A Beauty Day in Cork!

March 9th, 2010

While working for WhoseView I have written many blogs, but in the time I have been working here I have not written any blogs for the lovely people of Cork. So I am changing that right now and giving you a guide to the best beauty shops in town. After all, spring is here and it is time to spoil yourself!

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If you are in Cork City and are looking to get your hair done try Origin Hair Design and the Tanning Shop on Drawbridge Street. Aimme said “there are a lot of great stylists heer. It’s a bit pricey, but worth the money to get a good cut. They are well trained and pay great attention to each customer.” Mari said “I love Origin, they are without a doubt my favorite hairdressers. The staff is well qualified, friendly and talented. To show their talent they got 2nd in an Irish Hair Competition. I’ve never gotten a haircut that I didn’t adore. There range is amazing, they can do all sorts of funky cuts but can also do average styles with a little bit of spice to prevent them from looking boring.” Origin Hair Design and the Tanning Shop is also known for having great hair dyes that fit everybody’s color. They are a little expensive, but if you want to indulge and get a great hairstyle this is the place. Definition Hair and Beauty is another great place to go on North Main Street. Yvonne said ” I called on a Wednesday afternoon to make an appointment for the next evening. I advised that I might be a few minutes late since I was coming straight from work, but arrived 12 minutes late. To my surprise I was greeted with a smile. I was the last appointment of the day since they were due to close 20 minutes so I was expecting a quick wash, cut, and blowdry. But I got a great cut, and the stylist asked questions and gave me options to update my style. She cut it exactly the way I wanted it and even blow dried it so it didn’t need to straighten it the next day! I recommended this place to a friend and she loved it.” To get a wash and dry it is only €10, which is great in this recession! If you are looking for a place where you can get your haircut, your nails done, and tan try Island Hair Studio. Marmi said “I’ve had my hair and nails done here with good results. They also do tans but I’m not really into that so I can’t comment on their expertise in that area. But I can say the staff is friendly and they don’t rush you. It’s easy to get in with short notice and the prices are reasonable. I was particulary pleased with the last french manicure I had here so I have no complaints!

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If you do not want a new hair style but are craving to refresh your look try Boots on Halfmoon Street. Maragret said ” This place is heaven for beauty product junkies! It stocks numerous brands like Lancome, Clarins and Benefit. What makes Boots even more great is you can get advantage of the card points on more expensive purchases.” Rachael said ” I’ve always been a big Boots fan, but I love the new flagship store. It literally has just about everything. There is always enough staff to help customers, which is great because in a large store like this it can be hard to find exactly what you’re looking for!” If you want to feel refreshed but do not want makeup try Lush Cosmetics. Here you can buy great soaps, lotions, and moisturizers that will leave you feeling rejuvenated. P.K. said “I love Lush Cosmetics! There is always so much to choose from and they have great prices. Lush also makes for great gift ideas as I love it when I get products from Lush as gifts and so do my friends. Maire said “I love lush so much! I mean what’s not to love about it? Lush creates amazing smells on the street and in your bathroom! The staff are always friendly and helpful but never pushy! The products are all natural and freshly made which makes it so refreshing!”

If you are not craving anything materialistic but want something to refresh yourself try Aquaspa. Laura said “I use this spa at least 4 times a year and I can’t say how much I love it. They have some really good offers as well which are sent to my phone each month. I recently went there for a half day. It was very good value for a milk bath ritual, massage, facial and lunch. The staff are very friendly and always courteous as well. They don’t rush you either and after the treatments you can relax in their waiting area.” This sounds amazing so I suggest giving it a try!

No matter what you decide to do, remember to just enjoy yourself. You’ve been working hard so take some time for yourself and indulge! You’ve earned it.

In the new year, we wrote a post “Looking back on 2009 at WhoseView“, which we are extremely proud of given our limited resources and budgets. In early February we outlined some interest statistic’s as to who was visiting WhoseView.ie and how many reviews were being posted.

Well as of March 6th we are about to pass our 6000th review on WhoseView.ie. In fact our growth in 2010 has exceeded all expectations, having added 4,500 reviews in the past 9 weeks, compared to 1,500 for the previous 22 weeks since launch. We attribute this to an increase in brand awareness through word of mouth, low cost strategic marketing campaigns, our launch into Cork, as well as an improved customer experience.

Could WhoseView.ie be the fastest growing customer review site in Ireland? We don’t have time to contemplate this notion as March and April are shaping up to be very busy months on a number of fronts.

Time is flying by, it’s now March and the weather will soon officially feel like spring. It is time to get out of the house and get some fresh air. If you put on some pounds over the winter, no worries! This is a guide to various parks in the city that will help clear the mind and rejuvenate the body and soul.

phoenix-park

If you are in the North City Centre go to Phoenix Park. It is in a great location and has many amenities to offer. James said “there are loads of things great about Phoenix Park, if you are living in town it is a great place to go for a run or a cycle, and it is also a great place to have a picnic.” Anna said ” Phoenix park is a great location for sports, like running, cycling or just take your kids for a walk. The Zoo is located in the park as well, and there is a great coffee house if you need to take a rest. It is also very good if you have dogs because you can let them run free.” If you are in the South City Centre try St. Stepehens Green Park. Laura said “It’s a gorgeous park, complete with a bridge, lakes, ducks, band stands and a botanist’s dream. It’s actually a great place to go when you want to have lunch on your own. It’s a small park, but it’s peaceful and buzzing at the same time.” This is also a great place to stop if you need a break from shopping or are just looking for a place to escape.

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If you are on the South side in Dun Laoghaire, check out the West Pier. WhoseView member Sean said “The West Pier is Dun Laoghaire’s best kept secret, until now that is.” James said “This is a must for anybody living on the southside. I bring my dog here every weekend and he loves it more than me. Its great for a walk with the girlfriend, wife or kids too.” Avril said “This is one of the best spots to go and clear your head. I love the quietness of it and how many people havent discovered it yet. Its a great place to bring the dog for a walk or just sit and have a picnic.” If you are looking for a different park to get some fresh air try Pearse Park in Rathfarham. Helen said “This is such a lovely Park. It is the Parklands and Grounds of the the former Boarding School run by the Republican Padraig Pearse so it is totally seeped in History; You can check out the museum which has been recently done up and has lots of interesting facts about the 1916 Rising. The walks in this park are so pretty, as is the river and walled Gardens. Its a real treasure for Nature lovers and History Buffs alike.” According to Sean “this small secluded park is an absolute hidden gem. It has the most beautiful walkways through the forest over bridges and along streams.” This sounds like the perfect place to be after hearing everybody’s raves.

If you are looking for something a little different then your standard park go to Killiney Hill. This is the perfect spot if you want to get out of the house and breathe some fresh air. Joanna said “If you’ve never been to Killiney Hill, go, seriously…go, today! It’s one of the most beautiful spots in Dublin and I suppose it’s all relative but I have some of my happiest moments here. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, the various walks throughout the park and forest reveal breathtaking views around nearly every corner.” Mick said “our favourite is the Vico road entrance, where you begin with steep stair climb….but it’s worth it. Once you make it to the top, give yourself enough time to take in the scenario as probably the best view point in all of Dublin. Walk back around the Wicklow side and you will eventually come to a nice little coffee shop, where you can sit and relax.” It sounds like this is a captivating experience that should be witnessed by all, so check it. I am sure it will be worth the trip!

I hope this blog convinced you to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Remember to bring a camera, I am sure you will get some great pictures, and remember to tell us about your experiences on WhoseView!

national-gallery-of-ireland

We all like being entertained, and sometimes going to the pubs and out shopping just isn’t enough. It’s time to change up your routine and try something a little a different. Don’t worry, I am not suggesting anything super crazy! I am just giving you some options to try if you are feeling a little daring.

The National Gallery of Ireland is free to visit and worth a stop! James said ” it’s a very nice building, and even though some of the more popular exhibitions have an entrance fee there is usually something to see that is free. I really like the book shop too. I could spend hours in the bookshop just looking at all the amazing books of artists and artwork, No matter what types of art you are into you will find a book to suit your interest.” Adrian said “Its Free! and always nice to visit once in a while, never get tired of the some of the paintings here, especially de Goyas ‘Doña Antonia Zárate’ , Caravaggios ‘The Taking of Christ’ and of course the Jack B Yates exhibition…which is truly amazing and I never fail to stay longer each time. If you do have the time, drop in, the cafe is also easy going place to relax with some friends afterwards…particularly outside of the peak tourist seasons!” This sounds like a wonderful place to visit when you just want to enjoy yourself. The Hugh Lane Gallery of Modern Art is another wonderful place to visit if you are looking for something relaxing to do. Located in the North City Centre on Parnell Square, it is easy to get to and admission is free! Nigel loves this place and said “I could waste away hours in this gallery anytime I visit. They have famous paintings on display , and a variety of fascinating exhibitions too (the Francis Bacon flat , reassembled in the gallery exactly as it was when he died , was absolutely astonishing.There is always a wide selection of art on view covering all the ages and different genres-there is bench seating in the gallery in front of the different picture groupings- a great place to sit, admire, or even to be contemplative for a while.” Both of these Galleries sound fantastic and like a great place to see. Plus they are free to get into, so you have nothing to lose! Check them out!

cineworld

If you are not too found of art galleries but want to do something different go to the UCI Tallaght. Catching a movie is always enjoyable and this theater is a great place to go if you are in the mood. Dearbhla said “It is the only cinama in tallaght, but it’s a good cinama in my opinion ! It’s normally clean and it’s big with a great selection of snacks and drinks before you go in. A lot of adds before movie but thats nearly in all cinamas so it’s not really a problem. Overall it is a very good cinama and I would defenatly recommend it! Plus it is in a shopping centre where there is a selection of fast food restaurants beside it.” Avril said “It’s the only cinema in tallaght so there isn’t any other choice, but as cinemas go it’s a fairly decent one. One of the only cinemas where you can still get butter on your popcorn mmmm. Has all the main releases as you would expect. Located in the square on the third floor, it’s open late even though the shopping centre may be closed. Has all the usual concession stands, pick and mix, ice cream. Great for a night out.” If you are in the city centre and are looking for a movie theater try Cineworld. Rachel said “This is what cinemas should all be like. I loooove Cineworld. It actually is like it’s own world once you step inside; I can’t fathom its size, especially when you leave and realize again that you’re just on Parnell Street.” Uisce Dubh said “I have been a Cineworld Unlimited member since September 2009. Because of this, it is very affordable for me to go to see films. I pay €19.99 per month (by standing order) to see an unlimited amount of films.” This sounds like a great place to me, and sounds affordable too!

dubray-books

If you want something entertaining but are not in the mood to really go anywhere try Dubray Books. Here you can pick up something great to read that will be enjoyable and not require you to leave the house once you have it. J.O. said “They have a good range of books, with a helpful and knowledgeable staff. The only thing is that it’s hidden away on the 3rd floor and bit out of the way, but worth seeking out to peruse the books!” Avril said “This is a great place that i can get lost in. Book books books everywhere. Every genre you want. The staff are so helpful. The shop is in a funny location but a real gem.” Another book store to try is Forbidden Planet in the South City Centre. Rob said “I’ve been spending most of my money here since I was eight, and I have ever since.” They are notorious for selling great comic books, so if you are looking for a laugh this is the place to visit. If you prefer more old fashion book stores try Chapters on Parnell Street. Cathal said “I’m very much a fan of Chapters” and Diarmuid said “My favorite memory of Chapters is going in with the intention of killing an hour between lectures when I had no money to spend. Then I thought “actually, I probably have about €4 left in my bank account… and I do have a Laser card…” and coming out with 4 really great reads.”

No matter what you decide to do I am sure you will have a great time! So give something different a try, and most importantly remember to have fun and enjoy yourself!

We are always looking for new innovative ways to highlight the best places in your locality. Therefore we are delighted to introduce the new WhoseView Hall of Fame section. Before we explain what this is, lets take a quick look at some of the existing ways we help people quickly find the best places;

1. Guides - where members can compile a Guide of their favourite places reviewed under a specific heading e.g. Dublin WIFI Hotspots or My top 10 favourite places in Cork.

2. Category rankings - we have developed our site in such a way to allow you find the best places by category e.g. ranking results for Best Indian Restaurants in Dublin or Best Pubs in Cork.

A new addition to the WhoseView experience is the Hall of Fame. You will have noticed on every business profile page a panel on the right hand column prompting you to nominate a business to the Hall of Fame;

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…or a marker at the top of the business profile page (which only appears when you have reviewed that business);

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As the name would suggest, the WhoseView Hall of Fame is exclusive and members decide who’s in and who’s out. So how does a business enter our exclusive Hall of Fame? Firstly a business needs 10 or more reviews and a score greater than 4.0 out of 5. Only members who have posted a review can put that business forward for the Hall of Fame. WhoseView have the final say as to it’s acceptance. Finally we will take into account, the volume of high scoring reviews and quality of written reviews.

Once a business score falls below 4.0, they will be automatically delisted from the Hall of Fame. Re-entry will require a new nomination.

To date our Hall of Fame businesses are

- John Kavanaghs (Gravediggers) in Dublin

- Cineworld on Parnell Street in Dublin

Have you reviewed a place that deserves Hall of Fame Status? Does it have more than 10 reviews and a score greater than 4.0? If so, then nominate your business now and help our members quickly find the best places in their city. Every month we will pick a winner for the best Hall of Fame entry, giving them 150 WhoseView points.

It is the middle of the week, and we are all looking for something to liven up our daily work routines. Maybe you want a place with great music, perhaps you want something a little more relaxed. No matter what you are searching for, this will help you make a decision. With the help of WhoseView members Laura and Sean, here is a guide to popular bars and wine bars on the North and Southside of Dublin City.

sin-e

If you are in the North City Centre check out Sin E on Upper Ormonde Quay. James said “this is a quality little bar, great for a few mid week cheekies” and Avril said “this is a great lil place that does not at all lack personality.” Laura put Sin E on a guide that features best bars with music and said “this is a brilliant bar with brilliant music.” It is a smaller bar, so it can get a little crowded on the weekends, but if you are looking for a mid week drink this could be the perfect place for you. If you are in the North City Centre but are looking for a wine bar try La Cuvee Bistro Winebar. Sean recommended this wine bar on a guide and described it being “Pretty new, fresh and contemporary, with a plentiful choice of wine.” Avril also commented on La Cuvee Bistro Winebar saying “I really liked the wine tasting downstairs, and the food was reasonably priced.” I think if you are over on the North side and decide to try either one of these you are going to have a great time.

If you are in the South City Centre go to Sheeban on South Great Georges Street. Melanie said “Dont let the graffiti and construction site looking entrance fool you, this place is great. A buddy and I stopped in last Friday afternoon and were greeted with traditional irish music and a nice staff.” James said “This is worth a visit for anybody looking for something a little different” and Laura included Sheeban on her guide saying “The place is always packed on the weekends and there’s a reason for that. There’s an upstairs and a downstairs bar. The upstairs has a great DJ at night and the downstairs has bands and DJs playing.” I think this is the place to go if you had a long day at work and are looking for a place to get a little crazy. If you have already been to Sheeban but want a place like it try Whelans on Wexford Street. Cathal said “Whelans is definitely one of Dublin’s best pubs/clubs/live music venues” and and Frank said “When ever I need a fix of good music and atmosphere, this is the place that I come to.” Whelans is known to have some of the best music in Dublin, so I suggest giving this place a try.

olyesas-wine-bar

If you are in the South City Centre and looking for a good wine bar try Olesya’s Wine Bar on Exchequer Street. Anna said “Olesya”s definitely has a good wine assortment, and the staff is friendly/patient helping you choose a perfect wine.” Sean added Olesya’s Wine Bar to his guide and said “You can get lost in the size of glasses they serve in as well as quiet drunk.” If you want to try a different wine bar in the South City Centre check out Peploes. This is a really popular place and should satisfy your wine tasting needs. Jack gave it a 5 star review and said “Excellent food, great atmosphere, and there is a great mural on the wall.” Paul said “When we arrived the place was hopping, not bad for a Thursday night in the middle of a recession.” The location of Peploes on St. Stephen’s Green offers easy accessibility, and the inside presents a warm atmosphere which is perfect for the after work get away.

No matter what place you try you are bound to have a great time. Liven up your week a little bit and go have some fun!

gaiety-theater

With the weekend coming up I figured it would be best to make a blog about what there is to do if you are looking to have some fun. You only live once, so getting yourself out there and trying new things is important. I know with this economy being down everybody is trying to stay in and save money, which I completely understand! But sometimes you need to go out and have a little bit of fun. Even though it is winter you have to shake up your routine, because if you don’t, you are going to find yourself in a slum that is hard to pull out of. So enjoy your weekend and have a night on the town!

If you do decide to go out and have a little bit of fun I am sure you will find yourself asking this question, where should I go? Well my friends, I will give you some suggestions and you can decide what sounds good to you.

If you are looking for a place where you can do a little bit of everything try the Gaiety Theater. This venue offers a bar with live music, a dance room with a DJ, a large cinema screen, and a great theater room. James said “this is a great venue for any occasion” and Jonathon said “this is my favorite is Dublin, it’s such a beautiful building.” No matter what you are looking to do, this club offers it all. Another club to check out is Club 92. Sam said “Brilliant for a chilled night out” and Avril said “the staff are really polite. I normally hate clubbing, but of more clubs were like this I’d be clubbing more often.” These both sound like fantastic places, so check them out if you are in the mood to dance.

john-kavanagh

If you prefer pubs over nightclubs because you like the social atmosphere check out John Kavanagh (AKA Gravediggers) on Glasnevin. This is a top raved pub by our members and is sure to be a great time. Mark said “this pub makes such a pleasant change from all the impersonal pubs and boring pubs that have sprung up over the city in the past 10 years.” When Alfreda stopped in she said “it was only meant to be for an hour but ended up being a few more!” This sounds like the perfect place if you want to have a pint and relax with your friends. Mulligans is another popular pub among WhoseView members and is a place worth trying. This is a pub where you can sit and chat with your friends. Laura said “the best thing about Mulligans is the staff. The same crew have been there for years and years and really make an effort with all the customers, old and new.” Another popular pub you should check out is The Long Hall Pub in the south city centre. Cathal said “The Long Hall is a proper old school pub, with a long bar almost running the length of the premises” and Joe said “the quality of the Guinness is sensational.” The inside of the Long Hall differs from many pubs in the fact they do not play music and the one TV in the pub is never turned on. The Long Hall focuses on conversation, so this is a great place to go if you want to catch up with some friends!

No matter where you decided to go, whether it be a nightclub or a pub, I bet your are going to have a grand night! I hope this blog convinced you to go out and have some fun this weekend!

Guide: Taking a Day for Yourself

February 15th, 2010

Every women in the world needs a day where they feel pretty, and today can be that day for you. It is important to feel beautiful on the inside and outside, so why not indulge and take a day to fulfill that need?

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There are many places you can go to get that refreshing feeling, and one stop make is at the Pink Beauty Boutique. This is actually the top raved beauty salon in Dublin right now, so you know they will do a great job. Orla said “this is a very nice place. Very relaxing environment, and they do not push products on you to buy.” Emma said “this is a fantastic salon with great service and staff. They are pro’s at what they do.” If you are looking for only a hair salon, try Joseph Kramer Hair Studio in the South City Centre. Anna said “WOW, did a great job with my hopeless hair” and Sam said “I have been going to Joseph Kramer’s for ages! The staff is so friendly and are really professional.” I think no matter what salon you choose you are going to get a great haircut and experience fantastic service.

If you are not looking to get a new haircut, but want to treat yourself to some great makeup, try MAC cosmetics. Rachel said “MAC cosmetics are long lasting and have great depth of color that you just don’t get from drug store brands.” Laura said “Anytime I have a party or event to go to I always make sure to book myself for a MAC makeover.” This makeup is great quality, and whoseview members are all raving about their cosmetics. If you do not need new makeup, but are still looking for something to switch up your beauty routine try The Perfume Shop. They have a great range of scents for good prices. Anna said “if I ever need perfume I also check out this shop first” and Avril said “It’s the cheapest place to really buy perfume they always have deals going on.”

I know you all are already beautiful, and so if you are looking for a beauty refresher opposed to a beauty makeover check out Lush Retail Limited on Grafton Street. They make homemade soaps, cosmetics, and lotions that are unbelievable. Milena said “they have great bath bombs and soaps. I love the pink one. Whenever I want to treat myself to a little home spa I always make sure I have their products.” Laura said “they have a huge range of cleansing and bathing products and they all smell gorgeous.” Molton Brown is another shop to check out if you are looking for great cremes and soaps. Anna said “The staff are always nice and helpful and they let you try thing out.” Some of their items tend to be a little expensive, but with that comes great quality. Avril said “I like how they use the best ingredients and look at nature for inspiration.”

No matter what you decide to do I am sure you are going to find something great. Like I said before, taking a day for yourself to feel beautiful and refreshed is a need. So indulge and spend a little time on yourself for once. You deserve it.

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