Gillian Woods is the entrepreneur behind luxury home fragrance and lifestyle brand Jane Darcy. She talks scent, skincare and silk pillowcases – and beauty from the inside out …
Key beauty staples/old favourites I’m never without…
“My staples include a lot of Environ products. You will always find Environ’s Skin EssentiA Low Foaming Cleansing Gel (€55, www.theskinnerd.com) and their body duo – Derma-Lac Lotion and A, C and E Body Oil (€110) – on my bathroom shelf. These are the holy trinity of my night-time ritual. Having experienced adult acne, I truly understand how important it is to care for your skin. It’s a routine I never break.”
Best beauty investments – what I spend a bit more on that’s worth it…
“I always invest in my beauty bits, whether that’s my three Environ hero products, my Kevin Murphy Hydrate-Me Wash & Rinse (from €10 each at www.kevinmurphystore.ie), or my Jane Darcy Silk scrunchies (€50, www.janedarcy.ie) and pillowcase (€60, www.janedarcy.ie) These are the products that allow me to really feel good, both inside and out.”
Most recent purchase…
“My most recent purchase was Image Skincare Prevention+ Daily Hydrating Moisturiser SPF30+ (€58, www.imageskincare.ie) I always wear SPF on my face, even in winter. This one not only keeps my skin hydrated, and protects from UV rays, but it smells unreal too. I go through some amount of this moisturiser, as I use it all year round (and so do my girls), so I am always on the lookout for any deals!”
Favourite places to shop for beauty…
“My favourite places to shop for beauty are Monica Tolan in Malahide, Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Space NK. Although my all-time favourite place to shop beauty is in Galeries Lafayette whenever we are in Paris. It’s such a treat and I love that I can shop all my favourite brands, while at the same time discovering new brands I’ve never tried before.”
All-time favourite beauty item…
“I don’t know if I can say this, as my dad says ‘self-praise is no praise’, but I honestly couldn’t live without my Jane Darcy silk pillowcase. Having experienced adult acne, it is the one item I feel really allows my pores to breathe and keeps them clear. I’m so addicted to my silk pillow that I bring it wherever I go!”
Favourite Irish beauty items…
“I think in Ireland we are really punching above our weight in the beauty stakes. There are so many amazing Irish products on the market from brands like Sculpted by Aimee, Pestle & Mortar and Bare by Vogue. I don’t know that I can pick one product, but I do love Pestle & Mortar’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum (€43, www.pestleandmortar.com and Kildare Village) and Bare by Vogue’s Medium Self-Tan Foam (€24, www.barebyvogue.com)
I’m coveting…
“I would love to try La Mer’s Regenerating Serum (€395, www.brownthomas.com) I have heard great things! My bank account won’t love me for it, but sure look, a girl has got to treat herself right? Next on my list (and I’m probably the last person on earth left to try it) is Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation. I have heard it’s supposed to give your skin a lovely glowy finish, and I’m all about that glow.”
The loveliest perfume bottle on my dressing table…
“I just love fragrance, so this is a hard one for me … Daytime I would reach for my Jo Loves Pomelo (€85, www.joloves.com and at SpaceNK, Grafton Street, Dublin 2), it’s beautifully refreshing, light and really different – the perfect daytime scent. In the evening I always go for my Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense (€144 at The Loop, Dublin Airport; www.theloop.ie) it’s super-dark, intense and sexy, a go-to for evening time.”
My home fragrance (candles, diffusers etc)…
“Again, I don’t want to be biased here, but my absolute all-time favourite home fragrance is Jane Darcy Black Rose & Amber candle (€35, www.janedarcy.ie) or diffuser €40, www.janedarcy.ie. I would opt for our natural soy wax candle in places like the sitting room as I feel a flickering candle always lends itself to a relaxing atmosphere. A diffuser is perfect for busy traffic areas like hallways or bathrooms. Our Black Rose & Amber scent is my absolute favourite. It’s a totally unique fragrance: the black rose makes the scent really delicate and feminine, while the amber adds a warmth and sweetness to the scent. Oh, and the notes of Oud add a woody, earthy richness. It’s honestly divine!”
One foundation I swear by…
“I’m a MAC girl through and through. Mum taught me how to do my make-up as a teenager and always insisted I went to lessons with MAC (which I thank her for now!). I swear by Mac Studio Fix Fluid Foundation: it gives such beautiful coverage and finish. I do like to team it with a small bit of Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter to give that really glowy ‘red carpet’ look. If you haven’t tried this duo together, definitely give it a try – you won’t look back.”
My beauty ethos…
“Beauty for me starts with happiness. It’s simple: when you are happy on the inside, you will glow on the outside.”
