12 Hairstyles of Christmas

Christmas party season is here!  Here are some inspiration pictures to help you get that perfect, festive look!

The High Bun 

So simple yet so elegant

 

 

Plaited Headband

Simple, sweet and somehow mystical

 

Greek Goddess

Piles of ridiculously gorgeous cascading curls

Elegant French Plait

A sophisticated version of of the childhood classic (we’re thinking plait, not Elsa)

Soft Half-Upstyle

Hair is delicately pinned reminiscent of falling snow, accentuated by glittery snowflake clip

Elegant Upstyle

Soft, pretty, romantic and classic… need we say more?

Soft Pullback

This feminine look is soft and romantic

 

The Plaited Bun

Chic, romantic and slightly wild (in the most intriguing way)

Windswept

This updo is both effortless and elegant

Romantic Side-Chignon

A low, loosely knotted chignon is feminine and timeless

Double Plaited Updo

This double-plaited updo is fun and sassy

 

Sculpted Chignon

This look is perfect if you have a fringe to add depth and height

 

21 Benefits of Massage

Massage may feel like a pampering treat, but in fact it is extremely therapeutic with a myriad of health benefits.   Perhaps the most obvious is the relaxation and subsequent stress reduction.  A massage can drastically reduce the stress we carry in our bodies and minds.  Perhaps nothing ages us more, or causes more health problems, than stress.  Living a life completely free of stressors isn’t realistic (nor would it be very interesting) but massage can reduce the negative affects of stress, leaving you feeling rejuvenated, clear-minded and full of energy to live your optimal life.  

Perhaps the full benefits of a massage elude us, but here is a list of 21 benefits science has already proven:

• Enhanced sleep quality
• Decreased anxiety
• Greater energy
• Improved concentration
• Alleviates lower back pain
• Reduces Headaches
• Helps heal soft tissue strains or injuries
• Hastens recovery from sports injuries
• Reduces stress, pain and muscle tension
• Enhances immunity by stimulating the body’s natural defense system
• Aids recovery from strenuous workouts
• Improves skin condition
• Increases joint flexibility
• Lessens depression and anxiety
• Improves circulation
• Reduces spasms and cramping
• Relieves migraine pain
• Releases endorphins which improve mood and work as the body’s natural painkiller
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves flexibility and range of motion
• Promotes deeper and easier breathing

You can book a massage in the WhatSalon app – just click on the magnifying glass in the search bar and look for the massage icon! 

Winter Manicure Trends

Winter is here, and with it, rich berry hues, elegant nudes and classic blacks, whites and reds.

METALLIC NUDES
Nude tones, such as cream, beige and soft pink, with a metallic shimmer were smattered throughout the runways in the Fall / Winter 2015/16 fashion shows.  The trend is soft and feminine with a touch of glam that carries well to evening looks.

  

MATTE NUDES

Matte nudes were spotted at Chanel and Dior’s Fall / Winter 2015 – 2016 couture collection.  The look is soft, natural and pretty.

   

BERRIES

The colourful hues of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry are in vogue on nails – and lips – this season!

   

GREYS

Greys are a delightfully pretty variation for a winter manicure.  Soft, yet unexpected, the look can be matte or sparkly.  The perfect winter mani, in our opinion!

   

THE CLASSICS

Red, Black and White will perhaps always be in style.  The sharp, bold colours are classic and elegant.

     

MAKE A STATEMENT

Statement nails are a fun way to play with your winter manicure and express yourself.

    

Blogger of the Month – Marie Barry-Murphy

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with fashion & beauty blogger Marie Barry-Murphy. Her love in beauty and fashion has lead her not only to start a blog, but to study makeup artistry and train to become a personal shopper/ stylist.

In addition to this, she has four kids – that is not a typo! – and is training to run a marathon. She also works during the day minding children and is a devoted wife. I get tired just writing about all she does! As modern women, we balance so much and so I was very interested in hearing how Marie balances all she does.

So tell me, how do you do it all? How do you balance being a mom, working, blogging, training for a marathon?

Sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day.   Several years ago I discovered the importance of finding time for yourself. As a mom, you kind of lose yourself for a while because you are caring for the children. For me, it was like a bale of hay – it just kept going and gathering until I said, “hold on now, I need something for me’ That is how I discovered running.   Running has been a savior. I have loved it. It’s been great socially as well as being good for your mental health and your figure.

I love fashion and beauty and the blog is a place where I can express this passion.

What motivated you to start your blog?

A friend said to me, “You have a love for this; for fashion, beauty and travel – you should start a blog!” Marie started by setting up a Facebook page where she would post beauty tips, makeup looks and showcase different outfits. People loved seeing the outfits and it all snowballed from there, and I started thebeautmum.com

It’s great to be fueled by your passions, and we can all benefit! Tell me about the Personal Styling course you took:

 I loved it. We created mood boards and put looks together. We learned how to style in a way that is flattering to different body shapes. We had the opportunity to assist behind the scenes at the Opera Lane Fashion show. We had some fantastic shops involved and it was great to be involved.

You also did a makeup course. Personally, I’m interested in knowing your favourite foundation.

 Dior Forever. It’s light but very buildable. You can almost feel your skin breathe – it’s not too heavy or cakey.

Certain colours look best with Irish skin. I use 020 during the day and go up to 30 for a night look. It has slightly more coverage and is a little darker than the day look.

Concealer is also very important. I love Maybelline Eye Raiser. It comes in a slim tube with a round spongey top that you can use to stipple. Make sure you bring it down into a triangle rather than just covering the lower eye area.

Marie also took me ‘shopping’ in River Island. You can watch the video here:

Facials to combat the cold

Winter is here – cuddly jumpers, hot cocoa and cozy nights by the fire.  These are a few of the things we love about this time of year.  Still, the harsh effects of the cold weather on our skin is less than lovely.  While there are many amazing facials available, here are a few of our favourites, to keep our faces as young and fresh as Spring – even in the dead of winter.

Microdermabrasion

Often touted as an ‘instant facelift’, microdermabrasion is a safe and painless exfoliation that uses tiny crystals to remove the outer layer of skin.  In the time it would take to grab lunch, you can dramatically rejuvenate your skin and reduce the appearance of mild acne scars. The result is smooth skin with a healthy, vibrant glow.

The skin consists of two layers, the dermis and the epidermis.  The outer layer is the epidermis, with the very top layer of skin being called the Stratum Corneum.  This outer layer is often where fine lines, imperfections and blemishes lie.  Microdermabrasion removes this layer, revealing the new unblemished second layer of skin.  The body reacts as if there were a minor injury, and rushes to replace lost skin cells with new and healthy ones.

Deep Cleansing Facial

Deep Cleansing facials are a fantastic way to keep skin looking young, dewy and fresh.  Cleansing facials target specific skin problems such as breakouts, dehydration and fine lines.   Cleansing facials are extremely valuable in facial rejuvenation.  The massage helps to tone and strengthen your muscle fibers, and cleansing your pores at a deep level removes toxins and helps to minimise the signs of aging.

Eye Treatments

The skin around the eye area is thinner and more delicate than anywhere else and has fewer oil glands.  No other area of our face depicts our age more than our eyes.  An Eye Treatment can combat the most prominent eye area problems – such as wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles due to hyperpigmentation and skin sensitivity.  The result is an eye area that is healthy and reflects fewer signs of aging.  

You can search salons that offer facials by clicking on the search icon in the tab bar (at the top in Android and at the bottom in iOS), and then clicking the Face icon.
                                         

WhatSalon’s What-A-Woman Feature: Orlaith Carmody

Recently I had the honour of meeting Orlaith Carmody.  I honestly can’t remember the last time a woman made such a strong and positive impression on me.

From our initial greeting, she was warm and friendly and I felt as if I had met a friend rather than to conduct an interview.  As we spoke, I was struck by her wisdom. She is clearly an intelligent woman who has gained much practical insight into life and business.  I thought to myself, ‘this is the type of woman I want to be’.  She is warm, friendly, driven, motivated, intelligent and interesting.  She is a successful businesswoman with a very loving and close relationship with her husband and children.  She’s been married for 22 years, and yet when she speaks of her husband, her eyes light up with the spark of young, early love.

Orlaith started out in life as a journalist and worked for magazines and newspapers.  She then moved to LMFM radio station, where she met her now-husband Gavin Duffy.  She then worked as a national broadcaster for RTE before taking time out to raise her children.  When she re-entered the workforce, she started a communications training business, mediatraining.ie.  She worked with the best of the best, gleaning wisdom from the highest leaders in a variety of roles.   She coupled these insights with practical business communication tips to offer the highest quality communications training available in Ireland.

However, being one person, she was limited as to the number of people she could reach.  She could only do so many trainings.  An impromptu meeting with a publisher pushed her forward to write her book “Perform as a Leader”, which was just released.

The book is a must-read.  It’s poignant, motivating and extremely practical.  It’s a cross between a business-training book and a personal development book.  Orlaith opens the book with a very personal story about the loss of her first husband to a brain tumour.  “I felt it was important to include it.  It was so formative to me and so relevant to all I do today and all I learned.”  It’s amazing how the hardest and most painful seasons of our lives can serve as a catalyst.

The book seamlessly shifts to take on more of a how-to feel, brimming with practical tips and insights on how to conduct presentations, speak in public, negotiate effectively, etc. yet maintains a personal tone, exploring the ‘why’s’ and not just the ‘what’s’.

It’s the type of book you want to read once through, and then refer back to when you have a presentation or speaking engagement coming up.  The book explores the common question “Are leaders born or made?” with a very strong bend to leaders being made – and how, in essence, you can accomplish and become absolutely anything you set your mind to do.   In meeting Orlaith, it’s clear these are so much more than words – this is her life.

Hair Salon prank goes too far?

In the spirit of Halloween, WhatSalon played a prank on unsuspecting salon-goers.  The girls believed they were getting an upstyle when a stylist used a product that made their hair fall out!

Watch it here:

What do salons and customers think about WhatSalon?

WhatSalon is the go-to app for booking hair and beauty appointments.  It’s fast, beautiful and easy to use.  But don’t take our word for it!  What do salon owners and customers think about the app?

WHAT SALONS ARE SAYING….

I thought I would let you know how happy I am with being affiliated with the WhatSalon app.  It has brought a lot of new business into my salon.  I have had over 60 new clients in twelve weeks.  It has also allowed me a platform to raise my salons profile.  May I also say that you are very professional to deal with.  Thank you so much for the opportunity and looking forward to a long business partnership.

Anne-Marie O’Sullivan, Owner of Adore Salon 

The WhatSalon app brings convenience to the modern woman who likes to look good, but has a busy schedule.  Being a business woman myself (and recently a new mum), I love this app on a personal level.  It gives me opportunity to see what vacancies various beauty salons have, at a time and price that suits me.  I don’t have to waste time a) calling b) emailing to c) facebooking and waiting correspondence.  This app gives me immediate answers which I am accustomed to.  I feel that for the industry as a whole, and my own business personally, this app will allow exposure for those in-between time slots that can be hard to fill.

It’s another marketing avenue for my business, especially being that it is a nationwide product.  It gives my business credibility to be working alongside a great partner like WhatSalon.  Knowing Kieran for over 3 years now, I find him and his team extremely professional, punctual and prompt.  My time as a business owner and a mum is precious. I sincerely appreciate when people do not waste my time.  My interaction with the WhatSalon team is always efficient and result-driven.  I will continue to work with WhatSalon.  I wish you success for years to come with your innovation.

Cliona O’Hanlon, Managing & Creative Director of All Dolled Up Ltd.

WhatSalon is a very exciting new concept that we are delighted to have incorporated into our salon booking process.  It introduces new clients to our salon who may never have found us otherwise.  The team at WhatSalon are exceptional and have always gone above and beyond.  An extremely impressive company.  I would advise any other salons thinking of taking this on to go for it.  There is no downside to this app – it brings in new clients – nothing wrong with that!

Zoe Kelly, Owner of City Wax

 

WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING….

I absolutely LOVE this app!!! It’s so easy to use. Always find hidden gems that I never even knew existed. Excellent if you’re away on a weekend break with the girls somewhere

• CeCe

I really love this app idea – definitely a market for this! Hate having to always ring for appointments when they are constantly engaged etc. so this app makes it so much easier!  Really like the idea of seeing pictures of the salon before going also!  I really love the app and will definitely be using it – extremely attractive and user friendly – can’t wait to start using it regularly!

– Ciara

I’m sick of having to ring around to see if there’s an appointment available for my desired time. This App is ridiculously handy and extremely user friendly. No more having to listen to “I’ll ring you back if an appointment becomes available”- your finger tips do all the work! This App will definitely become apart of my routine when my locks are in need of a snip! It would be cool if a groupon style deal was introduced to whatSalon users! Great way to promote the app too! Well done guys!

– Kiks

People are talking…

There’s been a lot of buzz about WhatSalon lately.  We kind of like being the hot gossip on the street!

People are blogging…

The Beauty Dial

Wide-Eyed and Blind

The Secret Obsession

The Fashionista Observer

The Girl with the Skew Earring

So Polished

Tweeting…

         

and there’s been a bit of buzz in the Press!

Stellar Magazine – 5 Deadly Apps every Beauty Addict Needs

Stellar Magazine – shoutout from JustJordan in #MyBlogLife interview

The Independant

Have you tried WhatSalon?  Download it now and see what all the buzz is about!

Autumn Nail Inspiration

Autumn is here – the crisp freshness is in the air, leaves are turning to rich golden hues, and we are loving these autumn inspired manicures with a bit of bling!

                      

Love them too?  Book now!