Lisa at ClearSkin talks exclusively to SHEmazing! about blackheads

Jan 23, 2015

ClearSkin is a sister clinic of the renowned and highly successful Australian clinic Clearskincare Clinic founded by Dr. Phillipa McCaffery.

Since ClearSkin opened its doors it has become one of Ireland’s leading skin and laser clinics and treats a number of high profile clients in our clinic which is based in The Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin.

Not only do they offer the latest and most advanced non-surgical, image-enhancing treatments for both men and women but they also use and sell their own exclusive range of revolutionary Clear Skincare products.

Lisa at ClearSkin talks exclusively to SHEmazing! and tells us how to tackle blackheads.

For all the details and more information, contact ClearSkin.ie

Lisa at ClearSkin talks exclusively to SHEmazing! about hair removal

Jan 21, 2015

by Karen Bell

ClearSkin offer the most affordable and experienced laser hair removal service in Ireland.

Book your laser treatment with on of their highly trained professional therapists. ClearSkin use medical grade laser hair removal machines to ensure maximum results. Not only do they offer the most affordable prices but you can choose a time and a therapist that suits you.

If you’re tired of waxing or shaving, then make the switch and start laser hair removal today. Permanently reduce unwanted hair, remove ingrown hairs and enjoy the freedom and confidence of being hair free.

For all the details and more information, contact ClearSkin.ie

8 cult-classic beauty products for your make-up bag

Jan 19, 2015

by Amber Saunders

When something is recommended again and again and again, it becomes something of a cult-classic product. That means, of course, that everyone needs to have them. Here are our favourite cult-classic beauty-products you need for your make-up bag.

1. Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Éclat
This complexion highlighter has the magical powers of making any trace of a late night completely disappear in one click. If you want to glow – then this is for you!

2. Maybelline's Great Lash mascara
Advertised as America's favourite mascara and looking like it was definitely Kelly Kapowski's make-up bag essential – this mascara is affordable and effective.

3. Benefit's Benetint
This rose-coloured liquid is multi-functional excellence. Use it as a blush for that rosy-dew look or dab it on your lips for instant colour.

4. NARS blush in Orgasm
This may just be the world's most in-demand blusher shade. Use it on your cheeks for an instant lift and a very healthy glow. The blush is matte with shimmering elements to ensure you look your best.

5. L'Oreal's Elnett hairspray
This hairspray is definitely a cult-product and has been used to keep even the most famous of hairs in place for decades.

6. Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk foundation
If you're looking for a dewy glow from your foundation then this is for you! The Luminous Silk foundation has long been a staple at the GA counter – and with good reason!

7. Urban Decay's NAKED eyeshadow palette
This is the must-have eyeshadow palette over the last few years – and it's no surprise! With a huge amount of potential looks and a high-quality finish, this has become a firm favourite and has even been followed up with NAKED 2 and NAKED 3.

8. Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream
This is an all-rounder. Dry skin? Put some Eight Hour Cream on for instant relief. Same goes for lips.

S! TV BEAUTY: IsaDora is all about nude this season!

Jan 16, 2015

by Amber Saunders

IsaDora have just launched their Spring Summer collection and we are looking at nude heaven. Stripping back the glitter from winter, this season is more about enhancing your best features without going OTT. Niamh Geaney was invited along to meet Stephan Oien, international make-up artist with IsaDora to chat about the new collection and to create one super look step by step so we can easily create it at home.

Shaving tips for ultra smooth legs every time

Jan 15, 2015

by Amber Saunders

Shaving can be the biggest chore EVER. You miss spots you can’t see, your skin can get irritated and you realise at the last moment your razor is rusty and unusable – gah!

Here are some shaving hacks that will make shaving your legs easier and leave you with soft, smooth skin every time.

1. Skip the shaving cream and grab your hair conditioner or baby oil
Many of you may already be aware that using hair conditioner to shave your legs will leave you with super smooth legs at half the price. For those who didn’t know, you need to get on this! Using baby oil is said to make smoothness last even longer.

2. Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate
It may seem like a lot of effort to exfoliate your legs before you even get around to shaving them, but it will be worth it in the long run. Exfoliating your legs will ensure you avoid any unwanted ingrown hairs as well as decreasing the risk of cutting yourself.

3. Double shave
If you have a bit more time on your hands – then this is the tip for you. This isn’t just a tip for any old Saturday night, this is for the weddings and weekends away on your calendar! In a bowl, mix olive oil and sugar, exfoliate your legs with it and then shave. Then, apply more and shave again. Also, do this somewhere you won’t slip on any oil if it accidentally gets anywhere.

4. Moisturise
The importance of moisturising before and after shaving cannot be overlooked. You can use oil or cream – just make sure you do it. Moisturising before shaving can prep the skin and help avoid ingrown hairs. Afterwards, you need to moisturise to ensure your skin doesn’t dry out.

5. Dealing with razor burn
Those red, bumpy marks on your skin after a shave can have you reaching for the tights. To avoid this in the first place, the key is to exfoliate and moisturise. But if it’s too late for that, try holding a warm, but not hot, facecloth on the area and then moisturise with a natural product, such as coconut oil.

Are you applying your perfume all wrong?

Jan 7, 2015

by Amber Saunders

Many of us out there will have been given perfume for Christmas while many lucky women already have their ‘signature scent’ chosen – but are we applying our perfume all wrong?

Do you spray your scent on one wrist and then rub it off the other one? All wrong apparently! Do you spray your perfume AFTER you get dressed? Wrong too!

So then, what is the right way to apply your scent and have it last? Here are some tips and advice!

Apply your perfume before you put on clothes or jewellery. Not only will the scent absorb into your skin rather than your clothes but you will minimise the risk of staining jewellery and clothes with the perfume.
Apply the perfume to your pulse points without rubbing motions: wrists, neck, inside elbow and the back of the knees. It’s advisable to choose two of the pulse points to spritz rather than becoming overpowered by the scent.
Your hair can be a great place to spritz some perfume as it is said it hold the scent quite well. However, if you have dry or brittle hair make sure not to overdo it.
Your perfume has an expiration date -about a year or so. If you notice a change in how the top notes smell, unfortunately it may be time to bin it. The shelf life of your scent may be altered by how it is stored so ensure it's not in direct sunlight for much of the day.

Use these tips and you will smell like heaven all day, every day – without making your co-workers choke!

Lisa at ClearSkin talks to SHEmazing! about the dreaded ‘muffin top’

Jan 5, 2015

by Karen Bell

ClearSkin is a skin and laser clinic which offers the best medical grade treatments that achieve real results. The clinic has helped thousands of women improve their skin, body and confidence with non-surgical cosmetic treatments that are safe and affordable.

Since opening its doors, ClearSkin has become one of Ireland’s leading skin and laser clinics and treats a number of high profile clients in their clinic which is based in The Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin.

Lisa at ClearSkin talks exclusively to SHEmazing! about the dreaded ‘muffin top’ and what you can do about it.

For all the details and more information, contact ClearSkin.ie

Beauty Blogger of the Week: Lauren Marie

Dec 23, 2014

by Amber Saunders

This week’s beauty blogger of the week is the fabulous Lauren, the face behind beauty site Make Up By Lauren Marie.

Freelance make-up artist and self-confessed cosmetic addict, Lauren, has her finger on the pulse and knows what’s what in the world of make-up and beauty.

We caught with this lovely lady to chat about the contents of her own beauty bag as well as getting a sneak peek into her must-haves and schooled on her top tips!

1. What is your best budget beauty buy?

My favourite beauty buy at the moment are the new NYC BB Beautifying Blushable Cream Sticks. These are little tubes of cream blush that go on super smooth, but have a powder finish, so they stick around all day. They are under €4 and I cannot get enough of them. My favourite shade is 'Never Sleeping Pink' which is a vibrant pink-coral that I think would look amazing in the hotter months….which I know is a rare sight in Ireland.

2. What is your top make-up tip?

My biggest one is to always wear sunscreen, seems like such a simple tip, but you would be surprised how many of us skip this step in our beauty regime. I have acne prone skin and wearing sunscreen everyday has helped my acne scarring massively. Also the other benefits are that the skin is protected from the sun’s rays which means younger looking skin, which is what we all want right? Other than that I always say get your foundation or base right and you’re good to go!

3. Most girls have a much-loved lipstick – what's yours?

This is a tough question as I am a self-confessed lipaholic! Narrowing a favourite down to just one is like trying to pick your favourite child- OK, slightly dramatic!- but I would have to choose Mac Syrup, this is a lipstick that I think every girl should own. It’s a muted mauve shade that is so flattering and so easy to wear, which makes it a perfect everyday colour. The formula is really nice and moisturising and I just love everything about that lipstick.

4. What was your very first perfume and what are you currently wearing?

My very first perfume was Ralph by Ralph Lauren. It was in this small blue bottle. I remember receiving it for Christmas off my parents and feeling so grown up wearing it. At the moment I am wearing Lancome La Vie Est Belle and Giorgio Armani Si and for a budget buy I love Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Enchanted.

5. You're only allowed to use three make-up products for the rest of your life… what are they?

This would have to be Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer as it covers everything and looks super natural. As I have super straight lashes I would need a mascara and it would need to be waterproof so Maybelline Big Eyes or Falsies would be my pick and of course as a lip addict I would need a lipstick, so something bright and bold to make up for the lack of other make-up on my face!

To hear more from Lauren, be sure to check out her wonderful blog now! You can also follow Lauren on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Your beauty regime: HIS thoughts on the whole process

Dec 22, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Normally, we’re too preoccupied going through the motions of our daily beauty routine to wonder what they must look like to someone else.

You’ve seen that open-mouthed squint you do when applying your mascara for the last ten or fifteen years, so to you it’s no biggie. That awkward stance you make when applying moisturiser to those hard to reach places is standard procedure and you think nothing of it, right?

Well, spare a thought for our boyfriends who often watch us go through this rigmarole and wonder what in the HELL we’re doing.

Eyebrow maintenance

They understand tweezing.

What they don’t understand is why you spent the last ten minutes removing unwanted hair only to begin drawing it back on with that pencil and weird looking gel.

Lip care

Oh , they understand lipstick application, alright.

What they don’t understand is why you’ve perfected your pout, only to put a piece of tissue between your lips and leave all your good work on his Kleenex.

Exfoliation and fake tanning

They understand showering and exfoliating. (Well, the last one’s a bit of a grey area.)

What they don’t understand is why you emerge from the shower squeaky clean, only to begin slathering yourself in brown muck.

French manicure

They understand a jazzy red or eye-catching purple shade. (They’re modern men after all and who doesn’t like a hand with a bit of attitude?)

What they don’t understand is why you would pay money to have your nails painted in the exact colour they already are.

Foundation application

They understand the need for concealer.

What they don’t understand is why you would spend fifteen minutes brushing liquid skin onto your already flawless skin.

My God girls, do they have a point?!

Make Up For Ever has just made present buying very simple!

Dec 19, 2014

by Amber Saunders

If you’re still stressing over what to buy the beauty lover in your life, then fear not, we have the perfect selection of gifts for you to choose from!

Make Up For Ever, one of our favourite brands, has really upped the ante in the beauty stakes this year and has a range of products to suit all budgets.

Whether it's a big present or just a small stocking filler you're after, Make Up For Ever is the place to go!

Just check out these three top buys!

Make Up For Ever Beauty Kit
€37

The Make Up For Ever Beauty Kit is an absolute must-have for any self-respecting cosmetic lover out there, so why not show you know what’s up by picking one up this weekend! The kit includes everything a girl would need to glam up this Christmas, from powders and primers to lip and eye pencils!

24 Colour Palette
€50

If your beauty obsessed friend is particular about her tones, shades and textures (and why wouldn’t she be?!) then why not show you really care by customising a set of eye shadows and blushers for her with their 24 Colour Palette? Think of the fun you’ll have choosing!

Dany's Pouch
€34

Any beauty lover worth their salt knows that the perfect look often comes down to the perfect set of tools, so if you know she’s got more brushes than blushers, why not splash out on a Dany’s Pouch! This compact pouch is practical, functional and its sleek case makes a very chic addition to any girl's dressing table.

Disappointed you’ve already done all your Christmas shopping and have no one left to buy for? Why not go ahead and treat yourself in that case?!

That’s what we’ll be doing!

5 truly bizarre beauty rituals you need to know about!

Dec 19, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Our parents and boyfriends might think we’re cray-cray when we spend approximately 37 minutes trying to nail down the perfect flick in our winged eyeliner, but they haven’t seen nothin’ if they think that beauty regime is unusual.

Here are just five of the most bizarre beauty rituals from around the globe.

Snail face: China

When people in a snail farm in China realised that their hands were super-smooth and oh-so-soft, the clever kids put two and two together and decided that the snail secretions might just have something to do with it.

These snail secretions are now used in gels, creams and anti-aging cosmetics.

Bum facial: United States

We’re no stranger to a facial or two (OK, fine, we get one once a year when our wallets allow), but some girls don’t just stop at facials which tends to their T- zone.

Bum facials are no big deal, especially in the States. The treatment involves a therapist cleansing, exfoliating, massaging and moisturising…your arse.

Bull barnet: Great Britain

Hari’s Salon in London used to offer a particular treatment to tame client’s frizzy or unmanageable hair. The treatment didn’t involve any old hair masque either, oh no. This luxurious treatment, girls, included the use of bull’s semen.

We’ll stick to a straightener when we need to tame our frizz, we think.

Vampire facial: United States

This gory facial involves drawing blood from the face and then re-injecting it into the skin after it’s been separated into platelets.

Why not just keep it all in there to begin with?!

Bird poo facials: Japan

The clue is in the name, ladies. The treatment involves using a powder on the face which contains songbird poo, a substance which is said to be rich in amino acids.

You’re grand. We’ll just stick to our 1.99 facewipes, thanks.

Show this list to the next person who dares question your pampering process.

Here’s your DIY route to thick, luscious locks!

Dec 18, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Some girls were fortunate enough to be born with a head of thick hair which they can curl, straighten and play with to their heart’s content.

Many of the rest of us, however, were not blessed in this department and have spent more time than we ever thought possible fantasising about having a mane of hair that makes heads turn on the daily.

If you’ve resigned yourself to the notion that you will never have a head of enviable hair, then now is the time to wise-up and realise that thick luscious locks are definitely within your reach!

All you need to do is school yourself on these DIY tips and tricks!

DIY Trick #1

Don’t wash your hair too frequently!

Each time we wash our hair, we damage our hair’s natural nutrients which makes our barnet weak and brittle. So this is something we definitely need to avoid on our quest for thick, luscious locks!

DIY Trick #2

Beat one or two eggs, apply it to wet hair, allow it to settle for approximately 30 minutes and then wash it out with shampoo and warm water.

This protein treatment can be applied once a week and will promote strong, thick hair growth!

DIY Trick #3

Apply Aloe Vera gel to your scalp and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before washing out with warm water.

This treatment can be carried out once or twice a week and the moisturising quality of the aloe vera will have a fantastic effect on your scalp which will, in turn, lead to stronger, thicker hair.

DIY Trick #4

Apply an avocado hair mask once a week by mixing one mashed avocado with a tablespoon of olive oil and allowing it to sit on your hair for approximately 30 minutes, before rinsing it out and shampooing.

The vitamin E in the avocado has a positive overall effect on the hair shaft which is exactly what we want, right?

DIY Trick #5

Step away from the straightener, ladies!

We know how damaging these appliances can be, so if you’re serious about strengthening your hair then it’s vital you minimise your use of these tools. Sorry girls, but that’s the bottom line!

Hoping to wake up with long, thick locks isn’t enough. We really need to be proactive about our hair care if we truly want a bangin' barnet!

These five tips will do wonders for the overall health of your hair, so why not try one today!