This week I've been mostly...

Loving...my new Chanel vintage tortoiseshell glasses (with lots of thanks to my sister for her great taste and ebay trawling patience!) Can't wait to get the lenses in and rock the 1950's Mad Men vibe. Check out Vogue's guide to the best makeup to wear with glasses.
http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/framed-matching-your-makeup-to-your-glasses/

Working...on the first of a series of photoshoots with Kevin Murphy Photography, the beautiful Aisling Danagher modeling and Sarah Hickey creating stunning hair. Today's theme was fire and we got a couple of strange looks from families out walking in Cratloe woods today - can't wait to see the images but here's a sneak peak!

Looking forward...to the launch of new makeup in the coming weeks by Clinique - six new chubby stick shades will be hitting the counters along with the brand new Stay Matte oil free foundation which promises to keep skin matte and shine free without the traditional heavy thick coverage oily skin foundations usually supply. http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/beauty-and-hair/beauty-news/make-up/foundation/clinique-stay-matte-oil-free-make-up

Buying...holiday goodies- fab summer dresses from Penny's and travel candles from Jo Malone - I love bringing candles on holidays, they capture the scent of the break away and then every time you light them at home you are instantly back in holiday mode!

Loving...brows! The stronger and bolder the better!

Finally....got around to creating a makeup studio at home! Its a work in progress...proper pictures to follow! But its fab to have a space )

This week I've been mostly...

Working...with the team at Clinique in Brown Thomas in Limerick. I'm delighted to be part of the Clinique brand and had a great first weekend promoting the new BB cream which is a gorgeous product. If you are around Limerick city do call in for a custom fit foundation match or to try any of our fab skincare and makeup goodies and keep an eye on the blog/facebook/twitter pages for news, product launches and special offers! 

Shocked...that its been 15 years since Titanic was released - it makes me feel very old but at Kate is still rocking the red carpet and looking amazing!

Prepping...for the first photoshoot in a series by Kevin Murphy themed around the elements. First up this weekend is Water with the gorgeous Aisling Danagher modelling. Can't wait to get creative and see how they turn out!


Investing...in a Clarisonic. There's a lot of hype about this gadget that you use to cleanse your skin along with your regular cleanser. I'm on a major skin cleansing buzz at the moment (more about this next week) as I feel we invest a lot of money in serums and moisturiser and cleansing gets relegated to a swift flash of a face wipe or a slap of a face cloth. Without proper cleansing none of the products applied afterwards can really get to work so I'm looking forward to introducing the Clarisonic and using it with my Clinique liquid soap.

Planning...a trip back to Spain to a fab hotel we found last year. Its beautiful and really reasonable and run by a lovely couple. Highly recommend it. http://www.palacioblanco.com/

Loving..the beautiful lashes from Paperself. How fab are they!

This week I've been mostly...

Delighted...to be shortlisted for Makeup Artist of the Year Award from Realweddings.ie - if you fancy voting for me please click on the link here http://www.realweddings.ie/press/2012/02/woscars-2012-vote-now/

Meeting...Tony Stack from Clinique and chatting about their fab products. I'm a big fan of their ethos that great skin can be created and love so many of their products such as the Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector for pigmentation and uneven skin tones and the gorgeous Chubby Sticks - my favourite is Woppin' Watermelon.

Visiting...Columbia Road flower market in London for colour inspiration - its literally a sea of colour and texture and my wallet took a major hit!

Loving...the makeup at the Oscars - that light pretty look continued with Michelle Williams dewy skin and Gwyneths minimalist look that complemented her amazing Tom Ford white dress and cape beautifully.

Budgeting...with beauty buys from Pennys! I started with their Argan Oil thinking it wouldn't be a patch on the Moroccan oil but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Its brilliant for curly or frizzy hair and also worked really well before using straighteners. Highly recommend (and its 2.50) Encouraged by this purchase, I bought a gorgeous Cath Kidson-esque nail varnish kit (2.00) with four fab colours. I tried the nude colour and I have to say its amazing and glided on so well! Hats off to Pennys for their beauty products!

Hysterical...in Pennys again...check out these amazing sunglassess - inspired by Gypsy Weddings Pineapple dress no?

This week I've been mostly...

Designing...a special wedding skincare preparation guide for my bridal trials. I'm putting together the most common questions and concerns along with a list of my favourite products to get skin 100% glowing for your wedding day!

Buying...more Lancome! I'm stocking up the kit with the new Teint Idole Ultra 24hour, its definitely taken over from Chanel for me to give that perfect glow combined with good coverage and staying power. Also loving Hydra Zen underneath for added moisture and a flawless finish.

Following...London Fashion Week from my bed/couch/desk (delete as appropriate!) I'm a little new to the twitter world and I love it. The last three days I've watched the celebs arrive for their FROW seats, heard about everything from the soundtracks to the after show parties and gotten first looks at all the amazing clothes as they literally hit the catwalk. My favourite so far has been the Mulberry show, complete with Muppet Show soundtrack and dogs on the catwalk and their very own Mulberry Monster!

Planning...a major MAC spree in London next week. The list just keeps growing and growing! Loving the new mineralise eyeshadows from the Naturally range.

Scoffing...afternoon tea at Adare Manor. Very Downton Abbey moment, complete with bubbles. Its a beautiful hotel and a gorgeous way to spend an afternoon.

Meeting...my lovely new brides for summer 2012 :) Looking forward to their big days!

This week I've been mostly...

Reading...Diane Keatons memoir Then Again. It's such a touching and emotional book - Diane chose to write her life story next to the story of her Mum, based on diaries and letters she found following her mothers death. Fabulous read and makes me want to download Annie Hall!

Researching...some amazing makeup designs for a new project with photographer Kevin Murphy.

Cooking...with Rachel Allens Easy Meals - I'm the worlds worst baker (usually leave the deserts to my sister who is brilliant with all things sweet) but managed to put together a lemon drizzle cake courtesy of Ms Allen.

So Sad...to hear about the death of Whitney Houston. About a million years ago, I got the soundtrack to The Body Guard and played it on my yellow Sony walkman until I literally broke the tape (and my parents ear drums...specially on the high notes of I Will Always Love You).

Finally...getting around to my inspiration board for this year. Theres a whole lotta glamour and beauty on it!

Loving...this months Valentines inspired glossy box! For anyone who hasn't heard of it before, you sign up for a subscription and each month you are sent a fabulous selection of beauty goodies. This month includes Eyeko eyeliner and Murad primer - love it!

This week I've been mostly...

Meeting...a makeup legend! I was lucky enough to go to IMATs in London where I met Terry Barber, MAC's director of Makeup Artistry. Terry demonstrated a look he reckoned was inspired by his clubbing days in the 80's - pale face and a whole lotta contour! It was beautiful and the model looked very Tilda Swinton with the shades used really picking up her gorgeous red hair and porcelain complexion. I really loved hearing Terry chat about his inspiration and the types of looks he preferred - my favourite line had to be 'Perfect is the new trashy - Poisoned is the new perfect!' And in a nod to his 80's inspiration, 'Never escape from your past - use it!'

Watching...an amazing demonstration where Nick Dudman, makeup artist on Harry Potter, transformed Warwick Davis into Professor Flitwick live on stage. Its a transformation that normally takes two and a half hours but had to be completed on stage in just an hour. Warwick was hilarious and chatted throughout the entire process about his experience in the makeup room for hours every day throughout the movie.

Playing...fashion top trumps! The girls are invading the boys playing cards with some of the most iconic styles chosen by Maia Adams, Vogue and Elle writer and lecturer at Central Saint Martins. Can't wait for the next long train journey (beats Snap anyday!)

 

Loving... some of the amazing looks created at IMATs!

Playing (again)...in the snow! London was under a blanket of white and looked so romantic and Victorian.

Buying...some fabulous brushes from Louise Young and Royal and Langnickel - can't wait to try them.

Spoilt...with the amazing images from last weeks photoshoot in Adare Manor...here are just a few!