Don’t Miss These Beauty Bargains In The Sales

We’ve trawled the beauty sales piles in stores and online so that you don’t have to. Here’s our pick of the best steals in the summer sales right now:

1 THE IRISH ONE

We wrote about Max Benjamin Lavender, Chamoile and Magnesium Bath Salts previously (see here) – they are a luxurious option for a restful bath. Snap them up now at €11.61, down from €23.22, at Arnotts (limited availability). As Max Benjamin is rebranding (see more HERE), it’s a good time to pick up some of their original products for less.

2 THE FRAGRANCE

I spotted a few lovely fragrances on sale at Brown Thomas, including Armani/Privé Orangerie Venise eau de toilette. This bright, zesty orange scent, created by master perfumer Dominique Ropion (of Portrait of a Lady fame), is a joyous one for summer. Light and breezy, it’s down €25 to €98.40 (50ml) – still not cheap, but if you love citrussy scents, this is a particularly beautiful one, and incredibly easy to wear (and spritz with abandon) for all sexes. Note that a couple of others in this range are also reduced, down to around €156, including autumnal incense-rich Bois d’Encens.

For another fine citrus scent, check out Maison Lancôme Oranges Bigarades (€151.20, down from €189). Note that this one is 100ml and it’s an eau de parfum, so you get more, and it’s longer-lasting – plus the etched front bottle is a beauty. NB Spend €220 on beauty now at BT and you get a summer beauty box of samples for free.

At Arnotts, we spotted Chloe Nomade Absolu eau de parfum down to €46.20 (30ml).

3 THE DAILY ESSENTIAL

Sales are the best time to invest in an electric toothbrush. Forget faffing about with whitening strips – this is what your dentist will tell you is the single best thing you can do for your oral health. There are some hugely expensive ones – for €600, I would expect nothing less than an entirely new set of teeth – but many of the top-range ones are currently reduced at Boots online, and you can get hold of a reliable Oral-B now for €60-plus. I feel that this Black Lava model (€165, down from €400) is marketed at the male market, with its manly reference to volcanoes and high-tech gadgetry, but I would choose this over any number of pink ones. Boring, yes, but a good investment in your teeth. Available online only at www.boots.ie. Pick up this pretty bottle of mouthwash while you’re at it … Marvis Strong Mint (€12.50, was €25) at Arnotts.

4 THE CANDLE

I would surmise from the Net-a-Porter sale that people are not buying into giant, hugely expensive candles, as there are tons in the sale. Some of them are priced around €350-€400, which is one way to watch your money go up in smoke – plus they tend to look a bit grotty once you’ve started burning them. I’d make an exception for this one, L’Objet Mamounia No.28 (350g, burns for 90 hours), as it would remind me of a trip to Marrakech, and the pot would be handy to re-use. There’s also a stylish Soho Home Turin candle (leather and oud), that’s even bigger at 500g, for less – €51 (down from €85), and several giant Jo Loves ones (guaranteed to smell spectacular). Snap up some Code 8 Radiate Beauty Balm while you’re online, at 60 per cent off.

5 THE CLEANSERS

The original Eve Lom balm cleanser with cloth is one of my all-time favourites – and there are 100ml pots reduced online at Net-a-Porter at €45, down from €75; or even better, go for 200ml at €72 (down from €120). Check at Arnotts too, where most of the Eve Lom range is on sale. Check out the Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser (€35.40, was €59), too.

6 THE SKINCARE GIFT

Did you know M&S stock Votary skincare? Us neither. And currently you can get a free Natural Glow Day Cream, worth €95, when you buy any Votary product (from €40). The entire range is good but I’d especially recommend the Rose facial oil, or the Neroli one (each €88), and the Hyaluronic Self-Tan Drops (€47.50, great for a natural-looking tan). You can try out several Super Seed products (and get an instant holiday skincare set) with this Super Skin Kit, €115. There are offers on various other brands at M&S too.

7 THE SERUM

I’m a fan of 111Skin generally (their luxury treatments are available in the spa at Adare Manor), and the Rose Gold Radiance Booster in particular. I’d pick this Y Theorem Repair Serum in the sales (half price at €130) as it’s restorative for the skin and especially good for skin that’s red or irritated. A great one for post-sun skin on holiday, and small enough to take with you.

8 THE BATHING BEAUTY

We’ve been raving about Voya’s new products recently (see here). But there are some old favourites on offer at the moment too – get hold of their Lazy Days Detoxifying Seaweed Bath (€20.80, was €26), and also the fragrant Moonlight Moments Relaxing Bath & Shower Oil (€35.20, was €44).

9 THE LIP COLOUR

The lip colour we want to wear now is Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur in Walk of No Shame, which has a soft, pillowy feel and saturated pigment, which you can wear just blotted on as a “blur” of colour, or painted on with more precision. And at The Loop in Dublin airport, it’s €28.80 (usually €34). There are various other colours too. There’s a few euro off several Tilbury favourites, so it’s always worth checking (eg Hollywood Flawless Filter €41.60, rrp €49). There’s free Click & Collect, so you can pick up as you head on holiday.

You can also pick up Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in two pink/red shades for €24 (usually €40) at Arnotts – they are a very similar velvety texture to the above – and some fun Morphe eye palettes full of a rainbow of shades, worth having in hand as they make excellent teen gifts (€17.40, down from €29).

10 THE LIMITED-EDITION

The No7 beauty Vault (€49.95, worth €176) – you can sign up for this limited-edition at Boots.ie (with pre-sale access on July 18), or buy in store or online from July 19. It apparently contains nine No7 favourites – we don’t know the full list, but it does contain No7 Skin Illuminator Nude, The Full 360 Waterproof Mascara and Radiance+ Vitamin C Daily Brightening Moisturiser. www.boots.ie

(All items limited availability. Prices correct as of 12 July, while stocks last)