Irish Independent I 3 December 2015
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Party-perfect beauty tips from Pippa O’Connor
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Whether your Christmas party is in a week, a day or less than an hour, you can still turn heads when you enter the room. Top fashion and beauty blogger, model and businesswoman, Pippa O’Connor reveals to Clodagh Dooley some of her top festive beauty tips – so that you can look and feel party-pretty in no time
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n top of being a busy mum to two-year-old Ollie and expecting her second child in 2016, Pippa O’Connor is a leading model, businesswoman and creator of the hugely-popular fashion and style blog, Pippa.ie. Pippa, who created her blog as a hobby in 2013, has seen her profile soar over the last 12 months with sell-out Fashion Factory events and the launch of her make-up palette with Blank Canvas Cosmetics. In the midst of all the chaos, she still had time to chat about her top make-up looks for this coming holiday season. For women who have little time to get ready, Pippa says you can still achieve the same glamorous look in half the time as somebody who has spent more than an hour on their make-up. Her secret? The “less is more” philosophy. “I think sometimes we over complicate things with make-up,” Pippa explains. “We think we need to have 20 products on us when we really don’t. Keep everything to a minimum. Don’t overdo it on tan and hair extensions. Take your time doing your tan the night before but make sure to use a new tanning mitt – throw out any old ones! “If you don’t have much time to get ready for a party, you can use a black pencil eyeliner to create a smoky eye. Put it on very roughly near the corner of the eyes then use a smudging brush to smudge it out and you’ve instantly created a nighttime look with just eyeliner pencil. It’s so quick and easy to do. Then just apply your mascara, lipstick and setting powder to keep your foundation in place for the night.” Pippa, who has also been busy guest-hosting on Xpose recently, says her Pippa palette can help women achieve both a toned-down Christmas Day look and a glam night-time look. “I love changing up my look and being adventurous with make-up but during the day I like to
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keep it minimal,” she says. “If you’re going straight to a Christmas party from work, you can have your normal daytime look with the nude-toned colours, then create an intense smoky eye and add highlighter to your cheeks for the night time.” So what make-up and style looks is Pippa most looking forward to trying out this Christmas? “I’m most looking forward to taking a break!” she laughs. “I’m pregnant now so I like to be comfortable, but also stylish. When I’m at home with Ollie, I’ll use neutral eyeshadows and I definitely won’t be wearing anything that’s restricting or tight this Christmas! “I know sometimes you may not feel stylish when you’re pregnant, depending on what stage you’re at, but treat yourself to something nice over Christmas. There are lots of nice maternity buys on the high street, online and in local boutiques. Make an effort with your style and make-up, treat yourself to a facial – even if you don’t feel good on the inside, you can still look great on the outside!”
this Christmas Whether you’re pampering yourself or treating your make-up obsessed friend, we’ve found some of the best beauty products for a feel-good festive season 01. Lee Stafford Ubuntu Oils Digital Hair Straightener – With a 30-second heat up time, it won’t take long to style your hair for Christmas. This Lee Stafford straightener is infused with Ubuntu oils from Africa to give your hair a radiant shine. €64, Littlewoods Ireland 02. No7 Beauty Organiser – This is the perfect gift for fans of the No7 cosmetics range. The Beauty Organiser contains a selection of make-up wonders for eyes, lips and face, plus a portfolio with removable cosmetic pouches. €95, Boots 03. Pippa for Blank Canvas Palette – With six gorgeous gradients of nude toned, luxuriously smooth eyeshadows to choose from, you can switch your look between a natural and intense smoky eye. Also containing three face shades in the form of a luminous highlighter, peachy pink blush and matte warm brown bronzer, it’s a must-have for ladies of all age groups. €34.99, Blank Canvas Cosmetics
04. Ted Baker Shine On – This fabulous gift set is sure to put a sparkle in your eye with two eye-shadow trios, mascara, eyeliner pen and tweezer. €23 05. Makeup Gallery: Eyeliner, Pressed Powder, Volumising Mascara – Who says you have to spend a fortune to do a professional make-up job? The Makeup Gallery range from Dealz will rival the best of cosmetics! All €1.49, Dealz 06. Real Techniques Starter Kit – Create a smokyeyed party look with this easy-to-use starter kit. Includes a base shadow brush to apply a flawless foundation of colour, deluxe crease brush for effortless contouring, accent brush for smudging, fine liner brush for precision application of liquid eyeliner, and brow brush for defined eyebrows. €29, Littlewoods Ireland 07. Along Came Betty Tower of Treats – Keep skin polished during the holidays with this luxurious skincare set. €8.99, Tesco