Sleek Solstice Palette Review

When this beauty launched, it had the whole beauty world in a frenzy. I had seen the Sleek Solstice palette all over social media, but never got my hands on it until the lovely Breda from O Meara's Pharmacy gifted it to me. I was ecstatic! But did it live up to all the hype? Well...

I don't think I've ever fallen in love with a product so quickly before. The packaging looks so luxurious. It's a small plastic golden palette, perfect to pop in your makeup bag. Inside you've got a big mirror, four highlighting shades, one cream and three powder and a small brush (which let's face it, no one ever uses, it still baffles me that companies put these little brushes in).

The highlighter shades themselves are...
Ecliptic - A luxiourious cream highlighter
Hemisphere - A purple toned highlighter
Subsolar - A golden blinding highlighter, perfect for my pale girls!
Equinox - A rose gold, orange toned highlighter

Here's some swatches...

And there you have it! I actually cannot fault this highlighting palette, if you want a soft glow or a blinding highlight, this palette has it all. The packaging looks high end and is actually practical. The shades are such good quality. They feel silky smooth and are insanely pigmented! It costs around €14.49 and is fully worth it in my opinion!

Erin X 

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Double Cleanse Pixi X Caroline Hirons

In the last few years, I've become a skincare junkie! I'm always trying to better my skincare, having suffered with acne for over 10 years, I'm very selective in the skincare I use. I've followed Caroline Hirons for a while too, she's a skincare genius and when I heard that she was teaming up with Pixi, a raved about skincare brand, I knew I had to try whatever she was making. She created a double cleanse product. I'm a big fan of double cleansing so I was thrilled to see this is what she was creating.

For anyone who is unaware of what double cleansing actually is, it's essentially cleaning your skin twice. For example, if I was to remove my makeup with either an oil cleanser or a micellar water, that would be my first cleanse.The first cleanse is to remove SPF, moisturiser from the morning, makeup etc. Then I would go ahead and cleanse my skin a second time with maybe a foam or cream cleanser. The second cleanse is to actually clean the skin.

So overall my thoughts on the product, the packaging is really nice, the tub is divided into two halves in a ying yang design. Half of the tub is a hard balm that when applied to the face or hands, melts almost immediately and the other half a cleansing cream. The balm/oil is really nice, it doesn't feel greasy, doesn't leave any residue and it removes my makeup really well. It doesn't budge my Inglot 77 gel liner, but not much does. The cream cleanser is lovely too. It's a little heavier than you'd expect but I really like it.

It does what it says on the tin, or rather, lovely packaging, but I'm not sure I'll repurchase it. I ordered it from Beauty Bay for €30.95. I found I went through it really quickly, especially the balm half. I actually used the cream cleanser half as my morning cleanser too and both halves ran out, pretty much at the same time. I reckon, you'd probably get about 6 - 8 weeks with this, depending on how much balm you need to remove your makeup. I like that it's a very simple product, it's not complicated. It's unscented and it's good for your skin. And while I like the product, I just don't love it, I can't put my finger on it, so I'm not sure I'd repurchase. However, if you need a cleanser that is very simple and has good ingredients then this is definitely worth checking out!

Erin X

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Shiseido Ibuki Cleanser Review

I had never tried anything from Shiseido before trying this cleanser and it certainly made a great first impression of the brand. I received this as part of goody bag at an event and I was delighted with it. It was a big decent size and lasted me ages.

This cleanser is from the IBUKI range. It's a cream cleanser that foams up when you add a little water. It is fragranced but doesn't make my sensitive skin react in any way. It smells beautiful, fresh and somewhat floral. I'm not big on skincare that has an overpowering scent to it but this is actually beautiful.

The Pros

• It gives you a really squeaky clean feeling
• It doesn't leave a greasy residue
• A little goes a very long way, a pea sized amount will do your entire face
• It feels super rich and luxurious
• It suits all skin types
• You can use it both morning and night
• It does it's job!

The Cons

• I actually don't have anything negative to say about this cleanser except maybe the price is a bit steep. It's €38.50 for 125ml. However I do think it's worth it and it will last you absolutely ages.
• It's difficult to find online, your best bet is to go into a store and find it, I've seen it in Debenhams and Shaws. The only place I seen it online was on feel unique! 

Overall
I personally love using it with my electronic cleansing brush as it lathers up really well and leaves my skin super soft and smooth. This is definitely a cleanser that I think is worth the money and lives up to the hype. I definitely will be repurchasing it as some stage.

SO have you tried this cleanser? Or anything else from Shiseido's skincare range? Tell me your thoughts in the comments! 

Erin X 

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Dr Paw Paw Original Balm Review

I have heard so much hype about this lip balm over the last year or so that when it was in a goody bag from an event  was eager to try it. Before I jump into the review here's a little background on the company. Dr Paw Paw is a British company, that was created after the owner was on holiday and used a lip cream that had a fruit extract in it. When he came home he couldn't find anything like it so he created one himself. Pretty cool huh!

Anyway onto the review, the lip balm contains Carica Papaya ( helps in aiding skin repair), Aloe Barbadensis leaf Juice (Helps retain moisture) and Olea Europaea fruit oil ( anti inflammatory) and basically all the good things that is needed. What I found particularly interesting is the fact that it's a multitasking balm, it can be used on skin, hair, nails and lips and more.

Uses:

• Cracked lips/heels/elbows/skin
• nappy rash
• Cuticle balm
• Shape untamed hair
• Condition hair

I personally have only used it on my lips. There is so much hype about this balm that I was expecting it to work wonders. Did it? Kind of. What I mean is that I had unrealistic expectations, as I always do with hyped products. It did really help my cracked lips overnight which I was very pleased with. I like the fact that it's solid until you apply it onto lips. It doesn't feel overly greasy. It's not fragranced and overall it does it's job. I still do prefer my intensive lip balm from Blistex but only just.

You can pick up the Original Balm from Dr Paw Paw in Boots, Superdrug and most pharmacies. It costs €8.99 for a 25ml tube. Have you tried this out before? What did you think? 

Erin X 

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Blank canvas Cosmetics Master Series Palette Review

This palette has gotten so much hype that I was very skeptical about buying it. I always feel that products that receive as much hype as this palette did, are actually quite often a bit disappointing. However I was very pleasantly surprised by this palette and I'm really quite impressed.

This palette costs €34.99 but I bought mine on Black Friday and used an additional code so it cost me somewhere around the €20 mark (what a bargain). The palette consist of 12 eye shadows, 11 mattes and one shimmer. There is a mix of both warm and cool toned eyeshadows, however the warm and cool tones actually work together really well. In terms of pigmentation, all shadows bar one cannot be faulted. The colour payoff is phenomenal, all except 'GODDESS' unfortunately. It's a pity too because it's the one shimmer shade and if it was more pigmented, this palette would be perfect in my opinion.

I find the shadows really easy to blend and they all compliment each other so well. I've created quite a few looks over on my Instagram (@chasingrubychat) with this palette and since opening it, I've honestly used at most days I wear makeup. It's just perfect for everyday and so easily built up for a night time look. My favourite shades are 'Carmin' 'Cocoa' 'Hickory' and 'Corruption'.

The palette also comes with a double ended brush. As Blank Canvas Cosmetics are mainly a makeup brush brand, you can be sure that the brush included with the palette isn't a flimsy one. In fact it's really rather brilliant. On one end is the E40 and on the other end is E41, both can be both separately too.  The E40 is a flat ended brush, perfect for putting the eyshadow in place.The E41is a fluffy blending brush, ideal for blending the eyeshadows together in the crease. I think this was a brilliant brush to compliment the palette. The packaging itself is really good too, not only does it look pretty, it has a decent sized mirror in it and while it's made of cardboard, the palette feels very sturdy.

Overall I really REALLY love this palette, it's become my everyday palette and one of my all time favourites. I really can't say enough good things about it! Have you tried this palette? What did you think?

Erin X 

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The Best Eye Cream In The World??? Thalgo Collagen Eye Roll On Review!

Ok I haven't tried all the eye creams in the world to make such a big claim but I would bet anything that it's up there with the best of them. I've been using this eye roll on from Thalgo for about a year and half and I just can't get enough of it! Here's why...

First off, I'm only 22 so wrinkles are not exactly something I'm trying to reduce or even think about however I'm a firm believer that prevention is better than cure. So I always use some sort of an eye cream. This one from Thalgo is my go to and I've converted so many people into loving it too so I know, it's not just me! Even though I don't have any wrinkles, I do suffer with dehydration in my skin and this can result in small creases under my eyes and dry patches and that is what I love this product for.

It's technically a clear gel, rather than a cream but I call it an eye cream out of habit. It had three little roller balls that help cool your skin and spread the product. You simply squeeze the tube a little to push out the product and the three roller balls disperse the product. I love that you can very easily control how much product you use. Because it's so easy to control and you honestly only need the smallest amount of product, it's lasted me so long.

As I said it's almost like a gel and it feels so cooling and soothing on the skin. It isn't oily but yet it's very moisturizing and hydrating. It dries in quite quickly and doesn't leave any sticky residue! It claims to be anti puffiness and anti dark circles and my god do I notice a difference! Not so much with dark circles as I don't suffer with dark circles but definitely with the puffiness!

I really cannot explain to you how much I love this product. I've tried lots of other eye creams/gels some affordable and some high end and nothing has ever come close to this one. It is a little pricey at €33 but worth every penny in my opinion. I'll definitely be repurchasing when I run out! It can be bought here on Thalgo.ie ! 

Have you ever used this? What is your favourite eye cream?

Erin X 

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The Balm Batter Up Eye Shadow Sticks Review

I've never really been a fan of eyeshadow sticks. I usually just find them a little gimmicky. I much preferred using eyeshadows. That was until these babies came into my life, The Balm Batter Up eyeshadows sticks!

I find them to be very pigmented, which I wasn't really expecting. As you can see from the swatches above, even the lightest shades show up really well. They all have a slight sheen to them too. They come in eight beautiful shades. Honestly they're all very wearable.

• Slugger - which is a plum shade
• Outfield -  a gorgeous olive green
• Shutout - A shimmery bronze
• Night Game - A shimmery black
• Pinch Hitter - A lavendar shade
• Dugout - A chocolate brown
• Moonshot - A champagne/highlighter shade
• Curveball - A copper shade

They glide onto the eye very nicely and blend out really well.They're not patchy at all and so easy to apply. They are also super long lasting. I usually apply one of the colours, then set it with a very similiar shade of eye shadow on top. Otherwise I find it would just be a little sticky and oily. They are quite practical too, you simply have to twist them when you wear it down, so no need to sharpen (is it just me who can never seem to find my sharpener when I need it).

They can be used as either a creamy eyeshadow or as an eyeliner. I actually use 'Night Game' as my everyday waterline eyeliner and I love it. It lasts really long and doesn't actually appear shimmery. They are available online on Debenhams and also on Meaghers Pharmacy !

Have you used eyeshadow sticks? What are your thoughts? 

Erin X

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Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation Review

This has pretty much been the only foundation I've worn all month since filming THIS video. So I feel like enough time has passed and I have a tried it enough times to give a full review on the Catrice HD Liquid Coverage foundation. I picked mine up for €7.90 in my local pharmacy, O' Mearas Pharmacy.

Catrice claim that this foundation will give you a HD effect, give a mattifying finish and act like second skin effect. For once I actually agree with the claims a brand makes. This foundation photographs really well and comes across great on camera when I'm filming, it definitely has a mattifying finish and depending on how much you build it up, it can act like a second skin effect.

The consistency of the foundation is very thin and runny. You don't need a lot of product to cover your face and even when building up the coverage, I really don't need a lot. It feels quite light on the skin which is great because most fuller coverage foundations can feel very suffocating on the skin. It also doesn't break me out which is just brilliant.

In terms of coverage, I'd say it's a medium coverage foundation but definitely build-able and you can achieve quite high coverage without applying a ton of layers. I think if you're looking for a more natural looking base, apply one layer with a damp beauty blender. If you're looking for a more full coverage look, then apply two layers with a brush. It is a very long lasting foundation, it claims to give 24 hours worth of coverage, I haven't tested that myself, but it certainly does a great job up until the 9 - 12 hour mark.

Who does it suit? I think it's aimed at people who have oily to normal skin. I have a very oily T Zone but the outer parts of my face are quite dry/dehydrated. I don't find the foundation clings to any dry patches I have and I do feel like it keeps my oils at bay for quite a considerable amount of time on my T Zone. If you have VERY dry skin maybe give this one a pass but for anyone else, I'd definitely say try it!

A few things I don't like about it, I have to wear a silicone based primer otherwise I find the foundation sits into my pores. I use the NYX shine killer and Pore Filler. The foundation shade range is very small. There's only four different shades and the lightest one, 010 'Lightest beige' is still far too dark for my pale Irish skin. Hopefully they'll bring out more shades.The foundation has a dropper rather than a pump. I can't say I can see why, I think all foundations should have a pump. For me because the shade is too dark and I have to mix it with lightening drops, the dropper actually does suit me, but I'd still prefer a pump.

Overall I really really like this foundation. It lived up to the hype which is a hard thing to do in the beauty world. I'd love to know what you think and if you've tried it, or have you tried out any of the other Catrice foundations? Let me know in the comments! 

Erin X

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