Here are five beautiful things we’re excited about this week, from 90s-style lipgloss to Irish scent stars …
Main featured image: Chanel.
1 The new luxury skincare line
Clarins have just launched a luxurious new skincare collection, Precious – and there are three free treatments on offer. You can book in to the Clarins standalone boutique and spa on Clarendon Street, Dublin 2, for a 15-minute session with a therapist to experience the Precious range, or a shorter session on hands and on arms. Be warned – once you’ve felt this velvety cream on your face, you may be hooked. I’ll be repurposing the tactile golden Crème pot as a paperweight/paperclip holder. www.clarins.ie.
2 The best beauty throwback
The 90s are back, kids. Lancôme Juicy Tubes, the glosses we all wore religiously a few decades back (they first launched 23 years ago) are back with a vengeance. We kept one in every bag and pocket back then, though this time round they are rather more pricey, at €28.50. There are 20 shades, so you’re not restricted to Barbie pink (why is this movie making everyone think we are all going to start wearing fuchsia? It’s baffling). Instead, choose from delicious shades of caramel, soft peach and melon that are mouth-watering – plus a glittery one, Miracle. I’ll be investing in plum-coloured Fig Hit, which I’ll wear all autumn, too. A fun throwback. At www.lancome.ie, Brown Thomas, Arnotts and pharmacies nationwide.
3 Old favourite, new look
I love the new look from Enniskerry-based Irish family business Max Benjamin, which is going through a stylish rebrand. In particular, the diffusers are minimal and elegant. They are €35, with refills for €20, and come in ten scents. I have the Grapefruit one in my kitchen and it’s really long-lasting and beautiful, with an uplifting fragrance that freshens the room. And I will re-use the glass jar for flowers afterwards – sweetpeas perhaps.
The candles are similarly smart – I’d recommend Irish Leather & Oud for atmospheric evening dinners, and I love the sound of spicy, patchouli and amber-based Italian Apothecary, too. The 210g candles, with a 50-hour burn time, are €28 – and that is a lot of candle for your cash. Compare it to Jo Malone candles, which are €60 (200g, burn time 45 hours). Max Benjamin also do a bigger three-wick candle, which will burn for 65 hours, at €40 – choose from White Pomegranate, French Linen Water and Lemongrass & Ginger.
Personally I’ll skip the car fragrances, as they’re not my cup of tea. But I like the hand and body scents, too; the attractive tubes of hand cream make lovely gifts at €8.95. TIP: There are lots of good deals (up to 50 per cent off) on the original MB designs, from candles to diffusers, over at Kilkenny Design online www.kilkennydesign.com in the Outlet section, along with other fine Irish brands, such as The Handmade Soap Company. www.maxbenjamin.com.
See more great Irish beauty HERE.
4 An Irish mist
For another Irish star, we recommend The Nature of Things Neroli face mist – it smells beautifully bright and summery, and is a great way to hydrate your skin throughout the day. There’s a rose one too. The best €10 you will spend on beauty this week, for sure. We’ll add their new Sleep Well blend to basket while we’re there. www.thenatureofthings.ie.
Find some other great face mists for summer HERE.
5 The best foot-fixer
Esker Fields Lavender & Peppermint Foot Cream (€16) is really, really good – it may be very simple, with shea butter and essential oils, but leave it on overnight, beneath socks, and wake to silky, softened feet that are suitable for sandals. It’s naturally effective and aromatic – I didn’t expect it to work so well, but it’s really excellent. www.eskerfields.ie.
