A Beautiful Breakdown with James & Suzy

We’re still live from The Beauty Concierge in London for Part 2 of our special ABB event — and the energy in the room is only getting better. ✨ James and Suzy keep the conversation flowing with more beauty stories from guests Hannah Martin and Ruth De Leo , plus the kind of honest chat that only happens when a room full of beauty lovers gets together. There are beauty triumphs, beauty fails, big...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Mairéad — a seasoned fake tan queen who, like many Irish gals, has mastered the glow everywhere… except the hands. Mitt marks, dry patches, the works. Suzy’s golden rule? Moisturise every single time before you go near the tan. But James goes full masterclass, sharing his foolproof routine for natural-looking hands: start with loads of moisturiser, mix your t...

We’re live from The Beauty Concierge in London for a very special ABB takeover - and things escalate immediately. ✨ James kicks off with a crowd warm-up that will never be repeated on daytime radio, Ruth De Leo (founder of Dcypher Beauty) opens with “I’m In The Mood for Dancing” by The Nolans, and before we know it the whole room is belting out Cher’s Believe . Then we get into the good stuff. Ru...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Bríde, who’s solid on her skincare routine — cleanser, toner, serum, SPF — but wants to elevate it. Someone suggested an LED face mask to boost results… but are they worth the money and the hype? James has never used one (shock), while Suzy has a Shark LED mask she was gifted and has recently committed to properly. Friend of the show Clém swears by hers, and...

This week’s episode is a full nostalgic spiral — and we regret nothing. 💄✨ From Lip Vinyls and Juicy Tubes to Rimmel Heather Shimmer, Lancôme Flash Bronze and James’ first ever fragrance (DKNY For Him — stunning), we’re diving into the beauty products that absolutely shaped us. The long-lasting but hydrating formulas, the airport Selfridges splurges, the €345 bottle Andrea Roche once gifted Jame...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Niamh — a full glam queen heading into two days of work meetings followed by evening dinners, and she wants to know: how do you switch it up without starting from scratch? 💄✨ We break down the ultimate desk-to-dancefloor glow-up . Suzy makes the case for a smoky eye at any hour (confidence is key), plus her foolproof night-time upgrade: brown liner in the w...

This week we’re joined by the brilliant Karen Constantine , the woman behind Lovely Girly Bits and one of Ireland’s original beauty queens. We talk surviving the infamous Dealz press trip, the reality of unsolicited DMs (yes, those ones), thriving at 50, LED masks, supplements, hair fails, Botox, and the product she swears is like “putting a serum on your skin.” It’s honest, hilarious, wildly unfi...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Emma, who wants to know the eternal question: how do you actually make foundation last? This one is firmly in James’ lane. Oily skin, TV studio lights for up to 10 hours, doing his own makeup — and in his own words, “I’m a homosexual, so I’ve tried them all.” He shares a tip straight from the West End (thank you Davina Devine), including a cult primer called...

It’s our ABB Valentine’s Special , and this week it’s just the two of us - no guest, no filter, and absolutely no dignity spared. 💘 We’re sharing our most memorable Valentine’s Days, Tinder tales, dating disasters, and the pet names that genuinely rot James. We chat about getting glammed up for the big date, cards and pressies from our parents, and what love actually means to us now. James puts i...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus is all about the ultimate 5-minute face, the kind that makes you look (and feel) put together, even when you’re absolutely not. ⏱️💄 Suzy runs through her speedy, no-faff routine. We're talking sunscreen, primer, a precise base, a quick wing, balm, and out the door (with bronzer if there’s time). James shares his own game-changing shortcuts, from glow boosters to cushio...

This week’s big beauty interview is with a true icon in every sense of the word — skincare expert, entrepreneur, Sunday Times bestselling author, and unapologetic force of nature: Caroline Hirons . We cover everything : why everyone should fear a Scouse-Irish psychopath nan, Kris Jenner’s frankly ridiculously good facelift, why Caroline would rather be accused of “serving c**t” than ever being cal...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Alison, who loves the pod and has tried loads of our tips — but she’s battling one very annoying issue: leaky eyes that leave her with patchy makeup (and no, she’s not crying!). 👁️💧 Suzy completely relates and shares what actually helps - from avoiding liner in the waterline, to keeping eyeshadow super light. James weighs in on how to work with watery eyes r...

This week we’re joined by make-up artist, model, entrepreneur, and one of Ireland’s original social media queens — Tara Anderson (aka Tara Makeup). 💄✨ We chat about her past life as a pink bikini gal at the top of Grafton Street, share one of the loveliest, most emotional dad stories we’ve ever heard on the show, and then… Tara drops a revelation that genuinely stopped us in our tracks. James: “...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Orla, who had two great questions for us. First up: the origin story of Hildun (yes, it really is Hilton + Dunne 👀). Then we tackle the heartbreak we all know too well — what do you do when your favourite beauty product gets discontinued? We share our own war stories (RIP Suzy’s beloved in-styler hair wand and James’ Bourjois City Radiance foundation), how w...

This week we’re joined by Karen Byrne — two-time Dancing with the Stars Glitterball champion and now a judge on the show for her second year running — and she is exactly as brilliant as you’d hope. 💃✨ We talk growing up in Ballyfermot, never chasing fame — just wanting to dance — and how DWTS genuinely changed her life. Karen opens up about the pressure of judging versus competing, her famously...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from a listener who wants to know the eternal blush question: cream or powder first? 💗 We break down exactly what works best (and why), how Patrick Ta completely changed the blush game, and Suzy shares her go-to favourite from Rare Beauty. We also tackle a very real issue - how to clean your blusher when that weird film forms on top - plus James reveals the sello...

This week we’re joined by the brilliant Louise Cantillon - Today FM presenter and host of the How to Gael - and honestly, we covered some ground . We chat about standing proudly beside her All-Ireland-winning husband, her genuinely hilarious brush with salmon sperm (yes, really), and then take a deep dive into buns - hair buns, to be clear - donuts, double-donut inspo, the lot. Warm, witty, and wi...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Ann — a 45-year-old mam who wants to master contouring but feels completely lost. We've all been there doll. 💄 Suzy breaks it down in the simplest way possible, drawing a very important line between where contour belongs… and where it absolutely does not. James shares his foolproof hack that means even if you mess it up, you can fix it in seconds. We also ta...

This week we’re joined by Aisling Bonner , co-host of the 2FM Breakfast Show alongside Carl and Roz — and the timing of this chat could not have been better. We recorded this episode in the immediate aftermath of that viral Miriam O’Callaghan interview and the eye make-up revelation that shook us all. Aisling heard the episode and decided to try the “Miriam Experiment” herself — Miriam’s seven-day...

It’s our ABB Christmas Special and we’re closing out the year the only way we know how — with tinsel, opinions, and the Best in Beauty 2025: The ABB Awards 🎄✨ Before we get to the gongs, we spiral (naturally) through Christmas Day fashion, gift bags, Mary’s iconic stuffing, piping-hot gravy that hides everything, cranberry sauce politics, and the elite joy of a Christmas sandwich while watching...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Sian, who’s facing the ultimate beauty challenge — two big events, an early start, and a wedding later that night. 💄⏰ We talk through the perfect morning makeup base that won’t slide, crease or melt, and how to do a smart day-to-night top-up without starting from scratch. Suzy shares her go-to light base and a clever mini hydration trick that lets you powde...

This week we’re in the presence of true Irish fashion royalty — the legendary Celia Holman Lee . 💫 Celia shares the kind of wisdom only an icon can: why correcting your posture can work as well as a boob lift , the homemade make-up tricks she grew up with (yes, soot and spit are involved), and why glamour absolutely, unequivocally never dies. Celia is timeless, hilarious, and bursting with heart...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Pawła, who wants to know the ultimate festive question: what’s the best red lipstick for party season? 💄✨ Suzy shares a luxurious cool-toned red from Dior ("the ultimate red lippy") and a gorgeous glossy red option for lighter brown hair, while James gives his full lip-prep routine - including the clever toothbrush trick that instantly boosts lip redness. W...

This week we’re joined by singer, songwriter and absolute icon Úna Healy — and yes, James is still recovering from the excitement. 🎤✨ We chat about her plan to get the band back together , how she secretly managed her greys during The Saturdays years, and what it’s really like hanging out with Mel B and Bear Grylls. And then it happens — James finally gets to duet with Úna Healy herself. James:...

This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from the lovely Rebecca, who wants to know if she should switch up her makeup now that the colder weather is hitting — because her tinted moisturiser just isn’t holding anymore. ❄️✨ Suzy has two brilliant product recommendations (one spendy Dior option and a gorgeous budget-friendly dupe), while James shares his best serum advice — plus one tip that has absolutel...