New year, more shopping! 17/1/17

Hey guys!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It's literally feels like it's been 10 years since a blog post went up on Sunflowers and Sparkles!! It's craaaaaazy!! I hope ye had a fab Christmas, It wasn't half long enough, the LC is some dose!!! (I would advise dropping out while you can)

If you're friends with us on Snapchat (SandS_Blog, add us, we are good craic sometimes!!) you would have seen that we asked you all what blog post ye wanted to see.. Well the CLEAR winner was to show you all some of our favourite products at the moment... Well as you know Edel is the expert when it comes to makeup but I am trying to get better, I promise... (It's taking a lot longer than I hoped it would take to improve) I couldn't resist throwing in a few shoes too, soz... It's a problem OK!!

So about 1890987 years later I invested in some Inglot products.. Who would have even guessed I had a blog????? I only got 4 eyeshadows (which ''all look the same'' in some peoples humble opinions) but I LOVE them, they're all so wearable!! 

From Left to right are numbers 300, 102, 335 and my absolute FAV 299..
I also bought the Flexi palette to put them into.. Buy it all here

Next up are two budget buys.. I couldn't believe how good these are because usually you get what you pay for.. buy not in this case! They have such good lasting power and PERFECT for oily skin.. 

I think this was just over €7! Fab for setting your face, especially under your eyes..

This is an unreal product!!  Great for anyone that wants really long lasting makeup on a budget!
 *Both available from most pharmacies and PENNEYS!!!

Next up was a present, that as everyone knows I had NO idea who gave it to me for weeks after the party!! But I found out and was BUZZING!! *Hi Sinead and Ciara*

Ive only used this once and its Brill, especially that highlight, oh my....

Most pharmacies stock this now, its €29.95

Chokers are back and they are here to stay!!! (Throwback to them black plastic ones that we wore all day everyday, RIP Dignity!!) (Shoutout to Eimear Curtin who pointed out that stay and everyday rhymed, so I added in something more to lessen the CRINGE)

I AM WEEEAAAAK for this choker!! I really don't know why I'm going to wear it with but i'll find something, its unreal!! I got it for half price in DV8 before Christmas, I'd say that they are still there! I laaaaaaaaav it!! (It's clearly not for everyone!)

Now for the stars of the show.. a month later, still drooling over them!! (Also still trying to get rid of the f*cking blisters!!)

*WIPES AWAY TEARS OF HAPPINESS* They are from office, I paid €88, but if you wait long enough they will probably go on sale.. or else sell out... (most likely sell out because LOOK AT THEM!!!!)Buy Here

Next up is probably my best sale find.. I went out to buy boots and oh did I do good!! They were down to €45 I think!

These are also from office, I couldn't find the exact ones online but here are ones very very similar.. Buy here

Since we are on the subject of Office, here's another pair!! (I really should give in my CV there, seeing as I've spent so much money!!!) These were on our snapchat a few times but they still havn't gotten old.. they're just so girly and fab!!

I don't think they are selling this style any more but there are loaaads of different colours in them.. I'm weak for the rose gold ones (typical!!)  View all the different styles here

Thanks everyone for reading, I hope ye all enjoyed.. clearly care a lot more about shoes than makeup!!!

Don't forget to ''like'' us on Facebook ''Sunflowers&Sparkles-blog'' and add us on snapchat ''SandS_Blog'', we have a giveaway very soon so get inviting all your friends!!

Talk Soon,

Stay Sparkling,

Tess xx

P.S: Who loves our new Instagram theme?? Xx

A New Chapter!-03/11/16

Hey, everyone! I know this is crazy but it has been about 4 months since I wrote my last blog and all I can say is that I'm so sorry!

The last 4 months have been so crazy! It's been a big change for me- I've finished secondary school, completed my Leaving Cert.,got my first choice on my CAO, moved away from home and I am now studying at the University of Limerick. It's so surreal when I think about it, to think I actually got this far.

I started off today with the intention of writing all about my current Inglot faves and I was just giving you all a quick update on why it's been so long since I've posted but I've decided this post is more important,it is more current. Those Inglot products will still be my current favourites some time next week when I blog again. I've quite a lot to say and I fear if I wait I'll forget some important details. ( In reality, my brain is like a sieve these days; I've so much to think of all of the time!)

I decided to study Business with German at UL about 2 years ago while in careers class and we had to do a presentation on our desired career path. I originally had thought about doing Law, then Law with German. I always told I'd be good at law because apparently (as my family describes me) I've a sharp tongue and I'm argumentative. I liked the idea of being a lawyer for a while but as I did my research I found out that I would need to enjoy reading-which I certainly do not! I mean I love reading blogs and online articles but the kind of books that I would spend a significant time reading would not suit me.

So I began to think about what I actually wanted to do with my life. I have always thought about doing something to do with beauty,maybe my own cosmetic line or business or something. To tell you the truth, I still haven't figured it out. The beauty of it is, is that I probably won't until I graduate.

I knew to get me there I would need a business degree.

I always adored languages- they just clicked with me. For my Junior Cert., I studied French, German and obviously Irish. I was not able to study business as it was on at the same time as one of the German classes. I had fantastic language teachers that inspired me to learn and more importantly enjoy new languages. For my Leaving Cert., I was not able to do both French and German if I wanted to study business so I had a decision to make.

I chose German as I believed I would have a better job and travel opportunities, and I had a fantastic teacher to see me through. The next step was really easy for me-what university do I pick? The obvious choice was always UL. It was voted University of The Year 2014 and 2015,it has the largest choice of on-campus accommodation in all of Ireland,the most successful Erasmus program in Ireland etc etc. I felt such a warm sense of community when I came to the UL open day in 2015.

The next step was getting to my dream University. My advice to people doing the Leaving Cert., would be to do as much you can for the things that come before the written exams in June i.e the orals, projects etc. I put my all into those to ease off some of the pressure that would follow in June. It must have paid off because I got my first choice on my CAO:Business with German in the University of Limerick!( LM053)

It is a stunning college that is over 200 acres large. I was so overwhelmed the first week when I found out about the various initiatives and facilities UL had to offer that I hadn't known about before. The First Seven Weeks initiative was established to support incoming first years through different themed weeks such as Health and Well -being week and Study Skills & Time Management week.

So here I am, week 9 of my first semester. I have done a few assignments and now I must start preparing for my Christmas exams that begin on the 3rd of December. 

On a brighter note, myself and my boyfriend were able to get €45 return flights to London during a Ryanair flash sale! We're leaving the 15th just in time to do some Christmas shopping! I'll  hopefully have a travel blog up very soon. 

I will also being doing my Inglot faves, and more on beginning college e..g what to expect moving away from home/cooking/living with other students/ what you need etc. 

Chat soon and stay sparkling!

Edel x 

Contouring and Highlighting- Your Questions Answered!08/07/16

Welcome back! :)

I feel as if I should be welcoming myself back because it's been so long since I've written a blog post! The Leaving Cert really took over and I just didn't have a second to myself. It's all over now thank goodness so I can focus on the blog and having a good summer :)

So today's blog post is probably my favourite thing to talk about:

contouring and highlighting

There are a lot of misconceptions and myths when it comes to contouring and highlighting but I'm here today to answer your questions that were sent in on Snapchat the other day! (Make sure to add us: SandS_blog) Hopefully by the end of this blog post you can avoid looking like this:

or this:

What is contouring?

"Contouring is giving shape to an area of the face and enhancing the facial structure through makeup"

says Beau Nelson, Kristen Stewart's longtime makeup artist.

All you're doing is adding subtle definition to the face! I normally describe it to people as adding shadows to your face to shape it the way you like. It is however different from bronzing.

Why should you contour?

You don't necessarily need to contour but I love to because it changes the shape of my face. I personally feel it finishes a makeup look. It's all about creating an illusion.

What products are best to contour with?

It's all down to personal preference really. You can contour using cream,liquid or powder products. If you want a strong contour you can apply your foundation,then apply a cream contour product and then set it with a contour powder but if you're starting off,begin with powder. It's less messy and you'll have more control.

My favourite powder products:

Inglot Sculpting Powders
€10
Buy here.
(Picture source: inglot.ie)

SO SU Complete Contour Palette
Both cream and powder
€29.95
Buy here.
(Picture source: sosueme.ie)

My favourite cream products:

Seventeen Cream Bronzer
€8.49
Buy here.
(Picture source:boots.ie)

Maybelline Fit Me anti-shine stick (In the darkest shade)
Under €10-unavailable online
(picture source: whatshaute.com)

Bourjois Bronzing Primer
€12.99
Buy here.
(picture source:boots.ie)

You can also use darker shades of concealer,they will blend just as easily and may be a good one to start out with!

What is highlighting?

Highlighting is drawing attention to the high points of your face. To me, there are two types of highlighting:(i)using creams/concealers/light powders around the face and (ii) using highlighters on the cheekbones (sometimes slightly in the tip of the nose). You are trying to attract attention to these areas,where light would naturally hit.

Why should you highlight?

My answer would be why the hell not? This is definitely my favourite part of doing makeup. It pulls the whole look together and who doesn't love a bit of sparkle in their life? ;)

What products are best to highlight with?

For highlighting like so:

Picture source:sosueme.ie

I would generally draw a triangle shape under my eyes and continue it up my cheekbones,apply some product underneath where my contour will be,the centre of my forehead and down the centre of my nose.

My favourite cream products:

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer
Shade fair neutral
€22.00
Buy here.
(Picture source:Pinterest)

NYX HD concealer
shade CW01
€7.75
Buy here.
(picture source:Pinterest)
You can also use a darker shade of this concealer to
cream contour like me!Just be careful not
to use too much,it's very pigmented.

I also love using shade 1 from the So Su contour palette!

For highlighting like so:

My favourite powder products:

Sleek Highlighting palette
in Solstice
€14.49
Buy here.
(Picture source:boots.ie)

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish
in Soft and Gentle
€31.00
Buy here.
(Picture source:temptalia.com)

My favourite liquid/cream products:

Topshop Glow pot
in Gleam
€12
Buy here.
(Picture source:feelunique.com)

Benefit High Beam
€27.50
Buy here.
(Picture source:Benefitcosmetics.com)

Sleek Barekissed Iluminator
in Monaco
€13.99
Buy here.
(Picture source:sleekmakeup.com)

Do I need to use both cream and powder highlighters to highlight properly?

There's no need to use both. If you want a sunkissed-glow, just use liquid/cream alone. If you want a strong highlight you can use liquid/cream and then set it with a powder highlight. I would  generally do this on a night out where I want it to last a long time.

Can I only use cool tone products to contour?

It looks better on lighter skin tones but on darker skin tones, you can find warmer contour shades. Makeup Geek do a fabulous contour shades that cater for all skin tones. Here's a link to a video where the owner of Makeup Geek  Marlena explains contour shades for all skin tones.

https://goo.gl/Rqaidw

What brushes can I use to contour with?

There are loads of different brushes you can use to contour. Some are very expensive and do the exact same job as some of the cheaper ones so it's all about knowing where to look!

My favourite contouring brushes:

Sigma F40
€22.95
Buy here.
(Picture source: sigmabeauty.com)

Real Techniques Contour Brush
Unsure of price because I think it only comes in one of the collections
(Picture source: beautetude.com)

The brush that comes with the Hoola bronzer
by Benefit
Loads of dupes available online!

Blank Canvas F28
€8.99
Buy here.
(Picture source:blankcanvas.com)

Do I need a contour kit?

If you're starting out I would say no. You can get cheaper kits,like the Sleek one that are very good if you're set on getting a kit. Don't think you need expensive kits like the one from Anastasia Beverly Hills, I would start out by getting an Inglot Sculpting powder and go from there!

Can everybody contour their face the exact same way?

While the techniques you use will be the same, the way in which you approach your face will be different because everyone's face is different. I know that won't really make sense until you look at your own face but if you roughly follow this chart you can't go wrong.

So there we have it! Hope you have learned something from this blog post. Let's be real, we all want to look like this when we're older ;)

If you have anymore questions make sure to message us on our various socials:

Facebook: Sunflowers & Sparkles

https://m.facebook.com/Sunflowersandsparkles/

Twitter: @sunflowersandsp

https://twitter.com/sunflowersandsp

Instagram: @sunflowersandsparkles

https://www.instagram.com/sunflowersandsparkles/

Snapchat: SandS_blog

Stay Sparkling,

Edel and Tess x

Battling Mental Health 09/05/16

Hey Guys, hope you are all well! it's been so long since the last blog! HOWEVER!! It's nearly summer and it's going to be such a fun summer of blogging, snapchatting and having so much fun with you all!

Today's blog is going to be a little more serious that usual. Since the debate in the Dáil about mental, health (you probably saw the OUTRAGEOUS photo on our facebook page) the whole country has been talking about this very important issue. Everyone at some stage of their lives will battle with their own mental health. There is such a stigma around it that people are too afraid to get help and speak up. YOU ARE NOT ALONE - I PROMISE...

Here are some statistics...

• 1 in 4 people are affected by a mental health condition
• 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 24
• Approx 50% of students age 14 and older with a mental illness drop out of school
• Statistics from the HSE show tell that in 2015, 86% of Irish Adults rate their own quality of life as very good, but this falls 64% among those who have personal experience of poor mental health.

The Message? YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Many people will not understand what you're going through, but people are more than happy to listen.

When researching for this blog, I read a Quote on the HSE Website..

''If mental Health becomes more of an everyday issue, that matters to us all, then the stigma attached to getting help can be reduced. While Irish society will continue to experience considerable change and face new challenges ahead, a mentally healthier Irish society will be much better able to cope''

I wouldn't have thought much about this quote until I saw that THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH didn't even turn up to his own debate. Now that is bad.

What can you do if you are battling with your own mental health?

1.  Talk to someone- It doesn't matter who as long as you feel comfortable speaking to them. Whether it be a friend, a family member or a stranger, getting it off your chest is the first step.

Here are some people you can talk to..

•  Samaritans: Telephone: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org
• Console's Suicide prevention: Telephone: 1800 247 247 
• Aware: Telephone: 1890 302 302 Email: supportmail@aware.ie

     2. Do some exercise. Whether it be a walk or a jog- 30 minutes a day will clear your head and                  make you feel so refreshed.

    3. Retail Therapy. Our favourite. Just meet up with some friends, go for coffee, buy that dress that           makes you feel like a Queen!

   4. Find out what the source of your sadness is. Once you find it - get it out of your life, it's the last           thing you need. 

If this blog even helps one person who reads it today- it will be worth it. As you know if you follow us on Facebook (Here) you will know that here at Sunflowers and Sparkles we are all about positivity.. so if you ever want a chat.. you know where we are.

Sorry about the long blog- It HAD to be done.

Stay Sparkling,

Tess and Edel x 

Products I regret buying! 16/04/16

Hey everyone! Hope you are all well. 

Today's blog post is a little different. I'll be talking about some of the products I regret buying. Some were just not worth the price, did not agree with my skin, I didn't like the smell etc. 

* DISCLAIMER*

I am not telling you not to buy these products, I'm just explaining that they didn't work for me. You might love them! Just sharing my experience with them. 

Hope you enjoy this different blog post!

1.Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contour Kit

So this is probably the most hyped about contour palette. It's priced at €47.60 (available on beautybay.com) but I decided to get it because I had heard such good reviews. The cool tone contour shade "fawn" is a lot less powdery than the rest and is not as pigmented as the other shades. I find it hard to blend. The  "banana" shade is nice for brightening but again is nothing special. The other contour shades mixed together are nice and are lovely and pigmented. I love using them as eyeshadows. I feel like they're a different formula to the more popular "fawn" and "banana" shades. The packaging is sturdy and is magnetic which is good for travelling. I'm mad to try their cream contour pallette. I also love their Dipbrow Pomade and I've heard great things about their eyeshadows!

2.Wake Me Up foundation by Rimmel

This foundation just never sat well on my skin. I know it is meant to have a dewy effect but it just looked shiny and greasy on my skin. The shade range isn't great and overall just wasn't for me! I do love Rimmel as an affordable brand though. I'm a big fan of the Lasting Perfection foundation-an oldie but a goodie! I also love the Wake Me Up concealer!

3. Gerard Cosmetics Lipsticks.

I really have nothing good to say about these lipsticks, I bought them on sale on Beauty Bay (available here) and I really regret buying these, They do have a great colour range but the texture is really just crap. I was quite disappointed because some of my favourite youtubers hyped these up! They cracked on my lips, have a weird smell and overall were just horrible. I've heard quite a few controversies about this brand since purchasing them but I won't get into that today!

I have however heard they have improved their formulas with their liquid lipsticks,I'd like to try those!

4.Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

I know lots of people who are mad about this primer but it just really didn't work for me. It's silicone based and it just made my foundation slip and slide around my face,not a good look! I haven't looked back since I started using the Nivea For Men Post Shave Balm as a primer( full blog post here!)

5. Master Kajal by Maybelline in shade Navy Night

This felt so stiff on my eyes and would not blend for the life of me! It's a lovely shade and shape, its just a shame its not pigmented/ usable enough for me :(

There we have it! So sorry again with the delay, I feel it would be more realistic for us to post one a week as I'm approaching my Leaving Cert.exams soon! Thanks so much for reading this post. If you like any of the above mentioned products let us know! Or let us know if you have had the same problems as I had!

Stay sparkling,

Edel and Tess x

Ranting about Runners! 07/04/2016

Hey Everyone! Hope all is well! It seems like forever since the last blog, between holidays and everything life has been so busy! How fast did the last month go? Its Mad!

Today's blog is one that I think everyone will enjoy! This seasons runners... All brands have seriously upped their game in the sneakers department, whether its for playing sport of looking so stylish!

Here are our top pics from this season on the high street... (Fortunately for you all that can shop in the kiddies section like me, shoes are soooo much cheaper, so never forget that!)

I cannot even begin to think about how much money Adidas have made from selling Superstars alone. They come in every colour you could ask for and are DIVINE. Love my pair (which go back into the box after I wear them of course)
Buy Here.

Any One that has ever worn a pair of New Balance know that they are the comfiest shoes ever. So fab for a casual day out!
Buy Here.

LOVE THESE. Perfect to add a pop of colour to any outfit (especially if black is your fav. colour to wear!)
Buy Here.

White Runners are here to stay! How gorge are there Nike Theas from Schuh!
Buy Here.

I love the colour pink sooooo much!!!!! These are amazing and 100% m,y next purchase! SWEATING!!
Buy here.

The Classics are back! These Reebocks have also been spotted on Pippa O' Connor so they must be stylish! (And they come in all different colours)
€78 Buy Here.




Thanks so much for everyone that took the time to read Today's blog. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed looking at all the fab runners!

So sorry for the delay!

Don't forget to add us on snapchat: SandS_blog for more crazy happenings!

Stay Sparkling,
Tess And Edel x