June 2017 - LouiseCooney.comLouiseCooney.com

Lifestyle

My Skincare Program

June 20, 2017

Hi everyone,

In April I started a 12 week program with the Laser and Skin Clinic to treat sun damage and reduce the amount of sun damage that my skin is getting for the future as well. If you follow me on social media you’ll know I am a sun worshipper and I adore some warm weather. The damage the sun can do is something I’m not a fan of, however. It’s something I’ve grown more conscious of as I’ve gotten older and I really just want to make sure I am protecting my skin as much as I can.

I visited the Laser and Skin Clinic and met with Anna, who gave me a consultation and started me on the Obagi Fx Skin Program. Obagi Fx System is an option for clients who want a homecare skin program to treat sundamage (pigmentation) without the downtime of peels or lasers. The system can be used in conjunction with superficial peels to achieve a faster result. The peels take no more than 20/30 mins and I experienced light peeling on my face after them. It’s not super obvious, and can be covered with make-up.

I’m 8 weeks into the program, and although it was an adjustment to get used to this new routine at the start. I could do it with my eyes closed now, its takes only a few mins each morning and evening and I’ve seen a huge improvement already – not only in the pigmentation on my skin, but also in my complexion. My skin is blemish free and so much smoother since I started the program.

I have two different skincare routines in the morning and in the evening – you can see the detail of these below.

In the morning, I alternate between Obagi Clenziderm and Obagi C-Cleansing Gel Cleanser to wash face. Clean off with wet face cloth. Add 3 drops of Vitamin C, 2 squirts of SPF 40, and a pea size amount of the Exfoliating day cream before continuing with your make up routine. Continue Reading…

Fashion

Flattering Swimwear for your Body Shape

June 16, 2017

Hi everyone,

Coming from someone who has literally bought 4 bikinis online in the past two days, and searched this exact topic myself yesterday – I think it’s fair to say that this is an important topic at this time of year. You gotta dress that ‘summer bod’ right and cater to your own shape. It makes all the difference to how you feel in your swimsuit. After all, the sexiest thing you can wear is confidence.

I’ve given some general shopping tips below, some examples of styles that work well as well as listing my favourite places to buy swimwear.

I’m sure I’m not the only one with holidays on the brain right now, so hopefully this post will help you get somewhat organised with your holiday shopping,

Happy Friday,

Louise x

Tummy concealing

Hiding your tummy is actually a lot easier than people think, the simple goal is to draw attention away from the mid-section. You can do this by covering it up, or cleverly disguising it. See my tips and swimsuit picks below:

Shopping Tips:

Peplum shapes are not just for the office! They work wonders on the beach too.
If you carry your weight in the lower part of your belly, try on a retro, high-waisted suit. They’re on trend and great for covering the tummy
A full-piece with ruching can also help to conceal your stomach.
Choosing any one-piece with a plunging neckline with help to keep the focus upwards, rather than on your mid-section.

Large Bust

If you’re more well-endowed on top, then support is key. Opt for swimwear with underwire or molded cups to get the support you need. Avoid ruffles or embellishments up top if you’re hoping to minimize the focus on your chest.

Shopping Tips:

Bra-style bikini tops with underwire and adjustable straps provide are best for the bust 😉
Look for higher backs that help support your chest
Molded cups provide that little bit of extra support

Examples:

Small Bust

You can look for styles with more minimal coverage or embellished detailing, bows, and patterns to create the illusion of a larger chest.

Shopping Tips:

Triangle tops create the illusion of curves, as do tops with bold prints or embellishments with ruffles.
Bra tops, halter necks and padded push-up tops offer extra lift and can create cleavage.
A smaller bust always means you can wear tiny scoop tops or bandeaus — embrace them!

Travel

Venice and London Travel Diary

June 15, 2017

Dress is Primark

Dress is Boohoo

Hey guys,

If you’ve been following me online you’ll know that I just got back from not one but TWO worldwind trips to Venice and London.

Venice was the absolute dream. It’s just out of this world. Every time I visit Italy I fall more in love with the country, but Venice in particular was just so different to anywhere I’ve ever been before. It’s rustic, romantic and just so relaxing. There’s nothing I love more than wandering down narrow streets and finding hidden gems when I’m travelling and that’s exactly what Venice is amazing for.

I went with 8 of my friends from Limerick, which was so nice. The older we get, the busier we all get so it was so nice to have some quality time and lols together.

We visited two of Venice’s gorgeous islands, Murano and Burano. Can you believe Venice is actually made up of a total of 118 islands? Burano is literally the most colourful, beautiful place I’ve ever been to. A bold statement I know, but I just loved it so much. As there was 9 of us on the trip, we were able to afford a private water taxi which is a set rate of €120. The public water buses are €7.50 each way, but take a little bit longer. Continue Reading…

Fashion, Lifestyle

Half Way Through

June 9, 2017

Hey there,

Happy Friday! This week was a lovely short one for me, with the bank holiday on Monday and the Benefit trip that didn’t happen on Wednesday and Thursday. I only ended up actually being in work for 2 days. If you follow me on social media you’ll know I was supposed to go on a trip with Benefit to an island off the coast of England but the weather was too bad to travel – so it was cancelled. I had two days in Dublin with no major plans, which is something that has become very unusual for me in the past 6-8 months.

I was able to organise some blog work, get some general life jobs done and I got to actually relax for the whole evening with Lauren – it was bliss. It also gave me some time to think, and to look over the past 6 months. We have hit June, the half way point for the year (where has the time gone!!!) and I thought it would be no harm to have a look at those New Year resolutions I made at the start of the year and see where I am now.

So what were my resolutions:

Smile more … ✔

This is one of my favourite resolutions I made last year. Just to clarify, I didn’t necessarily mean just physically smiling more, I meant just being happier in general. Paying more attention to all the things I have to be grateful for, and focusing on those. I remember coming up to Christmas last year I was feeling super tired and almost burned out. I was really busy with work and my blog and I had just moved house – so found myself getting stressed and not appreciating all the amazing things I have. No matter how crazy things get it’s important to always keep things in perspective and be happy with all things that are going right. So more smiling has definitely been happening this year 🙂 Continue Reading…

Fashion

Havaianas Flip Flops

June 1, 2017

Hi there,

I hope you are all having a good week.

Last Saturday I took part in such a fun shoot with Havaianas to promote their new pop-up shop in Arnotts. Although it was downpouring outside, it was summer inside for us on this shoot and all of these clothes got me so excited for the summer months ahead.

I was fresh off the plane for Marseille so in the perfect mood for a flip flop shoot. I had a little chat on Snapchat (lou1409) last night about all the travels I have coming up, so these flip flops will definitely be packed. I’m off to Beneisland next week with Benefit Cosmetics, then to Venice at the weekend and finishing up in London next week. The travelling just doesn’t stop this year – and I’m loving every second of every adventure I’ve been on (and hopefully plenty more to come!)

Below are the images we shot on the day, showing 6 different pairs of Havaianas, all priced between €17.90 to €30. They also have a Beaded/ Embellished range in store which is priced from €40 to €130. To celebrate the opening of the pop-up shop there is a cool offer in store whereby if you buy 2 pairs of Havaianas, you get a free lilo (in the shape of a GIANT FLIPFLOP!!!) You can also personalise your Havaianas with charms, the charms start from €2. My favourite thing about these flip-flips is how unbelievably comfortable they are. Have you ever had an uncomfortable pair of flip-flops? That cuts between your toes and makes your feet feel heavy – is there anything worse in the world? I think not!

Thank you to the amazing team that helped put this shoot together on the day – Claudia styling, Sue doing hair and make-up and Aaron behind the camera. Keep an eye out for the photos in U magazine that will be hitting shelves on June 7th 🙂

Have a great evening guys (ALMOST THE WEEKEND!!!)

Lou x

Flip Flops €17.90 to €30, Havaianas @ Arnotts / Top: €24.99 H&M / Shorts: €35 River Island / Accessories: Accessorize

Flip Flops €17.90 to €30, Havaianas @ Arnotts / Dress: €48 River Island / Accessories: Accessorize