Beauty Book Club: Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes.

Beauty Book Club: Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes.

It's Beauty Book Club time again and this month I'm talking about Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes. Both the author and the book have become fast favourites of mine. Hughes is a no nonsense beauty obsessed journalist who has been in the industry for twenty five years, so you know she knows what she's talking about. This is her second book. I love Sali's way of writing, it's almost like you're having a chat with a girlfriend about makeup. The idea of this book is genius, I really don't know why it wasn't thought of sooner. Each page tells the story of a different beauty product throughout history. It's a must have for any beauty addict. There really is something for everyone in this book, you could pass it along to your Mam, Nana, friend or Daughter and it would stir up memories of beauty's past. 

The book is broken up into five different categories; The Icons, The Nostalgics, The Gamechangers, The Rites of Passage and The Future Icons. Each section brings Hughes' wit and personal experiences with the products, experiences that are not so different to our own I'm sure. How many of us have whipped out our glitter roller ball lip gloss in the school bathrooms and thought we were gorgeous?...That's what I thought. 

There's also some interesting stories about how particular products came to be. Benetint by Benefit for example was created in 1977 when an exotic dancer walked into the then tiny boutique in San Francisco owned by twins Jean and Jane Ford. She came to them with a beauty problem most of us would probably never even think of. She needed something to make her nipples stand out during her shows on a dark stage. The Ford sisters took on the challenge and voila, one of the most popular beauty products of our time was born. This book is filled with fun information like that and really makes you look at your favourite products twice. 

No icon is too big or too small, too expensive or too cheap for this book, if it has made an impact it's in here. You turn the page after reading about Johnson's baby shampoo and are greeted with the extortionate Creme De La Mer, Hughes is no beauty snob. Sali's passion for all things beauty shines through in these pages, the amount of research that must have went into creating this is just astronomical. To tell the history, a personal story or a funny anecdote about four hundred and two beauty products is a credit to Sali's obsession and we must all bow down. 

Some of the makeup, skincare, hair care or body care in this book may seem surprising. How is Vaseline a ground braking beauty item I hear you ask. Well if you think about it Vaseline is a real bread and butter product in the beauty industry with so many uses. A tub of it is sold every thirty nine seconds. It was the first of it's kind and without it, we'd all be fumbling around with unruly brows and chapped lips. Attractive!.

Every time I take my favourite long walk down the beauty aisle I'm finding that I'm noticing more and more products from the book. Hughes has really made me open my eyes to new finds. What is also interesting is that, like fashion, the older products are coming back into style. Something seemingly boring like a bar of pears soap is now part of the huge craze of creating soap brows. This book is an encyclopedia of all things beauty and is great for references or just dipping in and out of over a cup of tea. It's informative, interesting, funny and you'll feel like you have made a new friend in Sali Hughes. This is my favourite book I've read all year.

You can find this masterpiece here

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce.

The Beauty Psycho

xoxo.

Tips to keep your make-up heat/sweat proof

Tips to keep your make-up heat/sweat proof.

By the time you're reading this post, Summer in Ireland will have probably come and gone. However for the time being we are in the middle of a heatwave and we just don't know how to handle it. We've all gone a bit mad dusting off our holiday shorts and frantically applying fake tan before the sun disappears.  It's no secret that we're not used to the heat. We complain that it's too hot and that we're sweating, which really is not a good look. These are my budge proof makeup tips to help you survive this clammy season. 

Primer: Assuming you've already applied SPF (no baby oil please) the next step in your heatproof makeup routine is primer. There are primers to suit all skin types and in this weather they are essential to keeping your base looking it's best. Primers can improve not only the texture of your skin but also the longevity of your makeup. Here are some of my favorites:

Save: Catrice

Splurge: Benefit

Eyeshadow Primer: Similarly to face primer, eyeshadow primer helps increase the life of your eye makeup. However for special occasions or in times of desperation, I like to use an eyeshaow primer as extra insurance on those areas where I tend to get more oily or the areas that makeup can wear off easily. These include the nose and T-Zone in general and also under the eyes and inner corners of the eyes. We all squint when it's sunny and this can help keep your makeup intact, Using eye primer on the inner corners of your eye also helps to prevent those very glamorous dents we get in our makeup from our designer sunglasses (Michael Kors thanks for asking). My favorites include:

Save: Wet N Wild

Splurge: Nars

Foundation: While there are great long lasting foundations at all different price points that perform well in the heat, don't feel you have to run out and spend money on them just because we're getting a few nice days of sunshine. Instead try adjusting your application. Light layers is my favorite technique all year round and keeps my base flawless in the sun. For this I love to use a stippling brush that is not dense or a beauty blender and just really work the product into the skin, it just gives a real skin like finish. Remember that masks are only a good look at Halloween. 

Brush:

 Splurge: No.7

Save: Penneys offer a great dupe for the No.7 brush.

Sponges:

Save: Real Techniques

Splurge: Beauty Blender

Powder: While it is so tempting to cover your face in powder to make it last in the heat please resist. It only makes you look cakey and like you have terrible skin. Having said that the look we are going for is dewy not sweaty so some powder is necessary. Apply a small bit just in the places where you need it, mainly on the T-Zone. 

Save: Soap and Glory

Splurge: Chanel 

Setting Spray: This is something that is becoming more and more popular for so many different uses; to intensify eyeshadows, to make liner glide on, to prime the skin to name a few, however it's primary function is to lock our makeup into place, making it heat/sweat proof. The trick with setting sprays is to really spritz you face to death with them and then immediately fan the product before it dries. Not only does this secure your makeup for the day, it also helps to give your makeup a final blend and stops your face looking powdery (which it shouldn't anyway if you've been taking my advice ;)).

Save: NYX

Splurge: Inglot

Stay safe and enjoy the sunshine.

Until Next Time

Go Forth and Be Fierce.

The Beauty Psycho.

xoxo.

My Favorite Mac Nude Lipsticks.

My Favorite Mac Nude Lipsticks.

We've all been there, walking through the aisles of our local chemist or wandering around a department store beauty hall, arms destroyed with swatches as you examine with intricate detail the differences between the blobs of colour on your skin. The finish, the texture, the pigmentation. You turn to your shopping companion for advice and are hit with the earth shattering "they look the same to me, just pick one". Amateurs. Anyone who is obsessed with beauty knows that some nude lipsticks are as different as night and day. Today I'm talking you through some of my favorite nude lipsticks from Mac.  

Patisserie: A lustre finish meaning it is sheer with a hint of colour. It looks mauve in the bullet but really is a beautiful, peachy pink. It's very comfortable to wear on the lips and gives a subtle sheen to the mouth. It is the perfect shade for everyday or to pair with a dramatic eye look in the evenings). Lustres are not known for being long lasting but I don't think there's anything more glam then taking a nice lipstick out of your handbag and re-applying for all to see. 

Blankety: An Amplified finish, this one is a good all rounder, it's pigmented, hydrating and long lasting. As the name suggests, this shade covers everyone. It's almost a subtle way to wear that increasingly popular greige lip. This is my personal favorite Mac shade to wear. I use it all year round with any eye look, it's a real go to for me. 

Modesty: A Creme Sheen finish, this is most people's favorite finish, it's high shine and has good pigmentation. It looks smooth on the lips, is hydrating, comfotable to wear all day and this deep peach shade is universally flattering. 

Creme Cup: Another Creme Sheen lipstick. I find this finish works well on all age groups. This light pink colour is very fresh for coming into the Summer (C'mon Ireland, you can do it) and is also a real winner among brides. 

Kinda Sexy: Moving into the mattes now. With everyone so on board with liquid lipsticks (I'm still trying), I don't think I need to explain that in order to wear a matte lipstick on the regular, you need to keep you lips in good condition, but I will anyway. Lip scrubs (home made or bought) and lip balms are essential to keep your favorite lipstick from looking crusty, not a good look. Kinda Sexy looks really orange and frightening when swatched but is wonderfully peachy on the lips, while it looks great an most people, this one is a real gem on blondes.

Please Me: Another matte. This one is more bold when it comes to nude lipsticks. It's a beautiful rosy shade that can be built up to make more of a statement lip or can be blotted and blended to create a natural looking stain. 

Now you've seen my favorite nudes.....Show me yours.

You can find these lipsticks and more here

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce,

The Beauty Psycho

xoxo.

Beauty Book Club: Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful

Beauty Book Club: Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful.

Welcome to my first Beauty Book Club. I thought I would kick off this series with makeup artist extraordinaire and the Queen of the beauty book...Bobbi Brown. Pretty Powerful is a makeup manual with a difference. This book focuses on who women are and what beauty means to them. It's named after Brown's charity campaign launched in 2013 in which the cosmetics company teams up with global organisations to empower women by making education more accessible to them.  

 This manual really carries on that spirit of empowering women, it encourages women to enhance what they already have and not cover it up, there are no signs of instagram makeup here. By focusing on your radiant skin or dazzling eyes you can own your looks and be confident in who you are, which is a Pretty Powerful feeling (see what I did there?).

 Along with the typical makeup tips like how to apply products and how to ensure your makeup lasts longer, the book is broken up into six categories; pretty natural, pretty radiant, pretty strong, pretty classic, pretty authentic and pretty bold. Each section has corresponding makeup looks explaining how to take each look from day to night. You can pick what group you fall into and base your look around that or you could change up your look depending on what kind of powerful you're feeling that day.

 These sections have been matched up with women who emulate what that category embodies (i.e. athletes are "pretty strong").Women, some celebrities, some everyday women are interviewed throughout the book about what makes them feel powerful and beautiful. For some it's overcoming obstacles like chemotherapy or a divorce, for others it's knowing what they like and working hard to get it, but one thing that all these people have in common is that they're holding their own in life and are unashamedly proving their power.

 Power can come from looking the part as this book explains but it also comes from feeling the part. An emphasis is placed working on your beauty from  the inside out and taking time for yourself to exercise, eat well, and meditate. This is more then a beauty book, it's a lifestyle manual. It is a very inspiring read, Bobbi Brown has a lovely way of making women of all ages, colour and weight feel great with just a few key tips and tricks to get them glowing inside and out but the real pleasure for me was getting to know the people in the photographs. Motivated women who are all pretty powerful, this book will get you ready to take on the world, I cannot reccommend it enough.

You can find the book here

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce,

The Beauty Psycho

xoxo

My Top Five Mac Eyeshadows.

I guess the picture has given it away (Oops) but I thought I would talk you through some of my favourite Mac eyeshadows. While other brands are really coming to the fore front, Mac has been a makeup artist staple for years and has re-shaped the industry we know today. As you have probably noticed by now, the shadows I have selected are all pretty neutral but what can I say, I know what I like. These are my most worn and most loved shades. 

Woodwinked: Original I know, I think this makes it onto everyone's list but that's because it really is that great. This coppery, golden brown is the lazy girls answer to making an effort. A wash of this over the lids reflects the light and tones beautifully, creating the illusion that there are two or three colours on the eye. It can also be used wet and popped on just the centre of the lid to create drama to any glam look.

All That Glitters: This soft light gold can be used wet or dry on the lids to add that extra sparkle. Glitter is also notorious for fixing an eye look gone wrong, so pop this in the centre of the lid and no one will ever know that you had a makeup meltdown.  

Omega: This swatch looks the most boring but it is in fact my most used shade, so much so that I've actually hit pan (is there a more satisfying feeling?). The cool toned, matte taupe shade is so versatile, it can be blended into the crease as a transition shade, used on the lid as a hint of colour or my personal favorite.....used to fill in brows. This magic shade works on all hair colours from the whitest of blondes to the darkest of brunettes and everything in between. I use it to lightly draw in my brows every day and I really feel it gives the softest most natural result. A real must have if you find yourself wondering around Mac not knowing where to start. 

Sketch: There really is nothing else like this in my (vast!) eyeshadow collection. It was one of the first shades I ever bought from Mac. It was recommended to me by the counter makeup artist because I have blue eyes and she felt this would really make them pop. She was right. This deep purple brown tone looks amazing on cool tone eyes and the tiny flecks of red glitter really add something special to a look when they catch the light. It's not a shadow that I hear people talk about which is a real shame. It really doesn't get the credit that it deserves.

Satin Taupe: You know when you do a makeup course and they tell you not to put shimmer on more mature ladies? Yeah, that doesn't apply to this shadow. The shimmery pewter, taupe has a sheeny finish and is beautiful on people of all ages. Can be used on it's own or as part of a more full on look.....don't be afraid to break the beauty rules with this one.

So that's my round up of my favourite Mac eyeshadows. Some classics, some more niche but all beautiful.

You can find all the shades and more here

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce

The Beauty Psycho.

xoxo.

 Penneys Gym Make Up Review.

When Penneys first brought out this new range of gym make up the Internet went wild. I never heard any reviews about it and if you read my last post about muscle relief solutions you'll know I am a new gym goer. Sometimes that means it's not possible to take my makeup off before going to said gym (shock horror, I know!), so I was curious about this range. That being said while this is a nice idea, it's completely unnecessary to wear makeup to the gym, it might make some people more confident during their workout but at the end of the day it's totally up to you. I tested this line out at a metabolic conditioning class...a real sweat fest! 

 Foundation.

First Impressions: I was surprised that the lightest shade in the range was still a bit dark for me who would have the typical pale Irish complexion. Anyone paler then me would not be catered for, I really had to bronze up my neck. I like the durable packaging of the product, handy for the gym bag and the two in one idea with the mirror is clever. I really liked the concealer, it was creamy and i found it perfect to use as an under eye correcter. The foundation itself felt thick and felt very heavy on the skin. I was surprised at how greasy it felt, i was expecting it to be more mattifying but it does dry down a little. It's not a no makeup. makeup, the foundation doesn't look like skin, it looks like foundation.

Final thoughts:  Sweat rolled off the foundation and it lasted well throughout the workout, The product itself made me feel sweaty before i even went to the gym so i had to use more powder then i would normally. I really like the concealer and would use it again but the foundation made me break out so that part of the product is a pass for me. 

 Eyeliner.

First Impressions: It glided on smoothly and had a nice texture however it was not as black as I would have liked, it looked more grey and took some work to build up the colour. 

Final Thoughts: It lasted throughout the workout but not completely unscathed, there was some smudging. I have worn this in a non gym setting and it was nice in the waterline and lasted better.

Mascara.

First Impressions: This mascara was fine, I can't really say anything else about it, it doesn't lengthen, curl or volumize, Its a natural mascara that darkens the lashes you already have. Again the packaging is nice and handy for gym bags.

Final Thoughts: It stayed on during the workout for the most part but i did notice it starting to ball off by the end, it didn't smear however so I suppose that is a win. 

Lipstick.

First Impressions: I found the shade range very limited, it was either this browny pink that's very popular these days or a bright barbie pink. I went for the shade warm up as i thought it would be more natural looking (why I don't know). As someone who doesn't usually wear liquid lipsticks, I found it incredibly drying to wear. 

Final thoughts: It lasted really well in the gym but when your mouth is already dry from a workout it just heightens that feeling. I found it uncomfortable to wear. I may try it again in the future for a night out, i just can't seem to get on the liquid lipstick band wagon. 

                          Lip Liner.

First Impressions: The lip liner was creamy, nice to apply and was a more subtle shade then the lipstick, It was comfortable to wear and not drying on the lips. 

Final Thoughts: The lip liner did it's job during exercise and didn't let the lipstick bleed. This is my favourite product from this line. I have worn it since this experiment on it's own with some lip balm and it gives a lovely natural effect to the lips.

 Final, Final Thoughts: It;s a nice idea, the sweat proof makeup could be used for a night out either. Penneys has some great makeup, this was not one of my favorites. I think all things considered the makeup lasted well through a grueling workout. I got a lot of compliments from people telling me I looked very glam and that my makeup was lovely. I have to admit, I felt way too done up for the gym but each to their own. I applaud anyone who sets foot in a gym, barefaced or not, you do you.
This range is available in Penneys nationwide.

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce,

The Beauty Psycho.

xoxo

Muscle Relief Solutions.

 

 

 With the end of January comes the realisation that maybe, just maybe we might actually have to keep up our New Years Resolutions for another eleven months! For those of us who have stuck to them that is. If getting fit was a part of your new year, new me plan then you are probably feeling the effects of it, hopefully in the form of feeling healthy, weight loss and toning up but also in the form of a crippling agony that makes you avoid having to use the stairs. Yes my dears beauty (even of the body) is pain. Here are my top tips for getting you back to fighting fit.

 

Stretch: I know this is an obvious one but it's so important to warm up fully and stretch before and after every workout. It's not worth rushing into a session and then pulling a muscle (believe me, I know).

 

Foam rolling: This has become hugely popular lately. They come in all different shapes, sizes and textures and are great to use on the whole body for working out tight muscles. It can be a painful process as it works deep into the sore muscles but the key is not to shy away from the pain. A foam roller can be used pre or post workout and there are even rumours that they are thought to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. You can find them here

 

 

Trigger point massage ball: Similar to the foam roller this is a small usually spiky ball that is great for getting into smaller areas of the body i.e. the neck and feet. They release muscle tension by stretching the tissue and stimulating blood flow. You may feel sore the next day after using this but the relief is undeniable. You can find them here

 

 

Epsom Salts and Magnesium Flakes: Used I baths, they are absorbed into the skin and relieve muscle tension and promote good joint health. If you don't fancy the pain of a foam roller then a relaxing bath might just be the way to go. I find the effects of the magnesium flakes to be quicker but I like to rotate the two so that my body won't get too used to one and it stops working. You can find them here and here

Lotions and Potions: For more of an immediate result muscle creams can be great. I like the ones with a cooling then warming sensation, they really help relieve stiff muscles. I also like magnesium oil, it's amazing for twitchy arms and legs and just helps everything to calm down. You can find them here and here

I am no personal trainer or involved in the health industry I'm just a gym goer who needed solutions to problems and went looking for them, hopefully you find these tips useful.

 

Until Next Time,

Go Forth and Be Fierce,

 

The Beauty Psycho,

 

xoxo.