The standout beauty buys of the season so far …
1. APPLY BODY OIL THE EASY WAY
We love this new idea from an old favourite. Privately owned brand Nuxe, founded more than 20 years ago by Aliza Jabès, is in the top three brands in French pharmacies and the Huile Prodigieuse is their bestseller. This new roll-on version of it is genius – it makes applying the fragrant dry oil so much quicker and easier. With its scent of orange blossom, coconut and vanilla, HP is a precursor to many of the teen favourite sweet solar sprays and perfumes popular now.
Nuxe is also renowned for its SPFs – check out the new golden Sun Oil SPF50 for face and body. We’re excited by the ultra-natural-looking glow drops, Prodigieuse Boost Self-Tanning Serum, too. A clean sweep from the most glamorous of French pharmacy stars (and we’re taking table inspiration from this recent event at The Grayson in Dublin, too – stripes, sweet peas and ranunculus in small vases).
2. EXPERIMENT WITH COLOURED EYELINER
As we get older, our brow area can become lower and looser, which makes it difficult to wear eye colour. A great eyeliner can do the job, but it needs to be very resistant and long-staying – when it shifts to the browbone, it’s not a good look. As someone determinedly low-brow, I’m very alert to great eyeliners. Yes, Beckham’s are brilliant. But this week I discovered these by et al., the make-up brand owned by the International Institute of Active Ageing, and I’m really impressed with them. Every liner on the market claims to be highly pigmented, long-wear and smudge-proof– and these actually are. Their staying power, even on a less than firm eyelid, is exceptional. And they come in a great range of colours, from slate grey to the inkiest black. All this makes them good value at €27.50 (the Beckham ones are €38). These have gone straight into my everyday make-up bag. Stock up at www.monicatolan.com.
3. UPGRADE YOUR CLEANSER
A thick cleansing balm can sometimes leave a bit of a film on your skin, particularly if you apply too much of it. This new Sunday Riley Aquamarine Melt Hydrating Gel-Balm Cleanser (that’s quite a title) is a beauty, with a super-light gel/oil texture that’s quite different from the usual cleansing balms or creams. Ingredients are calming and soothing (evening primrose oil, cocoa butter, cornflower), and designed to moisturise the skin as well as melt away make-up in a gentle way. It’s an absolute delight to use. Sunday Riley is BCorp certified, so you know that it meets the highest sustainable standards, too. €48 at Brown Thomas and SpaceNK.
4. TRADE TAN FOR BODY MAKE-UP
We’re seeing a big trend for body make-up over fake tan this year. The advantages include instant impact – think of it as a tinted moisturiser for your arms, legs, etc. – with less danger of orange mishaps or patchy ankles, the ultimate self-tan telltale sign. Plus there’s no transfer onto your clothes or sheets, and you can wash it off at any time. Many brands are doing them, but our runaway favourite is Vita Liberata’s vegan Body Blur (in light, medium or dark) – it evens out the skin and gives it a smooth caramel warmth. We were sceptical, now we’re sold. Currently €27.74 at Boots. The face version (currently under €28) is excellent, too. VL’s dark and super-dark self-tan mousse and lotions constantly sell out here in Ireland.
5. SWITCH POWDER BLUSH FOR A STICK
You create a nice glowy base and then ruin the effect with a flat powder blusher. But there’s no need – there are lots of excellent stick blushers around now that help to create a more glowy hint of balmy colour. Westman Atelier’s is the gold standard, and Violette’s Bisou Balm is also great, but our current favourite is Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick in Refresh (limited edition shade), for an almost transparent natural-looking flush. €48 at counters nationwide.
PS There’s an exciting new line of stick blushers on the way this summer from a big beauty brand – watch this space …
6. INVEST IN A JOINT CITRUS SCENT
The new Balmain Blanc Galaxie eau de parfum is positive and energising, suiting all genders – so share a bottle, if you can bear to. It bursts onto your skin with fresh and zingy citrus notes, including mandarin, lime and bergamot, underlined by creamy white magnolia and a pinch of cardamom. €165 for 50ml.
SEE MORE: 6 Brilliant Summer Scents To Bottle Up The Sunshine
7. BOOK IN FOR …
A pedicure at Nails Dublin flagship store on O’Connell Street, Dublin 2.
A Salt & Oil Scrub treatment at the ESPA spa at Powerscourt Hotel & Spa, Co Wicklow – an intense exfoliating treatment that buffs and preps your skin, including a full body brush (great for dry and flakey skin). Investing in your own body brush is a good call too at this time of year, to stimulate circulation.
A customised facial (€110) at Monica Tolan, Malahide and Balbriggan, Dublin.
A Vita Liberata tan at Oslo salons, Stillorgan, Ranelagh and Ballsbridge, Dublin, €40 full body.
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