Beauty Blogger of the Week: AJ from AJmakeup

Apr 15, 2015

Make-up artist and blogger AJ Fitzsimons is our Beauty Blogger of the Week, and for good reason!

AJ's blog offers a great mix of beauty, style, health and fitness posts, all written in AJ's signature friendly style.

So whether you're looking for cosmetics reviews, clean-eating recipes or want to know what shop to head to for the best jeans for your shape, you'll find it all there.

We caught up with AJ to find out some of her beauty secrets… and to take a peek inside her make-up bag! Have a look at what she had to say…

1. What's your best budget beauty buy?
It has to be Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. I use the shade Fair and have about 2 or 3 of these on the go at all times – one in my handbag, makeup bag, and my beauty area! It has great coverage without being too heavy and it’s nice and creamy – and so cheap too at less than €6.

2. What's your top make-up tip?
Invest in your brows! You could have applied the most amazing face of makeup with the best of products but if your eyebrows don’t frame your face correctly or aren’t taken care of properly then it can really take away from the overall look. It's so important to maintain your brows, whether that means investing in products, getting long-term or regular treatments, or just spedning time reading blogs and YouTube tutorials! I’ve recently invested in Embrowdery which is a semi-permanent treatment. I posted about it on my blog and everyone loves it.

3. Do you have a favourite all-round beauty product?
Coconut Oil for sure. Not only for its endless multi-functional beauty uses (make-up remover, teeth whitener, hair treatment) but also to cook and bake with! My blog isn’t just fashion and beauty, but also clean eating tips and weight management. Coconut oil is a key ingredient and eating clean along with a regular intake of water has a very positive impact on your skin – making makeup application and all round beauty maintenance easier!

4. What's your earliest beauty memory?
I used to wash my hair every morning in the shower before school, until my Nanny told me it would wash away all the natural oils from my hair. I don’t exactly know how true that is, but I get complimented a lot on the length, condition and thickness of my hair and I’m pretty sure it’s down to the changes I made following her advice. Even hair professionals think I wear hair extensions!

5. Most girls have a signature scent – what's yours?
I wear Alien by Thierry Mugler for day wear, and Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf in the evenings if I’m headed anywhere.

6. What's in your make-up bag right now?
I recently posted a full listing of this on my blog – I have a huge make up bag that I drag around with me because I travel a lot so it takes me from a day to a night look for any situation. But some key products for my every day look at the moment would be:

– Stila One Step Illuminate
– IsaDora Nude Sensation Fluid Foundation
– Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
– Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
– Elf Cosmetics Undereye Setting Powder
– Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Alluring Rose
– The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer
– Rimmel Glam Eyes Liquid Liner
– LipGlam Lip Balm
– The Balm Lipstick in shade Mai Bills Be Paid
– The Balm Lipgloss in the shade Snap