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.
40 Episodes
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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.
This week we’re joined by Irish broadcasting and beauty icon Miriam O’Callaghan — and yes, it’s her first ever podcast appearance! 🎙️We chat about her signature look (that famous fringe that hasn’t budged in over 25 years), the wisdom that’s kept her calm through every live show and family drama, and the powerful story of when she says she felt most beautiful — right after safely welcoming her youngest son into the world.It’s honest, funny, and full of the warmth and grace that make Miriam, well… Miriam. 💕 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s Beautiful Bonus poser comes from Naomi, who asked the ultimate question: if you could only pick three beauty products for the rest of your life, what would they be? 💄James and Suzy each narrow it down to their holy grail favourites — from cult classics like Sculpted Second Skin and MAC Studio Fix, to Suzy’s all-time go-to... There’s eyeliner, powders, and even a little chocolate-related chat (obviously).We lock hard on our Top3 - and you might just find your next obsession. ✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we’re joined by Ireland’s number one beauty entrepreneur — the stunning and brilliant Aimee Connolly. 💄✨We chat about the secret to her incredible business success, how long a marathon actually is (James feels very attacked), and the most extreme thing she’s ever done to feel beautiful. Spoiler: if you think you know Aimee, you’re about to have your world rocked 😂… in the most perfectly on-brand way possible.She’s a queen, a powerhouse, and she made us laugh from start to finish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s Beautiful Bonus comes from Louise — a new mum (and total makeup lover 💕) who’s noticing fine lines under her eyes and finding her makeup settling into them.We’ve all been there, so we’re sharing our best tips for keeping that under-eye area smooth, hydrated, and bright. From the products that actually work (hello, RoC 👀) to why burgundy is the colour of the season, we’ve got you covered.Real talk, real fixes, and a little post-baby glow-up inspiration — because tired eyes deserve love too. ✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we’re joined by the gorgeous Charlene Flanagan — co-founder of Ella & Jo Skincare and certified glow goddess. 💖We chat Botox and the pressure to look good as a skincare founder, and how her mam somehow managed to make even her driving test glam. Then there’s the glory of the Girls Aloud lashes (and Suzy’s ongoing identity crisis over which one she actually is 👀).Suzy shares all about her big Manchester make-up event, and James surprises her with a… very special homemade gift that left Suzy gasping. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s Beautiful Bonus is one for all the glow-getters ✨ — a listener who loves her spray tans wants to get better at doing her own.Suzy shares why she’s team liquid over mousse, and the products and techniques she swears by for a flawless finish. James insists there’s only one real way to nail your tan — good old-fashioned trial and error — and spills his own tips from experience.Plus, the cardinal rule everyone forgets: never apply new tan over old. You’ve got to clear each time.And the ultimate hacks for the tricky bits — neck, ears, cleavage, and hands. 💛Bronze wisely, Beauties! 💛 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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