Wicklow-based face and body yoga practitioner and wellness coach Lydia Sasse shares her beauty essentials, ethos, routines and tips…
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Key beauty staples I’m never without …
“In my experience, dehydration is the biggest daily skin issue we face over 40, and because of this I am a die-hard fan of a good quality oil cleanser, removed with a Konjac sponge. Pai’s Light Work cleanser is my go-to because it’s not so oily that you’re left with residue, but has just the right amount to really rehydrate even the driest of skins. I cleanse morning and night, always removing the oil in little circular motions with my Konjac sponge, which is a Japanese beauty staple because of its very gentle natural exfoliation action and its ability not to strip vital moisture from your skin. Both are super-affordable and easy to find here in Ireland too.”
Best beauty investments – what I spend a bit more on that’s worth it …
“For pure indulgence I’m going to say Dr Hauschka’s Rose Body Oil (€24.95), because it leaves your skin feeling so, so soft and smelling ridiculously good: it’s not super-expensive, but if you use it on your whole body you will go through a whole bottle in just a few days!
I try to stick to a simple, less-is-more routine, but when I feel like my skin is in need of some extra TLC my indulgences are always Antipodes Eve Bio Retinol Line Reducing Serum (€48) and Aura Manuka honey mask (€36): both are made with really natural ingredients, and leave you looking like you’ve just come back from a few days at a spa.”
Most recent purchase …
“I am completely addicted to Kari Gran’s Lip Whip in Jolene Sheer Fuchsia (€22.50). These natural colour balms are the magic balance between a lip balm and a lipstick. It’s hard to find a good lip colour that lasts but doesn’t dry out my lips, and this one not only leaves them glossy and plump but is also the perfect shade of pink!”
All-time favourite beauty item …
“I mean it’s predictable, but I have to say a Gua sha stone! It is the one step I never skip in my beauty routine, no matter how tired or busy I am. If I wake up in the morning, and my eyes are a bit puffy or I haven’t had a good sleep, just three minutes of Gua sha can change my whole face. It’s literally an instantaneous facelift. Each person’s skin requires a different stone type. For someone with sensitive skin like me, I would recommend a rose quartz heart.”
My favourite Irish beauty product …
“I literally couldn’t live without Dr Maher’s Liberty Corrective Serum (€32.50). In my opinion this is like the Irish answer to Crème de la Mer, but without the hefty price tag. It’s made from hand-harvested Irish seaweed, which is deeply nourishing and protective for even the most sensitive skin types. I use it when I give my Fountain of Youth facial, and it gives the best glide for gua sha use too. It’s so life-changing that one of my celebrity clients went straight out and bought six bottles after my treatment with her!”
I’m coveting …
“Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pot (€34) – I stumbled on this range when I saw my pal the lovely Susan Jane White wearing one of their shades. I’m always on the hunt for completely natural make-up that doesn’t look all dry and dusty, and this brand has the BEST range of shades that doesn’t remind me of my granny’s sitting room. This is a really blendable multitasking balm that you can use for cheeks, lips and eyes, and I am DYING to get my hands on it. The best thing about it is that all the pigments come from fruits and vegetables like beetroot and carrot.”
The loveliest perfume bottle on my dressing table …
“The organic Sweet Basil + Bergamot from Waters & Wild (from €45). I discovered these guys when I was on tour with my podcast in West Cork. They make all their perfumes in a beautiful stone barn using age-old traditional techniques. Their fragrances are inspired by the evocative wilderness that surrounds them in that lovely corner of Ireland.”
My home fragrance …
“I’m a bit of a sucker for Wild Wave’s Bergamot Ylang Ylang & Lemongrass Keep Cup Candle (€35) – Ciara, the founder, is a lovely fellow yoga teacher from Cork, and she handmakes these beautiful candles that are inset with some of my favourite things: crystals, native Irish herbs etc. They smell divine and I love the fact there’s a sense of permanence here. Once the candle burns through you’re left with this cool ceramic keep cup that feels great in your hand, and helps you leave a lighter footprint on the land.”
One foundation I swear by …
“I don’t really wear foundation, I just don’t like how it masks my skin. I’m all about that natural glow, so what I do instead is apply Dr Hauschka’s tinted moisturiser (€35) over the top of my Dr Maher’s Serum and then highlight with Trilogy’s Instant Glow Rosehip Oil. I find that this combination leaves you with really dewy, and slightly bronzed skin.”
My beauty ethos …
“Good skin comes from within. It really is as simple as that. I’m pretty religious about supplementing with collagen and making sure I eat a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods so that I give my body the best chance to rebuild and repair. Daily face massage and face yoga are the fundamentals of my beauty routine because I know that having great skin doesn’t come without a foundation of tone and musculature in the jaw, cheeks and around the eyes. And that takes work. Also, beauty for me isn’t synonymous with youth – both for myself and my clients, I am never trying to fool time. Instead, I find that working with our bodies at each stage of life to enhance our inherent beauty and infuse our features with the glow of good health can make a profound difference to what we see in the mirror – and helps us to love what we see as it changes, naturally, over the span of our lives.”
See Lydia Sasse’s videos and face yoga sessions via Instagram: @faceyogawithlydia and YouTube: www.youtube.com/@lydianevissasse.
