COMPETITION TIME! Win a Pair of Nike Trainers with OPSH

August 04, 2015 by Jodie Wood

Opsh is the brainchild of the three Irish sisters – Jennie, Sarah and Grace McGinn – who started one of Ireland’s premier fashion blogs, What Will I Wear Today, back in 2009 after a chance encounter with Kelly Cutrone at New York Fashion Week. It quickly became one of the most-talked-about blogs in the country. Three years and millions of pageviews later, they monetized their blogging prowess with the launch of Prowlster.com – an innovative shoppable magazine focused on teaming the best lifestyle, fashion and music content with bespoke clothing and jewellery. In 2013, Prowlster was acquired by Dublin’s best-known new media company, Sweatshop, and the Mc Ginn sisters turned their attention to developing their new retail site, Opsh.com.

Opsh is an online shopping platform that allows women to shop across all of their favourite existing high street retailers with just one account and one checkout. From Kurt Geiger to Forever 21, Benefit to Warehouse, Opsh is growing at a rapid pace, adding new retailers each week and growing a loyal customer base across the UK and Ireland. Gone are the days of opening multiple shopping tabs at once or entering your credit card details repeatedly on a number of retail sites- Opsh lets you shop across fashion, beauty and fitness brands with just one easy checkout. You can join the shopping revolution by signing up to Opsh here as well as following Opsh on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

There's no excuse not to get out and train when your kicks look this cool. We have teamed up to offer one lucky follower the chance to win a pair of these Nike Juvenate Trainers! To enter, simply sign up to Opsh.com by leaving your email in the comments below my Instagram post or emailing prize@opsh.com and following the @opsh Instagram page! Winner announced next week, good luck guys!

A Trip to ESPA in Powerscourt Hotel

August 04, 2015 by Jodie Wood

Every year for my birthday we go away for a little spa break to enjoy the bank holiday weekend. This year we spent it in Powerscourt Hotel, one of my favourite places to stay. Not only are the grounds and surroundings simply beautiful but the rooms are so incredible you want to move in. If you follow me on Snapchat (jodielawsonwood), you may have seen my tour of our suite, the tv in the bathroom mirror is definitely one of the coolest features! Aside from this, the hotel is well renowned for its incredible spa. ESPA at Powerscourt Hotel recently one Best Spa at the Image Magazine Business of Beauty Awards and it's easy to see why.

With 20 impeccable treatment rooms, including a private Spa Suite for couples, a 20-metre Swarovski Crystal-lit heated pool and a state-of-the-art thermal suite, it really does have everything you need to pamper, relax and unwind. I actually shot their spa brochure a while ago so got to spend a whole day there "relaxing", it was then I decided I needed to come back to experience their treatments!

After chilling out in the thermal suites, pool and relaxation rooms I was booked in for a personalised facial. I had a lovely therapist called Rachel who immediately had me at ease. Before my treatment she asked me in detail about my skin and even let me smell different products to get a sense of what I'd like used-a nice touch I've never had before. After cleansing my skin she really studied it to customise a facial to match my needs, I was so impressed that personalised really meant personalised. The treatment lasted an hour and included an incredible head, neck and shoulder massage, I was in heaven! My skin came away looking and feeling fantastic, even Will commented on it! Afterwards I was given a delicious raspberry sorbet and left to relax with the most beautiful view of the Sugar Loaf, see the picture below!

As I filled out my date of birth on my consultation form they knew it was my birthday and brought me out a little chocolate platter, such a lovely touch! I will definitely be returning to the spa to get my skin in perfect shape before the wedding so I will keep you guys updated on future treatments! If you're looking for somewhere new to try and want a guaranteed service to remember I highly recommend ESPA at Powerscourt Hotel. I know they have some fantastic offers for spa packages you can view on their website here, perfect for a day of pampering! Thank you to Kellie-Ann, the Spa Director for organising such a lovely birthday!

Facial Tanners

July 31, 2015 by Jodie Wood

Having a tan is my number one beauty hack, I have no qualms walking around with a bare face so long as I have a bit of a glow. That being said at 25, I have suddenly become paranoid at the first signs of ageing and have a heightened awareness of the effects of the sun on my skin. After a stern warning from my dermatologist I decided to take a different approach to my face this summer. While on holiday, I wore the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Extreme Face Fluid SPF50 all over my face each day and kept a hat on while sunbathing. Although my face did tan it didn't go anywhere near the colour of my body so I decided to experiment with a few facial tanners to see if I could help this.

I think it's important I point out that I am not a huge fan of fake tan. I never wear it on my body and am extra cautious about putting it on my face. I don't like the idea of clogging my skin with fake tan while I sleep at night and the thought of it coming off in scales terrifies me. I did my research and read reviews on several products, tried a few others and have settled on these two. The He-She Facial Tanning Gel is my go to when I want a quick and intense tan. It has quite a thick consistency and a green undertone which I like as I think it provides the most authentic looking colour. I like to apply it after I have moisturised my face using a duo fibre brush. I find I can apply this in the morning and wash it off a few hours later and it's already developed which is a bonus for me. Personally, I don't like sleeping in it as it feels quite heavy on the face and perhaps a little sticky but for those who are used to tanning at night I'm sure that wouldn't bother you. It wears off naturally and can be built up over days to get a darker payoff however I generally find one coat is fine for me. I bought this in the UK so I'm not sure what I paid for it exactly but He-She is available online and from Boots!

The next product is a recent discovery for me. The Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster is marketed as a "made to measure" self tan and needless to say, I am obsessed. It is a clear liquid that comes in a little dropper bottle perfect for popping in your bag and taking away with you. The idea is that you mix 2-3 drops in with your own skin care when you want to add a little colour to your face. I love this idea as it means I'm not putting any additional creams or lotions on to my face that run the risk of congesting my skin. I have mixed this with both my daily moisturiser and my night oil and both work equally well. I find myself looking at my face and wondering whether I've picked up a tan from being outside or if it's the product that's given me that colour. It's that natural looking! You can decide how dark you want to go simply by adding fewer or more drops which is a refreshing alternative to having to layer applications of a tanning gel or lotion. It is available from all Clarins counters and retails for about €23. Seriously worth a try in my book!

To sum it up I would recomend the He-Shi tanning gel to anyone who wants to achieve an instant and deeper colour, and the Clarins drops to anyone who wants a more natural, daily approach. Both are fantastic products, it just depends what you're in the mood for! Let me know what your favourite facial tanners are and if there are any you think I should try!

What's in my Makeup Bag

July 23, 2015 by Jodie Wood

I thought I would share with you what I carry around with me in my handbag cosmetics wise. Below are my necessities, the items I need with me if ever I have makeup on to touch up throughout the day. Let me know if you guys have any recommendations for similar products too!

The makeup case I keep in my handbag is this blue leopard print one from Coach, I loved it as soon as I saw it and luckily it was on sale in Spain! It's the perfect size for a handbag and has a sturdy zip and inside pocket to keep hair ties or your lipstick in. I've tried to find a link to it online to no avail so if you like it I suggest checking in store!

The number one thing I take with me anywhere is my Nars translucent setting powder. It takes the shine away from the skin without looking powdery or caking when applied in layers, just what I want as I still like my skin to looK dewy! It's so finely milled it feels like silk to swatch and has tiny light reflecting particles in it that also help brighten the skin. The shade is called Crystal but it's completely translucent, I can't recommend it enough! The small white Sephora pot is a sample pot containing my Nars tinted moisturiser. I always decant a little into a sample pot to take with me instead of having to carry the whole tube. The shade I use is Meduim 1, "St Moritz", a light to medium coverage perfect for this time of year! I always make sure to have my concealer with me too, my holy grail is the Nars "Radiant Creamy Concealer" in Medium 2, "Ginger". This concealer is definitely full coverage yet doesn't dry out or crease under the eye. If I'm using this under my eyes I'll mix in a dab of my Touché Eclait to lighten it slightly, well worth the price tag in my opinion!

Wipes are something I always carry with me and until recently used to haul around a big packet. I came across these mini packs in Accessorize and fell in love with the packaging! Not only are they pretty to look at but are tiny, about the size of a credit card so are far lighter and just as convenient. My lips are often dry so lip balm is something I can't go without. The Elizabeth Arden "Eight Hour Cream" is a cult favourite for good reason. I recently discovered her lip balm that comes in this little pot and is perfect for handbags. Not only do I use this on my lips but I also pop in onto any dry patches and my cuticles, a serious wonder product! The lipgloss I carry with me is the Charlotte Tilbury lipgloss in the colour "Seduction", a nude pink. Not too sticky with a great colour pay off I often reach for this over lipstick!

As I'm short on space and hate carrying anything heavy in my handbag I love multi use products. Enter the Stilla Convertible Colors. My favourite shade is "Camellia", a deep rosey brown that I can use as a blush come bronzer on my cheeks and can also pop onto my lips if I'm in a hurry. This shade is matte but because it's a cream it gives the skin a glossy appearance also acting as a highlight, what more could you ask for! My final lip product I take with me is the YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in shade number 1, "Nude Beige". The perfect long lasting formula that doesn't dry out my lips, it's my go to. Not only does it look amazing but it smells incredible too! Check it out for yourself next time you pass a YSL counter! The last product I need for touch ups is my Mac Studio Chromographic Pencil in the shade "NC15". This is the only nude eyeliner that lasts longer than an hour on me and really opens up my eyes. It's actually a concealer pencil so you could also use to it carve out your eyebrows or highlight your cupids bow to make your lips look bigger. Obsessed!

Let me know if you try any of these products, I know that some of them are a little expensive but in my opinion they really are worth it, especially the base products. Enjoy!

TRX at Fitness HQ

July 14, 2015 by Jodie Wood

With beach season firmly upon us I guess we'd all love to look a little more like Izabel Goulart and a little less like Mr Blobby. In light of this I thought I would share with you something new to me, introducing TRX. Although I have always been a healthy size I know that with my wedding approaching I now more than ever feel the urge to tone up and get fit. I attended my first TRX class in Fitness HQ back in May and since then I've been hooked. Having never been one for the gym I was skeptical on whether I would enjoy it however the classes are so fun and effective I actually look forward to going! TRX is a workout system that leverages gravity and your own body weight to perform hundreds of exercises. You are in control how much much you want to challenge yourself on each exercise simply by adjusting your body position to increase or decrease resistance. Here is a sneak peak at some of my favourite exercises, many of which you can do at home!

At the beginning of any work out I always start with a stretch and some foam rolling pictured below. Foam rolling before a workout will help to break up or relax tight muscles and adhesions formed between the layers of our soft tissue. Foam rolling after a workout can assist in recovery by aiding in circulation and returning tissue to relaxed state. As with virtually all of the equipment I mention in this post you can purchase a foam roller online or from MC Sport Sandyford, www.mcsport.ie.

Foam rolling my shoulders and neck before we began

The first exercise we started with is one of my favourites; Ball Slams that work the full body. This involves holding a ball of a weight of your choice above your head with feet shoulder width apart, I use a 3kg ball. You then slam it down as hard as you can between your feet with your hands following through and finishing back between your legs. Don't worry as the balls are made of rubber and filled with sand so they aren't going to bounce up and hit your face!

Following the ball slams we then go into Goblet Squats using the ball again, holding it tight and close to the chest. The minute I start these I can feel the burn in the backs of my legs and bum-with both exercises I usually do between 10-15 reps. If you can't make it to the gym, at home this exercise can easily be done without a slam ball; just cross your arms and hold them at chest level as pictured below. Alternatively replace the ball with a bag of flour or a large water bottle. Remember to keep everything "tight" and your core engaged at all times!

Goblet Squats-laughing through the pain!

The next exercise we do is using a simple elastic band you could also buy and use at home. It involves standing on the elastic and then twisting it and holding it taught with your two hands and waste level. The object of the movement is to keep the band tight, lifting one foot at a time and side stepping. This is a fantastic one for toning the outside of the thighs while also burning the bingo wings. I find the backs of my arms and my thighs are my problem areas so I love this move. Surprisingly fun too!

Next we moved onto the TRX bands that are suspended from a beam above you. They can be used for hundreds of different exercises and are so fun to work out with. The first exercise we did on them was TRX Rows . You are effectively pulling your body weight up using your arms so expect them to feel like jelly after. While targeting the muscle groups in your arms and back you are also working your chest and core at the same time. The same goes for the second exercise on the bands, TRX Chest Press. Think of it like a push up or chest press but much more difficult as you are having to hold your balance on the bands using your core stability. Following about 10-15 reps of each of these I move on to TRX Tricep Extras, horrific if you're weak like me but amazing for that area I think a lot of us hate. By brining the hands up and together in front of the face the backs of the arms become the main focus. I could literally only do two of these when I first started!

Next to work the legs and bum we started TRX Single Leg Squats. Standing with one leg raised slightly in front of you, you move down into squat position holding that leg straight out in front of you, toes to the ceiling. This is a hard one to master as its not only difficult to squat on one leg but also to keep your balance. None the less it is again fantastic for working the whole body and is worth a couple tumbles at the beginning!

Following this is it was down to the mat for the final few exercises. The first of which, TRX Hamstring Curls, involve having your feet suspended in the bands and beginning with your legs straight, hand on your rib cage. You then pull your heels in towards your bum and lift up the pelvis working the backs of the legs and keeping the core tight.

Next come the TRX Mountain Climbers that work the full body. Holding yourself up using your arms you pull each knee in towards the chest in a swift but controlled manor. This is a great move for the abdominals while also working your arms. Following this, my last move on the bands is a simple plank with my feet suspended. This I usually hold for as long as I can, start with what you can manage.

To finish off we take it to the mat for some side planks. Side planks are fantastic for shaping the waist and can be done anywhere. The first and perhaps easier side plank can be done resting on your elbow, placing your feet on top of each other and lifting your hips up off the mat. It's important to keep breathing and to hold your core tight while keeping your back straight. The second move is a little harder, lifting straight up holding yourself on an outstretched arm raise the other arm up towards the ceiling and hold. For both planks it's important to swap sides and repeat!

Side planks complete with hideous facial expressions — Side planks complete with hideous facial expressions

For anyone looking to try something new I highly recommend TRX and the gym I train in, Fitness HQ. The facility is brand new and has been fitted to the highest spec. Everyone in the classes is in the same boat so I felt totally at ease however if you do prefer to work out one on one they provide that option too.

My trainer Johnny is offering one lucky reader a free session along with some work out goodies, a Speed Rope and Massage Ball used in a similar way to the foam roller. To enter the competition simply follow @fitnesshq.ie on Instagram or like them on Facebook, then comment on my Instagram post to let me know you have entered! A winner will be selected at random next Friday, July 24th.

For more information on Johnny and his gym check out their website www.fitnesshq.ie. Good luck!