There are so many new products coming on the market that it can be confusing to know which ones are worth the hype — AND your hard-earned money! Something I’m always asked is, what I do when I don’t like a product and the simple answer is, I just don’t write about the things that are meh! I’d rather keep the space here on my page for products that are absolute must-haves!
So these are the upgrades you need in your beauty stash right now in my opinion. I am so impressed with all of these products and they’ve made their way into my everyday life.
Brilliant white Let’s start with your daily dental routine. I suggest a simple swap to Spotlight Oral Care Advanced Action Whitening Pro Toothpaste (€14.95, spotlightoralcare.com), with triple-action whitening. The blue gel formula combines three clinically proven active whitening ingredients — hydrogen peroxide, PAP and diamond powder — for enhanced whitening and advanced stain removal. Plus, with sodium fluoride and hydroxyapatite, it protects enamel and helps remineralise teeth. Powerful results, but gentle enough for everyday use.
Viral sensation I’m an expressive type of gal when I’m talking and, as a result, I’m prone to developing those pesky contraction lines. I got great advice from Nuala Woulfe, who knows a thing or two about beauty as she has over 35 years of experience in the industry. She turned me on to the anti-ageing serum SkinCeuticals P-Tiox Wrinkle-Modulating Peptide Serum (€150, nualawoulfe.ie), which improves and reduces the appearance of nine types of expression lines and reveals glass skin radiance. While it is particularly valuable for use between anti-wrinkle injections, it is also effective on its own to target fine lines and wrinkles without the use of injectables.
Best dry shampoo Dry shampoo is a life-saver for us busy gals and guys who haven’t time to wash our hair every day, but it can leave it kinda stiff and chalky. I was delighted to discover K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo (€49, k18hair.ie), which is designed to go beyond oil absorption to leave your barnet feeling weightless, clean and refreshed for up to three days. You’ll get an instant freshness without visible residue or a powdery finish, and it neutralises odour at its source, replacing it with a light, fresh scent. It’s also good for your scalp and hair health as it’s enriched with Mediterranean microalgae to help promote healthy-looking hair.
All about the blur Now that the weather is getting a bit better and we can shed a few of the layers we’ve been wrapped up in all winter, we have to add a bit of colour to our pasty skin. Vita Liberata Everyday Blur Drops (€30.95, vitaliberata.com) provides a fabulous instant glow tan to the skin. You just apply, let it set for 10 minutes and then wash it off when you’re finished. It gives a matte satin skin finish and has incredible transfer and water resistance. So, you can get into the pool and come out still looking like a bronzed goddess — because bronzes have more fun!
Treat
RF Supersculpt Pro, €275, haumeaskincare.com I’m loving this face tool from Irish brand Haumea, which includes radio frequency, electric muscle stimulation, red LED light therapy and multi-frequency vibrations. Together they stimulate collagen production, tighten contours and give you a radiant glow.
Treatment
The Hook Clinic, Skibbereen, Co Cork, thehookclinic.ie This medical aesthetics and wellness clinic is the first of its kind so far west. It was founded by Dr Laoise Hook, a highly skilled medical doctor, and nurse practitioner Jenna Kelleher, who is continually upskilling in the latest weight loss treatments and medical advances. I swear I wasn’t sending loads of my Schull friends to clinics in Dublin for years! Now they can nip over the road!
Trick
DIY facelift I saw this technique for a “natural facelift” from a woman called Olga (@naturalfacebible) on TikTok. Olga gives herself a scalp massage once a week and says it lifts her face and prevents her skin from drooping. She pulls her hair tight above her head for 30 seconds like she is putting it into a high ponytail, which pulls her skin upwards, then massages her scalp to improve blood circulation and lift her facial lines. Cheaper than Botox anyway.
Triona’s skincare saviours
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Triona McCarthy: It’s time to turn your foundation into a friend with skincare benefits
Triona McCarthy: It’s time to turn your foundation into a friend with skincare benefits
