My Base Routine - Including Contouring & Highlighting

Hello everyone :)

Seeing as though I still can't edit any videos for YouTube I thought I'd do a step by step pictorial with some of my new products! This is definitely not an everyday routine for me.. I would do this for a day or night out. It's definitely catered more for real life and not photography so more people will get use out of it :) You can buy all of the products I've used here in Ireland which is always good.. I hope you enjoy!

I started off by applying my foundation and filling in my eyebrows. I used NYX eyebrow gel for my brows and let me tell you this does not budge!

I used this foundation which is my new fave!

Next I applied my concealer as shown in the picture and I blended it in using my Beauty Blender. Make sure your sponge is damp for a flawless look!

To start the contouring I used the Smashbox contour stick trio. For this look I only used the contour stick because the highlighter is too dark for my skin tone right now! I used the Sephora #56 brush to blend it in :)

For my next step I added the MAC Prep+Prime highlighter pen in Lightboost to the same places I applied my concealer and blended it out once again with my Beauty Blender. I also applied some more concealer right under my contour to sharpen it up!

I applied a generous amount of Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder under my eyes. Using a translucent loose powder I traced along the line under my contour. I also applied a generous amount of powder for this step.This just helps to set the highlight and brighten it up! I then dusted off the access with a brush.

For my last few steps I applied the 'contour' shade from my Smashbox contour kit over where I applied the stick. This sets the contour and deepens it slightly. I used my NYC bronzer to bronze my face and MAC blush in Melba on my cheeks. My highlight is Becca Opal and Moonstone mixed (which I applied to the tops of my cheeks, the top of my nose and above my lip).

Mascara is Maybelline Lash Sensational (AMAZING!!) and lips are Maybelline lipliner in 'Sweet Pink' and NYX High Voltage lipstick in 'Stone'.

I hope some of you found this helpful and interesting! It's quite hard to explain through a blogpost but I thought I'd give it a go anyway. What are your favourite contouring products?

Thanks so much for reading,

Love Shannon x

Review : No7 Shimmer Palette

Hello there :)


Sorry I'm posting this a bit later than expecting but it's still worth it, I promise! I was just browsing in Boots a few weeks ago and I came across this highlighter. I have yet to come across a drugstore highlighter that gives that metallic glowy look that I love.. However, this one looked very promising. At €17.50 it's not exactly cheap but there's still a significant different between that and a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick at €42.50! Are you dying to see swatches? :)

I got mine in the shade "Caramel". They also have a "Rose" shade.

This is swatched with flash 

I was really impressed with the smooth formula and sheen from this product. When I saw it in the shop I thought it looked a lot like some of my other highlighters. Just to compare..

L-R : No7 Caramel, MAC MSF in Global Glow, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Beige

What do you think? I think they look so similar and they have the same texture too :) I was nicely surprised by this highlighter and I'd definitely recommend it if you can find it in store! If you want to get it online just click here.

Thanks so much for reading :)

Shannon x

SEPHORA HAUL!!!

Hellooooo :)


How are you all? Hope you're enjoying this fab weather we've been having here in Ireland! So.. I mentioned in my last blogpost that I was going to Boston - I'm back! I'm so sad to be home, I had a great time. I did get to do tons of shopping though! I filmed a video on this and I was really hoping that I'd be able to edit it but sadly I still can't get that working :( Instead of leaving it, I said I'd do a blogpost instead :) I can't wait to use all of my new stuff.. Also if you'd like other hauls (like drugstore and MAC) and an updated make up collection then let me know :)

LAVANILA deodorant 1.7 oz - $14
GLAMGLOW Thirtsty Mud Hydrating Treatment 1.7 oz - $69*
SEPHORA Rose face mask - $6
SEPHORA Rose eye mask - $5
KAT VON D Shade & Light contour palette - $46
TOO FACED Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette - $49
FIRST AID BEAUTY 5 in 1 eye cream - $32*

TOO FACED Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer - $30*
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal - $38*
HOURGLASS Ambient Lighting Palette - $58*
SEPHORA Pro Allover Powder Brush #61 - $46
NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder - $36*
MARC JACOBS O!Mega Bronzer - $49

SMASHBOX Primer Water - $32*
MARC JACOBS Instamarc Contour Powder - $49
URBAN DECAY Naked Skin Powder Foundation - $36*
TOO FACED Hangover X Face Primer - $32
SMASHBOX Step-By-Step Contouring Kit - $45*
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Brow Powder Duo (Medium Brown) - $23*

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - $29*
LAURA MERCIER Loose Setting Powder - $37*
URBAN DECAY Sheer Revolution Lipstick (Liar) - $22*
URBAN DECAY Naked Skin Foundation - $39*
SEPHORA Lustre Matte Lip Colour (Nude Pink Luster) - $16
BITE Luminous Creme Lipstick Duo (Fig/Date) - $12

SEPHORA Eyeshadow in Faux Fur Jacket & Satin Corset - $12
STILA Eyeshadow in Kitten - $18*
LAURA MERCIER Liquid Lip Colour (Nude Rose) - $28*
MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Bronze (20) - $32*
SMASHBOX 15 HR Hydrating Foundation - $42*
SEPHORA Teint Infusion Foundation - $24
MAKE UP FOR EVER Compact Shine On (3) - $30*

TOO FACED Glitter Glue - $20*
SEPHORA Lustre Matte Lip Colour (Fig Lustre) - $16
SEPHORA Cream Lip Stain (Polished Purple) - $13
BENEFIT Gimme Brow (Light/Medium) - $24*
LAURA MERCIER Secret Brightening Powder - $24
SMASHBOX Hydrating Undereye Primer - $29*

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Clear Brow Gel - $22*
TARTE Maracuja Creaseless Concealer - $24
SMASHBOX BB Concealer - $25
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Brow Wiz (Medium Brown) - $21*


All the products that are marked with a * are available to buy online (with Irish shipping) or in store! Just click on the * and it will bring you to the website :) Also, if you'd like any individual product reviews let me know.

Thanks so much for reading!

Shannon x

P.S I have a really exciting highlighter review coming tomorrow.. It's from No7 :)

My Make Up Collection

Hello everyone :)

I'm going to America in 29 days (not that I'm counting!) and I plan to add quite a few new products to my collection. I thought that I would share my current collection with you and then do an updated version next month if anyone is interested? I won't go into too much detail but if you want a more in-depth view of any section let me know!

My drawers are the 'Malm' drawers in white, my dressing table is also 'Malm' in white (IKEA) 

and my chair is from Dunnes Stores!

My illuminated mirror is by No7 at Boots, normal mirror is from IKEA. My hair straighteners are Rose Gold GHD's.

My brush holders are plant pots from IKEA

I'm thinking about doing a post on my eyeshadow palette collection! Let me know if you would be interested in that :) I'm also working on an updated skin care routine. Thanks so much for reading.

Love Shannon x

Easy Peasy Pancakes

Hello there :)

Seeing as tomorrow is pancake tuesday (YESSSS!), I thought I'd share my super simple recipe for pancakes! When I say super simple I mean super simple.. Like I don't even use measurements. 

What you'll need :

• Plain Flour
• Milk
• Eggs
• Oil/Butter/Margarine for frying
• Sugar (optional)
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Frying Pan
• Whisk
• Fish Slice

Method :

1. The first thing I do it fill the bowl about half way with flour. I then make a well in the middle of the flour (this is where I'm going to put the eggs). If you want to add sugar now is the time to do it. I reckon 2 or 3 tablespoons but it's all personal preference. The reason that I don't add sugar is because I like sweet toppings so there's no need.
2. Add two eggs to the well in the flour.
3. Pour in the milk while mixing simultaneously. I do this until I get a texture that looks like double cream or until it coats the back of a spoon. You can make them as thick or thin as you like but I like mine to be more crepe-like than american pancakes. 

Cooking :

1. I always use margarine to fry my pancakes but you could use coconut oil, vegetable oil or butter. Bring the pan to a medium heat and then add a knob of margarine and let it melt.
2. Pour in the pancake batter in an even, thin layer. You could transfer the mix to a jug or use a ladle to pour the batter. When the batter no longer has liquid around the edges, it's time to flip the pancake.
3. Flip the pancake using a fish slice or spatula and cook until evenly browned. 
4. When it's cooked on both sides you're done! Add whatever toppings you like and enjoy :)

Toppings :

You could use whatever your heart desires. Some of my personal favourites are bacon and maple syrup (A bit of mashed banana makes it amazing!), the classic combination of sugar and lemon juice and Nutella with strawberries! You could always have savoury pancakes and use the pancakes like bread for a "sandwich". 

Maple Syrup

Sugar & Lemon

Have fun with all your creations and eat as much as you can!!

Love Shannon x