This week I've been mostly...

Treating...my parched hair with Herbal Essences new honey inspired range called Bee Strong. Up there with the most expensive brands in my opinion - well worth trying out! It really softens extremely dry hair and makes it easy to comb afterwards. Perfect for this weather!

Cheating...with the best fake tan on the market at the moment by far! My other half even commented on it which is saying something! It goes on so quickly and easily as its a mousse and you control how dark you want the tan - leave it for just one hour for a glow, longer for a deeper tan. And the tips on the bottle by the creator Marissa Carter are handy and realistic! I had always used Lancome tan before this but Cocoa Brown is better and much more affordable!

Splurging..in the sales! Well to be fair, I really think the sales this summer have been poor - I don't know where some of the shops get the rubbish they trot out at sale time as I rarely see something I had spotted pre sale! However, had my eye on this Ted Baker gúna for ages so delighted to get it for less than half price!

Cooking...what else! BBQ! Homemade burgers are the best and the simplest recipe is just to combine mince with breadcrumbs, black pepper, salt, parsley and some coarse ground coriander and bind with an egg. Shape into patties and you're done!

Walking...the dogs and capturing a few nice images in the gorgeous weather, especially in the mornings with the mist burning off as the sun comes up!

Updating...my website! Check it out if you have a sec! www.sarahhamiltonmakeup.com

This week I've been mostly...

Perfecting...the five minute summer heat proof daytime look. Its way too hot for a full face of foundation so I've just been applying the concealor from the lid of the Lancome Teint Visionaire to the under eye, around the nose and any other area's needing a bit of cover up. A tiny dusting of Clarins Multi-Eclat followed by a sweeping of Benefit Hoola Bronzer under the cheek bones. Apply Benefit Coralista to the apples of the cheeks to give that summery glow. A quick sweep of Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24 hour in On and On Bronze gives a lovely summery shimmer and really highlights blue and brown eyes. Mascara has to be waterproof in weather like this, I'm using Maybelline Falsies Volume Express. Lipstick is Maybelline 14 hour Super Stay in Beige for Good. Don't forget your brows, I use Benefits Big Beautiful Eyes kit and set it with some loose powder to make sure it doesn't move during hot days. Finally a spritz of Clarins Fix' Makeup along with all these fab long wear products mean you won't find your face sliding down your neck on your lunch break!

Daytrippin'...to some beautiful places close to home. If you love animals I can't recommend the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarrol Co. Cork enough. Its not far from Charleville and its a lovely drive through the countryside. The Sanctuary itself is so well set up, the staff are friendly but unobtrusive and really allow you to discover all the animals yourself. The donkeys are so well looked after, all have their own name badges to match their personalities and you can even adopt your favourite! Its a very peaceful place too with lots of people having donated to the Sanctuary in memory of loved ones and putting up plaques or planting trees in their memory.

Swimming...well the dogs have been at least! Its so hot, they love a dip in the river!

Cooking...literally the worlds easiest dinner! Its from Hugh FW's Veg book. I'm trying to eat more veg and less meat and his book is a great place to start for someone like me, who has been hiding veg under potatoes and bribing the dog to eat them since I was about three years old! Unwrap some pre rolled puff pastry, I got this one from Aldi. Finely slice some beef tomatoes, sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper and arrange on the pastry. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for about 20 mins. Then shred some mozzarella cheese around the tomatoes and pop back in for another ten minutes or so. Shred some basil on top and serve with a green salad! Simples!

Treating...my skin with my new favourite product. Its from Sanctuary and its called 30 day Thermal Transformation Mask. You pop on the Peptide Serum first followed by the Rose Clay Mask. It really smooths the skin and gives you a lovely glow and firms up those fine lines around the mouth and eyes. Highly recommend!