As our Fashion students come to the end of their Fashion Buying & Merchandising course they are starting to reflect on the year, their experiences to date and what area of the industry they would like to progress on to so it was with great pleasure we welcomes iconic fashion stylist Constance Harris at the college today to speak with our students about her journey through competitive yet rewarding fast paced industry.

Our full time makeup students got a real taste of what its like to work backstage at a fashion show when they took park in the Cirque Du Style recently - a charity fashion show organised by DBS students.  The fashion show was run in aid of the Irish Hospice Association and raised a considerable amount on the night.

Enrolling on a make up course can open many doors.  Once trained our students have many options to explore, from fashion editorial, bridal, TV, theatre and much more.  Any opportunities we can get for our students to gain some experience we jump at, so when we got a call from the Mill Theatre, Dundrum to ask if any of our students could offer their services back stage for their upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz we were only to happy to put a team together.

Now that our full time make up students are more than half way through their course they are really starting to come in their own.  Their individual creative flair is now being showcased an a daily basis and they are well on their way to branding themselves as professional make up artists. Here are just a few images that some of the students have created for their portfolio.

The best and most rewarding part about training people in something that they really love is when they go out there and start up their own business having completed a course with us.  Our latest success story is Catriona McMorris who completed our Portobello Makeup Artistry course in 2011.

Portobello Institute were delighted to be asked to partake in a live TV show for Sky TV recently.  The Peoples Rainforest presented by Richard Bacon took a look into the Rainforest and its many properties to the human race.  Our makeup and beauty therapy students worked behind and in front of the cameras throughout the show.  This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain hands on experience on what it is like to be part of a live working TV show.

Our full time students have really come into their own, now into the 6 month of their course.  Their tutors set them a real challenge last week as part of thier special effects model.  Each student had to create a zombie character - think Michael Jackson Thriller.  The results were fanastic.  See here for yourself.

Gemma Faus, freelance make up artist and tutor at Portobello Institute hand picks her top make up products and what she can't live without.

With Halloween just around the corner our new full time Makeup students put their new skills to the test - Only two weeks into their course and the new students look extremely promising. 

Each year the RDS plays host to the Professional Beauty Trade show, an essential date in the calander for anyone in the Beauty and Makeup industry.  This weekend (2nd, 3rd Oct) visitors can browse exhibitors stands ranging from Beauty and Nail salons to distributors and wholesalsers.  This is the perfect opporunity for Beauty professionals to network, source new products and learn about new emerging trends within this thriving industry.  Once again the Irish National student makeup competition will take place at the event and our very own tutor Audrey Manning is part of the judging panel.  This is a great chance for creative students to demonstrate their flair and ability.  This years themes are 50's Glamour.  The judges are looking for bold dramatic makeup emphasising how 50's Glamour with a twist plays a part in modern today look.   For Fantasty full body the brief is Pop Idol - think Lady Gaga, Madonna or Britney.  The more creative the better.  The competition is open to all colleges in the Republic of Ireland.  Audrey is delighted to be part of this years judging panel.  She says "There are so many young talented people in Ireland right now.  This is the ideal platform for them to show off their skills and show how much creativity they have. Plus the winning prize is amazing".    

Summer is officially over (well it never really began) but the good news is that the shops are now fully stocked with the all the new Autumn/Winter collections.  To help you decide on what key trends to work this season the Dublin Festival of Fashion is back once more this weekend. The first DFF took place last year and was a roaring success.  This year the DFF HQ on Dawson Street will play host to catwalk shows previewing the collections from all the favourite high street stores from around the city. Thursday kicks off with 'Street Style/Urban Chic', while the theme for Saturday is 'Fast Fashion.  Don't forget to grab the lookbook on the day which features all the looks shown on the catwalk.

If you are thinking of upskilling or changing your career then Which Course at the RDS next weekend, 27th + 28th August is the ideal starting point in your search for a new you.  Portobello Institute will be exhibiting over the course of the weekend and our expert course advisors will be on hand to answer all your questions about our part-time and full time programmes.  We offer courses in Fashion, Makeup and Beauty to name a few.  A one year Fetac or Itec certificate or Diploma will provide you with a solid foundation on which to start a career in a new sector.  In association with Which Course Portobello Institute will be offering the chance to win a place on our popular Facial Makeup course which starts in October. The course is a great introduction to makeup and skin care, teaching you the techniques required to be a successful makeup artist. To be in with a chance to win and start an exciting career in makeup simply register with Which Course at www.whichcourse.ie

We've all been there.  You walk up to a make up counter unsure of what you are looking for and ten minutes later you leave the store with a lipstick in a shade you will never wear and some expensive brushes that you don't know how to use. 

There are so many Make-up and Beauty products on the market that it is hard to decipher which ones to choose.  Thats why I thought I'd pick the brains of our experts here at Portobello Institute.  Here are a just few favourites from our Make-up and Beauty Course Directors

On May 21st at St Marys Church, Dawson Street Portobello Institute held their summer 2011 Graduation Ceremony.  The church is the ideal venue with its beautiful interior and furnishings.  On the day the college were extremely proud of its graduates which were a mix of Montessori, Fashion Buying and Merchandising, Make-up and Beauty students who were all there to proudly receive their hard earned Diplomas.  The ceremony began with an opening speech from the college director Rebakah Lyons who congratulated the students on their achievements to date and wished them the very best in their chosen career paths. Once the students had all received their Diplomas the ceremony continued with additional awards for Student of the Year from each sector.

Do you want to learn what suits your shape best but hate shopping?  Do you have lots of makeup product but dont' really know how to apply it?  This is the case with many of us, so in response to this Portobello Institute set about offering 3 hour workshops in Personal Styling and Makeup and the feedback has been great.

 The first of our Spring Styling workshops took place at the weekend.  Hosted by Sarah Rickard, chief fashion stylist for Irish Tatler the workshop was a fantastic insight into spring/summer looks and where to get it on the high street so you don't have to break the bank to look your best this season.  To open Sarah talked to the group about the key looks for summer including the day dress, seventies, nudes and bright colours, showing how you can adapt current trends to your own style and body shape.  The group then had the opportunity to chat to Sarah on a more personal basis and ask her any questions about their own personal style and how to dress.  The workshop finished off wtih a Spring/Summer makeup demo led by Makeup artist for top brand Inglot Audrey O'Brien.  If you fancy Spring cleaning your warbrobe and learing some tips from the experts there are still some places left on our April and May workshops http://www.portobelloinstitute.ie/creative-studies/fashion-courses/spring-styling-masterclass-make-up-demo

There is so much more to the skill of Make-up Artistry then just a few brushes and lip glosses.  Gemma Faus, a leading Make-up artist and tutor with the college specialises in special effects and has honed her skills over the years in this area.  Gemma who originates from Barcelona started her career in her home city working on numberous Film and TV productions before moving to Dublin to continue her career in Make-up Artistry.  Portobello Institute recently exhibited at Choices 2011 at the Aviva statium.  This 4 day event was a careers lead event and Gemma was on hand to demonstrate some amazing body art inspired by recent box office smash hit BURLESQUE.

Thinknblink Promotions are currently recruiting for a Skin care sales rep. The position which is 3 days a week is for a very prestigious skin care range and provides excellent opportunities for the right candidate.  Applicants must be experienced on counter sales with skin care qualifications. They must also have their own transport.  If this sounds like the job for you then please forward your CV to events@thinknblink.ie

Learn how to apply your make up perfectly and look your best for the Spring/Summer months. This 3 hour masterclass gives you a real insight into make up application and shows you how to make the most of your features.  It is suitable for anyone looking to improve their personal make-up techniques or for those looking to get a "taste" of the industry.

Looking for the ultimate nail polish that doesn't chip or smudge?  Launched last year at New York Fashion Week, Shellac is the latest craze to hit Ireland. This 14 day nail polish as seen on Xpose is a must for manicure fanatics. The high-tech polish goes on like a polish yet it is sealed liked a gel under a UV lamp and leaves the wearer with smooth sleek finish. And the best thing about it, it doesn't smudge, scratch or discolour and sets immediately – No more hanging around for nails to dry.

If you haven't heard of hip Swedish brand Make Up Store then your missing out. Make Up Store is one of the leading cosmetics franchises in Scandinavia. Founder, owner and front man Mika Liias has come a long way since opening his first store in Stockholm in 1996. The concept hasn't changed from the start; the idea is still to provide the customer with personal service, competent advice and top quality products at affordable prices.