NOTD: Candy Fox by Topshop.

I know I featured a pink nail varnish in my January Favourites and now my nails are pink again but seriously, I am not a lover of this colour at all. In fact, up until recently I don't think I even owned a pink nail polish. I have been trying to deviate from my usual comfort zone and just experiment a little more. I also figured that I could do a subtle nod to Valentine's Day with these nails!

I will be honest - not liking matte nails one bit! This is the only shade from the Topshop Matte Nails collection I picked up and in all likelihood I will not buy any more. As you can probably tell, I did use a top-coat (Seche Vite) over this because I disliked the matte appearance so much. I don't even know how to describe it - it looked kind of chalky to me and I simply wouldn't have been happy to leave it on my nails like that.

I found the application fine. I applied two coats as I tend to do with any nail colour or brand. After it dried, I thought it looked somewhat streaky and uneven, I'd go so far as to say bumpy (and I had buffed my nails beforehand so it wasn't their texture!). Therefore I wasn't impressed with the formulation and generally I like Topshop nail varnishes.

I guess it is personal preference and I seem to be a lover of a glossy nail than a matte one. Funnily enough, while I was original iffy about the colour, I do really like it and imagine I will use it a lot, just topped with something shiny!

Empties #3.

I always love seeing 'Empties' posts or watching similar videos on YouTube. I like to see the products people actually use up. My post this time is mostly orientated around shower products with only a little bit of make up included.

First up, I have a travel sized Softsoap moisturising body wash in the scent Juicy Pomegranate and Mango. I bought this at Walmart in the US. I was in America for a while last month and my favourite Original Source shower gel ran out towards the end of my trip. I decided to just pick up a mini replacement because I was only there for a day or two longer. I had been planning on using whatever it was and leaving it behind but I adored the smell of this! I wish I could buy Softsoap here in Ireland. So good!

I finished a bottle of L'Oreal Micellar Water. Not much to say about this really. It gently but effectively removes make up and does not sting my eyes at all. I re-purchased this before I had even finished this bottle. It is great.

I am not at all fussy when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. I buy whatever is on offer wherever I am. I bought L'Oreal Elvive for colour treated hair because L'Oreal hair products were half price at the time. I thought they were both fine and I would buy them again if they were on offer but I didn't notice anything special about my hair after use. Just run of the mill as far as shampoo and conditioner go, in my opinion!

Original Source shower gels are my favourite. I should really have two empty bottles in this picture because I finished a mint one while in the States but I didn't feel like lugging it home with me. Above is the lemon one. I really like the zingy scent - super refreshing and great for the morning. These are always on special offer at Boots too so amazing value.

I have an empty travel sized Modern Friction by Origins. I cannot get enough of this facial exfoliator. It leaves my skin feeling unbelievably smooth but it is not really gritty and hard on the skin when you are using it. I have a full-size in my shower already.

I go through La Roche Posay Toleraine Riche so quickly! It is my facial mosituriser of choice during the winter and it is the only thing that stops my skin becoming dry and flaky in places. I only wish that the tube was bigger because I feel like I am constantly re-purchasing it! I am nearly done with the tube I bought after this one already! I like it a lot though.

Yes, three mascaras! Volum'Express The Rocket by Maybelline, Volum'Express The Falsies also by Maybelline and Maybelline Great Lash. I know that the first two mascaras were really hyped in the beauty world but I didn't particularly like them and won't buy them again. I do like Great Lash for a natural, day-time look though and I'll probably grab it when I am back in the US because it is ridiculously cheap there and I feel like it's a nice addition to my collection.

Finally, a powder - Rimmel Clear Complexion in translucent. This powder compact still has product left on half of the pan but for some reason, after I use it a few days in a row, the top of the powder goes hard and when I dust a brush over it, none transfers from the pan to the brush. I am tired of scraping that hard top layer off so I am just going to bin it. Aside from that, good powder and I might buy it again sometime.

Review: Glam Glow Mud Mask.

I had read a lot about Glam Glow Mud Mask and had seen it feature in so many Favourites videos on YouTube so I was really excited to try it out. It was one of a few products which I had on a "Must-Have!" list, despite its hefty price tag. This little jar set me back $69, but it wasn't one of those purchases where I umm-ed and ahh-ed about buying it, I simply knew that I had to have it. Boy, am I glad I bought it! Just so you know, I picked up a special edition Glam Glow with proceeds going to breast cancer so that is why it is pink but it is generally seen in black packaging. (There is also a white jar, though I believe it to be a hydrating treatement.)

This 'Youthmud Tinglexfoliate' supposedly works with the natural collagen of the body to gently resurface the skin and leave it smoother. It claims to tighten pores and remove impurities without interfering with natural oils. It is a grey-ish mud/clay and has noticeable chunks in it which you can feel on your face when applied. It hardens quickly and is then pale blue in colour. You can actually see it working on your pores which I love! I have rather visible pores on my forehead between my eyebrows and this masks seems to just target that area.

As you can see, it is a pretty thick consistency. I have seen it suggested to apply this product with a foundation brush and that is what I do and what I would recommend. It is kind of difficult to get an even layer otherwise, and also you don't want to use more of this stuff than you have to, due to the price tag! 

I find that it washes off easily with warm water and doesn't pull on the skin at all like some face masks can. It leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and there is a NOTICEABLE difference in the size of my pores. I am super impressed with this face mask, to the point that I want to use it every single night! (I don't though!). I am definitely definitely going to buy it again when I am back in the US so if anybody is thinking of investing, it comes thoroughly recommended and I can't see anyone being disappointed. If you have an issue with enlarged pores, check this out! 

If you don't want to commit to spending so much without knowing if you'll like the mask, you can buy smaller sizes to test first. I picked up two mini tubes for traveling - that is how obsessed I am!

January Favourites.

So I spent quite a lot of the month of January in the USA with my boyfriend which is why there has been so little action on my blog. I had been planning on bringing my laptop but I literally did not have enough space in my suitcase to cram it in! I am back now (sob!) and have quite a few posts planned for the upcoming days and weeks. Due to traveling, I also did not have access to my large collection of make up and skincare last month so my favourites are items which I have used a lot.

First up is a night-cream by Origins. It is High Potency Night-A-Mins. My skin is hellish in that it is combination but it can get so dry during winter. This moisturiser is perfect for targeting my dry patches but yet I don't wake up with a super shiny t-zone. It also smells amazing. It reminds me of freshly squeezed orange juice, but not in a zingy 'wake me up' way - in a way that is so soothing. I loved using it before bed.

Featured in a haul of mine lately - Mint Juleps lip scrub by Lush. Just like my skin, my lips get dry and flaky in cold weather. I have been suffering so badly with chapped lips but this stuff is definitely helping. I picked up a few new lip products while I was in America which I was eager to try out, so having this to slather on and buff off dead skin was a godsend! It reminds me of After Eights - minty chocolate, mmm! I believe that you can eat it after you use it but personally I prefer to just wipe it off. I guess it's nice to have the option!

A mascara I did NOT like to begin with - Lancome Hypnose Star. This mascara was an impulse buy for me. I picked it up when I was returning from my last US trip and waiting for a connecting flight at Chicago airport. Quite frankly, I bought it for its glittery packaging. I tossed it into my make up bag for traveling last month though because I figured I'd rarely used it and I, surprisingly, fell in love with it. I like a dramatic, black lash and I don't really differentiate between day and night time mascaras so this works well for me for both. I might even re-purchase it some day!

Sleek Blush By 3 palette in Lace. I have liked this palette since I bought it but I noticed in January when my blush selection was narrowed down to only this and my NARS Foreplay palette, that I choose this the majority of the time. It looks crazy bright in the pan but it lights my face up so beautifully and with a light-hand, gives a natural looking flush. I am so impressed by the pigmentation and I know I am going to buy another one of these guys soon!

Still winter but I felt like having a colour injection in my life! When I went for a manicure before I left, I decided to go with Watermelon by Essie. I loved how it looked and I am not a pink girl at all! I liked it so much that I bought it at Target and it is what I have on my nails currently. I never really stick with the same shade on my nails so that's how I know that this is a keeper.

Last but by no means least is No Puffery Cooling Eye Gel by Origins. My mum picked me up some Origins bits and pieces for Christmas and this is one I actually requested. I fly long-haul a lot (travel times of 22+ hours) and who looks good getting off such a flight! This product was a saviour for me! I applied it all around my tired eyes and not only does it feel cooling and refreshing, but it makes my eyes and eye area look less puffy and awful. I've introduced it to my skincare routine in general.

I feel like I should give the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette an honourable mention. Again, this is something I chucked into my make up bag and brought away with me. I did (sneakily) also bring the original Naked palette but I used my newest edition over and over. I think it is gorgeous and while I was a little hesitant about it in the beginning, it is safe to say now that I adore it.