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Aphrodite’s recent Irish Times feature got me a-thinking about all the talented, funny and downright readable women bloggers that I read all the time. So in homage to the lady-bloggers of our fair isle, we’ve decided to ask a few of them a question or five about their beauty routines. We knew they’d have a few gems to share – and we weren’t wrong.
First up is English Mum in Ireland, a transplanted 30-something UK lass who moved to Co. Cavan a couple of years ago with husband and kids. While it can’t have been an easy transition for her to make, her blog has always shone with positivity regarding her new surroundings, as well as a lot of wit and humour. And she loves products, so she was the ideal person to kick off this new series. Take it away, English Mum!
What age were you when you first started getting into products? What sparked it?
“My Disreputable Dad is a perfumer and I’ve been surrounded by gorgeous scents and beautiful packaging since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I remember wafting around in Guerlain’s Mitsouko at junior school, oddly enough. He bought loads of testers and new products home as well, so I started experimenting with make-up quite early too”.
Let us in on your daily routine – are you a full-on cleanse, tone and moisturise gal, or does a lick of a face-wipe and some Nivea suffice?
“Ooh yes, I’m a slave to the bathroom mirror in the morning. I cleanse with Dr Nick Lowe’s Purifying Foaming Cleanser, then pat my face dry and add Simple’s Line Reducing Serum (better than Protect & Perfect in my opinion), then I use Dr Nick Lowe’s Oil Control Day Cream on my face, Boots Time Delay Wrinkle Reduce Eye Cream, which is slightly iridescent and really flattering, and Dove’s brilliant ProAge Neck and Chest Beauty Serum on my neck and chest. A couple of times a week I use MD Formulations Face & Body Scrub. I do it all again at night, then use Dr Nick Lowe’s Brightening Radiance Cream to reduce my freckles!”
What can’t you live without makeup-wise? What have you bought over and over again?
“Cream blush. It wakes up your whole face. Chanel used to do a gel blush stick but it’s been discontinued. No 7 Blush Tint is a good alternative. And I think Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Light SPF10 is the best foundation money can buy.”
In any woman’s quest for cosmetic nirvana, she comes across a turkey or ten. What products have you hated?
“I hate to even admit this but Lancome Juicy Tubes. I love the smell and the taste but they’re far too gluey and sticky. I much prefer Rimmel Sweet Jelly glosses. And Smashbox Photo Finish just made my make-up slide off even faster. I’ve still got a full one if anyone wants it!”
Is there anything you can’t get here that you could get in the UK, and which you really miss?
“I miss Boots.com so much – a whole Boots store at your fingertips! And Champney’s brilliant product range too: really effective products, beautiful packaging and decent prices. Their Overnight Sensation Hand Care Treatment is the best I’ve ever tried”
Lastly, what’s your one big beauty tip?
“Don’t sleep on your side! Seriously, if you wake up with creases on your face and chest, it’s only a matter of time before they turn permanent, and crinkly chests are really ageing.”
Next up: the Toyboy-lovin’ Grannymar!
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I’ll take the Smashbox!!!
great post
Oh man, i’m with you on the boots.com! I’m still hoping and praying they get the Irish one up to the same standard too!
Oh no I sleep on my side !!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks EM you have saved me from wrinkles and a saggy chest ….
Great post!
But if you sleep on your back – you’ll snore! And its not very comfy….
Excellent post, i never knew that about sleeping on your side.
You should read Englishmums blog, it’s hilarious.
Yay English Mum! I was wondering that about sleeping on my side because I have more prominent lines under my left eye than under my right eye and i usually sleep on my left side. Must stop that immediately!
yikes, hate sleeping on my back or front…. wrinkle city for me! great post, thanks! might be popping to boots at lunch for some Dove ProAge Neck and Chest Beauty Serum, didn’t realise they did one of these
Great post & advice.
Regarding the Dr Nick Lowe brightening radiance cream, where could I buy that? I’m a hater of my freckles & would love to be rid of them completely but will settle for the reduction!
the pro age handcream is great too , very bargainous!
emma – it’s at boots
A doctor told my mum which side she slept on, as one side is more aged than the other, marginally in fairness I wouldn’t notice it.
I got a silk pillow case which is supposed to stop mad bed head and wrinkles but its horrible, too hot and did worse things to my hair than I believed possible. So that was the end of that.
Great thanks!
Harro! Thanks to the lovely Beaut girls for making me feel all celeb and interviewing me, and to you guys for all the lovely comments. RoseyRosie: email me yr address (email addy on my blog) and I’ll post you the Smashbox! Yep, I sleep on my side too, but I’m trying to train myself to stop as I’ve noticed I wake up with terrible creases on my chest (uh oh!). Emma: not sure where you live but that Dr Nick Lowe stuff is MASSIVELY reduced at Boots in Liffey Valley as they’re discontinuing certain products. It’s something like 1/4 of the normal price! Oh and RedMum: poo. I was going to get one of those pillows too
[...] Ooh, I felt all famous and special! Anyhoo, if you want to read my interview, rush over to beaut.ie and have a look. No pictures, [...]
@Tiddles: is there going to be an Irish Boots website? Yay!
Great tips missus! I’m a side sleeper too, just can’t sleep on my back. And I agree with the Dr Lowe – gorgeous stuff
OMG I always sleep on my side
Cant afford any more wrinkles
Where do we get the Dr Nick Lowe Stuff ?
Thats great to know about the Dr Nick Lowe products, will deffo be hitting Liffey Valley over the weekend! Thanks for letting me know. Regarding the creases on the neck….Clairns do a really good neck cream but might set you back a few bob or two
Emma: I think I had a Clarins boob gel before, but I felt all self conscious rubbing it in!! By the way, re the freckles, have you seen the advert for Clinique’s Even Better Skin Tone Corrector? I’m going to give it a go after I’ve finished the Dr Nick Lowe one. It’s really good for me as I have quite oily skin, but if you have very dry skin as it might not be moisturising enough.
Yeh I used the boob gel before holidays once (thought it’d help give a lift for the bikini) but can’t say I really noticed a difference-they still seemed to find gravity very inviting! Clarins have a cream for the neck & chest (to combat the wrinkles) that gets a very good write up & I know a few people who swear by it. Didn’t hear about the Clinique skin corrector, may look into that one too but will try the Dr. Nick one first seen as its on special at the mo
Thanks a mill…