Skint vs. Splurge: Liquid Eyeliner Edition

The days of socket lines and smudges shall be no more! Here are two of the best liquid eyeliners on the market for those on a beauty budget, and for those on a beauty bonanza! Liquid liners are the preferred choice of eyeliner as they last longer, are more pigmented, and you can achieve better precision.


SKINT: Collection 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner - 4.79euro

This eyeliner is perfect for those who are new to liquid liners as the felt tip design gives a foolproof application. The tip is slightly thicker than most other liquid liners, so if you prefer a very thin line look then you might not be satisfied with this product. The thicker tip is perfect though for those who love a cat-eye flick as you can rotate the liner on its side for a thicker application. This product gives a matte finish, and will last up to 8 hours. It is available in the colours: black, purple, blue, and teal.



SPLURGE: Yves Saint Laurent 'Eyeliner Noir' - 31.50euro

For the more advanced liquid liner users this YSL eyeliner lasts all day, and for those who are too lazy to take off their makeup at night (please never do this!) it will still be intact the next morning! This product is also perfect for those who have a more oily lid and I can guarantee you it won't budge either! It has a brush tip which makes it a bit more flexible, so it may cause difficulty at first to some novices but this product is worth the practice as it is highly pigmented and leaves a nice glossy finish. Unlike the Collection 2000 liner, you can achieve a perfect thin line look with this product. This liquid liner is only available in black. Also, how slick is the packaging? Kudos YSL!


Bec :)
 

Get Taylor Swift's Signature Red Lip!

We know Taylor Swift loves a red lip, but Tay shows major dedication as she even opts for a pop of colour while, wait for it, PADDLE BOARDING!

Tay was papped over the weekend having some down-time in Boston while she was there for her RED Tour.

Taylor has stated that she achieves her trademark red look by using COVERGIRL's lipstick in the shade "Hot 305" (http://www.covergirl.com/lip-makeup/lipstick/lip-perfection-lip-color).

Bec :)

How To Style Patterned Trousers

Patterned trousers are everywhere at the minute, and teamed with the right pieces, you can gain instant style cred, but get it wrong, and you may end up looking like a bonus act in Cirque du Soleil... Check out 3 different ways you can wear patterned trousers below.

Trousers: Topshop - 19.99
http://www.newlook.com/eu/shop/womens/trousers-and-shorts/monchrome-blurred-aztec-print-joggers-_288516509

Leather Jacket: Topshop - 52.00
http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/jackets-coats-445/biker-bomber-jackets-574/collarless-biker-jacket-1769334?refinements=category~[209750|208526]&bi=1&ps=20

Crop Top: Boohoo - 8.00
 http://www.boohoo.com/europe/tops/crop-tops/icat/crop-tops/day-tops/victoria-roll-neck-sleeveless-crop-top/invt/azz63014

Heels: River Island - 110.00
http://eu.riverisland.com/women/rihanna-for-river-island-collection/shoes--boots/Black-Rihanna-barely-there-stiletto-sandals-63345

Necklace: New Look - 8.99
http://www.newlook.com/eu/shop/womens/jewellery-and-hair-accessories/silver-chain-link-necklace_284159992

Trousers: Topshop - 42.00 

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/trousers-447/floral-jacquard-cigarette-trousers-2141479?bi=1&ps=20 

Blazer: Dorothy Perkins - 49.00 

http://euro.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpeu/product/clothing-742124/jackets-coats-2055919/blazers-742424/blue-blazer-1868679?refinements=category~[337273|337195]&bi=1&ps=200 

Top: H&M - 4.95 

http://www.hm.com/ie/product/10456?article=10456-D 

Heels: New Look - 29.99 

http://www.newlook.com/eu/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-shoes/blue-ankle-strap-peeptoe-heels-_287602440

 

Trousers: Topshop - 42.00 

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/trousers-447/spot-print-straight-trousers-68370?bi=1&ps=200 

Top: Mango - 17.99 

http://shop.mango.com/IE/p0/mango/clothing/lace-t-shirt/?id=83208770_OW&n=1&s=prendas.tops&ie=0&m=&ts=1375108718968 

Wedges: Dunnes - 15.00 

http://www.dunnesstores.com/low-raffia-wedge/shoes-and-boots/dunnesstores/fcp-product/4161926?colour=tan 

Belt: New Look - 3.99 

http://www.newlook.com/eu/shop/womens/accessories/camel-leather-look-belt_278506517  

Hat: Ebay - 9.95 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Vintage-Women-Lady-wide-brim-100-wool-felt-bowler-fedora-hats-Floppy-Cloche-/400512640660

Bec :)

Skint Vs. Splurge: Perfume Edition

Whether you're counting the coins or looking to splash the cash, you'll definitely find a perfume below that will suit your budget. I've listed the top 7 perfumes (well...in my opinion...) for a splurge budget , and for a skint budget, that are worthy of a sniff. Although I must warn you that I have a floral scent fetish when it comes to fragrances, so undoubtedly ALL of the below perfumes have a hint of floral :/ 

(All perfumes listed can be found in Boots stores and prices listed are for 50ml)

SKINT - Under 55euro

Benefit - Laugh With Me LeeLee (54euro)

Launched in 2009
Scent: Floral/Woody
Top Notes: Cassis, Melon, Citrus
Base Notes: Blonde Wood, Amber, Santel
Who can resist a perfume bottle that looks like a cocktail shaker?


Vera Wang - Be Jeweled (51.56euro)

Launched in 2013
Scent: Floral/Fruity
Top Notes: Redcurrant
Base Notes: Pink Sugar Crystals
I'll put my hands up and say that I was drawn to this perfume purely by the bottle but I was glad it caught my eye because it smells just as good as it looks. Who said don't ever judge a book by it's cover eh?


Ghost (48euro)

Launched in 2000
Scent: Floral
Top Notes: Ambrette Seeds, Rose
Base Notes: Incense, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk, Amber
Not the most creative looking perfume bottle but this fragrance is not like anything else on the market, so if you're looking for a perfume that's a bit unique, give this one a try.


Tommy Hilfiger - Tommy Girl (38.50euro 30ml)

Launched 1996
Scent: Floral
Top Notes: Blackcurrant, Camellia, Mandarin Orange, Apple Tree Blossom
Base Notes: Magnolia, Leather, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Cedar
An oldie but a goodie! Tommy Girl is a fragrance staple for most so I'd be surprised if you haven't already tried it.


Lady Gaga -Fame (25.30euro)

Launched in 2012
Scent: Floral/Fruity
Of course Lady Gaga's perfume would have to be different to all of the others! Fame has a trampoline structure whereby the notes are rising at different rates so there is no typical 'Top" or "Base" notes. The notes that can be found are: Saffron, Apricot, Belladonna, Tiger Orchid, Jasmine, Honey, Incense. 
Gaga originally stated that she wanted the perfume to smell like "blood and semen" but thank God she back-tracked on that idea! Don't be put of by the colour of the fragrance, it sprays clear!


Beyonce - Heat (37euro)

Launched in 2010
Scent: Floral
Top Notes: Magnolia, Neroli, Red Vanilla, Peach
Base Notes: Milkwood, Tonka Bean, Amber
I smelled this perfume when it was launched in 2010 and I instantly hated it, however I tried it again recently and was greatly surprised that this time around I actually fell in love with the fragrance. It is definitely a mature scent so if you're still in you're teens, this might not be a fragrance for you. I also found the bottle to be a little boring and would of loved if Queen B had put some of her sassy-ness into the design!


So...? Superstar (7.37euro)

Launched in 2000
Scent: Floral/Fruity
Top Notes: Mandarin, Passionfruit
Base Notes: Cedar, Almond, Musk
This is a perfume I've had since I was younger and while it is definitely a youthful perfume, I can't seem to put it away...especially when it's always on-sale in Boots! (Thanks Boots :) )


SPLURGE - Over 55euro

Valentino - Valentina (76euro)

Launched in 2011
Scent: Floral/Oriental
Top Notes: Calabrian Bergamot, Alba Truffle
Base Notes: Amber, Cedar
I bought this for my Mum for her birthday as it smelled similar to some of her other perfumes, but the more she wore it, the more I fell in love with it. The ad campaign for this fragrance features a twenty-something year old and yep I can agree that this twenty-something year old likes it too! Suitable for the young and old...young and older ;)


Givenchy - Very Irresistible (68euro)

Launched in 2003
Scent: Floral
Top Notes: Star Anise, Verbena Leaf
Base Notes: Passion Rose, Fantasia Rose
This perfume was brainwashed into me from my days of watching 90210 as Givenchy were the sole sponsors of that show at the time and  at EVERY SINGLE ad-break (4 ad-breaks in total per episode) BOOM this beauty popped up, but I'm so glad it did. It is definitely a youthful fragrance though.


 Marc Jacobs - Daisy (60euro)

 Launched in 2007
Scent: Floral
Top Notes: Wild Strawberries
Base Notes: White Woods Accord
This perfume has been strongly marketed since 2007 so once again I would be very surprised if you haven't already tried it as it is a nice youthful summer fragrance. I actually bought this perfume without trying the tester first because I wanted the bottle sooooo bad! Good job Marc Jacobs, good job.


Lacoste - Touch of Pink (55euro)

Launched in 2004
Scent: Floral
Top Notes: Orange, Cardamom, Coriander
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Musk, Vanilla
Definitely a fragrance for the youngins but still suitable for those in their 20s.


Versace - Yellow Diamonds (58euro)

Launched in 2011
Scent: Floral
Top Notes: Citron, Pear Sorbet, Neroli, Bergamot
Base Notes: Amber Wood, Palo Santo, Musk
You'll either love it or loathe it...I'll leave that up to you!


Juicy Couture - Viva La Juicy (60euro)

Launched in 2009
Scent: Floral/Gourmand
Top Notes: Wild Berries, Mandarin
Base Notes: Amber, Caramel, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Praline
I never allowed myself to try this perfume until recently as I was put-off by the brand but I was pleasantly surprised that it had a rather mature scent to it! I may or may not have been swayed by the bottle also...


Emporio Armani - Diamonds (59euro)

Launched in 2007
Scent: Floral/Oriental
Top Notes: Lychee, Raspberry
Base Notes: Vetiver, Amber, Vanilla
At first I found this perfume to be very musky but as it settled into my skin I fell in love with the fragrance. If you like the perfume Ghost then I would also recommend this one by Armani.


Bec :)

Look Of The Week: Iggy Azalea

For most girls, Iggy Azalea isn't top of our list for fashion inspiration, however the eccentric Australian rapper stepped out recently in a chic black and white ensemble that has us lusting over her outfit! See below how you can steal Iggy's style without busting your Iggy bank (get it? ...piggy bank?!)

Both pieces are on-sale at the minute and at these prices are a true bargain. Be quick to grab them before they're gone!

Shirt: http://www.fashionunion.com/blouses+shirts/black-colour-block-sleeveless-blouse/invt/wtob0460blk

Shorts: http://www.asos.com/Oasis/Oasis-Side-Stripe-Shorts/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2896861&source=linkshare&MID=35719&affid=2135&WT.tsrc=Affiliate&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-84AHRpzLtMD6Jd4dJRbARQ

Bec :)