July Favourites

Hi Guys,

This is my first time doing a monthly favorite's post...yay!!! It's all just beauty / skin care products this month as I received a good few beauty products for my birthday last month which I have been using throughout July... Enjoy :) xXx

The first product I have been loving this month is the Garnier Micellar cleansing water. I talked about this recently in my skincare routine (you can read that HERE!). However this month I tried the new one for combination to oily and sensitive skin. I don't really have sensitive skin but I do have combination skin and sure there's no harm in using a product that is lighter on your skin anyway. So I tried this one out and I love it just as much if not more than the original, it is light weight, excellent for make-up removal and really refreshing on the skin. I have been using this twice daily as part of my current everyday skincare routine.

Staying with skincare, the next products I have been loving this month are these 3 products by Sanctuary. My Godmother got me a Sanctuary set for my birthday in June and I have especially been loving the body butter, feather light moisture spray and the intensive heel balm.

I hate thick moisturizers and body butters that don't spread smoothly and take ages to dry but this one is quite light for a body butter and smells lovely! I have been using it around once a week when I need a good moisture! 

The feather light moisture spray is amazing! It is a light moisturizing oil that is so handy when you are in a hurry and need a quick, light bit of moisture. You just spritz it lightly on the skin, rub in briefly and it dries in so quick and leaves your skin feeling really soft and smooth with a light glow, love it! 

Then last of my fave sanctuary products this month is the Intensive heel balm. I have never really been one to moisturize my feet as I never really needed to but I have noticed recently that my heels have been getting quite dry so I decided to give this a go. After one use, I noticed a huge difference, the next morning my heels were already much smoother and the dry skin had eased loads, so I will definitely be continuing using this throughout the summer and before holidays.  I love the smell of sanctuary products too, they smell like a salon and are therefore really relaxing!

Now onto make-up... this month, I had ran out of my L'Oreal true match foundation which I have been using a lot recently so I had a sneaky peek in my mam's make-up bag and discovered the Clarins Eclat minute base illuminatrice de Teint and Clarins Skin illusion mineral foundation and fell in love with both products! The foundation is light and natural yet has good coverage! I really love the texture and the natural finish. It goes on great after first applying the base which has a gorgeous glow to it. Although it is much pricier than the L'Oreal foundation, I will definitely be purchasing these myself this month.

I have been using the Rimmel Wake me up concealer religiously over the last couple of months so I thought I should include it in my fave's. It isn't as full coverage as my MAC prolongwear concealer but it is so brightening and doesn't get clogged in any creases under the eyes. I have been using ivory under my eyes, down the centre of my nose and any other areas that need a bit of a lift.

I also picked up the below liquid ink liner by Essence and I am loving it! The thin, soft brush makes it easy to apply and it last all day without smudging!

Last but not least is this lipstick from Estee Lauder. I got this in a set at Christmas so I am not sure if it was a limited edition but I have only started using it the past month or two because it is a perfect summer, peachy shade. The colour is 'Crystal Coral'. It is also really glossy and has a light shimmer so it is gorgeous on sunny days with a nice bronze glow on the skin!

I hope you enjoyed my first monthly fave's! It will hopefully be a bit more interesting next time with a mixture of different things!

Lots of Love,

SassieDoll

xXx

THE MAKE-UP ADDICT TAG

Holy Moly I am so bold, I haven't  written a blog post in a month!!!
I have still been posting on my social media accounts for the blog though but back in November I started a new job as a trainee fashion buyer and it has just been so busy and super long hours that I really haven't had the time or energy over the last few weeks to compose good blog posts! But I just realized how much I missed it and I actually find writing/blogging very relaxing and therapeutic so here we go... :)

Today's post is the 'Make-up Addict Tag', I was tagged a few weeks ago by the FAB make-up artist/blogger and now youtuber... Fabiana Coppola. You can check out her website HERE! (On a side note... Fabiana is doing my makeup for a wedding I am going to on Saturday, so I will post the completed look she does on me after Saturday...stay tuned!). OK, let's get started!

1. What product do you keep buying more of despite having plenty of it in your collection?
I think this would have to be foundation...There are a few that I love but I am yet to find the perfect foundation so I am always buying new ones to try.

2. What is the one product you can't live without?
Um, this is a tough one. I have become very fond of MAC prolongwear concealer, so possibly that to brighten up my eyes and cover blemishes! Or mascara?!

3. Favorite make-up brand?
As of right now I think I would have to choose Estee Lauder. Since Christmas I have been using Estee Lauder skin care, mascara and eyeliner and I am in love with all of them!

4. How big is your make-up collection?
Not too big. It could definitely be bigger! :)

5. How do you store your make-up collection?
I have a 2 shelves and a drawer where I store all my make-up. Some is packed into make-up bags within the drawer. Lipsticks and brushes are in an acrylic make-up stand that I got from Home store and more. I carry my everyday items in my handbag at all times, and the rest is lose in a drawer.

6. How many items of make-up do you have in your handbag at the moment?
So I just counted and I am no longer wondering why my hand bag is so heavy! I think it's time to clear out my make-up bag... I currently have 14 items of make-up in my hand-bag!

7. If you could raid another bloggers' stash who would it be?
I think it would be Carli Bybel! I love watching her make-up tutorials and when she does a make-up room tour I just want it all!!! Check out her channel HERE!

8. How long does your usual make-up routine take and how many products do you use?
This one really depends. On a weekday morning before work I do my make-up in about 20 minutes, sometimes less if I'm in a hurry! I would use about 6 products on days like this - Foundation, powder, bronzer, blush, mascara and a brow pencil. But if it's for a night out, an occasion or just the weekend in general it would probably take me up to an hour or so.

9. Have you ever bought make-up knowing you will never use it?
I think I always buy things that I know I will at-least try out at home, but sometimes I buy things knowing I will probably never wear them outside my house!

10. Tag a few other make-up addicts to do this tag.
I am going to tag Teodora Kirilova from 'Rocababe'

Hope you enjoyed this post...until next time <3 p="">
Lots of love,
SassieDoll
xXx

What's in My Make-up Bag

Hi :)

Happy Tuesday :)
Today's post is just on what is usually in my make-up bag on an average day when I am heading to work. I use a lot of affordable products mixed with the odd MAC/higher priced item so I thought it would be good to share this for anyone who is interested!

So first, the make-up bag I am using at the moment is by Estee Lauder, I got this bag as a free gift when I purchased two items or more from Estee Lauder, the items I got at the time were the Double Wear foundation and a Primer. I love this foundation for day wear however when you use it on a night out, it doesn't have light reflecting pigments so it makes your face look really white in comparison to your tan in photos.

Anyway, back to what's actually IN the make-up bag at the moment!

I am currently using Essence Foundation which you can read my review on HERE!!! However, I have been trying to reduce the amount I carry around in make-up bag so I have stopped carrying a foundation with me. I currently have, a mascara (I very rarely top up my mascara during the day but it's always handy to have). My liquid eyeliner, a pencil eyeliner, a lipstick (which ever one I have chose to wear that day), a powder and bronzer and my eyebrow bar.

The picture above is a breakdown of the products, the concealer is MAC Prolongwear and this comes in handy when you've had a long day in work and are heading out after to cover up the tired circles under your eyes. I wouldn't usually need to use it through out the day though as it has really good longevity. Today, I have MAC 'Please Me' lipstick in my make-up bag, it is a soft pink-ish color that is perfect for daywear. I have just ran out of my MAC Studio Fix powder foundation but this is a must in my make-up bag weither I am going to work for the day or going for lunch or on a night out, it has great coverage and is great for tpping up throughout the day when needed as it comes with a little sponge and mirror. However, when I have run out of this (like at the moment...waiting on pay day!) I use the powder and bronzer shown below. They are both by Catrice Cosmetics and are less than €5 each! As much as I love my MAC powder, you could buy 7 powders from Catrice for the same price as 1 MAC powder! :/

I also carry my eyebrow bar with me just in-case I ruin my brows when I top up my powder or something! And I always carry my eyeliners as they are definitely something I top up throughout the day!

I hope you enjoyed this post, I will do more 'What's in my Make-up Bag' posts for different occasions and nights out over the next few months! If you have any questions about any of the products used or general queries you can e-mail me directly at: sarah@sassiedoll.com 

Lots of Love 

SassieDoll xXx

Top 10 Beauty Essentials for Winter

Many things during the winter can effect our beauty regime. The Cold weather, central heating, rain ruining our hair, no sunlight for a natural tan etc :P
So I have compiled a list of the top 10 Beauty essentials to get you through the winter months...Enjoy...x

1. A really good moisturizer
A great moisturizer is definitely a must when it comes to the winter months. The cold weather can really irritate the skin. At the moment I am using Estee Lauder Daywear Face Moisturizer, an advanced Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme. Although it says Daywear on the tub it can be applied both morning and night as part of your daily skincare routine. I have only been using this moisturizer for a few weeks now but I find it really hydrated my skin and it dries in quickly and acts as a lovely smooth base for my foundation.
For the Body, I currently use Dove Instant Hydration nourishing lotion. This moisturizer for the body is fast absorbing and light feeling. I love a light moisturizer that dries in quickly and doesn't leave the skin feeling sticky. This particular one is for Normal Skin however it does come in a variety of choices for different skin types.

2. Lip Balm
I'm sure most of us suffer from dry chapped lips during the cold months. So a good lip balm is definitely something to have in the make-up bag throughout the day. I have just purchased NIVEA lip butter in Raspberry Rose. It is so smooth on the lips and smells lovely :)

3. Eye Cream
I personally find the winter months can leave my eyes feeling dry and looking dark and tired, especially when your getting up early and it's still dark out, my eyes just don't fully wake up yet. So it is a must to have a good eyecream. I have recently started using ESTEE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair eye cream. I just dab a small amount under each eye before bed and it helps my eyes wake up a with a bit more moisture and nourishment in the morning.

4.Concealer 
This one kind of goes hand in hand with the eye cream as I personally think a good concealer goes a long way at brightening up the eyes during the dark winter days. I am currently using MAC Prolong-wear Concealer to help reduce dark circles under my eyes. I am loving this concealer and find it really long lasting during the long days in work.

5.Fake Tan
For me, fake tan is a year round process as I am quite pale naturally. However, it's nice not to look too tanned in the winter as it looks way more fake when the sun ain't shining. So during the winter, to brighten up my pale skin with a subtle glow I like to use gradual tan building moisturizers such as DOVE Summer Glow moisturizer. This gives a gradual natural looking glow and doesn't have a strong tan smell either. Another tan I like to use if I want to look a bit more bronzed is L'OREAL SUBLIME tinted gel. This is great for getting an even application and you can build it up as much as you like to achieve either a subtle glow or a darker bronzed tan.

6.Bronzer
This goes in line with the tan (above). Most people usually only think of bronzing for bikini season but I think a good bronzer used sparingly adds a much needed glow to my skin during winter. I change my bronzer quite a bit but my two faves I'm using at the moment are Catrice Sun Glow Matte Bronzing Powder. The color I use is 030 Medium. Then for a high lighting, shimmering bronzer I love GOSH Giant Sun Powder. This one is a bit more for the summer but it still adds a lovely glow to the skin during the winter. It is also great to use on the chest or collarbones for a night out to add a nice glow.

7.Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner
Whenever I need a bit of extra moisture for my hair my favorite products to use are DOVE shampoo and conditioners. They always leave my hair feeling silky soft and looking so healthy. The Dove hair products are really creamy and rich and I love that feeling on my hair. They are also a great price range :)

8.A Good Eyebrow Palette
Over the last few seasons eyebrows have been a key beauty trend. During the winter, big eyebrows are proving to be one of the main trends for the season therefore a good eyebrow palette is a must. I like to fill mine with BENEFIT Brow Zings in Dark brown. This palette has one cream color and one powder color.

9.On-Trend Lipstick 
As well as big brows, color lips are a key statement trend on the beauty scene this season. Check out one of my previous posts HERE for a guide to this seasons top 10 MAC lip colors. My fave red at the moment is Russian Red :)

10.Vitamins and Water :)
To finish off my list of top 10 Beauty Essentials it wouldn't be complete with out Water and Vitamins. These are always the best things to be taking to keep your skin, hair and nails looking good and healthy throughout the Winter. I haven't been that good at drinking much water over the last few months but I am trying to get back into it now. On a good day, I would try to have 2 liters a day. When it comes to vitamins during the winter I like to take a Berocca in the morning along with a Vitamin D tablet (as this is produced by sun light which obviously we lack in this vitamin during the winter months) and I try to take a fish oil tablet too.

I hope you enjoy this Beauty Essential Guide for Winter, I would love to know if you would like to see some of these kind of posts more often. You can get in touch with me at sassiedoll.blog@outlook.com with any of your questions or to let me know any suggestions of posts you would like me to do?! Thanks...Enjoy...x