My Like-y List

This is the closest I’ll ever come to doing a “Monthly Favourites”.  I don’t know how some people find so many new amazing products every single month!

I must be too boring for that!  So I have compiled all the things that I have been lovin’ recently …

• FYI   I am extremely partial to a good pair of Ray-Bans.  I was trawling through ASOS and I came across these bad boys – Ray-Ban Round Metal Sunglasses. I just love them!! I feel their retro vibe is perfect for summer 2016. 
• I recently invested in a pair of Levi’s. And do you know what I wish I had taken the plunge sooner. The quality and the fit are second to none. I now have two pairs – these black ones and a pair of dark wash indigo ones. I do try to keep my Levi’s for good wear (it can’t just be an Irish thing) i.e. going out and events. An everyday alternative that are nearly on par with the Levi’s are the BurtonMenswear black jeans.
• I have been a long-time advocate of card holders (check out my Mulberry post). A cardholder takes up literally no space in my pocket and it fits in the bare essentials. I saw this Aspinal of Londonslim card holder in Midnight blue and I had serious lust. My other wallets are all of brown / tan / black variety and I wanted a splash of colour. You can find the Aspinal of London card holders at John Lewis or House of Fraser.
• I have rediscovered the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser. I was using this on a daily basis but I was fickle and moved onto something else. BUT I came to my beloved Ultra Facial Cleanser! It cleanses skin to a T and doesn’t dry out my skin and strip it of it natural oils.  You can read my full review here.
• My skin has been really well behaved at the minute (touch wood ) and I have actually cut down on the different blemish busting products I was using to just 1. The Estée Lauder Clear Difference Serum is ideal – I can slap it on when I feel I’m getting a tad congested and I find that even after a single use my skin is looking clear and dare I say it almost perfect! You can find the Clear Difference Serum at Boots and John Lewis.
• I have only recently written a post about The Body Shop Drops of Youth Essence-Lotion. It is so so good. Its light gel to water texture is amazingly cooling and refreshing. It adds lightweight moisture and it boosts the efficacy of any product that is applied on top of it. What’s not to like! 
• I am really digging Chanel’s Bleu de Chanel again. I just find it so refreshing and light for Spring / Summer. I have literally worn this every day since February. You can wear it heading out to work but also hitting the town in the evening. You can grab Bleu de Chanel at Boots and John Lewis. Oh you can check out my full review here.
• And finally my TV fav is … Bates Motel. I have only recently got into Bates Motel; it’s not my usual choice of TV show, but I’m weirdly enjoying it. I wouldn’t binge watch it but I am definitely hooked! I can’t wait to see how things will escalate around Norman. And what other “incidents” will result because of his strange bond / obsession with his mother.  It’s also a huge bonus that it has short seasons.

So there you have my Like-y List … let me know what you have been liking recently and please tell me that I’m not the only one mind-numbingly boring not to have a monthly favourites every month. 

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Summer Style | Summer Shades #Sunnies

I mentioned these already in my Summer Essentials (if you haven't read it yet tut tut, it's right here); Sunglasses are the epitome of summer style. They protect your peepers from the harmful UV rays and they just make everyone so much cooler. So finally with the weather getting warmer and sunnier! It is at long last #SunniesWeather

So … I have really got into my sunglasses as of late; I have been perusing the virtual and real world for the perfect pair of shades.
Here are my top shades from the spectrum of sunglasses - from the bank breaking to the budget!

“Black Ray-Bans, you know she’s with the band” (Katy Perry's song International Smile, listen to it here)

My absolute favorites are these Ray-Bans. They are absolutely STUNNING! The quality is second to none. They are so on point with the traditional Wayfarer frames but I love the twist of the slimmer sides. I think these are a cool alternative to the standard Wayfarer that everyone will be wearing this summer. They are perfect and versatile for any occasion: the matt black frames will easily carry you from formal to festival! I think the Wayfarer frames are the most flattering shades style, no matter your face shape. And above all they are tremendously comfortable to wear. Check them out here.

images from Burton

Burtons have a stellar selection of shades both in-store and online. Here are my two favourite picks from Burtons. Tortoiseshell Clubmaster Sunglasses; these are classic clubmaster sunglasses with tortoiseshell frame. I think these going to be quite trendy this summer. They are reminiscent of the Wayfarer but are a touch more quirky. I also adore the tortoiseshell frames; which is flattering on pale to tanned skin tones. My second pick is the Orange Lens Half Rim Aviator; these thin classic aviators are so rocking summer style with these reflective tonal orange lens! You’ll definitely stand out with a pair of these. All Burtons sunglasses come with a protective microfiber pouch to keep them safe.

images from Primark

Now to the most affordable of all shades! Penney’s (aka Primark in the UK) have a great affordable medley of shades from as little as €1.50! My faves are the Wayfarer with tortoiseshell frames and the standard Aviators but also the Aviators with the reflective blue lenses. There is a huge assortment of frames, styles, colours and prints of Penney’s sunnies. Go on; you can check them out here and have a good old browse, but they have a ton more in-store.

So wherever are you headed this summer make sure you are sorted in the sunnies department!

“Bon voyage avec vos lunettes de soleil!”

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MAN-UP It’s Summer! | ☀️ Summer Essentials ☀️

Today I thought I would compile my Summer-Must-Haves to guide you through a summer of fun. Here are my Summer Essentials that will have you prepared for anything this summer can (and probably will J ) throw at you! 

Sunglasses are a summer staple (actually obligatory if you ask me). My favourite are these Ray-Bans. They are on trend with the Wayfarer frames but I love the twist of the slimmer sides. I think these are a cool alternative to the standard Wayfarer. Why follow the herd! Make a statement with these Ray-Bans. They are perfect for all occasions: the matt black in so transitional from formal to festival. I think these are the most flattering sunglasses, no matter your face shape. And above all they are comfortable to wear. Check them out here.

You may think that GlamGlow ThirstyMud (you can read my full review here) is more of a winter essential but it's excellent during the warmer months. It rehydrates your skin but is non greasy way - so you won't be left like an oil slick. Hydration is so important during the summer, as the sun can have drying effects on your skin. This can exasperate both acne and dry skin conditions. Thus to be looking your best use GlamGlow ThirstyMud .

Úna Brennan Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Glow Boost Skin Serum is ideal for summer usage. It is a lightweight serum with a combination of Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and a skin lightening algae extract that replenishes and gives your skin a healthy glow and appearance. Ahhh … spot-on! Just what I need for summer. You can find it here.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo +; what can I say it works! You can read all my thoughts on it here. In the humid heat of summer it keeps spots at bay and my skin clear. Yah! That = happy me J. Haha!

La Roche-Posay Serozinc is another summer necessity; it mattifies your skin – it really does banish shine! But also the Zinc Sulphate will help heal any blemishes and kill bacteria on the skins surface. You can grab a can here. And read my full review here.

Carmex Mint Moisturising Lip Balm  you can suffer from dry, chapped lips at any time of the year (the sun’s fault again). Not only does this balm heal dry, cracked lips, it also acts as a sunscreen with the added protection of SPF 15. Protect that pout!  You’ll find it here.

If you need that sun-kissed glow then I whole heartedly recommend the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster. It gives you a subtle fool-proof sun-kissed glow. No oompa-loompa face for me! What’s not to like. You can get it here.

Vichy Ideal Soleil Mattifying Face Fluid SPF30. I like Vichy suncare – a lot! This SPF is a “dry touch” cream that has no greasy or white residue and sits well on my skin. A good, comprehensive SPF for oily combination skins. Grab yours here.

My signature summer scent is Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Male .This an ultra-fresh blast of minty cool aromas; perfect to offset the heat of the summer. With notes of mint, artemisia, lavender and musk – a definite masculine summer scent. Get your hands on it here.

I just thought that I would mention that your skin can get more congested in the summer to the humid weather and extra sweating (depressing yano). Therefore I recommend using a clay-based mask at least once a week to detox your skin and purge your pores of all that grossness! My two favourites are the GlamGlow SuperMud (here) and the Sanctuary Sanctuary 5min Thermal Detox Mask (here); both of these masks will have you sorted in a jiffy! Leaving you to get on with your summer.

… And finally I’ll depart with some advice. If you exfoliate your skin regularly throughout the summer, you will achieve a better tan. Not a fake one, but a real tan! So if you’re looking to keep a good colour during the summer, make sure to exfoliate as this leads to a deeper and a more even tan. By exfoliating away the dead skin cell, you are revealing fresh skin cells that can tan more easily.  But exfoliating also deepens the colour of your tan and makes it last longer. My recommendations are the Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion (here) for your face and Sanctuary Body Scrub (here) for the body. However, don’t forget to use lashings of SPF! (see some great SPFs here) and don’t get burned.

There you have my Summer Essentials.

Enjoy your summer and make the most of it!

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