April Favourites! 29/04/2015

Hello again! Welcome back and I hope you're having a fabulous week :)

Today's post will be our April favourites! Stuff we've found throughout the month from songs to beauty items, apps to shoes!

So let's get started!

1. Roller perfumes from "Penneys"

Absolutely love these! My favourite is the 'polka' one. Fab for on the go and they smell soooo good! For €2.50 they're a steal! I was first introduced to them when one of the girls brought one on our school tour to Berlin, where there was lots of walking and it was ideal! I've only managed to actually find them this month!

2.The " Photo Quilt" app.

Bestie's birthday coming up and you want to make a collage? This app cuts out all the hassle of trying to fit pictures to size, it takes the photo at the current size. It then gives you several options of different collages to suit you. Best of all people, it's FREE!

3.Love Laugh and Makeup-YouTube channel

Absolutely love this beauty guru, so so kind and fab to watch! Check her out :)

4. The Supervalu own brand smoothies.

Okay I'll be honest, these are meant for kids! But I love these! And who doesn't love a monkey on the side of their carton? Taste the very same as the innocent smoothies and are a lot cheaper, and you get more in them! I love the Apple and Blackcurrant ones. ( I swear I'm not drinking one while I'm writing this)

5. The NYX blush in 'Taupe'

I love this shade as a contour shade. Even though it says it's a blush, it's a cool tone shadow colour that will give the effect of a nice chiseled face. I found mine in CH Chemists in Tralee!

6.Colour_me_creative-Instagram page

Well what can I say, this girl can draw! I always love looking at her photos and she is so incredibly creative! She even drew a picture and gave it to Ed Sheeran which I will forever be jealous of!

7. Kiss me- Ed Sheeran

This song isn't new or anything but I just had to mention it. I've loved this song for years and every time I hear it I love it even more. It's so soothing to listen to. A golden oldie but well worth a listen. It's from his album "+". Enjoy!

8.Fave quote

9.l'Oreal Volume Million Lashes-So Couture

This mascara I've only discovered this month and my goodness this is one of the best I've used. The wand is the perfect size, volumizes and separates and just does the job perfectly. Worth a buy!

10. Soap and Glory-Sugar Crush body wash

Accompany these with some of the Penneys wash gloves and you're good to go! This wash has such a nice, clean,limey smell and is my favourite this month!

So there we have it, our April favourites! Hope you enjoyed and make sure to keep sharing :)

Stay sparkling,

Edel and Tess x

Get to know the people behind Sunflowers and Sparkles! 25/4/15

Hey Everyone! So another week has passed and it's the weekend again! (And we hope everyone is smiling)

So we feel now that we have been blogging long enough for ye to deserve to know who the people behind sunflowers and sparkles are! Well, today we are going to give you all 15 fun facts about us so ye know who is writing the blog you read everyday (well we hope you read our blog everyday!)

1. We are 16 and 17 year old girls currently studying in Boherbue Comprehensive School Co.Cork. I am in Transition Year and Edel is in 5th year!
2. We have both always wanted to be bloggers and we are now living the dream and loving it :)
3. Edel does all the makeup posts and I do the fashion (who would have guessed) ;)
4. Neither of us could live without our IPhones. No IPhones = No Blog!!
5. We are learning just as much from sunflowers and sparkles as you are. Sometimes we forget to take our own tips on board!
6. We are both fashion obsessed!
7. A ginger and a blonde - what a combo ;)
8. Our second favourite thing after sunflowers and sparkles is a good cup of tea
9. We were both too frightened to start a blog on our own so when we joined forces we couldn't have been happier!
10. Edel studies German while I study French
11. If we ever get a bit too enthusiastic about Kimonos, take no notice!
12. Every post you see is wrote by one person, but they are always checked,fixed and proof read by the other person! We always have an input on each others posts so we can make the best of the blog!
13. Neither of us are single and are very grateful for our patient boyfriends who wait for us to text back while we blog!
14. We are both obsessed with Pinterest. If you're not on it, get it! You'll never look back!
15. You can guarantee while we're meant to be listening in class (only the odd time that we're not ;) ) we're thinking of a new blog post.

Thanks to everyone for reading today's blog post. From now on we will try to make a personal blog every so often so ye will feel closer to the people behind sunflowers and sparkles!

See you all soon,

Tess and Edel x

How to wash your makeup brushes! 22/04/15

Hello lovely people and welcome back!

Today's blog will be about cleaning your makeup brushes.This won't be an overly exciting one guys! This literally the bane of my life but it just has to be done :( You must wash your makeup brushes 'cause remains of makeup, oil, dirt, and in particular bacteria can get trapped in the bristles. So unless you clean your makeup brushes, using dirty brushes on your face can lead clogged pores and unwanted blemishes which of course we want to avoid at all costs. And if you're paying good money on your brushes, you what them to last a long time.

Lucky for you as a reader of Sunflowers and Sparkles you'll get an insight on how I personally wash my brushes! What I used to use was a mixture of antibacterial washing up liquid and olive oil and it did work but it did leave my brushes kinda greasy.Once I started using baby shampoo I haven't looked back! It gets a lot more of the leftover makeup and dirt out and makes your brushes smell lovely like a baby! For a very manageable €4.29 for 500ml (which lasts forever!) I find it's the best way to wash your brushes!

One last thing- you are able to use just your hands for this but I like to use the "Sigma" spa glove which is a silicone glove made especially for washing your brushes. It has different textures and I find is ideal for this tedious job! I'm not saying you've to go out and buy this, I got it for Christmas about two years ago now and it's still going strong! It's an investment and I would recommend it if you've a lot of brushes or even if you don't want to use your hands if you've sensitive skin or anything. I have pictures below of both methods so not to worry! I'll leave a link incase you're interested!

So let's get started!

1. Begin by running your brushes under tap water.Put a drop of baby shampoo on either the glove or your hand.

2.Swish the brush around until you make some suds. Move the brush all around your hand or the 'wash' area on the glove to get all the makeup out

3.Gently rinse the brush under the tap. If you're using the glove, with the tap on run the brush over the rinse section. On most brushes towards the handle on the metal part, there will be two indents going all around. This is the mark you shouldn't pass with water 'cause that.ll loosen the bristles in time.

4.Squeeze your brush in between your thumb and index finger to remove any residue. If your brush is really dirty you may have to repeat the above steps but that's okay 'cause a clean brush means a clean face :) If you do have to back in again, on the glove there is a section below the 'wash' one to get even more of the dirt out.

5. Place your brush on a towel on an edge like the side of the bath. Gravity will pull the moisture from the brush this way making it a lot easier!

So there we have it, let us know what you think and if you tried this method! Sorry if this one wasn't in keep with our usual happy selves but there's no way to spruce this up, it is what it is and it has to be done :')

Also ye're all so good for liking and sharing honestly it means the world! If you wouldn't mind inviting your friends and sharing the love it would be great cause the sooner the numbers go up the sooner we can have our giveaway!

The link for the glove :http://www.sigmabeauty.com/sigma-spa-brush-cleaning-glove/p/BC001

Thanks for calling :)

See ye soon and stay sparkling!

Edel and Tess x

How to wear statement pieces you have in your wardrobe - 18/4/15

Hello again darlings! Hope you are having a nice weekend! It's hard to believe it is blogging day again, time is flying :)

Today we are going to talk about how to style statement pieces that you have moved to the back of your wardrobe because you are too afraid to wear. Well guess what? Today is your lucky day because sunflowers and sparkles are happy to help! :)

-Do you know that pretty t-shirt you bought in the sale last summer but you don't think you can pull it off? STOP! With the right trousers or skirt there is no need to be afraid and I bet everyone will admire it when you're out. I will post a few looks below as examples to go by the next time you want a really nice casual outfit to wear going shopping or just popping out to a friends house :)

    

-Now for that gorgeous pair of bright cropped trousers that you just can’t find a nice t-shirt to match. A good cropped trousers is a must in every woman's wardrobe but you have to know what to wear with it. Depending on the style of top you usually go for with determine what kind of style you like with your new pants. Here are a few examples- but if you find a style to your own taste - please don’t be shy.

     

         -Here is one very few are brave enough to wear. The reliable and oh so gorgeous coordinates.Some people really shy away from this outfit because they think it’s too much of the one pattern, however they are all in for Spring/Summer 2015 so don’t worry! This iconic fashion trend can be worn as a trousers or skirt so there will be a style that everyone will feel comfortable in. You can get really dressy coordinates also so if you have a summer wedding coming up- you will be sure to wow the crowd. I will post some dressy and casual ones so you will believe me, I speak the truth you know! (Perfect for a night out too!)  

  

-Now for my all time favourite. The midi Skirt! (I'm getting excited even thinking about it.)

Midi-skirts come in all different shapes and colours so the world is yours when you’re styling an outfit. Again these are perfect for a wedding or going out so never be afraid- Sunflowers and Sparkles are here to be your fashion designers! From Flowers to pleats- with the right pair of shoes anyone can pull off this look. (Who doesn't want an excuse to buy another pair of shoes eh?)

        

Shoutout to Kayla for allowing me to put her on the blog! ;)

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes! *Pulse and breathing gets faster*. You and I both know that there is a pair of shoes in your wardrobe screaming to be worn. However there are a few statement pairs that every fashionable lady should own.

• The Stiletto. Classy and elegant. Perfect for a night out or a more formal event. (Penny's have fab ones for only €15 at the moment!!)

   

• Next up is the oh so comfy wedge. You can’t go wrong with a good pair of wedges. Whether its a day out or a party, you will be comfy every ‘step’ of the way (pun pun). There are all different heights and styles of wedges so they will be your best friend when you want to be taller (like me)

    

• pair of good trainers is very important to achieve our ‘summer body’ that we have all promised ourselves, but without a good pair of runners you will just cause yourself an injury (Yes, another reason to buy a pair of shoes!) But on a serious note, please don’t go for a jog in a pair of cons or vans, you will just do yourself more damage than its worth. Plus, who doesn’t want to look good when they exercise ;)

                              

• Okay so before I get too carried away about shoes, this is the last one- I promise! I really could go on about shoes all day..  So last but not least- Converse. There isn’t many people out there that don’t own a pair in some shape or form. These are great for day to day looks and you can get really pretty ones for under dresses etc. So if you don’t have a pair already, I really would invest. They will last you a lifetime! (Of Course we always go for the sparkly ones, not forgetting the frilly socks for inside them, but that's another days work!)

           

 So ’’how will I tie my new outfit together’’ I hear you ask? Well with a pretty coat of course! Flowers, Stripes, Furry hood? It’s up to you! With the unpredictable Irish weather it is very important to carry a coat everywhere you go and even if you are carrying it in your hand it will still look good! So don’t be afraid to try something new when you are buying your new summer coat. Experiment a little! ‘Bomber Jackets’ are also really ‘in’ this Spring/Summer so if you are looking for something a little lighter to wear, these are your answer!

MissGuided have amazing jackets in at the moment. It wouldn't be any harm to take a look, believe me, you wont regret it!

                          

A huge thanks to everyone who took time out to read today’s blog. I know it was a bit long but lets be honest, you can't put a time limit on looking your best! Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Thanks so much to everyone who has supported us over the last few weeks. Edel and I are so so grateful for each and everyone of ye.

See you all very soon,

Stay Sparkling,

Tess and Edel x

                        

   

5 beauty hacks that'll change your life!-15/04/15

Hello again! Hope ye are all having a good week so far. Just remember- Only 2 more days until it's the weekend! :)

Today's blog post will be a quick one, 5 quick tips that'll change your life (for the better of course!) Here at sunflowers and sparkles we live by these tips and we hope that they help you too!

1. Use coconut oil to remove eye makeup

This is an absolute lifesaver if you've a mascara that is tough to get off. It is a messy one but it removes everything!

Take a small bit on your fingers and rub until you have felt all the mascara has come off in bits, and you feel like all your eyeshadow and eyeliner or whatever you may have on is gone and just rub your eye area with a cotton pad.

There are so many uses and benefits of coconut oil but I'll run through that in a future post coming very soon. I always use coconut oil especially for removing eye makeup! It's cost effective ('cause you only need a small amount) and you can find it in the supermarket by the vegetable oils or a health food shop like ‘Holland and Barrett’.

Coconut oil is a weird substance 'cause it is a solid but when it comes in contact with your skin it melts so don't be put off by this. It's amazing stuff!

2. Use baby powder/talcum powder as dry shampoo

This one is a lifesaver for me! When you're having a bad hair day but you've no time for a shower or your hair just isn't cooperating- a regular occurrence for me, just use some baby powder and you're ready for road! It will soak up the oil the same way that a dry shampoo will like powder on foundation, smells nice, is kind to your hair and you're not using an aerosol so again yay planet! Shake the bottle over your hair, careful you don't use too much and make sure you rub it into your hair after! A real money saver. Again, it will last ages!

3.Treat a bruise with mouth wash

Another lifesaver, if you're a klutz like myself. If walking into a door(and then apologising) sounds familiar, try dabbing some mouth wash onto the bruise with some cotton wool to make it look and feel a lot better!

4.Use shaving cream to remove makeup from clothes

I can just see it. You're in a rush getting ready and you get a lovely blob of foundation on your new clean dress. Add a bit of shaving cream to the area and and wipe the makeup away with a damp cloth. It's completely safe, won't harm your clothes and you won't waste time looking for a new outfit!

5. Applying perfume in the perfect places!

This one's a very handy one. As perfume has alcohol in it, this will age your skin. So you don't want to be applying it all over your neck 'cause it'll get wrinkly faster. Apply just at the bottom of your throat (above your collarbone), your wrists, behind your ears (a strange one I know, but when you flick your hair or move it will almost reactivate the smell), your inner elbows and behind your knees. These areas will ensure you smell lovely all day.

An extra top tip because it's Wednesday and I'm feeling generous, is put a dab of Vaseline before you put on perfume on these areas so it will help the scent cling to the skin and you will smell just as pretty as you are!

So there we have it people, 5 top tips that'll hopefully make your life easier. We both use these little gems all the time and we really hope you find them useful. Please don't shy away from letting us know, we'd only love to hear from you.

P.S. If there is anything you as a Sunflowers and Sparkles reader would like to see on the blog, don't hesitate to ask! We would be more than happy to accommodate! We've had a few suggestions and we're already on it!

We'd also really appreciate if everyone kept sharing the blog, inviting their friends and everything 'cause as soon as we reach 1000 likes on Facebook we're going to have a lovely little giveaway for our supporters to say thanks for ye're fab help! Honestly you couldn't imagine how overwhelmed we both are with the constant support and kindness we've received. So stay tuned!

Until next time guys, stay sparkling!

Edel and Tess x

Summer To Do List-12/04/2015

Hey again!

So here we are, Sunday night blues, back to school tomorrow. I'm sure I'm not alone in counting down the days until summer holidays.(46 by the way!) As some of us students go into the longest term of the year,we need some sort of a glimmering hope. We at Sunflowers and Sparkles would like to give you something to keep you going until then.

So here you go, a to do list for the sunny days ahead. Of course if you want to do only a share of these, go ahead, but we think these are pretty manageable and of course fun! Please let us know if you have any extra ones that we've left out and I hope you enjoy!

• Buy your new summer wardrobe- an essential if you ask us ;)
• Go somewhere new

• Climb a mountain-Clara to Carrauntoohil, the feeling after is great!

• Eat something you wouldn't normally eat-if you think you’ll like it of course!
• Have a picnic
• Plant something
• Share our blog ;)
• Play messy twister
• Go to the zoo/ wildlife park
• Make an actual photo collage and frame it or make a photo album
• Do something spontaneous
• Watch a classic black and white movie- only on a rainy day!
• Go cloud watching
• Call to an elderly neighbour or grandparent- they’ll appreciate it honestly!
• Conquer a little fear
• Take a chance - like us and our blog
• Be creative - change something small about your room, splatter paint, anything!
• Try a new sport or activity- like zumba or swimming
• Random act of kindness- whether you empty the dishwasher or compliment someone on instagram, this is another really rewarding one!
• Learn a new musical Instrument or song
• Go Camping
• Make a summer smoothie
• Get a student card-trust me!
• Try a new fruit or veg
• Barbecue
• Volunteer/ charity work
• Water fight-a must!
• Have a card night with your friends
• Bake that thing you’ve wanted to try for ages.
• Get lost in a city and have an adventure day.

There you have it guys, hopefully these will deter any possibility of boredom over the summer! Don't forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter, @sunflowersandsp

Stay sparkling

Edel and Tess x