So you’ve all the gifts bought and wrapped but you still haven’t sorted the most important of all – YOU. Times have changed, we now order at the click of a button and have it arrive to the door the following day. Or more frequently, wait a week and have your event pass without any sign of your long overdue fancy frocks.
Shopping has lost its personal touch. Saturday’s used to be a day for going around the shops for a nosey, now we scroll. Aside from bringing life back into our local towns thereare many other advantages to supporting your high street; like being able to change something quickly when it doesn’t fit and you’re in a rush for that night out.
Not only are you more likely to have something catch your eye that you wouldn’t have otherwise seen online amongst the 16,000 other items you didn’t filter, but you also get the opportunity to engage with business owners and give feedback that could support their business, for instance items you would like them to stock.
Better still when engaging with business owners we find they are a wealth of knowledge and expertise that they are only too willing to share and will often go the extra mile for us.
With that in mind we have pulled together 25 of the best N.I. has to offer in helping you get glam ready for Christmas- whether that’s to sit in the living room all day and look fabulous eating your turkey, to sparkle on the party nights or dazzle at a swanky seasonal wedding- these businesses have got it all covered.
Evolve by Samara, All Ireland
There is something about Christmas that makes you want to sparkle, shine and just look your absolute best, but sometimes it can be really hard to know where to start. This personalized styling service offers colour analysis, body shape analysis, style advice, wardrobe detoxing, personal shopping and corporate workshops. So why not contact Samara and get things just right this festive period.
Maid by Sinead, Newry
Sinead is a multi-award winning bridal makeup artist based in Armagh but working all over N.I. She hosts a range of makeup parties as well as special occasion or party makeup application. Why not go that extra mile this party season and have Sinead apply your makeup or do the hard prep work before hand by applying your Lusso tan for a natural glow for the events ahead.
The Dresser Boutique, Banbridge
An independent women’s fashion boutique and online store in the heart of Banbridge that has a range of beautiful and unique casual, occasion wear and accessories. Don’t worry if you hate shopping, these trend setting ladies have all the styles and great customer support to get you kitted out perfectly for your Christmas closet. Check out their page here.
Sarah-Jane Johnston Make-Up Artist, Portadown
Some girls just feel naked without their brows and lashes done. That’s okay- Sarah- Jane has you covered. A professional make-up artist based in Portadown with a world class qualification in Fashion & Photographic Make-Up, she is an expert in HD Brows and LVL lash extensions. These would definitely see you through the party season. Check out some of her work here.
Blush Boutique, Belfast
If you ooze sophistication and style then Blush Boutique is a must for you. An exclusive high end women’s designer and Bridal store in the heart of Belfast,they house many designer lines alongside some Blush classics. So why not pay them a visit to find your perfect outfit & make the party, formal or wedding a day to remember.
Elysium Cosmetics, Stockists Across NI
‘It will look better when I’ve a bit of tan on’- we’ve all been there. Ladies there is no point in buying all these fancy dresses if we aren’t going to finish the look. So Elysium Cosmetics have developed a luxury range of cosmetics for both professional and home self-tanners. Their products are both friendly to the environment as well as friendly to your skin, they even have a tan remover (for those awful in- between stages).
Serephina Boutique, Cookstown
From faux fur to fancy frocks, earrings to stunning headpieces, this Boutique has everything you require to look festive fabulous this Christmas. If you have a big night out or wedding coming up Serephina offer the latest national and international designs for fashion forward females.
Runway Fashion Boutique, Portadown
This Portadown store offers an array of clothing giving them a versatile edge in their fashion. If you are a fan of chunky knits, statement jumpers and pleated skirts then look no further for your Christmas outfit. They also have some beautiful wrap and sequins dresses for those party nights.
International Beauty Ireland, Lisburn
This salon specializes in Sugaring for the whole body and if you don’t know what that is yet you are seriously missing out. Sugaring leaves the skin glowing and beautifully exfoliated and won’t cause any damage to your skin either. This more sensitive form of hair removal has many benefits leaving you with the feel good factor for the party season ahead. For more information contact the ladies on Facebook.
Hanger13, Portadown
Everything here oozes style and sophistication, making your outfit the talking point of any event you attend. Even if you are only interested in the glitz and glamour of party season they’ve got you covered. The style here means the girls are great at showing you how to make your purchase a transitional piece. You will find a wide range of jumpsuits, dresses and skirts all with their own personalities so you can be sure to find something to suit you. With an array of bold patterns, glitter and puff sleeves- outfits here are anything but boring!
Stable Lane Boutique, Coleraine
Two things all of us ladies love; bold patterns and sequins! With a vast range of stylish and affordable fashion Stable Lane can bring you from day to night with their stunning pocket dresses and Sequins blazers. Let’s face it if you can’t wear sequins at Christmas when can you? And these ladies have plenty of pattern, shape and colours throughout their range to suit everyone.
She Boutique, Omagh
Christmas parties are just around the corner and She have the most fabulous pieces in store to make sure you are dressed to impress. With a carefully considered range of women’s clothing She is well known for its exclusiveness of brands. With 30 years in business under their belt, they know how important customer service is and aim for each and every person to leave their store with a smile.
Sobelle Millinery, Omagh
With over 25 years’ experience in Textiles and Designs Sobelle Millinery have award winning headpieces and hire collection, shoes and crafts designed uniquely for all occasions. For a Christmas wedding this would be a wonderful addition to any outfit. For inspiration check out this bespoke creation that is just absolutely stunning and gives a flavour of the class and style these accessories can bring to your enviable ensemble.
Dress Connection In Town, Omagh
Like Coco Chanel these ladies also believe that a girl should be two things – classy and fabulous. At Dress Connection In Town they understand that the way you look and dress can change your life (or at least your day). Their designer inspired scarves and gloves will add a finishing touch to your Christmas Day outfit or their stunning occasion wear can get you styled for that Christmas wedding.
Donna Dorothy Permanent Makeup, Belfast
Donna is a Permanent Make-Up Artist based in the award-winning Beyond Skin salon in Belfast specializing in Ombre Powder Brows, Ultra Soft Lip Blush and Eyelash Enhancement and Eyeliner. If you have been considering a permanent make-up treatment what better time than ahead of the festive season to give yourself that extra confidence boost. Check out her work on Facebook.
Bonchic, Dungannon
Bridget sells a wide range of fascinators and hats. With over seven years’ experience, Bonchic brings her own creativity and style to her work and is often called to work on photoshoots for TV, film and magazines. With that in mind why not bring the wow factor as seen on the stars to your Christmas wedding outfit with one of her remarkable hats.
Serenity Ten, Maghera
The ladies supply only the freshest trends and their merchandise names add character like Lola, Gigi and Mila to already amazing threads. They have eye catching glitter and sequins and if you pop over to their Instagram you’ll see some of our favourite glitz and glamour perfect for the Christmas party nights.
C & C Boutique, Coalisland
Both Claire and Cole feel that standing out from the crowd is important, and you will never be stylish if you don’t take risks. This is evident from their catalogue of stock;from fur gilets, stylish coats, transitional skirts and dresses C & C Boutique offer so much on-trend fashion at extremely affordable prices, you will get an outfit for any occasion sorted here.
Brantree Boutique, Dungannon
This ladies occasion wear boutique is just a short distance from Dungannon with beautiful sweetheart necklines and gorgeous embellished frocks you can be sure to be the only belle at your Christmas ball as these ladies keep a diary just for such occasions. Check out more on their Facebook here.
Heavenly Virtue Hair Extensions, Belfast
Turn heads this festive period with your luscious locks, they are the perfect addition to your party dress to get that desired ‘va- va- voom’ look. Heavenly Virtue Hair Extensions offer a full range of clip-in hair extensions and hair pieces in a wide range of colours. They also offer free colour matching so don’t worry if you can’t find that perfect shade. Browse their range on Facebook.
Dream Beauty by AOC, Portadown
This fashionista Makeup Artist has experience with runway models and the stage, working behind the scenes at Belfast Fashion Week and video shoots before moving into makeup demos and applications. If you want a look that is expert and tailored from colour and light theory, then book Aisling for your Christmas wedding or occasion makeup. Browse some of her looks here.
Franklins, Belfast/Newry/Portadown/Ballymena
Would you believe us if we told you that you could get all your beauty and clothing needs under one roof? Well you can! Franklins has an extensive range of cosmetics, skin care ranges, hair products, styling tools, hair extensions, fascinators, jewellery, shoes, bags and clothing. If you aren’t one for shopping about then this is the place for you with their high end clothes and attractive prices, you’ll find all the glamour you are looking for and more.
House of Vixen, Omagh
Some of the biggest and best names in ladies and children’s fashion have been brought together given to us by House of Vixen. Hosting fabulous labels all steeped in quality and fabulous design, this store is ideal to get you and the kids sorted for Christmas day. With their new premises and lavish interior design this is enough to warrant a visit all on its own.
Scarpa, Omagh
For all things shoe, this little treasure in Omagh is the place to go. With a huge range of brands for both men and women, these ladies will have you sorted for any of your events over the Christmas period. From gorgeous stiletto designs by Una Healy to comfortable ankle boots by Jose Saenz you will find footwear to perfectly compliment any of your outfits.
There you have it, you are spoiled for choice with these 25 high street businesses to get you glammed up and ready for the season ahead.
