Beauty Blog

Pink lips for Spring

March 30th, 2011
<a href=”javascript:popUp(’http://vkm2.com/vid_master/sixty_three.html’)”>
Last week we brought you the powers of pastels peepers, this week we bring you the trend that is pink lips. OK, so to say we bring you this might be a bit of an overstatement since in fact the person responsible is none other than Lisa Eldridge.
If the catwalks of Chanel, Jil Sander & Diane Von Furstenberg are anything to go by then pink lips are set to be massive for the months ahead. As with everything lip related, wearing it well can be a bit tricky. Yes, bright pink can be a shocking yet fun twist on femininity, but it can also make you like Honolulu Barbie circa 1987, yes, soft pink can be great for letting those eyes become the centre of the room, but it can also blend into worthless make-up oblivion.
Since we’re still feeling our way around this for shades and tone we thought we’d just save ourselves the bother and let the fabulous Lisa Eldridge do the thinking for us……
<strong><a href=”javascript:popUp(’http://vkm2.com/vid_master/sixty_three.html’)”><span style=”color: #654f72;”>Watch the video here</span></a></strong>

spring_lip_TRENDS

Last week we brought you the powers of pastels peepers, this week we bring you the trend that is pink lips. OK, so to say we bring you this might be a bit of an overstatement since in fact the person responsible is none other than Lisa Eldridge.

If the catwalks of Chanel, Jil Sander & Diane Von Furstenberg are anything to go by then pink lips are set to be massive for the months ahead. As with everything lip related, wearing it well can be a bit tricky.

Yes, bright pink can be a shocking yet fun twist on femininity, but it can also make you like Honolulu Barbie circa 1987, yes, soft pink can be great for letting those eyes become the centre of the room, but it can also blend into worthless make-up oblivion.

Since we’re still feeling our way around this for shades and tone we thought we’d just save ourselves the bother and let the fabulous Lisa Eldridge do the thinking for us……

Watch the video here

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Posted in Beauty trends, Lipsticks and gloss, Videos |

Things we loved this week: Champneys Charcoal Grey

March 28th, 2011
Things we loved this week: Champneys Charcoal Grey
When it comes to polishing our pinkies we usually tend to gravitate towards the brighter shades and now that Spring has well and truly sprung we thought it high time we added a touch of colour to our talons.
Given that pinks, greens, blues and even yellows are set to dominate during the coming months we thought we just might have time for one last hurrah on the darker shades which brings us nicely onto the above swatch.
Having been flown all the way from the UK, a friend of L’Onglex picked up this little gem while she enjoyed some R&R in the Champanys Spa and we instantly fell in love with the classic charcoal grey. Having spent so long playing with colour we couldn’t quite believe how flattering the shade actually is.
The only gripe we did have ( and as it was a gift it would be rude to have too many! ) was that the formula was a little light on pigment so two to three coats are a must. On the upside the coats dry quick enough and if the UK seems a little far to fly to get a polish fix, we are reliably informed you can grab a bottle in boots.

champneys1

When it comes to polishing our pinkies we usually tend to gravitate towards the brighter shades and now that Spring has well and truly sprung we thought it high time we added a touch of colour to our talons.

Given that pinks, greens, blues and even yellows are set to dominate during the coming months we thought we just might have time for one last hurrah on the darker shades which brings us nicely onto the above swatch.

Having been flown all the way from the UK, a friend of L’Onglex picked up this little gem while she enjoyed some R&R in the Champanys Spa and we instantly fell in love with the classic charcoal grey. Having spent so long playing with colour we couldn’t quite believe how flattering the shade actually is.

champneys2The only gripe we did have ( and as it was a gift it would be rude to have too many! ) was that the formula was a little light on pigment so two to three coats are a must.

On the upside the coats dry quick enough and if the UK seems a little far to fly to get a polish fix, we are reliably informed you can grab a bottle in boots.

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Posted in Beauty reviews, Beauty trends, Love your nails, Uncategorized |

Video:Pastel peepers for spring

March 27th, 2011

PIXIWOO = Pastels for Spring
<a href=”javascript:popUp(’http://vkm2.com/vid_master/sixty_two.html’)”>
If you caught our purple eyes post the other day you will no doubt be aware that L’Onglex is going all girly this spring.
Yup, pastel shades are back again and if you need a visual reminder for the look try and picture something along the lines 50’s mom meets Sofia Cappola’s Marie Antoinette and you will  probably be somewhere near !
Obviously, visualising random things is great if you’re good at it, but having thought about it the above description is pretty much useless and it would be far better for everyone  if we could post a link to someone who can show us in a step-by-step-idiot-proof-type-stylee ….
That ’someone in question’ are the always immaculate girls at Pixiwoo.com (http://pixiwoo.blogspot.com/) who have a video explaining how to work the trend and get the look far better than the picture above or our endless ramblings ever could …..
<strong><a href=”javascript:popUp(’http://vkm2.com/vid_master/sixty_two.html’)”><span style=”color: #654f72;”>Watch the pastels video here</span></a></strong>
http://www.harpersbazaar.com/cm/harpersbazaar/images/hbz-oscar-de-la-renta-ss11-makeup-blog.jpg

If you caught our purple eyes post the other day you will no doubt be aware that L’Onglex is going all girly this spring.

Yup, pastel shades are back again and if you need a visual reminder for the look try and picture something along the lines 50’s mom meets Sofia Cappola’s Marie Antoinette and you will  probably be somewhere near !

Obviously, visualising random things is great if you’re good at it, but having thought about it the above description is pretty much useless and it would be far better for everyone  if we could post a link to someone who can show us in a step-by-step-idiot-proof-type-stylee ….

That ’someone in question’ are the always immaculate girls at Pixiwoo.com who have a video explaining how to work the trend and get the look far better than the picture above or our endless ramblings ever could …..

Watch the pastels video here

PS- The image at the top is from the Oscar de la Renta SS11 shows which has been covered quite nicely by the folks at Harpers Bazaar.

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Posted in Beauty trends, Chanel, L'Onglex loves, Videos |

Purples and pastels for spring

March 24th, 2011
While we at L’Onglex never like to think that we’re the type to follow the crowd, one trend that has is gently swaying us toward it’s elegant charms is this seasons pastel eye. As seen on everyone from Katy Perry to Kim Kardashian sugar shaded eyes are the perfect antidote to winters busy colours.
Bobbi Brown’s Peony & Python palette has already wetted our appetite (read our review here), but we’ve also been dipping our brush into some ice-cream colours from MAC not to mention the odd peachy shade from Rimmel.
Not wishing to overdo the whole thing we’ve had a dig around and when it comes to wearing it the key is to avoid at all costs looking like a rainbow. Pinks and peaches are a great way to do this look subtly and rather than mixing and matching justpick a palette and stick to it.
When it comes to application, easy does it!  Start with a wash of light shadow for the base and build up more intense shades in the same colour for a dusty, graded finish.
In the event you’re finding pastels and purples a bit too tame you can always spice things up with a little metallic or shimmer shading to add definition, just apply with a light hand and remember less is more !!

MAC_purple_eyes

While we at L’Onglex never like to think that we’re the type to follow the crowd, one trend that has is gently swaying us toward it’s elegant charms is this seasons pastel eye. As seen on everyone from Katy Perry to Kim Kardashian, sugar shaded eyes are proving to be the perfect antidote to winters busy colours.

Bobbi Brown’s Peony & Python palette has already wetted our appetite (read our review here), but we’ve also been dipping our brush into some ice-cream colours from MAC not to mention the odd peachy shade from Rimmel.

Not wishing to overdo the whole thing we’ve had a dig around and when it comes to wearing it the key is to avoid at all costs looking like a rainbow. Pinks and peaches are a great way to do this look subtly and rather than mixing and matching justpick a palette and stick to it.

When it comes to application, easy does it!  Start with a wash of light shadow for the base and build up more intense shades in the same colour for a dusty, graded finish.

In the event you’re finding pastels and purples a bit too tame you can always spice things up with a little metallic or shimmer shading to add definition …. just apply with a light hand and remember less is more !!

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Posted in Beauty trends, Bobbi Brown, Eye creams, Eyeshadow and mascaras |

MAC hits the beach

March 22nd, 2011
Now that the sub-tropical majesté of an Irish April is very nearly ours we thought it might be high time L’Onglex ditched the winter face and headed for the beach.
Whilst it might be a bit too early for lilo’s, ice-cream and fish and chips, MAC’s Surf Baby Collection might just provide us with the excuse to start summer a bit early. Pitch perfect if you intend on following this seasons neon trends the new range comes with lip glass, blushes, eyeshadow, eye pencils and a rather bright line in nail lacquer.
Aside from the fact it’s MAC and shiny and gorgeous and new, L’Onglex is also loving the names. Bust Out lipstick, Surf the Ocean pigment stack and Short Shorts eyeshadow! Although we will probably end up shelling out for the lot when the time comes,  our stand-out piece so far has to be the My Paradise Coral blusher with champagne and gold flowers for some subtle summer highlighting –  swoon !

mac_beach

Now that the sub-tropical majesté of an Irish April is very nearly ours we thought it might be high time L’Onglex ditched the winter face and headed for the beach.

Whilst it might be a bit too early for lilo’s, ice-cream and fish and chips, MAC’s Surf Baby Collection might just provide us with the excuse to start summer a bit early. Pitch perfect if you intend on following this seasons neon trends the new range comes with lip glass, blushes, eyeshadow, eye pencils and a rather bright line in nail lacquer.

Aside from the fact it’s MAC and shiny and gorgeous and new, L’Onglex is also loving the names. Bust Out lipstick, Surf the Ocean pigment stack and Short Shorts eyeshadow!

Although we will probably end up shelling out for the lot when the time comes,  our stand-out piece so far has to be the My Paradise Coral blusher with champagne and gold flowers, perfect for some not so subtle summer highlighting –  swoon !

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Posted in Beauty news, Beauty trends, Brow pencils and liners, Eyeshadow and mascaras, MAC, Nail polish |

Things we loved this week: Violet Diva by Estee Lauder

March 14th, 2011
Things we loved this week: Violet Diva by Estee Lauder
When it comes to polishing our pinkies we’ve always been partial to a bit of purple. Thus it was that a recent trip to the Holy Grail that is the Brown Thomas Beauty Hall resulted in this rather impulsive purchase which goes by the moniker of Estee Lauder’s Vilot Diva !
As pastels look set to be huge this summer we must admit that we did justify the €20 by telling ourselves it was all in the name of research. Being the nail junkies we are we normally wait a while before we post on the blog but as we rather liked this we thought we’d just get some pics up and have done with it !
So, although things got off to a slightly sticky start (we didn’t let our base dry for quite long enough) once we got into our stride we found the formula to be pretty good. Light but plenty of pigment and a pretty decent brush as well.
On the downside it’s becoming pretty popular in these parts so flashing our nails rather than the bottle is probably the best way to keep hold of it !

violet_diva

When it comes to polishing our pinkies we’ve always been partial to a bit of purple. Thus it was that a recent trip to the holy grail that is the Brown Thomas Beauty Hall resulted in this rather impulsive purchase which goes by the moniker of Estee Lauder’s Vilot Diva !

violet_diva2As pastels look set to be huge this summer we must admit that we did justify the €20 by telling ourselves it was all in the name of research. Being the nail junkies we are we normally wait a while before we post on the blog but as we rather liked this we thought we’d just get some pics up and have done with it …

So, although things got off to a slightly sticky start (we didn’t let our base dry for quite long enough) once we got into our stride we found the formula to be pretty good. Light but plenty of pigment and a pretty decent brush as well.

On the downside it’s becoming pretty popular in these parts so flashing our nails and not the bottle is probably the best way to keep hold of it !

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Posted in Beauty news, Beauty reviews, Beauty trends, Estee Lauder, Manicures, Nail polish, Nail swatches |

Its nearly Oscars time …

February 24th, 2011
With the Oscars very nearly upon us L’Onglex has inevitably been gripped by who might win, what they might win it for and whether in fact they actually deserve it ….
Being the film nerds we are we always seem to end up feeling a bit let down once all the statues have been dished out and although we are currently rooting for Black Swan for best costume we have a sneaking suspicion it wont actually win.
Having had a raging case of TuTu envy ever since we saw Natalie Portman leap across our screens we’ve been looking to add a bit of ballerina chic to our beauty bags for what feels like an age and when the latest offerings from Bourjois just so happened to pirouette across the L’Onglex beauty desk we figured we might finally have found our dancing partner.
Conveniently titled Ballerina the palette is perfectly judged between pinks and greys and although it ranks about 34 out of 10 on the girly fluffy scale we have to say we don’t care and we love it anyway.
Featuring some smudgeworthy smokey pencils, some delightfully pink polish and a mascara that actually promises to do twirls ( it rotates ) we plan to unleash our inner ballerina’s on the hour every hour between now and next Monday morning !

black_swan_make_up_style

With the Oscars very nearly upon us L’Onglex has inevitably been gripped by who might win, what they might win it for and whether in fact they actually deserve it ….

Being the film nerds we are we always seem to end up feeling a bit let down once all the statues have been dished out and although we are currently rooting for Black Swan for best costume we have a sneaking suspicion it wont actually win.

Having had a raging case of TuTu envy ever since we saw Natalie Portman leap across our screens we’ve been looking to add a bit of ballerina chic to our beauty bags for what feels like an age and when the latest offerings from Bourjois just so happened to pirouette across the L’Onglex beauty desk we figured we might finally have found our dancing partner.

Conveniently titled Ballerina the palette is perfectly judged between pinks and greys and although it ranks about 34 out of 10 on the girly fluffy scale we have to say we don’t care and we love it anyway.

Featuring some smudgeworthy smokey pencils, some delightfully pink polish and a mascara that actually promises to do twirls ( it rotates ) we plan to unleash our inner ballerina’s on the hour every hour between now and next Monday morning !

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Posted in Beauty news, Beauty trends, L'Onglex loves |

Bespoke brows for London Fashion Week

February 18th, 2011
Whether you go the salon route or take the bottle approach, matching your collars with your cuffs is always a bit of a tricky one. Lets face it, eyebrows just never come out the same colour and the mismatch that is the end result is always a bit of a giveaway.
Quite why nobody has come up with a solution to this two tone dilemma is really beyond our reckoning but news this week of a London salon who are rolling out a range of brow colours in time for London Fashion Week has had us quite intrigued.
Using a hand painted palette of custom dye which features around fifty shades, the treatment from the people at Blink Bar promises a match to any colour and to  any tone and is so accurate we are also assured it can even be matched to highlights. Since the problem with dyeing your hair and not your eyebrows is the difference in colour, L’Onglex did wonder whether the dye could be used on lashes as well … it can.
Having worked out that we’d really like a go of this to see if it works were probably going to have to wait for a little while until the salons in Ireland get round to making up a batch or two of their own dyes for our colouring pleasure. As much as we love getting our ducks in a row, getting on a Ryanair to London to have our brows dyed does seem to be a treatment too far for the moment.
http://www.focusonstyle.com/var/fos/storage/images/focusonstyle.com/fashion-shows/fall-winter-2010-runway/mary-katrantzou/66812-1-eng-US/Mary-Katrantzou-Fashion-Show-Photos-London-Fashion-Week-fw-10_fashion_show_image.jpg

Whether you go the salon route or take the bottle approach, matching your collars with your cuffs is always a bit of a tricky one. Lets face it, eyebrows just never come out the same colour and the mismatch that is the end result is always a bit of a giveaway

Quite why nobody has come up with a solution to this two tone dilemma is really beyond our reckoning but news this week of a London salon who are rolling out a range of brow colours in time for London Fashion Week has had us quite intrigued.

Using a hand painted palette of custom dye which features around fifty shades, the treatment from the people at Blink Bar promises a match to any colour and to  any tone and is so accurate we are also assured it can even be matched to highlights. Since the problem with dyeing your hair and not your eyebrows is the difference in colour, L’Onglex did wonder whether the dye could be used on lashes as well … it can.

Having worked out that we’d really like a go of this to see if it works were probably going to have to wait for a little while until the salons in Ireland get round to making up a batch or two of their own dyes for our colouring pleasure. As much as we love getting our ducks in a row, getting on a Ryanair to London to have our brows dyed does seem to be a treatment too far for the moment.

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Posted in Beauty gadgets, Beauty news, Beauty tools, Beauty treatments, Beauty trends, Brow pencils and liners, DIY beauty, Eyeshadow and mascaras |

It’s our blog of the week

January 25th, 2011

fluff_and_fripperies
When we at L’Onglex come across a blog we love we’re always more than happy to share. This isn’t because we’re particularly altruistic, it’s simply that we’re really nosy and love hearing what makes other people tick … this week it’s the turn of Emma Henderson of the fabulous Fluff and Fripperies who has chosen to satisfy our insatiable curiosity for other peoples make-up !

What’s in your make-up bag?

Well for brevity’s sake I’ll assume you mean the small make-up bag I cart around in my ginormous handbag, and not the two giant, overflowing bags resting beside the 4 drawer make-up storage unit in my bathroom…

Right now my 9-to-5 kit includes:  Smashbox Halo powder & brush, Clarins brow kit and Wonder Perfect mascara (which I’ve completely fallen for), theBalm time balm concealer  (and my Mac #194 concealer brush to apply it), a cheaper-than-chips Catrice eyeshadow quad (in 090 Chocolate Temptation) and theBalm lipstick in Classified, which is a very sheer nude.

In case I’m heading out straight from work I’m also carrying around a black Bourjois liquid eyeliner (liner feutre), a shimmery gloss to layer over theBalm lippie  (YSL golden gloss in #31, Golden Toffee), or if I’m feeling braver my Tom Ford lipstick in Cherry Lush  (which was a most welcome Christmas pressie from Himself.)

Who’s your make-up muse?

I don’t really emulate anyone else’s make-up style but I get lots of information and inspiration from beaut.ie and other Irish beauty bloggers and I enjoy watching the video tutorials from Pixiwoo. I also have a serious case of eyebrow envy when it comes to Louise from Fade Street.

Do you have a favourite beauty trend this season?

I’m looking forward to big hair, big brows and bold brights on either lips or eyes.

Where’s your favourite place to shop for a beauty fix?

I will happily shop for make-up just about anywhere that sells it, from online to the airport to my local chemist. I think my favourite place in Dublin is probably Brown Thomas and, outside Ireland, I’m always happy when I stumble on a Sephora store.

When it comes to beauty buys do you prefer the bargains or are you more high end?

Like most people I love a bargain and get a buzz out of stumbling across a great product that won’t break the bank, but I do love the whole ritual around buying the more high-end products – I’m a sucker for free samples and pretty packaging and I love to read the little product leaflets from beginning to end. Sad, I know.

emmaWhat’s your all time must have beauty buy?

I think a really good cleanser is the most important place to start and I love, love, love what Liz Earle’s Cleanse & Polish does for my skin.

What’s on your beauty wish list?

How much time do we have here? Right now I’d like a YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick after reading about Kirstie’s enviable stash on beaut.ie . I’m also on the look-out for a new foundation. I’m veering towards Armani’s Lasting Silk. I got my sister some Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch make-up base and she loved it so that’s now firmly on my own list, along with their new Instant Smooth Line Correcting Concentrate. I’m keeping an eye out for Max Factor’s Lipfinity Lip tint and I recently switched from my Boots No 7 cream blush to a pricier brand that I don’t like as much, so I’ll be switching back come payday !

What’s been your biggest beauty disaster to date?

If we discount my sister’s 80s themed 30th birthday party last year, then it would probably be my ill fated blonde stint in my early twenties. As well as the fact it completely wrecked my dark brown hair, it wasn’t a particularly sophisticated look and was made even worse when teamed with acrylic nails, heavy kohl eyeliner, pale lipstick and Mac Spice lipliner…

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Posted in Beauty trends, L'Onglex loves |

Nails Inc go goth

January 20th, 2011
In case you were wondering, it’s not all quite brights on the polish front this Spring. Despite everyone heading for flares, floaty shapes and floral patterns Nails Inc have bucked the trend and gone a bit punk.
Taking their inspiration from the dark side of catwalks said polish has decided to go a bit Balmain and Blenciaga, that is to say, they have sashayed down the SS11 catwalks with a toned down collection due to launch before this very month is out.
Teak black (Kensigton, plum black (Chelsea) and black pearl (Mayfair) are the polishes due to be on everyones paws but the shade that’s going to be the proverbial poster on L’Onglex’s bedroom wall is none other than Covent Garden – ship shape navy black that takes it’s cues from Mulberry’s last catwalk collection.
Whilst everyone thinks that 70’s chic will win in the fashion wars we’re all decided that there’s still life in the glossy goth look for a little while longer !

nails_inc

In case you were wondering, it’s not all quite brights on the polish front this Spring. Despite everyone heading for flares, floaty shapes and floral patterns Nails Inc have bucked the trend and gone a bit punk.

Taking inspiration from the dark side of the catwalks, said polish has decided to go a bit Balmain and Blenciaga, that is to say, they have sashayed down the SS11 catwalks with a darkened down collection due to launch before this very month is out.

Teak black (Kensigton), plum black (Chelsea) and black pearl (Mayfair) are the pictured above, the shade that is currently the object of our crush and the proverbial boy band poster on L’Onglex’s bedroom wall, is none other than Covent Garden – a ship shape navy black that takes it’s cues from Mulberry’s last catwalk collection.

Whilst nobody doubts that 70’s chic will win in the fashion wars this season, we still think there’s a bit more life in the dark shades for a little while longer.  Glossy, gothy and gorgeous – we love these shades !

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Posted in Beauty news, Beauty trends, Manicures, Nail polish, Nails Inc |


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