From a new Irish-founded skincare line and a facialist-approved elixir to a new cooling gel made from seaweed, here are our new beauty loves …
1 THE NEW SKINCARE LINE
An Irish-founded brand has found a bit of a niche in the skincare market. Founder Sara Stokes struggled with her skin during pregnancy – a common occurrence – and couldn’t find dedicated pregnancy-safe skincare, avoiding ingredients that are not recommended during pregnancy, such as retinol. She worked with consultant dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan on the formulations for Skn To Skn, which describes itself as the “first expert-led, clinically proven skincare brand created specifically for women who are trying to conceive, pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum.” Stokes describes it as a pregnancy-safe line that’s formulated for hormonal skin; it’s ideal for stabilising inflammatory skin, too. Ryan says it’s made in the same factory in the UK as other products costing three times as much. Priced from €37 to €45, it’s available online and is landing shortly into 183 Boots stores, including seven in Ireland. TRY: the tinted zinc SPF moisturiser, with 20 per cent zinc, which doubles as a primer.
2 THE FACIALIST
Facialist Agnes Gajewska demonstrated the new Take Back Time Elixir Serum Trinny London by at Planet Beauty, Brown Thomas Dublin. Gajewska doesn’t get involved with brands lightly and always does her research, so if she recommends something, we listen. This hydrating serum works especially well after microneedling, she tells us. Trinny does a home microneedling kit, but I’d be wary of doing this at home unless you’re absolutely rigorous about reading instructions and keeping kit clean, etc. – otherwise it could do more harm than good. This is a treatment that’s probably better left to the hands of a professional. You can book a facial with Agnes as it’s worth it to experience her uplifting, tension-easing facial massage techniques, which are exceptional. ALSO: Pick up a matcha from the OMMA café while you’re there – it’s worth queuing for.
3 THE PERFUME
Since our exclusive reader event with the House of Creed at Ely Winebar, we’ve been wearing summer scents by the French fragrance house. New Fragaria eau de parfum, in a hot pink bottle, is an elegant blend of citrus, strawberry and iris. It captures the sparkling sunshine of summer with a lovely warmth and just the right hit of sweetness. €294, exclusive to Brown Thomas.
4 THE COOLDOWN
Voya’s new Cryo-Cooling Gel uses organic seaweed, aloe vera and menthol to cool, soothe and hydrate tired limbs and muscles. Perfect for chilling out in general, and especially after exercising, or being in the sun. Perhaps most usefully, testers found it effective and helpful for hormonal hot flushes. Unlike most cooling products, it doesn’t rely on alcohol, but uses the menthol and organic seaweed to deliver lasting cooling relief that doesn’t dry out the skin. €37 online and instore at Kilkenny Design and Avoca.
5 THE DAILY ESSENTIALS
We all love Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream, and the Eight Hour range now extends to a daily moisturiser, Hydraplay, plus a new Daily Cleanser and SPF. Eight Hour is always multitasking, and the HydraPlay 2-in-1 Daily Cleanser features eight skin-enhancing benefits in one formula: it’s a mineral-rich clay cleanser that cleanses and purifies the skin via a soft foam texture. HydraPlay Daily Defense Nourishing Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF40 is a lightweight, hydrating formula that shields the skin from damaging blue light as well as UV rays and pollution. Available at Arnotts.
SEE MORE: The Beauty Panel Tries This New-generation Retinol Skincare
6 THE LIP TREAT
Clarins Lip Oil is ten years old. Much copied, this original treat for lips now comes in a rainbow of juicy colours – or create your own with the fun Lip Oil machine at the Clarins Boutique in Dublin. Our current favourite shade is limited-edition Iconic Red (€27), created to celebrate the anniversary. It’s a sheer, hydrating poppy that’s ideal for red refuseniks as it’s not too intense but gives a hit of bright colour.
7 HAIR CARE
Hairstylist and OGX hair ambassador Micheal Douglas was in Dublin for the launch of OGX Rescue Fusions. Over lunch at 25 Fitzwilliam Square, he introduced the range of care products, ranging from Hyaluronic Acid Shampoo and Conditioner to a pre-shampoo treatment (“one of best I’ve ever used”), and a Deep Recovery Overnight Treatment. He reminded us our hair is more vulnerable when wet so to detangle/brush when it’s dry. The range, designed for damaged hair, is all under €13, available in grocery retailers and pharmacies nationwide.
SEE MORE: Try These 5 Solutions For Bad Hair Days
