Blogger launches probably seem glamorous from the outside. And they probably are, for most people, but I seem to constantly embarrass myself at these things and shouldn't really be allowed outside on my own without an escort. At the launch of Alex & Ani's new Liberty Copper Collection in the Kilkenny Design Centre on Nassau Street last Thursday, I managed to, once again, make a tit of myself.
The launch was happening during a customer evening and there was lots going on; there was candyfloss, popcorn and retro glass bottles of Coke being passed around, the Bugle Babes (a trio of ladies in forties military garb) were singing ragtimey tunes, Dara Kenny was painting the New York skyline and totes were being screen printed with an image of the city by Damn Fine Print. Cue my arrival in the midst of this, a wave of social-awkwardness washing over me and my turning to the snacks in lieu of human interaction. Sadly, when I reached for some candyfloss, six sticks had melted together and after a flustered interaction with the girl handing them out, I was told to take the lot. Which is why I spent the rest of the launch walking around with a giant melted glob of candyfloss in my hand, trying to juggle my camera and be taken seriously...
...sigh...
Anyhoo, if we ignore my little bout of social disfunction, I'm sure a trend or theme has already become apparent. New York was brought to Nassau street to celebrate the launch of Alex & Ani's very limited line of jewellery that features recycled copper from one of the city's most famous landmarks; the Statue of Liberty.
And how, pray tell, did the brand end up with recycled copper from a world famous monument? They were on the ball, that's how. When the Statue of Liberty was recycled between 1984 and 1986, to celebrate its centennial, the original copper supports were replaced with stainless steel and the copper was removed. Alex & Ani were clever enough to seize the opportunity and bought up the copper.
Now, they have produced a limited line of 26 special pieces using the copper that they purchased.
As per the brand's usual ethos, this line has a deeper message; it is the Carry Light collection. The design of the charms on these pieces features a torch and flame that is an exact replica of Lady Liberty’s torch and is a powerful symbol of hope.
The line is super limited due to the nature of the material used and each stockist was only granted a certain number of pieces. Kilkenny were given the most in Ireland but there still aren't many knocking about, which is something to keep in mind if you are interested in the line.
To me, jewellery with a sentiment behind it is really meaningful and personal as a gift, in particular, and I think that this line is the ideal thing as a present to someone in need of a reminder that there is always hope or, maybe, someone with whom you share a fond memory of New York.
Showing posts with label Irish launch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Irish launch. Show all posts
Saturday, 22 October 2016
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
Irish Launch of the Gwen Stefani X Urban Decay Palette
It's here! Or, almost, anyway.
Today was the Irish press preview of the highly anticipated Gwen Stefani x Urban Decay collab. The first celebrity collab from the brand and the first of multiple collabs now planned with Stefani. In fact, if you get your hands on the palette on Wednesday when it launches here (there's already a 5,000 people strong waiting list as it is) you'll find out that there are already more products from the pairing on the horizon. Well, actually, you don't need the palette for that news, I did just tell you...either way, come January 2016, we'll also be able to get our hands on Gwen x UD lipsticks as well!
Exciting stuff!
But back to the matter at hand. The palette.
I really wanted to get my hands on it, in general, but esp to play around with and swatch. It's kinda hard to tell what things are really like when you only see pictures online. I wanted to explore the fifteen shades of this gorgeous gold-packaged palette.
12 shades are brand new with Stefani naming them and helping get the shades and textures right - and, boy, did she! Blonde (a light champagne shimmer shade perfect for over the whole lid or as a highlight), in particular, is one of the most creamy, finely milled, lovely eyeshadows that I have ever touched. Three shades are pre-existing Urban Decay favourites of Stefani's - Blackout, Stark and Skimp - which demonstrate her genuine belief in, and love for, the brand. She's not just putting her name to this, she really loves the products.
All of the shades are named after elements of Stefani's life and career and most are wearable neutrals, inspired by the kind of make-up she would really wear. However, there are pops of lovely colour that nod to particular things and moments from Stefani's life. 1987, for example, is a true gold and is inspired by the year No Doubt formed. Harajuku, meanwhile, is inspired by Stefani's love for Japanese style and looks uber-bubblegum but swatches pretty and subtle. Danger is another favourite shade of mine which is a rich navy blue with micro-sparkles that applies super-pigmented and rich and does blue the right way - and not in a horrible eighties flashback kind of way.
With fifteen fullsize eyeshadows that multi-task - Blackout as a liner, Harajuku as a blush, the pale tones as highlights, Punk for the brows - and gorgeous, solid, compact packaging, this is one palette that is both good value and a good investment. These are shades you'll wear and something you'll toss in a bag for travel as it'll cover many bases. At €46.00 (RRP), it's a bit of a steal.
Available in Debenhams and House of Fraser from December 3rd 2015.
Plus, who doesn't want to channel Stefani. Ultimate goals etc.
PS. But, srsly, I LOVE HER.
Today was the Irish press preview of the highly anticipated Gwen Stefani x Urban Decay collab. The first celebrity collab from the brand and the first of multiple collabs now planned with Stefani. In fact, if you get your hands on the palette on Wednesday when it launches here (there's already a 5,000 people strong waiting list as it is) you'll find out that there are already more products from the pairing on the horizon. Well, actually, you don't need the palette for that news, I did just tell you...either way, come January 2016, we'll also be able to get our hands on Gwen x UD lipsticks as well!
Exciting stuff!
But back to the matter at hand. The palette.
I really wanted to get my hands on it, in general, but esp to play around with and swatch. It's kinda hard to tell what things are really like when you only see pictures online. I wanted to explore the fifteen shades of this gorgeous gold-packaged palette.
12 shades are brand new with Stefani naming them and helping get the shades and textures right - and, boy, did she! Blonde (a light champagne shimmer shade perfect for over the whole lid or as a highlight), in particular, is one of the most creamy, finely milled, lovely eyeshadows that I have ever touched. Three shades are pre-existing Urban Decay favourites of Stefani's - Blackout, Stark and Skimp - which demonstrate her genuine belief in, and love for, the brand. She's not just putting her name to this, she really loves the products.
All of the shades are named after elements of Stefani's life and career and most are wearable neutrals, inspired by the kind of make-up she would really wear. However, there are pops of lovely colour that nod to particular things and moments from Stefani's life. 1987, for example, is a true gold and is inspired by the year No Doubt formed. Harajuku, meanwhile, is inspired by Stefani's love for Japanese style and looks uber-bubblegum but swatches pretty and subtle. Danger is another favourite shade of mine which is a rich navy blue with micro-sparkles that applies super-pigmented and rich and does blue the right way - and not in a horrible eighties flashback kind of way.
With fifteen fullsize eyeshadows that multi-task - Blackout as a liner, Harajuku as a blush, the pale tones as highlights, Punk for the brows - and gorgeous, solid, compact packaging, this is one palette that is both good value and a good investment. These are shades you'll wear and something you'll toss in a bag for travel as it'll cover many bases. At €46.00 (RRP), it's a bit of a steal.
Available in Debenhams and House of Fraser from December 3rd 2015.
Plus, who doesn't want to channel Stefani. Ultimate goals etc.
PS. But, srsly, I LOVE HER.
(A Gwen Stefani x Urban Decay palette was gifted to me as a press sample. However, all opinions expressed here are my own.)
Thanks to Urban Decay, Róisín and the gang from L'Oréal Group for having me. Just having a casual lunch in the Penthouse of The Spencer Hotel. As you do.
Sunday, 22 November 2015
Best Brows Ever - Billion Dollar Brows Arrives in Ireland
I've actually been using some Billion Dollar Brows (BDB) products for over a year now and they have been stocked in select salons around the country up till now but as they have just launched in Boots, there's now a much wider selection from them that is much more readily available. I headed along to the bloggers' press day in the penthouse of The Dean Hotel (which is amazing for events and would be a dream to actually stay in) on Harcourt Street, where founder and CEO, Natalie Plain, was in attendance (and actually staying in the penthouse) to tell us all about the brand and their products.
The company was set up in the wake of the lingering results of nineties over-plucking, and brows never growing back in quite right, and the over-compensating Scouse brows of recent years. Natalie felt that the world of brows lacked balance, and this needed to be addressed. She wanted to help more people have the more natural-style, lush brows made so popular by the likes of Cara Delevingne. And she wanted them to be the right shape for each individual. But such things normally require regular trips to the salon, which can become expensive. So, in order to level the playing field, she established BDB, which brings expert brow-maintenance into your home and own hands, in a way that makes it easy for anyone to do.
This brow "revolution" is now more readily available to those of us on the other side of the Atlantic now as well, thanks to the American brand's partnership with Boots. Cruelty free and made in America and Mexico, it's a brand with a conscience as well as a serious vision for beauty and damn good products. Which is probably why they are now available in 32 countries around the world! They're always thinking ahead as well, with special products for men and redheads being launched in the new year - good news for Irish audiences, in particular!
The products which are now available include their clear Eyebrow Gel, Brow Powder and Universal Eyebrow Pencil (universal because the shade of brown is so light that it can be used as lightly or as heavily as needed to match almost all hair tones). However, more excitingly (particularly with Christmas fast approaching), there is also a selection of their kits. These include: the 60 Seconds to Beautiful Brows Kit (RRP €34.00) which includes their brow brush and powder and they describe as "putting your hair in a ponytail", i.e. quick, easy, neat results without fuss; the Best Sellers Kit (€68.00) which has the universal pencil, gel, a dual-ended pencil for concealing and highlighting, and a smudge brush for more advanced, elaborate brow prep; and the Brow Buddy Kit (€31.00) which includes their Brow Buddy tool which allows you to measure your brows to perfection and show where you need to pluck or fill in, a pencil for marking it out and a step-by-step guide.
I've also now used all of the product and am suitably impressed. The first time I tried them out I did my, my sister and her friend's brows and, thankfully, I didn't let anyone down. The results were natural, perfectly shaped and suited to each individual's face. If I were to recommend just one product, I'd probably go for the Best Sellers Kit but, honestly, the whole range is worth investing in - you'll save time, money and energy in the long run!
Do you guys have any secrets to beautiful brows? Or a brow idol? I'd love to know!
The company was set up in the wake of the lingering results of nineties over-plucking, and brows never growing back in quite right, and the over-compensating Scouse brows of recent years. Natalie felt that the world of brows lacked balance, and this needed to be addressed. She wanted to help more people have the more natural-style, lush brows made so popular by the likes of Cara Delevingne. And she wanted them to be the right shape for each individual. But such things normally require regular trips to the salon, which can become expensive. So, in order to level the playing field, she established BDB, which brings expert brow-maintenance into your home and own hands, in a way that makes it easy for anyone to do.
This brow "revolution" is now more readily available to those of us on the other side of the Atlantic now as well, thanks to the American brand's partnership with Boots. Cruelty free and made in America and Mexico, it's a brand with a conscience as well as a serious vision for beauty and damn good products. Which is probably why they are now available in 32 countries around the world! They're always thinking ahead as well, with special products for men and redheads being launched in the new year - good news for Irish audiences, in particular!
The products which are now available include their clear Eyebrow Gel, Brow Powder and Universal Eyebrow Pencil (universal because the shade of brown is so light that it can be used as lightly or as heavily as needed to match almost all hair tones). However, more excitingly (particularly with Christmas fast approaching), there is also a selection of their kits. These include: the 60 Seconds to Beautiful Brows Kit (RRP €34.00) which includes their brow brush and powder and they describe as "putting your hair in a ponytail", i.e. quick, easy, neat results without fuss; the Best Sellers Kit (€68.00) which has the universal pencil, gel, a dual-ended pencil for concealing and highlighting, and a smudge brush for more advanced, elaborate brow prep; and the Brow Buddy Kit (€31.00) which includes their Brow Buddy tool which allows you to measure your brows to perfection and show where you need to pluck or fill in, a pencil for marking it out and a step-by-step guide.
I've also now used all of the product and am suitably impressed. The first time I tried them out I did my, my sister and her friend's brows and, thankfully, I didn't let anyone down. The results were natural, perfectly shaped and suited to each individual's face. If I were to recommend just one product, I'd probably go for the Best Sellers Kit but, honestly, the whole range is worth investing in - you'll save time, money and energy in the long run!
Do you guys have any secrets to beautiful brows? Or a brow idol? I'd love to know!
(Items included were provided as press samples by all opinions are my own)
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