Give someone a beautiful experience – a voucher for one of these excellent classes, facials or body treatments means they’ll have something to look forward to during the depths of January
LESSONS AND WORKSHOPS
Perfume workshop: A perfume workshop or consultation is a great gift for a beauty-lover. We love The Burren Perfumery’s masterclasses.
Make-up lesson: We recommend Dearbhla Keenan at Brown Sugar for expert advice and guidance. A Charlotte Tilbury make-up lesson is always friendly and fun, for every age group. We love the idea of Sculpted by Aimee’s Ageless Workshops (from €150), which take place in the store on Grafton Street, Dublin 2. Make-up artist Laura Devides offers one-to-one lessons (€210) in your own home or at Dylan Bradshaw in South William Street, Dublin 2; bridal expert Stephanie Burgess offers group or individual lessons.
TREATMENTS
A voucher for a facial or body treatment is generally well-received. The best bet is to find your own local hero – a neighbourhood salon that offers experience, loyalty and community spirit. Two of our favourites are Rachael Foley’s Ómra Beauty in the Merrion shopping centre, Dublin 4, and Tara of In Vogue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, who is celebrating 30 years in business this year.
THE PEOPLE
Here’s our little black book of the facialists, massage therapists and destinations we recommend for naturally skin-enhancing treatments to delight everyone on your gift list:
Book in with Andreas Body Restoration, based in Wicklow Town; Andreas is one of the best in the business. Treatments start from €70, with the renowned Full Body Restoration Treatment from €115, and Reiki (one hour) at €100.
Maeve O’Sullivan’s Escapada Health Clinic in Dun Laoghaire offers Chinese Medicine, acupuncture and gua sha, plus yoga classes, LED and microneedling; a voucher covers a multitude. .
Skin expert Dawn Hill has a beautiful Floraison skin clinic in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Or book with the wonderful Kakie in Dublin city centre.
Try Neelu Salon’s natural, glow-enhancing facials in Dublin 1.
Virginie Vuillaume at V Claire in Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6 is the gentle, organic choice (massage from €58); Virginie is the oracle when it comes to natural beauty.
Tara Casserly at Base Skin, Galway, offers excellent Biologique Recherche facials (from €175), and much more. Clinical facials start at €140.
The new Voza Skin & Laser Clinic in Limerick is an elegant new home for Melissa Ferguson, who has 20 years’ experience and expertise. Start with a skin consultation (€60). Facials from €75.
Barbara McAteer of natural range Josie’s Botanicals offers facials, massages, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, aromatherapy and is also a holistic trainer. She’s based in Dunboyne.
THE PLACE
For an intense session of face sculpting for a supernatural glow, we recommend the Codage Magistrale treatment (€195, 90 minutes) at Dublin city-centre Velvaere spa; facials from €130. Make time for a trip to the thermal suite before your treatment.
The award-winning Castle Spa at Dromoland is one of the best in Ireland – where else are the robes specially created by an Irish designer (and flattering), or a bespoke meditation inspired by the hotel’s rose garden? Choose treatments featuring Dr Barbara Sturm, Oskia and our own Seabody.
On our wishlist is the Augustinus Bader facial, exclusively available at The Spa at Ashford Castle (from €195).
Ground Wellbeing treatments, at the best hotels around Ireland (and worldwide), are always excellent. I especially love The Spa at The Shelbourne, with its relaxation room overlooking Stephen’s Green: book the Ground Biome Facial. The newest treatment here is the Swissline Swiss Smart Facial (€185, 60 minutes).
Book the Ground Wellbeing Tenalach Spa Treatment (from €145, 60 minutes; €180 90 minutes full body ritual) at the luxurious Spa at Castlemartyr Resort in Co Cork. Featuring a specially designed signature body oil, this is one of the most relaxing and indulgent treatments money can buy, and the ultimate gift for anyone feeling tired or stressed.
Seabody face and body treatments at the lovely Easanna Wellness & Spa at Sheen Falls Lodge Co Kerry start from €145. Ground Wellbeing and Elemis treatments are also available here.
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