Happy Natural New Year …

We have the 19th-century naturalist Charles Darwin to thank for our cover phrase, “natural selection”. In his book, On The Origin of the Species, Darwin explored the process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change, as one of the four principles at work in evolution (the other three being variation, inheritance, and time). It’s also a play on words: in this issue we have focused on the natural – in food, fashion, beauty and art – and how a connection with the natural world both grounds us and opens us up to wonder.

January is the month we are focused on change, in order to better survive – and even thrive – in the coming twelve months. However low your standards are, you’ll probably have to drop them this year. With a wry eye on survival, read through some unusually helpful New Year Resolutions that will save you time and money through this link.

Inside the issue: Beauty editor Sarah Halliwell on how to get through January with natural ease; Penny McCormick reveals this year’s travel trends, from haycations to regenerative tourism; Trish Deseine has a new home and a fresh perspective; Ciara McQuillan shares the farm to fork restaurants to visit now; Julie Dupouy investigates non-alcoholic wines; Orna Mulcahy chooses eight books to read in January; Cliodhna Prendergast meets artist Dorothy Cross at her studio in Connemara; and discover the Irish businesses with their roots in nature.

Don’t miss THE GLOSS Magazine out Thursday January 5 with The Irish Times. Happy New Year!

THE GLOSS ON THE NEWSSTAND

If you miss THE GLOSS in The Irish Times, you can now pick up a newsstand version of the magazine, which is in selected supermarkets and newsagents on the following day after publication every month. This smaller format has a cover price of €4 …

We also offer a subscription service to this version of the magazine: six issues delivered to an address in Ireland costs €60. Follow this link to subscribe.