HomeTagsPosts tagged with "beauty"

beauty

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If you're looking for a new go-to guide for all your beauty and fashion needs, then look no further than The Fashionista Observer. The lovely Róisín, the face behind the fantastic site, was kind enough to give us a sneak peek into her make-up bag and shared some top tips with us too!

This is a girl who can make up her entire face with just three beauty essentials and knows what lipstick can withstand multiple glasses of wine, so we'd be mad not to listen to what this beauty and fashion-obsessed girl has to say, right?

1. What is your best budget buy?

My best budget buy has to be the age-old Vaseline. With the winter truly setting in, my lips have been living off this stuff. You really can't beat it. 

2. What is your top make-up tip?

It's not so much a make-up tip, but I'm a serious preacher of having the perfect brows. About a year ago, I started going to Elysian Brows on South William Street every six to eight weeks and ever since then my whole face has changed. There's not enough to be said for a good brow threading 

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

For the daytime, mine has to be the simple but timeless Creme Cup by Mac. Then for the evening, you can't beat the Mac lip-pencil in Magenta. It's an incredible pink/purple shade that I use instead of lippy and it stays all night, no matter how many glasses of wine you drink!

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

When I was a young missy I was obsessed with Fantasy by Britney Spears. I smelt it recently and can't believe I managed to stick the sickly sweet scent, but I think I was ever so slightly sold by the hot pink diamanté bottle! Now I've traded up and can't seem to put down my Jo Malone Blush Suede and Peony. It costs a little bit more than Britney but it's definitely worth it. 

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

This is a horribly cruel question, and definitely not something I want to experience, but I'd have to pick my Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze to keep me tanned and double as a foundation.

Mac Please Me lipstick which I'd also double as a cream blusher .

Mac False Flash Mascara in brunette which I would also use as a liquid eyeliner.

Not the best made up face in the world but I'd make it work!

See, what we mean? This is a girl who knows a thing or two, so why not check out her blog for more fantastic advice and reviews!

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Department store beauty halls are filled with shiny, magic products guaranteed to make us look and feel like a million bucks, so why do these places sometimes bring us out in a cold sweat?

Is it the sheer number of products available? Is it the probing questions we should know the answers to, but don’t? Or is it the feeling that we’re still playing dress-up and the glammed-up beauty assistant will know we confuse primer and highlighter at least twice a week?

We’re not quite sure, but here are just some of the obstacles we’ve faced when trying to re-fill our beauty bags.

If any of the below sound familiar, then it's time to admit you might need a little help when re-stocking your make-up collection!

1) Even though you’ve been wearing the same shade of foundation for the last six years, you always, without fail, forget the shade at go-time.

“Can I get it in… the light…orange?”

Tip: Ask the assistant to make a note of your shade for next time or take a photo of your empty bottle before you hit the shops to avoid a deer-in-the-headlights situation.

2) In a bid to hide the fact you only started using a foundation brush last month, you bring it up in conversation almost immediately.

“So what about those foundation brushes, ey? I’ve been using one since I was five.”

Tip: Stop bluffing.

3) When asked what you expect from your mascara, you nod confidently and reveal your preference.

“It should definitely go on the eyes.”

Tip: There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to these types of questions, but try to have an answer prepared so you get the most bang for your buck. Volumising? Lengthening? The choice is yours, but do know what it is!

4) Forgetting whether you actually use pressed powder, you panic when asked about your preferred brand.

“Oh you know the one, the standard powder…for maximum pressness.”

Tip: Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t use a certain product. Maybe you don’t need it!

5) When asked if you normally go for a green-toned concealer, you burst out laughing, nudge the assistant and assume it’s some kind of in-joke.

“Oh of course I do, ya mad thing….ehm, wait. Green?"

Tip: Admit when you’re unsure about a certain product or beauty technique, the make-up assistants will be delighted to fill you in; it is their job, after all!

The make-up counter can be a scary, overwhelming place at times, especially when you've spent the day shopping and can barely remember how to apply mascara, let alone know what type of wand you normally go for.

But it's important to be confident in your purchases (You're the one who's going to be wearing them, after all) so tell the assistant you're a little lost or totally woeful when it comes to shades and tones, and allow them to guide you.

They want you to feel your best, so admit your make-up weakness and let them help!

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There is nothing quite as relaxing as a long, hot soak in the tub. It’s the perfect antidote to a stressful, tiring day and we all need to indulge more often!

If you’re more used to a quick shower every morning, then you’re really missing out on this stress-relieving treat.

Why not take some time to prepare a bubble bath for yourself and reap the benefits!

We almost always put more effort into experiences for someone else, than ourselves. So, imagine you’re trying to treat your friend or other half to a relaxing, pampering session, but instead provide yourself with all the lovely treats you’d provide them!

Atmosphere
If the bathroom is cold or all you can hear are creaky pipes above you, then chances are reality won’t live up to expectations.

Make sure your bathroom is nice and toasty before you take the plunge and try to have some relaxing sounds playing in the background. Our personal favourite is a little Enya, but hey, it’s up to you.

Candles
Candles are a really lovely touch when you want to relax and unwind. Dim lighting and strategically placed tea lights will go a long way towards relieving stress or tension and adding to the relaxing atmosphere you’ve worked so hard to create.

Just remember to blow them out once you leave the bathroom in search of your PJ’s!

Bath Cushion
These are a tiny touch that can make all the difference. Placing a small bath cushion, or even a rolled up towel, at the nape of your neck while you recline in your scented bubbles is heavenly.

Just be certain not to drift off and fall asleep!

Treatments
This is not the time for your weekly exfoliation or tan-removing regime, which as we all know is more work than anything else!

By all means, use scented bubble bath and apply some conditioning treatments to your skin allowing them to soak in as your relax, but don’t decide to use your bath-time has an opportunity to rid your feet of corns and calluses!

Towels
If you’re going to be getting out the tub after a luxurious soak only to graze yourself by rubbing at your skin with threadbare towels, then again, the experience won’t live up to much.

Have a small, soft towel laid out for yourself to step on and two fluffy, warm towels ready to wrap yourself in once you’re finally ready to get out.

Girls, why not take some time to treat yourself to an hour-long soak in the tub, then cosy up for the rest of the evening and plan your next pamper session!

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Hair salons are one of our favourite places. They're warm, they're inviting and the stylists are our pals.

They want us to look fab, they do their best to help and we generally leave feeling pretty great about ourselves.

Oh, here's another thing about salons- you have to answer a lot of questions when you get there. And we mean a lot.

Here are just ten that get asked in the space of one appointment.

1 “Are you going anywhere nice tonight?”

Alternative

“Ya off out?”

2 "So, have you been watching X Factor?"

Alternative

"What do you make of Strictly this year?"

3 "Have you been straightening?"

Translation

"Your hair feels like straw and I resent having to deal with it."

4 "Who cut your hair last?"

Translation

"This is butchered and I sure as hell didn’t do it."

5 "Ya all set for Christmas?"

Alternative

"Have you any holidays planned?"

6 "Have you been using a hair protectant?"

Translation

 "I told you last time to use it and you didn't, ya scamp."

7) "Are you panicking? Sure, I’m only taking the ends, I promise."

Translation

 "Will you relax your shoulders babes!"

8) "What are we doing with ya today?"

Translation

"I am going to sort that mess right out, hun, don't worry."

9) "Now, be sure to drop back in for a trim in a few weeks, won’t you?"

Translation

"Don’t let your hair get like that again."

10) "Do you want a spritz?"

Translation

"Take a spritz."

An appointment wouldn't be an appointment without them and we hope they never end! 

"Sorry, did you ask me something?"

 

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We all know it’s great when you’re flush and can afford to splash out on expensive brands and luxurious beauty treatments, but let’s face it that generally doesn’t happen on the daily.

We’ve all gone through periods (looong periods) of being broke, strapped for cash or frugal with our money, but that doesn’t mean we have to settle for less when it comes to our health and beauty regime.

Swapping some products for an alternative can make the world of difference to your purse, but most excitingly, may actually remain a permanent change even if you start splashing the cash again.

Some times the simplest options are the best, girls!

1) Swap brand name shaving foam for a cheap hair conditioner.

It does exactly the same job as the foam and when applied liberally leaves your legs feeling silky smooth.

Why shell out unnecessarily?

2) Swap make-up remover for coconut oil.

Can’t afford to splash out on expensive brands, but still rightfully demand top results for your skin? Just pick up some coconut oil from your local supermarket!

Experience the wonder!

3) Swap pretty ‘female’ razors for a basic male one.

They do the exact same job except you’re shelling out more money for a splash of pink!

Why bother?

4) Swap expensive hair treatments for ice cold water.

If you’re really searching for shine, then the cheapest and most efficient way of achieving this is to rinse your hair in cold water after you wash it. 

Healthy, glossy hair for nothing!

5) Swap female oriented tablets for gender neutral types.

Don’t feel pressurised into buying a certain types of tablets because they seem to be geared towards women; the standard brand will generally do the job just as well!

We’re no fools!

Girls, these little tweaks to your shopping list can make a huge difference in the long run and you never know, some of these swaps may not just suit your purse more, but may suit YOU and your body more.

Worth a try, right?

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Our beauty blogger of the week is the stunning Laura Finnegan of the fantastic beauty and lifestyle blog, Life, Laughs and Laura.

22-year-old Laura, who is a self-confessed beauty, fashion and fitness fanatic, eagerly shares her tips, advice and experiences with us, and we love her for it!

Life, Laughs and Laura is the perfect go-to guide for students or girls-on-a-budget as Laura knows all too well how important it is to be able to glam-up without breaking the bank.

The lovely Laura gave us a sneak peek into her make-up bag and revealed her personal faves and top tips.            

1. What is your best budget beauty buy?

The new Essence Hello Autumn Eyeshadow Palette's. I have really oily eyelids and these are the only budget eyeshadows that will last all day on me. The colours are amazing too!

 2. What is your top make-up tip?

Less is more! We all get those days when you wake up with the biggest of all spots on your face, but the less concealer you use, the better coverage you get. It sounds unbelievable, but it is true! If you layer on the concealer it makes it more obvious that you are trying to hide something. 

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

My favourite is from Seventeen in the shade "Just a Fling". I always hated nude lipsticks as they drain me out, but this is just the perfect nude. It gives some much needed moisture to my lips too and it lasts really well.

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

My first Perfume was from So.., a brand I've actually rediscovered recently and am loving, but at the moment my favourite perfume is between the Ted Baker "Mia" and the Suddenly "Diamonds" from Lidl – a dead dupe for Hugo Boss.

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

Tough!! OK…

Revlon ColourStay Foundation as it covers everything!

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder as I'm an oily skin gal.

L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara as I have the worst lashes in the world!

To hear more from Laura, be sure to check out her fantastic blog now!

 

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**Competition closed**
Winner: Jessica Banaghan

Competition time!

To be in with a chance of winning this fab winter skincare package simply follow us onInstagram!

You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for extra entries.

Good luck, and remember – sharing is caring!

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Getting your hair done should be a relaxing endeavour, right? You’re getting preened, you’re getting pampered and you’re leaving like a million bucks. What’s not to love? Well, a lot actually.

A trip to the salon can be nerve-wracking, stressful and downright scary and here are just a few reasons why.

1) You’ve spent twenty minutes on your make-up and now it’s sluicing down your cheeks, all courtesy of the over-enthusiastic fifteen-year-old trainee.

Thanks for that.

2) If you wear glasses, they’re quickly whipped off your face leaving you squinting and at the mercy of a woman with seriously large scissors.

Please be kind.

3) If you read the magazine you’re offered, you feel rude. If you don’t, you have to make awkward chit-chat.

No, I’m just not that into X Factor this year.

4) If you’re NOT going somewhere nice that night, you feel like a loser who’s going home to sit on the couch mournfully stroking her new beehive.

Ah, I might pop out for one, we’ll see.

5) You’re expected to maintain a light-hearted conversation over the sound of twelve blow driers.

SAY THAT AGAIN…OH SORRY, SAY THAT AGAIN?

6) Even if you’re with an old reliable, you can’t fully relax because you don’t know she won’t have an off-day.

Eyes on the prize, Alison.

7)  If you’re with a new person, silent panic attacks are completely justified.

Are you sure you know what you’re doing? Can I see your credentials?

8) Your ‘OMG, it’s exactly what I wanted' face is so good that you almost convince yourself sometimes. Sob.

My life is over.

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If you are ever looking for inspiration for cutting your hair, Lauren Conrad is your woman.

The star, who has always been known for those signature long blonde locks, has unveiled her stunning new bob in its full glory.

The fashion mogul teased us all last week as she posted a photo of herself holding a scissors to her hair, but saved the big reveal for a cute outfit post on her website.

We have to say, Lauren is the poster girl for the blonde bob. Gorgeous!

It seems the former star of The Hills was waiting until after her wedding to William Tell to begin her makeover, with the fashionista photo blogging her gradual move to shorter locks over recent weeks.

So what do you all think of it? Are you as in love as we are?

Pass the scissors!

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There are some beauty tools out there that have an unfair reputation for either being a waste of money or just plain useless and, unfortunately, foundation brushes happen to be one of these. We have no idea why, because this couldn't be further from the truth, ladies!

Foundation brushes are an essential part of your make-up bag and should be treated with the respect and awe they deserve!

Here are just five reasons these amazing brushes are essential, useful and just plain fab.

Cost effective!
You use a lot less product when you decide to apply with a brush.  A mere drop of foundation goes so much further than you’d think! We tend to be a little too liberal when applying with our fingers, but because the brush allows the product to be spread much further, you end up SAVING on your foundation! Result.

Smoother finish!
Foundation brushes are specially designed to glide over the skin allowing for a flawless finish. Our fingers don’t do quite the same job, which is why we sometimes end up with a tidemark around our jaw line or smudges near our hairline. Who needs that!

Less mess!
How often have you perfected your look, given yourself a major thumbs up in the mirror only to ruin your outfit with product-smeared fingers? Yeah, us too.  Using a brush, however, ensures that your hands stay product-free which is good news for you and your threads!

Soothing sensation!
OK, who doesn’t love the sensation of their hair being gently brushed by someone else? The sensation of applying foundation with a brush is not dissimilar! Treat yourself every morning with that soothing feeling! Mmmm.

More hygienic!
Whether we want to think about it or not, our hands aren’t exactly germ-free. So what happens when you use those hands to apply something to your face? Exactly. By washing your brushes regularly, (approximately every 2 to 3 weeks) you’ll avoid spreading germs and bacteria across that gorgeous face of yours.

Once you start using a foundation brush, you won't know how you lived without one. Go treat yourself ASAP!

 

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We’re often told to step out our comfort zones and WE think that means ordering a different drink at the bar of a Saturday.  Make that a lime instead of a lemon, good sir.

We did NOT think they meant really challenge yourself, but it turns out they do. Damn.

So what better way to step out of your comfort zone and reap worthwhile results than as part of your daily beauty routine?

We’re not going to sugar-coat this one girls, we’re telling you to take a cold shower at least once a week and we’re doing it because we care.

Here are just five of the body parts that will thank you for your bravery.

Energy levels
OK, so when you step under that ice cold spray for the first time, you’ll tense up and your breathing will quicken. This deep breathing will cause a surge in your heart rate which leads to an increase in energy levels.

Who can actually afford to turn their back on a little energy boost and extra alertness of a Monday morning?

Hair
Warm (or our personal favourite, piping hot) showers dry out our hair. We know, it’s so unfair. We get into the shower specifically to tend to and treat our hair and the goddamn water is undoing all our good work!

Want to hear some good news? Cold water makes you hair extra shiny. Just sayin’.

Skin
Your body’s reaction to a quick burst of cold water means that your pores tighten and your skin is given an immediate overhaul, resulting in fresher, firmer looking skin.

Put down the loofah, and turn that dial to the left, ladies.

Fat
So there’s two type of fat; good and bad. Good is brown and bad is white. Still with us? OK, so the brown fat helps keep us warm therefore when we brave that icy torrent, our brown fat cells will work over time to increase our body temperature, thereby burning fat within our body.

Have a Yorkie when you step out, you deserve it.

Muscle 
Whether you’ve been slogging it out in the gym or you’re as tense as a turkey at Christmas with the office workload, your muscles will thank you for a blast of icy water. Those aches and pains you’ve been experiencing will be a thing of the past in no time.

Aaaaand flex!

If you can't bear the thought that your daily pamper session is going to be turned into what might seem like an initiation to a 1970's college fraternity, then how about easing yourself into it?

Try a thirty second blast of cold water at the end of your shower today, then increase it to sixty and before you know it, you'll have incorporated one full cold shower into your weekly routine.

Know why? Cos you're a champ!

 

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Hurrah! A doll has finally been released based on realistic body proportions and the public are DYING to get their hands on it!

The Lammily doll, which has also been called the ‘normal’ Barbie, is a true-to-life depiction of real life women and the quirks and features that help shape them.

Sporting tattoos, freckles, acne, stretch marks and even the ability to blush, this doll, now available to purchase online, is certainly a welcome change!

Motivated to see what a Barbie would like with average body proportions, graphic designer turned toymaker Nickolay Lamm set about designing her based on data and statistics from the Centres for Disease Control.

Commenting on the groundbreaking creation, Nickolay says: “I wanted to show reality is cool. I knew it was either going to bomb or blow up!”

Attempting (and succeeding!) to challenge beauty stereotypes, Nickolay has officially delivered the type of doll that should have been on the market for years!

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