Fash Mob »

• Café focus: Brother Hubbard

  May 7, 2012 @ 2:30 pm | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  Capel Street is becoming one of Dublin’s most happening quarters – and its newest cafe, Brother Hubbard, is making its mark. The cafe, which is an exercise in chic minimalism – all cadet grey walls and plain wooden stools – is run by Garrett Fitzgerald and James Boland, with food freshly made on site.

  The cafe and bakery recently celebrated its one-month anniversary by launching a lunch menu of sandwiches, soups and salads. The broccoli salad with garlic and chilli is to die for – as are the cinnamon and walnut scrolls, fresh scones and chocolate brownies, as well as virtuous wheat- and dairy-free seed slices. The coffee is Has Bean, provided by Dublin’s 3FE, and well worth the inevitable queues you’ll face at lunchtime. Catch them on Twitter @brother_hubbard, or at 153 Capel Street.

  

  

  

  

  The design of Brother Hubbard has also been featured by We Heart – check it out!

  (This is a bit of a cheeky one, because this piece was in Saturday’s magazine – but I couldn’t help but post all of the photographs the boys at Brother Hubbard sent me – check out those cinnamon and walnut rolls!

• Eyelash extensions at Up to My Eyes, Greystones

  April 12, 2012 @ 1:30 pm | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  A couple of months ago – yes, months, which shames me – I popped out* to Up to My Eyes in Greystones to have individual lashes attached to my own lashes, in order to give me the appearance of a woman who is blessed with naturally long, full lashes. (I know, the things we do for femininity.)

  I’d had lash extensions before, so I knew the drill – individual lashes are glued to the base of your natural lashes (not your skin) – but at Up to My Eyes that’s pretty much all they do, so to say these ladies are experts is a bit of an understatement. I was brought upstairs to the lash treatment area, where I lay down on a memory foam mattress while my therapist painstakingly applied lashes to my closed eyes for approximately two hours. Yes, I fell asleep; and yes, I snored. Several times I woke myself up with little, throaty snorting sounds. So attractive.

  

  And the result? My lashes looked amazing, and for the first time ever that I’ve had false lashes, no one knew instantly that they were fake – even close friends who I’ve known for years remarked upon how lovely my eyelashes were, before asking where they’d come from. (In the past I got the usual, “wow, your lashes look really real, how much were they?”)

  And I’ll be honest – I love having fake lashes. My natural lashes are quite short and sparse, so having falsies really makes such a big difference, especially at really stupid, inane moments such as first thing in the morning, or at the gym when you’re not wearing a scrap of make-up! Mine lasted about four or five weeks, at which point they began to fall out naturally (and really I should have had them replaced but found myself too busy doing x or y). A full set of lashes at Up to My Eyes costs €99 and refills (every four to six weeks) cost €40 – so it’s an expensive habit, but a really big part of me (a part I’m currently fighting) thinks it’s worth it!

  Have you tried lash extensions? Are you a fan? Can you justify the cost?

  * When I say “popped out”, I really mean “made the trek” because, unless Greystones is near where you live, well, it really is not near where you live. But there’s plenty of on-street parking and, when I didn’t have change for the meter (woe!) the women in Up to My Eyes were all to happy to help me out with some change, which was much appreciated.

• Guest review: Benefit’s Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow + Porefessional PRO Balm

  March 13, 2012 @ 2:30 pm | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  This foundation came complete with a primer and a brush for application*, with stern warnings that the use of the brush in conjunction with the make-up was critical! All advice I happily ignored. I jettisoned make-up brushes and sponges years ago on the basis they simply absorb half of your overpriced product anyway.

  Applied with fingers, this foundation worked quite well. It’s super light and gives off a natural pinky hue. In truth, it’s probably suited to eh . . . more nubile skin. It works the au naturel look very well, though my old-lady skin is probably in the market for something au industriel. Verdict: good, a bit thin for coverage.

  Then, purely for review purposes, I applied the same make-up with the brush, and lo – dramatic transformation. Coverage this time was excellent, probably reducing the amount required by a third. Verdict: Made for a much more sculpted, and very natural look.

  The primer doesn’t float my boat. Probably evens out skin tone and closes pores, but give me Beauty Flash Balm or Laura Mercier any day for that just-f**ked look.  However, the brush effect has certainly made me think twice about using this technique in future.

  * I was given a sample kit to try; my tester would prefer to remain anonymous.

• Review: Waxperts’ Hollywood wax

  @ 11:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  A word of warning: this post is, by and large, about my vagina. I know, I know, what have you done to deserve this? Again. But the world of fashion and occasional beauty blogging is one that is full of perils, and, try as I may, there is no clear way to talk about the Hollywood wax I had at Waxperts without talking about my vagina – but I will try to get the genital references out of the way in the early stages. It’ll be just like ripping off a plaster – you ready? (more…)

• Review: Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation

  March 6, 2012 @ 10:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  I’ve written about Dermablend before, when they released that amazing video with Zombie Boy, but it never occurred to me that it would be a foundation I would particularly like. I have good skin (if I say so myself) with nothing that really needs concealment, bar the odd patch of redness or the occasional blemish, and for daywear I like to wear MAC Face & Body which is one of the lightest coverage foundations out there – so the likelihood of my going for Dermablend‘s ultimate coverage foundation seemed slim, to say the least.

  

  But I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth – so when Vichy sent me a tube of Dermablend to try out, I thought, what’s the worst that can happen? By some miracle, the sample they sent out – which is no 25, Nude – was almost the exact match for my skin (it’s a little bit darker, but nothing that a bit of bronzer on the neck doesn’t fix) and so I found that I could give it a good week’s trial with no one being too much the wiser. Except for, oh yeah, the fact that this make-up is amazing. Honestly – I put this on in the morning and instantly my skin is smoother, clearer, more even, and it lasts all day long.

  See this picture?

  

  That is, quite literally, the difference it makes. It’s astonishing; I feel so much more made up with it on, and while other foundations fade and rub off during the day, this really doesn’t – although I’ll admit I haven’t tested the 16-hour claims. It’s replaced my Estee Lauder Double Wear as my going-out make-up of choice, and when I’m on television there really is no comparison. What’s more, it feels really silky on my skin and not heavy and cloying like some heavy-duty foundations tend to.

  The only downside I’ve found is that, through prolonged wear, it can really dry out my skin – and my skin is oily to begin with. So if I wear this for three or four days, you can bet I have serious dry patches by the end. I can imagine for those of you with dry skin, this would start to show up a little sooner, so it’s worth bearing in mind.

  I don’t believe that anyone really needs a super heavy-duty foundation for everyday wear, but for the occasional bit of extra making-up, Dermablend definitely does it for me.

  Does this sound like something you’d like to try? It’s available from most pharmacies and priced at €21, which is less than you’ll pay for most high-end brands. The only catch is that it comes in but five shades, so you might be lucky – or, more likely, you might be unlucky … Let me know how you get on!

• Review: Milk and honey pedicure and mini manicure at Mink

  February 29, 2012 @ 11:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  Well it’s no exaggeration to say that London Fashion Week really knocked the stuffing out of me – I returned tired and emotional and seriously, seriously footsore. So when I put out a shout-out on Twitter asking for recommendations for pedicures, it was serious: where could I go that would beat my feet back into shape and leave me feeling relaxed and, crucially, rejuvenated?

  There were a few places recommended but nowhere more than Mink in Ballsbridge – and when the lovely Kate then messaged me to say she could book me in over Twitter, well, I was sold – no fuss, no muss! I hopped over on Saturday morning, flip-flops in tow, to experience what everyone was raving about – and I have to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

  

  My pedicure was a 75-minute treat (although, word from the wise: wear leggings or very loose jeans. I did neither and was so sorry!) that involved your usual pedicure business – foot filing, cuticle trimming, file and polish – as well as a luxurious scrub and oh-so-relaxing massage. I’m a bit tickly in the feet, so I did find it tough to relax until the massage segment of the treatment, which had me almost floating off into an afternoon nap.

  And the mini manicure was brilliant – it involved a cuticle trim, file and polish (and poor Lin had to deal with removing my Shellac) and my nails looked better than ever afterwards, and still hadn’t chipped four days later.

  

  The milk and honey pedicure takes 75 minutes and costs €60; the mini manicure takes 30 minutes and costs €25. Mine was on the house, but I paid for my pedicure.

• Review: NUDE recontouring facial at Vedas Beauty, Dún Laoghaire

  February 23, 2012 @ 11:00 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  Facials are meant to make you look and feel like a million dollars – without actually costing a million dollars. While the latest facial favoured by the rich and famous might cost a pretty penny, your face will thank you for it.

  With fans including Helena Christianson, Uma Thurman and others, NUDE is a natural and ethical skincare line founded by Ali Hewson and Bryan Meehan.

  

  With active ingredients sourced from milk, NUDE is “98% natural and chemical-free” (wonder what could possibly be in the 2%), and claims to correct the signs of aging.

  While the skincare range is available worldwide (240 locations and counting), the NUDE facial is only available in Ireland at Veda’s Beauty Clinic in Dún Laoghaire.

  The NUDE Recontouring Facial is an incredibly relaxing (yes, we fell asleep) 60-minute procedure, combining cleansing, deep tissue massage and micro-facial contouring. If your face could do with an extra pick-me-up, the beautician can apply a vibration technique to further boost circulation and give you an added lift.

  Created for all skin types, it worked well on my combination skin, which manages to have incredibly dry and incredibly oily patches. The Cleansing Facial Oil in particular was gentle enough for the more sensitive spots, while the Miracle Mask  ‑ which was allowed to sit on the skin for around 10 minutes, covered by a heated towel while I received a neck, hand and arm massage – really hydrated the dry areas.

  I left all a-glow with a brighter, even complexion. The results could be seen for at least 10 days after the treatment. Definitely  recommended.

  NUDE Recontouring Facial, €125, 60 minutes

  Veda’s Beauty Clinic, 19 Lower Georges Street, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Tel: 01-214 0222 | Email : info@vedasbeauty.ie

  I sent a guest poster who wished to remain anonymous to review this treatment.

• Guest post: Hannah Copeland reviews a facial at Kiehl’s, Wicklow St

  February 10, 2012 @ 10:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  Today I went to have a facial in Kiehl’s store on Wicklow Street. This brand has been around since 1851, so they really know what they’re talking about! I went in and had a talk about my skin with Lydia, who did my facial. She told me a bit about the brand itself and asked me about my skin concerns. She then showed me the products that she was going to use.

  

  Image via Alexandra Donald

  It was all really relaxing. She started off by cleansing my skin, using the Ultra Facial Cleanser. She gave me a massage for about 15 minutes, which was really nice. After that she used the Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub and left that on while I got a hand massage. To finish off, she used the Ultra Facial Toner and Ultra Facial Cream. She also put on Ultra Light Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 and Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.

  At the end my skin felt really smooth and soft and I was really calm and relaxed. I would definitely get this facial done again.

  Rosemary’s  note: Hannah came back to the office after her facial positively glowing and looking immensely blissed out, which totally sold the facial to me, even before reading her review!

• Soap and Glory’s Supercat eyeliner – the best €8 you’ll ever spend

  January 23, 2012 @ 2:30 pm | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  A week or so ago I was sent a few goodies by UK-based cosmetics brand Soap and Glory to try out – and while the verdict is still out on most of it, I have tried, and loved, Supercat, the brand’s liquid eyeliner pen.

  

  I’ve been using a Bourjois liquid eyeliner for a while and, though I’ve found it okay, I’ve found that it wears off quite quickly, doesn’t go on that strongly and tends to bleed into my eye make-up.

  The Soap and Glory eyeliner, on the other hand, is utterly perfect. Seriously, I have not one word of complaint about it. My liquid eyeliner is perfect and stays perfect all day. I would recommend you all head to Boots quick-smart to get one.

  This is not a sponsored post, by the way, I genuinely just love this product – and at €8, it’d be hard not to!

• Adventures in haircare: Ojon

  January 11, 2012 @ 12:30 pm | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  A couple of months ago, I was sent some samples by Ojon, an ethical haircare line available at Arnotts that uses palm nut oil found in the Ojon tree. Honestly I don’t concern myself too much with whether or not my shampoo is ethical, as long as it does the job, and if that makes me shallow and careless, then, um, well. That’s not great, is it?

  I’m not a huge haircare person, but I do have a rather specific routine – I wash my hair almost every day and I then use either Sebastian’s Potion no 9 or Moroccanoil to tame the inevitable frizz that comes hand in hand with having curly hair. I also use a lot of conditioner which means that, firstly, I need a product that is not oily and doesn’t build up, and, secondly, I go through a lot of it – so I’m usually a bit reluctant to buy anything particularly spendy, and at €20 -plus, Ojon happens to fall into that category. But, really, what did I think?

  The good: This stuff is, quite simply, great. It hydrates hair without leaving any kind of build-up, it smells lovely (although this seems to be quite a personal thing as some people report a slight ashy tinge; for me it smells like a kind of grown-up citrus scent) and, crucially, it lasts. I’ve had my shampoo and conditioner duo for about six weeks and haven’t had to replace either of them, which is, seriously, saying something. And my hair looks and feels great – soft, strong and shiny, and I haven’t had any of the usual frizz problems (even when I don’t use my regular styling products, which is a first!).

  The bad: I can’t really think of a single thing. The price would be bad, if the products didn’t last as long as they have and didn’t perform as they do, but it seems like an investment well made.

  The verdict: I’ll have a lifetime’s supply, thanks.

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