Sarah Halliwell asks industry insiders – and some of our GLOSSiest beauty panellists – to reveal the surprisingly affordable beauty buys they swear by in their daily routines and for their clients …
Main Image; @lanolips
FOR HANDS AND NAILS
“As a manicurist, I regularly use a few French supermarket or pharmacy brands to clean and condition the hands, including Le Petit Marseillais Milk Extra Gentle Hydrate & Nourish Shower Gel – it’s £2stg at www.sanareva.co.uk [or pick it up when you’re on holiday in France]…
I also rate Mario Badescu Coconut Body Oil [€17.90 at www.cultbeauty.com] and Rogé Cavaillès Crème de Douche Nourrissante [under €10; www.cavailles.fr].”” Harriet Westmoreland, nail expert.
FOR HAIR
“We tend to buy when we travel – the team love a poke around in Paris especially, but Japan, Seoul, New York and London are fantastic, too. We buy pins and grips in hair shops in Paris, while in London we head to Sally’s, Paks and Kryolan. MyKitCo [www.mykitco.uk] is fab for great kit bags, along with our own travel bags [€25.95; www.sammcknight.com]. We also love VV Rouleaux [www.vvrouleaux.com] for ribbon and MacCulloch & Wallis [www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk] for elastics for ponytails.” Sam McKnight, stylist and owner, Hair by Sam McKnight
“Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray [€5.49] – I think most hairdressers will agree this stuff is fantastic. A few sprays, and your hair ain’t moving. The gel [Water Resistant Spiking Glue, €5.49] is fabulous for slicked-back ponies or tight ballerina buns. It’s a staple product for anyone.” Stephanie Mehr, The Sober Colourist, Crumlin
“The ever-reliable L’Oréal Elnett hairspray [€7.60 at SuperValu]. It’s strong and will ensure your hair stays put throughout the night, but also light enough that you can easily brush it through and mould hair into a different style…
And I’ve been a fan of Andrew Fitzsimons’ hair line from the start, especially the repair range, from €12.” Marc Ballance, Ballance Hair, Dublin 18
FOR LASHES AND BROWS
“Maybelline mascaras, especially Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara Black [€10.25; www.feelunique.com] – for me, it is as good as Dior Show – long-lasting and smudge-proof. Also, Face Halo [€8.99 at Boots] is the best make-up remover – better than Bioderma. It’s a fabric pad that removes all make-up, even waterproof mascaras and lip stains, and it’s more environmentally friendly than cotton pads, as you can reuse it. Penneys falsh lashes: easy enough to apply and the quality is as good as the brilliant Ardell ones (just don’t use the glue that comes with them).” Laura Devides, make-up artist
“I don’t use a lot of high-street beauty in my kit in general – not because it isn’t good but because I’m doing my best to focus on sustainable, vegan products, many of which tend to be from smaller niche brands. There are always a few go-tos though: Got2Be Glued 4 Edges & Brows [€5.49] is a great brow-fixer – better than the luxury one I was using. I find brow pencils from high-street brands, such as Essence and Catrice, are on a par with pricier ones.” Sarah Jane Lanagan, make-up artist
FOR LIPS
Lanolips Tinted Rose Balm [€12; www.lanolips.eu]: “Leaves lips smooth and hydrated with the loveliest tint.” Sarah, GLOSSiest panellist, 45
“Clarins’ Lip Perfectors [€22.50, at www.clarins.ie] are the perfect mix of balm and soft colour, and I love the vanilla taste.” Liz, 45
FOR SKIN
Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45 (€23.99, at pharmacies): “Irish-made, reasonable, and my sensitive skin likes it.” Sheila, GLOSSiest panellist, 43
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible SPF Face Mist (€15.82, at pharmacies): “Perfect for on-the-go top-ups without ruining make-up.” Grace, GLOSSiest panellist, 37
Vichy Idéal Soleil SPF50+ Skin Perfecting Cream (€16.69, at pharmacies): “Hydrating, and gives the most beautiful glow under make-up.” Sarah, GLOSSiest panellist, 45
The Ordinary Argireline Solution (€10), a peptide serum: “Wait about six weeks – I reckon it’s Botox in a bottle!” Katie, GLOSSiest panellist, 35
Vichy Mineralblend Hydrating Foundation [€19]: “It sits better on skin than many high-end foundations, even if the shade range is limited.” Grace, GLOSSiest panellist, 37
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (€30.60; www theloop.ie): “A great all-rounder: I have used it on burns, insect bites and sore cuticles.” Clare, panellist, 46.