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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!

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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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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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It’s easy to hate someone when they’ve wronged your friend, treated her badly or are just an out-and-out jackass. But it’s a lot harder to deal with negative feelings towards someone when you know deep down they probably don’t deserve it, but God, sometimes you just can’t help it!

Here’s the thing though ladies, whether you like it or not, if your friend's boyfriend has done nothing but treat her well, then it’s your duty to make an effort with him. Yes he may not be your perfect partner, but you’re not dating him, you just have to see the good in him!

Here are five quick tips for navigating this awkward situation.

Be honest with yourself
Do you truly dislike the new beau or are you unsettled by the change in dynamic? With every new relationship comes a slight shift in friend groups. Girlie Saturday nights, which were spent vegging in front of The X Factor, are now missing a key player who’s having a romantic dinner with her new man That can sting a little.

Is the boyfriend really the cause of your beef, or are you just missing your friend a little?

Make an effort
You love your friend and she loves him, so there’s bound to be SOME way that you and him can click. Remind yourself of the various things your friend finds so appealing about him and use them to get to know him better. He’ll appreciate the your intentions.

He brought her out to a new bar recently and she hasn’t stopped raving about it, why not ask him about it?

Do not badmouth him
No matter how you feel about the new man in her life, do not, under any circumstances, badmouth him for the sake of it. Put yourself in her position and imagine how you’d feel if you were head over heels and your friend was constantly snide. It would seriously hurt, right?

If your friend’s boyfriend’s genuinely doesn’t deserve your sarky comments, then zip the lip, ladies. PRONTO.

Include him in your plans
Do you dislike him or do you actually not know him? If you’ve been keeping him at a distance then chances are your initial feelings aren’t going to change much because you’re not letting them.  If you include him in your group plans, then you’ll slowly begin to make memories with him which could lead to a friendship or, if all else fails, gives you both something to chat about.

Next time your group is planning a wholesome day out , let him know and encourage him to come along! It may mean more to him and your friend than you think.

Remember, your friendship comes first!
If none of the above work and you recognise he’s a good guy, but you just can’t deal, don’t beat yourself up. 

Focus on your friendship and allow your friend to chat openly and easily about her relationship. Make sure she knows you appreciate how good he is to her and you'll be an ear if she ever needs it, but that doesn’t mean you and him have to bosom buddies. No big deal!

 

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Is there anything more frustrating than lying in bed for hours and hours waiting for sleep to come…and it just doesn't?

By the time you realise you’re tired, it’s almost time to get up and the stress of that means you will be up all night.

Here are some tips that might help you when you find you just can’t drop off.

We’ll have you in the land of nod in no time!

Exercise early
Studies show that it is best to work out at least three hours before you hit the leaba as it gives your body sufficient time settle down.

Keep it light
Gulping down a huge meal and a pint of coke isn’t going to help – at all. Keep those nighttime snacks light and limit any drinks to caffeine free to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.

Put it away
We know you peek at that phone before lights out – don’t lie! Well, here is a very good reason not to, especially if you have trouble sleeping anyway: the light coming from our phone/iPad/laptop screens stimulated daytime hormones, meaning your body winds itself back up.

Get sexy
Yes, you read that right – another amazing reason to get busy in the bedroom! As we all know, men love to drop off having sex – but the same goes for women too! So, if you have trouble sleeping, you know what to do…

Imagination
Use your imagination to help you drop off. Try to visualise yourself having the best sleep of your life and you may soon find yourself dropping off. 

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When you have to get some work done on your house, it can be a bit intimidating. We’ve all heard the horror stories about rogue tradespeople. To avoid falling victim to one of these dodgy dealers, here are some tips to follow:

Get a quote, not an estimation
While quotes are a fixed price, estimations are just a guess, which means they’re probably giving you a rounded down version of the actual cost. Don’t get a shock when the bill comes and it’s twice as much as what they said it would be – be vigilant about getting a quote instead, on paper!

Don’t use the guys that go door to door
If a guy comes knocking on your door offering to put in some double glazing for you, politely decline his offer. Usually, if a tradesperson is any good, they won’t need to knock around looking for work. This is your first warning sign!

Look for references
Ask the person doing the job for references, and call them up. You could even ask to see the job they did depending on what it was.

Ask friends for recommendations
If your friend has gotten work done on their house and they were happy with it, ask them who they got to do it. A bit of good old fashioned word of mouth is always a good way to go!

Ask about a warranty
Good tradespeople will come back and fix things if something goes wrong, because they are relying on your recommendation for future work. Make sure to ask about a warranty, and how they usually deal if something needs to be changed or fixed later on.

Get it in writing
Once you’ve decided on who you want to do the work, make sure to get the job in writing. Include how much the job is costing, payment methods, how long it’s going to take and whether or not you are paying for the materials used yourself. 

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In America, if you asked people if they felt they had to tip their hairdresser, you would be met with a resounding ‘yes’. In Ireland though, it’s not such a clear cut case.

We asked you, our loyal followers, whether or not you tip when you go to get your hair done, and it looks as though you’re a generous bunch as 84% of you said yes. But how much?

Most respondents said anything between €2 and €5 – but after speaking to hairdressers themselves, it looks as though Dublin hairdressers are more inclined to expect a tip, and a bigger one too, than their country counterparts.  

Hairdressers from Therapie Hair Couture said that they would usually receive a tip of about €10 from regular customers or €5 from newbies; a figure which split our office down the middle in terms of whether or not we felt €10 was too much. However, this did seem to be more than what other Dublin city hairdressers would expect. Apparently the majority of customers in Peter Marks, St. Stephen’s Green tip about €5, and another well-known city hairdresser said that they also expect to be tipped about €5 – not as much as what Therapie hairdressers are used to, but still more than their country counterparts.

Diva Hair Salon in Prosperous, Co. Kildare would usually get a tip of about 10% of the overall cost – which could work out to be a little or a lot depending on what you’re getting done – but Martin from Eden Hairdressing in Co. Waterford said that he never expects a tip and finds it embarrassing when people do it. He is a firm believer that if you’re paying money for a service, then you don’t need to add anything extra to the overall cost. However, he said customers usually round up the cost to include a tip, so if they spent €78 on a new do, they would give their hairdresser an even €80.

Another hairdresser from Co. Carlow said that only regular customers tip, and usually only one or two euro. Staff from hairdressing salon in Naas said the same.

So it looks as though people who don’t live in Dublin get a better deal when it comes to getting their locks tended to. Overall, if you’re unsure about how much money to give, between €2 and €5 is a safe amount for country gals, but nothing less than a fiver for city slickers!

At last, we know!

 

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If you’ve just moved into a new apartment or you’re simply redecorating a new one, freebie sites like Freecycle can be a great place to look for new stuff. Here are some tips on how use the sites so that you’ll find the best stuff – good luck!

Give as well as take
It’s considered good manners to put something up for offer on these kinds of sites before you grab something for yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything special, and it’s a good way of making space for new things too!

Use your imagination
While the desk being offered may look at bit worn around the edges right now, think about what you could do to make it look brand new again. A bit of upcycling is always fun!

Sign up to expensive areas
There’s a good chance people who are living in expensive areas have better quality things to give away! It may mean a bit of a drive for you to get there, but isn’t it worth it for a TV as big as your window?!

Sing up for the daily highlights email
If you don’t have the time to be scrolling through pages and pages of free stuff, then the daily highlights email can be really handy. Plus they pick out all the best stuff!

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Cool it down
If every now and again your computer freezes and then shuts itself down, it could be overheating. There are ways to help this such as investing in a cooling pad. These little gadgets plug into your computer. just like a USB. and keep it cool.

Delete, delete, delete
Every time you go online, your computer stores data from each webpage you visited so that the next time you go there, it won’t take as long to load. This data takes up a lot of space though and slows your computer down, so it’s good to delete your temporary files every now and again.

Keep running programs to a minimum
If you have several programs running at the same time, it uses up a lot of memory. Close down any programs you’re not using instead of leaving them open in the background – your computer will thank you.

More memory
If you open your Task Manager, click on Performance and then look under Physical Memory, you’ll see if the available space is low or not. If it is, you could probably do with investing in more RAM – this will speed up your computer no end.

Free your hard drive
The easiest way to speed up your computer is to delete programs you no longer use from your hard drive. You should have at least 5% capacity on your hard drive – if you don't, it's time to to a clean out!

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Contrary to belief, adult incontinence is not just for old people. In fact, according to A Quality of Life study, conducted by new Always Discreet, an astonishing one in three women in Europe over the age of 18 are affected by adult incontinence.  

Unfortunately, bladder problems aren't something most girls want to talk about with their friends and over half of those surveyed feel exhausted by a condition that many still feel they have to keep hidden from their partners, families and friends.

Always Discreet is a new range of liners, pads and pants specially designed for women with sensitive bladders. The liners and pads are thinner than the leading brand, while absorbing two times more than women may need and the pants provide up to 100% comfort and protection, giving women the confidence they deserve.

Here are some great tips from Dr Shirley McQuade of the Well Women Clinic for those who suffer from it, especially when they exercise.

  1. Make sure it is not a urinary tract infection. If you suddenly notice that you are experiencing urine leaks while you exercise or walk, talk to your GP to see if it is a urinary tract infection.
  2. Stay hydrated. Drinking too little can cause your urine to become over concentrated which in turn will irritate your bladder. Make sure you are drinking enough to stay hydrated but not too much that you need to urinate too often.
  3. Use the correct protection. Sanitary pads are not ideal for protecting against urinary leaks so pick up pads like New Always Discreet for Sensitive Bladders which are designed to absorb urine and are thin enough so that you won’t even know you are wearing them.
  4. Do pelvic floor muscle exercises. These exercises are not just for pregnant ladies and help to improve incontinence. Simply squeeze your rectum or vaginal muscles slowly for the count of three and relax to the count of three. Do fifteen exercises in one set and do three sets a day.
  5. Check your diet. Avoid eating spicy foods, citrus fruits, caffeine, and over drinking.
  6. Bladder training. This involves retaining your bladder to hold more and increase the times between going to the toilet. Start a bladder control spread sheet writing down dates and times and record how often you go to the toilet. Slowly increase it over a six week period until you are able to hold urine for longer. Your bladder can hold 400/500mls of urine.
  7. Make sure it is not a urinary tract infection. Book an appointment with your GP.
  8. If you are not successful after trying the above, contact a physiotherapist who specialises in incontinence in women. A specialist will also be able to see why your body is not responding to treatment.

Incontinence is not something to be ashamed of so make sure you get it sorted now. There is no point causing yourself suffering when there is plenty for you to do.

 

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Whether they’ve been together for months or years, we all know couples who have had their fair share of trials but still manage to get through it all stronger than ever.How do they do it? Well, here is what you need to do to be one of these cute forever couples:

Ask about their day
Simple niceties can go a long in a relationship.

Accept that you will fight
You won’t agree on everything but that doesn’t mean that every fight will be the be all and end all of your relationship.

Compromises
Relationships are partnerships and like many partnerships you will have to reach compromises on many things. Sometimes that means allowing him to watch a football match while your favourite programme is on, but hey, that’s what the record button is for.

Honesty
Honesty is key to ensuring a long lasting relationship, because despite what you think those fibs will come back to haunt you eventually.

Love each other unconditionally
Cheesy but true, sometimes it’s really that simple.

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Let's face it guys, packing for holidays or even a night away can be seriously stressful! So when we spotted this handy little video by DaveHax we just had to share it. Who's going to be trying this one the next time they have a night away planned? Watch the video above to see for yourself.

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