I have a confession to make … I love powder. So I thought that a post on my go-to powders was a must write for my blog.

For me, powder is extremely important, as my skin is quite oily. I hate having a face that looks greasy or that look of makeup sliding off my face. I used to be so paranoid about looking shiny (by shiny I mean greasy and not dewy!) that I used to layer about 5 different powders over my foundation. I was like a walking powder puff!!

Over the years, I’ve tried so many powders … you name it and I have probably tried it, but I’ve finally found the one. Okay, ones; I couldn’t go from 5 to just 1!

In this blog post, I’ll write about the two powders that I use that work for me.

BEN NYE POWDER
I had heard so many good things about the Ben Nye powder range and I eventually got around to buying some powders last year.

Oh my, I was blown away. This powder really keeps the shine away. It is finely milled so doesn’t sit on skin resulting in that powdery look; rather it leaves the skin looking like skin.

I use Banana powder to set under my eyes to brighten them (note I always wear fake tan). I generally use Neutral Set (colourless) powder to set the rest of my face. If my tan is quite faded, I sometimes use Cameo (paleish colour) instead of Neutral Set.

I order these powders from www.sunaura.ie. These powders are really good value …. Neutral Set powder is €19.67 for 42g and Cameo/Banana powder is €30.25 for 26g. Prices shown exclude VAT. Delivery is charged based on weight, but roughly works out around €2.85.

MAC BLOT POWDER
I discovered this powder years ago and couldn’t be without it in my makeup bag.

This powder was designed to eliminate shine and it does just that. It is super finely milled and I apply it mainly on my t-zone where I am most oily. Plus regardless of how many layers I apply, it doesn’t look dirty or caked. This powder is a handbag essential!

Blot Powder has a slight colour (that is, it is not translucent), but it runs quite light. I wear shade Medium-Dark.

This powder is €26.50 and available from any Brown Thomas or selected BT2 stores. If you’re lucky to be heading on holidays any time soon pick it up in The Loop, as it’s cheaper.

To show you how good these powders work, the photo on the left was taken 7 years ago and I’m probably wearing 5 layers of powder. Shiny! The pic on the right was taken this year … after about 12 hours wearing that makeup!

If I am heading out, I generally apply my face for the day in the morning. For my nighttime look, I do not reapply my base. Instead, I powder my t-zone and slap on the eye makeup.

Hope you guys enjoyed. Until next time … x

My obsession with glitter continues. As promised, I’ve done a little blog post on how to apply glitter to make your eyes sparkle. Hope you enjoy x

Step 1: I do the rest of my makeup first. This includes a black winged line if I’m applying a glitter line. I’m loving Kat von D’s Tattoo liner as it’s so easy to use.

Step 2: Pour a small amount of glitter and glitter glue onto a mixing palette. The glitter glue I always use is Lit Cosmetics Liquid Glitter Base.

Step 3: Using a makeup brush, mix small amounts of glitter and glitter glue on the palette and pack onto eyelid using a patting motion. I normally use the Makeup Forever/Face2 0 brush which is available from the Makeup Forever store in town. I think it costs around €10 (I have it a long time). The Blank Canvas E39 also works very well. It costs around €6.95 and can be purchased from www.cloud10beauty.com (free delivery over €15.00) orwww.blankcanvascosmetics.com (delivery is €1.99).

Step 4: For any precision work, the Urban Decay glitter liner which I talked about in my last blog post is fab. I’ve used it here to finish off the tail of the wing.

Step 5: Apply lashings of mascara and some falsies and you’re ready for anything.

Hope you enjoyed this blog post. ‘Til next time x

Hi everyone

As much as I love a matte eye, I have to say I really love adding some glitter to my eyeballs … whether all over the lid, as eye liner or just on the inner corner … I love it all!! At the moment, I have four brands of glitters that I tend to reach for (two loose and two glitter liners), which I’ll talk about more below.

GLITTER LINERS
Urban Decay Heavy Metal: This was my first introduction to glitter and I have to say that I would recommend this to anyone trying glitter for the first time. This liner has an extremely thin brush, which gives you great control over the application process, especially if you’re doing a glitter line. This glitter liner comes in 6 colours and is available to buy in-store in Debenhams for €19.00.

Collection 2000 Glam Crystals: I came across this brand when searching for a liner similar to Urban Decay’s limited edition black glitter. This product is quite comparable to the Urban Decay glitter liner, but the brush is slightly thicker. However, these glitter liners are a fraction of the price at €3.99. They come in 10 colours and are available to buy from either Boots or Superdrug.

LOOSE GLITTERS
Lit Cosmetics: I discovered this glitter from Mia Smith (Instagram: makeupbymia). This was the first brand of loose glitter that I tried. These glitters are really beautiful and finely milled. I purchase mine from www.beautybay.com (free delivery over €18) orshop.fabulousmakeup.co.uk. They are currently on sale on BeautyBay so now is a good time to check them out.  They can be purchased in size 2 and size 3. If this is your first time trying loose glitter there’s plenty in size 2 to get you started.

Certifeye: I first saw these glitters on Champagne Whisper’s Instagram page (champagnewhisper). It was love at first sparkle and I knew I had to try them straight away. These glitters are also finely milled and they come in a full range of beautiful colours. I have to mention the packaging, as they come in the cutest bottles so they’ll look great on your makeup table. The bottles come in mini and full size versions with prices ranging from €6.00 to €10.00. (Delivery is €5.)

I’ll do a separate post on how to apply loose glitter so keep an eye out for that.

Until next time…

Kat x

 

Hi everyone.

So I am writing my first ever blog post and I thought that the first thing I should write about is foundation. My most asked question is probably … what foundation do you wear?

I will start with my skin type. I have oily combination skin – my t-zone is extremely oily and I have issues with breakouts. (Just as an aside, it’s important to note that skin care is an important step in ensuring that foundation goes onto skin properly AND stays in place.  I will write about my skincare routine in a separate post.) I also have lots of freckles!

When applying foundation, I like a flawless and full coverage finish. I generally go between two foundations, which I will discuss in more detail below.

In terms of applying my foundation,  I apply it with a normal latex sponge using a patting technique. For me this gives the most coverage. The sponge may soak up a little extra product compared to a brush, but I personally prefer the finish a sponge gives. However, I use a Beauty Blender when applying foundation on others. This also gives a lovely finish and soaks up a little less product.

THE FIRST FOUNDATION: I was introduced to Estee Lauder Double Wear at the age of 20 by my sisters when they bought it for me as a Christmas present. I loved this foundation from the first moment I tried it. It had everything that I could wish for in a foundation … good full coverage, longevity and it dries to a matte finish. I have tried many other foundations over the years, but I always return to this foundation as I can always count on it to never let me down.

My shade is Tawny (I wear fake tan every day). I normally buy this product from Boots or Brown Thomas so as to obtain store points (both run customer loyalty schemes), which I save up and spend at a later date. It is about €38.00, but worth every penny in my view.

THE SECOND FOUNDATION: I already owned a couple of Illamasqua products but it seems that everywhere I turned people were talking about the Skin Base foundation, especiallyJamie Genevieve,  one of my favourite makeup artists and You-Tubers. (If you haven’t already, check her out on Instagram and You Tube.)

I attended Jamie Genevieve’s makeup masterclass in London last year and Jamie kindly allowed me to try out some products in her kit, one if which was Skin Base. I loved it instantly!

The very next day, I popped into the Illamasqua store and got matched up to Shade 10. This foundation is quite comparable to Estee Lauder Double Wear … it gives the same full coverage, but with a slightly more dewy finish. It also feels lighter on the skin … so all the coverage of Double Wear without the heavy feeling.  I find that I am reaching more and more for this foundation, especially at weekends.

Irish readers can order this on debenhams.ie and it is about €30.50 with free in-store delivery. Unfortunately, Illamasqua is not stocked in Irish stores so colour matching can be a little tricky. However, if you can get matched, I definitely recommend that you try this foundation.

Hope you enjoyed my first blog post. I’ll be back soon.

Kat x

   

Hi there. Thanks for visiting my website!

As you will already know my name is Kathleen and I’m from the Garden County (County Wicklow) of Ireland.

I am a makeup FANATIC and have trained in both beauty therapy and makeup.

I gained a Diploma in Aesthetic Treatments with Bronwyn Conroy in Blackrock, County Dublin. Seven years later I set out to fulfill my dream of studying makeup and registered with LA College of Creative Arts. I very proudly received my Diploma in Fashion and Media Makeup in 2015.

I have set up this website to share my love and passion for makeup and all things beauty eventhough I am not taking any makeup appointments at present.

Disclaimer: Everything I write about is from my own day to day experience (and occasionally from that of a trusted friend) and all opinions are my own (and occasionally those of a trusted friend).