Annie Gribbin - looking fabulous at midlife!
I feel very lucky that when I organise my talks I learn so much about aspects of life that are affecting me and my peer group at the moment. Last Saturday's talk with Annie Gribbin was no exception. I think we all came away with a clearer view of the importance of good skincare and the role that make-up can play. What do you think of my before and after shots? See below...
The Merrion Hotel - you feel well-minded as soon as you approach the front door
We've got to know the wonderfully engaging and efficient staff at The Merrion Hotel well at this stage. On Saturday the Wellington Room was beautifully set up and the sun was streaming through the long elegant windows. The coffee was brewed, the cookies baked and the fruit skewers neatly arranged in readiness for us. Meanwhile Chris was setting up Annie's show biz style make-up station and chair. The stage was set for the arrival of our VIP guests - the Second Springers! I have met a lot of like-minded women since establishing My Second Spring and I'm very grateful for all your support and enthusiasm. Thanks for coming along on Saturday. There has been such a lovely warm, relaxed atmosphere at each of our events and a great buzz at the end of each session, as we digest and discuss the new information.
If you missed Paula Mee's talk on Nutrition or Emily Power Smith on sex at midlife have a read of my summaries on the blog to get a flavour.
Taking on challenges at midlife
Annie started with a jaw-dropping account of how she nearly lost her eye-sight, and this shocking experience gave her the guts to embrace life to the maximum. She had always enjoyed singing but was a bit shy about singing in front of others. When the opportunity arose to take part in The Voice - the Irish version of the TV singing talent-show - she took it on! She said this was an incredibly empowering move and she felt wonderful afterwards. She urged us to take on challenges and even seek them out.
Annie has been working with Make up Forever for over 30 years. She was with the company in Paris for 5 years, then she had the first franchise outside of Paris when she opened her shop in Dublin 25 years ago. The products are developed by make-up artists for professional use so they are ultra efficient.
I was Annie's before and after 'model' on Saturday so my notes are from memory. If anyone has more to add please do so. Here are the key things that I learned from our morning with Annie:
- Skin changes at mid-life so we should experiment with new techniques in terms of our skincare routine as well as make-up application.
- Primer can be used instead of moisturiser under make-up as a base coat - it's water-based and helps foundation to last longer. Moisturiser is oil-based and can cause make-up to look shiny or run. Choose a primer depending on your key concerns - eliminating redness, avoiding UV rays etc.
- Use primer under eye-make up again to stop it running and bleeding
- Annie used a lovely egg-shaped black sponge to apply foundation - she sells them for €18.
- A fine HD powder applied in a very light coating after make-up application sets the look and should even be used on lips.
- Use lip liner to stop lipstick from bleeding, then add your colour and fix with HD powder - finish with gloss.
We each received a fantastic goody bag with handbag sized versions of some of the iconic products that Annie used during the morning make-over. These included her UV primer, the HD powder used to set make-up, a lipstick, lip pencil and mascara. We also received discount vouchers for products, a make-up application and a make-up lesson. Having seen how well her products work I'll certainly be visiting Make-Up Forever in Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 very soon. My daughters, who have plenty of skill and knowledge in this department, particularly admired the foundation match that Annie did for my make-over - the priming probably helped too. They are already keen users of many Make Up Forever products.
Here are my before and after shots. I've been encouraging my eyebrows to grow as I'm going to have a eye-lash and eye-brow treatment with Carmel Mooney from Opulash. Carmel is THE brow and lash woman - I can't wait!
Raffle prizes - we all love a win!
The raffle prizes were kindly sponsored by several companies. Keeling's gave us a ton-weight of beautiful fresh fruit. The hamper was won by Anna Collins, nutritionist - how appropriate! Nerea Paredes is thrilled with her very generous brow and lash treatment courtesy of Opulash worth €120 - we'll have to ask Nerea for before and after photos of her lashes and brows. Deirdre Davis was the lucky winner of Jill Shaw Ruddock's book The Second Half of your Life - my new bedside manual. The Cytoplan hamper donated by My Second Spring was won by Judith Williams - we'll have to ask her to log her energy and vitality levels. Congratulations to all our winners and thanks to all our sponsors.
There was a lot of interest in skincare on Saturday - many of you may be interested to read Daria Sochacka of The Beauty Salon on the subject - she does fantastic facials for me and knows all there is to know about skin. I find my skin keeps improving for a few days after a facial.
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