Facials, fashion and champagne at Dublin girls-only show

A CELEBRITY manicurist, designer fashion for dogs, facials, fitness, couture and champagne are among the offerings at the Ultimate…

A CELEBRITY manicurist, designer fashion for dogs, facials, fitness, couture and champagne are among the offerings at the Ultimate Girls' Day Out show in Dublin this weekend.

Organisers said that men are banned from the "girlie extravaganza" at the RDS, which is "strictly for women only". Pampering is the main focus of the "beauty zone", with free make-up tests, massages, spa and skincare treatments available, as well as an on-site hair salon and the promise of a miracle facelift in a bottle. Victoria Beckham's manicurist Leighton Denny is one of numerous make-up demonstrators on the live stage throughout the day.

The show is not all fashion and beauty, as the organisers have created a "smart girls' zone" where women can hear about the "rise to the top" of well-known people. Speakers include author Deirdre Purcell, gardener Diarmuid Gavin, Newstalk Radio chief executive Elaine Geraghty and Hollywood casting director Ros Hubbard.

Irish MEP Kathy Sinnott was crowned "celebrity mum of the year" at yesterday's show. Ms Sinnott, a long-time campaigner for children with special needs who has nine children and is guardian to her six nephews and nieces, said she was "honoured and humbled" at the award.

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Sisters Maireád and Aisling Desmond said they had a "fantastic" day at the show yesterday, having spent five hours getting manicures and massages, having their hair and make-up done, and shopping.

Snowboarding, tight-rope walking and step aerobics are among the virtual fitness games which can be tried out on Wii Fit consoles. Designer clothes, corsets, bags and hats are on sale from small boutiques and department stores. Tickets, at €25, are available from ticketmaster.ie or at the gate. The show opens today from 10am to 10pm and tomorrow from 10am to 7pm.

Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery is Deputy Head of Audience at The Irish Times