1 THE CONCEALERS

Beauty brands are clearly aware how congested and crappy our skin feels at the moment as there are many new concealers launching. Along with upcoming new launches from bareMinerals, from February, there’s a great cost-effective new one from The Ordinary, launching January 19 (via www.deciem.com). With an impressive 36 shades, the new concealer will cost just €5.80.

2 THE DETOX

The new range by Thalgo is what our skin craves right now: it’s a detoxifying anti-pollution range created by the French marine cosmetics experts. We’re trying the Energising Boosting Concentrate (€40), a seven-day treatment with energising spirulina boosted with marine magnesium, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. It’s designed to energise and de-stress the skin and quite frankly we couldn’t use it quickly enough. www.thalgo.ie

3 THE SOAP STORY

L’Occitane are going big on soaps this year, with a new knobbly shea butter version (€12) to exfoliate and get circulation going – so needed at the moment – plus a collection of beautifully scented soaps. Move over Jo Malone London’s €19 scented soaps – L’Occitane have the same size soaps (100g), in JM-alike scent combinations such as Rhubarb & Basil, and Rosemary & Clary Sage, for €6.50 – so you actually use them, rather than just admire them by the sink. ie.loccitane.com

4 THE NOVELTY

New from perfumer Jo Malone is this slimmer version of her fragrance “paintbrush”, a slim clickable tube (think Touche Eclat) featuring a lightly scented gel you paint onto your skin (plus refill). It’s fun, it’s novel. What’s good about this new version – it uses less packaging and the new slender tube isn’t much bigger than a mascara so you can carry it around (in the wild event that you might at some point leave your house). What’s not so good – you’re getting less product. The previous version held 18ml. Now, for €50, you’re only actually getting 14ml of scent (compare this to even the smallest bottle you have on your shelf). That being said, Pomelo is one of the loveliest smells we know (the brush comes in other favourites too such as The Flower Shop). My advice: SpaceNK still has some of the original bigger paintbrushes available online; or splash out on the scent itself as it will last longer. Also at www.cultbeauty.com.

5 THE PERFUME

There’s a new Chanel perfume out this Friday. Watch this space for an exclusive lowdown on the new addition to the Les Exclusifs collection – from what it smells like and what the perfumer Olivier Polge told us about it. Another bit of brightness on the horizon is Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2021 make-up collection, Les Fleurs de Chanel, landing on January 15 – the blush alone makes it worth a look. A softly flattering blush shade will go a long way to helping you look healthier on these dark winter days.

6 THE RELAUNCH

Tom Ford Costa Azzura landed some years ago in a cool blue bottle as part of the Private Blend collection; it partnered others in the Portofino range so if you’re partial to those fresh Mediterranean salty air and citrus blends that TF do so well, this is one worth knowing. Since it evokes “the sensual ease of a Mediterranean escape”, we feel it will do better than ever right now, bringing some sunny glamour to rainsoaked Ireland: it’s an ode to the joy of travel. This time round it comes in a chic gold-topped bottle. €100 from January 27.

7 THE ONE TO BOOK NOW

Gareth Bromell opened his innovative salon, H by Gareth Bromell, in what used to be the accessories area of Harvey Nichols at the end of last year, zapping it together from recycled wood (as he wants it to be as sustainable as possible). It looks great, and is a big draw into the store as you can watch the team at work, just like the chef’s table in a top restaurant. It’s not a cheap date – you’re looking at €200 for a slot with the man himself (less with one of his great team) – but I can’t remember being so happy with a cut and blowdry. And since I didn’t go to a hairdresser for the whole of 2020, Bromell had his work cut out fixing the ends I’d chopped myself and somehow making my hair look shinier and healthier. Plus he’s lovely to chat to (v important consideration for a hairdresser) and can tell you about doing Taylor Swift’s blunt bob. At Harvey Nichols Dundrum. www.hbygarethbromell.com

8 THE HAIRCARE

Pioneering Italian range Davines is one of our all-time favourites – great formulas, made with a keen eye on sustainability and being eco-conscious. Find it at stylist and colour expert Mark Byrne’s new salon, NHO New Hair Order on South William Street, Dublin 2; www.nhodublin.com.

9 THE SKINCARE

Fenty Skin has landed at selected Boots stores, and will also be available at Harvey Nichols Dundrum: my advice is to get hold of the Starter Set to suss out what suits you, it features the cleanser/make-up remover, Fat Water toner/serum and Hydra Vizor SPF30 sunscreen/moisturiser (€36). I haven’t tried them out yet, but the line is made up of multitasking vegan and cruelty-free formulas that will delight the myriad fans of Rihanna’s make-up. www.boots.ie

10 THE LUXURY

Also worth noting on the skincare front is the range of Sisley on sale at www.brownthomas.com at the moment – pretty well the whole range is discounted. I’d go for the Black Rose face oil, reduced to €155 – still expensive but a lovely luxury to get you and your skin through January.