Pimpin' My old heels!

Hello wonderful fashions guru's! 

I was sent a sample from Shoelicks* to try out, they let me pick the design I wanted, which I chose leopard. They were really quick with delivery which was great. 

Essentially their customization stickers for your shoes, kind of like those stickers boy racers put on their cars...but for shoes.
The product comes in a small package like above with two stickers, one for each sole of the shoe and a little instruction leaflet.

How did the easy peasy three steps go for me?

Well it took several attempts at step one, and two... okay and maybe step three. I'm not very good with DIY products, but I always give them a good go.

Step one was imprint the shape of the sole onto the sticker, so hold the sticker against the sole of the shoe and press heavily and get the shape imprinted onto the back of the sticker. It took me about ten minutes to get the shapes on both stickers.

Step two didn't take as long as I thought and with my shoddy scissor work I cut the shape out. Which is essentially all step two involves, cutting around the lines.

Step three was the hardest for myself to achieve, one because I'm bad with any stickers, I can't place things perfectly and my shoddy scissor work really didn't get the full tight shape of the sole. So once I finally got the stickers on, may I add that adhesive, even if they're re-usable in a sense, was bloody tough stuff! No need to worry about loosing a sticker in the rain.

When I placed the stickers on, FINALLY, I used the scissors to cut around the edges and refine the placement. Well as refined it was going to get with my limited skills.

'Pimpin The Heels'

Verdict

I was pretty impressed with this product, I don't want to just big something up because it was sent to me, and on my blog I'm pretty honest about everything I love and what's good and bad about it.

As a versus to the previous product I tried out a few years ago, it was much better!

Pros

- The design and print was brilliant, there was no blurry imagery, which I'm always afraid of happening with any product that involves printing.

- The steps were easy enough for someone like myself who was very limited in anything like this.

- There was no over-use of packaging, it's a slim packet which can be sent through an envelope so postal isn't that expensive.

- The adhesive is super strong, so you won't loose your stickers in the rain!

-The price is affordable for such a product which is good, in my opinion I would never pay anything over 4 quid for this product, as it's basic DIY and there's no need for fancy numbers on two stickers for your shoes, so well done to Shoelicks for the affordable pricing.

Cons

- The easy removable isn't so easy, as I had to remove the stickers to replace them once or twice and that adhesive, although it's in the plus side, it has it's downfall for a shoddy DIY gal like myself.

- It's hard to get the imprint onto the sticker itself (step one), you are told to press heavily but I find if you're placing them on heels it's going to be much mpre difficult. Shoelicks do advise that placing the stickers onto flat shoes will be much easier.

Overall I give this product a 9 out of 10.

The price is worth the product. There's a range of designs to chose from and they are easy enough to apply. Just be warned that even though the adhesive is a plus, if you have limited skill it's going to be a messy few minutes trying to place the sticker and peal off, but I suppose once you've got the knack for something like this you'll be flying!

Thank you to the Shoelicks team who have been great over the past few weeks with information and discussions and sending me one of my favourite designs.

The team have also been so lovely to send me a promo code for all my readers and followers to get 33% off your first order from Shoelicks, just use the code 'pimpmyheels' and buy your first pair of Shoelicks for £2.00 (€2.73).

Shoelicks are available in selected River Island stores but for best access to the product you can find all the designs and more at Shoelicks.com.

Look out for my new pimped heels on my Social Networking sites over the next few weeks!

Lots of love,

♥ Melody ♥

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bloglovin

Gosh Prime'N'Set*- What's the verdict?

Hello gorgeous people. So I've tried and tested Gosh 'holy grail' Prime'N'Set powder over the past few weeks since the launch/previews which I attended. You can read about the day here.

With the goodies I received the first thing I wanted to review was this translucent, velvet touch powder, which can be used as a primer before applying eye make up and highlighters and also as a setting powder. 

I was going to use the powder as a primer for one week and then just as a setting powder but I decided to do this on two separate occasions to see what the difference was using it for only one type of application and not both. 

Primer

As just a primer it was good. My eye make needed to be touched up once, but it was from fall out on my crease as the shadow I used wasn't from one of my main palettes. Shadow problems..

Setting Powder

As a setting powder it was great. I have a small bottle of setting spray from Mac that I ran out of and another setting powder from an old Rimmel range that I think was discontinued after a while. I usually just used compact powders as a sort of 'setting' powder for college days and days I won't have my make up on long.

Verdict

Long story short, this product worked best together. As using them separately they did do the job, but the best result was when I used the powder as a primer and a setting powder. 

I only applied this as a primer to my under eyes, eyelids, brow bone and bridge of my nose and used my usual liquid primer for the base of my face.

Pros

It's has a mattifying texture, which is a plus because I love all things matte.

There's no fallout from the brush which I usually find with powders but even wearing a black overall I had no powder fallout after applying. 

It's light weight and doesn't feel like you're clogging up your pores with layers of make up. 

My make up for a day and night out, roughly 14 hours on the go, lasted all day with no touch up needed, only for my lipstick of course. 

It's great quality for such a low price.

Cons

The packaging is a bit finicky, having to screw the lid around is tricky when in a rush. 

Overall it's a strong 8 out of 10. 

Gosh Prime'N'Set is available in all Superdrug stores and also online. 

Superdrug also have a buy 1 get the second item half price on Gosh products at the moment which you can find here. 

Lots of love,

Melody.

If you have any questions or queries on any information given

in the post above please contact me on one of the social media links below.

Facebook // Twitter // Email 

Five baby steps to a better you!

Hello lovelies. 
Over the past few weeks I've been trying to better myself, health wise mainly but mentally too, and I've been thinking of little things I could do for myself to be happier, healthier and feel better about life overall and motivated. So here's my five baby steps that I've been trying to take at least every day. 

Make a playlist

The first thing I did was make a playlist of happy, motivating songs. Songs that get me dancing in the morning when getting ready for college or something I can listen to when doing assignments. 

Here's a few of the songs featured on my 'happy' playlist:

Pharrel Williams- Happy

Mark Ronson FT Bruno- Uptown Funk 

T.I Ft Rihanna- Live your life

Calvin Harris- Pray to God

Maroon 5- Sugar

Ariana Grande- One Last Time

One Direction- Live while we're young (yes...it's on there)

Read a book

I used to be a really big reader but I stopped reading for a year or two for god knows what reason, so I've been playing catch up with all the books that have been released. At the moment I'm reading Looking for Alaska by John Green. Its my second time reading this as I couldn't really remember much from the book after the first time round other then crying a little bit. 

My advice, pick up a book, even if you're not a big reader, you can buy short novels or go to the library and get them for free, even if you just read a few chapters it's bound to relax your mind. Read an actual book though, none of this iPad and kindle stuff. Which comes to my next part..

Social Media Ban Hour

So every day I've banned myself from social media for one hour at least. I think this has been the most helpful thing I have started doing. My life revolves around media, my chosen career, my friends I talk to them through social media and everything in my life is technology based, so for at least one hour a day, I've gotten up to five at the most may I add, but for at least one hour a day I turn my phone off and just read my book or watch a show I love. 

Try it for one hour, turn off everything that connects you to the Internet and just watch an old DVD or read a book, I swear you'll feel so refreshed after such a short time. I'm working on making it a day and soon a weekend and then a week during summer to detox my mind. 

Watch something you love

I love Disney and Netflix and watching TV shows on loop, which can also fry your mind. I have been binge watching a lot lately, which I must stop, but I just can't because all my favourite programmes I need to catch up on. It isn't a bad thing at the same time, as long as I find balance, which I'm working on. 

Find a TV show that makes you laugh or cry or shocks you or a film that makes you feel good and just sit down when you have a free hour, when you're locked out of social media and just watch it and actually laugh. Not this half laugh thing we all do because we're too busy scrolling through facebook and watching a vine..really laugh!

Walk more

As I've changed my eating habits and diet and I'm working on bettering myself, I've also began walking more, I was at least once a week for a pro-longed amount of time. Of course I'm walking everyday but that's to a destination, the only destination I have on my own 'walks' is to walk until I feel like I've cleared my head, exercised enough and feel good. Fresh air is great to calm down after a hectic day. 

There's a difference between walking somewhere and going on a walk, remember that, so you may be walking all day but over thinking of everything you have to do, so going on a walk is nice. 

There's five little things I've been trying to do everyday day or at least three times a week. 

Let me know below what you do to relax and calm down and make yourself happier.

For a more in-depth look at how I'm making my life happier and healthier and how you can do the same check out 'My Happy, Healthy and Hilarious Life'.

Kisses,

Melody

Update!

Hello again. 

It's been a while since I blogged which is something I'm actually really annoyed about, but unfortunately life took over. 

I just wanted to give everyone who reads my blog an update on what's been going on and what's going to happen. 

As of nearly a month ago I had to take an unscheduled blogging break due to college life and personal reasons. I felt that although this is something I'm really passionate about, I wasn't able to give it my full focus and I didn't want to post half arsed content which had no passion behind it just to fill up post space. 

So I took a break. Which I feel was actually really good for myself, my college work and my blog as I can now get back at it, full steam a head. 

I have lots of posts lined up and planned, special guests and also videos coming up and lots more exciting things happening!
I also have planned out my next Giveaway! Which is over-due by almost two months...oops!
It's going to be a big one and I'm going to link it with my next milestone.

I have finally set up a facebook page too!

So starting today G.F.D, is back in action and I am sorry for the prolonged break, it was only mean't to be two weeks at most.

Next post is due up this evening at 6pm!

I have also set up a schedule for posts going up from from now on at G.F.D, there will be a new post up at least two to three times a week depending on my college and work schedules.

Love, 

Melody.

My recent Skincare Essentials!

Hey guys! How is everyone on this dark and dreary Saturday?

If you're like me then you'll be blooming freezing!

 So on to the good stuff, I've just found two new skincare gems that I've fallen in love with and I think I've finally decided on what works for my skin and what doesn't, so in hope of inspiring some of you skincare guru's, like myself, into trying a new product or two I've done a quick Skincare Essentials post!

Also every product is under ten euro and super high-street affordable.

Body

Okay, Okay, I know it seems like I never stop talking about Cocoa Brown, and to be quite honest, I don't think I ever do. I mention this brand at least twice a day to somebody, but It honestly is one of my favourites!

Tough Stuff is my favourite product from the CB range! I use it two to three times a week in the shower even when I don't have tan on! It leaves my skin feeling fresh and I honestly don't know how I ever lived without it all those years.

Chocolate Whip, not only does is smell great but leaves your skin silky smooth and nourished after scrubbing away that old than and skin! I love chocolate and this body moisturiser not only looks like you're smearing nutella on your body, (Don't worry it dries clear) but it also smells like that fresh box of cadbury's chocolates that you've been saving up from Valentines Day. Okay, lets get real, nobody has saved that box of chocolates, but this moisturiser is amazing, it gives your skin a nice glow and penetrates deep within the layers giving you that silky soft feeling. It's great to use with your cocoa brown tan or even when you don't have your tan on to just give your body a nourishing layer after your body scrub!

Face

The Base

I'm a major Garnier fan, their entire range of products just makes my insides all fuzzy and warm, not only for the price but because they actually work! Best high street buy out there, for me at least.

I use Garnier Micellar cleansing water to remove my make up daily, but I also use it in the morning before I wash my face and just before I go to bed and moisturise. It's available from boots nationwide.

Garnier Fresh Clarifying Wash is one of my favourite face washes. Now I have a good few favourites but as of the past few months I've been running to this one just because of how fresh my skin feels. Most of my experiences with face washes have been negative as they are either too harsh or heavy on my skin, but this is all natural feeling, it's a thin clear layer on your skin and then you just massage till its nearly white and splash off with warm water. I use this straight after the Micellar water. My skin isn't that oily, so I didn't buy it for that purpose, I actually used it in a friends house last year and fell in love.

The Process

I'm a face mask junkie. I love nothing but a good face mask, an episode of gossip girl or a chick flick and some hot chocolate on a cold night, but recently I've fallen out of love with my trusty face masks.

Then when shopping with my lovely mother, she picked up this Simply Sensitive Deep Cleansing Face Mask. I was actually looking for a face mask during last week. So this is a new find for me, and I've only used it once, but it is seriously a new love and for the price it was I'm still shocked at how good it is.

I usually spend 20 euro plus on a face mask so for under a tenner, you can't go wrong. It's for sensitive skin and has different number of applications you should do just in case your skin is dry and de-hydrated. This mask not only de-clogs the pores but will moisturise too, so once your skin is back to normal you can up the face mask anti.

I highly recommend this as I had a break out recently, and with the combination of my over night gel, which I'll mention next, it disappeared over night. Not a spot in sight!

The Soothing Finish

Nivea Daily Essentials rich moisturising day cream is something I have been using for over a year now, roughly. It got rid of my dry skin all that time ago and it's been in my skincare drawer ever since. It's a great product, have SPF 15 also in it, which is great because even though it's Ireland and we don't get sun, those harmful rays shine through the clouds and still effect our skin.

I apply this straight after I use my clarifying face wash show above in the mornings and if I'm having a make up free day I'll top up in the late afternoon.

Now, Tea tree and witch hazel Night Treatment Gel, where do I begin. I found this gem, yes I'm giving away my mega love for this product already but it is a hidden gem within the aisle's of boots.

I was originally looking for a new night moisturiser and when I found the face mask I saw this product a few rows down, so I said hey, it's not that expensive so lets give it a go. Aren't I glad I tried this out! 

I used it straight after the face mask the other night and wow, wow, wow. I think this helped combat my break out majorly! It does say on the bottle it is a protective layer that penetrates the skin and helps protect over night. I have found a new love, the only problem with this product I have is the smell, but I mean, the ingredients are naturally smelly, so I can't really complain, especially for the price and effect it has had.

So that's it, my recent skincare buys, products, loves, mini explanation of my routine and all the stuff in between. I will give an update on my new loves, the face mask and night treatment gel in a few weeks time and see if my verdict is still the same as first impressions!

Watch out over the next week I'll have two vlogs and lots of posts!

Stay Fab!
-Melody x

YOUTUBE CHANNEL - TheBuenoBar
TWITTER - @MelodyAnnLouisa
FACEBOOK- N/A -Available March 2015

No7 | Beautiful Skin, Hot Cloth Cleanser- Review

Hello Dolls! I received this wonderful product recently as a gift/prize and I fell in love.

I'm obsessed with skincare, cleansing my skin, trying new products and enjoying a face mask every now and again, so anything that promises to relax, cleanse and de-clog my pores usually wins me over, if it works of course.

No7 is one of my favourite brands make up wise so trying out this product I was quite excited.

This hot cloth cleanser promises to give you a spa facial at home and the standard box, 200ml bottle of cleanser, also comes with a muslin cloth to relax, steam and cleanse the face.

You're instructed to apply the product onto a dry face and run the muslin cloth under hot water, wring out and then place over the face and relax for a few minutes, leaving the product and steam to work it's magic.

The Verdict:
After one use I could already feel a difference in my skin but as I usually have this reaction with most products I decided to continue using the product for a solid two weeks before making a judgement. It's now been a month since I received the product and I have continued to use it.

My skin is prone to spots on my chin and after using this hot cloth cleanser for two weeks the difference was significant and my breakouts have reduced greatly. My skin is softer, there's less redness and when using the product it actually feels like a proper facial, which it advertises.

It's a great luxury to have and really helps the skin, I've also noticed that my dry patches around my nose have cleared up.

The only downside is your face feels a little tight and dry afterwards but of course that is why they recommend a good moisturiser, so make sure you don't do what I do and leave the face for ten minutes without applying a layer of moisturiser afterwards. *Silly Melody*

This product is available in boots nationwide or online and retails at a bargain price of €12.95!

Stay Fab!
Melody x

The Cocoa Brown Oscars!

Hello Lovelies! Last night I had the wonderful privilege of attending The Cocoa Brown Oscars event to celebrate the 87th Academy Awards! 

It took place in the IFI Dublin and was a complete 1940's glamour themed night full of goodies, photo's, champagne, style and of course a private screening of the 1940's classic and one of my favourite films, The Philadelphia Story.

The Cocoa Brown Team were all there including the wonderful Marissa who looked stunning in a royal blue dress! All the Cocoa ladies rocked 1940's glamour!

How stunning does @CarterMarissa look at the #CocoaBrownOscars 🎥💕 pic.twitter.com/ThdRuibIcE
— Cocoa Brown (@CocoaBrownTan) February 19, 2015

Post by Cocoa Brown.

Thank you to the girls who put so much hard work into organising such a wonderful event!

We were given some sweet treats heading into the movie and greeted with goodie bags at our seats.

Thank you Cocoa Brown for the wonderful goodie bags!

As you may have guessed by now the dress code for this event was 1940's and as I'm not one for long skirts and over the top glitz I decided to take my own spin on the 1940's and go for a minimal rock glam look.

Outfit details: 

Jeans- River Island

Black Turtle Neck top- Penny's/Primark

Coat- Jasper Conran

Bag- Penny's/Primark

Shoes- Penny's/Primark 

Pearls- Penny's/Primark

Scarf- H&M

Face/Hair: 

Foundation- L'oreal True Match

Bronzer- Wet' N Wild Glo

Primer/set- Gosh Prime' N Set

Eyes- W7 Lightly Toasted Palette

Lips- Essence lip liner in wine/ Maybelline Lipstick Original Red

Hair- Babyliss Barrel Curl's, Curler 

Products- Tressemme Heat protect spray

All make up products can be found in my recent 'what's in my make up bag' post with pricing. 

Also a massive congratulations to Cocoa Brown as they have finally made it to NY! 

It's available from Ricky's NYC stores & Online! 

Until next time, 

Stay Fab-

Melody