New Irish Standouts For Skin, Hair And Home
New launches and expertise from fine local brands …
FOR SKIN
Just launched, the new serum from Irish brand The Skin Diary is one you need to know about. Dr Clare Kiely’s science-driven skincare is highly respected in the industry for its research and independent clinical testing. In fact, the brand is clear that current testing methods don’t stand up to scrutiny – “clinically proven” can mean different things in different cases – and is dedicated to raising the standard in the industry. Consultant dermatologists don’t get behind something independent unless they really rate it, and the fact that Dr Rosemary Coleman recommends The Skin Diary’s Night Repair really makes it stand out, for me.
What does the skin need to repair and improve? That’s what the skin experts, including the renowned Dr Chris Griffith, asked themselves. The aim was to restore collagen in photo-aged skin. The new Pro-Helix C Collagen Peptide Brightening Serum is a beauty. I’ve been trying out a lab sample for several weeks now and will definitely be investing in my own bottle. Clinically proven results show its effectiveness for supporting brighter, firmer and more resilient-looking skin. The patent-pending serum (€115, 30ml) has been “developed to go beyond brightening, and target multiple pathways associated with visible skin ageing”. There’s an improvement in skin health, reduced hyperpigmentation, enhanced skin surface quality, with more even skintone, and calmer, less reactive skin. Irish skincare at its best. Available at select clinics nationwide and www.theskindiary.com.
FOR FRAGRANCE
We recently went to a SisterBrother event held at the elegant Mark Moriarty Studio: this good-looking home fragrance line of candles and diffusers was perfectly placed among the artworks. This Irish range stands out for several reasons, from its minimal, sleek packaging to the thoughtful, carefully considered scents and high-quality ingredients. Each one has an air of nostalgia – timeless and comforting smells such as cut grass, sweet tea, bonfires. The new White Christmas candle (€38) is beautifully evocative without being predictable, with hits of fir and cypress plus spices like clove and nutmeg. Salty Hands, meanwhile, is a divine rush of jasmine, with hints of sea spray.
I especially love the luxurious Saffron Noir, in chic black glass (candle €60, diffuser €85). The smell is exquisitely smoky and rich – it makes your whole home smell fabulous. You might have thought you don’t want another scented candle this Christmas – these are set to change your mind. The candles are all made with 100 per cent natural vegetable wax, with an environmentally friendly burn. www.sisterbrother.ie.
FOR HAIR
I highly recommend Cascata’s Detox + Restore Scalp Shampoo. Founder Emma King is a scalp expert, and passionate about the need to treat our scalps with as much care as the skin on our faces. “Scalp health is the foundation of great hair,” says King. “With Detox + Restore, we’re giving the Irish consumer a salon-grade solution that works with all hair types, from curly to chemically treated, using gentle but proven ingredients like glycolic acid.” It’s an investment, but it really works. €50; www.cascatahair.ie. Book in for a scalp analysis and treatment at her salon in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. She’s also a highly in-demand bridal stylist.
Note: We met King at the lovely light-filled Bozena Sarek salon on Merrion Row, a great spot for a deluxe hair wash (one of the best you’ll ever have) and blowdry in the most comfortable chair ever – you lie straight back, rather than having to scrunch your neck painfully against the ceramic bowl. This is a brilliant, slightly under the radar haircare gem, and well worth a visit.
