Eeeeekkkk! It's holiday time!!!

Finally my holiday has arrived, I have been waiting for this FOREVER well it feels like forever. I'm off to sunny Florida for two glorious weeks and the excitement level is through the roof. So apologies must be made because I know I haven't had many posts this week (ok sorry no posts this week) but I have just been super busy! 

I love packing for holidays simply because I'm easily excited! I love picking out my outfits and going through all my makeup and accessories etc. A two week holiday is a long time and there are ALOT of essentials I need to bring with me! At the same though you have to be somewhat sensible or so I'm told! . 

When I first went to pack my makeup and toiletries I had three big full bags. They weighed so much and took up a lot of room so I had no choice only to cut down. I made a second attempt at it and I managed to cut it down a little (really only a teeny bit!!)

So some of my holiday essentials include:

Urban Decay Naked Palette.Of course this was going to come with me. I've expressed my love for this so many times, it was an obvious choice. Benefit Waterproof Bad Gal had to come as well. I got waterproof as I'll be in and out of water esp when we go to any of the water parks and I really couldn't survive without any mascara. 

More makeup includes my Nars Orgasm Blush - I love peachy blush when you have a nice tan. Benefit 10 Bronzing and Highlighting powder. I'm loving this lately so had to come with me! 

I'm bringing about a million lipsticks and glosses including MAC Hue,  Gosh Nude,  Lancome Juicy Tube in strawberry, Smashbox Peachy and many many more! 

My TRESeme 24 Hour Body lotion, powder and finishing hairspray. I love this range, if you haven't tried it yet I'd really recommend it! L'Oreal Play Ball Beach Fizz. I only recently found out I can use this in wet hair as well so I will be sure to get plenty of use out of this! 

I could really go on forever here, but I need to stop at some stage! Bela Beauty Blog will be a little quiet for the next few weeks while I am away but I promise loads of great posts once I get back! 

So passport - check, tickets - check, dollars - check, sunglasses - check.... 

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Makeup of the day: Mollie King at GQ Awards.

It's time again for a makeup of the day! I have to say my favorite makeup iv’e seen this week has to be Mollie King from The Saturdays at the GQ awards. When I seen a picture of her I thought she looked gorgeous, and by far the best out of the rest of the band. Although don’t get me wrong, they are all gorgeous - not jealous at all!! 

They all always look fantastic but there was something about Mollies look that just looks extra nice, and i’m pretty sure it’s those hot pink lips she is rocking! The way she has her hair back off her face allows the bright lips to make even more of a statement! 

Her eyes are dark and smokey but it is done to perfection and takes nothing away from her bright lips. The rest of her makeup is natural and kept quiet simple with looks to be just some contouring on her cheeks and highlighter. 

The whole look Mollie is going for is gorgeous, can’t go wrong with a little black dress!

Have you seen any gorgeous makeups this week? 

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Your winter skin..

I honestly thought I would get a little longer before I would have to do this post, at least till after my holidays but it seems not. Autumn (Fall) is upon us now and there is no denying it. It is getting very cold and wintery now. It seems to have come on us very suddenly..sigh. I actually quiet like the winter months - not the rain though!! I love the dark evenings when it’s real cold and you have lots of stews for dinner and have the fire lighting and of course hot chocolates - no just me then?? 

I don’t however like the effects winter has on my skin. Who does?? The cold weather means our skin becomes drier and more sensitive. We are much more prone to dehydration and all of his can leave our skin looking, well, quiet frankly, dull! Nobody wants to have dull skin! So what can we do to keep it looking its best in the cold months? 

I always highly recommend getting a richer moisturiser. A lot of my clients look at me with fear when I tell them this but it is true. Our skin gets drier from the cold and more sensitive meaning we need a richer cream to keep out skin looking fresh and nourished. Now, there are obviously a few exceptions to the rule, if you have extremely oily skin, you wont need a richer cream (but be sure to wear an SPF to keep the skin protected). No need to go crazy and get extremely rich cream that takes forever to dry in and leaves you super shiny, just a step up from the cream you use normally. 

I’m not suggesting you run out now and buy one but when your current moisturiser is gone, and you are planning on buying a new one, make it a bit more winter friendly for your skin. Use this tube/pot/tub up and go back to your normal one. That few months of having a little more moisture when it is most needed, will leave your skin looking radiant and glowing! 

                                                          [source: unknown]

Showing your care a little more TLC in the winter will always help as well. Be sure to still wear an SPF, the sun is still there. Some of those evenings when you are snug in front of the fire, why not quickly put a nourishing face mask on? Your skin will thank you. Try swap the odd hot chocolate for a bottle of water and try not to have the heat on too strong in your car especially if you are in it a lot. This is very dehydrating on the skin! Although the latter is definitely the hardest thing in my opinion, I try but sometimes it is just too cold!! 

I promise I’m not mad and these tips will help keep your skin looking its best! 

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The hunt for the perfect foundation...

I am on the hunt for the perfect foundation. What girl isn’t I suppose. I thought I would share with you as I try new brands and try find the perfect one...

I have been using MAC for sometime now and while I do love it and it lasts on my skin for the day (which is hard to find), there is something about it that i’m just not too sure about. Sometimes I think the color isn’t great. Im very pale and while I do wear tan I like to have the most natural colored foundation I can. Sometimes I think MAC is very yellowy on me and just doesn't do the job. There are lots of pro's and con's to this one and I think it might be time to move on and try something new. 

The latest one I have been testing out is Estee Lauder Double Wear. I like coverage but not too much. I don’t want to be "caked" in makeup! So I have to be careful using this one that I don't overdo it and put too much on. (I can very easily overdo it as it is quiet thick) I’ve found the best way to use this foundation is with a flat foundation brush and I MUST use a moisturizer before I apply it! I only use a tiny bit and build the foundation up to the level of coverage I want. 

I do like this one,  I think it is lovely on my skin and the color is nice when I have tan on. I’m a little unsure though if it is a bit much for every day wear? Im not sure. I think I need to continue using it for a little longer to see. I am happy with it but I’m not fully convinced this is the best one out there for my skin. I think there will definitely be more worth trying. 

Have you guys had a similar hunt for the perfect foundation? 

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My August LOVES...

WOW! I can't believe another month has come and gone already! That means it’s time again for my monthly loves!  So, let’s get cracking on them.

As always, a staple in my makeup is Urban Decay Naked Palette. Love it and you all know I do. You can read my review on that here.   I’m also loving my St Tropez tan this month as well. No sun here means no real tan so I have been using this to keep my skin looking golden.

This month I have been loving  Benefit Dandelion Blush! I have had this for ages and never really wore it. I took it out from its hiding place about two weeks ago and totally fell in love with it again. I have been using it now loads and it has become a favourite and taking pride of place in my makeup bag.

Some newbies this month have been, my BaBylisss Big Hair. I have used it loads since I got it and I really really love  it. It is really easy to use but I’ve found after using it a few times I’ve really gotten the hang of it and I can get my hair just how I like it. To read my full review on that click here.

Next up is two products from the TRESemme 24 Hour Body range. I have totally become addicted to using the Blow Dry Lotion and the Sky High Plumping Powder!  I love when my hair has some volume in it, not over the top now, but you know, a bit of oomph! These two products have been excellent for doing this for me and I am a major fan of the range. I find if I use the Blow Dry Lotion before I use my BaByliss Big Hair, then I get a real gorgeous volumised finish to my hair!

I adore Jessica nail polishes –love love love. Great for keeping shine and love every colour. I have been painting my nails a lot this month and almost all Jessica colours.

I recently found Lush lip exfoliator and I have fallen in love with it! I am slow with this one as it has been available for some while now, but I’m just so glad I found it, late or not!

So that is it for my loves this month, some newbies and oldies!

What have you been loving this month?

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Makeup of the day: Pixie Lott rocks the festival look!

So festival season is coming to an end and that sadly means the end of summer as well… sad face. BUT before we get too glum, it is not the end just yet. With Electric Picnic on this weekend in Ireland I thought I would dedicate a makeup of the day post to the gorgeous Pixie Lott. 

Pixie matched her flowery makeup with her top. Very cute. I think she looks great. This type of makeup can go very wrong but Pixie has kept it cute and pretty and is avoiding that tack factor! Festivals seem to be when Pixie looks her best I think. Don't get me wrong she is gorgeous all the time but she really knows how to rock that festival look! 

Some tips I'd give to anyone heading to Electric Picnic this weekend is be sure to get a good waterproof mascara (don't you know it will rain in Eire), nice colourful lipsticks or balms, SPF (it might be sunny). I like to wear a tinted moisturiser to festivals but go with whatever you are comfortable in! 

Why not take a leaf out of Pixies book and go for the pretty girlie look with cute floral designs?

Are you heading to Electric Picnic this year? 

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