Did you know that it was Mr. Max Factor that was responsible for transforming Marilyn Monroe into the woman she is revered as to this day. So how did he transform her from an ordinary girl into a glamour puss? Niamh Geaney went along to meet Max Factor's uber-talented Make-up Artist Lyndsey Cavanagh to find out what products we can use to achieve this Hollywood starlet look.
American colour company Pantone have announced Marsala to be 2015’s colour of the year. Pantone describe the deep burgundy colour as: “an earthy red wine that embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated earthiness.”
Needless to say, we are completely obsessed with this beautiful, rich colour and wanted to think of lots of ways to use it in our beauty and make-up routine.
It’s time to shake off the black and bring in Marsala for an easy and sophisticated update to your look.
Nails
Marsala is such an incredibly beautiful colour to use on your nails and easy to find too. Just look for what you would consider to be 'burgundy' or a red-based wine colour and you're there!
Hair
If you're feeling like you want to change up your hair colour, then Marsala is the perfect colour to choose. Sophisticated and trendy, this look will see you right through to summer.
Eyeshadow
It may seem like a daunting prospect to put a red colour on your eyelids, but this can actually work out beautifully. Use with gold to really make your eye make-up pop.
Lips
Dark lips are seriously on trend right now, and with some searching, you can find the perfect shade for your skin tone.
all images via Pinterest
NYX Cosmetics have taken the world by storm and their arrival in Ireland a few months ago has drawn serious attention from make-up lovers and beauty bloggers all over the country.
NYX blushers are a thing of serious beauty and can give you that healthy complexion and radiant glow that we all want leaving the house in the mornings! Or indeed, in the evenings…
However, many of us can be a little wary when it comes to using blush on our cheeks – where exactly should you apply it and what colour is best for your skin tone?
Now, NYX have shared some of their ultimate tips to ensure that you rock the blusher look:
NYX's blushers come in a range of colours and tones to suit everyone – our trouble is choosing just one!
Not feeling so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed? Then fake it! Niamh Geaney was joined in studio by Catrice to showcase their new Spring Summer collection. Make-up artist Sarah Lannigan also gives us a step-by-step run down on how to achieve that 'oh, I just woke up like this' look.
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.
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.
**Competition closed**
Winner: Hannah Ingle
Competition time!
To be in with a chance of winning this fab collection of NYX eye products, simply follow us on Instagram!
You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for extra entries.
Good luck, and remember – sharing is caring!
Rihanna loves to share every part of her life with her fans, and they certainly missed her when she got kicked off Instagram before returning a few months ago!
Now, the singer has shared some stunning make-up free selfies with her fans, from what looks like a behind-the-scenes shoot or video. Rihanna posted four photos of herself pulling some funny faces and wrote: “She bored.”
Not a speck of make-up can be spotted on the Barbadian singer’s face – in fact we’re not sure why she wears it at all! The singer is no doubt still recovering from her big night at the Diamond Ball she hosted recently, where massive stars such as Brad Pitt, Jimmy Kimmel and the Kardashians were in attendance. We wonder if she has forgiven Brad for his speech yet…
**Competition closed**
Winner: Lauren Featherston
Competition time!
To be in with a chance of winning this gorgeous selection of Essie nail polishes and Buff make-up bag essentials, 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!
Kaley Cuoco has reminded us once again just why we love her so much! This time, a hilarious before and after photo on Instagram reminded us that celebrities are just like us in the mornings, rejoice!
While Kaley looks stunning fresh-faced or on the red carpet, she took the time to remind her followers that she has a team to help her out, writing: “Thank god for my team” on the photo’s caption.
We can't imagine many other celebrities being able to laugh at themselves in this way and pull faces like Kaley, which is why it is so refreshing.
If you love her make-up look, her make-up artist, Jamie Greenberg records the day Kaley got her star on the walk of fame recently.
Jamie chats about the make-up she likes to use on Kaley as well as her hair before they hit the red carpet to get Kaley her star.
**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!
Not wearing make-up shouldn't be a big deal, thousands of women do it every day – so can we!
That doesn't mean it's always easy though *sob*
Here are the thoughts we have on those days we decide to go make-up free:
1. "Ugh, I should probably get up and put on some make-up…zzzz"
2. "Oh crap – I slept in! Ah, feck it, I'm confident enough to go bare faced. I am a naturally beautiful woman – you hear me world?!"
3. "See, this isn't so bad…oh my God, is that?! It is! Quick turn around he didn't see you, he didn't see you!"
4. "That guy on the LUAS is giving me really strange looks, does he think I look like an alien without mascara? I KNEW I looked weird with no mascara on. Dammit"
5. Girl in work: "Oh, are you ok? You look SO tired"
You: *Bursts into tears and runs into toilet*
Despite the ups and downs of the day, those extra few minutes in bed cannot and will not be underestimated. Zzzzzz….
Screw you make-up! You too, girl in work…
