Beauty Blog

Now you too can own a disco frock like Katy Perry

September 3rd, 2010
While fashion is not something that graces these fair pages everyday, every once and a while the odd snippet of news of a sartorial nature finds it’s way to the beauty desk and this ones too good to pass up.
Regular readers may remember that some time ago L’Onglex was quite taken with a particularly unusual light up dress that Katy Perry was seen sporting at New Yorks Metropolitan Ball last may.
In case you dont remember the basic premise is that you put the dress on, keep the battery in your bra and when you reach the venue of your choosing you simply flick the switch and light up the room.
Thining that this was a one off L’Onglex thought no more about the subject until low and behold we came across a shorter version of the frock which is now available at an eyewatering €1500 from Selfridges in London.
Naturally with summer nearly gone and the long days of winter ahead we will soon be daydreaming about what to wear for Christmas and we think this might just fit the bill …. except for the price.
On a mostly unrelated matter can anyone tell us how Katy Perry manages to  dress a bit like Katy Price and look great, and Katy Price dresses a bit like Katy Perry and ………  anyway …. we’ll be back to the beauty ASAP.

katy_perry_dress_selfridges_london

While fashion is not something that graces these fair pages everyday, every once and a while the odd snippet of news of a sartorial nature finds it’s way to the beauty desk and this ones too good to pass up.

Regular readers may remember that some time ago L’Onglex was quite taken with a particularly unusual light up dress that Katy Perry was seen sporting at New Yorks Metropolitan Ball in May.

In case you don’t remember the basic premise is that you put the dress on, keep the battery in your bra and when you reach the venue of your choosing you simply flick the switch and light up the room.

Thinking that this was a one off L’Onglex thought no more about the subject until low and behold we came across a shorter version of the frock which is now available at an eyewatering €1500 from Selfridges in London.

Naturally with summer nearly gone and the long days of winter ahead we will soon be daydreaming about what to wear for Christmas and we think this might just fit the bill …. except for the price.

On a mostly unrelated matter can anyone tell us how Katy Perry manages to  dress a bit like Katy Price and look great, and Katy Price dresses a bit like Katy Perry and ………  anyway …. we’ll be back to the beauty ASAP.


Bad news for sales of the slap

September 3rd, 2010
For those of us who spend our time writing beauty blogs a report which landed on L’Onglex’s desk this very afternoon makes for some quite uncomfortable reading. According to the NDP global beauty survey women across the world are wearing less slap.
Their global trends survey tells us sales of make-up were down even before the recession started and cosmetics in particular have fallen due to more natural looks becoming more popular. Although sales of quality basics like mineral foundations and mascara’s have held steady, the trend for most make-up continues to decline.
On a brighter note for the people who constantly sell us the stuff, items like SPF foundations and moisturisers are still a growth area and whilst the make-up brands have had a hard time of late we can at least take heart from Nicola Roberts who, as the pale and interesting one from Girls Aloud, has managed to increase sales of her own make-up line by seemingly buying endless amounts to wear on her own face at every opportunity.

NDP-make-up-report

For those of us who spend our time writing beauty blogs a report which landed on L’Onglex’s desk this very afternoon makes for some quite uncomfortable reading. According to the NDP global beauty survey women across the world are wearing less slap.

Their global trends survey tells us sales of make-up were down even before the recession started and cosmetics in particular have fallen due to more natural looks becoming more popular. Although sales of quality basics like mineral foundations and mascara’s have held steady, the trend for most make-up continues to decline.

On a brighter note for the people who constantly sell us the stuff, items like SPF foundations and moisturisers are still a growth area and whilst the make-up brands have had a hard time of late we can at least take heart from Nicola Roberts who, as the pale and interesting one from Girls Aloud, has managed to increase sales of her own make-up line by seemingly buying endless amounts to wear on her own face at every opportunity.


Messy braids Alaxander Wang style

September 2nd, 2010
As it’s so nearly the end of summer we think there’s just time for one last hurrah. By way of celebration for what was our favourite style this year we scoured the beauty corridors of You Tube to find a quick video for the Alaxander Wang messy side braid.
How much we love this we can’t really say ( it has featured here before ! ) but if you have the hair for it and need something lazy, hazy and perfect for late summer then MIMI has just the video.
As a side note for those off to EP tomorrow, this one works perfectly with dry shampoo and hair thats a bit more matted than usual !

alaxander_wang_side_braid

As it’s so nearly the end of summer we think there’s just time for one last hair hurrah. By way of celebration for what was our favourite style this year we scoured the beauty corridors of You Tube to find a quick video for the Alaxander Wang messy side braid.

How much we love this we can’t really say ( it has featured here before ! ) but if you have the hair for it and need something lazy, hazy and perfect for late summer then MIMI has just the video.

As a side note for those off to EP tomorrow, this one works perfectly with dry shampoo and hair thats a bit more matted than usual !

Click here to watch the video


L’Onglex loves Roger and Gallet

September 2nd, 2010
Currently doing the rounds in L’Onglex’s big bag of bathtime treats is cult french perfumery brand Roger & Gallet. Quite why we have taken such a shine to their quirky brand of french fragrance we cannot quite say but as it’s just landed in Irish pharmacies and we rather like it we thought we might give their bath oil a most honourable mention.
As singling out a favourite scent from the range is decidedly tricky we’ve called it a tie between the citron, the ginger and rose and the green tea and can report with some pleasure that since we got our hands on these the L’Onglex beauty desk has fast become a much sweeter smelling place to avoid doing any work.
Although we figure the only reason we were sent the testers is because L’Onglex sounds incredibly french, we are none the less delighted and won’t be saying au revoir to our samples anytime in the near future.
Had they known that L’Onglex is in fact Irish through and through and we only stole the name eighty years ago because it sounded french we did consider if they might have been so generous ….. this we like !

roger_and_gallet_bath_oil

Currently doing the rounds in L’Onglex’s big bag of bathtime treats is cult french perfumery brand Roger & Gallet. Quite why we have taken such a shine to their quirky brand of french fragrance we cannot quite say but as it’s just landed in Irish pharmacies and we rather like it we thought we might give their bath oil a most honourable mention.

As singling out a favourite scent from the range is decidedly tricky we’ve called it a tie between the citron, the ginger and rose and the green tea and can report with some pleasure that since we got our hands on these the L’Onglex beauty desk has fast become a much sweeter smelling place to avoid doing any work.

Although we figure the only reason we were sent the testers is because L’Onglex sounds incredibly french, we are none the less delighted and won’t be saying au revoir to our samples anytime in the near future.

Had they known that L’Onglex is in fact Irish through and through and we only stole the name eighty years ago because it sounded french we did consider if they might have been so generous ….. this we like !


Things we loved this week: Emily Blunt at the Emmy’s

September 1st, 2010
Things we loved this week: Emily Blunt at the Emmy’s
It wasn’t just the dresses that proved to be the talking points on this years Emmy’s red carpet. Making her presence felt with a delightfully sleek updo-cum-wave was the very demure Emily Blunt.
Part pin-curls and part waves Emily’s barnet was styled by Lani Reeves and modeled on some iconic 20’s styling. Although it looks quite sculpted and relatively sleek we have been assured this one is quick.
According to Lani all you need to get this is a low side part, a few curlers and a bit of Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream. Styling from wet hair and adding the oil for control, letting hair dry naturally will tease out the loose strands which might otherwise be tempted to go astray.
Having had our red carpet moment at last weeks Prudence Beauty Awards we in these parts rather wish we had seen this earlier. Since we’ll be waiting a while before we’ve anything glamorous enough to make copying this one worth our while we at L’Onglex are currently busying our bulging beauty brains on how we can  conceal a multitude of sins at Electric Picnic … come Monday morning we can expect the following exclamation …..
“Daaahhhling ….. are the Dior wellies you’re wearing with that greasy bob …. and that can of cider looks really chic …. mwahhh !”

emily_blunt_waved_hairstyle

It wasn’t just the dresses that proved to be the talking points on this years Emmy’s red carpet. Making her presence felt with a delightfully sleek updo-cum-wave was the very demure Emily Blunt.

Wearing part pin-curls and part waves Emily’s barnet was styled by Lani Reeves and modeled on some iconic 20’s Hollywood glamour styling. Although it looks quite sculpted and relatively sleek we have been assured this one is quick.

According to Lani all you need to get this is a low side part, a few curlers and a bit of Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream. Styling from wet hair and adding the oil for control, letting hair dry naturally will tease out loose strands which might be tempted to go astray.

Having had our red carpet moment at last weeks Prudence Beauty Awards we rather wish we had seen this earlier as we think we’ll be waiting some time before we’ve anything glamorous enough to go to that might make copying this one worth our while.

In fact and to be completely honest, we at L’Onglex are currently busying our bulging beauty brains on how we might be able to conceal a multitude of sins at Electric Picnic this weekend … come Monday morning we can expect the following exclamation …..

“Daaahhhling ….. are those Dior wellies you’re wearing with that greasy bob …. and that can of budget brand cider really goes with the weird blue colour of your lips …. mwahhh !”

Image with thanks to Jeff Kravitz for GettyImages


Snake massage anyone !

September 1st, 2010
As you know we in these parts like to keep up with all things spa related. Essentially we see our job as being to spread the good word and when we find something we think deserves a heads up we’re only too happy to share.
The video that follows is a rather unusual spa in Northern Israel that pushes the boundaries of massage even if you take the word massage in it’s widest context. Yup, the Snake Massage uses live snakes which are wrapped up and placed over the back and face which then writhe and wriggle to produce what the masseuse  claims is a deeply relaxing sensation.
Invented by a lady called Ada Barak who operates from a spa come garden in northern Israel, when Ada isn’t running tourist displays which demonstrate the prowess of carnivorous plants she busies herself by treating paying guests with said massage. The video of the treatment is on the link below but those of you with sharp eyes will also notice the mouse foot massage….. which just might catch on !

snake_massage

As you know we in these parts like to keep up with all things spa related. Essentially we see our job as being to spread the good word and when we find something we think deserves a heads up we’re only too happy to share.

The video that follows is a rather unusual spa in Northern Israel that pushes the boundaries of massage even if you take the word massage in it’s widest context. Yup, the Snake Massage uses live snakes which are wrapped up and placed over the back and face which then writhe and wriggle to produce what the masseuse  claims is a deeply relaxing sensation.

Invented by a lady called Ada Barak who operates from a spa come garden in northern Israel, when Ada isn’t running tourist displays which demonstrate the prowess of carnivorous plants she busies herself by treating paying guests with said massage.

The video of the treatment is on the link below but those of you with sharp eyes will also notice that Ada does a rather nifty foot massage using live mice ….. might catch on !

Click here to watch the video


Minx’s on L’Onglex’s pink’s

August 31st, 2010
Minxs on our pinks
When it comes to our pinkies polish is usually L’Onglex’s adornment of choice but to mix things up a little we decided to go and get minxed !
No, for those of you who skim read that did not involve a few too many cocktails but does in fact refer to the rather colourful stickers which have been glued to our pinkies this very afternoon and even if we do say so ourselves we are enjoying the effect.
After much humming and haaing we finally decided not to unleash our inner Gaga and rather than the gold version we grabbed a set in the rather colourful design pictured. At €35 for a set from Naildressers Salon we figured they’re not exactly cheap but we are rather impressed at how neat the whole thing looks.
As they’re also really thin we must say we prefer the overall profile to gels and for the next few days we think their keepers … any thoughts ??

minks_nails_ireland_1

When it comes to our pinkies polish is L’Onglex’s adornment of choice but to mix things up a little we decided to go and get minxed !

For those of you who skim read that did not involve a few too many cocktails but does in fact refer to the rather colourful stickers which have been glued to our pinkies this very afternoon and even if we do say so ourselves we are enjoying the effect.

minks_nails_ireland_2After much humming and haaing we finally decided not to unleash our inner Gaga and rather than the gold version we grabbed a set in the rather colourful design pictured. At €35 for a set from Naildressers Salon we figured they’re not exactly cheap but we are rather impressed at how neat the whole thing looks.

As they’re also really thin we must say we prefer the overall profile to gels and for the next few days we think their keepers … any thoughts ??


Rimmel’s Vinyl Gloss

August 31st, 2010
Bold claims are the kind of thing that arches a sceptical eyebrow at L’Onglex towers. When news reached us that Rimmell were offering a perfectly sculpted pout that is 80% shinier as well as lips that are 40% more curvaceous we did wonder how this might be possible and whether what has been promised by Pin Up Cosmic lip gloss would in fact be delivered.
Personally, we at L’Onglex can’t really tell if our lips are 40% more curvaceous or for that matter 80% shinier but having now had the opportunity to spend our day in the office looking uber-glamourous and trying out the new colours we can safely say the following ….
i) It stays on …. which is good as it means we don’t have to keep running to the loo to reapply
ii) It’s not too sticky which is good as we’ve run out of napkins
iii) €6.95 seems ti us a bit of a bargain on the gloss front
How Rimmell knew how shiny and curvy my lips were in the first place does worry me a little. Having had my lips pictured on these very pages I did raise the question if they have looked at this blog and used some sort of ’shiny lip analysis’ technology before they printed the packaging but I was informed by the girls around here to stop being so blonde …. I’ll let you decide.

rimmel_london_lip_gloss

Bold claims are the kind of thing that arches a plucked yet sceptical eyebrow at L’Onglex towers. When news reached us that Rimmel were offering a perfectly sculpted pout that is 80% shinier as well as lips that are 40% more curvaceous than your previous pucker we did wonder how this might be possible and whether what has been promised by their new Vinyl Gloss would in fact be delivered.

Personally, we at L’Onglex can’t really tell if our lips are 40% more curvaceous or for that matter 80% shinier but having now had the opportunity to spend our day in the office looking uber-glamourous and trying out the new colours we are confident we can safely say the following ….

i) It stays on …. which is good as it means we don’t have to keep running to the loo to reapply

ii) It’s not too sticky which is good as we’ve run out of napkins

iii) It’s only €6.95 … which is good as we’ve lately had to resort to getting our beauty kicks from left over olive oil

How Rimmel knew how shiny and curvy my lips were in the first place does worry me a little. Having had my lips pictured on these very pages I did raise the question if they had looked at this blog and used some sort of ’shiny lip analysis’ technology before they printed the packaging and sent it out but I was politely informed by the girls around here to ’stop being so blonde’ …. I don’t see why they had to resort to that.


If it’s monday it must be mary make and do …..

August 30th, 2010

hair_oil

No matter how bare the cupboards are we at L’Onglex like to think we can turn a sows ear into a silk purse.

Having spent all our monies on a variety of glamourous goodies , gimmicks and beauty gadgets all we have left in the larder are some dried herbs, a pot noodle and some olive oil.
Leaving aside the idea of eyemasks made from Barry’s teabags our Monday Mary Make and Do is a simple hot oil treatment for hair.
Quick, simple and relatively hassle free it’s a perfect budget pick me up for any of you who use Monday evenings to recharge the batteries.

Here’s what you need ….


1/2 cup of ‘nearly’ boiling water
1/2 cup of olive oil

Here’s how it’s done ….
Place the oil into a plastic container with a lid and put the kettle on.

Add the ‘nearly’ boiling water to the oil and put the lid on. Make sure the lid is 100% secure and shake the container vigorously until the oil and the water have mixed.

Allow to stand for 10 or so minutes or until the water has cooled from boiling to warm and apply to hair from root to tip. Leave the mix in hair for twenty or so minutes and then shampoo as normal.
More Mary Make and Do’s coming soon.


new lisa eldridge video

August 27th, 2010

lisa_eldridge_videos

With the weekend fast approaching chatter in L’Onglex Towers has turned to weekend make-up and while we haven’t quite settled on a look glam enough for Saturday we cannot help but be impressed by the latest beauty ‘how to’ by the ever brilliant Lisa Eldridge.

Working with one of this seasons hottest products, the purple eye shadow pallet reworked by Estee Lauder, the colour is quickly gaining cult status and as well as being something of a pointer to Autumn/Winter trends, the video also contains some rather nifty footwork when it comes to application before foundation …… L’Onglex is inspired … and a touch confused.

Click here to watch the video