Spring Trends :) What's coming our way

Hey Guys :) 

So, I have been browsing the Spring/Summer Makeup trends that have been hitting the catwalk recently on Cosmo magazine. Preparing myself for bright pinks and reds, I was surprised and a little bit off to be honest! 

I have seen a crazy amount of winged eyeshadow in dusky browns and golds ,even bright and dark purple! simple winged liner, green, pink and orange eye liner with a dramatic wing, in both eye line and water line! Twiggy inspired mascara (slightly clumped together lashes) bleached brows to heavy dark brows and completely natural looks with slight contouring! 

Personally I do like to keep my looks as simple as possible, favouring a smokey eye, lashes, liner and either nude or pink lips :) I find it very challenging to step out of my comfort zone, even though I know some of these looks would actually suit me or my family and friends! 

In fairness Ireland has only recently discovered the Kylie Jenner look! (God bless lip liner!) Even though we are one of the closest countries in Europe to America, why does it seem that we are so late in trends or adapting them. I sincerely doubt I am going to see some of my neighbours shopping in town with bleached eyebrows or Tiffany Blue eyeliner! We seem to have a look that we depend on and don't change. I for one know many that have adapted the 80's blue eyes and red lips and don't change it! Fair play to them I say!

SO, as part of my new challenge with my new "Streaky Face Blogs" I am going to try out some of these looks and hopefully give some inspiration to people that read them to step out of the comfort zone and have bright blue and peach eyeliner all over Ireland!:P (jokes) 

I just hope that it will give people the chance to see that the usual liner and lippy look you wear to work or on a night out might not be the only look that suits :) 

Watch this space ;) 

Here are some examples of Spring Summer Trends for 2015 :) 

Thanks for reading :D if you feel like trying any of these out, do, and let me know :) 

Sandy.S

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Smokey eyes :) How to:

Hi Everyone :) I'm really sorry about my delay in writing posts but I am back now and promise to be better with writing these :) 

So I have been trying out some looks with the eyeshadow palettes I have and I have decided to show you all how I create my smokey eye look as I have gotten so many compliments on them recently :)

It is quite tricky, but one little genius tip I will share with you is this...

Yes, sellotape! 

If I ever found it tricky to do a smokey eye before I would just use sellotape! Fortunately over time I have gotten used to doing them and can do without it now, but this is what I used at the beginning :) All you have to do is this, apply some sort of base over your eye, be it a paint pot, coloured primer or concealer to hid the veins and redness (if you have it), then get a piece of sellotape about 4 or 5 cm long, and place it just under where you either want your eyeshadow to stop, or eyeliner to go. If you are using it for eyeliner place it under the eye and join it up so that it is as if you were continuing on from your water line. You can even use it on your cheeks for contour! But I find it the best for doing smokey eyes, even just until you get used to doing them yourself. I also advise doing it before you apply your foundation as any fall off can be easily wiped off and foundation applied. 

So after I apply my sellotape I apply my eyeshadows. You can choose any colour/colours you like, depending on what you would like to go for. Usually I will use 3 or 4, sometimes 2 if it's only a simple look :) Normally I go for browns, golds and pinks, even black if very dramatic :) 

I start by applying the brightest colour to the inner corner of my eye and tear duct, usually a white or cream as it will reflect the light and make my eyes appear brighter :) I will use this colour again for under my brows. 

Next I will usually get a metallic or shiny based colour to apply on the middle of the eye or 2/3 part :) The reason for this is, the middle part of the eye is the part where the eyeball moves the most and catches the light,  therefore placing a glitter based shadow on that part of the eye will catch the light and give your eyes a more appealing look. I will pat this colour down, rather than brushing it as patting it down will leave more product on that part. 

On the third part of the eye and the crease I will place a darker colour, usually a dark matte colour, void of any glitter, a brown, black or even a dark purple or pink. I will then blend the three colours together using a thicker blending brush. You may notice the outer corner has lightened a bit, if so go back in with the dark colour and blend into the crease with either a small blending brush, or crease brush. 

I will then get the colour I used for the inner tear duct and place that under my brows and blend it into the eyeshadow over the crease so there are no thick lines of shadow, everything looks more natural and professional. 

 After this I go in with my liquid liner(you can use a pen or gel, whichever you prefer) and line the top of the eyes, the lashes to get rid of any shadow on them, and then the waterline just over the sticky tape. You can have it any length or any thickness you prefer (that's what she said :P ).

I will then line the water line with some black liner, if you have small eyes then avoid this or perhaps use white instead to make your eyes appear bigger. I then apply the darker shadow used under the lower lashes and either join that to the liner or just leave it under the lashes, depending on the look. Sometimes I like to use a sort of ombre effect under the eyes, of the shadows I have used previously. Again, that is completely up to you, it just helps to dramatize the look. 

If you wish to apply the lashes, first use an eyelash curler, one coat of mascara and then stick them on. I use my eylure adhesive glue, place it on them and leave it to dry for a couple of seconds, then apply the lashes (You have to do this as it will make the lash glue tacky, and therefore stickier and easier to apply) Once you have applied them how you want them, line over them once more with liner and apply some extra coats of mascara to make them blend into your lashes. 

After this apply your foundation, etc and get ready for your day out/work/coffee date/night out :)

I will include some pictures of looks I like to do and I hope this helped :) 

                                         

  

 

For any products I use, I usually leave a list of products under my Makeup Looks on my facebook page :) 

Thanks for reading and happy blending!! :D

Sandy.S

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Blog one of January :)

Hey everyone :) I am sorry it has been so long since my last blog, however it was a very busy christmas and new year personally and I found I just didn't have the time :( 

So I finally get to wish you all a happy new year and I hope it will be amazing and ten times better than the year past! :) 

Do you have any plans for this year? Any trips planned? Or are you like me and winging it? :P 

I had a very mixed year in 2014, moving to Galway, my father being on TV, going to Manchester and Berlin, getting engaged to the best man in the world and of course losing some very important people and meeting new ones :) I think with the crisis the country was in, it has been very mixed for many, but with the highlight of some very important topics such as Mental Health and Homelessness, I hope that these issues will be further dealt with in 2015 and massive improvements will be made :) 

I know many people will be thinking New Year, New Me and all that. But do you really think that you are going to change drastically when the bell strikes for midnight? I for one know that I want to start being more positive, join weight watchers, get more exercise and hopefully this year will be the year that I will get my dream job or course and be able to settle in to something and be more content in life. But I also know that this will take time and I cannot expect to get everything done overnight. I think getting engaged really put life into perspective for me and I find that I finally have a life goal or something to work towards! :P 

The point I'm trying to make is that you should not expect yourself to be able to change overnight, or start giving up on something you love just because your friends have or that supermodel from the Victoria Secret fashion show had the best body you've ever seen! and something else I really hate, is this new fad of joining the gym and feeling the need to have abs and muscles etc like the lads in Geordie shore. I was listening to a doctor on a radio show recently who was giving out about this also, because he said he has never seen so many muscle injuries and sprains since this new gym trend started. I cannot see what is wrong with doing a sport or going for a jog, a run or even a walk. I see people eating fast food, drinking protein shakes and going to the gym like mad people. This is not healthy! Of course I understand people might not be able to go anywhere but a gym for exercise, or that maybe they need it for training up or whatever. I just think it's ridiculous when people are only going because there friends are or because its a fashion statement or the 'new slim'. A persons health is their wealth at the end of the day and if you are perfectly healthy why change yourself?

It's normal for him ^^

Not him ^^ :/

Personally I tell everyone I just want to be healthy, but it's actually because I can't wait to fit in to a gorgeous wedding dress lol :P Jokes!

 I want to be able to wear whatever I want and run to keep up with my sister when we play sports in the summer. I don't care what actress or tv personality has the fittest body, I just want to be happy with myself and I don't care what anyone else thinks about my lifestyle choices :) 

So don't go mad dieting, or change your hair, or your lifestyle just because your friends do and don't make promises to yourself you're not going to keep and make again next New years. If you are doing it for yourself then that is your choice and I wholeheartedly agree with it :)  The best resolution you can make, is to just be yourself in the new year and take every day as it comes. And any fitness decisions or lifestyle choices should be your own not somebody elses. 

I will be writing loads of blogs in the New year hopefully, more makeup tips, more lifestyle issues and some new menu tips as soon as I join Weight watchers :D 

I hope you enjoy :) 

Thank you for reading this odd blog :P

Sandy.S

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Mental Health Awareness: What is Depression to me?

I realize when reading the varying topics of my blogs people will think I have a split personality disorder or something (god forbid) because I literally go from one thing to the other :) and two topics in one day can be so different. I do apologize for this, however, whenever I feel the need to type I just have to put hands to keyboard and off I go :)

Tonight I was reading a few articles about depression and Mental Health, Anxiety etc and I got to thinking what does it all mean to me? What is my explanation for it? To be honest I have yet to completely understand it. All I know is that it is something that unfortunately rears it's ugly head every now and then and it's like that horrible mouth ulcer on the side of your tongue that comes so unexpectedly. No matter how much Bonjela you put on it, or Listerine, or salt and water mouth rinse. It's still there.

Depression is like this, it comes at random, it hurts, no matter how many songs you listen to, chocolate you eat or chick flicks you watch. It just hangs over you and pulls you down deeper and deeper. You could be finished an exam and got the highest mark in the class or even the lowest and still feel this numbness. You could be told you look a million dollars in that new top or skirt, makes no difference to you. I used to think it was just PMS, or being a teenager, but I've been out of my teenage years for two odd years now and it's still there. I was told by one doctor it was just circumstantial, because of the way the country was with recession and this, that and the other. But deep down I knew, no it's not that. I knew there was something there that got me down and I couldn't control it. No matter how great a job I ever got or will get, or how great a life I lead (which I am thankful for) or what great friends, family and new Fiance I have, this 'thing' will always come back to keep me down at times.

Personally, I find that it comes so unexpectedly. One time it got so bad I just took to writing in a diary I had when I was 15 and I just balled my eyes out lol. I felt better afterwards but to this day I don't even know what it was that caused it? I literally have no idea. Does it affect my life? Yes, it does. I find it hard at times to even be in people's company. Strange and all as that sounds, what I mean is, that I will find myself comparing myself to them and how they have a better this, that or the other and it really gets me down. I will then come back to myself eventually and hate myself for even thinking like that in the first place! I even used to compare myself to other people that suffered from depression and felt that if they were suffering so badly, surely mine wasn't as bad and there has to be something else wrong with me. But no, depression and anxiety is exactly what I suffer from and it comes to people in different forms and strengths. Luckily I was able to acknowledge the fact and seek help before it got to a worse stage. I visited Jigsaw in Galway for a couple of sessions to build myself back up and it was one of the best things I have ever done.

Fortunately the stigma surrounding Mental Health in Ireland is lifting, it is too late for some but hopefully it can help others. Like Bressie speaking out and many other celebrities, I too feel that if we share our stories and listen to others, we can help to spread the fact that it is not making you a freak or a coward. Quite the opposite in fact. It is one of the bravest things you can ever do, walking in to a doctors office or Help centre and asking for help.

Just remember, you're not alone!

Bit of an odd blog, but I hope you will share your stories and feel free to ask me for any help or guidance that is in my power to give.

Thank you for reading,
Sandy.S
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Yankee Candle review :)

I was in Galway yesterday, on my way home from Dublin and I said I would have a look around town for myself, to see could I get some last minute bits for Christmas. Of course it was absolutely wedged, being the last Sunday before Christmas and the second last day of the markets. I only stayed a short while, skimming through my usual shops (I was practically bustled out of Penney's!) and I decided to visit the small candle gift shop located on the ground floor of the Eyre Square Shopping Center.

I noticed the shelves had been cleared of half the stock, obviously a lot of people will be getting candles for Christmas this year! I searched for my reliable Winter smell, the baking scents, as I call them. I had asked my Fiance to get me 'Snowflake Cookie' for Christmas as it was one that I felt I needed to get and could imagine myself typing away with it burning on the cold Winter evenings. With this in mind I put it down and looked at what else it had to offer. I picked up two samplers straight away, vanilla cupcake and Christmas Cookie. Now as you all know from my previous ravings about the Cinnamon smelling candle 'home sweet home', I just adore baking smells! They are perfect for calming me down and relaxing me. I bought two for 5€ and went home smiling to myself thinking about the lovely smell I was going to have in the house over Christmas.

As soon as I got home I took them out to show the family, who loved them. My hands afterwards smelt like vanilla icing and literally everywhere the candles have been in the house now have a scent of vanilla and cookies! I left them in my room (not burning of course) and whenever I pass it I can get such a strong smell. It is literally like an air freshener, or the Midas hand of candles!

I can guarantee my house will be smelling like a bakery for the next couple of weeks anyway! :P So if you're like myself, love sweet baking smells, I definitely suggest these!

Happy smelling! ;)

Sandy.S

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Why I said yes...

 So...as a lot of you may already know, I was recently in Berlin and I had the best long weekend of my life to date <3

I went with Stephen just to see the markets, etc, as they are supposed to be amazing there. We went for our second anniversary, which was the 15th and although we didn't do much touring around, we managed to walk at least 10k steps everyday! The hotel had a built in aquarium and was central to absolutely everything!

So anyway, getting to the point, I'm sure you're all wondering what I mean by the heading (most of you have seen on Facebook or twitter)

Well, on Monday the 15th (our anniversary) we had planned to walk around, see shopping centers and the other markets, as well as the aquarium after 3 o'clock. The hotel had sent up a beautiful tray after we came back from the shops. On it were roses, strawberries, chocolates and an assortment of dipping sauces. Of course I took to Facebook and instagram straight away! To which he told me not to, which I was surprised about, as we usually share everything :p We hit for the aquarium, it was beautiful! Such a relaxing and enjoyable thing to do I have to say! Then had some dinner and went to the markets.

Now I noticed (although he thinks I'm making it up) that he started to get very nervous and antsy with me, like the dinner we just had was going to repeat on him :P He kept stopping and starting while we were walking through and finally he stopped on our way to a fancy lounge bar and in a wide street, staring at Dunk'n Donuts he caught my arm and proposed. To be able to say exactly what he said or how he phrased it I wouldn't be able to do it! I was in such a state of shock and started crying/laughing at the same time. Every woman imagines how a man is going to propose to her and what her reaction will be...well mine was hyperventilating, crying/laughing and I know I kept saying "I can't even...I can't even" but eventually I stuttered out yes :P I eventually managed to call a few friends and family members. I think I nearly caused one poor friend to have a crash! We went in to a very posh bar underneath the TV tower to celebrate, me shaking and mascara streaming down my face. A few wines, cocktails and beer later we practically skipped through the markets back to the hotel. I felt like I was on clouds (and that wasn't just the alcoholic beverages)

Back in the room, a bottle of champagne awaited us in a bucket of ice, two glasses and a glass plate saying 'Congratulations' and a few tasty chocolates on top :) It was like something I only ever read about in a novel! Something he had all planned and hidden from me the sly fox!

So two days later, still in the air and smiling to myself, absentmindedly twisting the ring now and then. I thought I would write this, about why I said yes...(after the stammering)

I know people might be thinking it's just the novelty and getting to wear a pretty dress, being the center of attention for a while. Well you would all be wrong :) 

I said yes to him, because of the ring...lol! I joke :P

I said yes, because he is the one man that I could ever be myself around, without trying too hard, or needing to wear makeup to impress him. I could be looking like a drag queen after a hard night and he's still there. Through absolutely everything, fights with siblings, money and college worries, ex's hassling he's been there. He just wants crazy old me, for me. Someone I literally never thought I would find, because let's face it, I am psycho :P

All of this including the fact I am crazily in love with him and he just has to be in my life :) Sin è! 

So I hope ye haven't all puked from reading this and I hope ye will join us for drinks in Galway the 26th for a partayyy :) 

I just wanted to share the happiness, after all it is great to get some good news in these tough times :) Thank you to everyone for the well wishes, even the likes off people I hadn't expected...Thank you for that :) 

The Ring :) 

 

Thank you , as ever, for reading :) 

Yours sincerely

Sandra Shannon (MrsDoyle to be)...(all of the 'go on' jokes have been said :p)

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How to get the perfect eyebrows :)

Hey again :) 

So I'm going to write about something simple this time, how can you get the perfect eyebrows?

I know I'm no eyebrow angel and to be honest, the only reason I ever plucked them in the first place was because my oldest sister used to threaten catching me in a headlock as I came into my adolescent years and pluck out random hairs with her fingers! But recently I've been getting a lot of compliments about them so, I will tell you how I get my brows the way I like them :) 

I know that around sometime last year the HD brow came back into fashion, and while it has slightly relaxed more so since, I would still stick with the fuller brow compared to a thin one. I used to over pluck mine and the arch began too soon. It completely threw off my overall makeup look and made my face appear that bit rounder...nobody wants that...

So I will insert a chart of eyebrow shapes to match your overall face shape, and show you some tips to pluck them to the shape that suits :) 

So, I have a bit of a mixture of long, diamond and oval lol :) The ideal face shape is oval apparently, so women tend to try and create an oval shape with contouring etc. Well, you can do it with your eyebrow shape as well !

So, first of all, decide what facial shape you have and what kind of eyebrows might work best with you :) 

Next Step:

Get a tweezers and hold it vertically, with the open end against your nostril, so that the top of the tweezers is lined up with the start of your eyebrow. Make a line, either imaginary, or with a pencil to mark the proper start of your eyebrow. Start to pluck and of the stray hairs that may be in the part between both of your brows (uni brow) 

Step 3:

Using the tweezers, once again place the open end by the nostril, but placing the top by the end of your brow, having the tweezers at an angle on your cheek. The outer side of the eyebrow is where you should pluck any stray hairs from. 

Step 4:

Starting just below the fullest part of your brow, use an eye pencil to draw a line along the bottom edge of your brow; it should be above any stray hairs and it should follow the natural shape of your brow's top line, which may be angled, slightly curved, or even straight. Pluck the strays below the line. Ultimately, your brows should be between a quarter inch and a half inch at their thickest.

Step 5:

Look straight into a mirror. The arch should peak above the outer rim of your iris and lie right on your brow bone.  Mark the point with your eye pencil, then remove a row of hairs along the bottom, from your inner brow point to the peak point. After the peak, shape the tail.

What do I do when I am doing my eyebrows as part of my makeup routine?

Well, I start off by getting an angled eyebrow or eyeliner brush and because I have dark brown/black hair I will use a dark brown pencil and do a very fine line underneath the brow and another at about 1cm from the top of the brow. I will blend it in to the hairs, then get a darker shadow and using my brush, do very thin lines through the brow, like small hairs, using the darkest shadow in the middle part to make it look thicker. I will use a spoolie brush to fill out the whole brow and keep the hair in place. 

If it is a dramatic look, I will use my trusty while liner or highlighting powder and pat down a small amount underneath the arch of my brows.

Et Voila! 

Beautiful HD eyebrows :D 

Hope I gave you some helpful tips !!

Thanks for reading :) 

Sandy.S

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