January Favourites

Okay, right. I have absolutely no decent excuse to explain the fact that I haven't put up a blog post since November. So therefore I'm not going to do the stereotypical, false over apologetic paragraph regarding my absence. Let's acknowledge it, move past it and get straight to the makeup. K?


This is my first 'favourites' post on Just The McGinning, I always enjoy reading these, finding out what gems other people have found and what other people are using. It won't always be exclusively about products, but I'll be including some makeup techniques, some fashion bits and even some music and movies.

Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm

If you follow me on Instagram you'll probably have seen me post about this, but I'm just so obsessed that it deserves a bit more love. After hearing the very talented NikkieTutorials rave about this for so long I couldn't help but try it out for myself. This stuff is basically glue for your face, if like me there are days where your makeup is on for 12 hours at a time, you need this in your life. You need to rub it in a bit to wait for it to get tacky but sure then you're good to go. You can get this almost anywhere, Boots, Tesco and it's usually around the €6 mark; which is cheaper than most primers and there's a lot more of the product there.

Inglot Stardust Pigments

L: 120 R: 112

Top: 112 Bottom: 120

Pigments; if you're a pigment virgin, seem scary. Don't fret, lads, I've been there too, but trust me they're far from it and are the best way to get your eye make-up to 'pop'. My pigment obsession is growing by the week, and the Inglot Stardust pigments are some of my favourites. I have the shades 120 and 112, The colours are stunning, especially 120 which is like nothing I've ever seen before. I love anything duochromromatic it just adds something to any look. The swatch above really doesn't do it justice, I'd recommend anyone to go into their local Inglot and have a look at it, especially how it reflects blue, I'm just obsessed. These look gorgeous all over the eye, on the inner corner or even just on the centre of the lid. Pigments last forever, I don't know if repurchasing these will ever be necessary as you only need to use a tiny bit, so €16 is fairly reasonable. These pigments are available on the Inglot website or in store

MakeUp Geek Shadows

1st Row L-R: Peach Smoothie, Petal Pusher, Bitten Americano
2nd Row: Secret Garden, Pegasus, FlameThrower, Showtime

If like myself; you're mad into your YouTube and Instagram the brand 'make up geek' is one that crops up a lot. The curiosity finally got to me and I knew I had to try these shadows for myself. I got mine off Beauty Bay. This was my first MakeUp Geek purchase and definitely not my last, these shadows are pigmented, easy to blend and at an excellent price point, For someone who wants to build up their eyeshadow collection on a budget I really would look no further than here,

Mac 'Stripdown' Liner

I received this liner for Christmas and it's very quickly after becoming my go to nude lipliner, I find the formulation of Mac lipliners the best as they just glide onto your lips so easily with a good amount of colour payoff. I thought nothing would stop me from putting 'Nice N Spicy' on my lips everyday but this is beginning to take it's place. Kim Kardashian has been noted saying this is one of her favourite lip liners, and for good reason; this colour would be a perfect 'true nude' on anyone with a darker skin tone. But if  you're as white as me these will still look good, don't worry.
The Mac lipliners are €17 and available in Brown Thomas


So that concludes my first favourites post, I wouldn't expect to see a favourites every month, maybe every second; sure we'll see how we get on.

In the meantime, have a fab weekend everyone. And it's good to be back blogging.

Just The McGinning

Anastasia Queen of Brows

Recently (while in New York) I purchased some bits from Anastasia Beverly Hills, I haven't been happy with my 'brow game' for a while now and knew that if Anastasia couldn't sort them then I was a lost cause. Long story short, I'm a new woman. And if I ever met Anastasia (I'd die on the spot) I would give her a big wet one cause she has given my eyebrows a new lease of life. Since I have bought these products I have been using them on a daily basis, and I really can't see me changing up my brow routine anytime soon.

Brow Powder Duo

Having red hair makes finding brow products with a red undertone can be a pain to say the least, so thankfully Anastasia Beverly Hills has a brow colour to suit absolutely everyone; The shade I got was 'caramel', I adore how this has the two colours, on 'no makeup' makeup days I opt for the lighter shade, for night time I generally use the darker, though mostly I mix the two. The colour has an ashy undertone, and is still red, which I like, very buildable too. This can be bought on Beauty Bay for €21.10, which isn't cheap. Do you need this? Probably not, unless you find it difficult to find a brow colour on the high street that suits you i.e very blonde, or a redhead. But I will definitely be repurchasing this.

Dipbrow Pomade

This was definitely the product I was most excited to try. And it lived up to every expectation. Stop what you're doing, and go and get this right now. I've used this everyday for the last 6 weeks and as you can see, I've barely made a dent in it, so this will last me ages! A little goes a very long way with this, it lasts all day, and stays on through the horrible damp weather we have here at the moment, sounds like an absolute dream? Because it is. Also available on Beauty Bay for €18,60. Honestly, if this was twice the price it would still be worth it. Using the dipbrow makes getting a precise, sharp brow so much easier.

No. 14 Brush

So on my voyage of brow discovery, I discovered the secret of having your brows 'on point' it's a spoolie.This makes all, I mean all the difference.After each step brush 'em through and it makes them look less overdone, less drag, unless of course that's the look you want in which case you do you.

 On the other side is an angled brush, which generally is the best shape brush to use when filling in your brows, it just makes the whole process easier. Beauty Bay doesn't stock this brush but they have a slight variation of it for €17.40 you don't need this brush but I definitely would pick up a spoolie

Clear Brow Gel

I've always used Essence brow gel, and always found that it made no difference to the staying power of my brows. After hearing fantastically good things about the clear brow gel I bit the bullet and bought it, available on Beauty Bay at €20 it's steep enough for a brow gel. But lads, this is the hero product of all the goodies So it doesn't smell great, quite strong, chemical scent; which doesn't bother me personally. You may as well have brushed superglue through your eyebrows, they will stay exactly the same for 12,15 hours no bother. If you had to get one brow product I would get this

Hope this helped any of you who are feeling that your eyebrows need some major TLC. They've definitely upped my brow game.
Happy Monday everyone!
-Laoise, Just The McGinning xx

NYC Day 5 + 6

Only a short post as the last two days were the least eventful, we just soaked up as much of the city as we could before we left.

Day 5

We bought a 'Sun and Stars' ticket for the Top of the Rockerfeller Centre observation deck, this allows you to visit the observation deck twice in one day, therefore visitors can see it by day and night. The Top of the Rock is a lot cheaper than the Empire State Building, though I don't know what the view is like from there, the view we had was beautiful. Seeing all of the landmarks associated with New York all around you, Central Park, The Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty. Absolutely breathtaking it was,

That night we visited the wonderful Serendipity 3 NYC, This was one of the places in New York that I was most excited to visit. Serendipity is a restaurant, known for their desserts and famously associated with Jackie O, Beyonce, The Kardashians, and pretty much anybody who is anybody. I of course had to get their world renowned Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. Apparently, back in the day Jackie O loved this so much that she continuously begged the chefs for the secret recipe, and after refusing her she paid for them to come to the White House and make her one! And to be fair, if I had that much money I'd be flying them out to Cork too. It's almost been a month post Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, and I think about it daily. Not exaggerating. Would 10/10 recommend. Apart from their delicious desserts Serendipity 3 has some really endearing decor, and a really good vibe. 

not my picture,taken from theodysseyonline

Day 6

Our final day was just spent trying to organise ourselves, saying our farewells to such an overwhelming, energetic city. And of course, trying to plan when we could go back.

Now that talking about what we did in New York is over, it's time to start discussing what I got over there. A lot of reviews coming your way soon!

-Laoise, Just The McGinning  xx

NYC Day 3 and 4

In my previous NYC post I neglected to mention the fact that it all goes rapidly downhill after day 2, I became a bad blogger and didn't photograph everything that I did, ate, etc.

Day 3

 We went to the well known Jersey Gardens outlet mall, approximately 35 minutes away on a bus. Lads, this place was massive. You could spend 8 hours there and not even blink, I picked up a few bits in Victoria Secret (major bargains there, bras for a tenner) Forever 21, Abercrombie and that was it really, clothing wise I didn't go mad, make up wise... that's another blog post all together. Jersey Gardens is worth it if you want damage, especially with things like Nike, Levi, Sketchers,and definitely Victoria Secret.
This was a Saturday and was also the day the Global Citizen concert was on in Central Park! We didn't have tickets but Queen Bee was playing and Ed Sheeran (Coldplay and Pearl Jam too, a long with a bucketload of famous people there) so I was dying to go to worship my queen, of course. We walked through Central Park that evening being able to hear faint Ed Sheeran in the background and screaming fans, I quickly learned that people in New York are in good shape, everyone was running, walking, cycling, rollerblading and they all are very tanned and very beautiful and it was nothing like you'd see in Ireland. Eventually we came to a gate and it was as close as we got to the concert, but you could here everything. As the night went on the atmosphere kept rising until Beyoncé came on stage. And then it exploded. Us peasants who were at the distance were dancing singing, we had our own concert. Luckily some guy had the live stream on his phone, so naturally the picture was this : myself and some other girl pinning his phone against the fence , approximately 15 people crowded around one phone, one woman holding 4 chihuahuas in her arms, in the freezing cold for an hour and a half listening to Beyoncé. And having the time of our lives.
New York, I found, is just that kind of place, where these bizarre, funny situations happen and it's just an everyday thing because it's New York and anything goes. Beyoncé killed it by the way, you can watch the entire performance on YouTube and let me tell you, it's a good'n. Can we deal with her and Ed Sheeran doing Drunk In Love?

Day. 4

After lusting over bagels for the first few days we eventually went to 'Pick a Bagel' the place was absolutely packed on that Sunday morning with a queue going right up to the door, we waited on hoping that it would be worth it, and it 110% was. They had every kind of bagel and you could get pretty much whatever you wanted on it. I opted for a 'Veggie Lover' bagel which had portobello mushroom, avocado, tomato, I was stuffed for the afternoon, it was so delicious,

The bagels were our fuel, we hurried off to outside The Plaza hotel where our 'Sex and The City Tour' began. The tour, in a word? Naff. Our guide was brilliant, she was gorgeous, witty and sassy everything you'd want her to be. The tour however, was disappointing you're brought to places in the show that aren't even that prominent, you're taken into a sex shop and you stop to do shopping. The tour stops near the famous 'Magnolia Bakery' but it doesn't actually visit, the three of us went anyways for the novelty of it, of course, Honestly you could do a better tour yourself if you just did a small bit of research.  

Despite looking miserable enough, I'm having the time of my life here, I swear. How they walk around wearing heels in Sex and The City and Gossip Girl is totally beyond me, you need a pair of Nikes for the kind of walking you'd be doing. 

That night we went to see Les Miserables on Broadway. Sacre bleu. Those actors are insanely talented, 12 people on stage and it sounds like 1200. I've been completely in love with Les Mis since the Tom Hooper adaption came out a few years ago, and seeing it on stage just catapulted my love even further. I laughed, cried, and had goose bumps for the entire thing. Absolutely breathtaking 

Final installment will be up before the week is out

Happy Monday!

Laoise, Just The McGinning x

NYC Day 1 and 2

So I deserve a massive slap on the wrist for having not posted in an entire month! I know, I know. Just started college (for make-up, of course) so that is very fun but very busy. I was also busy during the month of September with one little trip across the Atlantic Ocean to New York City.

First time in New York, first time in America, I ventured off with my mum and aunt for 6 days for the holiday of a lifetime. I fell in love, the sounds the people, the food, the STYLE. Not the smells, definitely not the smells, but New York is my kinda fast paced place.

We stayed in Row NYC which is at the heart of the city, 1 minute out the door and you're in Times Square. You're definitely in the more 'touristy' quarter of the city around here, which when it was myself and my mum's first time there that's kind of what we wanted.

Day 1 was moderately boring, just getting our bearings, we ate lunch in Dos Caminos and I had the best guac of MY LIFE. After that we just soaked up the atmosphere, went into the shops on Times Square, Inglot, Forever 21, Disney. You know yourself. The three of us opted for an early night as we were so exhausted (New York is 5 hours behind Ireland) so headed back to the hotel where I sampled some of the food in our hotel restaurant a place called Woolys which sells 'shaved snow'.  Mine was melon flavored and boy, was it strong. The snow was texture wise probably the strangest thing I've had, like a slushee, sorbet, ice cream hybrid. It just dissolves in your mouth straight away, I'd really recommend it.

Dos Caminos guacamole

Shaved Snow

Day 2 got very interesting very quickly. That morning we saw Joseph Gordon Levitt being interviewed on Times Square, as 500 Days of Summer is one of my favourite movies you can imagine that I was only delighted to see his handsome little face in the flesh.  For breakfast we went to Dominique Ansel's Kitchen, I got a blueberry with brioche and it was so delicious, Dominique Ansel's is known well for their cronuts, so naturally we forgot to get one.

Blueberry Brioche

L-R: Pear Yoghurt with Hot Granola and grapefruit juice, Blueberry Brioche and iced coffee, prosciutto and Boursin croissant  

 We went on a walking tour of Downtown New York, for me this was one of the highlights of the trip, our tour guide was called Jimmy, a real New Yorker, or as he described himself as a 'knickerbocker' which is apparently someone from New York who constantly brags about how 'New York' they are. We were brought all around the different areas Greenwich Village, SoHo, NoHo (which I didn't even know existed), Chinatown (not vegetarian friendly :( really couldn't cope ) , Little Italy.   Meanwhile Jimmy was telling us stories about all the history, the people who lived there, showed us the cafe where Bob Dylan wrote 'Blowing in The Wind' all this fascinating information being thrown at you for three and a half hours was definitely heavy going but it's well worth it.

that right there, is the dream. 

On Jimmy's recommendation after the tour we ate in Forlini's, a gorgeous, authentic Italian restaurant. I mean old guys with gelled back hair in pinstripe suits, I expected guns to be pulled out any second, it was basically The Soprano's. The pasta here was exquisite and really light, so we weren't too full. Again I would really recommend this, our waiter was a hoot and a half too.

Ravioli at Forlini's

We ended the day at the World Trade Centre and 9/11 Memorial, there was an eerie silence present the entire time, a mutual sense of respect. The memorial with the two large pools with the names of all the victims is really quite something, each pool is the size of one of the towers so you really see how truly giant they were. After we went to the museum, the museum I found to be more upsetting than beneficial, they have fire engines that were damaged and pieces of metal which is pretty cool. And then you see things, personal things that remind you that the 3,000 that died that day, they all had family, had people they loved and who loved them, had aspirations and futures that were stolen from them. On display you can see goodbye letters, emergency service uniforms, and what was the most upsetting of all, a Peter Rabbit toy that a little girl had with her on one of those flights. The remains of the victims are stored in the museum behind a wall which reads 'No Day Shall Erase You From The Memory of Time' which I just think is so powerful.  I'd definitely recommend visiting the site of 9/11 to pay respect, but the museum, I think is too much

I'm just going to leave it there, days 3 and 4 will be up at the weekend
Love,
Laoise, Just The McGinning

Elegant Touch Stiletto Nails Review

Morning everyone! Hope your weekend is going beautifully thus far, much to everyone's dismay Summer is over. Everyone is back to school, college, or else just about to start. But at least we're in the midst of Debs season so Instagram is boomin', my debs was last week and I'll be doing a post all about it during the week, regarding make up, hair and of course dress related information.
In order to save myself money I opted for doing my own nails, I had worn the Elegant Touch Totally Bare Stiletto Nails before and have found they look just as good as if you had gotten them done professionally! You can get this 48 pack in Boots for only €6.49 and at the moment they have a buy one get one half price deal, where would you be going?

not my picture

I didn't photograph the application process but it's pretty self explanatory, in the pack along with the nails you get a nail file and the glue. I filed my nails first, put a drop of glue on both the false nail and my own nail, apply the nail and press down for about 30 seconds. Takes about 5 minutes, easy peasy. The nails being 'totally bare' is the best part about this product for me, as you have the freedom to choose whatever colour you want.

I've found it's better to paint the nails after they have been applied, I tried it once to paint them before and it really didn't go well. I opted to paint them a nude shade from OPI (one of my favourite nail polish brands) 

OPI  'My Very First Knockwurst'

I absolutely adore having these claws on, I have very small, child-like hands and these nails, in the words of Shania Twain 'make me feel like a woman'. Now, down to the nitty gritty.

Can you even do anything with them on?

For the first 24 hours, not a chance, initially trying to adjust to them is tricky and the most basic tasks are pretty difficult. Expect to make a lot of typos. But after a day or so you begin to get used to them and apart from things like putting on very tight jeans, opening/closing buttons, accidently scratching your eyeball, and not being able to use a keyboard, they're fine.

How long do they last?

I think that really varies from person to person, I work part time in retail so from the shelf stacking and constant use of my hands my nails get a fair battering. I find on about day 8 the bottom of the nail begins to lift and if you have long hair, it will continuously get caught under it, and it will really hurt. In all honesty on about day 9 or 10 the lifting has worsened and they begin to annoy me too much so I usually remove them at this stage. I'd imagine if you're a person of leisure these could last around two weeks on you, however us retail folk are blessed to get the 10 days.

Doing make up with them on?

 For me, this was the most difficult thing about having these nails on. I'm very hands on (literally) when it comes to doing make up and these nails make it very difficult, especially around the under eye area. I love using my fingers to blend on both myself and others and these nails make that really tough. For that reason, I'll probably only wear these when I'm on holidays or for special occasions. Especially now that I'll be starting make up college soon (eeep!) 

I'll miss you nails, we had a fun time!

First Impressions: Stargazer White Foundation (as a highlight)

For so long I have been looking for a cream matte highlight that would work on my NW10 skin, I've tried using concealer and it's still too dark, disaster right? For so long I had been wanting to try the Illamasqua White Foundation as a highlight but being on a tight student budget, I thought I'd hold off. However, on a whim I went into Moonshine in Paul St Shopping Centre in Cork during the week and saw that they were selling Stargazer products, and more importantly a Stargazer white foundation for €8. If Paul St. is too out of the way for you they also have their own website 

I'm not too found of the packaging, especially that spatula-like applicator it's pretty cumbersome, I didn't bother even trying to attempt to use that to apply it because I'd still be there applying it right now, looking inside the bottle the product looks pretty thick and almost congealed so I'd recommend giving it a good shake first. I applied the product using a Real Techniques flat foundation brush and blended using a Real Techniques sponge. 

                   

So when I was blending it the product was incredibly tacky and just difficult to work with, this is very likely because I was running around trying to find the best lighting, and then trying to take a good picture (blogger problems amirite? )So by the time I was blending it out the product had set, or else it's like that straight off the bat, who knows?
By the time it was blended out, I didn't feel especially highlighted, I just felt a little bit more like    Snow White (which is never a bad thing) Next time I'll try blend this out with my fingers, it might    give me a better coverage of the highlight.

                                   

As you can see from the shot above, it doesn't really look as though I've highlighted at all, maybe a little but I like my highlight to be seen from space, and if a white foundation doesn't do that for me... than nothing will. I found that the blending actually picked up some of my foundation and gave the skin a strange patchy, cakey texture. It doesn't look too bad in the picture below but I definitely could see it in the mirror

After I applied the rest of my make up I definitely thought that it looked different to how it would have if I didn't use the foundation, however I definitely didn't feel as 'highlighted' as I would have liked. 

In conclusion, I'm unsure I want to like this product, and maybe I will after I play around with it more, but as a first impression, I really don't know, perhaps I'm just too pale and that the NW10 Club will never stop our search for a perfect matte highlighter, maybe it's the brand itself and I should just have bitten the bullet and bought the Illamasqua foundation. If I find a way to make this product work in a way that I'm as highlighted as Kim K dipped in glitter, then I might do a 'revisited' post on this. Until then I'll keep experimenting.

Happy Friday , 

Laoise, Just The McGinning xo