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

Why Your 290 Could Be Better Than Their 625

So it's the night before the Leaving Cert results come out, feelings of panic and dread are pretty strong within me right now as they probably are with the other 56,000 who sat their exams this year. My only thoughts are about passing maths or not, I had been 'strongly advised' to drop to a lower level and refused, so the fear of failing is one that might be realised at 9am tomorrow morning.

I've never been 'the academic one', I read a lot as a child so most of the content from the Junior Cycle was material that 'I just knew' so I got by very easily with no study and quickly doing my homework the morning of (with the exception of maths)

Senior Cycle was a different story, suddenly I didn't know what the teacher meant when they said 'Subjonctif' or 'Vision and Viewpoint' I definitely didn't know a word of what my maths teacher ever said. It got to the point that teachers didn't even bother to ask me for my homework cause it was seldom completed. Most people would take this as an opportunity to work incredibly hard, which I tried, I'd do a week here and there of being a diligent student. But for the most part in 5th year I was just lazy. 6th year came and I was doing as much as I could, and I started getting the worst results I had ever got. At this point every time I sat down even to do a basic homework exercise I panicked, school was the same. Of course, I wasn't the only person who was stressed, we all were. But being stressed and getting good marks and working too much is a lot different than being stressed, failing and having your entire body shake every time you looked at a book. Things turned around and I started doing better in school, not good by most people's standards, but good for me, and I was so happy.
I found myself over the moon with a C3 in Geography when others looked at their B2 papers in disgust. I cried with joy after I got a C1 in German in the pre, despite the fact it was still one of the lowest in the class.

My point is, you might have studied for three hours every night, you may have put your social life, friendships, jobs, everything on hold for the Leaving Cert and you might be get all Ds, and for you that's an amazing achievement. Meanwhile, the girl sitting behind you still has a job, plays two sports, is out every weekend and gets straight B1s and complains about not getting As. Just because tomorrow you get 250 points or 300 points that does not mean you didn't work hard, or that you didn't try, Some people work harder to get 350 points than others work to get 625 points, and that is forgotten all over the nation. The smart ones are the ones you can rote learn and regurgitate information, that fella with the big smile on his face on the cover of The Independent with 9 As, yeah he sure worked hard for it, but where's the person who got all Cs who's just as happy and who worked just as hard?

The most important thing is that you're happy. So if you get 7 D3s in Ordinary Level and you're happy, you go. If you get all As and you're happy that's great too. Exams are relative, so please just because someone gets 'low' marks that doesn't automatically mean they did badly, because for them they could be the best results they've ever gotten

Good luck everyone!!!
Laoise, Just The McGinning xx

W7 Catwalk Face Shaper Review

I'm thinking of starting a series of reviewing products and specifically looking at them on my milk bottle, NW10 skin. Lots of bloggers look at products being 'pale skin friendly' but they're still a bit darker than me. I'm trying to think of a clever name for this series 'Milk Maids' 'NW10 Club' the 'Porcelain Party' ? I'm not sure, feel free to make suggestions though!
So, to kick this off I'm doing a review of W7's 'Catwalk Face Shaper' Apparently, this is a good dupe for Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate, I haven't used that product as I'm not actually made of money. However, if you live that luxurious lifestyle, you do you. You go Glen Coco!

What is it? 

Pretty much just your run of the mill cream contour and highlight palette that comes with a brush, but cheaper. Around €8 I believe. 

 What's the highlighter shade like?
In a word? Woeful. Perhaps this would work on someone with a darker complexion, but this highlight does absolutely nothing for me. When foundation is over it it becomes very patchy and just sits on the skin. I live for a strong highlight, so this may work for you if you like a reeeaally subtle highlight. But honestly guys, I wouldn't waste your time with the highlight part of this product. Note on the swatch picture below, you can barely see the highlight shade. And I swear I swatched it, though it's hard to believe

How about the contour?
To be honest, this is more like a cream bronzer than a contour colour. I adore how a warm toned contour looks on people with darker colouring, however I prefer a cool toned contour colour on myself. This can get very mucky very quickly, and I really do spend a long time blending it out. I always use my NYX blush in Taupe over this and I think the two really compliment one another, though on its own I don't really like this product.

Is it NW10 friendly?
Not really, I use it cause I can't (yet) afford the cream contours that I really want and because I have played around with this enough to make it work for me. I think this would be good for someone with sallow skin, however if you're part of the NW10 Club this isn't ideal. I won't be repurchasing this product, but for under a tenner I'm really not complaining too much. In a word, it's 'grand'

All the best
Laoise, Just The McGinning xo

The Secret Behind 'Strobing'

If you've been on social media or seen a magazine cover in the last month or so, odds are you've heard about 'strobing'. The hottest, 'new' trend for Summer 2015

Work by Natasha Denona

So what even is 'strobing'?
Strobing is drawing attention to the high points of your face (think cheekbones, bridge of your nose, brow bone, cupids bow) and giving yourself an all 'round glowy,dewy, youthful appearance. Us oily skin folks can get away with it too by mattifying the other areas of the face, (jaw, forehead, cheeks, and chin)

Must I contour and strobe to get the full effect?
Nope. 'Strobing' means that the areas where the sun would hit are super dewy and glowy and highlighted, even by mattifying the other areas of the face this will give you a natural contour. 'Strobing' is all about looking natural and youthful, so no contouring, no heavy eye make-up (eeek) .

Hang on a second... this whole strobing thing sounds kinda familiar
It does doesn't it? Maybe because it's HIGHLIGHTING. Yes everyone this is the big secret. Strobing is nothing new. The makeup industry does this every so often, they pick a new name for something that everyone's been doing for years and years. By doing this they suck people in to buy extra products they do not need by claiming they're the 'ultimate strobing device'. They simply take advantage of the people who are less au fait with makeup causing them to freak out, go and buy all these products. If you ask me it's just a money making scheme. By Christmas you'll probably be able to purchase strobing kits (probably) I've already seen make up artists advertise 'strobing classes'. It's bad form.

Rant aside, what do I think of this trend?
Personally, I'm not a super dewy kinda person. I like to be totally matte, but I love a super strong highlight. Highlighting is my favourite part of my skin makeup. On other people I think this is truly stunning and really nice for Summer, though I'm kinda wondering if we'll ever see the sun again here in Ireland. But despite my disapproval of the term 'strobing' I think the look itself is gorgeous. Above there's an example of work by Natasha Denona who's an incredibly talented artist and 'strobes' beautifully. You can check out more of her work here

What do I use to strobe (i.e highlight) ?

• Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in fair. (this colour isn't light enough for me to use as a highlight but I tend to go for it anyway #palegirlproblems). Retails in Boots for €5.79
• Benefit High Beam. Retails in Boots for €27.50 
• Mac Mineralized Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle (my all time favourite highlight) retails in Brown Thomas for €30.00
• Benefit Porefessional Agent Zero shine (to mattify the non highlighted areas) Retails in Boots for €33.50

So that concludes my thoughts on 'strobing'. I realise I didn't go very in depth into how exactly to highlight/strobe. But let me know if ye would like a step by step 'how to' and I'll do that for you! 

Until next week, 

Laoise, Just The McGinning

Is Sleek on Fleek?

Since Sleek MakeUp is a relatively new brand to the Republic of Ireland, many of us have yet to try the once Superdrug exclusive UK brand. I do not claim to have an especially large range of Sleek products, nor do I claim to be an expert on the brand I am just offering my humble opinion on what they has to offer. So the question I'm posing today is, 'Is Sleek on Fleek?' (I'm really sorry, it rhymed and I couldn't resist)

Eyes

L-R: 'Oh So Special' , 'Ultra Matte V1' , 'Storm'

From their i-Divine range I own the Storm, Oh So Special, and Ultra Matte V1 (I used to own the Au Natural palette but that met its end when I dropped it... :( ).  Retailing at €10.49 from Boots these palettes are most definitely a bargain!! 

What's Good About It?

• Sleek provide their consumers with an excellent colour range, not only across their collection of palettes but within each individual i-Divine palette. They can be used to create day or night looks and generally are very versatile. 
• The price point, a Naked Palette is about €45, you could by 4 of these for that price and to be honest, the quality is almost on a par.
• Most shadows are well pigmented and blend easily. 
• The mirrors in ALL Sleek products are phenomenal, I usually keep a palette in my handbag purely for the mirror cause they're so good

What's Not So Good?

• These shadows have a lot of fall out, and for a good colour payoff on the lid a base/primer is most definitely required.
• The shadows aren't all consistent, one may be incredibly pigmented the next, just a very sheer wash of colour, I especially find this in the Ultra Matte V1 palette. 

Cheeks

Top Left: Precious Metals Highlighting Palette. Bottom Left : 'Life's A Peach' blush, Right: 'Fair' Face Form palette

As well as their eyeshadow palettes 'Sleek' are renowned for their cheek products. 

Precious Metals Highlighting Palette: This will set you back €13.49 from Boots , I'm in a love/hate relationship with this product. Each highlighter swatches beautifully but however when put over your foundation it turns into a very strange texture, it does not blend easily. The dark, bronzey colour on the bottom is a strange mix between powder and cream, and I can't find a way to make this product work for me, despite how absolutely gorgeous the colours are. If anyone has this, and it works for them please do let me know how you're using it! (Tweet me at @laoiselaoise ) 

Blush in 'Life's a Peach' : I have nothing negative to say about this blush and Sleek's blush formula, incredibly pigmented, long lasting and come in a variety of colours. Apparently Sleek have some excellent dupes for the Nars blushes. I really plan on buying more as I just love this so much, you can pick these up in Boots for €5.99

Face Form Palette in 'Fair': Do I like this palette? Yeah, But do I love it? Nah. Personally I don't like the colour of the contour shade, I prefer an ashier contour and this is just a bit too bronze for me, I really like the highlighter, it has a gorgeous amount of payoff and the right amount of sparkle, the blush isn't really a colour I myself would wear, however there is nothing wrong with the quality. Again, like everything else you can get this in Boots for €13.49. 

So, all in all I can safely say that Sleek would be one of my favourite 'on a budget' make up brands. There are many more products from them I wish to try and will definitely be buying from them in the future. 

To answer my initial question, Is Sleek on Fleek? Very much so. 

If anyone wants a more in depth review of any of these products, do let me know and I will be more than happy to do so!

My next post will be on: The Secret Behind Strobing

Until then, 

Laoise, x

The Power of Makeup

Ah yes, the stereotypical half face with make up and half face without. Usually when someone uploads these pictures, or before and after pictures they are inundated with comments such as 'you look way prettier with no make up!' or 'you know, guys prefer girls who don't wear make up' or my personal favourite 'it's really deceiving wearing make up, you're essentially lying to us' Please, just stop.

I wear make up, tough, it's not to impress boys, and it's not because I can't bear anyone to see my face without it. It's because I want my wings sharp enough to kill, I want them brows fleek and I want my contour on point, is there anything wrong with that?.. I didn't think so.

Every morning, for as long as I can remember, I have observed my mum do her make up, at the age of 12 she bought me my first Mac Studio Fix Powder Compact and from pretty much that moment on I was hooked. Of course, I don't tend to watch her putting on her make up anymore as I am too busy doing my own, and it's safe to say that doing it is the highlight of my day. I could happily blend the day away, and spend over an hour trying to get a wing right. On other days there is pure blinded panic when something smudges or when I sneeze straight after mascara, but that's all the fun of it (so I'm told)

The concept of makeup being deceptive toward men is truly laughable to me, I would have major concerns for anyone who truly believed my eyelids were gold, or that my lips were dark purple. I don't spend hundreds and hundreds of euro on makeup to impress a man who probably couldn't tell the difference between Ruby Woo and Russian Red (there are men who can, but generally speaking no) Going by that logic, why do lesbians wear make up or asexuals? Or even women in relationships?

Apart from the obvious physical differences, the difference I feel within myself before and after applying make up is astounding, it's the difference between strutting down Patrick St. feeling like I'm Beyoncé or with my head down, hurried hoping I don't run into anyone. I don't feel like myself, or even look like myself if I don't have winged eyeliner on. And that's okay.

Moral of the story is that I apply make up for me, and for that reason only, and I feel no shame in it, it's not because I'm shallow or chasing after boys, it's because it makes me feel good about myself, and everyone deserves to be able to love themselves.

My next post will be an overview on Sleek Cosmetic's Products,
Until then,
Laoise