This week I've been mostly....

Getting back....to skincare classics. My skin's been going through a weird phase lately with spots, dry patches and general dullness and overall meh! I've been trying out so many different products so I have decided to give my skin a a break and go back to tried and tested products that always produce results. First up is cleansing and I've decided to head back to Clinque for their Liquid Soap and Clarifying lotion. The clearest and brightest my skin has ever been was using this combination and from the first use you know you have cleaner skin than normal. It's clinical and functional but when it comes to cleansing that really is what you need, you can save the pampering for later steps. Its also really good value as the products last a very long time. My only gripe about Clinique is their insistence on the famous three steps followed by a bazillion other products on top to treat your individual issues. I have never understood putting on the third step, the Dramatically Different Moisturiser, and then putting on my moisturiser/night cream/treatment cream etc. So for me, once I've cleansed and clarified its straight into serum and I'll feature my two favourites next week!

Daytrippin'...to Killarney. I really think that day trips are the best way to capture a teeny bit of that holiday feel without any of the stress and cost of travelling away, plus you get to sleep in your own bed! This week we headed to Killarney as its been quite a few years since I had visited and I had forgotten how stunning it is, and on our own doorstep. We headed first to the Killarney National Park, The Lakes, Muckross Abbey and then Muckross House.

Lunch was at Kate Kearneys cottage where we were treated to great music for an event HUG (Homes for Unwanted Greyhounds) were holding. We didn't know it was on before getting there but it was a lovely afternoon, they had brought greyhounds that are looking for new homes as well as others that are now happily in new homes.

From there we headed up the Gap of Dunloe which was as amazing as I remember from my school tour when I was seven! I know its something that is said a lot but we really have some stunning locations right here at home and I'm looking forward to revisiting a few more as well as some new discoveries.

Challenging...myself to a week without meat (and wine eek!) The plan was to cook for the entire week without meat and to be honest it was pretty easy. I did have one or two cheat meals when I was too tired to cook courtesy of Dees Wholefoods. If you haven't already tried her burgers then put them on this weeks shopping list! Veggies and carnivores will both love them and they are unbelievably healthy! I think they are a great way to ease yourself into a meat free day or two a week and you won't feel like you are compromising at all. (Giving up wine was way harder!)

Buying...the bestselling Benefit They're Real mascara - it really is brilliant, made my stubby lashes look decent and there's a special offer on at the moment where you get a free half size one too!

Delighted...with some new shots from a recent photoshoot from Jody Neville.

This week I've been mostly...

Loving...the new shots from Kevin Murphy from our recent photoshoot. I hope you like them too.

Excited...to be joining the team at One Fab Day which is a fabulous site for stylish and contemporary wedding inspiration and suppliers. I love the features on real weddings and the unique idea's. Check it (and me!) out here...http://onefabday.com/weddingbook/sarah-hamilton/

Buying...this beautiful vintage charm bracelet from Honor at the Limerick Milk Market. She has some amazing jewellery and they all come with their own unique history and are very reasonable.

Cleansing...with Vichy Calming Micellar Solution. Perfect for the kit for a quick but deep cleanse before applying makeup.

Capturing...some images while out walking - with the heat and rain the wild flowers are really looking amazing!

This week I've been mostly...

Shooting...some beautiful dresses from Ivory Clost in Limerick with my favourite photographers Kevin Murphy and Jody Neville and models Annalee and Sinead. We shot in St Patricks college in Thurles, an old former seminary which has a library straight out of Hogwarts and a sweeping driveway to match Downton Abbey. It was a great day and had great fun with some beauty shots as well as some more creative stuff (metallic tears anyone?) Here are some behind the scenes shots and the first few official pictures...I'll be updating the website in the coming weeks with the final results.

Mixing...Lancomes Teint Idole 24 hour foundation with their Genifque serum to create the perfect long lasting foundation that gives an incredible glow and luminous skin. I used this on my bridal trials this weekend with gorgeous results.

Daytrippin'...to Dublin. Highly recommend a visit to the Leprechaun museum, if only for the photo opportunities on the giant chairs! Went to Dublin zoo but had that usual slightly guilty feeling that some of the animals really are just too big to be enclosed in such as small space. It was also extremely hot that day so most of the animals were hiding in whatever shade they could find. After that was the Guinness Storehouse - the actual storehouse itself is very loud with lots of videos shouting for your attention all at once but the view from the Gravity bar is totally worth the admission price. Also the staff are amazing and really friendly!

Juicing...green stuff. I hate vegetables. Have been hiding them under the mash and feeding them to the dog for as long as I can remember. But, in a effort to be more healthy, I figured I would try a green smoothie recipe from Kimberly Snyder. She's a nutritionist and she writes really good articles about health and food. Some of her plan is a bit extreme for me (no chocolate or wine) but the juices aren't too taxing and at least its a healthy start for the day. I've adapted it a bit for my taste but you can add or omit different veggies and fruit. Put a glass of water and some ice into the blender. Add some green leaves - I've been using rocket and spinach as I can't find kale which is in the original recipe. Blend until smooth and then add a chopped pear and apple. Blend again. Finally add some celery and the juice of an orange or grapefruit. It looks rotten but doesn't taste too bad and literally has your entire five a day in it!

Reading...Oohlala magazine, a new Irish magazine that I think is right up there competing with its UK rivals. Its content heavy, the articles are really well written and it brings catwalk trends to Irish consumers with products we can actually get here at home and I loved the makeup and beauty articles!

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!

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 )