New Nudes

Here's a thing; not all nude lipsticks are created equal. They may all look similar enough in the tube but they are not so when actually on the lip. Varying degrees of flesh tones, pink tones and warmer yellow tones set them apart. As a general rule the cooler and pinker they are the better they will suit us porcelain people and the more beige and warm they are, all the better for sallow ladies. Tread with caution though, as to choose the wrong one will leave you with yellow looking teeth. I have been using two new nudes lately and they are a good example of each.

The Rouge Dior lipstick by, yes, Dior in shade 298 - Beige Indecise is a beautifully luxurious product. It has a creamy texture with deep pigment so is long lasting. This is one of the warmer tones so is fantastic if you tend towards sallow. (even if you are winter pale now, judge it by whether you tan in the sun or not; if you do, this is a great shade for you)

Now to my personal favourite purely because I fall in the porcelain bracket ( aka half dead in winter) so the cooler, delicate pink undertone in Maybelline's Color Sensational lipstick in Rosewood Pearl is perfect for me. Don't worry, it's not a pink, it's definitely a nude, but much easier to wear than the warmer toned shades that just make pale people look as though they have smeared foundation over their lips and left it there!

I will be rocking this lipstick with a metallic navy eye shadow for the upcoming IFTA's next week. Fun!

A Crush On Bob

I just love this shot. This is what my bob wants to look like when it grows up!

(image via apartment 34 )

It's a New Dawn, It's a New Day

...and it's Spring! Finally, winter is officially over. I know we won't be basking in the sun any time soon but the season has officially changed so we can look forward to brighter days. If you squish your eyes closed really tight, can you see the Summer?! It's on the way, slowly but surely...

This beautiful photo of Dalkey Island was taken at dawn yesterday by John Fahy. It's just a couple of minutes from my house and one of my favourite views of all time.

Enjoy today my dears, Spring has sprung!

A Perfect Pair

Today my lips are dressed in something new and something quite lovely. The Lipfinity Lip Tints by Max Factor are one of their new releases. The concept of a felt tip pen loaded with pigment is not new to the market but I dare say this one is one of the better ones I've tried. And I have tried a few as I think it's a novel idea but one that hasn't been executed very well previously. So with a 'here we go again' attitude I tried this over the weekend and I am quite delighted as a result. The concept is a simple one - draw in your lip shape with the tip of the pen and fill in with the flat side. The water based colour stains your lips and leaves a long lasting, matte finish behind. I love it. It genuninely works.... My favourite shade is 04 - a light berry tone.

Now, a word of warning; if you have anything on your lips beforehand such as balm or foundation (why?!) you need to be sure to take it off. The felt pen could clog and will become useless after a couple of tries. The lip tints need completely clean and dry lips to adhere to. I predict this will be a superstar product for brides who need colour all day, but can't be constantly running to the loo to touch up. At €9.99, they're a winner in my book.

Seeing as the Lip Tints leave the lips as dry as the Sahara and this can be fantastic for people who hate the feeling of anything on their lips, I personally like a bit of slip. So their new Sheer Gloss Balms are perfect to add a balmy, not glossy finish and a slight colour. These balms have an SPF10 and lot's of moisturising goodies so you can feel the benefit to your lips, particularly in this cold weather it's great to find something that looks good and is performing a duty for you at the same time.

I've been slathering on the number 02 (coral ) over my lip tint and it works like a dream.

These two products are soul mates; better together than apart.

Happy Weekend

smell the roses...

find your ruby slippers...

make red lips compulsory...

look at beautiful dresses...

the sign says it all...

wear a messy bun...

see some girlfriends...

Enjoy yourself!

(images via here, here, here, here and here )

So Saab, So Good

I was thrilled to be asked to attend the IFTA's (Irish Film And Television Awards) as a guest of MAC. So the hunt is on for a great black tie dress. On a non-black tie budget I must admit, but I've turned my attentions to the couture shows for inspiration. I look forward to these so much each season; the sheer creativity, the level of detail, the feeling of abandon for the designers who can at last indulge their inner visions, not too hampered by strict budgets. Couture is about accessing the highest expression of their talents.....expect luxurious fabrics, expensive detailing, hours upon hours of work by cutters, embroiderers and beaders. No, none of us can buy them, but we can dream, we can become inspired, and we can wait for the themes to filter down to us mere mortals on the high street!

I have adored Lebanese designer Elie Saab since he launched himself on the couture scene by dressing Halle Berry for the Oscars ten years ago. He can be extremely opulent and at times I find him too much for my generally minimalist taste, but I like this season a lot...

The colour palette of nudes, red, black and soft silvers really appeal to me and I love the above dress for it's demure shape paired with beautiful sparkle.

I think this draping is superb. It takes a master to get it right...

What a cute swing dress in amazing fabric. Wouldn't this make a fantastic wedding dress for a more low-key bride?

I adore this shot. Black against porcelain skin is one of my very favourite things. I also love the soft makeup and slightly messy buns in the hair. The prefect counterpoint to the detailed dresses.

Bring back boleros! How lovely is this...

A lot more lace than I could normally handle, but it's working for me today!

Elie, I salute you. You know how to dress a woman.

(images via style.com )

Hello Beautiful!

My dears, it's been a busy week so forgive me for the light posting. I worked on a great beauty shoot, visited a new salon to review it for a magazine and had the absolute pleasure of one of their Aromatherapy Associates massages - heaven! I have also been swallowed up in the planning of mine and Ivan's new food business harnessing all his skills as a Ballymaloe trained chef. On top of all this, we are thinking of moving house so are viewing every couple of days...Whew! See? I told you I was busy. I am certainly not complaining though as it has been most pleasurable.

I found this image from the Spring/Summer Chloe campaign and oh how I love that bag.... Be mine you beautiful thing....