My current make-up wishlist

It's been a while since I've done a proper beauty-related post, so I thought I'd share all the make-up items I'm currently dying to get my hands on!

1 - Essie nail polish in Tea & Crumpets, £7.99 // This is such a beautiful Spring shade, absolutely perfect for the upcoming months - and pink shades are my favourite to wear. Essie nail polishes are just the best formulation, too. CLICK HERE

2 - Make Up Revolution Iconic Pro 2 palette, £6.99 // I looooove Make Up Revolution; I have one of their blush palettes and I bought my mum an eyeshadow palette for Christmas - the shades in this one look fab too. I love that it comes with a decent-looking brush as well! CLICK HERE

3 - Bare Minerals Ready foundation, £25 // If you know me then you'll know how much I struggle with getting a foundation that is a) pale enough for me, and b) doesn't cling to dry patches. I went into Debenhams last week to get a sample of the Dior Star foundation, and ended up having a complete makeover done at the Bare Minerals counter. This foundation is amazing. CLICK HERE

4 - Thierry Mugler Alien perfume, £34 // I spritzed this all over me in the airport on my way home from Berlin, because I was hot and sweaty from travelling, and it smelt gorgeous. I'm becoming slightly obsessed with perfumes lately... CLICK HERE

5 - Benefit Roller Lash mascara, £19.50 // I'm not a fan of the They're Real mascara, and I didn't really like this one when I first used the tiny sample I got in Elle Magazine - but the more I use it, the more I fall for it. CLICK HERE

6 - Make Up Revolution full pro brush collection, £20 // My brushes are all a bit old and weary now, and £20 for 9 brushes?! You can't go wrong really. I've heard great things about them too! CLICK HERE

What's on your beauty wish list right now? Let me know if you have any recommendations!

Face of the day ft. Ted Baker

I decided I really like my make up in this picture, so I thought I'd write a post about it. Simples.

As always, I started with the Pro-Base Primer from MUA (£4) and then used No7 Beautifully Matte foundation in the shade Calico (£13.50) which is actually a really good colour match for my ridiculously pale skin! I then concealed any blemishes - mostly on my chin and temples - with the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer (£3.99), of which I use the lightest shade, obv.

For contour, which I'm rubbish at, I used Matte Bronze from Mac (£21) to cast shadow under my cheek bones and on my forehead. I was playing around with the Make Up Revolution blush palette in Sugar & Spice (£6) so I used a few shades from that across the apples of my cheeks. They're not as pigmented as their single blushers, but I adore the brand and can't wait to try out more products - and their new range of brushes, of course! I also used a highlight shade from the palette on my brow bone, down my nose and across the tops of my cheeks.

On my eyes I used Smog from the Urban Decay Naked Palette all over the lid, with Darkhorse in the crease and Half Baked in middle - I've been loving this combination lately! I also used the Argan Oil Wonderfull mascara from Rimmel (£5.99) on my lashes, which is one of the best mascaras I've tried in a looooong time. To fill in my brows I used Rimmel Proessional eyebrow pencil in Hazel (2.99) followed by the MUA clear mascara, which I use as a budget brow gel (£1).

To finish off, I popped on some Ted Baker lip gloss which was a Christmas present from my brother's girlfriend, and I can't find the shade name but it's a gorgeous pinky-coral as you can see from the pictures! It's not one I ever would have chosen for myself as I tend to gravitate away from shiny lip glosses, but I actually reaaalllly like it.

I don't usually do make up posts, but I hope you've enjoyed it! I'm trying to get into make-up so I'd love you to recommend your number #1 all time favourite product in the comments below... If you can narrow it down that is.

Want to see a make up haul? 'course you do

DAILY DECEMBER #17 // My Christmas pamper essentials

I am a totally horrible blogger and there are no proper photos for this blog post, because I have two uni deadlines this week and I've been spending most of my time in the library, so daylight has been severely amiss in my life. But I've been sooo stressed that I thought now would be the perfect time to talk about my favourite pastime - pampering!

an actual photo of me right now

I find pampering myself while at uni can be pretty difficult - our bath is tiny and the house is always busy, plus the walls are thin so even if I stayed in my room there would be music pounding or people's voices distracting me. I don't mind though, because you never feel alone ... But I digress!

Any Christmas time pampering session needs a candle - I've been loving the Coconut and Vanilla Cream scented candle from Primark which comes in a frosted glass cube. Aesthetically pleasing or what? It's not massively Christmassy but it smells soooo lush. A face mask is a big part of any pamper night, and I love the Superdrug ones which are always 3 for 2.

Tonight I decided to push the boat out, and made myself a make shift foot spa. At home my mum does have an actual foot spa which you plug into the wall and it massages your feet, but at uni I'm not blessed with such luxuries. I did see them in B&M today though, if you fancy snapping one up. I cleaned out the washing up bowl and filled with with hot water, Soap And Glory bubble bath, and some baby oil. You could use bath salts or proper oils like Lavender too. I let my feet soak for a while before smothering them in the Righteous Butter and popping on some fluffy socks.

I painted my nails using a Barry M shade that I featured in my favourite Christmas nails post, and watched loads of Vlogmas videos while eating jam donuts. Because you've got to treat yourself, right?

I've been super busy lately with uni and hospital appointments, so I really hope my Daily December posts aren't too dull; I thought today's post fitted in well with yesterday's #thelilacscrapbook December photo challenge over on Instagram - do feel free to check out the hashtag and get involved!

Want to see some fancy hand soap and body wash? 'course you do

Happy Halloween // Tag

I saw the Halloween Tag and decided I had to do it, I adore Halloween and I actually prefer it to Christmas (scandalous I know...)

What's your first memory of Halloween? I think my earliest Halloween memory is being at my dance school and we all dressed up for our lesson. I was probably a witch, ha.

What's your favourite memory of Halloween? My aunty used to throw a party every year to combine Halloween and Bonfire Night (we called it Bonoween!) and they were some of the best parties ever.

What are your plans for Halloween this year? I went on a pub crawl on Wednesday night dressed as a zombie nurse with my badminton team, and tonight I'm off to a house party! So nothing too wild.

What do you love most about Halloween? DRESSING UP. I love it so much.

At what age did you stop trick-or-treating? I can't remember in all honesty, but probably when I was around eleven or twelve!

Favourite Halloween costume you've ever been? Last year I was a zombie princess and I loved doing that.

What's your favourite Halloween candy? I just love the fact that things like Mars Bars are in miniature form. Amazing. What a time to be alive...

Happy Halloween guys! This tag is super quick and easy to do so I tag y'all to do it this evening before you head out (if you're celebrating).

If you want to do know how I did this zombie make up, there's a post here and I promise it's probably the only "tutorial" I'll ever do! Let me know over on Twitter @katygilroyblog if you think it looks okay though...

The Beauty Blogger Tag

I personally love 'tag' posts, as I think it gives you more of an insight into the person behind the blog! I found this tag on Rachel's blog 'Beauty And The Bird - check her out here - and I thought I'd give it a go.

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

Annoyingly in between - but I straighten it if I'm going anywhere nice.

2. What is your natural hair colour?

Blonde, although the colour it is now isn't natural.

3. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?

I dye it myself, aint nobody got time for salon prices.

4. How often do you wash your hair?

Most days, and I kick myself for getting into that habit!

5. Do you wear the same style everyday or change it?

It's different every single day.

6. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?

I paint my nails myself but if I want something fancy I go to the salon.

7. How often to you change your nail polish?

About twice a week, because my collection is huge and I just wanna use it allll!

8. Do you polish your toes in the winter, too or just in the summer?

Year round, because nobody likes ugly toes.

9. How long does it take to put on your makeup?

About fifteen minutes.

10. What do you do first? Face or eyes?

Face.

11. Do you "collect" makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?

I just buy what I need but I wish I had the money to collect it...

12. How often do you wear false eyelashes?

About twice a year - my eye are so small that most of the time, false lashes look ridiculous on me.

13. Do you do a full face of makeup every day?

Nope - only if I'm going somewhere where I'm bound to see loads of people.

14. Do you wear makeup when you are home alone (or with family)?

I'm too lazy for that.

15. Will you leave the house without makeup?

Absolutely.

16. How many high end products do you have?

A few - I have the Naked Palette, some MAC stuff (is that classed as high end?), two Benefit mascaras and a Bobbi Brown eyeshadow which I use on my brows. Oh and my beloved Givenchy lipstick.

17. How often do you wash your makeup brushes?

Not nearly often enough. I'm disgusting, I know.

18. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you are getting dressed?

I just decide when I'm getting ready, unless it's a special occasion.

19. How often do you change your handbag?

Toooooo many times. About as often as I should wash my make up brushes.

20. What time do you get up & go to sleep?

I have trouble sleeping and I'm usually awake until the early hours, but the time I get up totally depends on whether I have uni, what day it is etc etc.

21. How often & when do you workout?

Never. I just don't enjoy it. I'm starting badminton when I go back to uni though, so hopefully that will kick start some sort of exercise for me!

22. Left-handed or Right-handed?

Right handed.

23. How tall are you?

I think I'm 5'4 but I can't remember.

24. Do you speak a foreign language?

Nope, just English.

25. How many pets do you have?

Just the one, a shih tzu called Macy.

26. How often are you on Blogger?

Literally most days, unless I'm away or super busy.

27. Do you read the comments posted on your blog?

I do, not that there's many!

28. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?

If something catches my eye then I keep it in mind or make a note in my phone.

29. How did you come up with your blog name?

It's actually the name of my favourite album by Australian singer Missy Higgins. Probably some sort of copyright breach too.

30. What kind of camera do you use for photographs?

I use my phone, because my laptop won't recognise memory cards so anything else would be pointless.

31. How often do you clean your house? (Daily, weekly, other)

Every couple of weeks (I live in a student house though, so if it's particularly messy after a big night out or a party, it gets cleaned then too!)

32. What is your favourite colour?

Lilac.

33. What is your favorite beauty/fashion magazine?

It was Company Magazine (RIP), so now I'd have to say Glamour.

34. Do you swear?

Not on blog posts (as far as I know I never have...), but in reality I have an awful habit of it.

35. What are you doing with the rest of your day?

Nothing until this evening then it's out for a few drinks with the gal pals.

I hope you enjoyed reading my Beauty Blogger Tag, and if you're reading this then feel free to do the tag too! If you do, tweet me a link or leave it below so I can see how your answers compare to mine.

Eurcyl Tooth Powder // Review

My teeth have never been the whitest, and I'm desperate to get them as white as possible without spending a fortune. I found Eucryl tooth powder in Home Bargains for about £1 and decided to give it a go. It comes in a box, then inside is a round tub.

I use the original flavour, and the powder itself is a pale pink colour, and basically all you do is brush your teeth as normal, then rinse and wet your brush again, tapping off any excess water. You press your brush into the powder then re-brush your teeth. That's literally it, and even though it's a powder it turns to a foamy consistency as you brush with it. I use it every other day, and it does make a difference.

It doesn't give you sparkling white teeth overnight but with regular usage it does whiten your teeth a few shades. It's easy to use and doesn't taste gross either, plus it's cheap and cheerful so if it doesn't work for you or you don't like it, you haven't broken the bank! I'd definitely recommend giving it a try and seeing how you get on with it.

My Make-Up Wish List // August 2014

I don't own a particularly large amount of make-up and there's always something I'm lusting after, so I thought I'd put together a "wish list" showing you the make-up I want at the moment. I might make this a regular thing or I might not... we'll see.

1 // Le Rouge Givenchy Lipstick, £25. I already own a Givenchy lipstick from the same line which was a birthday present for my 18th last year - and it is amazing. It's definitely the best lipstick I own; the creamy formula and the longevity of it as well as the pigmentation are all just perfect, and it smells nice. The one I have is a coral shade, but there are so many I'd buy if I had the money.

2 // Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Duo Kit, £24.50. I love Bobbi Brown make-up, and this concealer kit looks great with the complementing powder to go with it. From the reviews I've seen it's really good, and I think it's definitely a fab idea. I might have to purchase this soon...

3 // Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette, £37. My boyfriend bought me the original Naked Palette for my birthday as he knew how much I wanted it - and after playing around with it, I've fallen in love with all the colours and the formula of the eyeshadows. Knowing how amazing the first one is only makes me want the 3rd one more!

4 // Benefit Gimme Brow, £17.50. My eyebrows are soooo light that I have to get them tinted, or dye them myself, for them to even be visible - plus they're quite sparse for whatever reason. I definitely think this product would work wonders for me.

My Everyday Make Up!

I'm not claiming to be amazing at make-up, because I'm actually quite poo at make-up; but I thought it might be interesting to put a post together about my every day make-up and what I reach for on a daily basis!

BASE // I have very dry skin but I also get a lot of spots, so finding make-up that suits my skin can be a bit of a nightmare at times - plus I'm ridiculously pale. To start off with I apply Collection 2000's (or just Collection now??) Lasting Perfection Concealer which literally everyone seems to us, to any blemishes I have as well as under my eyes and along my brow bone. I tend to just blend this with my finger. I recently went to Boots with my mum and had my skin tested by the machine at the No7 counter, which matched me to the palest of their foundation colours. I explained that I wanted quite a full coverage so the woman suggested their Beautifully Matte foundation which works pretty well for me! I apply this with a foundation brush which you can see in the photo below; I don't know what the brand is and I got the set of brushes pretty cheap off Ebay - but they work fine for me. If I know I'm going to need my make-up to last, I use MUA's basic primer underneath it all, and my trusty Rimmel Stay Matter powder in Transparent over the top - *I haven't used them in this look though*

FACE // Once my base is on, I contour gently using Mac's Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze on my cheeks, forehead and chin; as I'm pale I try not to use a lot as it can look quite muddy. Following this I use a Collection blusher in the shade 02 - Bashful, on the apples of my cheeks. This is really pigmented so a little goes a looooong way. After my blusher is blended in I take Mac's Mineralise Skin Finish Natural in Soft & Gentle as highlighter - along my cheekbones, brow bones, down my nose and on my Cupid's bow.

EYES // Next I move onto eyes; I have my eyebrows waxed and tinted, so most of the time I don't need to do much to them. When they look a little sparse as they did today, I take a little bit of Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in Blonde(21) on an angled brush and run it through. Over my lids I used the shades Naked and Sidecar from the Urban Decay Naked Palette and a tiny bit of eyeliner which is a freebie I got from 17 @ Boots - and I completely forgot to photograph it, plus the name has rubbed off and I can't find it on the Boots website. SORRY :-( On my lashes I used Benefit's They're Real Mascara which I'm actually not a fan of - it does barely anything for me.

LIPS // I completely forgot to include my lipstick in the photos below - but it's Rose Rush by Calvin Klein. I love the CK lipsticks as they're really pigmented and last ages on me.

Sorry for the awful quality of the pictures; my camera has disappeared so I'm stuck with my iPhone. Hope you enjoyed this post!