Wednesday 28 December 2016

Christmas 2016


Hello Lovelies! Welcome back to Sense Of Beauty and belated Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with family, friends and of course, FOOD! 

Last year I posted a similar video and blogpost and loved reflecting on it. This year, I wanted to capture Christmas at the Alexanders. I started the vlog on Christmas Eve, catching a few snippets and then carried the vlog onto Christmas Day. 

If you would like to see our Christmas, watch the video below! :)


Some pictures from our Christmas!

CHRISTMAS EVE!

Christmas Jumper Day in work today! 

 Every Christmas Eve, we attend mass. This year we attended the 8pm mass and when we came home Aisling was home from Galway!! :D


Every Christmas Eve, before we go to bed, we are allowed to open one present. This year I wanted to give the Christmas Eve gift. Our Christmas Eve gift included; PJ's (matching for the girls & matching for the boys), fluffy socks (Christmas Necessity!!) and a small goodie bag (sweets and popcorn). We had recorded the movie 'The Polar Express' and watched that. 






Reindeer Food was a new tradition I wanted to start. I made the Reindeer food myself. I picked up those Reindeer bags in Heatons for only €3!! How to make Reindeer food? Mix porridge oats with glitter and pour into bags. I found this Reindeer food poem on google and printed it out to go with the bags too.

CHRISTMAS DAY!

 Christmas morning was an early one! Róisín was awake at 5am, Cailean & I woke up at 6am and then the rest of the house was up at 7am!







We stayed in our PJ tops and put on a pair of jeans. Matching Elf slippers too! ;)
















Mum made some delicious Mulled Wine - I 
stuck to the Rosé though! :P

















Before Christmas dinner, we killed some zombies playing Dead Rising 4!














Our Great-Aunt and Great-Uncles called over for dinner and for some cracker pulling!




















 On the evening of Christmas Day, our cousins came over to visit. I plaited Ciara's hair and we killed even more zombies on Dead Rising 4!


And that was Christmas 2016 for the Alexanders! I really hope you enjoyed this blogpost and had an amazing Christmas! Only a few days left till 2017! 

If you would like to check out last year's Christmas blogpost, click here!

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Thank you so much for stopping by!
See you in my next blogpost!
XO, Siobhán 


Wednesday 14 December 2016

My Benefit Favourites


'Laughter is the best cosmetic... so grin and wear it!'

Hello Lovelies! Welcome back to a new blogpost! I'm trying to get a better schedule with blogging and trying to upload more. 

Today's blogpost will include my current favourites from Benefit! Benefit was developed by sisters; Jean and Jane. Their very first product was 'Rose Tint', renamed 'Benetint' and was released in 1977. Benefit has become a very popular brand worldwide with best sellers such as; They're Real, Porefessional and Hoola bronzer. Make sure to keep reading to find out what my favourites are! :)

Total Moisture


Total Moisture is one of my absolute favourites in the world of moisturisers! It includes Benefit's exclusive 'Tri Radiance Complex'. This complex delivers immediate and long term hydration which leaves the skin feeling hydrated. It contains Mango Butter which provides moisture. It's recommended for people with normal to dry skin. It smells amazing and feels amazing on my skin. This is your ideal moisturiser for the winter season. 

It's Potent


This eye cream is definitely magic in a pot! It's advertised to fade dark circles, smooth fine lines and hydrate the eye area. Eye creams are recommended to be used as soon as you start wearing eye makeup. I enjoy using this eye cream because it's super hydrating but also has anti-aging properties. It's very rich so you need to apply very little.

'Dew The Hoola' 


Dew the Hoola is a soft-mate liquid bronzer for the face. This liquid bronzer is amazing! It contains Glycerin which hydrates the skin. I love to apply this to areas where I would usually apply my bronzer; under my cheek bones, my temples and along my jawline. On days that I prefer to wear natural makeup, I like to wear concealer and this. So light weight and so easy to blend. 

'Watt's Up' 


Watt's Up is a dual-ended champagne highlighter, it can be used under or over makeup. This highlighter is fragrance free and the formula goes from a cream to a powder finish. I love applying this with my finger to the areas I like to highlight; cheek bones, nose and cupid's bow. This gives a perfect platform for your powder highlight too. 

'Hoola' 


Hoola is a natural bronzing powder which gives you a gorgeous, natural bronzed look. Hoola is a cool-toned bronzer, it contains no orange pigment which ensures a natural glow. I like to use this bronzer to warm up my face but to also contour. It is amazing and is very long-lasting. 

'Coralista' 


Coralista is a beautiful blush which gives you a 'tropical flush'. It's a forgiving blush as you can apply it very generously and it doesn't make you look ridiculous with big orange cheeks. It is definitely a multi-purpose blush as you can use it as an eyeshadow. I like to use this as a transition shade in my crease for any warm-tone eyeshadow looks. 

'They're Real Tinted Primer' 


This is a mink-brown tinted lash primer which tints, primes and defines. It contains Provitamin B5 that conditions the lashes. This is amazing at separating your lashes, lengthening your lashes and volumising. I apply this everyday before my everyday mascara and it looks amazing. It's also water-resistant. 

'Ka-Brow' 


Without a doubt, Benefit supplies some of the best brow products in the cosmetic industry! They recently released a new brow product collection and I was OVER THE MOON when I seen that they released a brow pomade! My favourite brow product is a brow pomade, you can create a super defined look with very little effort. It provides 24-Hour Waterproof wear too. This product is available in 6 shades too. 

'Precisely, My Brow' 


Precisely, my brow is an ultra-fine brow defining pencil. This pencil is available in 6 shades; you can find your perfect match. It is a waterproof eyebrow pencil with a twist up, non-sharpen tip. I like to apply this along the bottom of my brows and along my tail to define my brows. Once I have applied this, I like to apply ka-brow through the remainder of my brows. The pencil has a built-in spoolie brush on the opposite end too which is super functional. 

'Ready, Set, Brow!'


Ready, Set, Brow is a 24-hour invisible shaping and setting gel for your eyebrows. If you have brows that can't be tamed, this product is for you. This product holds your brows like super glue, they do not budge. This brow gel will also hold any brow product applied, making your brow products long-lasting. 

'High Brow' 


High Brow is a creamy brow highlighting pencil. I like to apply this to accentuate my arch and brow bone. It is a creamy product which is the ideal formula to blend out. This is the perfect platform for your powder browbone highlight. This has a matte finish to it but you have the option of the 'high brow glow' if you prefer a browbone highlight with a little sparke. 

That's all my Benefit favourites! I hope you enjoyed today's blogpost! 

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Thank you so much for stopping by!
See you in my next blogpost!
XO, Siobhán 


Tuesday 6 December 2016

Decorating Our Christmas Tree | Sense Of Beauty


Hello Lovelies! Welcome back to Sense Of Beauty! We have finally reached December which means - IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!! :D

Aisling was home from Galway so we decided that would be the perfect opportunity to put up our Christmas Tree! Have you your tree up yet? :P

If you're feeling festive, check out the video below! :)


Have you started your Christmas shopping yet or are you waiting till Christmas Eve? ;) Thankfully, I am very prepared this year and I have finished all my Christmas Shopping!! I still seem to be continuously picking up bits though :P

If you have enjoyed that video or any of my previous videos, make sure to subscribe to my channel!

Check out my previous Makeup Tutorial:


Check out our Bean Boozled Challenge:


Thank you so much for stopping by!
See you in my next blogpost!
XO, Siobhán 


Monday 28 November 2016

Warm-Tone Smokey Eye | Makeup Tutorial


Hello Lovelies! Welcome back to Sense Of Beauty! Today's blogpost will be including a makeup tutorial - YAY!

Warm eyeshadows have become such a popular trend lately. The Blank Canvas Master Series One Palette holds all your necessary warm shadows. If you haven't tried it, please do. It is one of my favourite palettes at the moment! You can purchase it here!

If you would like to watch my latest makeup tutorial, click the video below!


Products Used:
-Crest White Teeth Whitening Strips (buy here)
-Lancome Advanced Genefique Serum 
-Botanics Radiant Youth Hydrating Eye Cream
-Lancome Energy De Vie Liquid Moisturiser
-Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Honey
-Essence I <3 Stage Eyeshadow Base
-The Pippa Palette
-Art Deco White Eyeliner Pencil 
-Lancome Ombre Hypnose Stylo in Brun Captivant
-W7 Eye Dreams Cream Eyeshadow in Heavy Metal
-15 Warm Eyeshadow Palette from Ebay
-Blank Canvas Cosmetics Master Series One Palette
-Lancome Grandiose Eyeliner in Black
-Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover
-Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
-Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm
-Clarins Everlasting Foundation in 110 Honey
-Lancome Effacernes Longue Tenue in 015
-Makeup Revolution The One Blush Stick in Matte Malibu
-Rimmel London Match Perfection Silky Loose Face Powder
-NYX Tame & Frame Brow Pomade in 02 Chocolate
-Benefit Ready, Set, Brow
-Lancome Teint Miracle Face Powder in 03 Beige Diaphane
-Benefit Hoola Bronzer
-NYX HD Blush in Taupe
-Art Deco Blush in 44
-Benefit Coralista Blush
-Sleek Solstice Highlighter Palette
-Clarins Makeup Setting Spray
-Rimmel Nude Eyeliner Pencil 
-Lancome Black Eyeliner Pencil 
-Benefit They're Real Tinted Primer
-Lancome Grandiose Extreme Mascara
-Kiss Eyelashes in Ritzy
-Duo Lash Adhesive
-Penneys PS Lipliner in Toffee
-Wet'n'Wild Lipstick in Mocha-Licious
-Stila Liquid Lipstick in Baci

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See you in my next blogpost!
XO, Siobhán


Saturday 29 October 2016

My Current Skincare Favourites


Hello Lovelies! Welcome back to Sense Of Beauty! 



First of all, I would like to say a HUGE thank you for everyone who has liked & shared Sense Of Beauty recently. Sense Of Beauty has over 2,000 likes! When I first started my blog, I never thought I would get 1,000 likes, let alone 2,000! 

Today's blogpost will be skincare orientated. In the past, I wasn't very interested in my skincare routine. I never took the time to remove my makeup correctly, most of the time I would sleep with it still on or use a makeup wipe. Lately, I've become more conscious with my skin. I'd like to thank skincare training in work for that! I am very lucky that I have normal skin, it can be dehydrated at times though. My skin doesn't tend to break out, sometimes I can get hormonal breakouts around my time of the month. 

My usual skincare routine is always the same. Morning time I like to use a serum, eye cream and moisturiser. At night time, I like to remove my makeup using a cleanser, then use an exfoliator and when my skin is cleansed and dry, I use a serum, eye cream and night cream.  

My Favourite Serum:


Without a doubt, my absolute favourite serum is the Lancome Advanced Genefique. It suits all skin types and all ages. I like to describe it as a 'jump lead' for your skin. It adds a luminous glow, which is always welcome when you're constantly on the go! It's excellent in the anti-aging department and it absorbs into your skin so quickly. Out of all Lancome's products, the advanced genefique serum is definitely one of my favourites! 

My Favourite Eye Creams:



My favourite eye creams consist of the Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream and the Botanics Radiant Youth Hydrating Eye Cream. Both eye creams are hydating, illuminating and anti-aging. At a recent training day, I learned that you are supposed to start using an eye cream as soon as you start wearing eye makeup. It's obvious why you would need to begin using an eye cream but when I was younger, I wasn't aware. Now I feel like I need to make up for lost time and applying an eye cream has become a necessity in my skincare routine. 

My Favourite Day Creams:


Using a seperate day and night cream is very important. During the day, I like to use a moisturiser that has a lighter consistency as I like to apply makeup afterwards. My favourite day creams include the Vichy Aqualia Thermal, Clarins Hydraquench Cream and the Lancome Energie De Vie Liquid Moisturiser. 

Lately, I seem to be grabbing the Lancome Energie De Vie moisturiser more often than the others. The Lancome EDV moisturiser has the consistency of a serum but the hydration of a lotion. The two main ingredients in the moisturiser are Goji Berries and Lemon Balm, both have excellent benefits for your skin! 

The Clarins Hydraquench Cream is a beautiful cream if your skin is lacking hydration. The hydraquench cream has double hyaluronic acid which penetrates through the skins layers much further than most moisturisers. The smell of this moisturiser is amazing too! 

The Vichy Aqualia Thermal moisturiser is very similar to the Clarins Hydraquench. It's not too heavy on the skin but is excellent at adding a burst of moisture back into your skin. 

My Favourite Night Creams:


Night creams are one of my favourite skincare products. It's important to make sure not to use a cream with SPF at night as it can react with your skin. I like my night cream to boost the hydration in my skin. My three favourite night creams are the Lancome Hydrazen Nuit, the Lancome Energie De Vie Mask and the Vichy Hydrating Mask. 

The Lancome Hydrazen Nuit is a very soothing cream. The cream isn't too thick and absrobs into my skin like a dream. The smell of the cream is lovely too. 

The Lancome Energie De Vie Mask can be appplied as a night treatment mask or as a night cream. You can apply a thick layer of it, leave for 20 mins and then remove with a damp cloth. You can also apply a thin layer of the mask and use as a night cream. I like to apply a generous layer of the cream and leave it to absorb over night. 

The Vichy Hydrating Mask is definitely my favourite night cream to use. Similar to the EDV mask, you can apply a thick layer as a night treatment mask or a thin layer for a night cream. I like to apply a generous layer to my skin and allow it to absorb over night. The morning after I apply this mask, my skin feels so hydrated and smooth. It has a sticky consistency but the end result of using this mask is definitely worth it. 

Removing my Makeup:


Before I use a foaming cleanser, I like to remove my makeup with some cotton pads and the Garnier Micellar water. This product is very easy to use and removes all makeup, including eye makeup. It is very gentle on the skin and eyes. I wrote a review a while back of this, if you would like to check it out, click here!

My Favourite Foaming Cleanser:


My favourite foaming cleanser is the Lancome Gel Eclat. As weird as it sounds, it foams really well and cleans your face. Once I've removed my makeup with the Micellar water, I use this. I use this when I'm in the shower too. I don't enjoy using a cleansing milk, I feel like I need to use water to clean my face. People that have dry skin tend to usually prefer cleansing milks as they are nourishing. Those with dry skin can find that using water with a cleanser can further dry their skin out. 

My Favourite Exfoliators:


Exfoliators are another one of my favourite skincare products. I usually get dry skin and blackheads on my nose and I find exfoliators are excellent at helping reduce this. 

The Cien Exfoliating Facial Wash is a gentle exfoliator that I like to use daily. Exfoliators should be used once or twice a week but because this one is very gentle, I like to use it daily after my foaming cleanser. 

The Lancome Exfoliance Confort is an amazing exfoliator. It hydrates your skin while exfoliating the dead/dry skin. This is a stronger exfoliator than the Cien Exfoliating Facial Wash, I still use it a few times a week. 

My Favourite Face Masks:



Face masks are amazing for your skin! I've already spoke about the Vichy Hydating Mask and the EDV Mask in my Night Cream sections. Along with hydrating masks, I enjoy using clay masks. The Vichy Clay Mask & the Loreal Detox Mask are both excellent. They pull any imperfections out of your skin and they are recommended to be used twice a week. Both are very similar but I do prefer the Loreal one. I like to apply them to damp skin, leave for 20-25 mins and then remove with a warm cloth. 








Finally, we have reached the end of today's blogpost. I hope you enjoyed it and found some interesting products to try out. A good skincare routine is the base for your makeup. Skincare products don't need to cost an arm and a leg either, brands like Loreal and Vichy are very affordable and effective. Have fun trying new skincare products, multi-masking is super fun and worthwhile! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!
See you in my next blogpost!
XO, Siobhán