Claim OwnershipA Beautiful Breakdown with James & Suzy
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© Shane Dempsey
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A Beautiful Breakdown is the beauty podcast with depth. We breakdown our guests' personal beauty hangups and toughest battles as well as their beauty inspo and biggest beauty fail!
We will be testing and trialling the launches that everyone is talking about from blue lip stains to silver mascara, on each other and our latest victim, we mean guest!
Hosted by James Patrice and Suzy Griffin Dunne
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
45 Episodes
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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 we eventually found replacements, and why asking your gal pals can be the secret weapon.We also get into TikTok dupes, chatting to the girls on makeup counters, and James’ cheeky tip for getting a pump of a new foundation to try at home.Comforting, practical, and very validating. 💄✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 low-maintenance beauty routine, and ballroom tan disasters.Karen Byrne in full flight — and we were crying laughing. 💫 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 sellotape trick you’ll wish you’d known sooner.And of course, we crown the ultimate blush queen: Zara Larsson, yellow blush and all.Blush lovers, this one’s for you. ✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 wildly entertaining, Louise is an absolute joy — let’s go. 💫 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 talk brushes, products, and how to contour in a way that actually works for real life, not ring lights.Plus, we’re shaking things up — we want your voice notes next time, and we’ll be answering them blind, with no peeking beforehand. God help us. 🎙️✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 lash — and she tells us exactly how that went.Not only that, but Aisling is getting married in 2026, so we chat about the emotions of trying on her wedding dress with her mum, why she’s holding off on Botox ahead of the big day… and then she drops a bombshell about her own beauty routine that will definitely upset people even more than the Miriam experiment.Iconique. Here’s Aisling. 💄✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 the EastEnders special (with a detour into vintage Royle Family Christmas telly, obviously).Then it’s awards time: best concealer, blush, fragrance, hair, foundation, and more — including some very specific approvals and one unforgettable eye moment that defined the year.Festive, chaotic, and full glam — Merry Christmas from A Beautiful Breakdown. 💫🎁 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 powder as the day goes on, while James stresses the importance of skin prep — especially a good eye treatment (hello, Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream 👀).Plus: why full smoky eyes are a no-go for daytime, and why lashes are the real night-time upgrade.Practical, polished, and wedding-ready. ✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 - and this episode is pure gold from start to finish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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.We chat lip pencils, blotting, undertones, and all the glam little steps that make a red lip go from “meh” to magic.Your festive pout is about to be unstoppable. ❤️🎄 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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: “Be honest with me Suzy… I know I fangirled my tush off, but did I lose my dignity?”It’s musical, magical, and full of classic Úna charm. 💕 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 absolutely nothing to do with what’s on your face and everything to do with what you’re drinking.If your winter makeup is sliding, cracking or disappearing… this one’s your glow-up guide. 💕 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we’re joined by the iconic Amy Huberman — actress, writer, entrepreneur, comedy genius, and all-round national treasure. 💫We chat about her very special New Year’s Eve with baby Ted, her unforgettable debs tanning disaster, and the wild story of how she handed nepo baby BOD his big acting break… but did he take it?Amy also opens up about the beauty treatment that left her traumatically bright red and swollen - and somehow still had us crying laughing.She’s sharp, she’s warm, she’s outrageously funny, and this episode is an absolute hoot. 💕 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s Beautiful Bonus flips our usual question on its head - instead of talking about the trends we want to disappear, we’re confessing the make-up trends we secretly want to come back.Suzy (woman of the people, as James insists) makes a passionate case for big bouncy hair and even box dyes making a comeback, while James derails himself entirely by revealing how many pairs of jeans he owns… and it is an absolute shocker. 👖😳A little nostalgia, a little cheek, and some very controversial beauty opinions - buckle up, Beauties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week is extra special — James’ sister Vanessa joins us for a full Malahide deep-dive, and it is chaotic, nostalgic and emotional in all the best ways. 💕We chat about the inner workings of life in bustling Malahide — from the legendary Hillhoppers to the Balrags — and why the Butlers kept getting phone calls meant for the golf club (and how they handled them with absolute style).Vanessa also tells the iconic story of watching their mum, Fron, tear strips off a café owner who had just sacked a 16-year-old James.James: “Listen Suzy, she got her upandcommence, as Fron would say.”We laughed, we cried… again. It’s a goody. 💫 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Lorraine — a fellow spectacle wearer who wants to know how to make her eyes look bigger behind glasses. 🤓✨Both of us wear specs too, so we’ve got plenty of tried-and-tested advice — from the magic of nude eyeliner to mastering a softer smoky eye that won’t get lost behind the lenses.It’s quick, practical, and perfect for anyone who wants their eye make-up to stand out and stay chic in specs. 💄 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we’re joined by Irish TV royalty — the fabulous Karen Koster! 💫Karen tells us about that “zzzzzap” moment when she first locked eyes with her husband John McGuire, the hilarious campaign to reclaim the name Karen from the meme, and how she’s learned to handle the harshest kind of criticism — comments about her appearance on screen.We also chat about the A-listers she’s interviewed (from the soundest to the rudest!) and the moving story of losing her mum. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and yes… everyone cried. ❤️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Katie — a self-confessed DIY beauty queen who’s approaching 35 and wants to finally treat herself to a proper treatment. 💆♀️✨She does her facials and brows at home, so she asked us: what’s actually worth going out for? James reveals his ultimate go-to treatment (no downtime, no regrets), and Suzy shares the pro-level experiences that really deliver.If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually worth your hard-earned beauty budget — this one’s for you. 💕 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we’re joined by PR director, beauty influencer and OG glam queen Mark Rogers — and he did not come empty-handed. 💅We chat about the time he discovered how Charlotte Tilbury speaks so well off the cuff on her legion of products (icon behaviour), his literally full-body tanning routine and the hacks he swears by, and James admits Mark may know more dirt on him than anyone else alive… 👀It’s gossip, glow and gorge from start to finish - exactly how Mark would want it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How to stop eyeshadow creasing, and how to make brown mascara or liner work over black. James and Suzy share eyelid-prep tricks, shade-layering tips, and Suzy’s genius “I’m-in-a-rush” hack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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