PhiBrows

Stroll into Eve-Ellen’s salon, For Your Eyes Only and you will be greeted with a smile.  Not only does the staff there do what they do better than anyone I’ve ever met, they do it with passion.  

Eve Ellen has been doing my eyebrows since she opened For Your Eyes Only three and a half years ago.  She’s shares my love for brows more than anyone else and there’s no one I trust more. 

For Your Eyes only has recently expanded due to how in demand Eve-Ellen and her team are.  They boast clients such as Tara Anderson and Suzanne Jackson.  Situated in The Stables in Portmarnock; the salon is beautiful, spotless and oh so cosy.  From the moment you walk in you’ll feel comfortable; safe in the hands of these wonderful professionals.

Recently, Nicola, completed a course in PhiBrows.  Relatively new to Ireland, PhiBrows are the latest in semi permanent microblading for eyebrows.  I had mine done and am loving the results.

The Process

On arrival, Nicola and Eve-Ellen took the time to map my own natural brow shape, tweaking it here and there before deciding on the final outcome and colour.  

Next I climbed up onto one of the salon’s lovely, cosy beds and got comfy!  Nicola then started the process which took approximately two hours.  It does sting but after the initial part is completed, Nicola adds numbing ointment which makes the rest of the procedure pain free.  

I was then given an after care sheet and some Tattoo Goo which needs to be applied regularly during the healing process.  

My next appointment is in five weeks time and then I’ll need a top up every twelve to eighteen months.  My before and after pictures speak for themselves I think!

For more information, pricing, or to book a consultation contact Eve-Ellen via her Facebook page.  Check out her Instagram and mine for even more before and after pictures!

Lesley xxx

Clarisonic Mia

I've had my Clarisonic Mia for nearly three years now.  I can honestly say it's one of the best skincare items I own.  

I have dehydrated, acne prone skin and I find this fantastic for deep cleansing.  I use it about three times a week and can definitely see a difference in the texture of my skin if I go longer than a week without using it.  

The Clarisonic is fatastic in that it cleanses deep into the pores as well as exfoliating the skin gently.  When I use it I find my face feels cleaner, pores appear smaller, I've less redness, my makeup glides on effortlessly and I don't have any stubborn dry patches around my nose.

I use my Clarisonic in the shower - it's also waterproof.  I apply two pumps of Garnier Fruit Active Gel Wash and allow the brush to gently cleanse my face.  The Clarisonic only takes 60 seconds and will switch off automatically.  It also comes with a charger and needs to be recharged every 10 uses or so - it will vibrate more than once after you use it if it needs charging.

You can buy the Clarisonic Mia 2 in Debenhams for €149, well worth it if you ask me!

Makeup Eraser

I have wanted a Makeup Eraser ever since I saw Michelle rave about it on her facebook and blog.  

This is a pink microfibre cloth that claims to take off ALL your makeup without any other product.  Just the cloth and some water.  

Having acne prone skin I figured this would be a good investment, the less products and chemicals I have to use on my poor face the better!  

I bought mine in Mac Namara's Pharmacy in Boroimhe and you can also buy them online here. 

Here's what the company has to say about the Makeup Eraser "Designed to remove even the toughest makeup including waterproof mascara and eyeliner, HD makeup and lipstick with water alone, the microfibre MakeUp Eraser is machine washable, lasts more the 1,000 washes and will save you €100s in other products."

I must say I agree!!  This is a fantastic product that takes of all your makeup (mascara and water proof eyeliner included!) with, you guessed it, just water.  It washes just like a normal cloth.  Just put it on a cool, delicate wash and it can be reused time and time again - it also dries super fast.  Very handy for those nights when you can't face reaching for the cleanser, toner and moisturiser...  

It also has a slightly rougher side which is great for gently exfoliating the skin.  Personally I think it's a fantastic product and my dear sister would agree (I only wish she'd buy her own and stop stealing mine!!)

Have you tried the Makeup Eraser?  What did you think?

(picture taken from makeuperaser.ie)

Fuschia Make-Up Setting Spray

The summer months are wonderful.  Days at the beach, ice cream, lunches al fresco.

However, they can be a difficult time for us make up junkies.  That hour that you spent perfecting a smokey eye?  Pointless, it's melted off your eyelids the minute you walk out the door.  That contour that makes your cheekbones look fierce?  Gone, your face is just a big shiny, sweaty mess!!

Well, not anymore!!  Fuschia Make-Up Setting Spray claims to be "a lightweight mist that is used to spritz over your finished look to make sure it doesn't budge all night, like hairspray for the face".  That's a bold claim one might think!!  One would be incorrect!  This stuff is AMAZING!  Just spray it over face once you've applied your makeup et voilá!  Smudge-proof, sweat-proof, sexy smoky eyes and killer cheekbones that will last ALL night.

I used it on Saturday night and after dancing away until 2am my makeup was still as fresh as when I had applied it.

This is a definite must have in this Eyebrow Addict's makeup bag that's for sure.  The only, teeny, tiny fault I have is with the nozzle, it's less a mist and more a gush of water.  I've transferred mine into a spray bottle I bought in Penney's and it now spritzes on much more lightly.  Otherwise, it's a perfect product and one I'll definitely be repurchasing.

(image courtesy of fuschia.ie)

Eyebrow Tutorial

A lot of people ask me how I do my brows and what products I use.  Now as I've said already Eve-Ellen does my eyebrows and I go to her every five to six weeks.  My brows still need filling in though as the tint doesn't really last and they're quite sparse.

Now, I'm not claiming to be a makeup artist here and I certainly don't have the best brows going but this is what works for me and what I think suits me.

Products:  I use a MAC 263 angled brush, Inglot Gel Liner no. 70 and a mascara spoolie brush to create my brows.

Step 1 - I usually do the rest of my makeup first and leave my brows until last.  This is a picture of my brows with no product on them.

Step 2 - I brush my brows up and out, making sure the start of my brow is brush up straight.

Step 3 - I draw a line under my brow making sure to follow the shape of my brow.  I emphasise the arch here for a dramatic look.

Step 4 - I draw an outline of the shape I want over the top part of my brow - making sure not to deter too much from its original shape.

Step 5 - I blend my brows out and brush them again, I use a cotton bud to erase any stray product.  I often spray some hairspray onto a mascara spoolie at this point and brush it into my brows to keep them in place.  Et voila, the final result!

I hope you found this tutorial helpful!  If you have any questions or comments please let me know x

Calypso Once A Day SPF 20

As a pale skinned lady I have forked out many a euro on SPF over the past few summers.  My go to SPF last year was P20.  My mam used it on us when we were kids and we never burned.  

Now, while I love P20 dearly, it does tend to stain one's clothes.  It also costs a fair penny (money I'd rather spend on sangria if I'm being honest).  

Recently my aunt recommended Aldi's Calypso Once A Day SPF.  I decided to give it a go and bought a bottle of it two weeks ago.  

I can tell you something, I am sold!!  This stuff is the bees knees!!  It goes on kind of gloopy and smells a bit like nail varnish remover but for €5.99 a bottle I couldn't care less!  It dries in seconds and is active in fifteen minutes.  Best of all you only need to put it on once a day!!  

The bottle does state that towel drying and showering will remove it so make sure to reapply in these circumstances.  

Over the past two weeks I've used it anytime it's been sunny and I haven't burned once.  I'm delighted with my purchase and have stocked up on a few bottles for my hols.  

I only wish it came in SPF 30 too!  

What SPF have you been using recently?  Are you happy with it?

For Your Eyes Only

Considering the name of this blog, I thought it only fitting to do my first review on For Your Eyes Only.  

I've been going to Eve-Ellen for nearly two years now and I can safely say my brows have never looked better.  

Eve-Ellen is trained in HD Brows and is an absolute wizard!  I look forward to my appointments with her and always leave feeling like a million euro.  

From the moment you step into her beautiful, quaint, spotless salon, Eve-Ellen focuses all her attention on you.  She's great at putting you at ease and it's a thoroughly relaxing experience. 

Eve-Ellen starts with a patch test - you can either drop into her salon in Portmarnock or get her to post you out a kit by messaging her on facebook.   Once it's determined that you aren't allergic the good part starts!  

Eve-Ellen will start by cleaning the skin around your brows and removing any brow pencil/make up you may have.  She will then add a tint to your brows.  Once the tint has developed she will then wax, trim, thread and tweeze your brows  to HD perfection.  

When your brows are shaped, Eve-Ellen will fill them in slightly with HD brow powder.  

For €30 it's an absolute bargain! I've never been anything less than delighted with the results.  For more information check Eve-Ellen out on facebook or on her website For Your Eyes Only.

She also does Mink Lashes that are divine, embrowdery that is flawless and has recently started doing Yumi lashes.  I definitely recommend checking her out!  Tell her Lesley sent you ;) x

Brows on FLEEK courtesy of Eve-Ellen!