The make-up manager at Brown Sugar reveals her beauty buys and tips …
Key beauty staples/old favourites I’m never without …
“My desert island item is mascara. I am never without it and I’m always on the hunt for new ones, for those perfect lashes. YSL Lash Clash is what I’m using at the moment but I go through lots of different ones –?actually the So Su Eye Voltage (€12.95) is really good. And I love the Sculpted By Aimee brown mascara (€21) for autumn, it’s a softer look. My other key item would be concealer.”
Best beauty investments –?what I spend?a bit more on that’s worth it …
“I would invest in eye cream. For Christmas, or a big splurge, the Sisley Sisleÿa L’Integral Eye and Lip Contour Cream is on my wishlist. It’s so expensive [€190] but I love it. I also like the Obagi moisturiser for hydrating skin, especially after a facial. Hydrafacial Portect and Repair reparative evens skintone. I’d go to the Beacon for Hydrafacials. I also love Elemis products in spas.”
Best shops for beauty ….
“I tend to shop for beauty online – including Cloud 10, Millies.ie and –?as seen in The Gloss Magazine! –?Beauty Buys, which is great for skincare.” But I like to see, feel and test beauty so I’d also go to Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Sephora when travelling.”
Most recent purchase…
“I constantly buy brushes for my kit and my favourites are by MyKitCo by make-up artist James Molloy. They’re an investment [starting from €13.95] but worth treating yourself to if you’re looking for longevity.” Available on lookfantastic.com.
For travel …
All-time favourites include Embryolisse Lait Crème Sensitive Concentre [from €26, at pharmacies nationwide], a primer/mask first developed by a dermatologist in the 1950s. This has been a staple in my kit for 15 years plus. The French do skincare so well and this is ideal for make-up artists, as you want the lightest product before application, and this is simple and non-greasy.”
Favourite Irish beauty item …
“My Irish favourite is Sculpted by Aimee. She has done a wonderful job in creating a brand for all women, regardless of age, skintone and, crucially, skill level. It’s all easy to use. Tint &Glow tinted moisturiser [€26], cream blushers [€19], and Hydralips [€18] are all great. I love the Beauty Base SPF30 primer, a hero product, in a beautiful rose-golden shade [€24].”
I’m coveting …
“The new Sarah Keary brow pencils [€15 each]. I’m also a fiend for cleansers an love the Elemis Cleansing Balm. I’m also trying the iT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser and find it really light and non-drying on the skin.”
One foundation I swear by …
“I have a couple of foundations I love, and which I’d use when I do weddings, too. I swear by YSL All Hours – I’ve introduced the range of shades into my kit and always use it for normal to slightly oily skin types. For drier skin I’d go to Nars Light Reflective foundation – it’s so popular and I’m constantly reaching for it. I rate the Ayu foundations too – perfect for slightly oily skin. Not heavy but buildable coverage. Currently, though, we’re steering away from applying highlighter, and focussing instead on soft skin –?foundations are much lighter, so that the focus is on good skincare and your skin showing through.”
The prettiest perfume bottle on my dressing-table …
“The prettiest bottle is probably Prada Paradoxe [from €78 at www.boots.ie]. I love the original Narciso Rodriguez perfume, and also Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk for summer. For home fragrance, I love the Neom range [available at Kildare Village]: their scents are soft and not too intense. I also like burning Sand & Fog candles, with scents like vanilla and tobacco, for de-stressing.”
My beauty ethos …
“My beauty ethos would be – do it your way. You can experiment but don’t feel the need to conform. Be confident but not self-conscious. Push boundaries through practising, and build confidence in yourself and in your products. Perfect the basics – make-up lessons can help, and can make the most of your make-up bag. Every October I have some regular clients who visit me to go through new products and up-to-date looks. One-on-one lessons take place in a private room, rather than a busy beauty hall, and are a great way to assess your make-up, get recommendations and have an overhaul of your make-up bag. [One to one make-up lessons from €110, 90 minutes; www.brownsugar.ie].”
