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 Hi everyone!

Hope all is well. Is anyone else excited by the fact that now Halloween is over, we can begin to mention the C word?! The one thing I have started to do is party dress shopping – I am not even sure where I plan on wearing so many outfits but isn’t it better to be safe than sorry!

For my blog post this month, I was excited to be trying out the BIODERMA range. I heard a lot of people talking about the brand on social media and my sister also told me that she loves their micellar water so I had high hopes that thankfully did not disappoint.

First up is the Atoderm Creme which is for normal to dry / sensitive skin. It is an ultra nourishing creme and I can hands down say I have never tried a more softer or creamier moisturiser! I wouldn’t suffer with too much dryness but the sides of my face have been quite bad over the last while due to putting tan on my face and this product definitely helped. My sister also has a little bit of dermatitis on her face and it did not irritate it at all. When I was doing some research I discovered that it is optimised if you apply it on lightly moistened skin after a bath or shower.

Next up is the Hydrablo Gel Creme – a lot lighter than the previous cream and is for normal to combination skin which is what I have. The 3 things this product does is generates hydration, gives a radiance to the skin (which I definitely noticed) and the Vitamin E helps to protect the skin against oxidative stress which combats premature ageing.

There are also 2 different shower gels in the range. One is anti irritation which is designed for dry, very dry or irritated, sensitive skin which would be great for those of you that are prone to skin conditions and the other is an ultra gentle formula which would be more suited to normal skin.

For those of you that are lucky enough to be heading away on a sun holiday, the one thing we always pack is sun cream. The Photoderm Max has an SPF of 50 + and because of that, it is designed for very sensitive skin – in particular those who would be very fair with freckles (the majority of the Irish population haha!) If the skin is going to be exposed to very high temperatures of sun, then this is the product for you.

The Hydrablo Serum is designed for very dehydrated or sensitive skin and like I said above, my face is definitely very dry at the minute which is why I got on great with this. We all have busy lives and between one thing and another, the skin can become very dull after a while if we don’t look after it properly. There is a really nice, fresh smell to it and I apply the product directly after I have cleansed at night so I know that it can work magic whilst I sleep! It leaves a nice glow and I am all about the glow!

Last but by no means least is the make-up removing micellar water. Now, I have tried micellar waters in the past and they did not agree with my skin at all as they were very harsh. The Bioderma one was very gentle on the skin yet it still took off all my make-up. I simply put some of the solution on a cotton pad, rub it into my face and then see the white cotton pad turn from white to brown! The bottle size is very generous too so it will last you a long time.

I hope you have enjoyed this post and the girls in Magee’s will be able to help you out in store if you have any questions on the products – the full range is now available to buy.

See you next month!

Emma

x

 

Elf Cosmetics

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Hi everyone!

Today I am back with a skincare post. Some of you may have already heard of the brand Elf Cosmetics and if you haven’t, then hopefully you will try a few of the products after this post. The one thing I love is that it’s SO affordable and there’s a great variety to choose from.

I had first come across the brand online and was delighted to see that Magees are stockists of it. I tend to stick to the same products over and over, especially if I get on well with them and that’s what happened with Elf. You may think that because of the low price point, the quality of the products is jeopardised but I did not find that the case whatsoever. I’ll be introducing you to the Illuminating eye cream, Exfoliating Scrub, Daily Face Cleanser and Hydrating Bubble Mask.

A cleanser is part of nearly every skincare routine and this one was brilliant. It took off all my make-up and left my skin feeling really clean and fresh. Also a brilliant price point – between €4 & €5 as far as I can remember.

Now that I’m 26, I know that an eye cream needs to be part and parcel of my everyday/night routine. I wasn’t prepared (just yet) to fork out a lot of money on a product in case it didn’t work so I said that I would start off small and go from there. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with the Illuminating Eye Cream. It claims to get rid of dark circles and although I don’t suffer with them, I definitely noticed my eye area to be a lot brighter and hydrated. Jojoba, vitamin E, and cucumber are some of the ingredients in the cream and all products are free from Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates.

I have combination skin that tends to get quite dry from time to time so I was looking forward to trying something hydrating and hoping that it worked – thankfully it did. It is a gel like texture that turns into little bubbles when you massage it into the skin and I left it to sit for approx 10 mins. After this I took it off with my face cloth and my skin felt really soft, clean and hydrated. It also smelled really nice – would definitely recommend.

Being honest, the one part of my skincare that I have neglected over the last few months is using a scrub and it is so important for getting rid of any dead skin cells. I have tried to get into habit of using it once a week and I am slowly but surely getting back into routine again! This gentle exfoliating scrub helps polish away dead skin cells for healthy, glowing looking skin. I definitely felt that my skin was a lot smoother, brighter and thankfully not tight as some scrubs have a tendency to make your skin feel like that.

All in all I have to say that I really like the brand and will continue to use it for the foreseeable future. All products are available in store at Magees and make sure to let me know if you decide to try any of the products!

Until next time,

Emma

x

 

A/W fragrances

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Hi everyone!

Hope you are all well and enjoying the transition into Autumn/Winter. I was just saying in my latest column with the Letterkenny Leader that I am so excited this season has finally arrived! I know a lot of people prefer the summer months but I just love the idea of cosy knits, boots and lots of layers! With that in mind, I thought I would cover A/W fragrances for this months blog post. Does anyone else slightly change their fragrance? I prefer to go for something that has a musky undertone as I tend to stick to quite sweet scents throughout the summer months. I have included my top 5 favourites below with a brief description on each but I am sure many of you will have heard of them already.

The Caroline Herrera perfume is one that I only came across recently when I was browsing in Magees and I loved the smell of it instantly – not to mention the bottle is very eye catching and would look fab on any dressing table. The best way to describe this perfume is an oriental scent and also very strong so if that sounds like you, definitely pop in and have a little tester.

I am a big fan of Lancome perfumes and absolutely LOVE La Vie Est Belle. I heard a few people mention the Magie Noire and thought I would give it a spray – I didn’t find it to be as sweet as the La Vie Est Belle which is what I like as I tend to keep it for the summer months. Similar to Caroline Herrera that I mentioned above, I would describe it as an oriental scent as you can always be guaranteed with Lancome perfumes that they will last throughout the day/night.

The SoSu Parfum De Nuit is probably the most Autumnal fragrance out of the 5 I have listed here and if you like a strong scent, then you will love this! The packaging is very luxurious and it lingers on your clothes which is what I love. As it contains a mixture of woody and spice undertones, it is suitable for either men or women and it is definitely one of my top faves!

The Elie Saab Le Parfum is a beautiful fruity scent that also has undertones of white musk which is why I like to use it in the A/W. In saying that I must actually go and purchase another bottle myself! If you don’t like anything too strong, then this is perfect as it is a very soft scent.

I have been wearing Jean Paul Gaultier for years – I think everyone has at least one perfume they always go back to and this is mine. Although it has quite a floral undertone, it isn’t too overpowering as there are also hints of vanilla and ginger. I am the world’s worst for spraying half a bottle of perfume and then choking anyone that comes in contact with me, so one of the best things about this perfume is that a little goes a long way!

All are available to purchase either in store or online and the link is included for each if you just click on the perfume name. Let me know if any of these are your favourites too and I shall talk to you all very soon!

Until next time,

Emma,

x

Top 5 face masks

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 Hi everyone! Hope you are all well. This month I am back with another blog post and we are focusing on skin care! I thought we would go with face masks and include a mixture of high end and budget friendly so that everyone is catered for. I will cover La Roche Posay, L’Oreal, two different products from Clarins and also Garnier. If you have any questions the girls in store will be more than happy to help you out and I have linked those that are available online too. Soo, if you want to find out more about each product then keep reading 🙂

First up is the La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Mask. I tried one of their foundations years ago and got on brilliantly with it so I had high hopes for the mask and it didn’t disappoint thankfully. I have combination skin so it can tend to get quite dry around the cheek area and then oily in my t-zone. I haven’t been looking after my skin as well as I should be over the last few weeks and I did notice a difference after using the mask. It’s designed for dehydrated skin that has a dull complexion and is also a little sensitive so it fitted perfectly with my skin currently. It definitely felt a lot smoother and I didn’t look as dull which is an added bonus! To apply it, I make sure my face is a little damp and then leave it on for 10-15 minutes – I remove it with either a face cloth or damp cotton pads and then moisturise after. I did a bit of research before using the product and discovered that it contains no preservatives, no parabens, no fragrance, no alcohol, no colourants, no lanolin and is non-comedogenic which means that it won’t block pores. This product retails at €16.50

Clarins is a brand I have never tried before so I was looking forward to seeing what the products were like. I tried the Hydra-Essentiel moisturising reviving eye mask and the SOS Hydra refreshing hydration mask. Used together, they are a dream, especially if you suffer with tired, dull skin that needs a bit of vavavoom in injected back into it!

The eye mask I found to be particularly good. My sleep pattern is all over the place at the minute and as a result, I have bags under my eyes. I noticed they were a lot brighter after using the mask and also felt really refreshed and hydrated. You can leave it on for 10 minutes or overnight which is what I did as you can be guaranteed maximum results then.

The face mask has a gorgeous fresh scent and cream/gel like texture meaning it is very easy to apply. I found it really moisturising and luxurious and there was a certain plumpness to my skin after I had removed it and moisturised. My make-up also sat a lot better on my skin and out of all 5 products, this would be my favourite.

I’m sure many of you have heard of the L’Oreal Pure Clay Masks and they are brilliant because you can essentially have 3 masks on at the one time to work on different areas of your face! There’s the green mask which is for purity, the black mask for detox and the red mask for a glow – my favourite one! 🙂 With the 3 combined, you have a deep cleansing mask  that works right into the pores and that is just what my skin needed! I loved the creamy texture of each mask and used a foundation brush to evenly spread each one across my face. I was worried my skin would be a little dry after but it was the total opposite – it felt really clean and bright.

Above you will see a few suggestions as to how you can use them for different situations and it can be used up to 3 times a week – just make sure to only apply a light layer to the skin. They retail at just €6.70 for the 3 in the mini play kit.

I definitely suggest to pre-warn anyone that lives with you that you are putting on a black sheet around your face as you will give them the fright of their lives when they see you – it does provide a bit of entertainment all the same! The Garnier pure charcoal black tissue mask is primarily for purifying and hydrating but also mattifying and it is for this reason I think it would be best suited to those with oily skin. Charcoal is an ingredient mainly used for absorption purposes but in saying that I definitely did notice my skin to be a lot clearer after using it. There was nice glow underneath my make-up and my t-zone wasn’t as shiny as normal.

I hope you enjoyed this post and don’t forget to pop into the customer appreciation day tomorrow where Magee’s are celebrating 90 years in business and the opening of their new extension. There will be a dj, discounts and giveaways on the day so if you’re around between 11am & 3pm, nab yourself a face mask!

Until next time,

Emma

x

 

 

 

Top 5 handbag beauty essentials!

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Hi everyone! I can’t believe it has been a month since my blog post. Hope you are all well and looking forward to the weekend. It looks like the good weather is back which is amazing! Doesn’t it make such a difference to everyone’s mood?! Long may it last ☺

I looked at the list of potential posts we could do for this blog and decided to go with top 5 handbag beauty essentials as I think it is something that all ladies can relate to. Personally, I know that I cannot leave the house without my make-up bag. When I am out and about, it tends to be long days and I like to know that I have a few go to items in my make-up, should I need them. Everyone will be different in terms of what they like to use on a daily basis so I have included the products I can’t live without and hopefully you find something new!

It might seem a bit obvious starting with this but the one thing I definitely cannot leave the house without is deodorant! I normally use either Dove or the Nuxe body stick pictured above. What I like is the fact it doesn’t leave any white marks on your clothes and it also smells lovely.

As I wear tan all year round, my hands tend to get quite dry and that is why I always carry a little hand cream in my bag. I also like to apply it every night before I go to bed. This cream from Nuxe smells AMAZING! Once any product smells nice, I am sold! 😍 It’s non greasy and always leaves my hands feeling really soft so that’s why I love it.

I’m sure many of you have heard of the Clarins Instant Light lip balms before, but if you haven’t, they are brilliant. A little bit more expensive compared to your normal lip balm but I find Clarins to be a great brand and that’s why I don’t mind spending a little extra – they also last a long time so you are getting value for money. I like the fact they also add a little colour/high shine to your lips and there is a wide selection of colours available as you can see above.

I am a huge fan of perfume. I go through it like no tomorrow and that is probably due to the fact that I also spray it like no tomorrow! The GUESS Seductive is one of my favourites as I like quite a sweet scent.

Have any of you tried the Lancôme Matte Shaker Liquid lipsticks? They are brilliant! Normally I like to go for a little bit of a shine on my lips but when it comes to lipstick, I always go for a matte look. A few matte lippie’s can be quite drying on the lips but I found these to be perfect throughout the day and thankfully my lips didn’t have that chapped look! Really handy for throwing in your bag as they are so tiny.

It’s said that you’re never fully dressed without a smile and although I do believe that to be true, I also say that a slick of lippie never a goes a miss either 😉 Enjoy the weekend!

Until next time,

Emma

x

Tanning Thursday!

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Thursday is not only the day before Friday anymore, it is TANNING THURSDAY! Yes, this is now an epidemic and if you are a tan fanatic then everyday will be a tanning day! How many times can you say the word tan in the one sentence?! With many different brands on the market, it can be hard to know which one to buy and try. This is where this post will hopefully help you out. Three of the current leading tans were put to the test, with before and after pictures, price point and info included underneath each one. So, if you are interested in learning about Bperfect Cosmetics, Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter or bBold, then keep on reading.

“BPerfect Cosmetics is a beauty brand that creates innovative beauty products that are on trend, forward thinking and unique. Started in Belfast in 2012, the brand was created by Brendan McDowell. Brendan aspired to create a range of cosmetics that were easy to use, versatile and created to change your cosmetic routine forever”. The brand also had a very successful appearance on Dragon’s Den where they were offered investment from two dragons. The 10 second mousse is fast drying, doesn’t leave a long lasting fake tan smell and also applies really easily with no streaks (top tip is to always apply with a mitt and use a foundation brush for applying it to your hands). The images below are based on the medium shade which gives a gorgeous colour and glow to the skin. The tan gives an instant colour but I would always advise leaving it to develop overnight for maximum results. It only started to fade approx. 6-7 days after it was applied which is great.

STAR RATING : 🤩🤩🤩🤩

BUY HERE : https://magees.ie/product/bperfect-10-second-tanning-mousse

Marissa Carters’ brand, Cocoa Brown, is without a doubt one of the best selling tans on the shelf. Her products are sold in almost 15,000 stores around the world from the UK to Scandinavia, North America, Russia, Australia and Europe. The one hour mousse is designed to develop a colour in that time frame and the image below is based on the medium shade. A little goes a long way with the mousse so it is definitely value for money and also has a beautiful floral scented smell. For best results, I suggest applying it the night before which allows the colour to develop and then shower off the residue the following morning. It lasts approx 5 days before fading completely (whilst showering everyday) and a little tip is to moisturise every second day to keep it in tact. It is suitable for all skin types, particularly those with dry/sensitive skin.

STAR RATING : 🤩🤩🤩

BUY HERE : https://magees.ie/product/cocoa-brown-1-hour-tan-mousse

bBold is an award-winning tanning and bronzing range that has been supplied to beauty lovers throughout the UK and Ireland for over 5 years. Their developing self-tanning range combines premium high grade DHA and naturally derived ingredients such as red berry erythrulose, aloe vera, cocoa butter and Vitamin E in order to perfect kind to skin tanning solutions that will leave your skin looking beautifully bronzed.  The products are paraben Free, Vegan friendly and against animal cruelty. bBold came out on top and I will give you my reasons why. If you love a dark tan that gives you a colour straight away, this will be right up your street! It glides on, streak free, leaves no smell and also was a beautiful colour after showering. The tan lasted for approx 7 days before any major fade in the colour and I was really impressed by how it faded from my hands. Definitely a big thumbs up and also great value with 2x175ml bottles for €19.95

STAR RATING : 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

BUY HERE : https://magees.ie/product/bbold-smart-mousse

As you can see from the images, there are a few differences between the three tans. Everyone looks for something different when they are purchasing tan and after putting them to the test, the below comparisons should help you in deciding which one is best. Make sure to let us know in the comments section below what your no.1 choice is!

MOST NATURAL / CHEAPEST PRICE POINT – Cocoa Brown (€6.95)
DARKEST COLOUR – bBold
EASIEST TO REMOVE – Bperfect
Happy Tanning from Emma aka The Fashion Chair!

 

Choosing the Right Foundation for your skin type

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Five-Ways-Of-Applying-Liquid-Foundation-1Choosing the right foundation is vital to your overall beauty regime.  Foundation evens out your skin tone, gives a flawless base and hides blemishes.  Even the most minimalist make up aficionado appreciates the joy of the healthy glowing complexion provided by that special little bottle.   Knowing which the correct foundation is, the right colour and formulation for your skin type is not that difficult.  We have all seen the daily horror stories of orange faces, scaly peeling foundation, the white necks and badly applied or chosen foundation. There is absolutely no need for such faux pas.

There is a foundation for all skin types and we at Magee’s are more than happy to assist you in finding the right one for you.

Oily skin.

There are lots of foundations out there for oily skin, but while on your search, look for ones with ingredients like dimethicone or even oil-absorbing clay.  Clarins Ever Matte Foundation is ideal for the oilier complexion. With its shine-stopping, oil-free formula, which maintains a fresh matte, yet radiant finish for hours of beautiful wear. This product protects from sun, pollution and free radicals. It refines and tightens pores. Although the finish is matte, it is not dull, heavy or fake looking, but has been developed to give great cover without caking.  But, if a liquid foundation doesn’t rock your boat, try a powder foundation.   They just add a touch of coverage while keeping you matte all day long.

Dry /Sensitive Skin

A boost of moisturiser to your foundation should be enough to tackle the dryness which make up can aggravate.  Hydration is the key. Dry skin can appear flaky and textured, so you’ll want a formula that doesn’t settle into lines, goes on smoothly and gives you a healthy glow. You may also like to try a product that has a touch of shimmer for that extra hydrated glow.  You can try using an illuminating primer underneath your foundation.  Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation SPF10 is a deeply comforting and hydrating fluid that creates a natural-looking complexion f or dry/ combination skin with its blend of light reflecting pigments, plant extracts and minerals.

Combination Skin

Combination skin can prove tricky when sourcing the perfect foundation. Ideally, you are looking for coverage which keeps everything balanced and minimizes oil but at the same time, and doesn’t draw attention to or aggravate dry spots.  A primer comes into its own with combination skin types. After moisturizing, apply a matte primer to the areas where you tend to become oily. This will help to keep oil under control throughout the day, and it will also help your makeup to stay looking fresh.  Don’t forget to set your oily areas with a powder!   When it comes to foundation, you’ll want to look for something that’s long-wearing.

Choosing the right kind of foundation will make a huge difference to how it sits and feels on your skin.  There are a few types of foundation to choose from.

Liquid: This is the most popular type of foundation. It’s a creamy, liquid makeup that is applied with a sponge, fingers, or foundation brush. Liquid foundations have coverage ranging from sheer to full and are suited to combination, dry, normal or oily skin.

Cream: This foundation is usually applied with a makeup sponge and give a full coverage, making them good for skin with discolorations, scars, or reddened areas. Cream foundations tend to be for dry skin.

Compact: The flat compact foundation is applied as if it were a cream, but gives a powdery finish dry finish. Coverage is medium to full, and most compact foundations are best for dry skin, though there are oil-free formulations suitable for oily skin types.

Powder: Both loose and pressed-powder foundations are perfect for oily skin. Applied with a brush, sponge applicator or a powder puff, the coverage is medium and the effects are perfect for this skin type

Tinted Moisturizer, BB Cream, CC Cream: A tinted moisturisers, BB or CC creams can be very sheer and natural, and is good for everyday use where you need a light cover. Tinted moisturisers can be applied with fingers or a sponge applicator. Blending moisturizer and skin-improving ingredients with a tint of colour, there are very popular foundations.

Finding a signature perfume to match your personality

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nswomenfraglp3Perfume is a very personal thing and we all like to have our very own, signature scent.  This is true whether you enjoy a spicy aroma, a deep musky scent or a spritz of fresh florals.  But, it is not easy to find that special perfume which truly reflects who we are. Not least, because every scent smells completely different on each person.  This is due to our unique body chemistry.  The PH balance of the skin effects the way an aroma can present itself, and so, two people using the same perfume can have completely different results. Choosing your fragrance needs literally, trial and error before you find the one.  To assist you in finding a signature perfume, which matches your personality, we have put together a few tips

Test and try before you buy

Assistants at perfume counters are happy to consult and advise you in which perfume to road test before you buy.  Spritz your skin with the one that most appeals to you, let it settle and see how it is at the end of the day. Ask friends what they think. But most importantly evaluate how you feel about it yourself.  If a whiff of this perfume still makes you feel fabulous a few hours after application, it may well be your signature scent.

Floral, fresh, oriental or woody?

At Magee’s we are proud to stock a vast range of eau de parfum, eau de cologne and perfume in all brands.  It is our pleasure to stock some of the more rare perfumes, such as the ever popular, (Red Door by Elizabeth Arden and Thierry Mugler Alien Eau Extraordinaire) .    Fragrances which attract a dedicated following of women who consider them their own signature perfumes.  In choosing your own personal fragrance, it is useful to firstly know which type of scent you like.

Perfumes can be loosely categorised as floral, fresh, oriental and woody.  Floral top notes indicate a Flirtatious, vivacious, sweet yet confident character.  Roses, jasmine and freesia are pretty perfumes, which can be warmed up with vanilla and musk for a heady mix.  Laidback, sporty types like the fresh, clean and light fragrances of citrus, green tea and marine plants. DKNY Be Delicious or Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey. Refreshing and sparkling, they are in direct contrast to the exotic aroma of the oriental perfumes favoured by the brave and the bold.  Warm, opulent and sensual oriental fragrances are musky, spicy and opulent.   Free spirit, outdoorsy types like woody fragrances. Warm with sandalwood, vanilla and hints of smoke, these earthy aromas are never associated with the more frivolous of personalities and reflect the deepness of the soul (Gucci by Gucci)

Of course, no one says you cannot have a few signature fragrances.  You can chop and change your scent if you feel like mixing it up and depending on the mood of the day.  Test and try outside of your comfort zone now and again.

The Science bit

There is a scientific basis behind the choice of signature fragrance. The perfume notes you can’t resist reveal a lot about your personality.  It seems that there is a region of your brain, a primitive, instinctual region, which recognizes smells and aromas.  This section of your brain is intimately connected with the emotional section of your brain, the limbic system.  This is the source of all of our most primal reactions, such as pleasure, fear and hunger. Here too, is the data banks of our deepest memories.    So your perfume personality, is an extension of your own personality and this must be to the forefront of your search for your signature fragrance!

Whatever fragrance you choose to reflect the real you, check out our blog on how to get the best from that bottle of scent

Beauty bloggers & Social influencers

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Ireland’s beauty bloggers float regally across a sparkling, happening world, dropping pearls of wisdom and waves of expensive perfume as they go.  Their enviable position is coveted by teenage beauty fans, glamorous grannies and trendy hipsters alike. Well, they sample all the newest make up trends for free and can be wonderfully opinionated about everything. Thumbs up for the new on-fleek primer. Thumbs down for your fancy new café.  Oh the power of the internet!  Being seen in the hippest places is awesome, and commanding personal appearance fees while you go, it’s positively incredible.

Fame that is based on how your react to beauty products and make up trends is a strange concept, when you think about it. No experience and no qualifications are necessary. Just the ability to be fabulous dahling!!  But how opinionated and independent can a blogger be when all of their blog/vlog content may be sponsored by brands?   Are we at saturation point when it comes to advice by online self-proclaimed beauty experts?    We look at some of Ireland’s most popular beauty blogs and assess the buzz, the advice and the general expertise of today’s social influencer.

The most well-known Irish beauty/lifestyle bloggers are SoSueme (Susan Jackson), Makeup Fairy, Melanie Martin and Itsrachmartin, to name but a few of the many.  A quick look at any of their online pages reveals links to checkout carts and the option to purchase the brands they so highly recommend. Slick polished websites abound. These sites are more associated with established glossy brands, than with eager YouTubers, posting eagerly from their bedrooms.

The concept of beauty blogs emerged when the public became disillusioned with magazines. It was a particular complaint of expensive glamour/beauty magazines that they were full of advertisements and paid content.  We like to think that the first refreshing blogs and vlogs (video blogs) were from enthusiasts, sharing their honest wonder at new and exciting things. And indeed, it was like that.  However, now that blogs have come of age, they have evolved into finding many ways of making money for the author.  Bloggers make a few cents for each video view. Sometimes, this can amount to more than a few cent! Kim Kardahshian West makes an estimated 50 thousand dollars a year from her video views. The estimated earning of all social media gurus is published here: Social Blade

And if that doesn’t have you rushing to your phone camera to start your own broadcasting, consider the revenue from advertisements which appear in the sidebar of the text.  Bloggers may also be sponsored by a particular brand, or approached by a company and asked to review or feature particular items for certain sums of money.  The cost for featuring a product varies depending on the bloggers notoriety, but there are rumors of thousands of euros changing hands to push new must-have products.  Bloggers must be seen at all the beautiful events, with all the beautiful people.  Along with the PR attention comes trips and gifts.  Travel to foreign countries, social gathering and anywhere that the brand label want to create a buzz.  We cannot blame Bloggers.  It seems that we, the consumer, are so fickle that a featured handbag will sell out within hours. Some Irish bloggers have almost 500,000 subscribers enjoying them on website, twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Blogs may have evolved into upmarket catalogues, fancy tutorial videos and online shops, but we love them.

And why wouldn’t we!  Beauty blogs are fun. They are free. They offer the newest trends in make-up techniques, fashion must haves and a glimpse into a world of glamour and elegance.  But, we must not think that the advice and recommendations are free. We are in fact, looking at magazines on line. The pay-per-view is there in the sponsored content, the ads on the side and the pushing of selected products. It seems awe can tolerate, or even ignore that, for the chance to view red carpet glamour up close. Of course, we always know that our own beauty experts are where they always were, at your local pharmacist, make up outlet and beauty salon. Trained professionals who regularly update on the latest in dermatological advances and who appreciate the holistic beauty of natural health and tried and tested brands and products.  The hottest blog spots have their place in our lifestyle trends, but we should enjoy them with a generous pinch of salt.

Magee’s would like to say that no monies changed hands in the making of this blog. No sponsorship, no branding and no free trips.  But, if any cruise liner company  is reading, any fancy hotels or spa weekends…we are open to offers….   Just saying… !