Pick up these new tried and tested products …

Sun protection is the most vital step in any skincare routine, even if you’re not heading abroad. So we were happy to discover a new suncare line that’s made here in Ireland. With industry experience working at Charlotte Tilbury, Amelia Slattery has just launched Solas Skin, a lightweight daily sunscreen (€35), an SPF30 Face Mist for top-ups (€33) and an SPF50 lipbalm (€17), available at www.solasskin.ie. She’s keen to emphasise the need to wear SPF every single day, all year long, whatever the weather. “Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in this country so I felt it was about time a brand was designed specifically to meet the unique needs of Irish customers.”

The campaign pictures also caught our eye, featuring the glorious model Mary Dunne (above). Note to brands: if you only target 25-year-olds, and your campaigns airbrush any natural line or wrinkle into oblivion, older women will feel ignored and irrelevant, and feel your products are not for them. Beauty brands regularly preach diversity, and yet entirely ignore anyone with grey hair – even classic brands that older customers have used and trusted for years. To be fair, several Irish brands are great at this; Ayu comes to mind. We’re glad to see Solas appealing to all ages.

Also made in Ireland, Cork-based Doctrine has just launched eye-catching matcha-infused skincare, including an exfoliating cream cleanser (I usually avoid physical exfoliators, but this one uses gentle jojoba) and a lactic acid Matcha Mask (from €32; www.doctrineskincare.com). I thought the matcha might be a bit of a gimmick, but actually, the mask leaves my skin glowing.

My favourite beauty find of the month costs less than a tenner. The Burren Perfumery’s new collection of essential oils is beautifully designed, and features exquisite scents from rosemary to lavender, bergamot to sandalwood. Add a few drops of Sweet Orange (€9.50) into a massage oil for the most fragrant, citrussy skin. The oils have many uses, from adding to a diffuser to scenting your bath.

NEED TO KNOW

THE PERFUMERY: MIGHTY MUSKS

Musks are having a moment. In perfumery, musk has been used for centuries (it was derived from a deer’s glands, originally, but is now created synthetically). It can be softening, and also add lasting power and airiness, and is intrinsic to many “skin scents”. As well as Hermès’ magnificent Musc Pallida, and Ormonde Jayne’s memorable Reimagined collection, we’ve fallen for a new contemporary take on musk from independent French brand Maison Crivelli. Musc Nurasana has a bright citrus opening of bergamot, clean and bright, along with damask rose from Turkey, incense, airy musks and a delicious base of almondy tonka bean. Perfumer Gaël Montero explains that, for him, musks add the “sensation of comfort”. “It’s a technical challenge to make musk bright and comforting but also with an intensity and a big trail.” The result is a gorgeously layered, radiant scent with a rosy glow and a soft lasting hum of sensuous warmth. From €200 at Brown Thomas.

OVERNIGHT SENSATION

Cosmeceutical brand Oskia has been quietly trustworthy for nearly two decades – and founder Georgie Cleeve’s glowing skin is testament to its excellence. She uses Midnight Elixir serum at night, and it clearly works. It’s an investment, but with 30 actives, this concentrated peptide serum is an overnight workhorse designed to protect, brighten and calm the skin. €190, at Space NK.

EASY GLOW

We always adore Chanel’s Les Beiges collections, and the pick of this year’s Coastal Summer line-up is the Healthy Glow Highlighter (€55), a pale pink that will lend you a rosy glow all summer. There’s also a silky liquid Healthy Glow Blush, in two shades. We’ll be matching our coffee to this latte-coloured nail varnish, Garçonne (€34), and trying the two shades of brown mascara, too. At counters nationwide.

COVER ALL BASES

The new Doublewear Stay-in-Place 24H Concealer (€34) by Estée Lauder is impressive for smooth, lasting touch-ups; it’s gone straight into my everyday essentials bag. We’re also wearing Merit Beauty SPF50 (€42), a daily staple that protects and evens your skin instantly. Complete your complexion with travel-friendly bareMinerals Gen Nude Cheek & Lip Stick (€23).