How to get through January with natural ease …
We definitely need a little help to get us through January – many of us struggle with the limited daylight and the cold. We’re relying on naturally beautiful things, from grounding essential oils to comforting bath oils and creams. This is where the longstanding classic Clarins Tonic Treatment Oil (with 100 per cent plant extracts) comes into its own – it smells incredible, and has a positive effect on your mood. I’m also spritzing Neroli Hydrating Mist (€10, refillable), by small Irish sustainable business, The Nature of Things – the Mist hydrates skin with an uplifting hit of orange blossom (try the roll-on blends too; everything is certified organic).
Other natural boosts: a warming cacao tea with orange and cardamom (€6.50; www.nibbedcacao.com); and treat yourself to the odd bunch of flowers – The Crate do glamorous deliveries and subscriptions (www.thecrate.ie). This is admittedly fancy, though – a bunch of early daffodils is just as uplifting. Try a simpler approach to daily essentials too, such as Justine Le Guil’s soapfree shampoo bars (available on Etsy).
Some other thoughts on getting through January with natural ease – don’t hoard your Christmas vouchers, but use them right now for facials and massages, when you most need them. Try out a new pursuit that gets your circulation going – whether it’s dancing (see this post for an insider’s guide to dance classes), boxing classes or just walking. Simple pleasures are the way forward.
Main featured image: Rixo SS23.
NATURAL BORN BEAUTY
BIG ON BROWS
The huge false lash trend continues, but lash curls and dyes are popular for a more natural look, says Claire at C Beauty Studio, Blackrock – and gentler on your own lashes. As are brow boosters: I’m finally having success with a lash/brow serum. I waited months for the Augustinus Bader Eyebrow & Lash Enhancing Serum to work, and nearly gave up – but I’m glad I persevered; my brows are definitely more plentiful. €135. Another tip: seek out Sunni on the Tom Ford counter at Brown Thomas Dublin to teach you how to fill in your brows brilliantly.
NATURAL NAMES TO KNOW
A more natural approach can even apply to dry shampoo: R+Co Bleu Vapour Lotion-to-Powder Dry Shampoo (€59.50) does the job without a drying alcohol base, and it’s vegan. At hair salons nationwide.
TAKE YOUR VITAMINS
We tend to turn to vitamin C at this time of year, to ward off winter colds. It’s key for our skin, too, if you’re after brightness and glow. I rate Ultraceuticals Ultra Granule-C Microfoliant (€53) as a gentle exfoliating booster that polishes the skin with pure vitamin C; www.ultraceuticals.com. I also love a good Sunday Riley moisturiser, and CEO Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream lives up to its name (€65).
THE GREEN FAIRY
Kilian scent L’Heure Verte is a darkly glamorous blend of absinthe, violet, liquorice and patchouli. It looks like a liqueur in a decanter-style cut-glass bottle. January may be abstemious, but this is a decadent delight for your dressing table. €180, at Brown Thomas.
TRIED AND TESTED THIS MONTH
BEST FACE FORWARD
Let’s start 2023 as we mean to go on and put our skin in expert hands. When I think of a great facialist, they tend to be part of the Biologique Recherche stable (Olga at Skin by Olga, Dublin 4; Dawn at Floraison in Dublin 2; Melissa Ferguson in Limerick, and so on). So we’re excited to discover Tara Caserly’s sleek new Galway clinic, Base Skin, for Biologique Recherche facials and LED treatments. www.baseskin.ie.
SKIN WISDOM
Talking of Biologique Recherche: the latest launch from the French experts is designed for mature skin. “Gamechanger” is much over-used, but it’s fair to say that new serum, Collagene Originel, is pretty exciting stuff. We lose one per cent of collagen mass each year from age 25 onwards. This high-performance skin firmer stimulates four key naturally occurring collagens in skin to boost tone, firmness and density. BR takes an innovative approach to skincare, and we know that many of our beauty-loving panel, The GLOSSiest, are dedicated fans. At salons and www.biologiquerecherche.com.
NEW BLUE EYES
The 1980s are back, in eye colour at least. The shimmering blue eye colour that Charlotte Tilbury used on Kate Moss put a modern spin on it (and remember there are Tilbury counters at both T1 and T2 at Dublin Airport now, with offers across make-up and skincare). Sweeps of chalky cobalt blue across eyes on the Dries van Noten SS23 catwalk set the tone for the season ahead: get in the blue zone with this Lancôme Hypnôse Palette in Drama Denim (€53, at counters nationwide).
