The Lo Down - My Beautiful Struggle by Jordan Bone

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I was recently sent a book to review that was written by one of my favourite beauty bloggers, Jordan Bone. If you haven't heard of her you must be seriously living under a rock cause she's totally amazing. She has a YouTube channel that I watch so much, I love when a new video pops up in my feed.

For me Jordan is so inspirational, when she was 15 years old she was in a terrible car accident that left her paralysed from the chest down and shocked her into depression. Instead of giving in she was like a phoenix rising from the ashes, after a long recovery because of her love of makeup she started a YouTube channel and I along with all the rest of her subscribers are glad she did

I read her newly launched book in a couple of sittings and the story is so powerful and inspiring. I actually cried a tear reading some of it. To have come through so much in your teens is incredible. It makes me realise not to sweat the small stuff and get on with my life.

I love how Jordan compares chapters in her life to her makeup routine, it is such an uplifting book and it's definitely a must read. I'm so happy to see so many amazing bloggers doing well for themselves, it's well deserved.

Laura<3 

The Lo Down - My Life as a Blogger

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I've been blogging almost 6 years now and I love my little part of the internet lots. My blog as you all know by now is called All-Made-Up-21. I named it that as I like nothing more than being all made up and I started my blog when I was 21 years old which seems like a while ago now.

My life has changed alot since I started blogging, first off I've met some amazing people while blogging and I'm now happy to call them my good friends. I've also gotten lots of great opportunities like going to product launches, landing amazing internships and liasing with press officers.

I've gotten the opportunity to work in Market Match PR and The Fragrance Shop Head Office in Manchester. Both were wonderful experiences and I'd definitely recommend anyone to give it a go. I learnt alot during the weeks I work in both office.

I also enjoy going to events and meeting up with fellow bloggers and learning about new and exciting launches. Life couldn't be better right now, I think blogging has really helped me with my fight against mental health problems and for that I'll always be grateful. 

Lastly all of you readers mean the world to me. I'm glad you enjoy reading my blog and I hope you take something from it. If any of you ever want to start your own blog yourself, definitely feel free to contact me and I'll give you the best advice I can.

Laura<3

The Lo Down - About Face by Aisling McDermott & Laura Kennedy

Hey Guys and Dolls,

I'm a big reader I have so many books but I love beauty related books in particular. Most of my collection is made up of beauty books. Not only are they great to read but they also make amazing coffee table books. I can't wait to get my own apartment with my boyfriend Daragh.

A book I got a couple of Christmases ago was About Face by Aisling McDermott and Laura Kennedy. This book is basically described as the Smart Women's Guide to Beauty and it's so so good, I love it!If you don't recognise the authors names already you must be living under a rock this book is written by past Beaut.ie founder Aisling McDermott and Irish Times columnist Laura Kennedy who make a great combination with all their knowledge combined.

Like every great beauty book it's split into easy to ready sections e.g makeup, skincare etc. I love the imagery in this book it's so beautiful and all the pictures look really well. I think good pictures make a book for me to be honest. This book is huge, it has in and around 200 pages which means it's jam packed with lots of beauty tips and tricks, just what I wanted. It's just so informative.

About Face retails for €22.99 which I think is amazing value and you'll take so much from this book, I guarantee it. I'm definitely going to do more book reviews in the future as I really enjoy doing them.

Laura<3

All-Made-Up-21's First Birthday!

This time last year I started my blog, which makes All-Made-Up-21 officially 1 today. This whole year has seriously flown by, I don't know where the time has gone. I can still remember writing my first blog post, a review on Simple's Eye Makeup Remover Pen. I don't think I knew what I was doing back then as you can see from my early posts. Before I started my All-Made-Up-21, I use to read tonnes of blogs which remain my favourites today, you can check them out in the "Blogs I Love" section. Since I've started blogging I've met so many lovely bloggers (too many to mention but you know who you are), who have been incredibly lovely. When I'm talking to people and they say they read my blog I get so surprised, it's so nice. I've also discovered lots of new products during the year, so my bank balance is considerably lower now. I may do a post soon on products I love that I've discovered through blogging.

My first blog post ever! (Excuse the dodgy photo)

I can't thank you all enough for the amazing support over the past year, it's been great. I've been enjoying every minute blogging and I'm glad you like the posts too.

What type of posts would you like to see more of on All-Made-Up-21?

Laura<3

Thank You!!

Hey everyone!!

I hope you all are keeping well. I just thought I'd write a quick post to tell you how much your support means to me. I started this blog nearly 4 months ago it's so hard to believe. It doesn't feel that long at all as the time has really flown by. I started blogging cause I've always loved makeup and beauty products in general. I began reading beauty blogs last year and they looked like so much fun. I don't know why it took so long for me to start my own. One of the reasons, was that if I started one I definitely wanted to do regular posts. Last year I just didn't think I could do that with work and everything going on. That all changed in April this year.

I remember writing the first post I did back in April, it was a review on Simple Kind-To-Eyes Eye Makeup Remover Pen. Looking back on that post now, I can see how far my blog has come. My writing style has changed along the way. My blog is like my child and seeing how it has grown is pretty crazy lol.

I remember when I started blogging only my boyfriend knew. He was so supportive of it from the beginning. I know he gives it a read now and again. I thought this was so nice cause it's not something that you'd automatically think a guy would read. My family also know I have this wee blog, they wouldn't read it but they always ask how I'm getting on with it. I couldn't ask for more support from my family and friends.

Back to you girls, ever since I've started my blog you've all been nothing but supportive of my blog. It really means alot as I didn't know what to expect when I started blogging. You girls have given me so many helpful tips over the last few months and I thank you so much for it. I'm happy you enjoy reading my posts, there will be more coming soon. I just bought a replacement laptop so hopefully I can start doing more regular posts again.

Thanks again,

Laura<3

My first International Make Up Swap!!!!:):)

Hey Girlies,

I recently completed my first beauty swap which I've been so excited about. I did this swap with my friend Jenn Staz from the United States. Jenn's YouTube videos are so good, there's everything from hauls to inspired makeup tutorials and much more. ( If you haven't seen her website/youtube channel I shall link it below). She's been following my blog from the beginning and she is such a amazing girl and has been so supportive. This whole swap came about when we were chatting about different brands and I was telling her how we couldn't get certain ones in Ireland.

I recieved my package from Jenn on Tuesday. Girls, to say I was shocked by what she sent me is an understatement. I told Jenn before we did the swap that I'd never tried any ELF or NYX products and she sent me heaps to try out and some other goodies which I can't wait to show everyone. I was so overwhelmed with what Jenn sent me she has to be one of the most generous girls around. I hope to do another swap with her in the future.

The following are some pictures and swatches of the products she sent me!!:):)

ELF Summer Ready Super Glossy Lip Gloss Collection

Top Row- Mango Madness, CandleLight, Pink Lemonade

Bottom Row- Pink Kiss, Trendsetter

ELF Beautybook

Smoky Eye and Neutral Eye Collection



4 ELF Pigment Eyeshadows

Top Row- Naughty Noire, Innocent ivory

Bottom Row- Golden Goddess,  Passionate Purple

I can't wait to try out these eyeshadows I love all the colours:)

ELF Conditioning Lip Balms SPF15

LtoR- Peaceful Pink, Nice & Natural

I have been using these lip balms so much as I suffer with quite dry lips. I love Peaceful Pink its the perfect summer shade!!

ELF Summer Ready  48 piece Lip & Eye palette- Warm Collection

NYX Nude On Nude Natural Look Collection and  NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

All these shadows are so wearable and it's such a great size for my handbag!!!:)

ELF Matte Lip Colour in Coral, Avon Smooth Minerals Lip Gloss In Plumberry( I think the writing is a bit small) and Avon Moisturizing LipTreatment SPF15

LtoR-Avon Smooth Minerals Lipgloss, ELF Matte Lip Colour and NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil

Last but not least Jenn sent me this cute card with my package!! I love it!!!

I can't wait to try out all these amazing products. Thanks for taking part in this swap with me Jenn, you seriously seem to know exactly what I like:) You can also check out what I got for Jenn on her beauty channel.

I would definitely love to do another swap in the future as they are so much fun.

Have any of you girls taken part in a makeup swap before??

Laura<3

Jenn Staz Website- http://www.jennstaz.com/

Jenn Staz Beauty Channel- http://www.youtube.com/user/BellaPepper53

Amazon.com Book Haul!!

Something everyone knows about me is that I love reading...Ever since I can remember I always had my nose in a book and I have the fondest memories of going into bookshops when I was younger and whoever was with me at the time would always let me pick out a book to read!

Over the years I have read my fair share of good and bad books and have dipped into many different genres,Fantasy,Teen, Romance etc. All that I know is I've never really been been truly fixed on one genre alone and I don't choose one over the other the same applies to authors I have read. My collection at home consists of so many books by so many different authors . Even still when asked "What's my favourite author?" I still can never stick to one alone. Is this the case with other people too?

So when it comes to ordering books online I always come out with a mix matched bundle of books even my Dad, who got me into reading laughs everytime when he sees the list of books I come into the room with after browsing Amazon.com.

Here are the books I picked up this time...Have you read any of them?

"13 Little Blue Envelopes" is an adventure novel by Maureen Johnston. It's the first book in a two part series about seeing new sights in Europe. When I seen the sequal "The Last Little Blue Envelope" was released online I had to have it! If like me you enjoy a good travel story it's the perfect book to read. Maureen Johnston is a great American writer who is very accesible for teenagers and young adults. As it's the Summer, I think it's the best choice to read on holidays!

The first Private Novel was released when I was 16, since then I've been hooked on them. "Ominous" is the 13th book in the series so I'm really looking forward to reading it. I'd just feel if I didn't read it I'd be missing out on something as I've read so much of the series already.

Meg Cabot's "Abandon" was a random purchase I seen it was newly published online and I thought I'd give it go. I've read so many of her books already. I adored The Princess Diaries Series which I can remember reading repeatedly. I think every girl has read a book of hers a some point in their life!!!

I also ordered one more book Instyle Essential Beauty Secrets but I've unfortunately not received it as of yet but I shall keep you informed when I do get it. I bought this book cause I've seen such good reviews on other beauty blogs so I'm really looking forward for this one.

Is there any books that you have read lately that you recommend for summer reads??

Laura<3