The perfect at home hair treatment💆🏻

  

Hi guys, a very happy Sunday to you all! 

As it is a bank holiday weekend I thought I would share with you all my at home hair treatment mask which I have been using myself the past few weeks and which I also shared over on my snapchat recently (TheStyleShaper1). It was a complete hit with all of my lovely followers, so I am bringing it to you now! 

I have to say it is one of the most effective hair treatments I have ever used, to the extent that it has completely riddled my hair of dry scalp and leaves an unbelievable shine on the hair.

For the treatment you will need just three ingredients as follows;

Ingredients 

  • Honey ( preferably from your local area)
  • Whole milk
  • Any conditioner ( I like to use the Aussie as its my favourite)

     
Amount

  • 2 teaspoons of honey (add more if you have long/thicker hair
  • Dash of milk
  • Good squeeze of conditioner (this takes away from the sticky honey and leaves the hair feeling softer) 


What to do…

Mix all the ingredients together and apply to the hair, massaging into the scalp and down onto the ends of the hair. If you feel you need more of the treatment to cover, just whisk up a little more! Leave this in the hair for a good 20 minutes and then rinse out. 

When you have rinsed it out, continue on with shampooing and conditioning your hair as normal. 

  

So guys and gals that is how it’s done! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me on any of my social media platforms;

Facebook – The Style Shaper

Instagram – Jennifer_Carolan21

Or comment on this post – @ TheStyleShaper.com

Stay fabulous as always,

  

My current everyday skin routine 

   

Hi guys, I hope you are all keeping well! 

Today I wanted to go through in detail my current everyday skincare routine which I know a lot of you have been asking about especially over on my snapchat (thestyleshaper1). 

The reason for this blog post coming so late to you guys is simply because I didn’t want to start recommending products when I hadn’t given them a good run through myself. 

I wanted to try a few different products together and see how they worked as a whole routine and whether I could see a difference in my skin.

Obviously when trying different products you need to take some factors into consideration like:

  • Are the products suited for your skin type?
  • Is there any irritation occurring?
  • Are they drying on the skin?
  • Can you notice a vast change in your skin? etc.

Keep on reading below to find out all there is to know about each of the products I use in detail and how I combine them to achieve glowing skin!

 (And which also includes not one but TWO Irish products!)

   
  
So first and foremost, the main products which I have been trying together for the last few months have been:

  • Kinvara cleansing oil
  • ALPHA-H ph balancing cleanser
  • Lancôme Bi-Facil eye make up remover for sensitive eyes
  • Guinot Hydra Fraicheur refreshing toning lotion
  • Lancôme advanced génifique youth activating concentrate
  • ALPHA-H Liquid gold with Glycolic Acid
  • Green Angel Seaweed and Collagen face cream

I have combined all of the above products together to create, for me, a fabulous routine which myself and my skin is LOVING at the minute. To say I have noticed a change in my skin would be a complete understatement as I can notice signs of reduced wrinkles around my eyes, a reduction in redness on the skin and a serious difference each (lady) month😉as I always find the skin around my chin area breaks out. I can now also see a major reduction in the size of my pores. 

Below, I will share with you each step I go through while cleaning my skin along with how and why I use these particular products above! 

I know everyone has a different way of cleansing their face but this is what I do and I hope it helps in answering your questions💁🏻

  
I start by removing my eye make up. Some may leave this stage a little bit later in the process, but I do it by habit to be honest! For this I like to use the Lancôme Bi-Facil eye make up remover as it is so gentle but works amazingly on breaking down the make up on the eyes. I put the solution on a little cotton pad (from Penneys/Primark) and massage around the eyes until I know all mascara is removed along with shadows and liners. This particular remover is so gentle that it can be used on extremely sensitive eyes and even on those who wear contact lenses.

  

  
There are so many cleansers on the market at the minute but it is important to find the right cleanser that suits your skin type. I have always used just one, but in recent months while speaking to a beauty industry expert, I learned the importance of doing TWO cleanses on the skin and using TWO different cleansers for this! 

Now I know you are probably thinking this is mad, but doing this the last few months it has really helped in giving my skin the clean that it needed along with balancing my skin. 

The two cleansers that I can’t live without at the minute are the ALPHA-H ph balancing cleanser and the Kinvara cleansing oil which is an Irish product. I firstly do an all over cleanse with the ALPHA-H balancing cleanser, wiping it away with a dry cotton pad, then go in with the Kinvara cleansing oil for another deep cleanse on my skin. I again wipe that away using a dry cotton pad. While doing each cleanse I spend about two minutes rubbing the cleanser into the skin using circular motions making sure to remove all make up. 

  

  
Ok, so hands up who forgets or doesn’t bother to use a toner on the skin??

I’m guessing quite a few of you stop at just cleansing the skin right? Slap on a mountain of moisturiser and on you go!😂 Well guys unfortunately you are skipping a vital part of your skin routine. 

When you cleanse your skin you are leaving a layer of product on your skin. You might not feel it or see it, but what you are actually doing is leaving that product on the skin, applying moisturiser over it and in return the cleanser will soak in and block your pores which may cause spots. By using a toner you are taking that layer of product off, leaving the skin clean and refreshed. Toner is also a major key as it balances the PH in your skin. 

The toner I love using is the Guinot Hydra Fraicheur refreshing toning lotion. This one in particular leaves the skin leaving completely refreshed and also enriches the skin with plant extracts.

 

  
 I have to admit, it has only been in the last few months that I myself have started using a serum! Experts say you should start using serums from the age 18 when the skin begins to mature and experiences the harshness of everyday life like smoking etc. 

The serum I began using is the Lancôme Génifique youth activating concentrate. It feels amazing on my skin and I feel by using this, my skin looks a lot brighter and refreshed.

To apply this, I take two to three drops, rub between clean finger tips and in circular motions apply to the skin. 

  
We all love slapping on the moisturiser don’t we?! But in reality you only need a very small amount. 

The moisturiser I’m using at the minute is the Green Angel seaweed and collagen cream which is an Irish made product and is completely natural.

I take a pea size amount and dot it around my face so I then have that particular amount to rub into my skin. 

  
  
I use the ALPHA-H liquid gold with Glycolic acid once or twice a week to revive and brighten my skin. When I say this is gold in a bottle, I mean it! This is literally like having a facial in a few seconds! It can be used on its own, or you can leave it on going to bed and wash it off the next morning and it will leave your skin feeling tighter, brighter and beautiful! 

I was kindly gifted this to try and I will definitely be purchasing again as it has become a vital part of my regime. With this, my skin feels amazing after use and I have definitely seen a reduction in my wrinkles due to the Glycolic acid present in the product. 

To use, I simply put a few drops on a cotton pad and apply on the face. You will experience a slight burning sensation and redness but that’s the product working! It’s basically taking off the old and bringing in the new! (Layer of skin that is)

 

  I do this routine twice a day. In the morning if going bare faced, and also before applying my make up. 

-After applying my moisturiser I then apply my make up primer and start my make up. I then repeat the routine at night time when taking off my make up! 

 Below I will list my favourite place to find each of the above products I use. 

Happy shopping!💁🏻

Lancôme eye make up remover – http://www.sammccauleys.ie

Kinvara cleansing oil – http://www.meagherspharmacy.ie

Alpha-H ph balancing cleanser – Shaws department store, Carlow

Lancôme serum – http://www.sammccauleys.ie

Green Angel moisturiser- http://www.greenangel.com

Alpha-H Liquid Gold – Shaws department store, Carlow


So guys I hope you have enjoyed this post and hopefully it has answered some of your questions! 

If you have any more, don’t hesitate to contact me on any of my social media platforms!

Stay fab all,

  

My Laser Hair consultation with Sam McCauleys beauty salon, Carlow

  

  
Hello everyone and a very happy new year, I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and have eased into the new year nicely! 

As my first post of the new year, I am bringing you guys a series of posts which will include an update every six weeks of my Laser Hair Removal with the amazing Sam McCauleys beauty salon in the Fairgreen shopping centre Carlow.

I recently had my FREE consultation done with the lovely Nikita in the salon which may I say was a treat as I was a little bit nervous, I suppose because laser is something I would never have considered before talking with the ladies in the salon and seeing the amazing results after just 6 treatments. 

Read below to find out all there is to know about this mind blowing treatment available from Sam McCauleys and how I got on with my free consultation! 

  

What is laser hair removal…

Laser hair removal is a safe, effective and commonly used treatment, providing optimal results in the removal of unwanted hair. Lasers work by delivering an intense beam of light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair which is converted to heat effectively destroying the hair shaft, while leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. 

Why I am having the treatment…

I decided to have the laser hair removal treatment done on the bottom part of my legs as I suppose it’s every girls dream not having to shave her legs! Who agrees?! 

I thought that coming into the Summer time and not having to hide my lower leg, worrying about stubble if I had forgotten to shave and also a big part of my decision for the laser hair removal was to feel good about having my legs out and about.

Being a part of the ever growing fashion industry and also having my blog, I am always conjuring up new ideas, outfits, looks, and as we are approaching the Summer season it means cropped trousers, skirts, culottes and dresses which in return means hairy legs are out!

  
 
My FREE consultation…

On Tuesday I had my free consultation and patch test with Nikita who is my laser hair removal specialist. The consultation went extremely well which I was delighted with.

A consultation and patch test is required with laser hair removal to ensure you are compatible to laser.

I was brought in to one of many lovely rooms at Sam McCauleys beauty salon. Nikita explained all the information I needed to know including how the laser works, about the top rated Candela laser machine, preparation, aftercare and the FAQs which put me at ease as I didn’t know what to expect! 

  
As part of the consultation, I had a small patch test done on one area of my leg as to see would I have any reaction (which is quite rare) to the laser itself. This consisted of having the small area cleansed and then zapped twice with the laser beam. 

What I love about the Candela machine they use in Sam McCauleys is that it shoots out a blast of coolant before the laser beam, so you literally can’t feel a thing! It was done and I didn’t even realise! This feature on the Candela gives greater patient comfort and safety which in return gives greater results.

All laser hair removal consultations are completely FREE with Sam McCauleys in the Fairgreen shopping centre Carlow. You can book your free consultation via the website – http://www.sammccauleys.com and go to the ‘Beauty Salon Bookings’ section or call in store at the Fairgreen shopping centre Carlow. 

  

My treatment plan…

To achieve maximum and completely satisfactory results with laser hair removal it is advised to have a total of six treatments. I will be having the six treatments done with a six week gap between each treatment. 

I will then have a review which will determine if I need another one or two treatments within a year to target any areas on the leg which are coarser than others. (This may not be needed) 

When with your therapist, you can discuss cost along with a payment plan that suits you which is another fantastic plus to having laser done with Sam McCauleys. 

For my complete six treatments the total cost is €585 which isn’t a lot when you consider having hair free legs forever! I have also worked with the girls and we have drawn up payment plan which makes life so much easier. 

 
 
  Frequently asked questions…

  • Are laser treatments safe? Yes, laser treatments have been used for many years for a variety of medical and cosmetic procedures. Candela, the most trusted name in the industry, has pioneered the development of some of the safest and most effective technologies and products available on the market today. 


  • What will my treatment be like? You and your therapist will wear safety glasses to protect your eyes during the procedure. The therapist will use a small hand piece that touches your skin to deliver the light. You will feel a light spray of coolant on your skin before each laser pulse.


  • How long will my treatment take and how many treatments will I need? Every treatment, like every client is unique. Consult your therapist to decide what is the best for you based on your needs and expectations. A minimum of 6 treatments is generally recommended depending on the area to be treated.


  • What precautions should I take before or after my treatment? In general, avoid sun exposure for 2-4 weeks before treatment and again after treatment until your therapist allows it. Care should be taken in the first few days following your treatment. Avoid scrubbing and rinsing the treated area with abrasive skin cleanser. Consult your therapist for specific precautions that relate to your individualised treatment plan.


  • Are there any adverse side-effects to laser treatments? Most procedures have a low risk of adverse side effects. Some patients experience pigment changes in the skin colour. If this occurs, the skin will typically return to normal pigmentation over time. All treatment results are individual.


  • Is my laser treatment covered by my medical insurance? Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures. However, consult your therapist for more information. 


  • What is the next step? The first step is a FREE consultation and patch test to ensure that you are compatible to laser. Cost discussion and a payment plan will be organised for you at Sam McCauleys. 


So guys and gals I hope you have found this post interesting and educational on the laser hair removal front. Don’t forget if you are in anyway interested in having laser hair removal done, don’t hesitate to book in your FREE consultation! 

Stay fabulous,

  

Spa and Style event at The Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny

  
Hi guys and gals! 

Well what an amazing few weeks! I am completely blown away by the fabulous events the past few weeks, including the two ‘Dream It, Do It’ events which I was asked to speak at along with the amazing Spa and Style event which I was invited to at the Lyrath Estate hotel in Kilkenny this week.

Today I am going to talk you through the Spa and Style event which I attended on Wednesday evening in Kilkenny and which was hosted by the Cocoa Brown queen herself, Marissa Carter! I will also include a full outfit post which I know a lot of you fashionistas are asking about! 

So keep those eyes peeled and keep on scrolling to see all about the event and what I wore! 

  
On Wednesday 18th of November, I made my way to the fabulous 5 star hotel that is, the Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny. I was honoured to attend the Spa and Style event at the Lyrath which was a fabulous evening filled with all things fashion and beauty – the perfect girls evening! 

When we arrived, we were greeted by the lovely ladies on reception and of course by our amazing host, Linda, who had an evening planned for us which was out of this world! 

We made our way to our rooms, which may I add were beautiful. We were blown away by the attention to detail in the rooms and also so lucky to have an amazing balcony off our room which enabled us to view the gorgeous grounds of the hotel. 

We glammed ourselves up and made our way to the yellow room in the old building of the hotel for some champagne and nibbles. While there, I had the amazing opportunity of meeting the other fab bloggers who were there for the evening. The fabulous Laura, from Laura Dempsey make up, Jen from Too Dolly make up, Nikki and Ber from the fabulous online store My Shining Armour, Nic from The Naked Blondie, Dawn from Glamour! By Dawn, Karen from KarenMaherMakeUp and of course the beautiful Linda. We had a beautiful dinner at Yindees restaurant which is a gorgeous Asian restaurant at the hotel followed by a tour of the award winning Oasis Spa. 

  

  
What came next was fantastic! We watched an amazing fashion show from upstairs in Yindees, which meant we had a birdseye view of the show which was being hosted by the fabulous Marissa Carter. It was my first time to meet Marissa, and oh my goodness, what an amazing woman she is. 

The fashion show kicked off with amazing pieces of clothing and accessories from boutiques around Kilkenny, including Lola Rose and the Kilkenny design centre.

All of the gorgeous girls from the hotel spa, ‘Oasis spa’ were there showcasing the fab products available in the spa along with an amazing display of the Elemis range.
   

  
  
I know a lot of you guys have been quite anxious to know all the details on my look for the night, so here they are! 

Jumpsuit – Zara €45

Shoes – Rhianna for River Island (3 years old) €110

Belt – Penneys/Primark €4

Bag – Zara €29.95 

Watch – Marc by Marc Jacobs

Earrings – New look (no price)

Rings and bracelet- Pandora

Hair and make up – I completed the look myself!  

 
So guys and gals, that’s my look! I hope you enjoyed reading about my amazing experience at the Lyrath Estate Hotel and Spa, Kilkenny. It truly is one of the nicest hotels I have stayed at. Just fabulous! 

A huge thank you to the Lyrath for an amazing evening and for looking after us. Also to Linda who was our amazing hostess for the evening. 

Stay fab all,

  

Irish Blogging Conference Cork – What I Wore

  

  
Hello everyone, and a very happy Friday!

Apologies for the delay on this post as I know a lot of you have been asking me questions on the outfit which I wore for the Irish blogging conference which was held in Cork last weekend. 

  
Firstly I want to say what a weekend it was! We had the ultimate ‘lols’ all day long with some extremely inspirational speakers. To say I came away with being totally inspired along with some excellent tips and tricks would be an understatement, but unfortunately I came home with a flu which I wasn’t that happy about, but hey it’s that time of the year! 

Today I am going to share with you the details of each item I wore on the day. I know a lot of you have been lusting over the knee high lace-up boots I wore so keep on scrolling!!!

 
Outfit details – 

  
As the conference was being held in the Clarion Hotel Cork, we decided to stay the night before. I initially intended on wearing a black swing dress but found this little number in none other than Penneys the morning of the conference on a stroll around cork. 

Hair and make-up – 

My hair was simply curled using a hair straightener, and my make up I done myself. I used my trusty old products and for the lip I used the Penneys/Primark lip liner all over the lip which may I say is amazing and lasts!  

Dress – 

The dress I wore is from Penneys/Primark and don’t kill me, but I honestly can’t remember how much it was! It came in this print along with some other plain colours. I loved the print and style of the dress as it sat perfectly at the top of the boots.

  
Sleeveless Blazer – 

I’ve had this sleeveless blazer for quite a while now as when they first came on the scene, I had to have one! This one in particular is from Boohoo.com and was no more than €20. I thought it added that extra little something to the outfit, but also brought the look together as a whole. 

  
Hat – 

My “blogging” hat as Mr.James Kavanagh would call it is from none other than Penneys/Primark. It was €10 and comes in lots of different shades.

  

Knees high lace-up boots – 

So last but by no means least….the god dang boots!!! I have been looking for a pair of these boots since last year when they first became popular in outfit posts. I searched and searched for a pair which were not expensive as you know me, the better the bargain the better the buy! So while scrolling on Boohoo.com one day about three weeks ago I stumbled upon these beauties!! Guys they were JUST €49!!! I lasted all day in them as they are super comfy and have the perfect heel height. 

  
So guys and gals that is all the datials on my look for the blogging conference! Pretty simple and not expensive at all! 

Don’t forget to head over to my Instagram (Jennifer_carolan21) for all updates on my blog, all things fashion, ootd’s and slimming world! 

Facebook – TheStyleShaper

Stay fabulous as always, 

  
 

Illustration – Holly Shortall

Pictures – My Own

RUST is a MUST!

 Hello everyone, and a very happy Tuesday!

  

Burgundy and black are taking a back seat this winter season with the colour rust becoming the more prominent colour of choice in clothing and also in footwear.

During this post I am going to show you a selection of items from our fabulous high-street  and online which will carry you right through the season whilst being bang on trend and which won’t break that bank account of yours! 

So ladies I will now invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy all these beautiful pieces which come in this glorious colour that is Rust! 


RIVER ISLAND 

 
 

1 – Rust brown tassel scarf €22

2 – Rust brown shirt dress €55

3 – Sleeveless waistcoat €55

4 – Floppy hat €33

NEW LOOK

  

  

  
1 – Roll neck sleeveless jumper €24.99

2 – Rust ankle strap heel €22.99

3 – Button front A-line skirt €24.99

4 – Belted A-line skirt €17.99 

5 – Rust flared sleeved top €29.99

6 – Sleevless waistcoat €24.99


ZARA

  

1 – Rust flared jumpsuit €49.95

2 – Rust cropped trousers €49.95


MISSGUIDED

  

  
1 – Sleeveless faux suede belted trench coat €49

2 – Longline faux fur gilet €77

3 – Tasell front heeled shoes €42

4 – Knee high peep toe lace up boots €63


VAVAVOOM.IE

  

Rust wide legged jumpsuit €36.99

So ladies, they are my must have rust coloured pieces from the beloved high-street and online! Rust right now is bang on trend is making its way into many collections this season. 

All pieces can be purchased online from the following : 

http://www.newlook.com

http://www.RiverIsland.com

http://www.Forever21.com

http://www.vavavoom.ie

http://www.missguided.ie

http://www.zara.com

Happy Shopping! 

Stay Fab,