Hi lovelies im so sorry I’ve been MIA from the blog, sadly my Mother in law passed away.  Christmas 2017 was very bittersweet for my Husband and the wider family circle.

I’m back with a roundup of products that I love and in many instances have repurchased, so grab a coffee get comfortable and i will begin.

Skincare

1 Alpha H Liquid Gold 

I’ve moved away from grainy exfoliators and used a liquid glycolic acid, my skin has never looked better. Suitable for all skin types and ages build up with a damp cotton pad if you are very sensitive. I’m on my fifth bottle, believe the hype! Read In depth Believe the Hype: Alpha H Liquid Gold  

available Qvcuk Asos (UK Eire Europe) Amazon USA Canada

2 Clarins Double Serum ***

Already a fan of the original serum I didn’t think it could be improved; how wrong was I! They added a setting for dry and oily skins and my skin has really glowed after using. You can read in-depth review The best just got better… Clarins Double Serum.

available on Counter in Debenhams and nationwide.

3 The Ordinary Retinol 2%

A newcomer at Lurganista HQ I’ve been using for a month and have definitely noticed a huge difference in fine lines and skin texture. Retinol is ONLY for those who are 30 and above. You can’t use during pregnancy. It speeds up cell renewal as it slows down in older skin. Always use an SPF EVEN IN WINTER as it leaves your skin very susceptible to the sun rays.

Available House Of Fraser UK & Eire and direct from Deciem in USA Canada

4 Cetaphil Moisturiser 100ml 

This is just a basic moisturiser and i tried it after watching Angie from Hot and Flashy on youtube I adore Angie’s Recommendations ( 50 something lady looking 30)

Hot and Flashy

It’s always on offer in Superdrug and it works so well, as its 100ml it lasts a long time too. If your skin is oily or very combination switch to the lotion pump as its lighter.

Available Superdrug UK and Eire Amazon USA Canada

Makeup/Cosmetics

5 Milani conceal and perfect foundation.*** 

This foundation is so beautiful, medium to full coverage and it photographs so well to without the dreaded flashback. As a drugstore product i prefer it over high end foundations. Expensive V Affordable… Dupes, The big debate Expensive makeup versus drugstore makeup.

Available from beautybase.com UK Eire and nationwide USA Canada

6 Honourable mention Estee Lauder double wear nude***

Whilst this new member of the double wear family is a light to medium coverage i get so many compliments when wearing this foundation. It’s perfect for older skins as the silicone slide over lines and wrinkles and give such a glow to the skin. I will repurchase this as its beautiful on and photographs like a dream.

New! Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Foundation

Available at Debenhams and nationwide UK Eire USA Canada

7 Sleek Diamond Decade eye palette***

Whilst this palette is limited edition Sleek do an amazing array of palettes for eyes. Despite being drugstore i find them very easy to work with and they can be dampened down to create a smoky eye look. They perform much better than some higher end eye palettes.

Shine Bright Like A Diamond… Sleek I-Divine Diamond Decade Palette

Available in Superdrug Boots UK Eire and direct from Sleek.com USA Canada

8 and 9 DHC Japanese Mascara and eyeliner pen.***

Where has this Japanese Mascara been all my life? This tiny brush coats each and every lash including those tiny wayward lashes. I have hooded eyes and ageing and this Mascara brings my eyes to life. I won’t be able to live without this amazing mascara. Im not the best with winged liner and don’t have the correct eye shape but I’m able to do a pretty decent top line with this; if you have the knack for doing a winged liner you will love DHC winged liner. The Mascara reviews are 5* which is much deserved.

Available from dhcuk.co.uk and look fantastic UK Eire and Amazon USA Canada

10 Huda Beauty Pink Sands

If you know me then you’ll know I’m a highlighter lover! Pink sands has the most amazing golden cream sheen highlighter which you can then layer with the 2 powder highlighters. You will certainly have that JLO glow. What i love is it doesn’t sit in my lines or accentuate my pores. The highlighting blusher is beautiful too. Whilst its spendy I’ve bought other high end highlighters and they just didn’t cut the mustard. You can have a full on JLO glow or just a tiny bit of a glow. Huda knows a good highlighting palette, as a blogger Huda has produced one of the best.

Available UK Cultbeauty.com Selfidges.co.uk

Eire Brown Thomas Salon

USA Canada Sephora

Accessories/Clothing

11 Zohara Handbags***

I love handbags and when I was gifted a beautiful Irish Designed leather handbag from Zohara it was love at first sight. I have the Zohara Notting Hill in a beautiful tan and it goes with almost every outfit. Over Christmas i used it as a clutch bag and it looked so fab.  Equally it is a workhorse when I’m busy running errands its such a beautiful versatile bag. The gold hardware and leather tassle make Zohara look and feel much more expensive.

Right now there are some Zohara bags on sale! GO GO GO zohara.co.uk

12 Red Booties Miss Selfridge

Red without a doubt was the colour of the season in 2017 Autumn Winter. I did a fab Catwalk show at Buttercrane Newry and Red featured so heavily, that Dunnes sold out of a beautiful Savita Top my model wore on the catwalk. I couldn’t resist buying the Red Boots i chose for the catwalk from Miss Selfridge. I’ve worn them with a fitted dress and dressed down with my jeans as worn above with my Zohara bag.

13 iclothing Villa knit dress***

iclothing invited myself and a few other bloggers to Dublin to see the autumn winter range of clothing. iclothing is already worn by some of Irelands fashionistas and Tv presenters so when i was gifted a voucher i couldn’t wait to choose some beautiful pieces. The Villa navy knitted dress is so beautiful and flattering on. I squealed with delight to see it on the beautiful Victoria from inthefrow! I had it first though teehee!

Villa Dress inthefrow look at it here

iclothing.com delivers to Ireland and UK

Experiences/ Holidays 

14 The Marker Dublin 5*, Le Drunch and cocktails***

Brunch is one of my favourite things, add in a Parisian twist a live DJ and the best cocktails I’ve had in 2017 and thats Le Drunch at my favourite Dublin Hotel The Marker Dublin. My husband and I loved the Rhubarb Mojito that nothing has topped it, the roof top bar, amazing service local and rooms make The Marker a jewel of a Hotel within walking distance of the Aviva for Soccer Rugby and concerts in Dublins Docklands.

Luxurious Dining, Le Drunch The Marker Dublin.

15 Aloft Hotel 4* Afternoon Tea Liverpool***

Liverpool in 2017 hosted Clothes Show Live, previously hosted in Birmingham it was a coup for the City. The Aloft Liverpool invited myself and my husband for Fashion Afternoon Tea. It was so delicious and all made inhouse with artisan breads, biscuits and macrons all accompanied by cocktails which where fab. The Aloft Liverpool is a beautiful listed building formally the Royal Insurance, which has been beautifully restored to a high standard with amazing high ceilings and sash windows right beside Liverpool 1 and the Cavern Club, perfect for a weekend hotel break.

Afternoon Tea Aloft Hotel Liverpool

16 Belfast Fashion Week

Cathy Martin is the ultimate fashionista in Northern Ireland and 2017 was an amazing year for Belfast Fashion week CEO.  It kicked off in January beside City Hall and the second one in Bulitt Belfast was amazing too you can read all about the fashion and Belfast Fashion Week….

A Day In The Life Of A Blogger, Belfast Fashion Week.

17 Fanfare for one from the Bucketlist, capri Italy.

Capri has been on my bucket list from I was a little girl watching black and white footage of Marilyn Monroe swanning around in Capri trousers and a wide brimmed hat; it certainly didn’t disappoint. Swimming in the clear blue water in the Bay of Naples, to the Love Rock Frangelioni made famous by David Gandy in the D&G adverts. It was like stepping into a fairytale. Capri Italy should be on everyones list stunningly breathtaking.

 

Thanks for reading the blog and let’s all have an amazing 2018! You know all those things you want to do? Go do them…. xoxo

Full disclosure, Anything marked *** where items I was gifted.