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 )

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!