Eyebrows frame the face and are one of our most defining features.  Avoid unflattering shapes and over-plucked brows with this step by step guide from Ireland’s top make-up artist Zoë Clark.

To shape your eyes and get the perfect arch, use the following guidelines:

1.  The innermost point of your brow should be over the inside corner of your eye.

2.  The arch of your brow (its highest point) should occur over the outside of the iris, (the coloured part) of your eye.

3.  Your brow should end on a diagonal from the outside of your nose just past the outside of your eye.

4.  Filling in your eyebrows is an easy way to polish your look and frame your entire face.  The easiest and most foolproof method for filling in your eyebrows is to use a powder, as pencils can often look too harsh (unless you have no hair where a pencil with powder is most effective).

You can use either a specific brow powder set or use a matte eye shadow to get the same results.  Choose a shade that is one to two full shades lighter than your eyebrow hair, as using the same shade can result in a darker more unnatural result.  Using an angled brush dip your brush into the powder and tap off any excess.  Start at the widest part of the brow, near the nose, and use short, feathery strokes to apply the powder filling in any gaps.  Eyebrows are not identical so simply use more powder where needed to make them as symmetrical as possible.  If you feel that you’ve made a mistake, erase with a clean, dry cotton bud and begin again.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

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’!

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Date for your diary ladies, Friday 12th March – Mount Juliet, Image Magazine and Harvey Nichols are holding this Spring Salon Fashion Event at Mount Juliet.  The event is in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, featuring an exclusive salon-style showing of the Harvey Nichols Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Collection, as well as an opportunity to Shop the Show in the luxurious surroundings of the Mount Juliet House Presidential Suite.  It’s set to be an unmissable evening of fabulous fashion and beauty… Ooh la la, I’m there!

Fashionistas will have an opportunity to view the latest designs from the collections of Vivienne Westwood, Armani Collezioni, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Donna Karan, Sportmax, Alexander McQueen, D&G and Elie Tahari in the unique setting of the historic Mount Juliet House. Accessories will be key for 2010 and the Spring Salon will offer ladies a preview of pieces from Christian Louboutin, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga and Jimmy Choo. Harvey Nichols will also be previewing their exclusive range of DVF sunglasses in addition to Tom Ford, Chanel and Tiffany, while IMAGE magazine’s resident wardrobe mistress Triona McCarthy will share her style nous in an ultra-exclusive fashion workshop on the evening.

Guests will also have an exclusive opportunity to shop this season’s trends in fashion and beauty with expert advice from the Harvey Nichols team of Personal Shopping and beauty experts, and will be treated to hand massages and mini-facials, making this event the ultimate Spring Summer Treat.

The event starts at 6.30pm, tickets for the Mount Juliet Spring Salon Fashion Event, in association with IMAGE magazine and Harvey Nichols, cost €65pp. Fashion show starts at 8pm. Tickets include fashion show and after-party with music from DJ Poppy Lloyd, champagne reception, canapés, Harvey Nichols goody bag and access to the Shop the Show event in the Presidential Suite. Overnight accommodation in Mount Juliet House costs €94.50 pps and club house accommodation is available from €79.50 pps.

Please call Tracy Ryan on 086 0436490 to purchase your ticket. For further information on the Mount Juliet Spring Salon Fashion Event please log on to www.mountjuliet.ie/fashion.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

As we’ve said many times before your eyes are the focal point of your face.  Your eye brows are as if not more important because they can alter the look of your entire face which is not always a good thing!  If you don’t have your eye brows right you could be adding years to your age or your face can look harsh.  Go to a therapist that has been recommended or someone you trust when having your eye brows shaped.  If you are a DIY fan then here are some tips on how to get the right shape brow for your face.

First and foremost let us start by addressing the old wives tale of not removing hair from above the brow – rubbish!  Obviously you DO NOT want to get into changing the shape from above the brow but do take any strays that go outside the line of your brow, you’ll be amazed at how much cleaner they look even by only taking a couple.  If you have really dark hair and lots of it when you are having them shaped at a salon ask your therapist to take the strays up top too.  Some may be ‘old school’ and gasp at the suggestion but you only want THE STRAYS removed so tell her to relax, take a deep breath and do it, you are paying and they are your eye brows after all!

Now that we’ve cleared up that issue back to basics.  Don’t stand too close to the mirror, you have a better perspective if you stand back.  Purchase a good pair of tweezers.  Ruby are a good brand but everyone has a different opinion on what makes a good tweezer!  Make sure the lights are on (!) and your face is cleansed.  How do you know what to tweeze and from where?

Here’s what they teach at beauty college… Use an orange wood stick (wooden cuticle pusher!), and rest it against your nostril going upwards towards your forehead as shown by D in the diagram.  Remove any hair going in towards the nose/other eye.  Then look straight ahead and hold the orange stick to the outer edge of your pupil pointing upwards (E), this is where your arch should be at its highest point.  To find where the brow should finish hold the orange stick at your nostril going towards the outer corner of your eye (F) and that is your finish point.  Personally I think the brows look better on most people with a long finish.

You can use a brow pencil to lightly fill in different shapes to give you an idea of whether certain shapes suit you.  Bare in mind if you are retraining your eye brows it can take months for them to regrow, sometimes they never do!!  You’ll have a few weeks of dishevelled brows but trust me it WILL be worth it.  I’ve done this countless times with clients and taken years off them and they never go back to their old shape so persevere!  Just think what a brow shape did for Liz Hurley or Susan Boyle!

You’ve also got to take the shape of your face into account and whether you’ve a high or low forehead or wide set eyes.  Here’s a breakdown of what shape brows suit specific face shapes, something you should definitely consider before reshaping.

High Forehead – to create an illusion of a lower forehead the arch of the brow should be slightly elevated.

Low Forehead – to create an illusion of height to the forehead the arch should be as low as possible.

Square Face – the brow should have a wide and high arch to give an oval impression.

Round Face – arched brows will narrow your face shape.

Pear-shaped Face – eyebrows should be arched and extended at the outer corners to give extra width at the forehead.

Oblong Face – brows should be almost horizontal.

Wide Set Eyes – to make eyes appear closer leave the brows unplucked at the inner corners.  Left of D in the diagram.

Close Set Eyes – the eyes will appear wider if you pluck more from the inner corners (D) and extend the outer corner.

So, happy tweezing ladies.  If you’ve totally over tweezed for the last while just let them grow back without tweezing for a couple of weeks so you actually have something to work with and can start implementing your new shape.  Remembering in this case more is more!

See our previous posts on Make-up your eyes, Threading Hair Removal.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Seeing as we are in the midst of a recession we thought why not cheer you up each week with a spot of bargain hunting!  You can just sit back and relax, let us do the hunting and hopefully we’ll uncover some gems along the way.  If you know of any special offers that may be of interest let us know or post them in the comments box below.

We are going to be on the look out for anything from fashion, beauty, hair care, cosmetics, spas/salons, weekend breaks, dining… blah blah blah – you get the message.  So watch out for our weekly Bargain Bin post for up to date special offers.  As Mother’s Day is just over a week away it features a lot so that should take the hard work out of planning what to do for yours!

This week we  have a variety of lovelies to kick start us.

Cosmetics

Boots key offers until 23rd March:

Sanctuary – free Sanctuary Me time spa treats worth €15 when you spend €15 or more on Sanctuary Spa.

No7 gift with purchase worth €45 when you spend €30 or more on No7 – includes extreme length mascara, Mini P&P I, Mini Time Resisting Day cream, mini P&P eye cream for men, mini age defence cleansing balm, high shine lip gloss and mini eye shadow.

Saving of €15 on skincare (Roc,L’Oreal,Olay..), up to half price on Fragrance (Cerruti Femme,Davidoff Cool Water, Ghost..).

Save 1/3 on selected Extracts range and Soap & Glory range.

Visit Lancôme at Brown Thomas from Monday 15th February to Sunday 7th March to receive a complimentary gift. The ‘weekend away’ gift is worth €95 when you purchase 2 or more products one to be skincare.  Great if you are buying for Mother’s Day.

One hundred benefit lipsticks to be won every day on www.flake.ie.

Nosh

The 5 star Heritage Hotel in Killenard, Co. Laois are offering Afternoon Tea Buffet in their Ballroom which will take place on Sunday 14th March with first sitting at 2pm & second sitting at 3.45pm, serving sumptous delights & relaxing melodies from our resident pianist. Rates from €15.00 per person.

Pampering

At The Buff Day Spa, March Midweek Madness Spa Package! For only €75 you get: 30 Minute Stressbusting Back Massage, Dermalogica Buff Express Facial, Dermalogica Skin Rescue Kit (Worth €30), €20 Spa Voucher to use for your next visit to the Spa

Fashion

ASOS.com has reduced their delivery rates to Ireland. As of March 2nd, Standard Delivery to Ireland is only €2.99.

In Whitewater Shopping Centre Newbridge, The Debenhams new season spectacular is on from 3rd-6th March, with up to 25% off throughout the store and 10% off beauty and fragrance.

Newbridge Silverware in Newbridge Co. Kildare have been having a massive sale for the past week, with €70 off certain necklaces and massive discounts off other items.

www.meghanfabulous.com 30% off sale on sale items this week. Also, international shipping is free for orders over $150.

30% off these gorgeous little clutch bags, perfect for Spring/Summer! Also offering Buy one Get one Free on all gift sets which are perfect for Mothers Day! www.riomoda.com

Styletonic.ie offering free next day delivery for any orders over €100.

20% off at Coast for 2 days only.

Hair Care

For a limited time the Peter Mark Style Club Salon on South William Street, Dublin, are offering 20% off all salon services – www.styleclub.ie. 20% off all cut & colours nationwide all week.

www.hqhair.com are having an end of season sale with up to 50% off selected products such as Hairdo by Jessica Simpson & Ken Paves. 23 Inch Wavy Clip-In Extensions, were £69 now £34.50.

Getaways

Brook Lodge & Wells Spa.  €50 per person B&B or €80 per person B&B plus dinner.  Book a treatment at the spa and get one FREE!

Entertainment

Newbridge Greyhound Stauium are offering a 4 course meal, admission and racecard for €27.50 per person on Friday night, 5th March only. The same package cost €45 per person last year so this is a great reduction.

Celebrate with House of Fraser in Dundrum on Thursday 4th March and join their Alice in Wonderland themed birthday celebrations and enjoy many in store specials and events including meeting Graham Knuttel and Ken Boylan and champagne receptions…

Events

GLOW magazine has teamed up with EBS Building Society to bring the ladies of Ireland the ‘GLOW Feel Good Days’ roadshow.  There will be 800 goodie bags up for grabs at each event filled with beauty and skincare products.  There will also be 150 VIP goodie bags at each event for those who pre-register online for a Financial Health Check with the EBS.  FREE hair and beauty makeovers at each event.  For nationwide venue information see www.feelgooddays.ie.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Ok Ladies, you’ve overindulged at Christmas, you are now broke and won’t be paid until the end of the month and you are pretty much feeling down and dull!

Well here’s what I want you to do…..

Dig out all those Christmas pressies you got, put by a Saturday for yourself and pamper yourself to death!

Items required, although they can vary…. depending on just how generous Santa or your friends and relatives were…. new exfoliating scrub, bubble bath balls or oils, face mask, exfoliant mitt, rescue hair treatment, shower cap, obligatory blow up pillow for the bath, new body moisturisers, scented candle, new girly CD, hot water bottle covered with knitted jumper, new bathrobe, PJ’s and slippers, new girly DVD (preferable The Proposal!), pedi kit, new nail polish, new outfit including boots and to finish off a half eaten selection box, phone number for the local Chinese and bottle (or 2) of wine.

Items banned: Men and mobile phones!

So let’s get started:

1) Go run yourself a bath adding your bubble bath or oil and light your scented candle in the bathroom in a strategic place so you can watch it flicker and burn whilst in the bath.

2) Bring your CD player into the bathroom (being careful not to electrocute yourself in the process) and begin to play your new CD.

3) Hopefully your ‘blow up pillow’ is already inflated (we don’t want any unnecessary exercise), now get in and apply your new face mask and rub in your rescue hair treatment, then covering with your shower cap.  Relax and soak your troubles away for at least 20 minutes, adding hot water when needed, you don’t want to end up with a cold after your pampering session. The steam from the bath will have added benefits for your face mask and by putting the shower cap on over your hair treatment it keeps the heat in (it’s a much better tip than putting a towel on your head).

4) Using your new exfoliating scrub and mitt, rub away all those dead skin cells, making sure to really rub in a clockwise direction as this will get your blood circulating and fight against cellulite.

5) Rinse off your facial mask and also rinse your hair treatment out, put a towel on your head…. may as well pamper your hair today too and leave out the blow dryer.

6) When your CD has run its course and you feel well and truly relaxed, out you get and begin to rub in your new body cream (let’s hope your not allergic to it!).

7) On with your new PJ’s (if you’re like me and got a ‘onsie’ for Christmas all the better), dressing gown and slippers.

…………Blow out your candle…… I don’t want to be responsible for burning your house down!

9) Retreat to the couch and using your new nail kit, file your nails, rub in your cream and to finish apply your new polish…. which hopefully is something glamorous like Chanel or Dior… if not never mind, apply, leave to dry as you wait for the kettle to boil.

10) Fill your new hot water bottle with knitted cover, stick on your new DVD (as I said hopefully with Ryan Reynolds for an added eye candy treat!), curl up on couch and finish your half eaten selection box.

11) After your movie and followed by a snooze on the couch, ring the local Chinese and order your dins, open your bottle of wine… or 2 and relax for the rest of the night.

12) When you get up the next morning feeling refreshed and glamorise, put on your new outfit and boots and hit the January sales!

13) Repeat all of above if necessary…… remembering most importantly that you need another half eaten selection box!

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Q: Can you be too young to start an anti-ageing routine?

A: Yes, I think you can be too young to start an anti-ageing routine. Although everyone’s skin is different and there are many factors that contribute to how our skin’s age – the initial signs of ageing are expression lines. These can often occur from the late 20’s or early 30’s as a result of laughing, smiling and frowning. Usually between the ages of 20 and 25, cell renewal drops by up to 28% and your cells divide slower so that “glow” associated with youthful skin diminishes and reoccurs more slowly – but that doesn’t mean you need to start using an anti-ageing product. There are many products available on the market to restore a youthful glow!

Using anti-ageing products too early or products which are targeted at a more mature skin will not be of any benefit to you as the active ingredients are effective on the skin which they are targeted at. Depending on the active ingredients and the concentration of them in the product sometimes these ingredients can over stimulate the skin which they are not intended for and cause increased sensitivity.

The best time to start using anti-ageing products is when you as an individual feel that your skin looks ‘aged’ and you want to do something about it. It will depend on your skin type, genetics, your sun exposure, smoking history, and how well you have protected your skin from environmental assaults in the past. Prevention is always better than cure, UVA rays are the No1 cause of preventable skin ageing, so the most important thing anyone can do is wear UV protection daily.

Our ask the expert question has been answered today by La Roche-Posay‘s Training Manager, Janette Ryan.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

As you know we here at wow.ie are big fans of Chica Boutique and have covered them before in relation to last years X Factor and the lauch of their on-line boutique. Having impressed the stylists on the show so much last year they have decided to use them again this year. You may remember Miss Franks pinstripe monochrome look for Big Band Week, but did you notice their accessories!

All their bling was from Chica Boutique with Graziela choosing to wear their inverted stud crystal bangle, €159.99 and Shan opting for their black superdaisy bracelet €99.99 both pictured below. Chica are well known for kitting out celebrities and their prices aren’t that over the top so, check them out if you are looking for something a little different for this years Xmas party.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Green eyes – gold, bronze, grey, earthy tones, fleshy tones.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Chanel have just launched a limited edition ‘Classic Red’ Enthusiast Duo. Gwen Stefani, Ditta Von Teese and many more celebs have donned this strong colour of late. As they say at Chanel, ‘red makes a powerful statement on lips and fingertips’.

Red is indeed a true classic and one that can easily go wrong! We’ve asked our resident professionals for their tips on wearing this strong colour. One tip from our make-up artist is to avoid this colour if don’t have pearly whites! Apparently red lipstick can highlight any yellowing of your teeth, not a good look. Advice from the beauty pro – don’t forget to use a basecoat to avoid yellowing your nails and, use a good top coat to give it a glossy finish and to make it last longer.

Red lipstick is definitely one of those few colours you’d have to be confident to wear. The varnish is one I’d be willing to use, especially to brighten up the feet during winter. Old movie glamour hair would work so well with this Chanel duo.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend