If you’ve entered my major giveaway then keep reading to hear all about the incredible prizes in more detail before the winners are announced on Sunday!
Due to the generosity of local businesses I have THEEE most amazing prizes. The total prize is worth over £700 and due to the amount of beauty vouchers and products I have decided to spread the love and choose 3 lucky winners.
So, what are the prizes?
Each prize is equally as insane as the next. Like seriously, can you cope? I’m imagining myself enjoying each and every ounce of the products, vouchers, makeup & PT lessons….. Do I really have to give it all away? I WANT IT ALL.
Prize One
1-1 Makeup Lesson with Perfectly Polished Hair, Beauty & Cosmetics
Stefan Smith – Health & Fitness 1-1 Personal Training Session
IMAGE Skincare set
Delashful full set of individual eyelashes
Ciara Duffy Hair- Blowdry of your choice
Diamond Earrings from The Pine Box
Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Aragon Oil Cream
UTan and Tone tan & body firming sample
Tantastic fast developing tan sample
Inis Energy of the Sea Fragrance
Rimmel London Products
Garnier Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask
Facemask Applicator
Aragon Oil Hair Treatments
A bottle of Prosecco
Prize Two
Passion Hair, Beauty & Spa £25 Voucher
Lula Belle Beauty HD Brows
Urban Hair £30 Voucher
Cleanse off mitt by The Skin Nerd Jennifer Rock
SOSU Sophia lashes
BPerfect Cosmetics 10 Second Tan
BPerfect Cosmetics Eyeliner Pencil
RÍ NA MARA Irish Seaweed Cosmetics Purifying Micellar Cleansing Water
John Frieda UK Shampoo & Conditioner
Declaré Beauty & Wellbeing skincare samples
Aragon Oil Hair Treatments
Wet ‘n’ Wild lipgloss
Primark P.S Metallic Eye Pencil
L’oreal Paris eyeshadow
A bottle of Prosecco
Prize Three
Kérastase Hair Products
Polished Boutique Make-up with lashes application
Ted Baker bracelet
Hair Boudoir All Over Colour
Baby B Browne tan
Revel Eyelashes 2x styles: Rebels & Queens
Chloe’s Nail & Brow bar £20 Voucher
Declaré Cleansing Powder
Sanfilippo Wing it Wing Liner Stamp
GOSH Eyeshadow
Eucerin skincare samples
Aragon Oil Hair Treatments
Rituals Cosmetics Handcream
Galgorm Resort & Spa £10 Voucher for spa treatment
A bottle of Prosecco
How can you enter?
I have 2 posts up, 1 on Facebook and one on Instagram (use the handle @gemkenblog or click the links)
Click into either post and like, share, comment, tag & follow to your hearts content.
For the girls who go on and subscribe to my website mailing list- they will have their names entered in double the amount. This is just to show appreciation to those who go the extra mile. So now that your here, pop your email address in the updates box and confirm by clicking the acceptance button in the email to follow.
What are you waiting for? GO NOW- ENTER, ENTER, ENTER!
How am I announcing the winners?
I will announce the winners on Facebook live this Sunday on my Facebook page GemKen Blog.
My reason for announcing the competition on Facebook live is because I want everyone to know they have an equal chance and i’m all about everyone having the fairest chance possible.
Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou.
I would like to thank each and everyone of you for entering the giveaway and following my blogging journey.
I also want to thank the following business for their support and generosity: Maura’s Beauty Clinic, James Taggart Hair Studio, McCall Jewellers, Perfectly Polished Hair, Beauty & Cosmetics, Stefan Smith – Health & Fitness, Rococo Hair & Beauty Boutique Cookstown, Lula Belle Beauty, Passion Hair, Beauty & Spa, Polished Boutique, Dorman Healthcare, O’Neills Chemist, Donnelly McAleer, Delashful, Urban Hair, Ciara Duffy Hair, Chloe’s Nail & Brow Bar, Salon Services, The Pine Box & The Hair Boudoir.
And finally I want to say a special thanks to my 3 amigos back home, the Prinny’s, my BFFS for helping me by setting up, photographing and videoing the prizes and thank them in advance for packaging up the prizes for the lucky winners.
Step 1: Comb your brows with a spoolie before applying any product. The first third of your brow should be combed upwards pushing the hairs up, then brush the remainder of the brow in the direction of hair growth.
Each pot contains 4 grams of super pigmented pomade and with a choice of 11 different shades theres a suitable colour for everyone.
A little bit goes a long way and you can build it up to your desired intensity. Most days I only use a little with a light hand to achieve a more natural look for daily wear, but when I want to have super on fleek Insta-level brows this is my go-to product. With the amazing consistency of the pomade you will never have to worry about flakiness or fallout.
The only downfall of this product is that it can dry out easily, so you need to be sure to put the lid back on straight after use.
Tip: If yours has dried out, try adding a few drops of beauty oil to the pomade to turn it back to the gel like texture.
Step 3: Taking an angled brush, I dip it into the brow pomade and then I lightly squeeze the brush between my fingers to flatten the bristles and remove any access product. I start by making a line under the brow leaving the very start of my brow free of any product for now. I continue by then creating the arch and tail of the brow. Using the remainder of the product on the brush I fill the brow in creating thin strokes.
I brush the product upward from the bottom line and then using a spoolie, I brush the product over to the start of my brow for a gradual faded look. I finish off by brushing the remainder of the brow to shape and distributing the product evenly throughout the brow.
Tip: Start off with a small amount of product otherwise it will end up looking cakey and your eyebrow colour may become too dark if too much product is used.
You can define the brow with concealer to further sculpt the shape (i don’t do this for daily makeup and will include details in a future blog post).
I do have the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dual Sided Brow Brush (£18) but I choose to use Sephora’s angled liner brush as it is thinner and more precise. I did get this brush about 4 years ago from Sephora but here is a similar one to mine.
SEPHORA COLLECTION Classic Must Have Angled Liner Brush #90
Step 4: Browcote Brow Gel
Browcote Brow Gel £6.99
To finish off my brows I lightly coat them with Browcote to set and seal the pomade. This product is super lightweight on the brows, it doesn’t leave the brows feeling wet nor does it dry in flaky.
The brush wand applicator glides through brow hairs and sets your look effortlessly, it is the perfect size meaning the wand holds the perfect amount of product and doesn’t get any onto the skin surrounding the brows. The gel itself is clear so can work with any brow colour or skin tone.
Primer preps your skin for the perfect foundation application.
✔ Fills in fine lines
✔ Smoothes over pores
✔ Increases the lasting power of foundation.
How to use? Apply a pea sized amount of primer with fingers to places where you have visible pores or tend to have issues with makeup not staying on the skin.
My go to ‘on a budget’ primer has to be Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. It is super comparable to Smash Box Photo Finish at a fraction of the price.
I do like Smash Box Photo Finish although due to the packaging its so hard to get the product out when your over 1/2 way through the bottle. At £26 per bottle you want to be using every last drop! Would I buy it again? Honestly- no, not after finding Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser which is less than a third of the price!
Another primer in my favourites is the Benefit Porefessional. I adore this slightly tinted primer, its super soft creamy texture really does leave a smooth blurred finish on the skin. A cheaper dupe I have tried and tested is the KIKO Skin Trainer CC Blur, another slightly tinted primer that also creates a smooth facial complexion with less visible pores.
Depending on your skin type, different primers will suit you better. Be sure to have a skin consultation and get your skin analysied so you are using a primer that is right for your skin type. This also will help you find the correct cleanser, toner, mosturiser, serums, foundations etc. Knowing your skin type will benefit your fleekyness!
Step 3- Foundation
I use a combination of foundations for both day & night time. I will describe to you guys my ‘night out‘ mix that works for me and my skin.
Urban Decay All Nighter FoundationMAC Studio Sculpt
Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation (My Shade is 4.5) £29 available here.
MAC Studio Sculpt (My Shade NC40) £27 available here.
For nights out I mix 2 pumps of Urban Decay All Nighter with a small squirt of MAC Studio Sculpt NC40, I find the coverage and lasting power of these foundations mixed incredible. I pump the Urban Decay foundation on to the back of my hand & squirt some MAC on top, mix it up and apply to each area with a flat brush. Starting with a third of my face (one cheek, half my nose & jaw line) apply with flat brush and blend with a stippling brush in circular motions, once blended move on to other areas of the face repeating the application process.
Step 4- Concealer
I have always applied concealers after foundation. If you have any pimples, red scarring or imperfections, sometimes you may find that your foundation just isn’t full coverage enough, this is when I find its best to lightly apply concealer over the top.
My best tip so it doesn’t go cakey is to use the smallest point of a beauty blender, apply the concealer and lightly dab on to the specific area.
I love the consistency and coverage of the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Concealer . I recently wanted to buy an extra light shade to use under my eyes for brightening but the shades were mostly sold out so I purchased one for concealing spots and blemishes.
From mySnapchat and Instagramstories you guys will have seen how my skin has broken out due to severe lack of sleep (jet lag, sleeping 3-4 hours max per night). So I have been using the Urban Decay Naked Skin concealer over my foundation on the problem areas. I would say the consistency is comparable toMaybelline Age Rewind Concealer(£8.99), but the coverage is hella better.
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Concealer
Urban Decay ‘Naked Skin’ weightless concealer £19.00 available here.
Step 5- Cream Contour
The cream contour palette I use is from Make-up Studio in the shade light, I purchased it from Paddy McGurgan’s Makeup Pro Store £37.50 also available here.
Make-up Studio Cream Contour Kit
See image below to as a guide to where I put light & dark shades on my face. I apply with two flat brushes, one for light shades & one for dark shades.
Once applied, take your damp beauty blender and dab the contour, pushing the product into the skin. Never rub your contour as this will remove the product from your face leaving you patchy. After patting the product into my face I like to set the areas.
Step 6- Setting Powder
I set the dark areas of contour with the bottom three powders mixed from the Anastasia Beverly Hills The Original Contour Kit (Powder) in shade ‘light- medium’.
ABH Original Contour Kit
Anastasia Beverly Hills The Original Contour Kit £39 available here.
For the Highlighted areas of contour I like to set with, WAIT FOR IT…
I found this amazing dupe for Ben Nye last year and I’ve been obsessed ever since, can you believe its under a fiver and from PRIMARK!?
Primark Setting Powder
How to use?
I pour some product onto my hand, using a damp beauty blender I lift the product and apply it to the lightest contoured parts of my face
If I am after a super matte long lasting finish for my night out I will bake my face for about 5-8 minutes with the Primark Setting Powder before dusting off with a fluffy brush.
Step 7- Bronzer
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- Give Me Sun!
I love, love, love Give Me Sun!, it is my ideal shade of bronzer with a cute summer peach undertone. In the airport on the way toDubaiI picked up MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in the shade Dark Deep to try, its more of a golden bronze. I haven’t used it yet so I will keep you guys updated.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish
Mineralize Skinfinish both shades £24.50 availablehere.
Step 8- Highlighter
My holy grail highlighter is MAC Soft & Gentle. I am OBSESSED with it, i can never get away from it.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, Soft & Gentle
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, Soft & Gentle £24.50 available here.
During my Dubai trip I picked up the newToo Faced Love Lightshighlighter in the shade ‘Blinded by the Light’ (£25) and to be honest the pigment payoff isn’t quite as good as MAC.
How do I apply highlight? To intensify my highlighter I squirt my brush with setting spray before coating it with the product. Apply to top of cheekbones bringing it around your temples and don’t forget your cupids bow! I dab the product on, pushing it into my skin instead of using a fan brush, this is just my own preference and i find it gives a more popping highlight!
Step 9- Setting Spray
The one product which is used mainly throughout (Steps 5, 6 & 8). Setting spray ups your makeup game giving it serious staying power. My favourite setting spray is the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray£23.50 available here.
Close your eyes, hold your breath and spritz your face 5-6 times with this magical potion and your makeup will last all night!
Voila!- there you have it- my perfect, flawless base with a banging highlight.
Additional Tips & Tricks
✔ Don’t be afraid to mix foundations together to find the right shade, coverage and durability for your skin.
✔ Apply foundation in sections to prevent adding too much, no one wants a cakey face- just the fabulous frosting!
✔ Wash your beauty blender before you start with your makeup, squeeze it dry in the sink, squeeze it again in a towel and then when it comes to needing it just spritz it with setting spray.
✔ Don’t be afraid to ask for samples of any product especially when it comes to shades of foundations.
✔ Urban Decay All Nighter oxidises meaning it will change colour on your skin after a few minutes of being pumped from the bottle, bear this in mind when selecting your shade.
✔ Don’t test foundation shades on your hand, use your jawline.
I’m aware that the beginning of this blog resembles that of an office email- well that’s all I’ve known this past while but it’s all about to change!
My boyfriend and I have packed our bags & booked our one way flights to the other side of the world- yep we are off to explore Australia in a matter of days.
So….. why create ‘yet another blog’?
For the past year and a half I’ve been encouraged by my nearest and dearest to jump right in and give it a go ‘why not, you’ve nothing to lose!’ for a while I laughed their comments off and replied with ‘I wish!’ The blogger chats became more frequent and soon developed into more serious conversations entailing recommendations and advice from my girl squad, boyfriend and parents.
Originally I was going to begin in January 2017, but I wasn’t ready, I was stuck at a stage of fear and self-doubt. I was scared of what people would think of me or better yet their comments of who I thought I was?!
Well the thing is I know who I am- I’m Gemma, a fun loving, easy-going girl. I’m the Gemma who will be able to laugh of any negativity, nasty comments and judgement.
So welcome to my blog, my baby, my diary- the place where I will document my travels, lifestyle and anything else I find interesting on my way.
Here’s to a new chapter in my life, I hope you enjoy following my journey.
