Week in Pictures # 1

So I see these posts around and think they're a great way to catch up on the week, especially when you're like me and you don't necessarily remember to update everyone as you go on the various social media sites. Sometimes I may just plain forget to share, so I'm going to try to do one of these posts each week.

Hopefully they might appeal to anyone who likes to have a nose at what everyone is up to, or give them ideas for places to go/things to do/try. I can also use it to keep track of what I have gotten up to!

It will also give me an excuse to try get a bit more active with Instagram, I've barely used it all. If you're not already following me, you can find me here.

So without further ado, my week in pictures...

  

Carmina Burana @ National Concert Hall                Sunny day in Dublin city centre

           
           


 George Orwell's 1984                         New accessories from @PinkSugarOnlineStore

 

Essie Polish - Bond with Whomever                                  Cocktail: Zombie

                                                       

Mini Pixy Haul                                                              Wet n Wild Haul 

I was also at Des Bishop in the Draiocht on Thursday, but they don't allow photographs and the 6 nations was the highlight of the week for sure, but a picture would have only been of the television since I wasn't in Paris to see it!

Hope you had a good week, what did you get up to?

BeautyBaggage Competition | Mega Lip Giveaway

Ok so I've been trying to think of a way I could say thanks to everyone who has supported me and my blogging endeavours. After some thought, I've decided to go with a Mega Lip Giveaway. So all the prizes are (as you've probably guessed) lip related. They're all products I have owned and loved, so I hope you will feel the same about them. So let's get straight to the point, one lucky winner can win:

• 3 x MAC Lipsticks
• 2 x Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers
• 2 x Bourjois Shine Edition Lipsticks
• 1 x Lush Lip Balm
• 1 x Lush Lip Scrub

That's over €100 worth of products for your lovely lips. You have all the products you need to look after your lips and make them fabulous. What's better, you'll notice I didn't mention any shades (or in the case of Lush, flavours), that's because the winner can choose ANY shades/flavours they want. So do you have any colours you wanted to try out, but have been too afraid or perhaps you just need a couple more colours to finish off your collection? Now's your chance!

Terms & Conditions
1. This competition is open internationally
2. Winner will get to choose the shade for each prize (I am happy to offer recommendations)
3. The closing date of the competition is Sunday 30th March 2014
4. The winner will be announced on BeautyBaggage Twitter & Facebook pages later that day, so make sure to check back.

To make it fair, I am using Rafflecopter. The more ways you enter, the better the chance you have of winning.

Good luck everyone!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is no way sponsored, or in connection with, any of the above brands

Best of Beauty Blog Challenge | Budget Bargain

These weeks really are flying, week 6 of the challenge already? Hello again to any regulars and welcome to any new readers. This 8 week challenge was set up by the beautiful Sam over at All The Buzz.

So this week I had to pick one bargain buy, be it skincare or makeup. It will be interesting to see if this answer is the least original of them all. Since this product is incredibly hyped in the beauty blogging world (and for good reason). Without further ado, I present to you, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer.

Apologies for not having a better photograph, I'm doing this week's post on the go! There isn't much I can say about this concealer that hasn't already been said. Other than literally, if you don't own it, change that. Honestly, you won't regret it. It's only €6.49 in Boots, that's certainly a budget bargain. I rank it up there beside my NARS creamy concealer, which is over 4 times the price.

You know what to do ladies....

What's your favourite concealer, do you own this one?

The Tag of All Knowledge

Ok so I was tagged by the fabulous Cat over at Big Blonde Girl to do the Tag of All Knowledge the other week and I'm finally getting around to doing it. So lets jump straight in...


1. If you were a rockstar what items would you demand on your rider?
My realist answer would be comfy PJs, cosy slippers and a mega fast laptop. However since I'm now a rock star and thus am allowed to be a diva, I'm going to choose chilled sparkling elderflower water, white roses, peanut butter M&Ms and Lisa Eldridge (I figure if I'm going to be on the road all the time, she'd be the only one capable of making me look stage ready)! By the way, if you don't know who Lisa Eldridge is, you need to head on over here now!

2. If you could afford any designer piece, be it clothing, shoes or accessories, what would it be and how would you style it? If you can, post a picture.
Well I've always always always wanted a Michael Kors Rose Gold watch, so I plan on getting that as a gift to myself when I finish college this summer (for good this time I promise, I think 3 qualifications and 8 years later, I'm done with University)! So next on my list (and sure I may as well aim high) would definitely be a Chanel 2.55 handbag in black. I think it would look perfect with anything you might choose to wear on a night out. It's something you would have forever and would never go out of fashion (so really it's an investment more than anything)!

Photo courtesy of featherfactor.com

3. What kind of teenager were you? Goth? Princess? Nerdy?
I was fairly run of the mill as far as teenagers go. I was pretty easy going, wasn't into anything goth-like. Since I had a part time job from age of 14, it excluded me from being a princess as I bought any bit and pieces I wanted with my own money. So I guess if I had to pick one it would be Nerdy. Mind you I wasn't particularly nerdy as a teenager (I'm WAY more of a nerd now - haha). But I kept my head down and just hung out with my own friends, didn't cause any hassle and sorted of just drifted through my teenage years without causing my parents too much heart ache!

4. This one is a bit morbid. If you could have any quote as your epitaph, what would it be and why?
Hmmm this is an interesting one, I had to think about it. I've decided on...

"Let love be the leading role in the tale of your life"

Just something simple, I think if we all showed more love to one another, we'd all be happier in the long-run.

5. What fictional character would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Walter White. I would be so scared no doubt, but it would be amazing to meet the man in person, try get inside that brain!

6. Tell me about your first ever makeup purchase.
I'm quite surprised I can actually still remember this, it was a peach/bronze coloured eye shadow. Just a single shade, it was either 17 or No.7 or Rimmel or some such. I remember I picked it up while out with my sister, I must have been about 11 or 12 at the time. I remember my mam was concerned, oh no she'll be living in makeup know and I don't think she was too happy with my sister. If I recall correctly I used it a couple of times and completely forgot about the whole thing and didn't properly start wearing makeup then until I was about 16. Again I think it was a birthday gift from my sister that got me started, Elizabeth Arden foundation was what began it all for me.

7. It's the year 2020, where do you hope to be in life?
Ok so 6 years from now? Hmmm let me think, I would possibly be married by then (well considering I'm in a relationship 8 years at this stage, just need to wait until we're both finished college and officially grown ups - haha). I would like to have some further experience working in a field I love, trying out a whole new sector since November of last year, so watch this space. Perhaps kids will be on the horizon by then too. Not sure I'll have had them yet, but I'm sure we'll be planning at least by then! Essentially hoping to be fulfilled in my home life as well as my career. I will definitely have gotten a lot of travel under my belt by then, that's for sure!

8. What is your drink of choice when you go out?
Well my hands down favourite drink is a Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri, but since you can rarely get a decent version in most places, my usual go to drink is Corona.

9. We all have a "Dirty Sexy Crush", so tell me, who is yours?
I don't know about dirty sexy, but I do have many a crush! The likes of Zachary Quinto, Chace Crawford, Ewan McGregor, Jake Gyllenhaal, etc. etc.


Ok so I'm supposed to tag 5 people, but instead I've decided if you're reading this, I tag YOU! Go on, you know you want to!


Make sure to put your link below, so I can see your responses...

Best of Beauty Blog Challenge | Princess Product

Welcome to Week 5 of the #BOBBlogChallenge. Over the half way mark now, only 3 more weeks to. So another relatively short one this week as it only focuses on 1 high end product (whether makeup or skincare) that you would consider a princess product.

So if you saw my recent haul post, you will recognise this Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum. So I've been using it for about 3 weeks now and I'm in love!

After I've cleansed my face with Clinique Cleansing Balm, I put 2 pumps of this onto my face and let it soak in before applying my moisturiser. As the name would suggest it's for hydrating your skin, I have always said I have dry skin, but I've discovered it's quite possible I just have dehydrated skin. My skin has literally never felt so good, I don't have the same tightness or my makeup drying into my skin in patches anymore. This product has honestly changed my skin like no other has before.

Now as the title suggests, it is a princess product, so as far as serums go, it's pretty expensive. You can pick this up at a Chanel counter for €78. But I think it's worth every penny.


Have you ever used this serum?
Perhaps you have some great recommendations for a hydrating serum at a more affordable price?

Best of Beauty Blog Challenge | Pamper Products

Can't believe we're already onto week 4 of #BOBBlogChallenge, time is flying in! Ok this week's post made me realise I need to have a little more "me" time... I genuinely have nothing to put in here. Perhaps that's a little sad. I don't even have a bath in my apartment, so no relaxing soaks for me anyway. I genuinely cannot remember the last time I used a face mask or gave my hair a conditioning treatment...

If I have some extra time before heading out at the weekend, I'll try a little harder with my makeup or I might try a new style in my hair, but I just point blank do not "pamper" myself with little treatments. This week I have definitely realised that needs to change.

I did however recenrly pick up a conditioning treatment from LUSH for my hair, so I'll be giving that a go tonight. I will report back on what I think.

I think from this week's challenge, what I'm mostly looking out for is ideas from fellow bloggers. What suggestions do you have for me and my pampering starter kit?

Best of Beauty Blog Challenge | Make Up Must Haves

Week 3 of the #BOBBlogChallenge already? This week the focus is Make Up Must Haves, those essential items you just can't live without! I also recommend heading over to All The Buzz to check out Samantha's post and to see all the participants in the Challenge!

So I've rounded up the troops and I think I'm left with the following essentials...

First up is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, not to be confused with the foundation, the serum has a nice light, velvety feel to it. I have mentioned this foundation time and time again on my blog, so instead of boring you, here is a full review. I wear it day and night, I love it!

Next up is the Bobbi Brown Corrector. It's perfect for on the go, it covers under your eyes well, with a tiny hint of highlight. I have my one quite a long time now and I still haven't hit pan, so while it's not super cheap, it definitely is lasting a lot longer than any concealer I have ever owned. To top it all off, it has a little mirror in, which saves me carrying around an extra item in my makeup bag, perfect!

This is definitely my "go to" lipstick. I think it's great for everyday wear, while also having enough colour for nights out too! I'm rarely without this Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick. So much so, it's almost finished at this stage. Would you believe it'll be the first EVER lipstick I completely used? I usually lose a lipstick or grow bored of it before I could ever possibly reach the end. So I don't think it could come with a stronger endorsement from me! 

I have five of these Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr Cream Shadows in total and I love them all. They're great as an eyeshadow themselves, but even more commonly I use them as a base for other shades. I find using these stops all other shadows from budging, even after hours of wear. I also find whenever there is some wear, it's great to have a lasting shade underneath (which is why I have 5 shades, I will try to match the cream shadow base with the colour I am actually wearing).

Finally I have the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless. I love this mascara for really separating and lengthening my lashes. Then if I want dramatic eyes I will usually layer it with another volumising mascara. It's perfect on its own for everyday wear as well as for nights out!


So that's it for another week, do you own any of these products, what do you think of them?
What are your make up must haves?