My exciting news!

So this little plan has been in the making for a few months now and I'm sure it won't come as much of a shock to most but I'm FINALLY outta here for a year! 

I've had a brilliant year working for Urban Decay, I've gained so much experience and I've made friends for life so I feel like there's no better time than now to go and experience a different culture and life before I get too serious and can't leave everything behind! 

The plan is California for 2 months (I've been before for a summer and have friends over there) and then off down to Mexico for 1 year to teach English and do freelance makeup! I'm going with a fellow Urbanette Sally! (Urban have great taste :P) We're off the beginning of June! How exciting and scary is that at the same time!! :)

 

I will definitely continue to post pics of my makeup and life! To be honest I'll have much more time to concentrate on my blog so you will be hearing a lot more from me! I'd love to start sharing more, makeup aside so I'm excited to develop this! Please comment below with any suggestions or requests! 

That's it for now guys! 

Lee xx 

Review of 2014!

I know I'm pretty late doing this but better late than never I guess! 😊

2014 was a pretty big year for me with a lot of changes with both work and my life in general! 

I left my office job after Christmas after deciding life was just too short and I began freelancing! A lot of people thought I was absolutely mad leaving a steady office job to do makeup but I honestly believe there is no point just going through the motions in life, our time here is precious and I think we forget that sometimes and continuously put things off believing you'll do it in a months time or a years time etc! You just have to bite the bullet and do it! Embrace the fear, being out of your comfort zone is what life is all about! 

I was pretty lucky in that it really did pick up fast and I always had something at the weekends! Facebook really is a great thing when it comes to advertising yourself! My only problem was I was bored during the week and really wanted to work within an established makeup brand and so I began applying and happened to find an advertisement for a full time position working for Urban Decay! At that moment I was so excited because I've always loved the brand so I managed to convince myself that it was meant to be! When I actually got the job offer I was over the moon It really just reinforced my decision to leave my office job and start fresh! 

The counter has grown from strength to strength this year and there's now 9 of us! We all get on so so well so it makes everyday a pleasure! Don't get me wrong everyone has their off days but as a whole we've all gelled really well! I also feel so much more confident as a makeup artist as the variety of skin types, tones and different tastes always keep me on my toes! ;) 

Henry street is the flagship store so I'm lucky in that I'm in the middle of all the action and hustle and bustle of Dublin City! We also got a new counter in November which is one of the biggest counters in the world so everything is going great! 

It wasn't just my career that totally changed in 2014 but also my social life! My friends were dropping like flies as they decided to go travelling one by one! This is something I've wanted to do for years and definitely will do it but it just wasn't my time I felt I needed to get experience and be comfortable in my career before I jetted off! 

I have to say the adjustment wasn't as bad as I thought! I literally thought the world was over when my besties left lol but you just deal with it without even having to think about it! I've made great great friends this year that I know I'll have for life and that's all because I was out of my comfort zone and I had no other choice! So again it just proves your not truly living until your uncomfortable! 

Last year pre travelling! ❤️

We started in Urban Together and I really couldn't have wished for better! Love them to bits!! ❤️ 

Urbanettes night out! ❤️

I've gotten to do so many amazing things this year down to my career change so please never be afraid to make a change that you really want, you'll honestly never look back! Life is really just about to begin! 

Hope you've enjoyed this guys! 

One of my new year resolutions is to properly devote myself to this so you'l be hearing a lot more from me this year! 😁 

Ciao for now beauties!! 

Lee Xx 

Copper Smokey Eye Product list and How to!

As promised here is the how to and product list for the copper smokey eye I posted earlier! 

How to-

Eyes-

Front stop is always my Urban Decay eye shadow priming potion wherever I intend to put shadow! Definitely the best on the market! 

Black heart from the Naked 3 palette all over the lid with a flat shading brush to pack on the colour and then blend onto the crease with a blending brush. You could use a normal black eyeshadow if you want I just thought the specks of red in black heart would be a really nice base under the copper shadow! 

I then put coppering from Mac all over the lid over the black heart using my flat brush again on the clean side! Then using my blending brush and I picked up some more coppering, blended it into the crease and brought it higher than the darker colour! 

I also used black heart and coppering under the lower lash line to balance the look and smoke it out! 

Using half baked from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette I highlighted the inner corner of the eyes! Gold really made the copper pop! I used Booty call also from the Naked 2 palette under my brow bone. 

Next was Liner and I used Maybelline's Gel liner and an angled brush to create the dramatic liner and flick! I line my whole lid from the outside in and then go back to do the flick! When doing the flick I start from the outer corner of the lower lid and go towards my brow as far as I want to go I then go back and fill it in lining from the flick back in! Practice makes perfect trust me! 

I used Urban Decay 24/7 Perversion liner on my waterline to really smoke it out and Perversion Mascara for literally bigger blacker badder lashes! Love it!!! 

Lashes are Kiss Juicy Volume 02! I apply more mascara after I apply these to ensure the are with my natural lashes! 

Using my new Sleek Brow Wiz in Medium I filled my brows where needed! 

 

 

Face- 

Benefit Porefessional all over T-zone and cheeks! Apply it wherever you tend to get oily! 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 5.0 and Inglot Face and Body bronzer in 95 mixed to give a dewy look! 

Catrice Camoflague cream in Beige over any blemishes etc and under eyes. Dab rather than rub! 

I then apply Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in Classic Beige to highlight under my eyes, down my nose and up onto my forehead, Cupid's bow and wherever you want to highlight! Blend this in with a medium sized concealer brush, beauty blender, or your fingers what ever your most comfortable with! 

I then set this with Mad Studio Fix power as I'm now done with cream and liquids! 

Next is contouring and I used my New Sleek contouring palette in Light! 

I used the brown to contour my cheekbones, temples and forehead using a small angled blush brush! I then highlighted the top of my cheekbones and down my nose with the middle highlighted powder, finally I applied some blush between the two to give it that natural flushed look! I used the same brush for all of it! This palette is gorgeous it has such a nice glow! 

Last but not least was my lips and I wanted to keep them neutral so I went for Shy Girl from Mac it's a lovely nude with a peach/coral tone to it! 

As always I want my makeup to last so I sprayed the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting spray all over my face and let it set! :)

 

Product List-

Eyes-

Original Eye Priming Potion Urban Decay €22/€11

Blackheart Naked 3 Palette Urban Decay €44

Coppering MAC €18

Half Baked Urban Decay Naked 2 €44

Bootycall Urban Decay Naked 2 €44

Maybelline Gel Liner €12

Perversion Eye Liner €19

Perversion Mascara €21

Kiss Lashes 02 Juicy Volume €3.99

Sleek Eyebrow Wiz- €10-12

Face-

Benefit Porefessional €34

Naked skin foundation 5.0 €34

Inglot Face and body bronzer 95 €11

Catrice Camoflague Cream in Beige €3.65

Rimmel Match Perfection in Classic Beige €7.99

Mac Studio Fix €31

Sleek Contouring Palette in Light €10-12 

Lips- 

MAC Shy Girl 19.50 

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray €12-29 

I think that's everything guys! If you have any questions at all let me know il gladly answer them for you if I can! 

Thanks for reading! 

Leonie Xx 

July Favourites!

I have a few products I got this month that I just loved so I want to share them with you! 

1. Urban Decay Flushed Palette Streak 

The blush in this is a gorgeous coral colour, the bronzer is a tad darker than the original but nothing major and the highlighter has a hint of gold and coral. Two other shades were released also called strip and native but streak would have to be my preferred and most universal in terms of suiting people! It's just perfect for summer! The highlighter is nearly an exact match to the eyeshadow 'X' so don't be afraid to use it as a shadow too! These cost €29 and can be got at any Urban Decay counter (come visit me in Debenhams Henry st. :) ) or Online on the Debenhams website! Unfortunately you cannot order from the Urban Decay website from Ireland! Below is an up close of the Streak palette and also a view of all four so you can choose for yourself! The original is fab too! Kim kardashian used it on her wedding day! :) 

2. San Tropez Violet Skin Illuminator 

This was recommended to me by a friend so when it went on sale in work i had to give it a go! This is a gorgeous liquid Illuminator! When you squeeze it out its a light violet/purple colour but when it goes on it gives such a beautiful, healthy glow! This can be used on/above the cheekbones, down the nose, cupids bow(above the lip) any where you want to highlight! Don't forget that this can also be used on the body so areas such as your collarbone, shins or mixed with body moisturiser for an all over healthy glow! I honestly can't get enough of this at the minute! It's also available in Rose which would be gorgeous on quiet pale skin and gold for the tanned girlies! Violet is the original and was designed for all skin types! This is around €15 but is in a big tube so it lasts ages! This is defo a holiday must have! 

3. Aveda Damage Control Hair Restructuring Treatment 

I only used this for the first time today but I was wowed by the results after just one use! I simply put it through all my hair using my hands, left it for 30 minutes and then washed it out in the shower! Even when wet I could feel how soft my hair was and it combed so easily! After it was dried my hair it felt like silk and full of life, it literally feels like air and is so bouncy! Bearing in mind I've just taken out keratin bond extensions after 7 months so it needed some tlc, now it feels great! I'm hooked! Aveda are a natural company so for that reason their products are a little more expensive but the quality is amazing so that justifies it for me! For 150ml of this product it's €37.50. Aveda are very good with samples so you can try it before deciding if you believe it's worth the price! Personally I think it is! 

4. Wet N Wild Glitter Shadow 

Wet N Wild have only recently come to Ireland but now I feel like its absolutely everywhere! I've heard so much about this brand and given how cheap it is I picked up one of their glitter shadows in Groupie. this is a mid pink shade. When looking at these I somehow thought they were a creamy glitter shadow but when I opened it it was  dry semi loose glitter so your going to need something underneath it to intensify it! I used primer and placed glitter on top using a flat synthetic brush, I then placed jilted, a pink/purple shadow over it! I got so many compliments on it no one could believe it was only €1.99 and yep you did read that right I was shocked too haha! These are available in about 7 shades so your sure to find a shade for you! This brand is available in Penneys, Dunnes Stores and many Pharmacies around the country! If you live around he Athy area then you'll be happy to know A&A pharmacy stock Wet N Wild that's where I got my things! 

5.Wet N Wild Silk Finish Lipstick in Sunset Peach 

Another gem from this affordable brand! The colour of this Lippy is gorgeous! I'm obsessed with corals at the moment such a soft summer colour! It feels soft and silky on your lips and lasts 2-3 hours! The colour pay off is pretty good and there is many colours available to choose from! This was also only €1.99! I had to refrain myself from buying every single one of them I was like a child haha!

6. Penneys Travel Sets

These sets from Penneys are so handy! They've had them such a long time now but I only got some this month when I decided to organise my kit! I use the bags to separate face, eye, lips etc when I'm going to do a makeup job and I can easily see what's in each bag! They're perfect! The little bottles are brill for putting cleanser etc in them if you want to be super organised or for the purpose intended which is traveling! These are €1.50. It's crazy how something that costs so little can make your life so much easier! 

They're is a few more things I'd like to talk about from this month but I want to go more I'm depth with them so I'm going to leave it for a separate post! 

I hope you enjoyed and if you have any questions be sure be ask! 

Until next time, 

Ciao for now! 

Leonie Xx

Purchase of the week: All Nighter Setting Spray Urban Decay

I love this spray! It's basically hairspray for the face, it sets your makeup for up to 16hrs and also has temperature control to help reduce shine! 

At the conference last week in Manchester we were all lucky enough to be given the big bottle of it but it was taken at customs and I can honestly say I wanted to cry haha!

I picked up a travel size bottle today as it's just easier to bring around with me! It has 30ml and is €12. You simply spray your face with either 4 sprays in an 'X' and 'T' motion or 3 sprays to side middle and other side whatever you rather! 

You won't be able to live without it once you use it trust me! 

This is available on any Urban Decay Counter or on the Debenhams website!  

Lee Xx 

My Top 4 Liquid Eyeliner Pens!

My next few blog posts are going to be on my fave liners in their different forms such as liquid, pencil, gel and pens! I couldn't live without liner it's a part of me so It's only right I share my faves of each type! 

I'm going to start it off with Liner pens! These are so handy and People tend to find them much easier to use than the traditional liquid so it seems logical! 

 

1- Ink for Eyes Urban Decay €20 

Ok so you prob guessed it but Urban Decay take the winning spot with their Ink for Eyes precision pen liner! This is absolutely amazing, it's just on another level if you ask me! It goes on so easily, you can create such a gorgeous flick with it and the point is so thin which allows you to have the option of keeping the line thin or building on it! This will stay on all day without smudging or fading! It's lasting power is unlike anything I've ever used before! If it's good enough for Kim Kardashian on her wedding day then I'm pretty sure it's good enough for me! 

2- Eyeko Skinny Liner Pen €12 approx

This was my first eye liner pen and I still absolutely love it! It's very similar to the Ink for Eyes the tip is just a tiny bit thicker and lasting power isn't as good! Don't get me wrong you'll still get a 6-8 hours before you have to touch it up depending on what you're doing but with Urban's version it's unlikely you'll have to touch up at all! 

3- L'Oreal Blackbuster €9.99

This is also a very good quality pen and creates a thicker line with first stroke! This liner is particularly good for a dramatic look! It's down fall is it just doesn't last long enough! You'l get about 4 hours before you have to touch it up! 

4- NYX Felt Tip Liner Pen €10.99 

The last pen I'll be talking about today is the NYX liner pen! It has a fine tip which again gives you an option on how thick you want your liner and it is definitely long lasting but I just found it just a little jumpy on the lash line which kind of annoyed me! Other than that It's great quality! 

What I love about all of these is that the nibs are solid and don't bend on contact with the lid and that is a lot harder to find than you think! A lot of them begin to weaken after a few uses but these particular ones stay strong! 

My next post will be on the traditional Liquid liners! 

Thank you for reading! I hope you gained something useful from it! 

Talk to you soon! 

Lee xx 

Purchase of the week: NYX Butter Gloss

I first heard about this gloss from my all time favorite Beauty Vlogger Nicole Guerriero a long time ago but never went out of my way to get one and never saw them even when in salon services where I picked up a blush from the Brand! When Shaws started stocking NYX I went in to see what they had to offer! 

I refrained from going mad and just picked up some butter glosses and a pen liner(separate post coming soon). There's a gorgeous range of colours in the butter glosses so your sure to find a colour for you! The colour pay off is brilliant, It's so moisturising on your lips and will last about an hour maybe two if your not eating but I like to freshen mine up every so often anyway so I don't mind that especially when it costs €6.49!  

Crème Brulee is in the pics below!

There are a few online stores that stock NYX including Littlewoods and Beauty Emporium but as far as I know Shaws and Salon Services type shops are the only physical stores where this brand is available in Ireland! 

Hope you enjoyed guys, talk soon! 

Leonie Xx