To celebrate the launch of GOSH cosmetics across A|wear stores this month, A|wear has hooked up with U magazine to offer you the chance to star in your very own photoshoot!

Your prize will include:

1. A make up session to make you look fabulous with make-up artist to the stars Natalie Kinsella. Having worked on famous faces from Christina Aguilera to Stella McCartney as well as catwalk shows for Chloe & Vogue, Natalie will guide you through all the latest spring must haves & colour palette from GOSH & you’ll leave with the full collection to take home!

2. A new wardrobe to the value of €500! And a makeover session with A|wear’s Press Stylist Lia Tallon who will take you through all of spring’s hottest trends.

3. Becoming the star of your very own U magazine photoshoot…once your fab new look is complete; your very own photographer will arrive to take lots of pic’s. Watch out for the next edition of U out on April 5th when you’ll star in a full page spread!

4. Five runner ups will also win a makeover with Natalie at the GOSH counter in A|wear Grafton St on Saturday April 10th!

To be in with a chance to win, simply email gosh@awear.ie with a fab photo of you using your must have GOSH product or in your favourite A|wear outfit & say in one sentence why you deserve to win. It’s really that simple!

* This competition is not exclusive to HelpMyStyle.ie

Karen Millen launch their Spring/Summer 2010 collection this morning in the salubrious surroundings of the Aviation Lounge in Bentley’s on the Green. This latest offering heralds a new carefree mood from KM with elegant, draped pieces perfect for layering combined with lots of flowing fabrics with feminine detailing.

A more relaxed silhouette dominates the collection in a mixed palette from calm neutrals to hot tropical colours & prints bringing vibrancy to the mix. Some of the highlights include the pale grey silk top decorated with delicate ruffles and cocktail dress finished with gorgeously embellished jeweled shoulders.

Body-con continues this spring with one of my favourites being the sporty sharply-cut dress with origami fold neckline in monochromatic stripes. Fans of colour need not worry as cobalt blue, coral and yellow add pops of bold uplifting colour and abstract digital prints providing a cool, futuristic feel to summer dresses.

Peeps it’s with great excitement I announce our latest competition…!

Just launched by L’Oréal Paris, Youth Code, is the first range of anti-ageing products available on the high street and supermarkets that is based on breakthrough research on skin genes.

Following 10 years of research working with Paris St-Louis Hospital (centre of excellence in dermatological research), L’Oréal have established the genes & proteins responsible for the youthful characteristics of skin. Youth Code uses L’Oréal’s Pro-Gen™ technology which contains an ingredient called Biolysate that speeds the rate at which the genes linked to skin recovery are expressed. This marks the start of a new and very exciting era for anti-ageing skincare products…which equals good news for you and me!

The lovely gang at L’Oréal have generously given us five ‘packs’ (worth over €70 each!) to give-away to HelpMyStyle.ie readers. If you want to win one, (who wouldn’t!!) read on to find out how…

TO ENTER:
Simply answer the following question…what L’Oréal technology created Youth Code? HINT – see above!

* To be eligible to enter you must be a registered user of this blog. ** If you’re not already registered, it’s quick, easy & free to do now by clicking REGISTER on the top right-hand corner of this page. Once registered, email answers to win@helpmystyle.ie.

Closing date for entries is 5pm Monday 15 March. Rules and more info after the cut.

THE RULES:
All prizes are non-transferable and to enter you must have an Irish postal address (on the island of Ireland). There is no cash alternative and our decision is final. We respect your privacy. Your personal information is safe, and will never be shared with any third party. Note: Your email address will be added to our email list. You may opt out at any time.

HERE’S THE SCIENCE…
L’Oréal determined that when put under stress, certain skin genes linked to epidermal recovery were activated. This activation is known as “gene expression”. In young skin, gene expression peaked at six hours after external stresses such as exfoliation, were applied. In mature skin however, the peak did not occur until 30 hours, indicating that mature skin takes longer to respond and recover itself, compared to younger skin. This has enabled them to identify and develop new skincare ingredients that improve and help accelerate the epidermal recovery process. With this knowledge, they can improve the youthfulness and youthful behaviour of skin.

Since last Wednesday’s finale programme on RTE One, we’ve been inundated with requests on the blog and on the Operation Transformation website & facebook from people wanting to know where Amanda Casey’s dress is from.

Given your overwhelming response, we thought it deserved a special mention! This perfect party frock from Fran & Jane on Clarendon Street in Dublin is an ideal dress for someone like Amanda.

Firstly given her age, it showed off her playful, youthfulness, not to mention her best asset – those legs that go on and on and on! The black bandeau is very complimentary to a bigger bust – the black acts to minimise while the pink belt draws attention to the smallest part of her body and newly defined waist. The scalloped cut fabric gives movement and catches the light beautifully as she moves. Fran & Jane have several stores nationwide (including Cork, Belfast, Kildare & Tipperary) so I’d recommend you contact your local store quickly if you have your eye on this little number.

Darren went on a shopping trip with Amanda before the finale and here’s what happened…

This Sunday, Norma Smurfit will host Ireland’s biggest ‘Spring Clean for Charity Sale’ in the Serpentine Hall, RDS, Dublin. With fabulous fashions, accessories, toys, trinkets, gadgets and games, designer bags, toys, tea-sets and much more, it’s certain to be a treasure trove for all bargain hunters.

A number of well known faces from Irish television, radio and business will be taking part hoping to raise as much money as possible for the chosen charities, including Bill Cullen, Jackie Lavin, Lorraine Keane, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Mary Kennedy, Celia Holman Lee and many more. With over 100 stalls containing goods donated by supporters around the country, all proceeds from the day will go towards the Society for the St Vincent De Paul and Norma’s charity, the Irish Famine Commemoration Fund.

Open from 11am – 5pm on Sunday March 7th in the Serpentine Hall, RDS. Admission is €2. For further information or to donate towards the event, please contact Anne Dargan at (01) 2103860.

Here at HelpMyStyle.ie we’re big fans of RTE’s Operation Transformation and followers of the programme will know that our man Darren Kennedy is the show’s reporter with The Gerry Ryan Show on radio, TV and the Operation Transformation website.

He’s been an exceptionally busy man of late and has been multi-tasking…Yes, as well as reporting, he also styled the five leaders for the show’s catwalk finale which was broadcast last night on RTE One. So we thought we’d share some of his handywork just in case you missed it. More images after the cut

A fab new range of beauty products has arrived in Ireland – Naturelle D’Argan – quite literally super food for your skin and here at HelpMyStyle.ie we’re giving you a chance to win a Naturelle D’Argan hamper with the full range worth over €200!

Hailed as ‘liquid gold’, Argan oil has been treasured for centuries in Morocco. An incredibly rich source of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, it has astonishing healing, conditioning and anti-aging properties to keep your skin and hair nourished and revitalised. Exceptionally rich in unsaturated fatty acids, Omega 6 and Omega 9, Vitamin E & Polyphenol, Argan oil brings nutrients to the skin and plays a major role in the protective functions of the epidermis, nourishing, protecting and moisturising it. Argan oil can also be used to treat dry hair and split ends, scars and stretch marks, eczema and psoriasis, cuticles and hands.

TO ENTER:
Simply answer the following question…In what country is Argan oil produced?

* To be eligible to enter you must be a registered user to this blog. If you are registered simply email your answer to win@helpmystyle.ie.

** If you’re not already registered, it’s quick, easy & free to do now by clicking REGISTER on the top right-hand corner of this page. Once registered, email answers to win@helpmystyle.ie.

Closing date for entries is 5pm Monday 8 March. Rules and more info after the cut

THE RULES:
All prizes are non-transferable and to enter you must have an Irish postal address (on the island of Ireland). There is no cash alternative and our decision is final. We respect your privacy. Your personal information is safe, and will never be shared with any third party. Note: Your email address will be added to our email list. You may opt out at any time.

The Naturelle D’Argan is the only Argan oil range available in Ireland and includes pure Pure Argan Elixer, Purifying Cleansing Milk, Exfoliating Cleansing Gel, Source Defense Day Cream, Regenerating Night Cream, Silky Moisturising Body Lotion, Extra Rich Shower Gel and Extra Rich Soap. With prices from €5.95 up to €33.95, the Naturelle D’Argan range brings the healing and conditioning properties of Argan oil to consumers at a friendly price.

Further information on Naturelle D’Argan is available at www.naturelledargan.com. Naturelle D’Argan is stocked in pharmacies nationwide. For a complete list of stockist call (01) 845 5632.

Now in its 6th year, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer raises awareness and much-needed funds for cancer charities. In the last few years, Elle Macpherson, Helena Christensen, Erin O’Connor, Minnie Driver and Sir Paul Smith have all been involved with this campaign.

This year, New York designer Tory Burch has designed the bag and is coming to Brown Thomas Dublin to launch the campaign, and Limited Edition Tory Burch Tote Bag, on Friday, March 19th. The fab leopard print canvas tote which features Tory’s signature bright orange lining is super stylish and will undoubtedly be a ‘must-have’ bag this spring.

Burch has a legion of celebrity followers including Cameron Diaz, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, Uma Thurman, Hilary Swank, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz and Katherine Heigl to name but a few. Gossip Girls Leighton Meester and Blake Lively wear many of Tory’s designs on the hit US show and indeed Tory had a cameo role in Gossip Girl 2009.

Retailing at €45 in Brown Thomas Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway and BT2 Grafton Street, Dundrum and Blanchardstown Shopping Centre from Friday March 19th 2010. All proceeds raised will go to Action Breast Cancer and Europa Donna Ireland. This year the campaign specifically focuses on early detection of breast cancer amongst young women in Ireland.

I must admit it’s taken me sometime to warm to Christine Bleakley, presenter of BBC’s The One Show. Over the past couple of months I’ve come to really like the Northern Irish beauty for her genuine presence on the small screen but there’s always been one thing I’ve loved about her – her glowing, healthy looking skin!

Turns out she’s had some help in that department and her perfect glow is thanks to the He-Shi’s range of tanning products. He-Shi’s products are perfect for Irish skin tones, and are easy to apply and can be used to build up varying levels of colour, from a natural golden shade to a darker tan option for more sallow complexions like Christine’s.

With Mothers Day (March 14th) just around the corner, why not treat your mother to some relaxation at home and indulge her skin with some pampering. The He-Shi range includes a variety of products from an exfoliating bodywash to prepare skin ahead of tanning, a body mitt and a hydrating soufflé moisturiser to ensure smooth and soft skin. It comes in an elegantly packaged gift box which includes He-Shi Liquid Tan 150ml, Body mitt, and Fusion Multi-Bronze & Brush, all for just €53.50.

He-Shi Tanning Products are available from leading Department Stores, Day Spas and Beauty Salons throughout Ireland. For your nearest stockist log onto He-Shi.

Drum roll please…it’s time to announce the winners of our recent competitions. Firstly a big thank you to everyone who entered, we had a massive response to both competitions.

* The winner of the new Remingtion i-Light worth over €300 is Shona Foyle from Tipperary.

* The winner of the limited edition Samsung Hello Kitty handset is Laticia Lowndes from Dublin.

More great competitions coming over the next couple of weeks so keep your eye on the blog and tell your friends!

Have you ever oogled at an Anya Hindmarch handbag only wishing you had the cash to splash? Well good news coming your way this weekend as Anya Hindmarch is holding a style clearance weekend at Kildare Village with discounts of up to 80% off!

Hindmarch has established herself at the forefront of fashion, offering sophisticated handbag and designer accessories collections. Celebrity fans include Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Madonna, Claudia Schiffer and Reese Witherspoon and Hindmarch has even designed the gift bags for Vanity Fair’s Oscar party in 2006, 2007 and 2009 – need we say anymore!

Discounts to be had include The Buddy, which is available in four colour options is now priced at just €115 (RRP €214), the Halavar, available in grey and off white, is reduced to €326 (RRP €815) and the Pocket Family Bag for just €288 (RRP €643). Discounts apply from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 February.

Ladies what do you consider the most attractive feature in a man? Is it a nice smile, full head of hair or even a hot body? Probably no great surprise that Brad Pitt tops the poll of who Irish women have in mind when they think of a strong and sensitive man closely followed by Mr X Factor himself, Dermot O’Leary with Irish Rugby star Paul O’Connell in third place.

It appears Irish women rank honesty as the most attractive quality in a man, followed closely by a sense of humour and sensitivity to their needs. According to the survey carried out by Listerine, Irish women are still looking for old fashioned romance and it appears that a surprise romantic dinner date or just breakfast in bed would impress them most. Surprisingly, taking out the bins doesn’t impress Irish women much!

Well the search is on to find Ireland’s ‘Mr Strong & Sensitive’ and now’s your chance to nominate your partner or friend for the title by visiting www.listerinestrongandsensitive.ie. The winner will receive a romantic, luxury rugby weekend away in Paris for two including tickets to the Heineken Cup Final. Not bad for an auld softy!

Would love to know what you think of these findings? What celeb comes to mind as your a strong and sensitive type?

Luxury London brand L.K.Bennett opened its first clothing and accessories store at Arnotts on Henry Street this week. Situated on the first floor of the store customers will be able to get their hands on the chic & feminine designs reflected in Tim Walker’s eye-catching campaign (pictured) for SS 2010.

Associated with sophisticated, feminine collections with their signature silhouette draping around the waist, the brand is particularly noted for its shoe & bag collections and use of luxury materials such as nappa leather and pony skin. If you’re looking for a leather accessory such as a bag or heels, you’ll do well to come across better quality at the same price. Sure go on, why not treat yourself!

As well as the newly opened concession in Arnotts, LK Bennett have stores in Brown Thomas Dublin, Limerick, Cork and in Dundrum Town Centre

When it comes to jewellery this season, more is definitely more. Ring stacking, wearing two or more rings on one finger, is the hot trend for 2010 and Daisy Jewellery is leading the way.

The fashion editors at Cosmopolitan and Grazia magazine are already huge aficionados of ring stacking and Daisy Jewellery is fast becoming a favourite with celebrities such as Sienna Miller, Lindsay Lohan, model Cara Delevingne (& goddaughter of Joan Collins) and makeup artist Jemma Kidd.

Taking their lead from the popularity of charm bracelets, Daisy launched the self design stack ring concept in February 2009. With a huge range of designs available, from thin silver bands featuring daisies, butterflies, bees and dragonflies, to chunky gold rings with fierce dragon and lion motifs, you can mix n’ match every piece bringing a great sense of individuality and fun to your look. Or if mixing and matching sounds like too much effort you can simply go for one of the carefully chosen stack sets. Either way you’re bound to be the envy of every jewellery fan you meet!

Daisy stack rings are available from stockist nationwide and come in sizes small, medium and large. Individual rings range in price from €30 to €94.

Without question one of Ireland’s most stylish and likeable ladies, Celia Holman-Lee is a regular on TV3’s Ireland AM and RTE’s Off The Rails. Winner of the first ever VIP Style Awards in 2002, she has not been off the country’s Best Dressed lists since. Off screen Celia is a busy women at the helm of one of the longest-established modelling agencies in Ireland, The Holman-Lee Model Agency, for which RSVP Magazine awarded her their Business Woman of the Year Award 2008. I bumped into her recently at the Harvey Nichols SS10 fashion show and I have to say I was blown away. Here she shares some of her best style secrets…

What five words best describe your style?
Classic, smart and always stylish.

Best style tip?
Always be aware of your posture and dress for your shape.

What’s top of your fashion wishlist at the moment?
A pair of nude Christian Louboutin shoes.

Favourite item in your wardrobe right now?
It has to be my Joanne Hayes black dress because it has amazing shoulder detail and I love the shape.

What’s in your handbag right now?
The essentials – my mobile phone and lipgloss

Worst and/or best shopping experience?
Luckily being in the business I don’t have too many bad shopping experiences!

Best high street store?
A|wear and Warehouse in equal measures.

Favourite place to shop?
Brown Thomas and all the boutiques in Limerick.

Fashion on the web?
Actually I don’t bother with shopping online, call me traditional but I much prefer to go shopping in shops!

Worst fashion moment?
It has to be when I used to model – on one occasion going down the ramp I had two different colour shoes on…not a good look.

Who epitomises great style?
Right now Victoria Beckham and Carla Bruni. Also Jackie Kennedy.

Fave fashion era?
Without doubt, it has to be the 1950’s.

Finally, what do you hope to achieve in 2010?
Continued success of the Holman-Lee agency.