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So summer is well and truly upon us and the weather forecast is set to be another scorcher this week.

With that in mind, it's important to get your look right when heading into town for the day or out for a night on the tiles. 

With summer hair, you want something easy and not too time consuming so you can give it a go in the office after work or even in your tent at a festival. 

Sometimes a bad hair day can really let down your whole outfit so we went looking for some easy summer hair trends.

1. The braid
Year in year out, this is a huge summer hair trend and it is even bigger this season. We have seen this style grace a lot of red carpets and we think it would be the perfect beach day look.

2. Beachy waves
This is definitely the easiest of the summer trends as it doesn't require much preparation time. You can either throw your hair in a plait the night before or lightly curl it with the wand before handing a minimal amount of hairspray. 

3. The half-up half-down 
We know you're thinking Ariana Grande, but we're thinking not quite as high! This style is so handy if you didn't have time to straighten or curl your hair as it just pulls it all back out of view. 

4. The wavy high pony
We take our inspiration for this one from our girl Chrissy Teigen. This is the perfect style for a summer night out if you can get it right. It just requires gently curling your hair, however it probably won't be possible for those of us with shorter hair. 

5. The messy top knot
This is the perfect I-spent-ages-making-it-look-like-I-didn't-spend-ages-doing-my-hair look…

6. The wavy long bob
This is the moment that long haired people get extremely jealous of those with short hair. The long bob has just become even more stunning with added waves and we are loving it! Oh… and Jessica Alba is literally queen of this style. 

 

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Finally, the sun is appearing from behind those nasty grey clouds. Hurray! Except we may be experiencing a mild panic at the thoughts of getting our summer wardrobes together.

Who can blame us? We spend the majority of our time bundled up in chunky knits and dragging our heels in welly boots.

The Irish summer is a pretty magical occurrence and to help you make the most of it, we rounded some stylish summer outfits to help you stay cool, calm and incredibly chic all summer long. Even if it does only last for a long weekend….

White T-Shirt and Skinny Jeans
Light weight fabrics will keep you cool, plus easy practical style is always a winner. Pair it with a sleek blazer in the evening to stay warm when the sun disappears and also to channel some model-off-duty vibes.

 

Striped Shirt and Cut-off Shorts
If you’re feeling brave enough to bare your legs then this is your go-to summer combo. Perfect for festivals with your favourite sunnies or if you’re finally making that long awaited trip to the beach. Don’t forget the bum-bag, making its fashion comeback, finally.

 

Lace Top and Black Shorts
Give the classic monochrome look a summer make-over and pair your favourite black shorts, or jeans or skirt, with a white lace top. Embrace the Boho style and choose flowing dramatic pieces and some laidback Boho waves for the ultimate summer look. Flower crowns optional, but recommended.

 

Fresh Florals
Pretty seasonal prints bring life to any outfit. Cheerful patterns with some bright colours are pretty much everywhere this season so you should have your pick of the bunch. Grab a panama hat to pair the must-have warm weather accessory with your favourite floral piece for serious summer style.

 

Summer Shoes
Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to sacrifice comfort in the name of fashion. Blisters be-gone! This year sees plenty of comfortable options out there with plenty of street-style icons pairing their summer looks with trendy runners. Comfort and style, winning combination for everyone.

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Summer is officially here which means it’s finally time to put our boots away and get those sandals on.

But after a long winter it’s safe to say that most of our feet probably aren’t in the best sandal-wearing shape.

Unfortunately, not all of us have the time or the money to pop off to the salon to get a pedicure every time our feet are feeling a bit dry or our nails are a bit chipped.

Instead, take a look at our guide on how to give yourself the perfect at-home pedicure.

1. Start your pedicure by removing the dead skin from the soles of your feet. The best way to do this is with a foot file when your feet are still dry.

2. Soak your feet in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes. Add a reviving foot soak to the water, which will help strengthen and whiten nails.

3. Rub your feet with a foot scrub before taking them out and drying them.

4. Use a cuticle stick to gently push back your cuticles.

5. Use a nail clippers to cut the top of your nails straight across. It is recommended to use a lot of little clips instead of one big one. One big one will make it easier for your nail to break.

6. With a nail file, file around the edges of your toenails to get rid of any pointed or sharp edges.

7. Use a rich foot lotion to gently massage your feet.

8. Using a damp cotton wool pad, wipe the lotion off your feet. Then apply your base coat to the nails.

9. When the base coat has dried, apply your polish. Follow this with a topcoat. 

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It's safe to say that most of us adore the sun. Although, living in Ireland, it’s not exactly like we see a lot of it.

Most of the year is spent complaining about the cold and eagerly anticipating summer’s arrival. This year that wait has seemed to go on for way, WAY too long.

But when the heat finally does come, there are a few side effects that our pasty Irish features take by SERIOUS surprise.

We’re talking sunburn, an outrageous amount of freckles, embarrassing sweating, and of course, frizzy hair.

For us frizzy hair sufferers, summer can be a challenging time, especially if you have gone on holidays to a humid country. So let’s take a look at some of the best tips to help keep our wispy hair at bay.

Choosing your shampoo and conditioner

Buy specialist de-frizzing shampoos and conditioners. Anti-frizz products are designed to help keep the natural moisture of your hair in, and to keep outside dampness out.

Dry your hair naturally

While this may be the last thing we frizzy haired folk want to hear, letting your hair dry naturally, or simply using a towel, will help keep the frizz away. If you must use a dryer, dry your hair downwards, keeping the cuticles flat. If possible, use an ionic hairdryer which will help break down the water molecules.

Avoid straighteners and too much styling

Heat damage is a big cause of frizzy hair. For a lot of us, that is a very unfortunate catch-22. Hairdryers and straighteners will dry out your hair, leaving the ends more likely to become brittle and frizzy. It is also recommended to avoid brushing your hair once it has dried. Try using your fingers instead to style your hair, to help avoid any unwanted extra frizz.

Get regular cuts

Split ends are one of the biggest culprits. It is recommended that we get our hair trimmed every six to ten weeks. Although, this will depend on the condition of your hair. It may be that if you use heated instruments on your hair, you will have to go for a trim more regularly. 

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After that miserable winter, we all want to embrace the summer season in any way we can. One of the best ways is to treat yourself to a fabulous fresh manicure. But, there’s nothing worse than looking down and finding your fresh new nails have vanished before the sun cream is even dried in. Lucky for you we’ve rounded up some tips to help you keep everything in place whether your jetting off to the guaranteed sunshine or just staying put.

Chose clothing wisely

We know it can take an engineering background to attempt to dress yourself when waiting for your polish to dry. To make things easier for yourself, and to keep your colour intact, just avoid clothing with zippers as they will cause your manicure to chip. Amy Ruiz, who is responsible for the nails of Reese Witherspoon says you can try wrap a rubber band through the top of your zipper so you don’t risk catching your nails and ruining all that hard work.

Settle on the right shape

We’re all pretty much addicted to our smartphones at this point. And that can have some bad side-effects for our nails. If you’re an Instagram addict or a texting machine, go for a nail shape with a more rounded edge. This will prevent it from chipping while you’re tapping away like a maniac. Ruiz also says that if you’re looking for a long-lasting manicure for the summer months she would opt for gel. She says “it's ideal for travel since you get 10 days to two weeks of non-chipping.”

Keep your nails protected on the sand

Sand is actually your manicure or pedicure’s worst enemy. The grains will scratch your colour off and leave it dull. Ruiz says that using some SPF will keep your topcoat intact by acting as a buffer and hydrating your nails. She says; "I find sprays contain more than one kind of alcohol that maybe drying to the skin or polish if sprayed in the sunlight." This is especially true for lighter shades so make sure you’ve got a good top coat on before adding the sun block.

Call in back-up

Try and keep those bright summer shades around for as long as possible by making sure you do a touch up. This is most important if you’ve spent all day in and out of the pool while on holidays. This is because the chlorine will cause your manicure to dry out so you need that extra coat to keep your colour from going astray.

Take care of your nails in the air

Jetting off some place fabulous this summer? Good for you, now just remember that airplane recycled air can be a nightmare for your nails. The skin around your nails will get dry mid-flight so make sure you have a good moisturiser in your carry-on, preferably one that’s got coconut or avocado oil. 

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Just in time for summer, Britney has got herself a new look… and we have to say we love it!

She posted a photo of her brand-new hairstyle with the caption “my new haircut” – and fans are going crazy for her shorter locks ever since.

 

My new haircut! ✂️

A photo posted by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on

Britney showcased the look while out and about shopping in LA earlier this week. She looked in great shape in a short black playsuit and wedges, showing off her long tanned legs.

Her hair is no longer long flowing and blonde, but now short with an added fringe.

Right now, Britney is taking a break from performing in Las Vegas at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. She is reported to be spending the majority of the summer season with her two kids.

There's also quality time with boyfriend, Charlie Ebersol, whom she is clearly head-over-heels for "he's really hot, too," Britney admitted. "Adorably hot." (awww) 

 

❤️ #BBMAs

A photo posted by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on

In an interview with People, the singer confessed that the 32-year-old is "refreshing to be around and really lighthearted." It also doesn't help that he's easy on the eyes.

Everything seems to be on track for the 33-year-old, and we think this hair make-over could encourage a few other celebs to do the same. After all, Britney's tresses have been the beginning of counrless trends in the Nineties and early 2000s.

Here's some of our fave…

When the star released her video for Hit Me Baby One More Time the pigtail-plaits hairstyle swept the globe.

This fringe and long layers look definitely took over from The Rachel in hairdressers worldwide in '99. 

We're fairly sure that Britney was responsible for the choppy layered look epidemic of '01 

There's no doubt that upon seeing this ridiculously long, straight and high pony tail was the moment girls took the iron to their hair in a bid to achieve the same result. 

And it's also possible that Britney was the inspiration for Irish dancing wigs.  

 

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Now going into its third year Groove Festival at Kilruddery House in Co. Wicklow is not one to be missed. Previous acts at the festival include UB40, Imelda May and David Gray.

So yup, they’ve definitely got all the music genres covered.

And this year the final line-up includes Christy Moore, Wallis Bird, and The Darkness as well as The Riptide Movement and local Wicklow group Wyvern Lingo, meaning the family-friendly weekend has plenty for every kind of music lover.

The main stage isn’t just where all the big acts will be either. The backdrop has two scenic features in the Wicklow Mountains and Kilruddery House itself. Perfect for that enviable cover photo to prove you’ve gone to at least one cool festival this year.

It’s not just music that the event has on offer. They’ve got plenty more activities planned to keep the crowds entertained. Outdoor Discovery are going to be providing attendees with a choice of Aqua Sphering, a climbing wall and a driving simulator.

If you fancy keeping your feet dry, skip the floating plastic zorbs and head over to the Safe Archery area for a bit of a challenge.

Camping at festivals generally isn’t the most glamorous activity but this venue is more than just massive fields. There’s plenty of walks surrounding the estate with water features and outdoor “rooms” to explore.

Plus, they’ve got special areas to keep kids entertained all weekend long. Wonderland Productions are on site to run 45 minute workshops that include storytelling and games with props and costumes. There’s also an Enchanted Garden that’s got yoga classes, magicians, face painting and clowns.

Tickets start at €49.50 plus a booking fee and children under 4-years-old go free. Check out more on the website here.

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With today set to be a serious scorcher, our prayers are finally being answered. Yes, it's official: a full week after the state exams kicked off, the Leaving Cert weather has arrived. However, we've just realised we will be in work all day (being a grown-up is the worst).

So we decided to do a round-up of things to do once you leave the office this evening. These are all free or cheap activities and mean you can benefit from the gorgeous day while still being home in time for the midweek-movie. 

  1. Pull a sickie

​You could always just not bother with work, it is after all, sickie season. And frankly, offices will be largely empty today anyway. So why not spend the whole day getting burnt to a crisp. A word of warning, however, returning to your place of employment tomorrow (illness magically vanished) resembling a beetroot in colour may arise serious suspicion about the authenticity of your day-off.

  1. Go to a beer garden

We know it’s a school night, but once the sun is out in Ireland, you have to make the most of it. After all, we just don’t know when we will be graced with its presence again. Head to a beer garden and treat yourself to a midweek pint or cocktail – or sparkling water if you don't do hungover Thursdays. Some of the capital's best beer gardens include House on Leeson Street, the Bernard Shaw on Richmond Street, Dicey's on Harcourt Street, the Living Room on Cathal Brugha Street, Gibneys of Malahide, Harry Byrnes in Clontarf, and Smyths in Ranelagh. 

  1. Read a book in Stephen’s Green

Stephen’s Green seems like it could be in a completely different country once the sun is shining. Grab a book (and a blanket if you don’t want to sit on the grass) and get yourself a spot to relax in while soaking up the last of the rays from the day. Get a 99 cone on the way to complete that summer vibe.

  1. Grab a bite on South William Street

Might be a bit on the pricey side in certain establishments, so catch one of the early bird menus instead. South William Street is paradise in the sun and with most restaurants having the option of sitting outside to enjoy your meal, it really is like being on your holidays. Alfies and Dakota both charge €20 for a decent feed if you're seated before 7pm.

  1. Get your exercise outdoors – 

If you’re going to be exercising anyway, why not do it outside where you can get some fresh air and get your dose of vitamin D? There are loads of parks and routes around the city that would be perfect for an evening jog, some coming with additional outdoor exercise machines. If you’re on the southside, Deerpark in Mount Merrion features some adult monkey bars, and for the Northsiders, along the seafront in Clontarf is dotted with equipment to help you work out.

  1. Head to the beach  

Here’s the upside to working all day: once you get to the beach in the evening, the mad rush is over. There will still be a few stragglers and no doubt a few teenagers having a sneaky can with their pals, but all-in-all, you will have skipped the madness of earlier – which is perfect for those wanting a stroll. Why not cook your dinner in advance, throw it in a lunch box and have a little picnic on the sand? It stays bright until 10pm now so you can definitely get a few hours in after work. 

 

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Every year without fail, you're going to be witness to one, if not all of the following Irish spectacles. We do love the sun, and it's not exactly an every day occurrence on our little island.

Needless to say once we get even the slightest notion that the summer sun is finally upon us we can go just a little bit over board.

Here's a list of the six signs summer has finally arrived:

1. Any excuse for an ice cream

Let’s be honest, even if the days are longer we all know that doesn’t mean those hours are any warmer than November. So with the temperatures likely to take a nose dive at any second, the minute the sun appears from behind the clouds, the line at your local shop is going to be out the door with people wanting to get their hands on the famous 99 cone.

 

2. That summer glow

You can’t blame us for getting over excited when people start mentioning double figure temperatures for the weekend. Between festivals and BBQs there’s always going to be one poor soul shuffling into the office Monday morning feeling a little warm after their outdoor excursions. When will we ever learn….

 

3. Festival photos everywhere

Logging onto Facebook during the summer months means you’re highly likely to be exposed to unending status updates and rain soaked selfies of your friends huddled in muddy fields having the best banter at any one of Ireland’s many, many music festivals. Ponchos are going to be on trend, get yours before it’s too late (and your hair is still half-way decent)!

 

4. The exam heat wave (still waiting)

Every year without fail, the first week of June is promised to be a scorcher. Of course we all want everyone to pass their exams with flying colours, but mostly we tend to be looking for any excuse to get our shorts out for the sunshine while the nation’s teens are being kept busy.

 

5. The summer body preparations

While we’re all for staying fit and healthy, this phrase is going to be heard loud and clear around the country. As the realisation that the time has almost come to bare our sun deprived bods on beaches all over the world sinks in, the challenge is on to feel our best in our new bikinis.

 

6. The packing struggle is real

And you thought summer holidays were all about being your most relaxed self, yes? No. It could be because our climate is known for being unreliable, and we live in fear of being caught without a brolly, but packing for our holidays is totally stressful.

Don’t even mention the added pressure of budget airlines and their luggage restrictions!

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Summer might have not arrived just yet, but we all know that when the heat-wave hits the last thing we want to worry about is our make-up taking for the hills. Hotter temperatures are known for causing our cosmetics to give us the slip but there's no need to worry.

We've got a list of the best tips to help you stay in control no matter how hot it gets!

 

    1. The two second spritz

Avoid your make-up melting off your face the second you walk out the door by applying a make-up setting spray after the application process. It only takes seconds to spritz yourself and trust us, it’s worth it.

2. Pick your primer

If you can bear to set that alarm a precious few minutes earlier for the sake of make-up, then you might as well add a primer to your routine. Ideal for the warmer weather primers help to keep your skin stay matte and fresh despite the extra heat and as a bonus will keep your slap in place longer. You can also dab some on your lids to keep those smoky eyes from turning to miserable fog.

3. Raid the presses

Don’t have any pricey primers knocking around at home? Not to worry. A pinch of milk of magnesia can help keep oily skin under control all day long.

   4. Do the criss-cross

No, it’s a not the latest dance move, sorry to get your hopes up. It’s actually how you should be applying your foundation to keep it looking streak free even if you can’t avoid the sweaty look. Also, while you’re in the rhythm, try not to drag your powder across your face. Instead opt for a dabbing motion to help keep things in place.

    5. Get on board with gel cosmetics

This goes for those all-important brows and your eyeliners. Wax-based products are going to stay in place no matter the amount of moisture in the air, so keep your pencils sharpened for the winter months and get some gel liner for the summer.

    6. Less is more

Layering up on eyeshadows is sure to be a disaster once the temperatures hit double digits. In order to avoid the dreaded panda eye look, apply a nude coloured eye pencil to your waterline to help your eyes look bigger without overdosing on the product.

    7. Liquid proof your lips

Try and go for cream based lipsticks that will be less likely to go all independent woman on you once the sun comes out. If you can bear to part with your trusted lippy all together, work a ‘Cupid’s bow’ by applying a little concealer to the centre of your top lip, and a dab of highlighter. Finish with your favourite lip balm and you’re good to go be your best Greek goddess inspired self.

   8. Double duty powders

 

If you really want to make sure your lips stay matte in the sun summer sun, you can always dab a little powder over them, either straight from the brush or dabbing with your fingertips.

9. Invest in blotting papers

Ditching the foundation for the summer months is a great plan and will definitely help to keep yourself looking less of a sweaty mess in the heat. But for those of us who need just a little something, BB creams are the next best thing. Unfortunately, they often leave you looking just a little too glowing. So grab some blotting papers to have on hand throughout the day to avoid any shiny complications.

   10. Super water-proof mascara

Nothing says epic fail like mascara tears running down your chin. Avoid looking an emotional mess and invest in an incredibly waterproof mascara that’s sure to stay in place even if you’re deep-sea diving.

   11. Perfect the goddess look

If you’re dying to achieve that dewy look, try adding a little highlighter to your foundation and sweeping it over your cheeks and collarbones for a definite beach babe look.

   12. Embrace the colours

Going for the less is more look can leave you feeling a little washed out when the sun goes behind the clouds. But is there a super strong lip colour you’ve been eyeing up? Or a shade of blusher you think might be a bit much in November? Go out and get it! Stronger pigments are going to last longer when the dreaded perspiration hits hard, so use this time wisely to go all out with your favourite shades.

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The dreaded Leaving Cert kicked off yesterday, with thousands of Irish students sweating as they sat down to that pink exam paper for the first time.

There's nothing quite like the sheer hell and stress of facing a week or more of state exams, and while it definitely won't be the best time of your life, we guarantee you will never forget it. Ever.

Here are a few feelings every LC student is bound to experience over the next while…

1. Smugness at home because you're mam's favourite this week
"Is there anything else you need, love?" Ah, music to your ears.

 

2. Ice cold fear that you'll forget everything you know as soon as you open the paper
So many formulas. So many diagrams. So many quotes. One tiny brain.

 

3. Hope that the stuff you have learnt will actually come up, for God's sake
John Montague, you beaut.

 

4. A mix of revulsion and awe when the person next to you asks for more pages
Have they really used them all already? Show off. *cries*

 

5. Suspicion when someone leaves the exam early
Are they really quick or did they just not know anything? 

 

6. Sheer terror when you hear the "beeeep" at the start of the Irish Aural
No one can save us now.

 

7. The stress of people analysing every question after the exam
They already KNOW they got the right answer or they wouldn't be asking. 

 

8. Feeling like a total badass when you manage to cram your learned-by-heart script into one of the essay questions
Take that, Irish language.

 

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When it came to weather, the June Bank Holiday definitely did NOT deliver.

Staying in because of rain can be fairly frustrating when you know it really should be summer weather by now. So, why not busy yourself with some baking (procrasti-baking in this case) and whip up some delicious deserts for you to snack away on during tonight's Netflix marathon?

We have two delicious strawberry based recipes that, combined with Avonmore’s new Summer Whipped Cream, will bring sunshine into your kitchen and make you forget about what is actually going on outside your window.

1. Strawberry Shortcakes with Summer Whipped Cream

Ingredients

For the shortcake you will need

  • 325g plain flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 5 tbsp. caster sugar
  • 125g unsalted butter (frozen)
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • 125ml Avonmore Fresh Cream
  • 1 large egg white (lightly beaten)

For the filling you will need:

  • Approx. 300g strawberries
  • 1 tbsp. caster sugar
  • Avonmore Summer Whipped Cream

Method

  1. Mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and 3 tbsps. of the sugar in a bowl. Grate the butter into these dry ingredients and use your fingertips to finish crumbling the butter into the flour.
  2. Whisk the egg into the fresh cream, and pour into the flour mixture a little at a time, using a fork to mix.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and roll gently to a thickness of about 2cm. Dip a 6 ½ cm round cutter in flour and cut out as many rounds as you can. Work the scraps back into a dough, re-roll and finish cutting out.
  4. Place the shortcakes about 2 ½ cm apart on a greased or lined baking sheet, brush the tops with the egg white, and sprinkle them with the remaining 2 tbsps. of caster sugar.
  5. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden-brown, and let them cool for a short while on a wire rack.
  6. Meanwhile, crush half the strawberries with the spoonful of sugar, and halve or quarter the remaining strawberries, depending on their size.
  7. The shortcakes should be eaten while still warm, so split each one across the middle and cover with a spoonful of the crushed strawberry mixture, a few halved or quartered strawberries, and then dollop on plenty of the Avonmore Summer Whipped Cream.

 

2. Knickerbocker Glory

Ingredients

  • Your favourite ice cream.
  • Strawberry jelly
  • Peaches, strawberries and raspberries – halved
  • Avonmore Summer Whipped Cream
  • Wafers
  • 10g Avonmore Butter
  • 50g brown sugar

Method

  1. Fry the peaches for one minute in the butter and sugar to make a coulis.
  2. Layer all ingredients into a tall glass.
  3. Pour the peach coulis over the sundae to finish.
  4. Add a wafer to decorate. 
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