A recent survey from Evoke.ie found that an estimated 44% of Irish women do not like to leave their homes without makeup on. Research shows there are two primary reasons. Firstly, women who are feeling insecure and in need of a confidence boost tend to use makeup to camouflage themselves or to blend in. In addition, women who simply want to feel more attractive and good about themselves tend to use makeup. Secondly, studies show that 48% of women believe that if they go makeup-free, particularly in the workplace, then they won’t be taken seriously enough.
It’s unfortunate that some women especially the younger generation feel huge pressure to look a certain way. This is particularly true in today’s society with social media and Instagram’s touched up, airbrushed and filtered photographs. I know that the night before a party my teenage daughters feel the need to get the tan on, nails done, fake lashes, hair straightened... hours of preparation.
Gone are the days of a quick wash, hair tongs and a lick of lip gloss once you had put on your best and only frock. Before you went out, someone might take one photograph as it was such a rarity to be “all dressed up”. Oh how times have changed.
But I think that we can find a happy medium when it comes to using make-up to simply enhance our natural beauty. So here are some of my top tips to look your best and still feel like yourself.
1 Always use a primer. I’ve just found a new, award-winning primer by Look Fabulous Forever, a makeup range for more mature women. The Smooth Like Silk Face Primer, €27.37 from www.lookfabulousforever.com, is utterly amazing and should be applied over your face after your moisturiser and before your foundation. Primers fill in fine lines, prepare your skin for your makeup and help keep it on for longer. They also help soften a tired face.
2 I adore Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish Foundation – a full coverage liquid foundation that’s been created to match every skin type, at €40 from www.charlottetilbury.com
3 I always leave a lip gloss in my car so when I’m dashing out to do the school run or off to work, I know that it is at hand. Catrice has a volumising, gorgeous lip gloss range for under €5 – I even have one on the window ledge next to the kitchen sink. Available from selected pharmacies nationwide.
4 Did you know that a small amount of blusher on the apple of your cheeks makes you look younger, giving off a pretty glow? But keep away from bright, orangey colours or any blush with a reddish tone to avoid looking like you are having a hormonal flush.
5 A soft line of bronze or a pale olive-green eyeliner applied lightly along the lids of your eyes will really open them up. A great eyeliner that I use in my makeup kit is the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place eye pencil, from stockists including www.boots.ie at €22.
6 IsaDora has a fab new volumising mascara out called IsaDora Stretch Lash that’s so long lasting and brilliant. Just two coats and your lashes will look lush, long and beautiful. From stockists including www.mcnallyspharmacy365.com at €17.95.
7 Just a light dusting of eye shadow across the eye lid will bring out your eye colour. Bronx Colors Ireland has created some really pretty eye shadow pallets for only €6. The colours are gorgeous, and it’s available in selected pharmacies nationwide.
8 If you have light-coloured lashes and brows I would advise you to get them tinted so that the shape of the brows will be more defined and give the appearance of being thicker. Home dye kits really don’t last very long, so my advice is to get it done professionally. You will have to do a patch test first. I always go blue/black on the lashes.
9 I have always worn a bright pink or red lipstick because it makes me feel happy, confident and makes my teeth look whiter. I just feel properly dressed and ready to face the world once I’ve got a bright lippy on. I love the matte, stunning pink lipstick The Queen by Charlotte Tilbury (left), inspired by Queen Elizabeth II, at €32 from www.charlottetilbury.com
10 If you’re under the weather and your lips are cracked and dry, dab a blob of Vaseline on them at night.
Thank you to all the ladies who came to my makeup demo at the Irish Country Living lounge at the National Ploughing Championships. It was so lovely to meet with you all.
A recent survey from Evoke.ie found that an estimated 44% of Irish women do not like to leave their homes without makeup on. Research shows there are two primary reasons. Firstly, women who are feeling insecure and in need of a confidence boost tend to use makeup to camouflage themselves or to blend in. In addition, women who simply want to feel more attractive and good about themselves tend to use makeup. Secondly, studies show that 48% of women believe that if they go makeup-free, particularly in the workplace, then they won’t be taken seriously enough.
It’s unfortunate that some women especially the younger generation feel huge pressure to look a certain way. This is particularly true in today’s society with social media and Instagram’s touched up, airbrushed and filtered photographs. I know that the night before a party my teenage daughters feel the need to get the tan on, nails done, fake lashes, hair straightened... hours of preparation.
Gone are the days of a quick wash, hair tongs and a lick of lip gloss once you had put on your best and only frock. Before you went out, someone might take one photograph as it was such a rarity to be “all dressed up”. Oh how times have changed.
But I think that we can find a happy medium when it comes to using make-up to simply enhance our natural beauty. So here are some of my top tips to look your best and still feel like yourself.
1 Always use a primer. I’ve just found a new, award-winning primer by Look Fabulous Forever, a makeup range for more mature women. The Smooth Like Silk Face Primer, €27.37 from www.lookfabulousforever.com, is utterly amazing and should be applied over your face after your moisturiser and before your foundation. Primers fill in fine lines, prepare your skin for your makeup and help keep it on for longer. They also help soften a tired face.
2 I adore Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish Foundation – a full coverage liquid foundation that’s been created to match every skin type, at €40 from www.charlottetilbury.com
3 I always leave a lip gloss in my car so when I’m dashing out to do the school run or off to work, I know that it is at hand. Catrice has a volumising, gorgeous lip gloss range for under €5 – I even have one on the window ledge next to the kitchen sink. Available from selected pharmacies nationwide.
4 Did you know that a small amount of blusher on the apple of your cheeks makes you look younger, giving off a pretty glow? But keep away from bright, orangey colours or any blush with a reddish tone to avoid looking like you are having a hormonal flush.
5 A soft line of bronze or a pale olive-green eyeliner applied lightly along the lids of your eyes will really open them up. A great eyeliner that I use in my makeup kit is the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place eye pencil, from stockists including www.boots.ie at €22.
6 IsaDora has a fab new volumising mascara out called IsaDora Stretch Lash that’s so long lasting and brilliant. Just two coats and your lashes will look lush, long and beautiful. From stockists including www.mcnallyspharmacy365.com at €17.95.
7 Just a light dusting of eye shadow across the eye lid will bring out your eye colour. Bronx Colors Ireland has created some really pretty eye shadow pallets for only €6. The colours are gorgeous, and it’s available in selected pharmacies nationwide.
8 If you have light-coloured lashes and brows I would advise you to get them tinted so that the shape of the brows will be more defined and give the appearance of being thicker. Home dye kits really don’t last very long, so my advice is to get it done professionally. You will have to do a patch test first. I always go blue/black on the lashes.
9 I have always worn a bright pink or red lipstick because it makes me feel happy, confident and makes my teeth look whiter. I just feel properly dressed and ready to face the world once I’ve got a bright lippy on. I love the matte, stunning pink lipstick The Queen by Charlotte Tilbury (left), inspired by Queen Elizabeth II, at €32 from www.charlottetilbury.com
10 If you’re under the weather and your lips are cracked and dry, dab a blob of Vaseline on them at night.
Thank you to all the ladies who came to my makeup demo at the Irish Country Living lounge at the National Ploughing Championships. It was so lovely to meet with you all.
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