Some Summer Zest from Ziaja and Roger & Gallet

Hello All, 

So its been a few days since my last update, I was doing so well. I was inspired by all of the lovely girls from the #IrishBBlogger chat last night to get back on the horse!

Today I wanna talk about some body lotions that I have been loving recently. I love body lotions/ butters/ creams. I use once at least once a day – always after a shower to lock in moisture, most evenings before bed and sometimes again in the morning depending on how my skin is feeling. Coming into summer I like to use scents  (perfume, body creams, etc) that have a more floral or zesty smell and the two body creams I’ve been using lately fit this bill.

The first is Ziaja Body Lotion. This range of body lotions have been designed to tackle a number of skin problems from pesky cellulite to dry skin skin. I have been using the Orange Butter Body  Lotion*. This lotion has an orange base that actively tightens and tones the skin. While cellulite isn’t a huge issue for me at the moment I can see it starting on the back of my legs. I am using this lotion as apreventative measure and its just a bonus that it smells so good. I love using this after a shower to lock in the moisture on my skin.

Not only is there 4 different types of lotions, there work out at €5.99 (very affordable). Ziaja is available from pharmacies nationwide or you can order directly from Original Beauty.

The second lotion I’ve been loving is from Roger & Gallet ‘Lait Des Bienfaits’*. I like to use this lotion at night before bed to give my skin another surge of moisture. I duon’t know about you but my skin can get quite dry in the warmer months. This lotion is infused with blood orange fragrance and has a different smell to the Ziaja offering but both are lovely.  Lait Des Bienfaits also contains five red berries, aloe vera,  kiwi extract and ginseng extract. Each ingrdient works to hydrate and soften your skin.

Roger & Gallet’s Lotion is €14.75 for 200ml  and available from M&S beauty halls and pharmacies nationwide.

What’s your favourite lotion to useduring the summer? Have you tried either of these?

Avril

XX

*PR sample.

The Women's World Show 2013

Hello All,

 So just a quick post to let you all know that The Women’s World Show is taking place in Simmonscourt in The RDS on the June bank holiday. It is in conjunction with The Women’s Mini Marathon. 

This is the largest female exhibition in Ireland and the event runs for the whole weekend. Some of the exhibitors include Sleep in Rollers and Orogold and there will be 5 fashion shows a day. 

 If you do want to go, you can download tickets from free from The Women's World website or download them from the free Women's World App. Or you can plan €12 on the door. I’m hoping to drop in and have a look around when I pick up my Mini Marathon Pack. Maybe I’ll see ya there? 

Avril 

Xx

Summer Nails with Essie

Hello all,

I have loved Essie polishes for a good few years now. I got into them when I did a semester abroad in Toronto in 2009. I think the first one I got was the infamous Mint Candy Apple. After watching a recent video from Lily Pebbles on 'Colour Alternatives for Essie Polishes’ I went out and bought some of the Essie polishes she recommended. I know – not really the purpose of the video but they were just so lovely!! 

Swatches (2 coats) - 'Cute as a Button' & 'Splash of Grenadine' 

The two that I picked up are colours for Summer. I got ‘Cute as a Button’ and ‘Splash of Grenadine'. Cute as a Button is a pinky-coral shade and Splash of Grenadine described as a magenta pink. Both are really vibrant and bright, so even on days like today when your dreaming of the sun, these shades can help remind you Summer is coming. 

Nail varnish on my nails seems to chip after 1 days, even the polish I put on last night seems to have chipped.  But both of these polishes lasted a full week on my nails with minimal chips. I put on two coats and a little bit of Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Top Coat and I was good to go. Also tip - if your in Dublin don't buy the Essie polishes in Boots, they're about €13 but get yourself to a MacCabes Pharmacy where they are €10 and also do student discounts!! 

Have you tried any Essie polishes?? What was your favourite shade??

Avril

Xx

OOTD #11 - Wedding in London Town

Hello all,

Last month I was in London going to the Boyfriend's Cousins Wedding (a mouthful). I thought I would do a quick picture heavy OOTD post. Apologies this is late - I lent my laptop to my sister for a while for exams and forgot to take the pictures off before I gave it to her. Anyway on with the post.

The Outfit:

I've had this dress for 2 years now. It was first graduation dress - my degree. I did a post on my OOTD for my Masters graduation which I will link here. I picked this dress it is just lovely. I thought as the dress was patterned I wouldn't really need to worry about accessories or anything so it was an easy chose. I paired it with some nude pumps from New Look. 

Patterned Dress - Zara (last year)  €70

Nude Shoes - New Look €26

The Make Up

For my make up, I did a smokey eye using the Naked Pallet, a little bit of coral blush and a matching coral lipstick both from Make Up Forever. I wanted to focus on the eyes for this look as they wouldn't need to be touched up throughout the day. 

The Hair

I went to a hair dressers near the hotel to get an up-do for the day. I knew it was going to be a long day I just wanted it off my face. I asked for a messy bun and this is what they did. I loved it!! It looked cool with the balayage effect I have at the moment.  It stayed up all day and through lots of dancing. 

So that was my picture heaving post from the wedding. It was a great night with lots and lots of dancing. I think I only lasted another few hours in my giant shoes before the flats made an appearance. Let me know if you enjoyed this post and I will post up more OOTD. 

Avril

xX

The Wonders of the Nima Mitt!!

Hello all! 

So I’m pretty sure that this is the coolest thing ever! You may or may not have heard of the Nima Mitt. If you have, I share your love for this product! If you haven’t, well then sit back and let me tell you all about it. The Nima Mitt is a clever ‘wash cloth’ for lack of a better word that removes all traces of make up, oils and dirt.  You wet the cloth enough to dampen it and then rub in circular motions across the face until it’s all clean! Simples!

Then to clean the mitt, use bar soap and to remove all traces of make up and dirt and rinse out! Bar soap is the best thing for cleaning the mitt, unfortunately liquid soap doesn’t work as well! To dry it, hang it up by the cute little loop on the side. Then it will be all ready for use the next day!

I first heard about the Nima back back in December at a blogger up and I was very intrigued to try it. I don’t know why it took me so long to order but I’m glad I did. The damage was €13 but long term you will safe money as instead of buying your lotions and potions of make up removers you just need this! Also takes up no weight for travelling. I don’t know why but if something is travel size or travel friendly it makes me like it more. Am I the only one?

I’ve been using this mitt for a few weeks now and I love it. It doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight like some cleanser do and I can see that all of the make up is gone. What’s the best part about it – its so handy to use. After a few drink and struggling to get up the stairs. I don’t need to use make up wipes or find cotton pads. I just use the magical mit and all my make up is gone. Easy!

You can order this through the Nima website. Niamh the owner and founder of Nima is just lovely to deal with and has great customer service. I would really recommend any of their products. 

Have you tried the Nima Mitt? How did you get on?

Avril

Xx