7 Irish Beauty Buys To Rely On This Summer

Keep it local and look to these homegrown brands for beauty brilliance, from fruity face masks to hair boosters and bath oils …

1 THE BEST NATURAL BEAUTY WEBSITE

The Clean Beauty Edit has been one of our favourite beauty websites for a while now, with its focus on interesting, sustainably focused brands that have something a bit special about them. Now founder Dawn Mayne has rebranded the site as LUIA, and had a spring-clean of brands, which now extend to wellbeing products, from supplements to sauna blankets. For skincare, think high-spec, naturally focused lines such as Irish stars Nunaia and Modern Botany, plus Evolve Beauty. We’re intrigued by Bounce Curl, a haircare line with “clean effective formulations”, and the Red Light Hat (€498), a baseball cap with a difference, designed to support scalp and hair health.

2 THE GENTLE CLEANSER

We wrote about FOREST MIST SKINCARE earlier this year, and now founder Ixis Santos, based in Co Limerick, has added a new cleanser to her elegant line. “For me it is about giving solutions to people who have compromised and problem skin,” she says. Joining the vitamin C facial oil (which is ideal for people prone to dermatitis, acne and sensitivity) and the scalp and hair oil, the new Fruit Enzyme Cleansing Oil is a gentle oil-to-milk cleanser (€38). She’s been working with a lab in Limerick on efficacy testing. “Our formula is powered by fruit enzymes, star ingredients that gently break down the proteins binding dead skin cells. This provides a soft, effective exfoliation without compromising the skin barrier. It’s especially ideal for sensitive skin types or anyone who finds acid-based or harsher exfoliants too aggressive; there are no perfumes or essential oils added. It gently lifts away stubborn make-up, SPF and daily impurities while being kind to your skin.”

3 THE BEAUTY BRAND WITH PURPOSE

ELLA & JO has announced B Corp certification – excellent news which places the brand alongside just 66 Irish companies to have achieved this prestigious global standard, which recognises businesses that balance profit with purpose. “Becoming a B Corp reflects our dedication to doing business consciously, ethically, and sustainably,” says co-founder Niamh Ryan. Ella & Jo has a new tanning range (to add to the endless list of Irish-founded self-tans), including a mist and gradual moisturiser. Try the Glow Up Enzyme Face Mask (€36), with a raft of summery, fruity ingredients from pineapple to pomegranate and mango; the fruit enzymes help to accelerate cell turnover, while vitamin C helps with brightness.

4 THE HAIR BOOSTERS

Sinead Asple’s SEA+SOLU haircare range is sulphate-, silicone- and paraben-free and vegan, developed with long-term hair and scalp health in mind. The four hair boosters (€20.95 each) can be added to any Sea+Solu base formula for extra help with hair concerns, whether that’s frizz control, repair, hydration or volume. Try the deep conditioning Moisture Melt Hair Mask, too (€33.95). Available at www.seaplussolu.com, and at selected pharmacies nationwide.

5 THE BETTER BATH

Karen Kearney’s Sligo-based SOAK collaborates with hotels in Ireland on Soak Bathing Rituals, to bring their luxurious bath oils to guests – experience them at Cashel Palace Hotel in Co Tipperary, and at Delphi Resort & Spa, Connemara. The newest collab will be with the K Club in Co Kildare, introducing the idea of the Soak Bath Butler, bringing an aromatherapy bathing experience into your own hotel room. Or simply shop their bath salts, candles and body oils online and treat yourself at home.

6 THE CONCEALER THAT WORKS

Suzie O’Neill’s AYU has lots of new products out right now, from the Ayuglo Facial Tanning Mist (€24) to a brand-new hydrating sheet mask (€9 each, €42 pack of five). Trying these out recently, we also came across the Instant Concealer (€25), in five shades, and find it brilliant; it masks even under-eye circles on older skin, and blends in perfectly. This one’s a keeper.