Tag - Make Up

Thank you to the lovely Cindy from Girl With The Skew Earring for tagging me! I only noticed this a month later haha, because I haven't been reading through blogs as much as usual when I arrived home. But Cindy's blog is one of the first blogs I started reading, because it's one of the main Irish blogs I absolutely love. Her Friday Funny posts were my favourite thing to cheer me up, & I love looking at her nail art. So go check GWTSE out!

When did you begin loving make up?

I first began using make up when I was about 13 - Just for discos, etc. I think I was about 15 when I started wearing it more, & learned more on applying it - I made the journey to Dublin to fork out on Bobbi Brown foundation, for my pale skin! (No idea where I got the money at that age.) In Transition Year, we got a make up class, & I got a make up application by Urban Decay that year too, which really encouraged me to figure out as much as I could! But it was probably around 17 that I really developed a passion for make up & kept learning as much as possible. It was around then that I started reading blogs too, & since getting a job, a lot of money goes on make up.

Chilling in the onesie without a scrap of make up.

How do you feel without make up?

Grand. I do much prefer myself with make up, but I can deal without it. If I'm in a rush in the morning, I throw my make up bag into my bag & just give myself a quick going over in work - Mascara & eyeliner makes me feel more myself. I go without foundation, concealer, etc quite often in college, but for work I try to make more of an effort - I feel & look more polished, which I prefer when I'm representing work. But for going out, etc, I go for a full face of make up. Obviously, when I've had lots of sleep, been eating well, etc my skin is better, so I'll happily just wear mascara! (I need that definition, at least.)

What do you like about make up?

I like how make up enhances features & changes how you look. It's just fun to experiment with different products, & to see how they work on different people. Obviously I love putting it on & making myself look better, but I like trying out things on other people too! Maybe I sound sad, but I can happily spend time trying out looks I've seen on blogs & YouTube, wondering if they'll suit me or drown my face.

Three Holy Grail make up products?

Eeeeek! I change products so much... I don't know if I have any with HG status! But 3 I probably couldn't go without are -
Urban Decay Naked Palette - I use it more than any other palette, & I know that if I could only use one for the rest of my life, I could survive with the Naked. (Though I still want Naked 3.)
OPI Nail Envy - I can't paint my nails without a layer of Nail Envy first. For the first time in my life, my nails are actually longer than half a centimetre.
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - Not something that would ever make my list of "OH MY GOD BUY THIS NOW" products, but I always like mascara on my bottom lashes, & I haven't found anything that works as well as this mascara specifically made for the job, so I'll be repurchasing.



For this, I tag -
Girl Friday's Beauty Blog
The Nail Affair
Rara Giggles
Too Many Muffins
Belle Morte Beauty

Let me know if you do it!

Chloe x

Christmas Tag

It's only a week until I get home for Christmas... A WEEK! So I am in a festive spirit, especially after visiting Christmas markets, etc. & I wanted to do this Christmas tag, from Sian's blog.

What's your favourite Christmas Movie?

Ooooh, I think it might be The Santa Clause. It's one of the films I remember watching & loving when I was younger & I still loving watching it! (And weirdly, I even like the sequel.) Honourable mentions go to Home Alone, The Grinch & The Holiday. 

Do you stay in your PJ's or get dressed on Christmas?

We always get new PJs from our parents on Christmas Eve, which we bear to bed that night & while opening presents. But because we get up & go to mass, etc, I get dressed after breakfast & stay dressed for the day! Though the second I'm home I take off my heels or whatever, open my belt/zips/buttons & let comfort win.

Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

We open our parents' present on Christmas Eve, to get our jammies. Everything else is Christmas Day! One year, we were only allowed open one present a day, til we got bored when my mum was on the phone a few days later & just ripped into them.

Favourite Christmas smell?

Mmm this year I'm really looking forward to the smell of the fire! Haha & we always have candles burning when it's cold - I have two Yankee Candles in my bedroom at home, from Christmas last year so I'll have them lit in my room when I'm relaxing!

What is your favourite Christmas Song?

Fairytale of New York, without a doubt. Last year, in a Spoken German class, there were only three of us in, & the tutor decided because it was a famour Irish song, we had to sing it for her. I make a good Kirsty MacColl.. Especially when translating it to German. On the upside, I learned a few handy phrases. Like "She changes her boyfriends more than her underwear". 

What is your Favourite Christmas Drink?

Mmm hot chocolate! Last year, I lived on hot chocolate from Costa, Insomnia & Starbucks. (All three of them are within spitting distance from my college, it would be a shame not to.) So far this winter, I've just been draining my supply of Lyon's tea.. The second I land, I'm headed for some real hot chocolate, with marshmallows & whipped cream.

Favourite Christmas Meal?

Christmas dinner! I used to be a seriously fussy eater, & my dinner consisted of mashed spuds, turkey & ham. I have expanded my horizons (& gotten chubbier) & now have mashed pottoes, croquettes, ham, turkey, stuffing, carrots, parsnips, & sure I might even have some gravy. I draw the line at sprouts though. Followed by a choice of Mint Viennetta or Romantica.. I'm still too fussy for Christmas cake & pudding. 

Wrapping Presents-Love or Loathe?

LOVE! I'm actually raging that I can't start wrapping presents yet, coz they might get squashed in my suitcase. So the weekend I get home, I'm going to have Christmas tunes blaring while I get to work. I'm one of those freaks who goes in with the wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, tags & glitter. 

Whats your favourite thing about Christmas?

Everyone being together. I didn't appreciate it as much every other year, because I saw my family constantly anyway - Even though I'd moved out, I was home every weekend. Now that it's been what feels like forever since I saw them, I don't care what we do at Christmas, I just want to spend time with everyone I love.

Christmas Tree Real or Fake? 

We've always had a fake one.. I don't think I know anyone with a real one! I actually think fake ones look nicer (hello bushy trees), but we have to have one because my mum is allergic to real ones. Or else she's the Grinch in disguise, not sure. 

Handmade Cards or Shop Bought ones? 

Shop bought.. I don't have the patience for making them. & yes,by shop bought, I mean 3 for €2 in the pound shop. Every little helps at Christmas! I do write really nice messages in them though.

What do you do on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve used to be my dad panicking about presents & going to town last minute, I'd go & convince him to buy me sweets & a magazine. Then I started singing in the cathedral, so Christmas Eve I'd be in there for Midnight Mass. Since my dad now has me to organise him, it's usually spent just hanging about with my sisters, or helping my mum. This year, my boyfriend will only be home that day, so I'll probably visit him, but get home in time to open my PJs & go to bed!

Snow, Love it or Hate it?

Undecided - I like it at first, when it's nice & white & you can make snowballs & play. Then it turns to slush & you start slipping, or can't go anywhere, so it's less fun! Plus, apparently when it snows in Germany, it ends up at your thighs so I think I'm going to hate it this year...

Let me know if you do this tag! Eeeeek excited!
Chloe x

50 Facts About Me

Well, I've seen this post floating around many blogs, so since I forgot my camera this weekend, I decided to see how many facts I could come up with!

1. I don't have a middle name.
2. My favourite films are Irish ones - The Magdalene Sisters, What Richard Did, Kisses, War of the Buttons, etc. 
3. I used to get really bad nose bleeds most days, which could last 3 hours.
4. I have named most of our family cars, but haven't come up with a name for the latest car that my dad & I share.
5. My favourite books to read or films to watch are ones that I've already read or watched.
6. This Valentine's Day will be my first one single in five years, & I'm delighted! 
7. I order the same thing in a Chinese every time - Beef in Green Pepper & Blackbean Sauce, with egg fried rice.
8. I like nail polishes that have a creme finish.
9. I am very sarcastic.
10. I love the adrenaline rush of going on rollercoasters & other rides.
11. I can't deal with people telling me they love me, unless it's my sisters, or one of my friends throwing in 'love you' at the end of a text.
12. I love rowing & coxing during the summer, to the point that one of the reasons I stay at home during holidays is to stay involved.
13. I am terrified of hurting people's feelings.
14. I have had a cat, a dog, & numerous fish but I'm not really an animal person.
15. My biggest phobia is of the dentist. I have to cut my nails short before going in, because I leave cuts on my palms otherwise!
16. I love reading people's psychic stories.
17. Some days I barely eat, and then I eat far too much other days.
18. I tend to get on really well with guys, but am much closer to a few of my female friends.
19. I had a massive collection of Barbies, & my sisters ruined them all. I'm still holding it against them!
20. I wasn't invited to my parent's wedding - They left me at home because I was only one.
21. I'm currently really confused about guys. I don't like commitment. 
22. I have really awful eye sight. I literally can't see without my glasses or contacts.
23. I will happily stay in my room alone unless someone comes to talk to me.
24. I have a pitiful love for One Direction.
25. I can honestly say that there is nothing that I regret. If I ever feel bad about something, I accept that in time, I will get over it & understand it.
26. I cannot stand girls calling other girls sluts, etc for kissing a guy, having a one-night stand, or whatever. It's their choice, not yours.
27. For the most part, I believe that people should be allowed to do what they want, as long as it does not hurt someone else.
28. I love to walk home after a night out, rather than go to a chipper.
29. The only TV show I'm currently watching as it airs is Pretty Little Liars.
30. I used to think I wanted to move abroad, but now I think I'd miss everything about home.
31. A boy with a good Irish country accent (Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim) will have me smiling. 
32. I broke my leg in 3 places & was on crutches for 6 months just by tripping in PE.
33. I am most self-conscious about my stomach & my teeth.
34. I have two tattoos planned.                             
35. I love fairy lights & candles.
36. My hair has been red, black, light brown, dark brown, blonde, pink, and many shades in between.
37. I find it really hard to focus & get bored easily - Hence changing my hair & not being able to sit through a film.
38. If I don't know how to deal with something, I try to ignore it until it goes away.
39. I always wanted a big brother, for (a) his goodlooking friends & (b) the idea of someone being there to stand up for me.
40. I have been told by friends, & guys, that I'm 'scary' & that they think I could beat them up. I need to stop that!
41. My drink of choice is vodka with A LOT of orange juice.
42. In fourth year in school, I had etiquette classes & I think everyone should do them.
43. I hate soccer but love gaelic football & hurling.
44. I was awfully shy until I was about fifteen, when I became comfortable around people.
45. I love mixing microwave popcorn with crunchy M&Ms.
46. I'm a bit of a daddy's girl.
47. I prefer getting vouchers or money as a present, so I can choose what I would like, so people aren't wasting their money on me!
48. My 'breakfast roll' consists of just sausage & brown sauce.
49. At the minute, I have a new tooth growing, which I presume is a wisdom tooth.
50. On Friday morning, I had to get through an obstacle course of a spare door, cold chips, a precariously balanced chair & lots of household items to get to the bathroom. I gave up & went back to bed.

So, I did indeed make it to 50! Most of these facts are incredibly boring & pointless so congratulations if you made it to the end!

If you've done a facts post, leave a link in a comment!

Chloe x

Beauty Bloggers Tag

Hi girls,

Today I decided to do a tag, since it's been quite a while. I found this one over on the lovely Adele's blog, & it made me think about why I enjoy blogging so I wanted to share it with you!

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?

.I guess I started about a year ago, though I go through periods of forgetting to post! Mainly, I started because I loved reading blogs & other people's opinions and just wanted to share my own. Also, most of my friends were sick of me talking on, and on, and ON about things they had no interest in. I needed an outlet!

Whose blog did you fall in love with first?

I don't know if you'd call it a blog, but like most Irish girls, I read Beaut.ie regularly & then found their blog list. From there, I think CherrySue & Fluff and Fripperies were the first two Irish blogs I loved, followed by ETCLLYMLRS and Thunder & Threads when I explored a bit more. Now, I have a list of over 100 blogs that I read daily!

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product you bought and was it worth the hype?

I think it was Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection Concealer. While I may have bought it initially due to rave reviews on blogs, I'm now on my third repurchase & still loving it It covers any under-eye circles I have but also matches my skin tone if I can't find concealer for blemishes.

What are your favourite five things about blogging and being a beauty blogger?

My favourite thing is the community - I love having chats with other bloggers on Twitter, they're such lovely people!

I love sharing my opinion, especially if something really works for me or I don't get the hype.

I like seeing how other bloggers use a product - Reading reviews on YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat foundation informed me that flat foundation brushes were working better for application.

I love finding out about new products or even oldies but goodies. Especially when it's something I wouldn't have considered or known about!

Finally, I have to admit that I get a burst of joy when someone comments on my blog or tweets me. Shallow, maybe, but it makes me feel good!

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger?

That I don't need every new product - I wait, see how it works for other people and don't immediately rush out. Also, high street dupes can be better than high end products.

Have you changed anything since being a beauty blogger?

My skin are regime is much improved - Hello Liz Earle! Also, less is more and it's always easier to add a bit more than take it off. I've learned LOADS & made small changes as a result.

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?

Blog about what you love & don't try to be someone/ something you're not - Write what you want to read & it comes across much better. Also, a legible font is appreciated!

Name your top five brands!

Oh wow. Difficult but..

1. Revlon
2. YSL
3. Essence
4. Benefit
5. MAC

Recommend your top five favourite beauty products!

Even more difficult! I know I'll want to change this but the first five that spring to mind -

1. YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat foundation
2. Collection Lasting Perfection concealer
3. OPI Nail Envy
4. Loreal Studio Gel Eyeliner
5. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

Tag other beauty bloggers to do this tag!

I tag anyone who's interested to do this tag!

If you do it, link me to it in the comments :)

Chloe x