using the darker taupe brown end of the stick lightly in the crease and outside corner and blend again using the eye shadow brush. A quick line on the lower lid using Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal, and a few coats to the lashes of Maybelline Volume Express Colossal Smoky Eye Mascara to finish the look.
7. EYEBROWS
   Even though it’s a quick everyday thing, my eyebrows have to be perfect so I usually spend quite a bit of time on my eyebrows using the HD Brows eye & brow palette, I use a pencil to even out the shape, then the powder to thicken and fill the eyebrow and a gel-like mascara to set into place – I don’t tend to add much to my shape mainly just outline and thicken with powder.
8. LIPS
   Depending on how my lips are I either just apply Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner or use Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick in Lava Berry – this has a real creamy texture and has a long lasting pigment which means you don’t need to keep re-applying throughout the day.

And there you have it my everyday makeup look:

BEFORE                                    AFTER

If you click on each of the points, it will directly link you to the page to purchase the particular product that I use.

 

 

Hair Care Routine

Hello beauties!

How have you been!? I just absolutely love this time of year what with all the festivities going on, so last Friday we had Halloween, this week we have bonfire night and then before we know it will be Christmas and New Year. I don’t tend to do much for Halloween purely because I have a fear of dressed up people, so it’s best for me to stay in and snuggle up in front of the sofa – however this Saturday just gone, I went to the local town of St Albans to watch the firework display, which can I just say is quoted “The Best Display of Hertfordshire”.

During the colder months it’s easy to wrap up warm, turn up the heating and forget the effects it can have to your hair and skin – so this post is going to share with you my hair care routine. I have to admit that I am not the best at sticking to this religiously… but most of the time when I do I notice that my hair is in a much healthier condition. For as long as I can remember I have always had pretty long hair, so it’s forever being tied up tight in a ponytail for work or when I’m having a yoga day or lazy day – so split ends will always be.  

Hairdressers

Just like you manicures and pedicures, your hair needs a good grooming every 6-8weeks at the most, to help trim dead ends and re-shape and volumize the barnet. I try to see my hairdresser once a month for the usual “full head of highlights, wash, cut and blowdry.” For some reason I feel my hair is always so much glossier after coming out of the hairdressers than what it is if I were to wash and blowdry it myself… does anyone know why this is!?

Cleanse & Condition

When I wash my hair I tend to shampoo, shampoo and then condition – the double cleans helps to ensure any build-up of product and natural oils are removed efficiently and the conditioner helps to nourish the roots and scalp to help create a healthy balance. I use 3 types of shampoo depending on the timing of when I have seen the hairdresser and 2 types of conditioner.

Drying & Styling

When drying my hair after washing I towel dry as much as I can, then apply a hair serum (usually anti-frizz or argan oil) and blow-dry roughly. When it comes to styling, I tend to straighten in sections and being a “bad sin” I know, I usually forget to use a heat protector but the serum usually helps this.

My Routine

In the first 2 weeks after having my haircut, I tend to use Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo and Aussie Take The Heat 3 Minute Miracle. Although after seeing the hairdresser my hair is in great condition, I find that it can feel dry due to the chemicals used for the highlights – I usually wash my hair every other day or every third day. The shampoo is really soft, foamy and has an amazingly scrumptious scent. However the conditioner really is a miracle for dry hair – I tend to apply quite thickly from root to tip and then brush through with a comb, then leave to soak for 3-5mins and wash out.  In the following 2 weeks I go on to use John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder shampoo, I find this helps to keep my highlights light and also lightens my roots allowing my hair to grow that bit longer before the roots start to show. When I first tried this I was worried it may make my hair quite dry again but it has a real creamy texture to it and I try to use the Aussie Take The Heat treatment with every other wash.

In the final 2 weeks before I am due to go back to my hairdresser I then go on to use Spa Find Mineralizing Shampoo and Spa Find Mineralizing hair & body mud. As I suffer with quite a dry scalp it’s good for me to really help nourish and re-mineralise the scalp and hair, to help gain maximum benefits when seeing the hairdresser. Having psoriasis on my scalp I used to suffer with a lot of irritation, flakiness and at the worst scabbing – but after using these products it has completely cleared. These Spa Find products have really made a difference, it’s so relieving finding products that truly do work and only use natural contents. When using the hair and body mud I try to at least once a week apply a really thick layer and sleep with my hair in a towel over night so that it can really soak in and reap all the benefits of all the minerals.

Do you use any of these products, what do you think?
What's your haircare routine?

Top 3 Skincare Products for Autumn/Winter

Hello beauties!

Now I have to admit I am a massive fan for the cold days where the chunky knits, scarfs and boots can come out of the wardrobe again – however as everything it has its downfalls. As pretty as the autumn and winter months can be, the effects that it can have to the skin are not so pretty. A key way to help prevent your skin from being affected by the weather and climate changes is to ensure that you invest in a good moisturiser; not only for the face for the body too. In this post I am going to share and review my top 3 skincare products that I feel are great for this time of year.

BLISTEX Daily Lip Conditioner

Cold weather and strong winds can always lead to chapped, sore lips and that’s never a good look or position to be in. During the cold months; especially when the weather drastically changes, the skin can struggle to adapt. This lip balm helps to soothe, smooth and hydrate the lips and the surrounding skin too. Sometimes it can tingle as it heals any cracks or chaps within the lips – but also has an instant cooling effect too. It’s a perfect one to slip in your bag or coat pocket as it comes in a small, round pot with a screw top lid. I have been using this product for a few years now, I tend to be quite sensitive to lip products and I wouldn’t go without this as it really does help to nourish and condition them. I’d highly recommend this product to anyone who suffers with dry lips during the winter, or if you’re after a quick fix lip treatment.

It can be found in most drugstores and superstores but can also be purchased in Boots here.

ENVIRON AVST 1 Moisturiser

This moisturiser helps to hydrate the skin and balance un-even skin tone. This cream has active properties of anti-oxidants and a low concentration of vitamin A and C helping to boost the skin after the damaging effects of the sunny months – aiding a healthier, radiant skin. This product is great for the winter months when you’re craving that ‘summer time healthy glow’. This moisturiser is great for your money as you only need one of two pumps to spread across the whole face, neck and chest (not forgetting your ears). This product is great for anyone that has had a high amount of sun exposure through the summer, to help boost and prevent against damaging aspects of UV radiation to the skin.

This product can be purchased in larger stores such as Debenhams, John Lewis, Selfridges through the ENVIRON counters. You can find your nearest ENVIRON stockist here.

SPA FIND Re-mineralise Plus H.S Body Balm

This is a high strength body balm (a mix between a body butter and cream) which is great to use all year round, however it is great to help relieve and prevent dry skin from happening. This balm not only has the healing properties of the Dead Sea minerals but a blend of zinc, magnesium and copper to help increase hydration properties; repairing the skin and protecting against free radicals. Since my first use of this product I have become addicted to it and can’t go a day without smothering myself in it top to toes, morning and evening! This product not only has great body benefits, but has a gorgeous citrus zesty smell, absorbs very quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy feel to the skin – which most high strength body butters do.

This product comes in two sizes 50ml and 200ml (I have the 200ml) and can be found through your local SPA FIND stockist  OR at their new online store here.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my top 3 skincare products, what’re yours?
Do you use any of these or tried any of them? What did you think?
What would you like me to post about next?

Skincare

Being a therapist, I have realised how important looking after your skin is - especially if you want to reduce the risk of those dreaded lines and wrinkles that come with old age. None the wiser, I still go on holiday each year and sizzle in the sun, wear makeup and eat not as healthy as what I should probably do. However one thing that I do ensure that I keep to, is my daily skincare routine - which I will share with you.

 I find that my skin is usually rather dry and also rather sensitive to a lot of products, so finding a product that worked for my skin was quite tricky. However after coming across Spa Find (through my training days) I fell in love with products that actually helped my skin without irritating it. Spa Find is a British company who sources contents for all their products from the dead sea and natural plant extracts. The brand uses the minerals from the dead sea seaweed, salts and algae to help replenish, balance and restore the skin.

 The brand has different ranges to suit each specific skin type - each using different plant extracts, and dead sea mineral levels to help combat all skin concerns.

·         Renewed Radiance (Dry, Sensitive, Mature skins)

·         Balanced Beauty (Normal to Combination skins)

·         Perfect Purity (Oily and Acne skin)

If you're interested in learning more about these products, let me know and maybe I will post another blog dedicated to them :)

 

My Daily Survival Kit

 

 

MY DAILY ROUTINE

I stick to this routine every day morning and evening, (except the odd drunken night where I fall asleep as soon as I get in), since I have started to use these products my skin feels a lot more hydrated and has a smoother feel - I would highly recommend using Spa Find to anyone who is looking for a results driven brand by using nothing but natural products... makes sense really when your skin is living and breathing just the same as you.

STEP 1 - Cleanse

STEP 2 - Exfoliate

STEP 3 - Cleanse

STEP 4 - Tone

STEP 5 - Serum or Mask

STEP 6 - Moisturise

** I try to exfoliate only once a day otherwise my skin will become quite sensitive and its not good to strip too many layers of your skin. So I try to do this every evening as it helps break down any dirt that has built up during the day, especially makeup that may have clogged in pores.

** Also I try to use the serum in the mornings under my moisturiser just to really help enhance the protection of my skin during the day, its also a good way of "drip-feeding" your skin throughout the day, ensuring a higher hydration level and healthy glow.

** I use the mask once a week (usually a Sunday) and apply only in the evenings before bed, this means I can sleep in the mask and soak up as much as I can - helping to renew my skin before another busy week.

** I tend to change between 2 moisturisers, this is due to my naughty habit of having the odd sunbed. As my face is rather freckly, I do try to combat them using Environ AVST moisturiser which is excellent for evening out skin tone and reducing the darkness of pigmentation on the skin.



What is your skincare routine?

Have you ever tried any of the Spa Find products, what do you think?

Do you have any recommendations, for products that I could try in the near future?

Would be great to hear from you all :)

Twitter/ Instagram: MissFehily

Email: Hannah-fehily@live.co.uk

Or just comment below!! 

 

My first post....

Just a cheeky little selfie ;)

 

5ft4, 20 years old, blonde hair, blue eyes and a face full of freckles. My names Hannah and I have a HUGE passion for all things related to beauty. I come from a small county not too far from London called Hertfordshire, and live at home with my family. I am a fully qualified beauty therapist and graduated from UAL: London College of Fashion earlier this year with a degree in Beauty and Spa Management.

July 2014.

 

I am your typical girly girl and love all things pink and pretty, chabby chic and vintage are also a favourite style of mine. Being a people person, I love meeting and talking to new people – as well as sharing ideas, tips and being a complete chatterbox most of the time. That’s one reason I have chosen to start this blog.

This blog will hopefully give you an insight into my crazy part of the world, sharing tips, wish-lists, hauls, adventures and some of my day to day questions that I often find myself thinking about for hours and still not really having any form of answer.

 

If you'd like to contact me or ask anything then fire away.

Twitter: @MissFehily
Email:    Hannah-fehily@live.co.uk

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