A beauty shelf update for a spring refresh and summery scents to herald the season …
What makes you think of warmer days? It might be cherry blossom, bright orange blossom, warm vanilla. Coconut is a key note at the moment – its warm sweetness has instant holiday vibes (especially if you’re old enough to remember Hawaiian Tropic sun oil).
The ubiquitous Sol de Janeiro has us all craving coconutty, gourmand scents (the shower creams are a gorgeous ray of sunshine in the morning): witness too the return of Laura Mercier’s Honey Bath, a tooth-smacking sugar hit. Cult Gaia’s Mast eau de parfum, in its distinctive green bottle, brings together coconut with bergamot and orange blossom, while Jo Malone London’s new Beach Blossom Cologne (from €98) is a joyful cocktail of coconut, lime, mint and tonka bean. The latest Margiela Replica, meanwhile, celebrates Parisian cafés with softly nutty vanilla conjuring madeleines.
I’m really impressed with the fragrance edit at Space NK in Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin, which features cult favourite DS & Durga and Hermès, among many others. US brand Phlur is new to me, but it also goes big on sweet notes from vanilla to tangerine, apricot to coconut. Check out the body mists (€25) as a more accessible route to wearing these uplifting, cheery scents.
Personally, I always return to Cloon Keen’s Lá Bealtaine (€130) at this time of year – it really captures the optimism and welcome sunshine of spring via gleaming bergamot, mandarin, jasmine and rose. The Burren Perfumery is working on a gorse perfume, and we’re sure that Sadie Chowen and team will capture the glorious brilliance of this vibrant yellow plant, with its coconut overtones.
Also sparking joy, in a more earthy way, is Vyrao’s Mamajuju (€200), with its spicy hits of rum, nutmeg and olibanum layered on smooth sandalwood. It’s an atmospheric scent capturing the smell of earth after rain by genius Irish perfumer Meabh McCurtin (who also worked with Cloon Keen on Lá Bealtaine and others). Find optimism and sunnier days via fragrance. @sarahhalliwellbeauty
NEED TO KNOW
SPRING SKIN
New from Clarins, the Extra Firming day and night creams (from €88; refills from €70) target diminishing collagen reserves in the skin, working to preserve and stimulate the skin’s own reserves of collagen fibres, for increased elasticity. There’s a day cream with SPF15, too, plus an Essence and a lighter Emulsion. We love the powerful natural ingredients in this pro-ageing range, from pecan extract to niacinamide (vitamin B3).
SEE MORE: The New Skincare Genius That Boosts Collagen Reserves
ROSE-TINTED
Creed’s Eladaria is a luminous floral that’s an ode to velvety spring-fresh rose, with sparkling, optimistic top notes and a lasting woodiness. From €198 at Brown Thomas.
SEE MORE: Discover Creed’s Eladaria Eau De Parfum
SOFT TONES
Natural, skin-coloured tones are soft and easy to wear for spring: try Inglot’s new Creamy Soft Lip Liners, €16 each and Tatcha’s Lip Tints SPF25 (€40.25). H&M’s beauty range is looking good at the moment, too: try the Sheer Brilliance Lip Tints, €13.
THE SLEEPER HIT
Dr Rosemary Coleman is very excited about Skin Diary’s Night Repair Therapy Cream. And not one but two dermatologists are behind it – Dr Clare Kiely, from Co Mayo, and Dr Tamara Griffiths – making this one to note; there’s serious research gone into it. €150; www.drcolemansskinstore.ie.
SEE MORE: Top 5 Skincare Tips From Dermatologist Dr Rosemary Coleman
LATEST & GREATEST
Dr Laura Lenihan’s Phare online store has an exclusive new suncare range called Darling, featuring good-looking sunscreens and body care, from €30; www.phare.store. We love the body care set, (€81).
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