Travel Essentials

Hey huns!

As I mentioned in my update video, I am going away for a long weekend to England! I am super excited because this time, two of my best friends are coming along also! 

I absolutely LOVE travelling - there's just something so exciting about jumping on a plane or going for huge car journeys to Italy (sadly, I haven't been on a huge car journey like that for four years).

I have been looking forward to this ever since we had planned it which was a few months ago. 

Because I go on planes and travel a good bit, I thought I would share my travelling essentials!

Books & Magazines

This is an absolute must for me. You never know, your flight might be delayed, or your phone or iPod may die. Or if you're like me you might just want to read.

Clear Plastic Bag with necessary liquids

Obviously a must, considering it's the law to put your liquids in a clear plastic bag for flying on a plane. Also, making sure that your liquids are under 100ml. This is the makeup that I am taking, such as my CC cream, lipstick and my essential, Carmex.

Camera

Yeah, phone cameras can be good quality, but a lot of phones lose battery quickly, and you do not want to be stuck in a foreign place with a dead phone. Also, there's more space on a digital or DSLR camera, so you can snap and video 'til your hearts content!

Purse & Money

Obviously, you'll need money! I adore this purse from Cath Kidston because it has so many pockets and places to put cards.

Hairbrush

My hair gets SUPER knotty when it comes in contact with the elements, so this seriously is a must for me.

Glasses

I don't know about you, but my eyesight is awful. I take these glasses absolutely everywhere I go, because I never know when I'm going to need them! The box is also terribly distorted due to being crushed by the weight of my school books.

CD's

I find that music always makes a car journey better. I'm bringing CD's like Lorde and a mix CD for the journey to the airport.

Bits and Bobs

Tissues, chewing gum, hair grips and a hair bobble.

Boring, I know.

And of course you will need a bag to put everything into! I love this bag from Penneys/Primark, because although it looks quite small on the exterior, it has so much room on the inside! Also, it has a cross body strap which seriously saves my shoulder and arms from getting sore.

So those are my travel essentials! I hope you enjoyed this post, and I shall see you in my next video or blog post.

Bye!

P.S I'm obsessed with this song and so should you.

Long time no... blog?

Hey huns!
SO YES!
I have been awfully absent for i don't know how long. It's terrible. (I blame the junior cert)

I finished the junior cert (state exams) last Wednesday, and then came home to subsequently lie on the couch, eat and binge watch four episodes of Teen Wolf (my new obsession).

Then, on Thursday, I went to the hairdressers and spent a few hours getting my hair ombréd (if that's even how you would phrase it), which I am super happy about because it's no longer strange looking!
Later that evening, I went out with friends to celebrate our freedom from school and the new born liberty of our social lives.

Yesterday, I made it my ultimate goal to finish season 3B of Teen Wolf, which I achieved! I also managed to do all my chores and play Just Dance 4 which was a Christmas present, on the Wii. I also managed to mortify myself when the post man saw me dancing (I hid in a small room along with my shame) and sang as loud and as embarrassingly possible just to realise all the windows were open. Fab. 

And today was supposed to be a day of tidying my room and editing, but that didn't happen either!
(I opted for the more fun option of playing Mario Kart and Smash Bros Brawl with my brother on the Wii)

So that is my summer so far! I can't wait to get back into blogging and YouTube once again!
My upload and blogging days from now on will be Monday and Thursday me thinks :)
See you in my next video or blogpost!
Kate

First Impressions: Wet 'n Wild Trio

Hey huns!
I know I haven't been blogging lately, it's just that I am so clogged up with school work and study that I haven't had time to blog! 
(I swear as soon as this junior cert school year is over I'll be so much more up to date with blogging.)

I have been awaiting the day that an American makeup brand makes its way to Ireland, so when I heard Wet 'n Wild were coming to Dunnes, it was the first time I'd ever been excited to go to the supermarket!

When I found the stall in the beauty aisle, I felt like a small child in a toyshop having to decide between a Barbie doll or a Barbie backpack (true story). I finally settled on a lip crayon and this eyeshadow trio in 'Spoiled Brat'.

The packaging is nice and clean looking with the Wet n Wild logo engraved on the front. The size is quite compact and is absolutely perfect for taking on trips.

The colours look so beautiful and bright when I first open the trio itself. Two brushes are also included, but I think I will use my own.

Then I swatched the colours and was amazed at the opacity of the eyeshadows. As soon as I swatched the black and the silver eyeshadows I was shocked at the pigmentation. The pink was quite sheer but I still absolutely love the colour which has blue undertones and a beautiful shimmer.

All in all, I cannot wait to start experimenting different looks with this palette for summer.

*I wrote this first impressions post a few weeks back, but never seemed to publish it!

I hope you enjoyed this post!
Kate x

Review: Bourjois CC Cream

I have been on the hunt for a nice and light foundation. After trying my shares of foundations and BB creams, I finally picked up the 123 Perfect CC cream by Bourjois in ivory. 

Being €13.99 from Boots, I was hoping it wouldn't disappoint. And it didn't. 

The consistency is extremely runny, but if you apply it straight away it doesn't run all over your hands. Because of the consistency being like this, I feel that it makes the CC cream less cakey. 

The coverage is light which is no problem for me as my skin has cleared up quite nicely at the moment. 

One of the components of this CC cream is that it is supposed to cover up the redness on your face. I was surprised at this as it does a GREAT JOB at covering up my rosy cheeks. Like, I'll come home from school and my makeup will have barely moved! 

All in all I am SO utterly impressed with this CC Cream and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something with some light coverage for the warmer months.

I hope you enjoyed this post! I'm hopefully going to get back into blogging again. 

Kate x

Changing my YouTube name?

Hey huns!

So lately I've been thinking about/regretting my YouTube URL. I made it back when I thought I was only ever going to blog, and never start youtube. But of course I have now started youtube and absolutely love it, the only thing I dislike is my channel URL.

Why? 

Well, firstly what does karatepandaify have to do with beauty, fashion or life in general? It is possibly the most random name I could of thought of at the time.

Secondly, I have a header that says 'thefashionchain' but if you type it in to the youtube search bar, you won't find my channel. It makes nooo sense at all.

So after a good bit of thinking, I have decided that I will only use karatepandaify as a vloggy channel (if I ever do vlogs) and I have started a new channel called 'beautybykate78'. 

My biggest worry was 'what about my old videos?'.  Sadly there's no possible way to transfer videos over, but, what I have done is made a playlist consisting of all my old videos which I'll put on the front page of my new youtube channel. 

So that is my post today! If you want to subscribe to my new channel to be notified when I put up a new video, I'll leave the link below!
BUT I want to know what you think. Comment below whether you think I should stick with my old one or go on with the new one?

Kate x 

youtube.com/beautybykate78

March Favourites

Hey huns!
So slaps on the wrist for me for not blogging or uploading in sooo long! I hate not blogging.
I have decided since it is now 9 days into March (wow) I would do my February favourites as a blog post only. Lets gooo

MAC Mineralize Blush in 'Warm Soul'

I got this for Christmas and have been using it so much ever since. It's such a pretty blush and I find that it gives such a natural flush to my cheeks.

Blistex Intense Moisturiser

This is my second one this year (empties video should be just around the corner) and I am obsessed with this lip balm! I suffer from extremely dry skin, and it is at its worst at the minute. This just puts so much moisture back into your lips leaving them feeling deeply moisturised. I put this on at night and when I wake up in the morning its still there. So impressed.

MAC Eyelash Curlers

My eyelashes are short enough, and these just make them seem so long! I love using these before I put on my mascara as it gives them a lovely bit of a boost.

MAC Amplified lipstick in 'Girl About Town'

I think its safe to say this is more than likely my favourite lipstick ever. Its a beautiful fuscia pink that I try to wear whenever I can. It is in no way at all drying, is pigmented and stays on for ages. 

  

Revlon Colorstay Concealer in 01 Fair

When my collection concealer dried up I thought I should try a new concealer. I have been using this for my under eyes and I really like it!

Benefit cream eyeshadow in 'No Pressure!'

This is a beautiful cream eyeshadow. Its a pretty bronzey-brown that looks lovely on its own and works well as a base. Love the shimmer that it has too.

  

Lush lip scrub in 'Mint Julips'

I have been a fan of Lush products for years as I have quite sensitive skin. I bought this last year and have only really gotten into using it consistently over the past month or so. I use this in the morning to buff my lips and then put the Blistex over it. It also smells fantastic!

So those are my March favourites! I have a video to upload so I will hopefully have it up this week.

Kate

♥5 Valentines Day Ideas♥

Ah yes. The day of St Valentine looms once again and for some of us, we are reminded of the fact that we are single (hence, 'Singles Awareness Day'). 

For me, I will say that Valentines isn't that big a deal for me or most of my friends. And to be quite bluntly honest, as nice and all as it would be to get a card on Valentines, it isn't something that bothers me or keeps me awake at night.

But this year I am going to make an effort to spread the love among my family and friends. So I thought in this post, I'd show you all a few ways to show the people closest to you how much you love them as sometimes we all forget to show our appreciation of them.

1. Make a jar of 'Reasons Why I Love You'
Cue the pizza! We have a load of cheese on the way! 
This is a nice idea to show someone (Parent, sibling, best friend etc) how much you love them. It'll make them feel good about themselves too, and every time they read one they'll think of you.

2. Do a secret Valentine with your friends

Like Secret Santa, except  you give (and get) sweets and chocolate! This is nice for you and your friends, especially if you’re single, because  you get to feel special! Again, quite cheesy, but also extremely cute.

3. Have a movie night

Whether its with a sister, your mam or your closest friends, sit down and watch some girly movies. No, not some Nicolas Sparks tear jerker. I recommend (my absolute favourites) Mean Girls, John Tucker Must Die and 10 Things I Hate About You. Add some popcorn and you’re good to go.

4. Compliment People Randomly

Wouldn't it be lovely for someone to say something nice to you, out of the blue and unprovoked? It makes you feel good doesn't it? Well why not give (true) compliments out to people. Not only will they feel good, you'll feel good too.

5. Give out sweets randomly

Give away sweets - are you kidding?
This is actually a really fun thing to do. Last year, I was at a thing where we had to dress up. I dressed up as Wilhelmina Wonka and gave out sweets to random people. It was fun because you get to benefit from talking to random people and maybe even make new friends!

So those are 5 ways to make yourself and others feel loved on Valentines Day. I hope you enjoyed this post :)

Kate x