Review: Vintage makeover at Patrick Gildea Hairdressing and Allure

By Rachel McLaughlin • 5 years ago

Dec
2018

DW Editor Rachel McLaughlin gets a glam new look for the festivities.

Party season is well and truly in full swing at Patrick Gildea Hairdressing in Letterkenny!

Our Donegal Daily Christmas night was last weekend, so it was the perfect excuse to try an updo and to see what the makeup is like at Allure – Patrick Gildea’s new beauty salon.

Allure is a gorgeous quiet space for makeup, tanning, nails, waxing and skincare using some of the best brands around.

Allure @Patrick Gildea Hairdressing Letterkenny

But first, hair

My evening began with Florrie Muldowney, an amazingly talented New Generation hairstylist. She was delighted to hear that I wanted to go for a vintage updo because she excels at the most creative looks.

Colouring, cutting and styling at Patrick Gildea is all about personalisation, so Florrie and I browsed through photos on the salon’s iPad to see what would work best for me.

I already had a new colour by Josie from last week’s review, so Florrie did soft waves and a pin-up look to really bring out that balayage.

Back to the beauty bar!

A big benefit of having Allure in the same building is that guests can get their makeup or nails done during breaks in their hair colouring or styling.

Before Florrie finished the curls around my face, I was able to go back to the beauty bar to see Catherine for a makeup application.

MUA Catherine McLaughlin has years of experience working with top premium brands, knowing exaclty what suits different skin types. Allure is stocked full of Giorgio Armani, Mac, Urban Decay and Charlotte Tilbury, so it’s a real treat.

Allure Beauty Salon at Patrick Gildea

We talked about my skin and preferred look for the night – and going for Old Hollywood glamour was only right to suit the hairdo!

Catherine tailored every product for my skin – MAC’s Strobe Cream for glow, Urban Decay All Nighter foundation, matte eyeshadows from the Naked Basics palette and a classic red lip from Urban Decay too.

Marilyn Monroe classic makeup by Catherine at Allure #pghcatherine

I was given a handheld mirror so I could see everything and could decide the intensity of colour, contour and lashes.

Catherine tells me that the other popular makeup options for this time of year are bright metallics, smoky eyes and vibrant colours – and the Allure artists are equipped to do them all.

Party Perfect

After makeup it was back to Florrie to take out all the remaining curls and add the finishing touches.