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: Urban Decay Eye Priming Potion

I literally don't know what has taken me so long to get this baby but I finally did this week after being so impressed by it every single time I use it on someone in work! 

This product is available in 4 different varieties and I've luckily got to work with each of them! Original, Anti-Aging, Sin and Eden! Greed was another version available but this has been discontinued! 

Personally my fave is the original! Don't get my wrong they are all brill! Especially for the purpose each of them serve but if you don't have any extraordinary requests the original is perfect for you! It's consistency is perfect and it still gives some coverage for red or purple lids! 

The Anti-aging version is a little lighter and needs a minute or two to dry in but the results are also great! It's very moisturising and helps fill in fine lines etc! 

Sin is basically the same colour as the eyeshadow sin! This is quite shimmery and can be used alone or as a base for a shimmery eye look! 

Eden is a concealer based one so it conceals as well as primes! This is for people with visible veins on their eyes, black circles etc! Consistency is heavier! I really like this one too! 

For me it's between the original and Eden but I've stuck with the original for now! 

This product allows shadow to pop right away without having to pack it on! It stops creasing (one of my biggest pet peeves!!) and allows the shadow to stay on all day! 

Once you try this you'll never turn back trust me!!  

This is €21 or €11 for the travel size! It may seem expensive enough but I can't emphasise how great this really is and you only need half a pea sized amount for two eyes, it will last ages and ages! It's available from any Urban Decay Counter! Why not pop into me on Henry street and say Hi! :) 

That's it for now guys, hope you enjoyed! 

Ciao for now, 

Leonie Xx 

Purchase of the week: Inglot Matt Lipstick in #425

So I've decided to do a weekly blog post on my favourite purchase of the week! This won't be on makeup alone but anything I buy and find really good or useful! If there's anything you guys are wondering about just let me know and I'll do what I can to get it and try it for you! Any excuse haha! 

As you can see, my very first purchase of the week is on the new Inglot Matte Lippy in #425. This is a gorgeous colour perfect for summer! Inglot's Lipstick is brilliant and this one is no exception! It's matt but not too matt that it's a nightmare to go on, its glides right on, no need for layers and layers as the colour pay off is great! Once it's on it doesn't budge! Of course eating will fade the colour a bit but other than that your safe! 

 

This is €13 and is available at all Inglot Stands and Stores! I'm pretty sure I'm going to have this for a long while as a little bit goes a long way! 

Hope you enjoyed beauties and in future these will be going up every Friday! :) 

Ciao for now!

Leonie Xx 

My Favourite Concealers for every budget!

Following my favourite foundations for every budget is my concealer version! For me concealers are just as important. They hide imperfections and brighten the skin. I have pretty bad dark circles under my eyes some days so I really couldn't live without it. When doing masterclasses I'm always so surprised with the amount of people who say they don't use concealer! By the end it is always one of the first things they are running out to buy along with primer! They are like makeup's secret weapons! 

So like last time I am going to list products in desending order of price! 

1- Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil 

This has to be my favorite I love love love this concealer! It's so great for covering black circles and blemishes. It's a pencil so it's precision application. No brush needed, no dipping into pots or wasting loads of product taking out too much! Simply pair the pencil and work away! So hygienic too! It goes on so silky and then turns matt but not too matt that it makes your skin look dry! I could go on all day lol! This is €15 and is available at all Urban Decay counters in Debanhams and also online! 

2- Rimmel Match Perfection Illuminating Concealer 

This a great illuminating concealer for under the eyes and highlighting areas when contouring. I'm not so mad about it for covering blemishes as it is an illuminating concealer after all so it will only bring attention to what your covering! I use this all the time for highlighting under my eyes it's a really good product from Rimmel! This is €7.99 and is available in Boots and any pharmacy that stocks Rimmel.

3- Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer 

I read about this concealer a while back so when I saw it in Boots in Jervis a few weeks back I'd said I'd give it a go and I was really delighted with it! It has great coverage, it turns matt within a few seconds and stays put! Definitely one of the better 'drugstore' concealers! This is priced at just €6.49 and is worth every cent! As far as I know this is only available in Boots. If you don't live near a boots you can order it online! 

4- Catrice All Round Concealer 

This little palette is brilliant! You get 5 different colours to hide dark circles (Pink), blemishes (Beiges) and redness (Green). These concealers have a really nice creamy texture and pretty good coverage for the price! I would say if you have particularly oily skin then stay away from this product it's just too creamy! I'm pretty sure the last time I bought this it was €3.50 but I know it's definitely under €5 anyway! This is available on the Catrice stand in Penneys and any pharmacy that stocks the brand. 

5- Catrice Camouflage Cream

This is pretty similar to the above product but it's a thicker consistency so your going to get more coverage from it and it's one colour per pot! This is really handy to bring around with you and lasts absolutely ages! This is €3.49 and is also available on the Catrice Stand in Penneys and Selected pharmacies. 

Once again I will probably update this as time goes on and new products are released! 

I hope this helped guys! If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask! 

Thanks for reading :)

Leonie Xx

Elizabeth Arden The Original 8 Hour Cream

I've seen the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream mentioned in many magazines over the years so when I saw it at the Irish Beauty Fair for 15euro, half its usual price, I decided I had to try it!

When I opened it I have to say I was a bit put off with the consistency and smell even though I got the fragrance free version! This is much more of a wax than a cream so it has that waxy smell! Once I got over that I started to realise just how many uses this product has! I'll go through them below!

Uses:

 Hold your eyebrows in place and gives them a nice sleek look. Only use a tiny tiny amount!

A moisturising Lip balm. I use this when I'm moisturising etc before I put on my makeup so by the time I get to doing my lips they are nice and soft! I also use it at night before I go to bed.

Relief for dry skin. This can be used anywhere! I use it on my hands,elbows and on my legs after shaving. It can also be used as a treatment on your face for dry skin I personally haven't done it myself as it would make my skin too oily but if you have dry skin try it as an overnight treatment you'll love it. 

It can also be used as a highlighter on the top of the cheekbones or on the eyelids to give your shadow a shine! 

People even use this as relief for sunburn or irritated skin it's such an all rounder! 

Honestly, the list is endless just use your imagination! 

This cream/wax is renowned worldwide and I now understand why! It is so versatile! It spreads really well so it will last you a long time! If you have dry skin on your face, lips or body then this is your saviour!

 It's available in Boots, Shaws, Debenhams and Brown Thomas and is 33euro!

Let me know what you think of it!

Leonie Xx

Decadence Tan Review

Sorry I've been so quiet this week guys, had a mental week! :)

Anyone that's knows me will tell you that I LOVE to have a tan! Now when you live in Ireland a natural tan is rarely going to happen and sunbeds year round isn't an option for me so fake fan it is!

I have tried so many brands from Penneys St. Moriz to St. Tropez, from low to high price ranges, and I can most definitely say price does not always determine the quality of a product. I've found most tans have some sort of flaw, I think they are all so simular! 

I've been using Decadence Tan now for about a year and have to say its my favourite so far! It's colour is a nice golden brown and doesn't have that orange tinge to it that so many others have! Its an Irish Brand so maybe its the fact its made for Irish skin that makes the colour's so nice on!

The colour is buildable so you can make it as deep as you want depending on how much product you use, its instant but I feel it develops a small amount over a few hours. It lasts me about 3 days and fades off so nice- one of my favourite things about this tan! I hate looking all patchy and dirty when tan is coming off. Its also pretty water resistant after a half an hour or so! You won't get water marks from rain etc which is always a plus!

Decadence smells gorgeous and is made with natural products which for me makes it that more attractive! Its aloe vera based so it does not dry out your skin like most tan I actually thinks it does the opposite! Its costs 15euro and is worth every penny in my opinion. It lasts me so long and I always apply a full body.

My good friend Evan and I at his 21st! I actually have no pics on my own lol

Decadence is available on their website and selected salons. I get mine in AJ's Salon Supplies in Carlow but if you check their website you can check for your area.

Give it a go I love it! :)

Lee Xx