Monday's Moments: 28/04/14

Morning All and welcome to a brand new week. Even before I give thanks for the awesome days that went before the spirits are high following the magnificent weather we've been having. I was born in the wrong country, I'm convinced of it. Here be 5 Moments that are happily chasing any residual Monday blues away though. Ready? 

1. An Unintentional Winner!

If you follow me on Instagram (you totally should by the way) you'll know that I post a lot of first impressions and mini reviews of beauty products before they even launch. I've found it helps hugely to keep on top of what's new in the beauty world, even if full review posts of every product don't make it to the blog. 

Last week I had an unexpected but AWESOME side effect of that practice. Smashbox US chose one of my initial pictures of the Full Exposure palette to win their competition! The prize? A Full Exposure palette and their new 24hr Photo Finish Primer. 

Yep, I was gobsmacked and v grateful. I've since regifted said palette to a gorgeous gal pal that had done me a solid in the past so she can share in the Full Exposure awesomeness. It's nice to be nice, wha? (But THANKS Smashbox!)

2. The Best Boy

One evening last week I asked Adam to bring me up a phone charger. When he handed it over on the landing, without even thinking I said 'Thanks Ad, you're the best boy'. Up pipes Aaron (18!) from his room 'I do stuff for you too!'. I had completely forgotten that I used to use 'The Best Boy' as a way to get each of the lads to help out when they were younger, it worked like a charm (and seemly still does).

Ahh, Irish Mammy Guilts, I'll have to brush up!

3. Pre Pay Day Pocket Palooza 

Please find the one plus to the rain showers we saw on Wednesday. I had to switch coats for the trek to work, once I got to the coffee shop and patted my pockets for my purse I heard an unfamiliar rustle. Hellooooooo day before pay day awesomeness. €11.01 of unexpected awesomeness to be precise.  

No, relatively speaking, it's not a huge amount of money but when I was preparing to count sheckles to add an extra shot, this was pay dirt. I ordered the biggest, fanciest coffee I could think of and I could almost swear, it's the nicest coffee I've had in a very long time. 

4. A HIGHLY Recommended Chanel Counter 

I'm entirely blaming this post from Simone Loves Makeup (thanks S!) for drawing me to a Chanel counter like a moth to a flame in the first place but once I'd gotten chatting to Róisín (Chanel counter manager) in Boots Blanchardstown about Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet I was in, hook, line and sinker. 

I had just had my brows threaded so she sat me down to give my slap a touch up and disguise the lobster like unibrow I was now sporting. Not only was she a font of knowledge about the products, she invited me back that evening to have a complimentary Chanel makeover before The BOPs Awards. 

Lisa was on hand to complete my makeover, again, Chanel, you need to send some gold stars to these gals. She did an amazing job on my look and because she didn't have Impulsive Rouge Allure in stock she gave me the dinkiest Chanel tester lippie vial with enough lipstick to see me through the night. (!)

If you're thinking of a Chanel purchase (and you friggin' will be after my Perfection Lumiere Velvet post) then I can't recommend the Boots counter in Blanchardstown enough. Down to earth, knowledgeable, friendly girls without any hard sell. They're a breath of fresh beauty air. 

5. District 9 in Howth

Yesterday was the day we went to Capri without ever leaving Ireland. The Dublin Bay Prawn Festival was being held in Howth and because the sun was splitting the trees outside I knew it was the perfect day for a visit and to get some heat in our bones. I know I'm biased about Fingal Co Co but when we do something right, boy do we do it right. 

Temperatures hit 18 degrees, numbers hit their thousands and the prawns, OH MAN THE PRAWNS. We ate, we drank, we strolled, we ate, we drank, we made merry. Genuinely, Howth Harbour in the sunshine could be anywhere in the world. I'm thanking the lord we thought to trial Ambre Solaire's Dry Mist SPF as the hazy sunshine toasted us but as days go? Sunday will be remembered for quite some time. Huge well done to all involved. 

Christmas Party Makeovers: 5 of Dublin's Best Beauty Counters

With silly season well and truly started I wouldn't be surprised should you tell me that you've already been to your office Christmas shindig - hell I was at an eBay festive knees up in January!

Chances are though yours is upcoming and besides exfoliating your bum daily for crystal clear photocopies and/or practising your gracious ducking and weaving to avoid the scaldy mistletoe, there's a couple of places that can really help with your preparation. Today we're talking make up and the professional application thereof. 

I've picked out 5 of the best beauty counters I've used in the past, though I can't guarantee they can recreate the festive facial explosion above...

1. Benefit: 40 mins: 

Free with the purchase of two products

The masters of the Benebrow, Benefit are a stellar choice when it comes to makeup application, not least because the gals listen to every word you say before they ever pick up a buffing brush. Instead of a set fee for a makeover the policy here is to buy two products - that's a full face for you and potentially two Christmas gifts - Win/Win/Win! 

While every Benefit counter will take great of you, I'd highly recommend you pop into the newly opened Boutique in South William St to make an occasion of it (the fact that there's a new cheesecake shop on the same street is a happy coincidence). 

2. MAC: 40 mins: 

€40 Redeemable

When it comes to party looks, MAC have it down. You can really vamp it up in the hands of the MAC girls and I'd heartily recommend a trip to your local counter or standalone store to be transformed before your very own eyes. 

3. Smashbox: 60 mins: 

Free with the purchase of two products

With the Wonder Vision sets flying off the shelves you'd be crazy not to consider allowing the Smashbox ladies to beautify you before heading home with two products in your mála. 

While I've yet to meet a Smashbox SA I didn't love, the team in Arnott's are second to none. My makeover with the lovely Emma (above) is the first time I've ever 'wowed' myself after the big reveal as she'd done such an incredible job, I was loathe to wash my face that night. 

4. Inglot: 40 mins: 

€30 Redeemable (Lashes €10/€12/€14)

The most affordable of the bunch, Inglot's makeover for just €25 is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. The pigmentation of their shadows are incredible and offer some of the best longevity on the market today - highly important when off for a night on the tiles. 

With an entire store of shades to choose from the girls will give you exactly the look you'd like or you could, as I often have, give them free reign to create a masterpiece - once you love it they can make up a palette of the shadows used so you can recreate the look at home for your next bajillion nights out. 

5. Chanel: 40 mins: 

€40 Redeemable

If you're anything like me, the only time your entire visage will be covered in Chanel is when I've had a make over. If you're looking for something a little bit special, maybe a trip for you and an office pal before your night out then Chanel is the way to go. 

It's an ideal opportunity to pick out something a little luxurious for a special lady in your life (including yourself) using the €40 redeemable tag. With the new Christmas make up collection Nuit Infinie de CHANEL, you're sure to feel a million dollars on your way out for the night, the chance to say 'It's Chanel Dahhhlink' is just a bonus. 

Leaving it to the experts means no more getting yourself in a sweat wrangling with the dreaded flicked eyeliner and taking a flannel to your face 30 minutes before your party (I've been there). 

As the season hots up be sure to book at least a week in advance with your counter of choice then sit back and enjoy. 

Take 3 - Burgundy Cream Shadows ft Chanel, Estée Lauder & Autograph

On this Take 3 offering we're looking at one of the most flattering shades of shadow for blue/green eyes and an absolute autumnal winner too, burgundy cream shadows. Yes, the shade works wonderfully with brown or hazel eyes too but there's something about the warmth of burgundy against blue that can transform the eye in your head. My top three picks are Chanel's Ébloui, Estée Lauder's Cosmic and Autograph (Marks & Spencer's) Russet, so there's something here to keep every purse happy. 

Though the three lined up seem vastly different, we'll go through them one by one with a final comparison swatch just to see how much burgundy bang you're getting for your buck. 

Autograph Russet: €10 (or €6.66 on 3 for 2)

Starting with the most affordable of the lot, Autograph's Russet is from the Marks and Spencer's line and the first product of their brand I've tried. The softest of the 3, Russet is a bright, coppery red toned burgundy mousse with lashings of pink and gold microglitter, though doesn't feel gritty. I use this with a lid primer (Smashbox is my fave) for an all over the eye look or buffed into the crease of a cream/gold shadow for a little more oomph. 

Though light as air on application, you have to be quick as once this Pure Color Mousse has set, it's not budging. I'm talking a good eight hours, crease free wear. I managed to pick up Russet on a 3 for 2 from M&S here, that's 3 shadows for €20 and, hands down, it's the best beauty bargain I've managed to bag. I'm in the actual love with it.  

Estée Lauder's Pure Color Shadow Stay on Paint: Cosmic: €23

Next up the price point ladder we have Estée Lauder's Cosmic. One of the nine in its line, Cosmic leapt at me from the Estée Lauder stand in Sephora on my last jaunt to Paris. A deeper bronzey shade of burgundy, the golden shimmer is woven through the soft touch shadow. I'd liken these more to MAC Paint Pots than Russet's mousse texture above. 

Again, speed is your friend when applying this cream shadow, I wear it as a wash on the lid, buffed out to bejebus or as an under eye liner applied with an angled brush. When I say you're looking at longevity with this shade, I'm talking after the A bomb, there'll only  be cockroaches and Estée Lauder's Cosmic left - they'll be some FANCY roaches.  You can pretty much sleep in this burgundy bad boy and greet the post man at the crack of dawn with everything still in place. You'll find it and its counterparts here for €23.

CHANEL ILLUSION D'OMBRE Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow: Ébloui: €29

Just like Cosmic, Chanel's Ébloui is one of nine stunning colours available from the brand. The most expensive of the lot, it took me over 6 months to get my mitts on this burgundy beaut. The formulation of this cream shadow is pure luxury, spongey to the touch and ridiculously soft, it glides on to the lid effortlessly as only Chanel can. 

A deep russet red, brown with multi coloured micro glitter, Ébloui is an absolute dazzler in the sunshine and an ideal shadow for a rich autumnal smokey eye. I wear it pressed over Catrice's Made to Stay Charcoal paint pot and buffed out liberally for a statement eye (it's a thing). You'll pick up Chanel's Ébloui here for €29.50 and I'd recommend every cent of it. 

And that's them, my Take 3 Burgundy Cream Eye Shadows. I honestly couldn't choose a favourite. I find myself reaching for Chanel more but wouldn't be without the other two, despite how eerily similar they are. 

As with all Take 3 posts, if you have a link to a similar post (about burgundy shadow), please feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll be sure to check it out. 

Pop Up Mani Shops in Dublin! ft Ciaté & Chanel

I do love a good pop up and when that pop up happens to be a manicure mecca then mores the better. 

This weekend sees two leading brands showcase their polishes in a very temporary fashion. 

First up Ciaté have landed in BT2 Grafton Street:

Secondly, effortlessly chic, Chanel are taking up temporary residence in Arnott's, Dublin with their LETE PAPILLON DE CHANEL Summer 2013 collection.

The Sis & I availed of Azure (green) and Bel-Argus (Blue). Stunners!!

Tell me, will you be dropping by to see what Chanel or Ciaté have for in store for Summer talons? 

First Look: LE ROUGE: COLLECTION AVANT-PREMIÈRE DE CHANEL

Attention Chanel Rouge Coco fans, come April 5th the brand is to extend their range of super glossy, semi transparent lip colours with several more deeply pigmented shades. Music to the ears of those of us that like a little more colour with our shine. Thanks to a 'Hydratender complex' these new shades, the COLLECTION AVANT-PREMIÈRE DE CHANEL will have 30% more pigment without sacrificing the shine or moisture synonymous with the Rouge Coco line. 

COLLECTION AVANT-PREMIÈRE DE CHANEL, 2013 - Le Vernis €22.50

There are four new additions to Chanel's polish line, Starlet (LE) (Peachy pink with a golden pearlescent shine), Paparazzi (An intense plum brown), Cinéma (bright orange/red) and Provocation (Deep plum). 

COLLECTION AVANT-PREMIÈRE DE CHANEL, 2013 - Le Vernis €22.50

With the exception of Saga (Rouge Coco Shine) and Starlet (Le Vernis), which are limited edition, the rest of the colours will join Chanel's permanent range. 

I know Ce Soir and Fiction will be mine, my beleaguered Laser card doesn't know that yet mind but tell me, despite the atrocious weather we're having of late, is there anything here that would get you in the Summer mood?

All colours will be on Chanel counters as of April 5th. 

Watch: CHANEL Fall-Winter 2013/14 Ready-to-Wear Show

If you, like me, were wishing your world away to be sat at the Chanel Fall-Winter 2013/14 Ready-to-Wear Show, watching fashion orbiting on an axis of Chanel then fret no more. We know have the entire show for our pyjama-wearing, bank balance bemoaning viewing pleasure. 

Karl Lagerfeld, regardless of your personal opinion of the man,  seems to have knocked it out of the park. With high collars, structured tweed, swinging skater skirts, boxy bags and footwear ALL about the boots. 

Excuse me while I quietly weep with want for the coat at 5.18. Le sigh. 

Anything here upsetting you quite as much? 

First Look: Éclats Du Soir De Chanel - Christmas 2012 Collection

There's something very Baroque about the beautiful Éclats Du Soir De Chanel launch for this Christmas. Rich burgundys and golds are the order of the day and I can see them flattering every skin tone and colouring for festive nights out this season. 

Chanel says:

Peter Philips, Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, reinterprets the legendary “rouge noir”, enriching it with gold and bronze to add a modern touch to evening makeup.

Éclats Du Soir De Chanel will launch November 9th at Chanel counters, what do we think? Will you be adding anything to your Christmas wish list? 

Chanel's New Lust Have Scent - Coco Noir

Prepare yourselves, ladies, on the 17th of August Chanel are set to launch their newest scent, CoCo Noir at selected Chanel Counters. They say: 

'Coco Noir is a distinctive CHANEL olfactory signature of desire and modesty, mystery and brilliance, in which baroque audacity and classic demeanour mingle and blend. By its complexity and elegance, Coco Noir celebrates the change in notion of femininity.'

I say, it's been a long time since I've fallen so instantly in love with a scent as I have with Coco Noir. It's unmistakeably Chanel but it's a darker, edgier more sensuous version. Notes of Mademoiselle are detectable but Noir brings Chanel fragrance to a whole new level in my book. Housed in a heavy weight black glass bottle with inimitable gold Chanel design, this is going to make one beautiful addition to any bedside table or dresser. 

The EDP will set you back €92 for the 50ml and €132 for 100ml but truly, with this fragrance smelling is believing. 

Are you a Chanel fragrance fan? Have you a favourite? 

I should give special mention to 

the beautiful Emma from Fluff & Fripperies

who introduced me to this scent on the journey home

this week. So stunning it almost caused a crash! 

First Look: Vogue Fashion Night Out 2012 : Exclusive Les Twin-sets De CHANEL

Today I've a little heads up about an exclusive launch coming to the Chanel Fashion Boutique in Brown Thomas, Dublin this September. As part of the Coco Mademoiselle 15ml Pure Perfume release, this Vogue Fashion Night Out campaign is bringing us 3 Limited Edition 'Twin-Sets'.

These sets consist of a Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick (€30.50) and a matching Le Vernis (€22.00). They are intended to be worn as a complimentary twin set, bringing glamour and sophistication to lips and nails but will be sold separately. Want a closer look? 

Rouge Allure Velvet La Provocante & Les Vernis Provocation are both this unique autumn plum shade, designed to bring out your vampish side and the ideal shade to bring you into Autumn/Winter. 

Rouge Allure Velvet L' Infandéle & Infidéle are both an intense pink with a burst of energy. Each a flattering, wearable shade for any skin tone. 

Rouge Allure La Délicate &  Délicatesse are a refined expression of beige, designed to play on the natural side of sophistication. These will appeal to those wishing to add to their Chanel collection that can be worn year round. 

All three sets will be launching, exclusively, in Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, Dublin on the 6th of September but will be available from Chanel counters worldwide following this so should anything take your fancy you have a little way to go to get your sheckles together. Although darker than my usual taste, La Provocante has certainly piqued my interest.

How about you?

Chanel Rouge CoCo Shine - Bel-Ami

Behold Chanel's Rouge CoCo Shine in Bel-Ami, a sumptuous dusky berry plum colour that, although deeply pigmented in the bullet, applies semi sheer with a silver micro shimmer for shine.

Emoliant based with the promise of continual moisture, Bel -Ami, to me is more of a balm than a lipstick, that's only one of the reasons this has quickly become my favourite 'My Lips But Better' product. 

While I don't find it moisturising, I certainly don't find it drying as can happen with other shimmer lip products (I'm looking at you Peach Parfait Lip Butter). I'm getting up to two hours wear from each application but because of the subtle scent and soft comfortable formulation on the lips I really don't mine applying throughout the day. 

The colour is buildable and can always be given a more long lasting effect by using your lip pencil all over the lip before application. That way the pigment will wear off evenly and the stain will stay put for a lot longer. For evenings out that's certainly how I'll be applying it. 

Priced at €28 from Chanel counters nationwide, Bel- Ami certainly isn't cheap but for the quality of product and the fact that it can be worn both day and night more than justify the outlay. Anyone that follows me on Twitter will know that I purchased this beauty on Saturday before a night out but managed to lose it before even getting to unwrap it. Bereft for the weekend, I decided that it was special enough to shell out again. If that's not a big enough endorsement, I'm not sure what is. 

By the by, if you did happen to find a Chanel bag with said lipstick still immaculately wrapped in Dublin on Saturday, I genuinely hope it brings you as much joy as it is me. I can say that now that I have my own to ease the sting.

Are you loving Rouge CoCo Shines? Have you a favourite shade that I should check out? 

Chanel Blogger Giveaway - Yisser Spoilt!

As any of you lovely followers with Facebook accounts will/should know, I have a Chanel Facebook only Giveaway live at the minute to celebrate 500 followers over there. 

Yes, we're hot on the heels of a 200 follower Giveaway here but I've had several requests from Blogger followers that don't have Facebook accounts wondering if they could be included. Anyone else would say Pishah, but me? I do a quick reccy on the amount of points weighing down my Debenhams card and I come up with a plan!

As pick up one Chanel Illusion D'Ombre (An intensely shimmering long-wear eye shadow), I may as well pick up two, right? Can't have ye Bloggererererers feeling left out. 

So...

To Enter:   

1. Firstly, you must be a follower of the blog (new followers vay welcome) via Google Friend Connect. If you're not following yet, get clicking on the GFC box on the right, with the quickness! (If it's missing, please hit refresh, it can be a temperamental swine) 

2. For a second entry, follow yours truly on Twitter @ItsCherrySue if you don't already. You'd be in fairly fantastic company. 

3. Third entry? You gotta give my Facebook page a big blue thumb up! You can find me here or by using the ickle FB box on the right. 

4. Lastly & completely optionally, for all you Twidder lovers,  Tweet the following 'Win Chanel? Yes please! with @itscherrysue o'er on http://cherrysuedointhedo.blogspot.com.

You must leave a comment on this post to tell me how many entries you are entitled to. Please include your email address/Twitter username/FB ID & GFC name. The giveaway will close on the 30th of November, that's a fortnight, folks. Aaand it's open Internationally! 

Winner will be drawn by random.org to keep things fair. If you are under 18, please get your parent or guardian's permission to enter. 

What are yis? Spoilt!

CherrySue's Gratuitous Graphite Giveaway!

So, 66 followers later I'm thinking it's time to give something back and what's better than a Chanel polish that's taking the beauty world by storm? - egged on by the limited availability of course. 


A polish has to be special to make me annihalte my most recent nail art after 2 days, without hesitation to show you - how pretty! 

This one is for Moi, yours is untouched!

Just Stunning!

The lovely Dee & Sineád over at Viva Adonis really put the goo on me for this one with their Chanel haul post, not to mention the fact that there are no dupes! You heard me, none! 


The Goddess of the duping beauty world, Temptalia has said as much and her word is gospel. Fact. 

Once I had heard each Chanel counter was only getting 90 bottles I called BT with the quickness. Helpful gal informed me that they had only 2 bottles left (and one Peridot, sssshh, I'm hiding that on myself as a Graduation self gift) I hurtled into Grafton St and picked 'em up. 


Me, being me, a generous soul to the last, couldn't leave one bottle on it's lonesome so that's where you come in. Who wants?!

Giveaway is open to Ireland and UK followers ONLY. You have 4 shots at this so please read the rules carefully:

To Enter: 

1. Firstly, you must be a follower of the blawg, new or old, via Google Friend Connect. (I'll be checking). If you're not following yet, where have you been? Click on the GFC on the right, post haste!

2. For a second entry, follow yours truly on Twitter @ItsCherrySue. I'm hilarious so trust me, this isn't a hardship. 

3. Third entry? You gotta give my Facebook page a big blue thumb up! You can find me here or by using the ickle box on the right. 

4. Lastly, for all you Twidder lovers,  Tweet the following 'WIN CHANEL GRAPHITE with @ItsCherrySue over on http://cherrysuedointhedo.blogspot.com/' 

You must leave a comment on this post to tell me how many entries you are entitled to, again, I'll be checking. Please include your email address/Twitter username/FB ID & GFC name.

The giveaway will close on the 4th of September, just in time to show off your Chanel on the school run or in the office. 

Winner will be drawn by random.org to keep things fair. If you are under 18, please get your parent or guardian's permission to enter. If you're of the male persuasion there are no words for how many brownie points this beauty could buy you. (Hint: It's feckin' LOADS!)

Soz, Giveaway is closed, Folks, winner to be announced on the 5th-
Do stick around though, 100 Follower Giveaway to be announced at the same time! 

What are you waiting for? Another pic? Oh go on then...