Posted on 13 March 2010. Tags: Accessories, Alexander McQueen, Bags
What right thinking girl would not dream of having a Alexander McQueen bag in her wardrobe? Ok, so the price tag can be off putting, well read on… On Saturday 6th of April there is the chance that you can pick one up (and there is only one!) and all for a good cause too.
On that day The Irish Cancer Society shop on Camden Street, Dublin will be selling this ‘ELVIE’ patent pebble tote bag – complete with a certificate of authenticity. It is bright purple with mock croc-embossed patent leather which has beautiful soft pleat detailing and a turn lock clasp – just pure gorgeous! This bag retails in New York for than $2000 and the Irish Cancer Society are expecting it to retail at €1000. (Having said that check out net-a-porter where it has been reduced!) Yes it’s still pricey but would be a fantastic discount for what it would cost in a department store, if you could even manage to find one! Alexander McQueen pieces are even more treasured now since his death last month. So raid the piggy bank and you know where to head on April 6th – 69 Lower Camden Street Dublin.
Posted in Fashion
Posted on 08 March 2010. Tags: Dundrum Town Centre, Events, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Perfume
Are you a big perfume addict will piles of bottles stacked in your bathroom? Do you fancy learning a little more about your perfume? Well then, Harvey Nichols in Dundrum is the place to be tomorrow evening (March 9th) at 7pm.
The world’s only ‘professeur de parfums’ Roja Dove, will be sharing his vast knowledge about perfumes giving you the opportunity to learn all you ever wanted to know about your perfume. He will also be promoting his book ‘The Essence of Perfume’ – a great gift idea for the mother that has everything including a healthy perfume collection! This book is so informative for all of you who have any interest on the subject of fragrance. Dove has also created a Haute Parfumerie in Harrods, one of World’s most famous department stores. Tickets are €10 which also includes a glass of bubbly and are redeemable against a purchase, we love ‘redeemable’ deposits and tickets. If you are feeling flush you can purchase a VIP ticket at €35 which will include a three course menu – we presume of food and not perfume! It sounds like an interesting evening and something different so if you go let us know how you get on and enjoy…
Posted in Events
Posted on 06 March 2010. Tags: Beauty, Chanel, Cosmetics, Mivala, Nails, Trends
This is a little gem if you are looking for a neutral nail polish with a bit of umph!! The darker neutral shades of polish can be hard to wear but if you want a shade that will go with just about anything this is it!
The secret from this Chanel product is that they have added a Lavender undertone to the mix of grey/brown which has given it a wonderful warm lift. Chanel Particuliere (particular) Le Verins nail colour could be described as taupe or mushroom. Whatever way it’s described this colour is another in the latest trend – Nude! Nude for nails is as on trend as nude shades for your wardrobe. This colour was launched during Paris Fashion Week last October and is now filtering it’s way to everyday wear. Why not give it a go, at €20 it won’t break the bank. If that seems steep check out other high street brands, although I’ve already bought Mivala and their take is a greyer version with a high shine that doesn’t resemble Chanel’s version AT ALL!
It’s an alternative to the pastel shades that some of you may not feel comfortable wearing. See our previous post on pastel nail colours. Chanel’s Spring 2010 nail polish colours – Particulière, Tendresse and Inattendu are pictured below. Happy painting ‘au natural’!
Posted in Cosmetics
Posted on 13 November 2009.
VICHY LIFTACTIV RETINOL HA Total anti-wrinkle renovating care. SPF 18 + UVA
I have used this product for four weeks now so here is my experience with it! Presented in a nice little tin (like a small aerosol can),with what they describe as a ‘mulitdirectional spray system’ but it is more a flexible spout, and takes a while to get the hang of and can be quite wasteful until you do. The tin comes in a box with directions for use and, on opening the box flat there are directions for a ‘Vichy developed 3 wrinkle minute massage’ to optimise wrinkle smoothing effectiveness.
The product itself is a light creamy texture and I personally would not like the perfume it gives off which, to my nose seems to have a citrus smell combined with a medicated cream. It claims to help ’3 types of Vichy identified wrinkles’,
1. Permanent: noticeable deeper grooves
2. Reversible dehydration lines: become more pronounced during the course of the day
3. Programmed: projected to appear
All sounding very technical! I religiously used this product every morning as directed on the box and am still waiting for the miracle to happen! Any line or wrinkle I had I still have and, I cannot say I notice any difference. I also found it too light a texture on my face as a moisturising product. On speaking with my beautician she informed me this could be as I’m of a ‘certain age’ and may need a heavy moisturiser, no offense was taken!
So in conclusion, this product is not for me and my wrinkles but, that may be as I’m a little further down the wrinkle route than what the product was intended for!
Posted in Beauty, Cosmetics
Posted on 26 October 2009.
Do you want to do your bit for the environment and working conditions in foreign climes? Well, toddle along to your nearest Warehouse store where you will find clothing items from their recycled farbic range, and they also do a great organic line. If that was not enough they have just launched the 100% Fairtrade cotton range as well. Great clothes and a clear conscience… what is keeping you, get shopping now!!
Here’s a taste of what’s available starting with the lace panel fairtrade cotton Angel top for €52. There are many dresses in this section, this recycled silk Batwing dress being one of my favourites at €84 and finally, the lace panel fairtrade cotton Angel Dress for an amazing €65! Well done Warehouse, here’s hoping other high street stores follow your lead.
Posted in Fashion
Posted on 26 October 2009. Tags: MAC
Looking for something different for your nails? Well, turn them all green with envy and try MAC‘s new Peppermint Patti (12.50e). If you are looking for an excuse to take a trip to London you could treat yourself to the Chanel Jade in green from their new Jade nail collection (£19.00), which is not available in Ireland as yet, although you can purchase it on-line!
The Jade Collection was created by Peter Philips of Chanel make up. If you are not brave enough to go the ‘Green’ route there is a lovely new shade from the ESSIE Autumn colour collection called Chinchilly (12.00e), which is actually a muted grey shade.
Which ever you decide on do not forget to apply your base coat to begin with and, whether you go green or grey or anywhere in between finish off with your top coat for that professional look! Happy painting!
Posted in Beauty, Cosmetics
Posted on 21 August 2009. Tags: Beauty
This September Paul Costelloe, yes THAT Paul Costelloe, is launching his first ever jewellery collection! This collection will comprise of thirty pieces and he is naming it THE MERRION.
Most of the pieces will be in silver and crystal with a nice colour combination of greys, blacks, creams and even a bit of pink! As with a lot of his lovely clothes designs it will have that elegant and understated look. You will recognise his unique fox logo engraved on each piece and has been hallmarked in Dublin. You will be able to find these beautiful pieces in about twentyfive retail outlets around Ireland including Bernard John which have five stores throughout the country. Prices start at ?149. The collection includes necklaces, pendants, bracelets, dress rings or earrings. So it’s something to look forward to!
Posted in Fashion
Posted on 20 August 2009. Tags: Designer, Vintage
For all you ‘fashionistas’ out there in Dublin 6 or indeed willing to travel to Rathgar, you just have to visit ‘BEUYS & BEUYS’. It only opened it’s doors in July and is owned by Mark and Fiona Cummins. They bring in some classy labels from abroad and indeed nearer home! Take for example Zoe Boomer, a Belfast designer but based in London, and stocked in BEUYS & BEUYS, you will find some of her gorgeous maxi dresses complete with Swarovski crystal straps. She also has a range of belts made from vintage fabrics which appeals to some of the celebs including Kate Moss!
From Denmark they bring in the Groa brand (left A/W ’09) which is beautifully designed with lovely fabrics and great attention to detail in the finish. To come to BEUYS & BEUYS this September are designs by Margaret Howell.
This boutique in the centre of Rathgar Village also stocks products, cologne, bags, stationary and something for both men and women. If you’ve left it to the last minute to pick up that birthday present it’s a good place to hit and is open seven days a week!
Posted in Fashion
Posted on 08 July 2009. Tags: La Roche-Posay, Product Reviews, Skin Care, Sun Care
Over the past number of weeks I have been using a selection of sun protection products from the LA ROCHE-POSAY range and I must say I am very impressed with each and every one of them. Let me start with the face product – ANTHELIOS EXTREME FLUID 50+ VERY HIGH PROTECTION. Extreme fluid it certainly is so be warned as to how thin a liquid this is but so nice and easy to apply to the face and neck area. Previous products I have used felt as though they dragged on my skin to apply as they were much thicker textures. I am very happy with the protection level it gives me. It is water resistant and is recommended for combination to oily skin types. (There are three other types for normal to dry skin, Tinted Cream SPF50+, Melt-in cream with fragrance 50+ or Melt-in cream 50+ and 30+) It is also available in both 40 & 20 SPF. It is recommended to apply cream thirty minutes before exposure to the sun and to reapply regularly there after and even though it is a water resistant product it is advisable to reapply after bathing.
For my lips and eye contour area I use the ANTHELIOS STICK SENSITIVE AREA SPF 50+ and I find this to be a nice moist product giving excellent protection. I particularly like this product because it is both fragrance and paraben free.
For the rest of my body I am using ANTHELIOS XL 50+ VERY HIGH PROTECTION SPRAY (pictured above left). Another fragrance and paraben free product with a spray action making it quick and easy to use. Again, I find this product absorbs quickly into the skin with no horrible white residue which, I have found to be the case with so many other high protection sun screen products. It’s almost a chalk consistency that absorbs straight in to the skin with no greasy residue. This spray should be applied thirty minutes before sun exposure and reapplied regularly.
Now next is a little product from LA ROCHE-POSAY that for me personally is just fantastic and I hope I can pass this on to any other ‘hot flush’ ladies that may be reading this!! It is EAU THERMALE (thermal spring water, left). What a simple product but what a life saver when you are feeling very hot and bothered, whether it be from the sun or ‘that stage of life’! I find it just wonderful and a quick spray on the face does wonders for cooling you down. This product is also suitable for children and with the only ingredient being water what could be safer!
In conclusion I am so happy to have discovered the wonderful selection of products from LA ROCHE-POSAY and, they have won me over with everything I have used so far! Now all I need is some sun…
Posted in Cosmetics
Posted on 16 June 2009. Tags: La Roche-Posay, Product Reviews, Skin Care, Sun Care
Well, it is not very often that I get excited about using a sun protection cream so here is a first for me! I really loved this product from the minute I first applied it to my face and neck. It has such a lovely flowing velvety feel and so easy to apply evenly. It is a non perfumed product which I particularly like. More importantly it is also non-comedogenic (doesn’t cause blackheads!).The packaging is straight forward and I must say I am very impressed with the very informative leaflet enclosed, especially useful to me was the explanation of the difference between UVB and UVF because, as often as I am told the difference I forget just as quickly!
Also, when purchasing this product look out for the very informative brochure LA ROCHE-POSAY have supplied to Chemists concerning ‘Sun Risk Prevention From Mole to Melanoma’. They are also making a donation of One Euro to the Irish Cancer Society when you buy any Anthelios Fluid Extreme 50+ range.
I love the fact that this cream is tinted and lucky for me the light colour of the tint suits my skin which is fair perfectly – so much so that I now use it as a ‘tinted foundation’ but, of course I reapply regularly during the day when outdoors. I have been using this product for three weeks now and find it is giving me excellent protection from the elements! It comes in a 50ml size tube, is water resisant and is targeted at ‘Sun intolerant skin’. So in conclusion all I can say is that I would highly recommend this Sun Protection cream… as it does exactly as it says ‘on the tin’! The recommended retail price for this product is €19.50.
Posted in Cosmetics
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