Make Up Artist - Cork

Time for a little “Impulsive” competition… see what i did there :)

ElaineOC — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:17:07 +0000

Absolutely loving Vogue Wilson’s “do” for the launch of Impulse bodyspray’s newest scent ‘Very Pink’. (Making mental note to self to invest in some pink extensions)

I’ve long been a fan of these handbag staples and their latest offering was no disappointment.

Its a light fresh scent with citrus notes and delicate feminine florals and, dare I say it, a hint of luxury about it. I may sound a bit odd here, but to me, it’s a more grown up and sophisticated scent than I’m used to with this product. Which is probably because it has an arsenal of perfume giants behind the development of it.

It was developed by Ann Gottlieb, a world renowned fragrance expert in collaboration with Givaudan, one of the world’s best fragrance houses. Ann has over 25 years experience in the perfume industry and the New York based connoisseur of fragrances has developed several signature scents for international perfume houses such as Calvin Klein, Caroline Herrera and Sex & the City Star Sarah Jessica Parker’s Covet.

Now for the great news! I have five of these baby’s to give away to my lovely readers, alls ya gotta do is answer one simple question.

Pink recently gave birth to her first child, what did she name the baby? (hint, it wasn’t “Very Pink”, Google is your friend here people)

Entries can be posted in the comments section below on my Facebook page or sent in via twitter to @laineyoc

Impulse Very Pink is available in 75ml in all major supermarkets and pharmacies.

www.facebook.com/impulsediaries

Bargain Beauty Buys

ElaineOC — Sun, 15 May 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Lately I’ve been astounded at the quality that I’m finding in what was traditionally lower end / lower price (lower quality) make up. Don’t get me wrong, I love my lush brands and there’s a hidden snob in me that just adores getting something nicely packaged from Mac or Dior for example But on the other hand, I’m the daughter of an Irish mammy who likes nothing better than getting a bargain on well anything at all (whether its needed or not) and now I too love nothing more than finding a product that does the same or a better job than another similar product for a fraction of the price and I’ve been having quite a few of these moments lately.

Lets start with Essence

Mascara – I’ve long been a fan of the Diorshow waterproof mascara but when I came across something that looked very, very like (c’mon its an obvious dupe) it in Heatons i just had to get it to test it out and with a price range of €2.50 – 3.50 on their mascaras it wasn’t going to be a huge gamble if it turned out to be horrible. It wasn’t…While it doesn’t come in the waterproof formula that I love the Dior one for it does give me massive false lash effect lashes, so much so that I just cannot justify forking out an extra twenty five squids for something only marginally better.

Gel eyeliner Is a recent offering from Essence (also Catrice are doing one that’s supposed to be equally as good but I haven’t managed to find it stocked anywhere in Cork ). I had previously been using Mac’s Fluidline in Blacktrack but had always found that the consistency left a lot to be desired and that it dried out far to quickly both on the eye and in the pot. The essence gel liner is one of those products that just simply makes me happy, it does what its supposed to do, and it remains doing what its supposed to do until you tell it not to (or remove it but bear with the ronseal analogy). It stays wet in the pot, it goes on smooth and even, leaving no patchy bits or drag lines and it dries and stays incredibly black on the lid for the whole day.

Penny’s – got a whole lot of things for… well all the time.

Where would we be without Penny’s, the shopping savvy girls answer to almost all fashion needs..their latest offering fake lashes. Now when Penny’s first introduced their fake lash range I had a quick look and scoffed at the thick bands, the glitter, the feathers, the white balls and all other ridiculous objects that were stuck to the lashes to render them completely useless and I promptly forgot about them entirely.Then a few weeks ago during a bit of uncharacteristic sunshine I was in need of some emergency sandals and while in there I spotted their latest lash offerings.Firstly there was the 5 pack (girls aloud dupe) for €8, they looked perfect, flattering shapes, nice thin bands not a panto show amongst them. The shapes and the packaging are actually about a 90% copy of the girls aloud 5 pack but the good news is that these lashes seem to have gotten popular enough to drive down the price of the Eyelure Girls aloud 5 pack which is currently in Debenhams for €12.50. Good times

which brings me to the next savvy tip…

Eyelash Glue

Now Duo eyelash glue (surgical adhesive) is generally referred to as the be all and end all for decent eyelash glue and while it is fantastic and quite possible the best on the market it does come in at a quite steep €13(ish) mark. Eyelure on the other hand have their own offering of eyelash adhesive in Lashfix which generally retails from between €2.50 – €3 (I got this on promotion in boots a few months ago for €.75) Eyelure have always been and probably will always be my go to brand when it comes to all things lashes, there is a strong company history there and they know what they’re at. Lash fix cannot be beaten IMO (not by duo for a +€10 price tag).

Skin care

Simple skincare have been a kit staple of mine since I started my career and has been a skincare favourite of mine since I realised I should be cleaning my face with something besides the soap in the bathroom. At the moment Dunne’s Stores as well as some pharmacy’s have their range on a two for €5 promotion, I’ve stocked up anyway.

Rosewater – not strictly a bargain but I always think this beats the high end toners hands down and leaves your skin refreshed (and it smells lovely too)

Silcox base / Aqueous cream : perfect for dry irritated skin, big huge tubs of pharmacy grade available for around the fiver mark.

So have you found any gems lately that you would like to share with the class? Leave your comments below, I love comments really

xxx

Elaine

Teaser pics/vid from last shoot

ElaineOC — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:48:54 +0000

Had a very busy Easter this year ending in an entirely mad but oh so fun photo shoot with my good friend and awesome songstress/diva/nutjob (I kid) Sian Brown ( http://www.sianbrown.ie/), photographer Kait Hussman (http://www.kaithusmann.com/) and lots of help from Corinne Brown.The shoot was on location at the old lunatic asylum (which is beyond creepy and very very cool) and ended up in Funderland (as you do ).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf3G3Hepjoc

The look was gothic – to say the least and was achieved with Temptu SB on airbrushed on the face, matte grey shadows from Face 2, Vita Liberata, NYX, Mac, Smashbox and the both lip looks were done with OCC Lip Tars (which I must actually dedicate an entire post to because they are the most awesome make up product I’ve ever come across). Lashes from Penny’s (more on this also later)
Anyway, the incredibly talented Kait has put together a teaser of the final pics from that day and has put them to “Remember My Name” a track from Sian’s debut album “Blue Ruin”. Hope you like the added helium fueled madness in my car at the end

Airbrush Make Up

ElaineOC — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:47:00 +0000

Its official, I’m in love, and just in time for Valentines day and all. The bad news however is that its not with a Johnny Depp millionaire lookalike, its with a rather fabulous piece of equipment that I procurred at IMATS, I know i’m a make up nerd (I will write a review on the show as well as soon as I stop drooling over my new toy).

I managed to get my hands on the (constantly sold out) Temptu Air compressor with the SP35 airbrush, along with the S/B intro kit of foundations, blushes, highlighters, adjusters and the brow kit.

Since I got back with it (and managed to find a US plug adapter) I”ve been airbrushing anyone who I could find sitting still for long enough (my Dads afraid to fall asleep around me ) Everytime the results are so gorgeous that I cannot stop staring at my models.

Airbrushing is definately a new approach to make up, no longer can you see the make up on the face, in fact a lot of the time I’m checking my gun to make sure its working but then all of a sudden the face in front of me looks flawless. Its understandable why this is now the preffered method of make up artistry for HD film & tv and I know this is going to be a huge hit with Irish brides.

Heres what Temptu have to say about their products:”

Our premiere S/B Makeup is the highest quality silicone-based formula on the market. Although designed to be applied with an airbrush, S/B is blendable and can also be applied by fingertips, brush or sponge. The natural properties of silicone impart a soft-focus effect that radiates a healthy and youthful glow on any skin type.

Naturally lightweight and flawless, S/B mimics skin texture for a beautiful finish. Using only a few drops, it delivers sheer to opaque coverage. A true long-lasting formula which holds up through hours of studio lights….”

I also managed to get my hands on the water based airbrush formula from OCC Cosmetics

This is a foundation with a more matt finish and so will ensure that whatever your skin type, I have a foundation to suit your needs

From OCC: Lightweight yet high in coverage, this waterbased liquid airbrush foundation creates the look of a flawless complexion with a minimum of product. OCC Skin™ is 100% Oil-Free for a modern, natural matte finish that’s never dry or flat-looking. Incredibly water resistant, sweat and tearproof. Stands up to the challenges presented by Hi-Definition Television and other digital media.

Ernst & Young Fashion Show

ElaineOC — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:06:00 +0000

Accountants aren’t just boring suits ….
Or so Ernst & Young will demonstrate when employees of the Cork office throw away their calculators and take to the catwalk to raise funds for Cork Simon Community and The Saoirse Foundation. Monies raised will help support the homeless in Cork and also fund life saving treatment for little Saoirse Heffernan who has a rare neurological condition known as Battens Disease.John Higgins, managing partner of Ernst & Young’s Cork office, says “we are delighted to support this event, which we hope will raise funds for these very worthy charities. It’s important for us all to be aware of those who are ever more marginalized by the current climate, and we felt it was appropriate to get involved in this event in Cork, and support the local retail business while also helping charities in the region. We have a fantastic show lined up and will certainly dispel any myths that accountants are dull and boring!”
The event, which takes place on Friday, 12 November at 7pm in the Clarion Hotel, Cork, will showcase clothes from local retailers – Sheena’s Boutique, Lisboa, Amity, Charlotte & Jane, Scarlett, Saville and Mischief Makers. Guest models will include members of the Cork county hurling and football teams.
Cork hurling star Tom Kenny and former Miss Cork Caroline Crowley, both employees of Ernst & Young, will be strutting the stage with their colleagues.
The event promises to be a great night out, with champagne and canapés on arrival, great fashion and super prizes including a €500 voucher from Brown Thomas among others. The Clarion Hotel have kindly provided the venue free of charge to support the event, and with Ikon hair stylists and Elaine O’Callaghan on make up, this event is without doubt the best value night out with tickets selling at just €25 per person.

Tickets available from Ernst & Young, City Quarter, Lapps Quay, Cork. For further information, please contact rhona.abbey@ie.ey.com or telephone 021 480 5700.

I’ve got a Golden Ticket..

ElaineOC — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:33:01 +0000

Well, it is preferably to the Oompa Lumpa song, but when it comes to your tan sometimes there is a fine line separating the two.

I’ve asked salon owner & all round beauty expert Edel Hegarty of the “Beauty Spot” (Glounthaune, Cork) to share with us some pearls of wisdom & expert tips to getting your tan right for your debs…

“Endorsed & used by celebrities worldwide a professional spray tan is now a necessity rather than a luxury for attending any social event.

As we become more aware of the damaging effect of sunbathing self tanning is coming back with a vengeance.

Receiving a sunless tan helps to boost our confidence, we require less makeup, it gives the illusion of a more slender physique, we appear & feel healthier, happier & even sexier!!

The market is awash with many different brands, each offering different results, don’t panic!! Most tans now come in variety of shades, catering for all skin types. Ask your local salon what tan(s) they offer & if they have an option to suit you.

To prepare for you tan – don’t use home tan for at least a week coming up to your big event. Exfoliate & moisturise your skin well on the days prior to you tan. However DO NOT moisturise on the day of the tan, as this can cause the tan to streak. Inform your therapist of any dry patches you may have as she will then moisturise these just before tan application.

The whole tanning process should take approx 1/2 hr – this gives enough time for the tan to dry into the skin.

Essentials…..loose dark clothes (don’t worry any excess tan will wash off clothes) flip flops.

If you wish to get a full body tan & maximise on the effect you will need to leave your modesty at home.

You will be provided with disposal panties & a hat to protect your hair.

But please remember your therapist is a professional she will do her utmost to keep you modesty intact & will but you at ease.

If you are not comfortable with bearing most of your body, simply let the therapist know & she will let you know what she needs you to do.

For home tanning, the same basic principles apply – To prepare for you tan – don’t use home tan for @ least a week coming up to your big event. Exfoliate & moisturise you skin well on the days prior to you tan. However DO NOT moisturise on the day of the tan, as this can cause the tan to streak.
Use a tanning mitt…they do what it says on the tin – smooth application of tan & they protect you hands from discolouration.

Apply vaseline to finger nails, toe nails & the souls of your feet, this also prevents discolouration.

Trick- do not apply tan with mitt from the wrist to finger tips or from ankle to toes. This is best done with a cotton pad with a smaller amount of tan mixed with a little moisturiser. Blend from wrist/ankle & apply lightly (especially on the hands & fingers) using sweeping motions rather than rubbing. Never apply to palms.

If you feel tan has gotten on palms use a baby wipe to remove & then apply a little moisturiser blending tan around wrist crease & side of hand.

Give yourself plenty of time to dry before applying loose clothing

Also only apply a small amount of tan to the face as you will be wearing makeup & don’t want to look tangoed!!!

Local salons will normally do special packages for Debs, which includes a spray tan. These offer great value & getting a professional tan will help you look even more stunning on your big night”

Also some things to consider make up wise:- You will need to match your foundation to your new (tanned) colour, if you use tan regularly the best option is to buy a significantly darker shade of foundation & mix this with your regular colour until you have a colour match.
- Experiment with your colours, things that may suit you while your pale mightn’t look the same when your tanned.

Well folks there you have it, your definitive guide to the minefield that is fake tan.

Edel Hegarty is the proprietor of The Beauty Spot, Glounthune, Cork Tel: 021-4355505. She currently offers a Debs special package of A Full Body Spray Tan + File & polish on Fingers & Toes + Make Up for €60

Elaine is a freelance make up artist, based in Cork & providing a mobile make up service within the Munster Region.

Using a range of the highest quality professional products, chosen for their suitability for use in hi definition film & photographic mediums, you can be assured that Elaine will find the perfect look to suit you for your Debs ball. Make Up Lessons & Parties also catered for.

Web: www.elaineocallaghan.net Mail: ocallaghan.elaine@gmail.com Tel: 087-6617422

Ok so not make up related but thought I’d stick it up anyway…..

ElaineOC — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:27:00 +0000

Would strongly encourage everyone to check out this gig, Sians outstanding live & her album is amazing.

Mac Rodarte Collection, a step too far?

ElaineOC — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:11:00 +0000

Mac have recently gotten themselves in some hot water for the insensitive naming of their new products in their Rodarte collection. With countless number of blogs, Youtube videos & online petitions drawing attention to their, well, very bad taste, they weren’t gonna get away with this one.

From Fox News

“World-renowned cosmetics brand MAC recently announced the September launch of a new collection in collaboration with high-profile fashion brand Rodarte, inspired by the colors and culture of Mexico

. The new line features various products including a pink blush named “Quinceañera,” and a sheer white lipstick called “Ghost Town.” But it’s the frosty pink nail polish entitled “Juarez” that’s causing all the controversy.

“Naming a shade of nail polish ‘Juarez,’ after an impoverished Mexican factory town that is notorious for the rape and murder of countless girls and women is insensitive and tasteless,” Amelia Parry, the editor-in-chief of the premier women’s relationship site TheFrisky.com told Pop Tarts. “Naming a secondary nail polish shade “Factory” further indicates the brand’s cluelessness, as most of the women and girls who have been murdered in Juarez disappeared on their way to or from work at the town’s factories. As Frisky blogger Jessica Wakeman said in a post on the subject, “I’m not going to go name my Sudan-inspired nail polish ‘Darfur,’ which I think is a pretty apt comparison.”

MAC has since apologized for the product titles, and is now working to do all it can to win back offended consumers.

“We understand that product names in the MAC Rodarte collection have offended some of our consumers and fans. This was never our intent and we are very sorry,” a representative for the collection said to Pop Tarts in a statement. “MAC will give a portion of the proceeds from the MAC Rodarte collection to help those in need in Juarez. We are diligently investigating the best way to do this. Please be assured that we will keep you posted on the details regarding our efforts.””

Mac’s most recent statement on the issue:

“We understand that product names in the M·A·C Rodarte collection have offended our consumers and fans. This was never our intent and we are very sorry. We continue to listen carefully to the comments we have received and have the following plans to address concerns:

We are committed to donating $100,000 to a non-profit organization that has a proven, successful track-record helping women in need and that can directly improve the lives of women in Juarez in a meaningful way.
We are changing the product names in the M·A·C Rodarte collection.”

The cynic in me believes someone, somewhere in the MAC camp believes the old adage that any publicity is good publicity.

Ciudad Juarez:The Serial Killer’s Playground (Warning : some may find the content of this article disturbing)

What do you think? Comments welcome…

Vita Liberata Spray Tan @ The Beauty Spot

ElaineOC — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:04:00 +0000

Being naturally sallow skinned, I don’t do pale very well & the recent cloudy skys are not conducive to the healthy summer kissed look thats just sooo me.
With this in mind, last Friday I called into The Beauty Spot, Glounthaune for a spray tan.
This salon now offers the Vita Liberata tan which boasts such benefits as “odourless, organic and paraben free.

I must admit that I was a bit skeptical at first, they all claim that you won’t smell like burnt biscuits and it inevitably happens anyway… but it didn’t & there was no perfume masking smell present either.

The colour turned out very natural & whether its a testament to the application at the Beauty Spot or the product itself, there was no streaking. Four days later & its still looking good & fading evenly.
It gets two big tanned thumbs up from me anyway.
For appointments call Edel at the Beauty Spot on 021-4355505

How Now Eyebrow??

ElaineOC — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:51:00 +0000

Cognitive psychologists now believe that the role of the eyebrows in face recognition is more important than that of the eyes.
Your eyebrows add prominence to your facial features. They draw attention to your eyes and can sometimes define your perceived character. Think for a second of any cartoon villain, skulking in the shadows with the overly arched menacing brows or looking particularly brutish with a unibrow. Bert may not have always been an angry grump but that’s the way I’ll always remember him.
However, the correct eyebrow shape can leave you looking more like Hollywood screen goddess than Henson workshop. Think Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Angelina Jolie, etc..

Even if you’re not big on makeup, maintaining your brows is essential.

Getting the right eyebrow shape for you can often be a difficult task.
If you have a tendency to over pluck its time to put down the tweezers & seek professional help.
Growing out your eyebrows can be a difficult task so it’s easier to have a professional map out an eyebrow plan for you to stick to.

On the other hand a naturally thick bushy brow that’s left in its natural state can make even the most feminine face look masculine.

Getting the right shape:To create a new brow shape, first determine where precisely your brow should begin, arch, and end.
•    The inner edge of the brow should vertically align with the center of the nostril.
•    The arch of the brow is naturally over the outer third of the eye, roughly even with the edge of the iris (coloured portion of the eye) when looking straight ahead.
•    The outer edge of the brow should align with the corner of the eye and should not extend into the temple.
•    The inner and outer edges should be horizontally even to avoid unintentional expressions.
•    Symmetry is critical between both brows to prevent a skewed, disproportionate appearance.

Important Eyebrow Tips•    For bushy eyebrows, first use small scissors to trim that unruly hair and then trim them.
•    Regularly tweeze your eyebrows to keep them in shape. The best time to tweeze eyebrows is just after bath when pores are open. Tweeze hair in the direction of growth and also pluck one hair at a time.
•    To avoid over plucking, shade in your desired eyebrow shape with an eyebrow pencil first & don’t pluck inside this area.

Elaine is a freelance make up artist, based in Cork & providing a mobile make up service within the Munster Region.
Using a range of the highest quality professional products, chosen for their suitability for use in hi definition film & photographic mediums, you can be assured that Elaine will find the perfect look to suit you for your Debs ball. Make Up Lessons & Parties also catered for.
Web: www.elaineocallaghan.net Mail: ocallaghan.elaine@gmail.com    Tel: 087-6617422

- Copy of my recent article from Debsdiary.ie