First Look: YSL - Summer Look 2012 - Swimming Pool

I've a very special place in my heart for YSL including, but not confined to the gold luxe packaging that I compulsively polish until shiny with whatever cloth available (jumpers, scarves, children's hoods (be they mine or other peoples')). Everything about the brand says spendy, that's including the prices but I've yet to be dissapointed with a purchase.

Imagine my glee when my poor beleaguered postie dropped off a package from the brand last week with an exclusive goo at their Summer 2012 Swimming Pool collection and a couple of pieces to play with.

See? Shiny!

First up, Dessin Du Regard Waterproof (Eye Pencil) (€26) in Azure Blue is one of the two pencils on offer (the other is Luminescent Gold). It's a super soft, bright blue crayon that gave me pause when I opened it but once swatched and worn, I fell in love. Karen over at LovelyGirlieBits.com had a fantastic piece up yesterday about just how waterproof this feller is. Check it out here. Or feast your eyes on my very own eyeball below. I had four compliments by home time yesterday wearing this and they weren't even faux 'What are you wearing?' compliments either. This liner is, quite literally, stunning. 

Azure Blue and a coat of Golden Sand Effect Faux Cil Mascara

 Pictured above is a coating of the Volume Effet Faux Cil, waterproof mascara for a false lash effect, in Golden Sand (€31). There's also a Majorelle Blue version in this collection to complete your Summer time look. While Golden Sand is not the first colour you'd think of when it comes to mascara and certainly not one I'd pick up at the counter off the cuff, I really like it. I have just one coat on my lashes above but it can be built up to a more golden effect. I've since worn it on the tips of my already black lashes and that's definitely the way to go for me. Like frosted tips for your peepers. 

Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils in Golden Sand - €31

Last of my beauty bits is certainly not least, I have a feeling that the good folks at YSL had a read of my Coffee Kissers post before deciding to send me this beauty as it's already gone to the top of my list! Behold Rouge Pur Couture No 44 - Bronze Ammonite...

Bronze Ammonite = Coffee coloured Heaven! €34

Again, once opened this bronze with gold microshimmer seems a little daunting. But just look at the swatches. Look. At. Them!

It's so flattering on and wears more like a pinky brown than a bronze gold. I got a solid three hours wear from one application. Although not moisturising, it didn't dry my lips like most microshimmer wielding lipsticks will do and wore off evenly, which is always a bonus.

I'd thoroughly recommend dropping by your nearest YSL counter for a little play with this Summer collection when it launches on June 21st. Just in case your appetite hasn't been whetted as yet, I've a sneak peek below at the other pieces that make up the YSL 2012 Limited Edition Swimming Pool Collection.

Avon- ANEW Ultimate 7S Range - Ulti-Minute Lifting Complex Review (Of Sorts)

I mentioned a couple of weeks back that the Elder Cherry (D'Mammy) was the lucky beneficiary of Avon's new ANEW Ulti-Minute Lifting Complex when it was sent to me for review, I also mentioned how I was gutted to hand it over as I was already trialling a serum but today I have her thoughts and findings to let you know how they got on.

I met said Mammy in the shopping centre yesterday for coffee and actually noticed that her skin seemed brighter, not from the usual glitter fest that she only has to walk past a card shop to get up her face for days, but more luminous, as soon as I'd said the words it clicked that she owed me a review. But first, the science bit.

Ulti-Minute Lifting Complex comes in a heavy weight glass bottle with large dropper for use. 

To be used under your moisturiser on freshly cleansed skin every morning, this lifting complex promises to give you visibly lifted skin in as little as 30 seconds. But how? 

According to Avon:

'The ANEW Ultimate Collection was founded on a breakthrough discovery: Naturally occurring youth proteins called Sirtuins are scientifically proven to extend the healthy lifespan of living organisms. Researchers have recently found that skin cells have not just one but seven Sirtuin youth proteins that affect the way skin ages. Now Avon scientists have developed a patented technology to reactivate all seven Sirtuins in skin like never before, offering a comprehensive approach to anti-aging care. This breakthrough technology is the basis of ANEW Ultimate 7S, a complete collection of powerful anti-aging essentials.'

Close up the golden microshimmer that works to bring luminosity and radiance is clear to see

D'Mammy's first comment was about the smell of this complex. She remarked how 'It smells expensive' that she 'looks forward to using it each morning before moisturising'. I asked if she'd noticed any difference in her skin with use, 'As soon as I finish applying it, I can feel it tighten my skin slightly but not unpleasantly. It just feels right'. Intriguing, Elder Cherry, do go on...

'It reminds me so much of those squeezy things your Aunty Peggy brought me home', she's talking about Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules that we both adored. Apparently, even though she only applies this complex in the mornings, she can still feel it's effects at the end of the day. She commented that her skin felt 'velvety soft', which I can verify from giving it a little rub (for science) and, most importantly of all, she asked if I'd order her a new bottle when it launches in June, which takes care of the value for money aspect.

And there we have it, we'll never make a crack journalism team, nor will she write me an actual guest post but you now have it on good authority (cos she knows everything about everything) that Avon's ANEW Ultimate 7S Range - Ulti-Minute Lifting Complex is worth a punt or €35 in June when it's released.

Yep, still raging I gave it away....

Thermal Spring Water & its Very Many Uses

Thermal Spring Water, huh, what is it good for? Absolutely... Well loads of stuff actually..

Prepare to realise why one of these French fine mist sprays could be the answer to several of your beauty or lifestyle problems and why every fridge and mála should have one.

Thermal Spring Water mists are the only products to be connected directly at source to the springs in France, meaning the pure water inside literally doesn't see the light of day for up to two years or until such time as its called into action.

I first came across the Avène version while on holidays in Tenerife a couple of years back. We kept it in the fridge for use throughout the day and it saved our skin, literally, on more than one occasion. I actually came to miss it in the weeks after we arrived home so was thrilled at the refreshing reminder when the brands sent me these bad boys for review.

I've listed 10 of the most useful uses for these cooling compadres but of course this list is not exhaustive:

1. As a toner. LRP Thermal Spring Water is naturally high in selenium and its Avène counterpart in silicate. These work to purify and calm the skin. Reducing redness and closing pores naturally. Both are naturally anti oxidant. 
2. To set make up.  Once you've completed your make up look for the day a spritz of Thermal Spring Water acts to set your work in place, it can also be used throughout the day as the mist is fine enough not to cause make up to 'melt'. 
3. Fizzog refreshment through the day. Whether on holidays in the heat or stuck inside a busy office with 24 hour central heating and air conditioning, this spray is like a cool drink of water for your skin. The fine mist won't frighten babies so is perfect for keeping little kissers cool too. 
4. For long flights or trips. Being stuck inside a pressure controlled can in the sky for up to 12 hours with recycled air is really no good for your complexion. An easy addition to your carry on luggage, refreshment is only a spritz away. (Or, of course you could spray it on Hoggy McHoggerson, snoring with their mouth open and falling over your seat too)(The perfect crime)
5. For fever and nausea relief. Not necessarily self inflicted illness but good for that too.  It's instantly cooling. 
6. Treatment of burns & wounds. Be they sun burns, razor burns or otherwise, a spray of this regularly really helps to ease the sting. It can also be sprayed on open, clean wounds to calm inflammation and temporarily relieve pain.
7. New tattoos: For new tattoos, in the healing stage, when all you want to do is scratch!
8. Itchiness relief: Whether from a healing wound, skin conditions such as eczema, bug bites or chicken pox. Relief is just a spray away.
9. During and after workouts: To help keep you going or to cool you down once done. 
10. Nappy Rash or chaffing: The mist is so fine that when a little one is suffering so much that a cloth or wipe stings, it works wonders to gently ease the pain. 

 While the La Roche Posay offering is ideal to be kept in the fridge all year round, the Avène version is small enough to be handbag or nappy bag friendly and can be brought everywhere. 

LRP retails for €9.66 from all good pharmacies and Avène travel size for €4 in larger Boots. 

Have you used either of these before? Got a use to add to my list? Lemme know!

**Edit** The Sis has reliably informed me
that these sprays are invaluable for
pregnant ladies for every day and for the labour ward! Genius! 

The Konjac Sponge (that bears an uncanny resemblance to Kojak)

Used by the Chinese for over 1,500 years and coming from the potato family, the Konjac sponge is new to Irish shores and going down a treat. (Eh, naturally, it's a bidayto!)

These sponges are made with 100% natural Konjac fibre (a vegetable fibre from the root of the Amorphophallus konjac plant) and are one of the softest sponges I've tried.

There are 6 to choose from, ranging from the Pure Natural Baby Sponge to the Bamboo Charcoal Sponge Puff and they're very reasonably priced (all under €8), considering the savings to be made on cleansing products.

The sponges are moist in their original packaging but do dry out when not in use. 

The Konjac Sponge Company advocate using this baldy little feller with just luke warm water, so as to save products i.e. money and of course the environment. Because it's 100% natural and PH balanced, absolutely you can do that and I have but I've found myself preferring to use it with minimal cleansing products instead.

I spoke last week about my new love for Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and the fact that I found every day use with the provided muslin cloths just too harsh for my skin. This little blighter is perfect though. I find myself using less product as the surface of the sponge is slightly shiny and doesn't absorb as much as a normal sponge. It also doesn't pull or tug the skin as you cleanse, instead it works with you to gently clean off your make up and slightly buff and exfoliate the skin, removing old cells.

If you're a fan of make up wipes for stress free (read quick as you can) make up removal, I'd highly recommend one of the Konjac sponges as it only needs to be dampened to do the trick with no nasty skin hangover or side effects the following day.

Just one point I've found though, if you're a lover of long wear mascaras, as I am, you may need to cleanse your eyes separately first if you use the sponge solo but other than that I really am thrilled with the results I've been having with my little Kojak.

Available now from Misebeauty.com and very soon from Beautyemporium.ie, will you be looking for your own little Kojak?


The Konjac Sponge was sent as a PR Sample
But I've since bought 2 as pressies!

The Brains Behind your Favourite Beauty Sites - Hennessy Hair & Beauty Ltd

In part six of the series, that proves you lot are just as nosy as yours truly, we're taking a look see at Hennessy Hair & Beauty Ltd. The family run business, based in Cork that's been beautifying us and supplying the professional world for over 30 years. 


Not only have they a laudable history with helping local and national charities but they also stock many fabulous high end brands and make them accessible to you and I. The first time I was introduced to Hennessy Hair & Beauty was at the Professional Beauty show earlier this year where they had, easily, the best stand of the show. The Valhalla of OPI as I've been calling it since.

That's where I picked up OPI's Nail Envy, which has literally changed the life of my talons so I was thrilled when Audrey, Hennessy's OPI Educator came forward to satiate our nosiness. Take it away, Audrey!

1. What inspired you to set up your site?

Being in the beauty industry demand for products is very high. Nowadays people use the internet for everything so it was compulsory for us to set up a website. Customers like to brouse and see products at their leisure. We would have customers from all over Ireland so it is great for them to be able to log on and see all the products we stock. It is also great to keep up with new product launches and see all the different courses we have to offer through our website without physically having to come into our shop.

2. How long have you been beautifying the country?

Hennessy hair and beauty was established in 1982, celebrating 30 years in business this year. Over the years we have constantly built up our client database. We also like to keep up to date on all new products available to both beauty therapists and hairdressers. We take great pride in making sure we provide an adequate and reliable service for all our customers.

3. What’s your favourite part of the job?

My favourite part of the job is very hard to say. New product launches are always very exciting. OPI launch alot of fantastic products, so it is very exciting when these arrive in. I also love the teaching part of the job. We carry out alot of nail and beauty courses in our head office. Its great to get to meet new salon owners who are looking to further their career in branching out to new courses.

4. What’s the one thing about your job that people might not know?

At hennessy hair and beauty we make sure all orders are sent out the same day they are ordered so that the customer has the products the next working day. As with all orders placed on our website before lunch time, will be despatched the same day. We have a fantastic staff of 22 that do an amazing job at making sure the customer is always looked after. Beauty is so addictive its hard not to take your work home......

5. If you could choose just one product to recommend to a friend – what would that be?

It would have to be NAIL ENVY nail strengthner from OPI. This is an amazing product for nails in need for repair. It quick and easy to use. Miracle product. Have amazing nails in no time.

Thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us, Audrey, I can't say that I wouldn't swap jobs for a day in a heart beat!

As a treat for you lovely lot, Hennessy Hair & Beauty Ltd have very generously given me a box of OPI goodies to give away worth over €60! It includes the fabulous OPI Nail Envy and it's matte counterpart so you too could have talons tuh die for in just weeks. 

Competition is open to both UK & Ireland this time. You must be a follower of the blog, through any medium i.e GFC/Facebook/Mail but entry is simple. Just tell me one of the charities that Hennessy Hair & Beauty support. (Hint). Send your answer, follower ID, name and address to cherrysuecomps@gmail.com and I'll pick a winner on Bank Holiday Monday, June 4th. Good Luck! 

We have a Winner! The prize includes OPI Nail Envy, Nail Envy Matte, Full collection of OPI AvoJuice Skinsensationals & OPI Dutch Mini polishes - the Winner is.... Gillian Daniels from Tullow! Huge congrats, Gillian!