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Blog entries in "Beauty"
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Brides on Trend �The Top Knot
Top image: Hair by Davey Davey | Left: via TheKnot | Right: Hilary DuffThe top knot is the newest hair trend for the elegant, refined bride. Heights and degrees vary to suit each individual but generally the hair is pulled top the top of the crown, neatly and softly, showing off the neckline and making room for a stunning headpiece or veil.
A high bun is a timeless style, it looks less complicated and therefore less fussy than the popular bridal chignon. If you haven’t been blessed with a lustrous full mane (we hear ya sista), a donut is your best option to create a big, buoyant bun. Donuts provide shape and support to the bun and are very easy to use if you want to try doing your own hair.
Try not to pull the hair back too much -you don’t want to look like a startled ballerina for the day and be left with a pounding headache for the wedding night! But also remember that wear it too loose and you may be at risk of looking a tad ‘day-after-the-night-before‘. You need to get it just right so that it says complete elegance, but also seems natural and easy.
Only go for this look if you are happy to be very ‘out there’ for the day, there is nowhere to hide when you’ve pulled the hair back off your face unless you’ve opted for a birdcage veil, so make sure you are content with your side profile and your make-up. Don’t be afraid to go for statement earrings to make your whole look ‘pop’.
Compiled by Karen Birney.
Top two images by Jessica Claire | Main image by Jonas Peterson via OnceWed | Bridesmaid dress image from Lela Rose for Dessy | Bride in mirror, hair by The Hair Mob | Bride in fur hair by Bridal Hair by Marie (Hickey) | Smiling bride with crystal earrings photo by Eric SavoRelated Content
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Colourful Wedding Nails
The traditional look for a bride was the French manicure - a style that’s classic and always looks elegant and refined. But more and more brides are now opting to mix it up a little by adding some colour to their overall look - and a striking nail polish is the perfect way to go!
Image by Brooke Courtney
The best colours to go for - if you don’t want your photos to age too much - are reds (bright or dark) or dark browns. Bright reds are fun and flirty and will really stand out to give you a cute and kitsch look, while dark reds and browns will look elegant and stylish without overshadowing the rest of your look.
If you are an ‘all or nothing’ type of bride, then consider going for a colour that’s a little more daring like neon pinks, bright yellows or even greens. You could also match your nails to you bridesmaids’ dresses or to your overall colour scheme.
Get your nails professionally done so as to ensure they are looking their best on the day and make sure to take really good care of your hands and nails in the run up to the wedding. Hand and nail creams, cuticle creams, a clear varnish and plenty of calcium should guarantee your nails are at their best when you go to the salon.
You can bring your own colour polish to the salon if you like, most manicurists won’t mind, however, make sure you invest in a great one because, unlike a French manicure, a chipped nail will be very noticeable while wearing blood red!
To get the wedding nails that are right for you see: Breda O'Neill - More Than Make-up; Blush - Nicola Walsh; Amelda Faherty Make Up Artist or the Pillo Hotel & Spa.
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10 Hairstyles We Love!
Our favourite bridal hairstyles for 2012! Not every bridal updo needs to be secured into a single bun, your hairstylist could make a unique knot, a chignon or add some vintage accessories or fresh flowers to match your wedding theme!
Wearing your hair down with loose curls creates a look of 1940s glamour. Add A hair pin or veil to keeps this loose, flowy look from hiding your face.
Clockwise from left: Sandra Crosbie | The Powder Room Girls - Make-up by Dawn Ryan | HairMob.ie
L: Brown Sugar | R: Sian Sharkey
Annie Mulligan at Profile Hair Design
L: HairMob.ie | R: Sian Sharkey
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You get Vaseline*! Win the Vaseline Essential Moisturiser Collection
As we head into January we may be feeling a little battered after the winter months. We find ourselves this week making promises to run three miles every morning before work, or to put a halt to the snacking, or to swap our morning coffee for prune juice. Which is all well and good, and we'll be all the better for it (even just 'til we pack it in in two weeks time), but while we're cleansing, toning and strengthening the inside, we might well think about the outside. My mother always nags me about taking better care of my skin (or I'll regret it, she says, menacingly) and so I've decided to take heed and start developing a little moisturiser habit for myself, and I think with money in mind, I'll be hitting the high street for my fix.
One lucky lady won't need to venture outside to get hers however as this week we have the Vaseline Essential Collection to give away. The essential range includes: Essential Moisture, Aloe Fresh and Cocoa Radiant. Aloe Fresh is the lightest-feeling body lotion of the three, it smells like cucumber and summer and leaves skin feeling fresh and revitalised. Essential Moisture, containing nourishing oat extract, leaves skin feeling soft and non greasy and is perfect for last minute moisturising before leaving the house. Cocoa Radiant is the perfect winter moisturiser. It has a rich texture and leaves skin with a radiant, luxurious glow and smells yummy!
To win this collection just answer the following question:
What top piece of beauty advice did your mother (or aunty or big sister) give you?
Leave your answer in a comment under this blog post, using your WeddingsOnline USER NAME. And sure, wouldn't ya like us on Facebook (or follow us on Twitter) while your around?!
T&Cs: Competition is open to residents of Ireland only. Entrants must be over 18 years of age. You must be a registered WeddingsOnline user to enter. Competition ends at 2pm Friday 13th January. Winner will be chosen at random and that decision is final. No cash alternative.
*We can't get this out of our heads
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Win L'Oreal's Curl Contour Range
To get us over humpday and nudge us ever closer to the Christmas holidays, we've decided to have a little blog competition here on WeddingsOnline.ie!
We're giving away the L'Oreal Curl Contour Range, including shampoo, a nourishing mask and enhancement spray to one lucky lady this week, and all you have to do is tell us:
Which is your favourite real wedding in the WeddingsOnline.ie Real Wedding Section?
Email your answer, and your WeddingsOnline username to competitionATweddingsonlineDOTie (Please put 'Blog competition' in the subject line.)
For more on L'Oreal Curl Contour Range click here
T&Cs: Competition is open to residents of Ireland only. Entrants must be over 18 years of age. You must be a registered WeddingsOnline user to enter. Competition ends at 2pm Wednesday 14th December. Winner will be chosen at random and that decision is final. No cash alternative.
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Win lots of Smashbox Products!
We said we had something planned for you didn't we?! We're BIG fans of Smashbox in WeddingsOnline HQ and can't get enough of the new Girls on Film collection. But our fave items from the whole lot are the very sexy, very dramatic, and very convenient day-to-night cute-but-chic palettes Smokebox and Softbox.
Softbox comprises of six everyday shades -mostly creams and browns with a little burnt orange pigmentation. Delish. Smokebox is its sultry sister with some darker shades -blacks and blues. Now if the fact that you just read 'black and blue' has you a little shaken up don't fret -both palettes have a little label on the back with some tips for application. Sure you've no excuse.
And, because we love you, we're also giving away the Snap you're Fab Holiday Lipgloss set with six of the most popular Smashbox lipgloss shades!
FURTHER MORE! We have the award winning Behind the Lens Primer set to give away. Which is brilliant for getting your complexion photo-ready but reducing shine and redness.
Now, who said they didn't like Mondays?!
To enter, simply answer the following question by leaving a comment using YOUR WEDDINGSONLINE USERNAME underneath this post,
Question: What make-up/beauty product can you not live without over winter? (Check out our top 10 picks HERE!)
and sure, wouldn't ya like us on Facebook while your around??!
T&Cs: Competition is open to residents of Ireland only. Entrants must be over 18 years of age. You must be a WeddingsOnline user to enter. Competition ends at 2pm Friday 28th October. Winner will be chosen at random and that decision is final. No cash alternative.
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Winter Beauty Must Haves for the Bride-to-Be
By Karen Birney
Right guys, time to get the white flags out, winter is here. Every year I'm dragged kicking and screaming into November, donned in a filthy maxi dress with nothing but an aging cardy to hide my shame (my goosebumps, that is). However this year I've come prepared. I have this weekend earmarked for upgrading my wardrobe (leather elbow patches for cardies, boots heeled, new shiny buttons for old winter coats) and I have already flushed out my make-up bag.
As you are probably well aware, winter brides really need to look after their skin. Chapping is not a good look to sport on your wedding day. But while you need to take care of yourself, you are also on the go almost 24/7 with appointments, work, babies, or parties so you need to have on-the-go skincare, as well as some very transportable quick make-up fixes.
Alas, I present to you my Top 10 Make-up and Beauty Products for Busy Brides this Winter! (Aka 'What-I-will-have-in-my-own-make-up -bag-til-March-possibly-April-next-year')
1. Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub This is like a mini exfoliator for your tender lips, and is great at removing any dry skin from chapping without damaging the delicate skin. Only problem is trying no to eat it.
2. Julie Hewett Camellia Balm in Pink As well as looking pretty and feminine, this lipbalm is a handy 2-in-1. If you find youself with excess on your fingers, rub it into your cuticals to soften and moisturise. Genious.
3. MAC Pigment in Tan This is the most perfect little pot to bring you from the office to your bridal appointments or mini work bridal shower, and gives an instant lift to tired eyes. Just line a scraping under the lower lashes and BAM, you look like a megastar. I've had mine for nearly 5 years, so it's great value too at about €24.
4. Smashbox Smokebox Eye Palette This is my newby, and a very welcome addition to my make-me-look-presentable-after-eight-hours-in-the-office bag. These two are limited editions from Smashbox but if you want to get your hands on them, pop back here on Monday, we have a little suprise for you!
5. Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara My current favourite for va-va-voom mascara. My reason for including this in the winter beauty list is because I get really watery eyes in the cold wind and have found that this mascara doesn't run and sting like some others. That's a winner in my eyes. (badum)
6. Redken Powder Grip 03 Mattifying Hair Powder One word: Amazingness. This is your go-to for on-the-go beauty in hair. No time to shampoo but roots feeling a little on the greasy side? Pepper yourself up and rub in. Also, if you've no room in your clutch for hairspray but can't live without some volume in your hair, Bob's you teapot (darn advertising!)
7. Art Deco Lipstick in Red 03 My staple red lippie. And probably the red that will go well with all skintones. Winner.
8. No7 Total Renewal Microdermabrasion A new skin for about €15, though if yours is sensitive I suggest giving it a miss. For me, it's the best exfoliator I've ever used.
9. Aveda Hand Relief To keep hands well moisturised over the winter, though I suggest using a suncream underneath.
10. American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Red This will be on my nails all winter long, and makes me feel super glam!So, what's in your make-up bag wishlist for winter? Let us know below!
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Staying Focused on your Wedding Day -Laser Eye Sugery
This article is sponsored by Ultralase Laser Clinic, Ireland. Picture it: It’s your special day, and you’re marrying the love of your life. You and your bridesmaids have spent all morning having your hair styled and make-up applied. You have the dress of your dreams - the kind you’ve been fantasising about since you were three, the kind thatyou used to draw with your friends at school and the kind that took you many stressful hours to find. Your husband-to-be who, let's face it,is a bit of a scruff, has scrubbed up well and looks rather dashing in a suit and tails. All in all you’re one happy girl. Or you would be if youcould see it all sharp and in focus.
Whether you’re long or short sighted, I can speak from experience as a best man that it gets old very fast having to put on then take off your glasses constantly throughout a wedding ceremony, depending on what’s going on. And though they are useful, I’m sure you, as a bride, wouldn’t want to wear a glasses chain around your neck all day and ruin your outfit. Of course the next best thing would be contact lenses (if you can get over the whole ‘touching your eyeball’ thing) and though your day will be seen in splendid clarity, you will have to take them out at night time which may interrupt other activities!
So when you’re making a list of things to do for your wedding day to make it perfect, fixing your eye sight at an Ultralase Laser Clinic in Ireland might be something you would overlook or that wouldn't be at the top of your priority list. But think of it this way - as one of the most important days of your life, surely you would want to enjoy it all and soak it all up? Surely you'd want to be able to look out from the alter after kissing your husband and see all your friends and family basking in your radiant happiness? And to do that, you would need perfect 20/20 eye sight.
With laser eye surgery, a plethora of vision problems can be treated - from long and short sightedness to the natural condition of Presbyopia which can affect those in their middle-ages - giving you no excuse not to get the most from your big day. Many clinics offer free consultations to help you decide whether it is right for you, and these will usually involve:
- An extensive eye examination by an Optometrist which features a mix of tests you will be familiar with - such as the eye chart vision test - and some that will be new, as well as the forum to ask and be asked questions about the process.
- You will then have your eyes mapped to give the Optometrist a full understanding of your lenses. This will be more in depth than the previous test and is performed in order to give you the best advice possible.
- With your eyes fully analysed, the Optometrist will explain which eye surgeries are suitable for you, discussing the advantages of each vision correction treatment and helping choose the best for you. You can ask any further questions that you might want answering and can book in immediately if it suits you.
Other clinics may also include a patient forecast which will detail the full results of your eye test, break them down into easy to read graphs, and feature impartial feedback from former patients of your age range and prescription who have had the surgery. Many clinics also offer lifetime aftercare for free to give you the best possible results and to make sure your life with perfect vision goes without a hitch - these include follow up appointments, and access to 24/7 aftercare advice phone lines.
With laser eye surgery offered from as little as �395 per eye and priced on a sliding scale depending on the strength of your sight, it's a procedure worth thinking about in order to make your perfect day just that little bit more effortless and enjoyable.
Contact Details
Phone 1800 40 20 20
Web www.ultralase.ie -
Beauty Competition!
COMPETITION CLOSED, WINNER ANNOUNCED ON OLD FAITHFUL FORUM
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It's competition time here at WOL! We want to give one of our fabulous Wollies some Nuxe moisturising products, including face cream, lip moisturising stick, foot cream and face and body cleansing gel!
To be in with a chance of winning and to have baby-soft skin, leave us a comment, using your WOL username, telling us what are/ were your wedding colours/ theme.
We'll pick a winner at random and announce it on the Old Faithful Forum on Friday, October 7! Also, make sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook to be in with a chance of winning even more great competitions!
Good luck ladies! x
* Competition closes on Friday October 7, at 1 p.m.Only open to residents of Ireland.
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Winter Wedding 2011/12 Trend Report -Part 3
By Karen Birney
Part 3 and the final part of our Winter Wedding Trend Report! Hope you've enjoyed checking out all the WeddingsOnline picks for a winter wedding. And remember: It's the most wonderful time of the year (except if you've to commute to work on public transport, obvs).
Quick links: Utah Bride Blog / Amy Carroll Photography / Confetti UK / OneWed / House of Fraser / Debenhams / River Island
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Wedding Perfume
By Karen Birney
Photo by Rubistyle Photography
"Memories, imagination, old sentiments, and associations are more readily reached through the sense of smell than through any other channel" -Oliver Wendall HolmesWe spend so much time investing in memories. Sight is the most obvious way in which we evoke memories of the past; it's why we take photos of nights out with the girls, the little one on his first day of school, a Sunday dinner with the parents or himself sleeping peacefully beside you. But what of our other senses? Touch...Taste....Sound....Smell.... Your sense of smell is one of the most powerful memory triggers you possess, possibly even stronger than sight. A familiar smell can stop us in our tracks, and eyes closed, time paused, a moment is presented to us, vividly, intensely -we are submerged in our memories, tasting the air, saturated by emotion.
"Wear perfume wherever you want to be kissed" -Coco Chanel
You want to remember everything about your wedding day, it is a moment in your life that you have put much effort into making a glorious memory. You have the dazzling dress, the shoes and the decor all set, and the photographer in place to record anything your mind attempts to eventually alter or file away. Your own personal diary will be your sense of smell, and that’s why your perfume on your wedding day is important. Here's some of our favourite fragrances for the bride.
Clockwise from top left: Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier; Coco Mademoiselle; Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan; Flora by Gucci; Vera Wang Anniversary; Chance, Chanel.TIP! If you can afford to, buy the shower gel and body lotion of your chosen scent, and use it the night before/morning of your wedding. Your scent will cling to it and last all day (and night).
Clockwise from top left: 212 Sexy, Carolina Herrera; Gucci Guilty; Paco Robanne Lady Million; Aura by Swarovski; Midnight Poison, Dior.Tip! Try to hold off buying your perfume until a day or two before the wedding. That way you won't be tempted to wear it before and it will be brand new on the day.
Clockwise from tip left: Miss Dior Cherie; Oh, Lola! Marc Jacobs; YSL Saharienne; Flowers by Kenzo; Marry Me! by Lanvin; Flowerbomb, Viktor & Rolf.So ladies, what perfume will you wear on your wedding day? Share your scent by leaving us a comment below!
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Crest Whitening Strips
By Karen BirneyI will have to start this blog post off by stating that I AM NOT A DENTIST, but you would probably have figured that out as you read on anyway. As I type I am slowly gathering saliva in my lower jaw, tilting my head back to usher said saliva to the back of my throat and down my neck in a whale-like fashion. It is my fourth day using Crest Whitening Strips, and I don’t mind looking like a British character in a Family Guy cutaway because my whitening strips are working.
Back story: I wanted to get my teeth whitened professionally a few months ago however a) I needed to have a few teeth filled before they would do it, and I couldn’t afford to get them done and b) At 200 squid I couldn’t afford to get them whitened anyway, which I suppose cancels out the first reason. However when I met a visibly brighter friend of mine for a few drinks the other night, she divulged her little strip secret to me, and I wanted in.
I had heard some not-so-sexy stories about whitening strips damaging the enamel of your teeth, and as I don’t possess the strongest lower incisors in the world, for the first two days I just used the strips on my upper teeth, leaving the strip on for 30 minutes. After two days my teeth were noticeably whiter and unlike some reviews I have read, I didn't suffer any sensitivity. Himself told me to take it easy on them as I have pretty much white teeth naturally, and he didn’t want me looking like Cheryl Cole (yea, like that would be a death sentence).
So that's my story. Crest Strips: High Five from WOL. From the forums it seems like most of the girls purchase theirs for about €30 from www.valueventure.ie and word is they deliver quite quickly. For hints and tips on how to use them, there are no better lassies than the Wollies themselves (you are a knowledgable lot aren't you?) so here’s a few links to see what they have to say.
Happy whitening ya’ll!
Crest Whitening Strip query:
http://www.weddingsonline.ie/discussion/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=250566What to use while using CWS?:
http://www.weddingsonline.ie/discussion/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=313378CWS: When to start using?:
http://www.weddingsonline.ie/discussion/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=120886CWS: Use when pregnant?
http://www.weddingsonline.ie/discussion/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=101480Tips! Whitening strips can cause sensitivity. Don’t brush teeth before using. After use, smear teeth with Sensodyne to suppress sensitivity. Do not use on veneers or fillings. Please consult your dentist before use, the last thing I need is them chasing after me *hears sound of drilling in mind*.
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Beauty Giveaway!
It's a wet Wednesday, and you need some pampering... so here's WOL to the rescue! If you fancy a chance of winning the Redken Intra Force collection, including shampoo, toner and treatment, all you have to do is: Leave your name (WOL username) in the thread 'Redken Competition' in the Old Faithful forum! It's that simple! We'll then pick a winner at random from the thread! Also make sure to like us on Facebook if you have already, that's where we announce our competitions and you don't want to be missing out on free stuff now do you!?
Good luck chicks!x
*Competition will close Friday 12th August at 1pm. Only open to residents of Ireland.
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Hair Care Giveaway!
Because the sun is a'blazing, and we're feeling extra chipper this morning, we have a great giveaway for you Wollies!!! We have four fabulour Redken Colour Extend Sun products for you to get your mitts on, all you have to do isleave a comment here on the blog telling us: What do you love most about the summer?Be sure to like us on Facebook too if you haven't already! That's very important all together.
Winner will be annouced on the Old Faithful forum on Friday July 1st! BEST O'LUCK!
A bit about the collection:
Color Extend Sun delivers advanced protection for colour-treated and highlighted hair exposed to sun, sea, or pool. Redken's exclusive Interbond Conditioning System and the Hydra-Shield Complex protect natural hair colour, highlights and colour-treated hair from UV damage and fading while rebalancing moisture in sunstressed tresses. Moisture rich Mango Oil helps prevent dryness and cares for sun-stressed strands by offering intense replenishment and softness.
Color Extend Sun Waterwear is Redken's first water-resistant treatment for hair that defends sun-exposed tresses leaving hair with a natural look and feel. The concentrated balm forms an invisible barrier that helps shields hair colour & highlights from water and sun damage while helping to protect the integrity of each strand. In addition, it forms a long-lasting humidity resistance seal that resists frizz and flyaways.
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Beauty Giveaway!
NUXE BODY is a complete body care routine with delightful textures and delicious fragrances.
You can win these four products worth over €93!
- Nuxe Body Contouring Oil is especially formulated to reduce the appearance of cellulite on stubborn areas, such as your thighs and hips.
- 24 Hour Moisturizing Body Lotion with an ultra-fluid texture to caress dry skins and leave them soft and silky to the touch.
- Fondant Shower Gel is a coconut cleansing base that cleans the body with infinite softness.
- High protection SPF30 sun care in a travel-size pack for skin that is protected, whatever the weather.
To enter, leave us a comment under your WOL username and tell us how you will prepare your skin for the big day!
(Competition closes on Monday, May 24th and the winner will be announced on the 'Old Faithful' discussion forum.)
Good luck Wollies! x
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