The Tuesday Chattery - Your Top MUA YouTubers For Halloween Looks?

Blahhdy love me some Youtube and never more so than this time of year when the ridiculously talented makeup artists begin to upload their Halloween looks. Chances are I wouldn't be able to recreate a single one but dayum if they aren't fun to watch. 

I've linked up 3 of my faves to keep tabs on and would love to see your picks in the comments or on Twitter/FB. 

1. Siobhán from LetzMakeUp

Simply put, there's no one quite like Siobhán on the Irish beauty scene. For over 5 years she's been uploading her amazing looks to Youtube. She's one of the most down to earth 'gurus' you're likely to find, her love for the art of makeup is only matched by her natural born talent. 

Some of the most basic of makeup skills I learned from our Siobhán's vids but when it comes to her Halloween looks, I have to leave it to the expert. If she's not already a fave, prepare to up your sub list by one!

2. Julia From Julia Graf

I love everything about this girl! She's a Swiss/Canadian beauty blogger and Youtube creator that's one of the most straight talking and honest in the business. Her Halloween looks are unparalleled, with the Masquerade Mask & Harley Quinn being just two of the standouts for me. Check her out and tell me you don't love her just as much. 

3. Joanne From TheMakeupFairyPro

Another shout out for an Irish lovely, this time one of the hardest working MUA/Bloggers in the business and someone I happily call a pal. Joanne has an effortless way with makeup and always makes me want to be more adventurous in my own looks. Her Halloween vids are genius in their simplicity but the finished look is never less than flawless - that's the trademark of someone that's honed her craft through years of hands on work. Check out her channel and add her to your must watch list. I did from day one. 

I know YouTube is a vast catalogue of varied uploads and it can be very easy to miss a crazy talent, while watching your personal faves so tell us - who do you love to watch at this time of year? 

Let's Chat!

The Tuesday Chattery - What Phone Do You Use? Would You Recommend It?

Mawnin' All!

It's been a little while since we had a chat last and this question has come up several times in conversations and in messages so I thought I'd fling it open to the floor. 

What phone do you use? 

I'm using and LOVING the Sony Xperia Z1, have been for about 18 months now (the longest I've ever used one handset) and can't see foresee myself (touch wood) changing it anytime soon. Yep, it's an Android and, nope, I wouldn't have it any other way. Pictures are crystal clear, video is sharp and it does exactly as I want it to, when I want it to - so why change? 

Several times I've been asked would I recommend it and I would, without hesitation, when asked for an alternative though, I become unstuck. I've owned and loved all manner of phones, the HTC One stands out but 18 months is a lifetime in mobile phone evolution so help me out here: 

What phone do you use? Do you love it? Why is that? 

Let's Chat!

The Wednesday Chattery - Beauty Products You Can't Wait For?

Something is coming, something that has me stupidly excited like only a beauty product can - IT'S AN ILLNESS, OK?!

That something is this: 

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting BLUSH palette! Just look at at, no look, you're not looking!! I get a leeedle bit manic about products like this, my love for the Ambient Lighting powder palette knows no bounds so you can see why this is making my wanty hand itch, right? She's set to land in late October and that's just not soon enough for me! 

Today my question is thus: what's coming that has you just as peachy keen? The new Lorac Mega palette? The Urban Decay Vice palette? Do tell, we can obsess together...

Let's chat!

The Tuesday Chattery - Budget Beauty Treatments in Penney's - Will Ya?

Having heard a couple of whispers I made some inquiries yesterday and it turns out that, yep, fast fashion mecca, Penney's/Primark are about to offer budget beauty treatments in store, alongside their budget buys. 

With the first opening being a Nail & Lash bar in their Mary St store on September 29th, Love Beauty by Mohindra are set to take the affordable treatment world by storm. Worry not about quality of care though as Monika has been in charge of training at world famous Shavata Studios for 15 years!

There'll be nails, lashes and eventually brows, all at prices more akin to New York salons, rather than the somewhat exorbitant prices we pay in Dublin now. Here's just a taster:

Manicure: €12

File & Paint: €7

French Polish: +€3

Gel Polish: €17

Threading: €7

Eyebrow Tinting: €7 

Considering I paid €36 for a thread & tint just this month, 

I'll certainly be checking them out. I could have my brows sorted and enough left for fleece pjs AND fluffy socks?! Can you say BARG?

Tell us, are you looking forward to more affordable treatments? 

Will you be getting your nails did in the space of time it takes to queue in Penney's of a weekend anyway? 

Let's Chat!

The Monday Chattery - Howzit?

It's been a while hasn't it? 

We'll take it nice and slow this morning to ease us back in. 

Tell us, what did you get up to at the weekend? Have we all shaken the dreaded lurgy at this stage? 

Let's Chat!

The Tuesday Chattery: Your Go To Budget Break?

Can you believe it's Tuesday again? 

In her Tuesday's Travels feature this week, Corrina is set to blow your mindhole with hints and tips for taking a children's dream trip with very few sheckles. 

Not entirely unrelated my question today is thus: 

What's your go to budget break? Somewhere you love to spend your time without spending your life savings - do tell.... 

Let's Chat!

The Monday Chattery

Morning All!

In celebration of being back in the saddle with Monday's Moments I'd like to ask you this: 

What's one little thing that makes you grateful today? I know Monday can be pissy but taking a mo to think about that silver lining really does set you up for a brighter outlook and a better day so tell us, what's your Monday's Moment? 

Let's Chat!

The Thursday Chattery - Products So Good You Buy Them As Gifts? (With Giveaway!)

I can always tell my true grá for a product when I can't wait to pick it up for friends and family. It happens often with nail polishes, sometimes with make up and sometimes with more expensive prettiness, such as creams or palettes. 

This morning over on the blogs Facebook page I've teamed up with a brand to giveaway one such product - the Perfect White Black toothpaste with active charcoal. Honestly, when I see people hover over toothpaste choices in Boots I want to whisper at them - that's how much I love it. 

In the spirit of sharing and caring, I'm going to give away a goodie bag stuffed full of Beverly Hills Formula here too, including Perfect White Black, so you can see what I mean. 

To be in with a chance of winning just tell us: 

What's one product that you've loved so much you had to buy it for a loved one? 

Let's Chat!

The Tuesday Chattery - Top European Cities for Christmas Markets?

Before you take the safety off the gun, let me explain. I understand it's just gone September, I also understand that some of us, me especially, are hanging on to the last of the summer with our fingernails. BUT today we feature Tuesday's Travels and today 

my wonderful skin & blister is going to explain why we need to be thinking about this years Christmas market trips STAT. 

We go every year, sometimes the travel itinerary and the number of people travelling changes but Corrina & I always make sure to get away for some mulled wine and festive shenanigans. We're forever looking for inspo for the next trip, so my questions are thus: 

Have you been? Where'd you go? Would you recommend? 

Let's Chat!

The Thursday Chattery - Wholesome Food Blog Recommendations Please?

I've mentioned that I took a serious look at the way I've been eating a couple of months back. Not only has taking the time to consider my food choices meant changes in my weight and shape but my health, both mental and physical is unrecognisable from just a few months ago. 

In the pursuit of healthier, more wholesome food options I've been visiting a couple of sites and I'd love your suggestions to add to that list. My top five right now are: 

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1. Deliciously Ella Ella Woodward has literally fed herself back to health with delicious, natural foods. Her site, instagram and youtube are things of inspirational foodie beauty. Not a day goes by that I don't have a potter through her recipes. 

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2. Nom Nom Paleo With a New York Times best selling cookbook and a passion for wholesome, nutritious food, Michelle Tam is a gal I'd very much like to be pals with. Hell anyone with their own action figure is on that list. Her site is a work of art and her knowledge of good food a joy to behold. 

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3. The Nourishing Gourmet  Kimi Harris is a published author, a young mum and a serious lover of nutritious whole foods to feed your body and soul. Her site focuses on eating well on a budget, an ideal choice for those starting out (me) and those feeding a family (also me). 

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4. The Pioneer Woman Meanwhile back on the ranch, literally, there aren't enough superlatives to communicate my love for Ree Drummond. Her site, her humour, her awesome photo skillz and her passionate embrace of hearty, healthy food. Scoot over there and fall in love with her, her food and her life.

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5. Donal Skehan  Our cheeky chappy Donal's site is always one I'll pop by when I'm in need of a little dinner inspo. I love that his recipes include bright and simple to follow youtube vids. Nope, it's not strictly healthy eating but the majority of his food is natural, wholesome and easy peasy to put together. Those that aren't can be tinkered with. Isn't that half the fun? All that and his photography is tuh die fuh!

See any of your faves? Got any to add? I'd especially love some recs for Irish blogs? 

Let's Chat!

The Wednesday Chattery: Does Being Blonde Make a Difference?

I had the opportunity, as I often do, to catch up with a fellow blogging pal, Laura Kennedy, at a beauty event yesterday evening. We had a really interesting mini chat about how your hair affects the way people perceive/treat you. 

Our conversation was based on her having her glorious flowing extensions removed (initial post here) (follow up post here) and how she felt people perceived her with much longer hair. I empathised entirely as I had knee length blonde hair until I was 22. It does strange things to people. Seriously. 

It draws exponentially more attention. People want to touch your hair and almost feel they have a right to run their fingers through it or want you to wear it down so they can see it. It's the oddest thing. I absolutely noticed a difference in interactions with friends, family (AND strangers) once I had shorter hair and Laura did too. We can't both be crazy. 

Funny timing had this vid pop up from Buzzfeed at the same time, not so much about longer hair but about blonde versus dark and it's very interesting: 

My question is thus: Do people act differently towards you when your hair is different? Have you switched from light to dark and noticed a change? Long to short? 

Perhaps you've lightened up your locks and saw a difference? 

Let's Chat!

The Tuesday Chattery - Would You Call The Cops On Your Teen If You Caught Them Sexting?

Parents of a 13 year old US girl this week turned her in to the police when they found naked pictures of her and others on her mobile phone (full story here). 

Today I'm asking: Would you do the same? I can see the thought process behind wanting to protect her from the older teens mentioned but surely she shouldn't have had that much freedom on a tablet in the first place at her age? How often were they checking up on her? 

There is now a chance that she will face charges herself for the distribution of child pornography, as she had pictures of friends on her phone too. That's not something that ever goes away and can never be undone once it happens, no matter how righteous the intention.

So tell me this, do you think they did the right thing? Would you do the same? 

Let's Chat!

The Thursday Chattery - Are People That Record Gigs REALLY Enjoying Themselves? Why Do You Care?

Saw this interesting tweet from interesting chap, Rick O' Shea yesterday and it got me to thinking. 

You saw that Kate Bush is begging punters at her upcoming gigs not to take pics and film, but to instead just *watch the gig*. Thoughts?
— Rick O'Shea (@rickoshea) August 20, 2014

You can click on the tweet to see how the conversation progressed but this sentiment rustles my jimmies in a few ways.  

First up, I really can't be doing with self appointed enjoyment sheriffs. If someone has paid as much as you, sometimes more, for a ticket to a gig - why is it your business how they choose to enjoy it? 

I get that screens can be distracting at intimate venues but, once your view isn't blocked nor sound interrupted, why is it your business? 

Nowadays a lot of people are basically glued to their phone. A lot also associate their phones with their feelings, as though they're one and the same. Seems if they don't record the moment then it never really happened. 

I fall in between the two extremes, I'll take a couple of snaps, perhaps an instavid of my favourite song but then the phone goes away for the evening. I do me and everyone can do themselves as far as I'm concerned. 

Except iPad picture takers - they can feck right off!!

Where do you stand on the issue? Do people really enjoy the show as much when recording? 

Do you care? 

Let's Chat!

The Wednesday Chattery - How Many Selfies Is Too Many Selfies?

There is NO getting away from the daily onslaught of selfies on social media these days. I'm not talking about make up artists showing their craft or beauty bloggers swatching new products - I'm talking selfies for selfies' sake. 

With Kim Kardashian set to release a coffee table book with over 1,200 selfies (eh, really) and the likes of @mortao on Instagram here that's posted over 12 THOUSAND pictures of herself, there are extremes. 

But we all know people that post pictures of themselves, daily, just because. 

My question is this - how many selfies is too many selfies? Do you post 'em? 

Care if others do? 

Let's Chat!

The Tuesday Chattery - Some City Break Inspo!

Mawnin' all!

In aid of Tuesday's Travels today we're looking for some travel inspo, please. 

What's your favourite city for a weekend break, home OR away & why? 

It can be as obscure or as 'cliché' as you like but tell us!

Let's Chat!

The Thursday Chattery - What Would You Tell Your Leaving Cert Self?

I'm a big advocate of learning a thing or two from our pasts and acknowledging how far we've come. A couple of years ago I wrote a letter to 19 year old me that was one of the hardest yet one of the most cathartic things I've ever managed. I'd highly advise ye to do the same. 

Today, in a similar vein, amidst Leaving Cert & A-Level aftershock I'd like to ask you thus - 

What would you say to your teenage self having just gotten your results? And even more telling, are you now doing what you thought you'd be doing then? Good, bad or indifferent? 

Let's Chat!

The Wednesday Chattery - Sharing Graphic Violence on Social Media - How Much is Too Much?

In a little break from the normal joviality and messing I'd like to chat about something more serious today. If this isn't your thing, do please mosey on past - there's plenty of happy haps to counterbalance this chat. 

I wanted to touch on something this morning that's divided my Facebook timeline like no other subject of late. The sharing of harrowing, graphically violent images and videos. 

There's not one of us unaware of the violent unrest and persecution happening in several cities around the globe this year. The evolution of social media and technology have brought war zones right into our homes and into our very hands. 

Don't get me wrong, I strongly believe that the world should know about the atrocities being carried out and we should all try, as best we can, to educate ourselves as to what's happening - and yes, recognise the senselessness in the tortures and murders. 

My difficulty is with graphically violent imagery and videos being shared and reshared through Facebook. One such video, that autoplayed, last week has literally haunted me since. Every time my mind has wandered it's flashed in front of me. Every night before bed I remember it and ruminating on the last living moments of those pictured upsets me deeply.

Every time I've spoken to my lads since, a sudden realisation that the boys I saw were someone else's lads, another mother's babies hits me and it almost takes my breath away. I've been deeply scarred for having seen it. Even so I feel genuinely ashamed of myself for even thinking about my own hurt feelings or mental wellbeing when there are people, just like me and like my lads actually living and dying this way every day. Realistically all it's costing me is dark thoughts or occasional sleepless nights. All of which futile because there's not one thing I can do to help.  

My question today is thus: How much is too much when it comes to social media sharing? I'm not talking about news reporters or journalists sharing the stories as they happen. I'm talking about our friends, family and relations sharing deeply disturbing images and videos on their personal Facebook pages that you would never see in mainstream media. Or do you believe we should be seeing these images? Have you shared them? 

How much is too much? Or is there such a thing?

Let's Chat!

The Tuesday Chattery - Remembering Robin Williams

You might have seen the awful news last night or this morning that Robin Williams died last night. 

I thought we might take a minute not to remember the incredible acting talent he possessed and the life he brought to every single set. Robin Williams was and remains one of my all time favourite actors. Some of my earliest memories of laughing out loud at the TV were of Robin hamming it up opposite Pam Dawber in Mork & Mindy. 

His Hollywood roles were as diverse as Good Will Hunting, Mrs Doubtfire, One Hour Photo and the breathtaking What Dreams May Come. 

To name his back catalogue of beloved characters would take me more than just this post so help me out if you will - what was your favourite film from the late great man himself? 

Let's Chat!

The Monday Chattery - #PPTexts - Is All PR Good PR?

It's a question asked again and again and this weekend was no different. 

Perpetual social media shysters Paddy Power this weekend displayed easily the most tweeted about text exchange #PPTEXTS. They would have us believe that 'Steve' met 'Jess' on a night in Dicey's and instead of 'Jess' he happened to be text the Irish bookmaker's infamous marketing team. Likely, right? 

What transpired over the course of the day was supposedly texts back and forth between the two, with the team asking for encouragement and ideas of how best to lead on the chap in question. If you haven't already, you can see the lot under the hashtag #PPTexts here

There's a lot to be said for brand engagement, sure, but something about this particular stunt left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't understand how Paddy Power creating a flash in the pan spectacle equates to more customers for them but something bothered me even more - the whole premise of this stunt was that the country, en masse, should have a laugh at the expense of a disillusioned chap just wanting to chat. How is that good PR? 

Even if it were true, that's pretty pissy, no? And if it isn't, we get that the marketing team are having a laugh at everyone that joined in, right? 

Did you watch it unfold on Saturday? Am I alone in thinking it was in really bad taste? 

Or did you like it? 

Has the internet broken me? 

Let's Chat!

The Friday Chattery - What If Men & Women Can't Ever Be 'Just Friends'

It's the question that rears it head time and again, whether in a relationship and testing boundaries or just setting the world to rights with pals. 

It's also the basis for Daniel Radcliffe's new film 'What If' that Aaron is reviewing today so I thought it the ideal time to broach the subject with some chattage. 

Can men and women ever be 'just' friends or is there always something more - whether unrequited or not. 

Have you a purely platonic pal of the opposite sex? 

Let's Chat!