New Brows AND a Good Deed ~ Benefit's #BoldisBeautiful Campaign is Coming!

There's nowt I love to promote more than a brand supporting home grown charities. I'm not talking slapping a ribbon on something and calling it awareness, I'm talking full on, '100% of proceeds go to..' kind of support. That's why when I learned of the upcoming Bold is Beautiful campaign from Benefit, I knew I'd be sharing again and again. Last year alone Benefits Global Philanthropy Campaign donated $2.5 million to local charities, this year they're including Ireland in their philanthropic efforts. 

It me! As a superhero/young Esther Rantzen - Thanks, Benefit!

How to Get Involved with #BoldisBeautiful

During the month of May 100% of the proceeds from all brow waxes (€16), completed at the 13 Benefit brow bars will go to the two chosen charities, Look Good Feel Better and Daisy House. Not only that but as a thank you Benefit are gifting every customer with a full size Gimme Brow product (€26) for getting involved with their charity efforts. 

Often copied, never equaled, you'll have seen me talk about Gimme Brow
AGAIN and AGAIN

The Charities Chosen

Look Good Feel Better are dedicated to improving the well being and self confidence of women undergoing treatment for all forms of cancer. Daisy House (Watch HERE) provide secure affordable high quality supported accommodation to homeless women and to provide them with the skills and confidence to move to independent living. Both do Trojan work for the women of Ireland, the funds raised by Benefit for this Bold is Beautiful could be quite literally life changing for many of them. 

Maggie Ford Danielson (Benefit's Global Beauty Authority) speaking passionately about the Bold is Beautiful Global and Local campaign

Will you be bringing your brows to Benefit during the month of May? I know I will and I know Corrina will too (they're her go to brow bar anyway). New Brows and a good deed to boot? Thanks, Benefit!

Stella & Dot Launch Autism Awareness Bracelet Benefiting Irish Autism Action

Tomorrow, April 2nd, sees the 8th Annual World Autism Awareness Day and one of our favourite fashion accessories brands, Stella & Dot are going above and beyond to support Irish Autism Action with their Harmony bracelet. The incidence of Autism is now believed to be at 1 in 100 children, though studies show that is on the increase. Unfortunately little is known about possible causative factors or conditions preceding or accompanying Autism so support is imperative for Irish Autism Action, a young dynamic, innovative and passionate organisation bringing positive change into the lives of those affected by autism.

The Toyota Auris Hybrid ~ Our #HappyinHybrid Week!

I'll start with a heartfelt Thanks to Toyota for the opportunity to work together to highlight their new Hybrid car this month. As soon as I received the brief, to use #HappyinHybrid, I knew I wanted to use the opportunity for good; to put my own spin on it, so to speak. In keeping with our entire ethos here at CherrySue, I wanted to pay that happiness forward; instead of relishing being happy in hybrid myself (which I absolutely did) I wanted others to feel a little of the happiness that came directly from driving the Auris too.

And so was born the week of #RandomActsofHappy, even though I had to fit my plans around my hybrid life as a working Mama/avid Blogger, this was probably the most rewarding project I've ever undertaken with the blog.

First things first was renewing my licence. I'd allowed it to lapse having handed back the fleet car I drove for my job in Road Safety a couple of years ago when our funding was cut. I'd actually half convinced myself that I didn't love being on the road every day from dawn 'til dusk; that and I'd never been able to justify buying a new car when there's teens, college & copious amounts of makeup to be paid for (it's an illness).

I knew I wanted to relate each of our #RandomActsofHappy back to drivers and the driving experience but also that I wanted to highlight some charities & organisations that are dear to our hearts. All the while, hoping that sharing the hashtag might just inspire others to do the same. It did. More often and in more ways than I could ever have hoped for.

So what did we do? You can take a quick squizz at the full five days through the Hashtag HEREbut our highlights include:


Driving the lesser spotted Gorgebag to college for the first time ever.

Braving Storm Abigail on Thursday night, I picked up my two favourite ladies from Athy as a birthday surprise. I haven't knocked on that door in at least 2 years so SURPRISE was right! We had a mini soiree in the back of the car before heading back up the N7 and arriving in style, safe and sound for the VIP opening night at Ice Skating Dublin in the Blanchardstown Centre. Singing our hearts out in the comfort of the car was probably my favourite part of the lot. Vive la Careoke! 

The most nonidentical identical twins in the world ~ Note the Frozen gift bag as opposed to Marvel!

Being preoccupied with my niblings' surprise birthday bash I gave my tickets to the Absolut Soder event to a good work friend. So a stop at the drive-through before a day of meetings was needed.

That wasn't my only visit to the drive-through that day though. This time 'round, I paid it forward by paying it backward & treated the car behind - see that full Video Tweet HERE:

'Here's hoping it's not a Clown Car!'

Next up was saving my Pops from the tail end of Storm Abigail by doing the Parental prescription run. They may only live 10 minutes from us but it's been quite a while since I've been able to help my parents out like this:

Real medicine & real medicine. Just what the Doctor ordered!

Saturday's idea was to surprise a good friend in a far flung part of the country but when the atrocities happened in Paris on Friday night, I changed my plans. I knew I wanted to help out with people returning to Dublin so offered up free lifts home to anyone that might really need one LINK HERE. When, quite understandably, I didn't have any short notice takers, I came up with the next best thing. I'd take a spin out and leave a warm welcome for one weary passenger on the ticket machine, hoping it would brighten someone's drive home. As fate would have it, these girls found it when they needed it most:

I couldn't quite believe the message from Laura on my Instagram that evening

The reaction to this particular #RandomActsofHappy has been nothing short of phenomenal. Shared thousands of times now and garnering interest on several of the country's largest entertainment websites such as Joe.ie /Her.ie, in print media as I spoke to Abi from The Mirror and on TV as seen above. 

Even now I'm receiving press inquiries about this beautiful little moment of kismet. That and, more importantly, messages from readers & strangers alike to say that it has inspired them to do their own Random Acts of Happy. Now that's an amazing feeling. 

Sunday saw the one and only time it's a good idea to put Diesel in a Hybrid:

Puppy Mani/Pedi Bound with Diesel

Then it was off to give Thanks to some people that have quite literally changed our lives. St. Luke's in Beaumont for the kindness and care they showed my Dad during his illness and Temple St for quite literally saving Adam's life when he was involved in a hit and run accident at just five years old. That was probably the most emotional day of the week to be honest and sincere apologies to those that snapped and tweeted to say I'd made them cry too. That was never the intention. But thank you too.

Heroes for heroes in St. Luke's & Temple Street

I had wanted to offer Patient drops to the Irish Cancer Society for their help during my Dad's radiation treatment but, understandably they need a commitment of time for that. Should you have the time or the resources to do so though, they could always do with some help. Get in touch through Volunteer.ie or Cancer.ie. I've been fundraising for the children's hospital ever since Adam's accident too and if they have helped you and yours, you can get in touch to do the very same at TempleStreet.ie.


On Monday we highlighted one charity that's looking to take your copper collections from you for a very good cause, well for five. Change for Charity support five Irish charities with the shrapnel you have lying in your cars ashtray or down the back of your seats :

Then real life & digital life crossed over once more as I popped across to our venue for our upcoming Fingal Road Safety Roadshow to finalise our numbers:

In fact there was a lot of this hybrid fitting right in to our way of life this week. It being ridiculously economical and good for the environment, which I try to be *ahem*being just two:

Check out that camera for reversing right up to the recycle bins! (Or, like, anything else)

I shared my very last installment of RandomActsofHappy on Snapchat yesterday and won't mention it here as I'm unsure as to whether it's been found yet and I'd really like it to be a unexpected surprise for the recipient. 

About the car itself. What made me Happy? 

If you've been following along with our adventures you'll know I shared right the way through my favourite features of the car itself - but what were they for those of you that missed it?

1. Hybrid Engine - firstly the fact that I got all of the benefits of an electric car, without ever needing to plug it in. For someone that often forgets to plug in her phone, never mind her car this was a BOON. 
2. The intelligent Hybrid engine decides how best to fuel itself, braking charges the battery, which in turn kicks in when you're braking a lot. So pretty much all the time during city driving. That means silent, economical joy - and more money for lipstick (again,illness). 
3. Automatic handling - there's no clutch, no catch and in fact the Auris handles very much like the swishest golf cart of your dreams. Given that I've driven every jallopy known to man in my Fingal days (Lisa Dingle in a Hi-Ace has nothing on me) this was a dream to glide through the week in. 
4. Heated seats. I suffer with sciatica because of slipped discs. Not so this week. One flick of a switch and I was in heaven; sliding out of the car and about my business all week long, much like Mr. Burns bringing Love. 
5. Alloy Wheels, OK, yes this is a pretty shallow one but when a fat cat in 3 Series BMW and an eagle eyed driver in an Audi R8 spend their time in traffic gawking at your wheels then that's a little slice of happiness in itself. 

All in all, my week with the Auris and my #RandomActsofHappy was one I won't soon forget. I'm thanking my lucky stars that I renewed my licence in time to take part. I'm thanking every single reader/tweeter/Snapper & RandomActsofHappy participator for their outpouring of joy and encouragement during our five days and I'm thanking Toyota for helping me to fall in love with driving all over again.

Got any questions or comments? 

                               I'd love to hear from you!

Kiehl's & Tinie Tempah Collab on Ultra Facial Cream for MTVs Staying Alive Foundation! #TINIExKIEHLs

Since its release in 2003, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream has graced the pages of countless beauty pages and moisturised many a visage with its lightweight yet heavy hitting formulation. It promises 24 Hour hydration, is not only a manna for dry skin but a salve for sensitive skin too. I've long been a fan of Kiehl's as a brand, a quick search through our back catalogue will tell you that but it's not only the products themselves that have impressed me. It's their charitable endeavors too. This latest collaboration with Tinie Tempah in aid of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation is no different. 

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream: €52 Here (LE Version available in store)

To date Kiehl's have raised $2,500,000 in the fight against HIV and AIDS, which is a literally life changing figure and speaks volumes to the difference the fraction of cost of product really can make. With this newest iteration of UFC, £2 from each sale of limited edition pot goes directly to the Foundation. Their choice of collab partner in Tinie Tempah is pretty inspired, it not only puts Kiehl's on the radar of a younger demographic but puts great skincare right up there too. 

I've been using UFC again for the past fortnight and remembering exactly what it is I love about it. Though I have normal skin, it feels completely hydrated, almost overnight from first use. There may not be an SPF included but this facial cream is light weight enough to offer intense hydration both day and night. I for one am loving it once more and have even spied Adam slathering it on post gym in the evenings. He's loving the difference it has made in such a short time too.  

Have you tried Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream? Do you rate it just as highly? 

Kiehls x Haze Christmas Collab 2013

In the fifth annual Christmas collaboration, following on from the likes of Jeff Koons and Kenny Scharf, Kiehls have this time joined forces with Eric Haze, NY Artist of Beastie boys artwork fame. Four best selling products as well gift bags and boxes have been brightly adorned with Haze's signature style designs in the hopes of earning much needed funds for children's  charities worldwide. 

500ml: €52

Time after time when asked about my number one Holy Grail product I'll go back to Kiehl's Creme de Corps. Since long before I'd even heard of a blog, this Kiehl's wonder cream was on constant rotation in my house. It managed to tackle my KP with ease, literally changed my life because of it and to this day, remains one of the only brands that I would pay above the odds for because I know each product just works. 

To date the Kiehl's Christmas collabs have earned over $800k for children's  charities and this offering with Eric Haze at the helm hopes to add a healthy chunk to that total with all sales made in Ireland and the UK benefiting local children's causes. There will be more information in time about exactly how much is to be donated this time around but my last charity CdC purchase was for the Florence Welch collaboration and 100% of those net profits went directly to The Teenage Cancer Trust then. 

Creme de Corps 250ml: €31 - Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter 226g: €42

Although I picked up the large Creme de Corps on launch night, this here pot of Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter will be mine. I'm currently on my third tube of the body polish in the same scent and it truly is addictive. 

Ultra Facial Cream: 50ml: 28

In addition to Kiehl’s individual offerings, customers have the option of customizing their own gift sets, personalising their Christmas gifting with the Kiehl’s products of their choice. All gift collections, including custom gift-wrapping service with Limited Edition Kiehl’s Haze gift boxes, are available at Kiehl’s stores worldwide.

For more information on this and past collaborations, check out http://www.kiehls.co.uk/. Unfortunately the UK site no longer post to ROI but with stores on Wicklow St, Dublin, in Arnott's Department Store (& online here) and in Dundrum Town Centre, you can get easily your Kiehl's fix. (They're ridiculously generous with samples btw). 

Are you a Kiehl's Skincare fan? Any stand out products for you? 

Dylan Hotel to Host Dine in the Dark Event with 100% of Proceeds for Irish Guide Dogs

One of my fave Dublin boutique hotels is about to host a very special event with a very special intent and I reckon it will be one of the most interesting evenings to date. Dine in the Dark will coincide with World Sight Day on Thursday October 10th and Dylan Hotel are donating 100% of the proceeds to the Irish Guide Dogs. 

Diners will be blindfolded in a darkened room, while served a five-course tasting menu prepared by Dylan executive head chef, Glenn Murphy. I tried out a very similar event in Amsterdam a couple of years ago and have been bleating on about it since. We were in a completely black room and served by blind waiters and it was one of the most brilliantly surreal experiences I've had. 

Without the sense of sight, all other senses are heightened, the food tastes completely different, smell and texture become more important and the conversation gets very interesting indeed. 

“We are inviting people to try a new sensory experience in aid of Irish Guide Dogs,” said Sinead O’Keeffe, commercial manager with Irish Guide Dogs. “This event is an opportunity for individuals and companies to gain some awareness into what the world is like for blind and visually impaired people. By taking part, you are not only enjoying a unique sensory experience from one of Dublin’s finest restaurants, you are also making a positive difference in terms of awareness and transforming how people think about vision impairments.”
Tickets for these incredibly memorable events are €80 with every cent going directly to the charity. To make a dinner reservation for Thursday, 10th October or Friday, 11th October, please call 01 660 3000 or email reservations@dylan.ie. Group bookings are also available for lunch and dinner. 

For more information on the work of Irish Guide Dogs check out www.facebook.com/irishguidedogs or www.guidedogs.ie.

*This post is not sponsored in any way 

Clinique's Limited Edition Almost Lipstick - Pink Ribbon Honey to Support Breast Cancer Awareness in October

Behold a first look at this October's Breast Cancer Awareness Charity offering from Clinique. The Almost Lipstick - Pink Ribbon Honey. 

This sheer, smooth hint of pink lippie comes contained in a mini pink, embroidered cosmetic pouch and will be exclusive to Brown Thomas come October. 

Every year I buy my Mam and Sis a pretty beauty product that supports breast cancer awareness and the Think Pink campaigns and it's looking like this year Clinique might just have clinched that deal. 

Pink Ribbon Honey will sell for €19 with €4 going to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (that's €2 from Clinique and €2 from Brown Thomas). 

Be sure to keep an eye out over the coming weeks as I'll be highlighting brands that are releasing pretty pink products this October with the aim to make money for this very worthy cause. 

Clarins FEED 10 Campaign : Feed Your Skin, Feed Your Soul

I'm a big lover of beauty brands getting behind worthy causes and really making a difference in the world. Clarins have teamed up with FEED - Famous for the FEED Burlap Bag that has raised over $60 million and 60 million school meals to date. Their most recent collaboration, the Clarins FEED 10 campaign, is on counters now and means you can be responsible for providing 10 much needed school meals but, in doing so, you get your hands on a beautiful product pack. 

Inside this limited edition beauty purse is three generous sized Clarins bestsellers: 

• Beauty Flash Balm: 30ml
• Cleansing Milk: 100ml
• Hand & Nail Treatment: 50ml

All three come with a value of €42 but in an effort to raise much needed funds for the FEED Foundation the RRP is just €24. That's a serious bargain with the feel good factor to boot. 

The purse itself is large enough to double as a travel wash bag and robust enough to put up with the flinging about that that entails. 

I'd consider this to be an ideal gift, a thoughtful Secret Santa pressie (pick 'em up now though) or just a beautiful way to treat yourself and treat some little kiddies in need at the same time. 

Click here to find out more about this campaign and FEED itself or take just one minute to watch below: 

Brown Sugar are Chopping for Charity - Come Join the Fun - This Sunday May 19th!

It's not often that I'm compelled to share a press release 'just because' but the fact that the super stylish salon Brown Sugar are continuing on in their charity supporting ways with this Sunday's event is too worthy not to share.

They open their doors this Sunday 19th May, in aid of the Down Syndrome Dublin and The Mater Foundation Spinal Injuries Unit. Last year’s event managed to raise a much needed €20,000 in aid of St. Francis Hospice, Raheny, which was a huge achievement for all concerned including the beautifully coiffed customers.

“We were so overwhelmed with the generosity shown last year, and all the brands that were so happy to show support,” says Brown Sugar MD Mark O’Keeffe of last year’s event. This year’s event will again see the salon opening on a Sunday, and their talented staff will volunteer their time, with every cent being donated to the nominated charities.

The event will take place in the South William Street, and Blackrock salons between 12-6pm, so why not book a guilt free appointment as a good deed or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one, or simply pop along to support these worthwhile charities.

For more information or to book your appointment log onto www.brownsugar.ie. 

Twitter Xmas Single: Get Yours Now!

On the 11th of November, the eldest Gorgebag & I headed into the Westin in Dublin to take part in the second ever Twitter Xmas Single. Only yesterday did we get to hear the final result as the single, Holding on for Christmas was launched.

This year the single is hoping to raise much needed funds for Console Ireland, an Irish Registered Suicide Prevention Charity supporting people in Suicidal Crisis and those Bereaved through Suicide.

Christmas can be a very dark time for some so this upbeat, original track is hoping to raise money and help support those in need of Console's help. 

As of last night, we are already at number 17 in the iTunes chart, which is a huge accomplishment but if you want to support this very worthy cause you can download the track from iTunes for 99c here or you can pick up the CD as a perfect stocking filler for just €5.

I'd love to hear what you think and even more so if you've downloaded your own copy. 

Harvey Nichols Look Good Feel Better Event: This Thursday!

Look Good...Feel Better, a cancer support programme run with the support of the Irish cosmetics industry and Harvey Nichols, the world’s leading international luxury beauty destination have created the first ‘Theatre of Beauty’ evening event which will take place at the Dublin store this Thursday 15th November from 6pm. The ‘Theatre of Beauty’ at Harvey Nichols will be the first official launch event of Look Good Feel Better Ireland and you have a chance to attend.

At the ‘Theatre of Beauty’ event, visiting make up artists will showcase their key look for the season and share their top tips on transforming your beauty look from day to night. In addition guests can discover the latest exclusive products, gain vital information on caring for skin during the winter months, explore the wide range of luxury fragrances, perfumes, sprays and scents on offer, or enjoy some fabulous gifts with purchase. Visiting make up artists include Christine Lucignano at Chanel and Chris Howells at Laura Mercier.

Tickets are available to purchase in-store or online at www.harveynichols.com and 100% of ticket sales will be donated to the organisation but you have to be quick!

There are two types of ticket packages to choose from:

€15 – entry into the event, drinks and a gorgeous beauty goody bag

€25 – VIP ticket holders will enjoy a personal 15-20 minute one-to-one with one of Ireland’s Beauty Editors. You will receive expert and impartial advice on the hottest new products, trends and beauty tips, plus a specially created VIP goody bag filled with various skincare and make-up products. 

I'll certainly be there as will Karen of the LovelyGirlyBits so if you do head over please be sure to say Howdy!

Fancy Being The VIP Reporter at the Cheerios Childline Concert?

It's not often I feature competitions for brands but the fact that this one is supporting Childline, a charity very close to my heart that could use every shred of help it can get means I'm about to change that today. 

Cheerios are looking for a VIP guest to report on all of the news from behind the scenes at this year’s Cheerios Childline Concert in the O2 Dublin on Saturday 24th November and it's very possible that that could be you. 

The winner of this fab competition will receive:

• 2 VIP tickets to the concert
• Access to Cheerios Pre Show Party and Meet and Greet
• Overnight stay in the Gibson Hotel for 2 people
• The chance to interview at least one act from the concert and be featured in the Irish Daily Mail

Entry is not only simple but for every entry received, Cheerios will make a donation to Childline! That's a pretty easy way to get your good deed for the day done, non? 

All you need to do to be in with a chance to win is send a ‘CHEER’ to your favourite act on the

Cheerios Ireland Facebook page here.

Sounds like a great opportunity and a bit of craic for a good cause too, right?