Summer brings brighter, longer days meaning we are staying outdoors and need our beauty to keep up – here is what our beauty editor recommends
Main Image; Mango.
Brighter days and evenings mean we’re outside for longer, whether on the tennis court, walking the pooches or doing our own downward dog at an outdoor yoga class. Sunscreen should be front and centre and we need skin protection that is easy to wear – which means not greasy, runny, or leaving a white layer on the skin. Find a sunscreen you like the feel of, and make sure you apply enough. Australian brands tend to know what they’re doing when it comes to UV protection: I rate asap skincare’s SPF50+ Hydrating Defence (€31.50; www.asapskincare.ie) – it has a lovely texture – and hydrating Ultraceuticals Ultra UV SPF30 (€50.50; www.ultraceuticals.com). Lancaster Invisible Face Fluid SPF30 (€30) delivers robust protection in a light formula; the pocket-sized version is handy. A tinted sunscreen gives both coverage and protection for bright days when I’m too busy for make-up so I’m using IT Cosmetics CC + Nude Glow Skin Tint SPF40 (€45, at Arnotts), a one-step summer skin solution, in a wide range of shades.
A fresh summer glow, like the one by Westman Atelier, is the quest. Gucci Westman’s first skincare launch, Skin Activator serum, is an investment (€160, at Brown Thomas), but her products are reliably efficient.
For nails and lips, we’re inspired by the dusty warmth of clay tennis courts: Chanel Le Vernis in Watermelon captures that summer brightness…
…as does juicy tinted Payot Nourishing Balm in Rouge Cherry (€19.50; www.cosmeticsonline.ie), an all-weather winner.
FRESH SUMMER BEAUTYÂ
DAIRY CREAMS
Bánór is an attractive Irish brand developed by pharmacist Nicola Lyon and farmer Elaine Crosse. It uses nutritious sheep milk and lanolin (a natural oil that conditions sheep’s wool), sourced from Crosse’s family farm. The four bodycare items (from €30) are gentle and sustainably made in Co Tipperary; the creamy Milk Lotion, with lavender and geranium oils, is the standout. www.banor.ie.
BESPOKE PERFUME
Head west and create your own unique scent on The Burren Perfumery’s perfume-making course. Spend a day at the lovely perfumery and learn about scent families before formulating your own bespoke perfume. A gorgeous experience, with a unique end result (€120, including all materials, your perfume, coffee and light lunch). You’ll learn loads, too. Workshops sell out fast, so book ahead: call 065 708 9102. Summer Harvest Body Lotion, €26. www.theburrenperfumery.com
SAVVY SPRITZ
We love to unearth top-notch fragrances at high-street prices. Anne Flipo, the master perfumer behind Synthetic Jungle for Frédéric Malle, Jo Malone London Basil & Neroli and many more, has created a citrussy, woody grape eau de parfum for Caudalie. Ange des Vignes, is €35, at pharmacies nationwide.
BEAUTY TOOLS
Hair by Sam McKnight has just arrived in Ireland. The legendary stylist’s range is much lauded for its foolproof formulas for coolly undone styles; try Happy Endings Nourishing Balm to smooth split ends and reduce frizziness. At Brown Thomas.
