A few months ago I was at my wits end about my hair – not alone was I trying to grow out a short cut, but the condition was shockin’. Constantly looking dull and greasy, and with my blonde gone brassy, I was spending a fortune on blow-drys and cleaning the chemists out of Batiste just to keep myself looking presentable. I’d changed shampoos umpteen times and had a shower full of Kerastase to show for it, but nothing was working. I had a suspicion it might be my water supply, but short of moving house, I had no idea what I could do to prevent it. So I decided to seek advice on the colour to see if that would make a difference. My hairdresser proved my suspicions right by diagnosing a build up of lime (from water) that was dulling the highlights and causing the general greasiness and... Similar posts

It’s no secret I’m a big fan of facial oils, slathering them on at all and every opportunity, and some of my favourites I know I’ve rhapsodised about a time or twenty on the blog. Hello Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate. My routine is packed full of oily treats: I’ve cleansed for years now with various forms of solid and liquid oils and I won’t lay down to sleep at night without a face-full of something lovely and protective.  I genuinely attribute my almost line-free complexion to their nourishing, hydrating ways, and I’m always on the lookout for something new too. Tesco’s bNatural oil disappointed, but Eve Taylor’s Pre-Blended Facial Oils are more than coming up trumps. I met Eve a while ago - remember the liver legs discussion? - and her... Similar posts

The aforementioned big Beaut.ie shop of cheapness has seen me wash my hair with things that haven’t touched it in many a year and wash my skin with SLS-packed ‘wonders’ which made me reaffirm my decision to switch to posh shower gel. Yes, it is hideously expensive but my dry skin thanks me when a bottle of Cowshed something-or-other gets brought home, as opposed to the WHOREibble Radox thing I’ve been using in the interests of ‘product testing’. Needless to say, when Anatomicals Shower to the People turned up in the post, my skin practically leapt from my body to welcome it. OK, it does contain sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), a foaming agent that’s a milder version of sodium lauryl sulphate. For me that’s not ideal, because I try to... Similar posts

“Liver legs!” proclaimed gregarious aromatherapist Eve Taylor as she squeezed my porky knees. What on earth was she on about? Well basically, Eve was employing her Systems of Analysis technique, by which she could tell from casting her seasoned eye across my stunning physique that I could do with loosing a stone or three, and that most of my weight collects on my lower body. Yes, I am large of arse, and my pear shape is associated with the liver in her system - so she correctly surmised that I might have a smidge of cellulite, too. True, but she didn’t need to be a genius to work it out, eyes were the only thing required for that.  Systems of Analysis hadn’t really managed to impress me yet, until she sized me up again, looked carefully at my features and said,... Similar posts

Well Baal is with us once more and the Summer is upon us.'Bealtine'The fires were extinguished at dusk;doused, dampened, across thebelly of the land.The last inspiration of twilight,fading with the dying rays of sundenying the existence of hope.The rushlights and candlesstanding in brown potssnuffed out with ruthless decision.Breathless and wantonShe welcomes the darkfinding perfect acceptance.A rapidness, daringness, derangementof wood on skinfulness, sinful the waythey dance against the gathering night.Cool breath of deathagainst overheated limbsbrushing against mountain ranges. Hidden the contours of valley and hillFrom the eyes of greed and envyAnd on they dance still, heavy with desirePausing with expectationsrefusing extolments of false praiseinsisting on the truth of cruelty.Til... Similar posts

Today Nue Blue Eriu’s South William Street store are offering Chantecaille mini facials or mini make-overs for €30, or you can double your pleasure and avail of both treatments for €50, with price redeemable against purchase. If you just fancy treating yourself to a wee product, Nue Blue Eriu are offering Beaut.ie readers their VIP discount of 10% off all Chantecaille goodies when you quote “Chante10″ (catchy, no?). Meanwhile, Waxpert and all round Beaut.ie fave Ellen has been in touch with an offer that’ll be of interest to those of you looking for Something A Bit Different! Take the eye outta yer fella’s head with a, ehem, strategially placed Swaovski crystal design that’ll have your ladygarden sparkling like a showgirl. Ellen will be offering... Similar posts

Like a man hitting his forties and in mid life crisis mode, I was dying to try something new. On the haircare front of course. I was kind of tired of my Kerastase and Frizz Ease routine and although I vary it with Aveda, it was all getting a bit boring. So when the updated Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious range hit the salons I was ready to make the change and gathering my courage, I bravely embarked on a new curly journey. Calming Creme Shampoo and conditioner went on well. Then came the Calming Creme - a balm which you apply to wet-ish hair and smooth through - to dampen down any suggestion of frizz. My hair is long, so I always squirt tons of balm and serum out to make sure I’m getting enough and pay no attention to the directions on the bottle. But with this one you... Similar posts

I don’t know if it was the cold weather at fault, but recently my skin has seemed to turn ultra-sensitive. Even my old favourite cleansers were making my face sting, so I needed something new. The problem is, I often find cleansers for sensitive skin are not really very effective at cleansing. Soothing, yes, but that’s about it. And then I met REN’s Calendula and Arctic Berry Ultracalm Cleansing Milk. Designed to calm and soothe sensitive skin, while cleansing thoroughly, this cleanser contains triglycerides from Coconut and Palm Oils, which gently cleanse, while bio actives from Arctic Blackcurrant Seed and Arctic Seabuckthorn Berry Oil boost skin lipid content and preserve moisture levels. Adding to these, peroxidase enzymes from Fennel Seed combat pollution while... Similar posts

An article in US Vogue magazine has me seriously dying to try this miraculous-sounding hair masque from Philip B. - haircare expert and creator of luxurious (and pricy) products like White Truffle Shampoo. Made with Persian Katira Extract, Katira Hair Masque claims to plump up limp hair, calm and smooth coarse hair, fill in damaged spots on the hair cuticle and give hair weightless shine and elasticity. Claims such as these don’t come cheap, but at $40 it’s not excessively expensive for a luxury brand. Available this month in the US at Barneys department stores, I’d definitely recommend looking out for it if you’re heading Stateside before Christmas. Otherwise wait impatiently with me until it makes it way over to this side of the pond (Philip B is sold at Nue... Similar posts

Nue Blue Eriu got in touch to tell us that not only are they celebrating their 7th birthday, which is no mean feat, but to mark the occasion, they want to treat beaut.ie readers like the proverbial royalty. Head in-store TODAY, Friday 17th October, where you can take advantage of a 15% discount on products throughout the store and a 10% discount on all therapies. So head in and join them for a glass of champagne to celebrate their big day and get some scrummy beauty goodies at 15% off. Not bad eh? Me? I’d make a beeline for E Coudray, Murad and 3 Custom Colour  - MmmmMmmmm.  Oh and on other NBE news, they’ve just relaunched their online shop,... Similar posts

The first envelope said: “Be ready to open this at 9.40am. Be fit for the outside world.” Inside, there was note. It read: “Proceed to CHQ. Yes, the one near where I work. Once there open envelope two.” The second envelope said: “Open as instructed in #1.” The note inside read: “Go to Nue Blue Eriu and give your name. They’re expecting you!” One hour and one Knots Landing and Moroccan Rose massage later… The third envelope said: “Open when finished first activity.” The note inside read: “Ok, I hope you enjoyed that. Now you can chill or maybe tart yourself up a tiny bit - a social occasion awaits. Be near our apartment @ 1pm. P.S. Don’t ruin you apetite” The fourth envelope said: “Open at the... Similar posts

Nobody loves a double-entendre more than the French, and skincare brand Doux Me is no exception. Created by former journalist Caroline Wachsmuth, Doux Me is a line of natural and organic skincare products, certified by the Ecocert organisation. The products contain none of the nasties such as parabens, alcohol, mineral oils, paraffin, or silicone, and no ingredients of animal origin. So what do they contain? Well, organically certified floral and fruit waters instead of water, high quality essential oils, and a minimum of 80% organic ingredients in each product. Packaged in convenient plastic tubes and bottles with pump dispensers, the pretty floral designs on the products give them the wow-factor for display in your bathroom, but they’re not just good to look at. On their website,... Similar posts

Killarney is a town possessed of many world-class facilities - the wonderful Banyan Tree run Angsana spa at the Brehon Hotel, the amazing Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa, and loads of other ace spas and hotels abound too. Oh and Holy God, lets not forget the GIGANTIC cocktails in the Ross Hotel either.  It’s a pampering  and relaxation capital, to be sure, and it’s now added another string to its bow. Sean Taaffe Hair and Beauty, recently awarded 5 star status in the Good Salon Guide, have just launched an online booking facility. Yurs, from the comfort of your own home - or hotel room if you’re down there for a break - you can now select the service you’d like (hair, nails, tanning and male grooming), and you can even choose a member of staff to provide that... Similar posts

Yiz were all chatting the other day about moisturisers containing rose oil or extracts. MelSea told us, “I’m from Melbourne and just back from a trip home, the big thing there is organic rosehip oil. I’ve been eating Tim Tams for Ireland since I got home and no signs of a spot, all I do is put it on straight after the shower while skin is still damp. Moisturiser goes on top if you want“. While she can’t buy the brand she got at home, Kosmea, in Ireland, she’s recommending Trilogy - a New Zealand brand we’ve blogged about a time or two - and Aubrey Organics. They “do a really nice range of Rosa Mosqueta products including oil which are often discounted on www.vitacost.com, they have moisturisers etc and a friend of mine highly recommends... Similar posts

We often get sent e-mails from people asking us to blog about them and in the past wee while, we’ve had a few that are definitely worth mentioning. As most of the readers of beaut.ie are Irish, we’re definitely not going to be unaware of the current crisis in the health service, and in particular, how difficult it is for women to get referrals and treatment for breast cancer. The gal who blogs at Avoiding Life One Post At a Time is currently in the terrifying throes of such an ordeal. Her journey begins with the discovery that she has a lump, and she documents what happens next - it’s a shocking indictment on our health service. Well worth a read. We wish her all the best and hope for a good outcome. On a completely different note, we’ve found a brand-new Irish... Similar posts

The fabulous Dianne Brill Lip Lingerie line is now available in a fab new box. A Box of Knickers no less*. Six of the standout lipglosses, with names like Jewelled G-String, Satin Hipster and Frilly Thong would make a fab pressie for a super girlie girl. It should set you back about €45. “These are your fancy panties – the ones you slip on for that special evening. Packaged together, these mini versions of our full size glosses will be off almost as soon as they are on!” vailable on terra firma in emporia like BTs and Nue Blue Eriu, you can also go online to sample some Diane Brill gorgeousness. Kirstie told us how here. *This product is called Panties in a Bunch in the States. Tee hee. Just so you...... Similar posts

“Nue Blue Eriu in the CHQ”. It sounds like a particularly dodgy rap doesn’t it! Nue Blue Eriu are a much loved Dublin city centre beauty salon and shop. They’re famous for their expertise and skincare and makeup goodies that you can’t get anywhere else. At the weekend they opened a brand new salon in the newly opened CHQ in Dublin’s IFSC. Myself and Roisin Dubh went along for a little sneaky peak. Of course! The shop is choc a block with mouthwatering beauty yumminess, scents and fantastic skin care treats. We were particularly taken with the Dianne Brill and Chantecaille ranges (SO pretty)*. Roisin had gorgeous makeup applied and we both had a great chat with the therapists who expertly manicured and massaged our handie pandies. NBE have... Similar posts

ANN AT BRIL ERIU Why picture loutish eton craic a fab lush brogue patriotic anoraks, and pride deserting gentlemen at war in eccentric sighs? I slip bowless to a sir free land no snoot cockers great knobs to hail, cut the tie today for a happiness few feel, aim high hack ask fate Howayiz wah wah is yiz wib us hdhdwhb ~ This draft poem is an example of the "write-through" form, which is where... Similar posts

Philip B (on the left there - swit swoo, wha?) is a bit of an auld legend in haircare terms - he’s worked extensively in the entertainment industry in LA - in other words, with all de stars - yet his products aren’t fluffy, shiny stuff that just add gloss or volume with no actual haircare going on. Nope, Philip’s main concern is stress and damage caused to hair as a result of pollution and city life. As increasing numbers of Irish people now live in cities, we are noticing a difference in our hair. Hence the endless parade of products that have come through my bathroom - frizz easing, glossing, smoothing - oh, I’ve been there. But the lovely Philip offers us succor in the form of his range of treatments, such as his yum sounding White Truffle Nourishing Hair... Similar posts