Christmasssssssss!!!!

I like to give hampers for the "difficult" ones this time of year! I could put a nice scarf in, a CD and of course some beautiful makeup bits n' bobs. It can be expensive to buy someone lots of makeup, with little to show for it but you can pick one or two gorgeous makeup pieces and mix in with cheaper gifts and hey presto, you have a lovely hamper anyone would love to get... So here are a few ideas for you to ponder upon. Today I scoured the makeup counters looking at gift ideas for all you loyal blogadiers out there and I found some beautiful pieces.

Tom Ford - anything from this range... It's so expensive but my God the pigments are fantastic.... I don't think I have seen such beautiful pigment in foundation before and my trusted guinea pig whom accompanied me tried some without any moisturiser on and it still applied beautifully and had a very natural finish. The lip glosses are just heart-stoppingly to die for, beautiful rich molten gloss of pure colour in stunning packaging. The nail polish is gorgeous too all the reds and plums are spot on and look almost edible.... That's one thing about the Tom Ford range... Whilst we normally can complain that all we pay for in expensive lines is the packaging here I feel the pigments and ingredients have to be where they have really invested time, experience, ingredients and of course money and yes the packaging is gorgeous!!! Expensive.... Hell yeah.... But worth it (if someone really really nice buys it for you!!!).


MAC - Today was a special day in the MAC fraternity as they warmly opened their fashionable appendages for Gareth Pugh...today he was inaugurated into the family as his SS/12 collection for MAC came into stores in Ireland. True to Pugh form, it's edgy and geometric in packaging and yes in product... the eyelashes are not for the faint of heart but by God that navy pearlised nail laquer is amazing, described on MAC site as "deep blue with violet pearl". The pigments are fabulous the beautiful plum shade was a standout as well as the cream shadow "melts " to a liquid finish (fab!) in the same colour.  Available in the range is: is Lipstick, Powder blush, Technakohl liner, Beauty Powder, Lip Glass, Pigment, Makeup Bag, Metal X Cream Shadow and of course the aforementioned nail laquer.  There's plenty more in the range all geared for the high end dramatic effect makeup but is a fantastic addition to anyone's kit or makeup bag.  It's a limited edition so would be perfect as that something special to give to someone worth it!

Bobbi Brown - Bobbi (as I like to call her) has brought out a very handy number in the form of a lip palette featuring 10 of the original best selling shades and 10 new express line colours.  It's a very handy size for the aul málas as it folds in half and a wee mirror pops out too and should last the average user a very long time.  The pots of shades themselves are small in size but there are 20 shades to mix and match and play with that in reality you probably won't wear down any one colour in a year I'd say! Very useful for a bridal makeup artist. They also have a fabulous array of trinkets set out for the beady-eyed shopper ready to pounce for Christmas.... if you are a magpie (shimmer lover) you will love all the glittering gold and silver highlighters and eye shimmer bricks...pop down to BT's is my advice and have a gander.


Shu Uemera - My new best friends!! I just love Shu Uemera, there's something very sexy about it's minimalist but kind of arrogant simplistic style of marketing... you know the kind of person that could know nothing but yet you hang on every word and believe everything they say kind of person? Well, that's Shu Uemera but they DO know something!! I've always loved their tones of colours in eyeshadows...from the most delicate rose coloured pinks and whopping vibrant blues and purples and as for the gold and silver eyeshadows... those pigments should be banned cos they have a depth of colur and are sparkly to death!!! And as any makeup artist knows they have the best eye-lash curler in the world. Need I say more? But yes, it's now transpires that they have thee most beautiful creams, potions and lotions and cleansers and this is actually my recommendation for Christmas pressies from Shu Uemera this time round. After recent purchases I was gifted a fabulous bundle of beauty goodies from them including an embarrassing girly but deadly eyelash case... but I found myself having mini facials every morning when applying and getting lost in the gorgeous aroma of their cleansing oils and then following up with the amazing luscious day cream - Red:juvenus, Vitalizing retexturizing cream (omg)... spritzing also a little hydrating 'Deep Sea Water Spray' with Chamomile. Please, please pay them a visit!


So listen up men..........print this off and hand the sales ladies the dosh!! Easy xxxx