Beauty

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Louise McSharry: Three new foundations reinventing our quest for skin-perfection

As a beauty obsessive, there are lots of products that get me excited, but there is one category which I simply cannot resist. It is the one I should buy least, because I have more than any one person could ever need, and yet, when I hear about a brilliant new one, I simply have to have it. I’m talking about foundation.

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Louise McSharry’s verdict on Dyson’s pricey Airwrap: ‘You’re unlikely to get the results you want the first time’

As a beauty columnist and, let’s be honest, obsessive, I often get asked for advice on products. There is one, however, that I have been asked about 10 times more than any other product: the Dyson Airwrap. I’m not surprised. The product has reached almost mythical status for its ability to deliver a salon-standard blow-dry at home, but with its hefty price tag, people need reassurance. With that in mind, and Christmas presents looming, I asked Dyson to send me one for review — and here are my thoughts.

Triona McCarthy: making flights more tolerable, the hot product beloved of beauty editors and the lowdown on super sprays

Bonjour! I’m writing this from Paris as I’m here on a press trip to celebrate a very special anniversary for French brand Yon-Ka — 30 years in Ireland. It has, however, been around for much longer than that. Yon-Ka started in 1954 and its founders, Cécile, Ernest and Charles Mühlethaler, were pioneers in aromatherapy and phytotherapy.

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‘Go wild with your make-up’ - Top MUAs on the evolution of Halloween looks, and this year’s hottest characters

Each October, as nights darken and spookier evenings loom, make-up up fanatics turn their attentions to creating highly ornate, painstakingly detailed and, often absurdly expensive looks – and then post them on social media. Leaning heavily on the skills of professional make-up artists — and learned largely online — they put hours into creating, or recreating, Halloween looks that would impress the likes of ground-breaking make-up artists Val Garland and Isamaya Ffrench.

‘I’ve learned to just drown out the noise’ – Suzanne Jackson on how she handles negative comments

As the founder of SoSu Cosmetics and Dripping Gold, Suzanne Jackson has had to develop a thick skin over the years and learn how to “drown out the noise” in order to be a successful entrepreneur.

Louise McSharry: Use dry shampoo to avoid the pitfalls of overwashing your hair

I wash my hair every three-to-four days. I’ve been at this rhythm for years, thanks to my general propensity to laziness, but these days, I’ve been exonerated by hair experts, who say that, actually, we shouldn’t be washing our hair much more than that. Overwashing of the hair strips it of its natural oils, leading to dry and brittle hair. Colour fades more quickly, product builds up, and you’re more likely to do damage via heated tools.

Louise McSharry: ‘I’m off to America and here are the beauty products on my shopping list’

Once upon a time, a trip to America would have included an absolutely vital shopping element. There was so much they had that we didn’t, so many brands we simply couldn’t get over here, and there was nothing more exciting than smugly telling someone you ‘got it in America’ when they admired something you owned.

Triona McCarthy talks niche new releases and essential skincare

Last month, I had a far from run-of-the-mill work meeting — on a boat no less. And, of course, it turned out to be one of the wettest days we’d had in weeks. I felt, on behalf of Ireland, I had to apologise to everyone on the Seabourn cruise ship for the crappy weather! Anyhoo, I put on my best and brightest rain gear and made my way to meet Cathy Kangas of PRAI Beauty Group (praibeauty.com) for breakfast on board. The founder of the niche beauty brand, who’s originally from Surrey but now lives in the US, was cruising off the coast of Ireland. Cathy is an inspiration to midlife women — her brand really does speak to me as I celebrate getting older. PRAI Beauty’s hero product is probably its Ageless Throat & Decolletagecream Creme, €34.99 for 50ml, boots.ie, which has the very clever tagline: ‘the neck’s best thing’. It targets the delicate skin around the neck and chest and promises visible results after a week of using it. Cathy is a really inspiring and interesting woman who loves animals and uses PRAI Beauty’s sales to help them. The products are never tested on animals and the range has earned the renowned Leaping Bunny sealcertification, so it’s wonderful to know that your routine is not only doing your skin good but also supporting a great cause. It was a pleasure to meet Cathy on the boat - even if I looked like a drowned rat afterwards… Find the PRAI Beauty range at Marks & Spencer and Boots stores nationwide.

Notions and necessity… From earth angels to a Belfast beauty

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Penneys/Primark partnered with Cheryl, Kimberley, Nadine and Nicola, formerly of Girls Aloud, to create nightwear in honour of their bandmate Sarah Harding, who died from breast cancer in September 2021. The collection includes a nightshirt and pyjamas. Fifty per cent of the sales from these products will go to the Irish Cancer Society to help fund cancer awareness, services, and research. LH Sizes range from XS to XL, prices from €16

Louise McSharry: My six favourite winter fragrances

When I was a teenager, I always thought it was strange when the beauty pages of magazines talked about a summer and winter scent. Surely a good smell is a good smell, no matter the time of year. While that is an unarguable fact, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to appreciate changing fragrances at this time of year. There is something comforting about embracing a ‘warmer’ perfume for the colder weather.

From dolphin skin and fuchsia eyes to 1990s’ glam, Brown Thomas’s Planet Beauty director on the new season’s looks

Of everything TikTok was going to throw at us, it’s unlikely any of us saw ‘dolphin skin’ coming. But yes, for A/W 2022, what Vogue described as a look that “draws on the satiny, iridescent skin of these marine mammals” is one of the key beauty trends.

Sustainable living: Co Clare brand Airmid’s sumptuous skincare products have an environmentally friendly twist

Walking into the Airmid shop in the newly bohemian town of Ennistymon, Co Clare, is like entering a soothing cocoon of calm. Natural perfumes fill the air and the unassuming packaging that envelopes the basic, unpretentious product range make you want to rub everything on your body.

Louise McSharry: ‘If you’re too lazy to moisturise before bed, then a post-shower body oil is a game-changer’

Look, I love sitting down. In fact, if I’m honest, it’s lying down I love. I love to be in bed. Not sleeping, mind you, although obviously I love that too. What I mean is operating from bed. Working, emailing, sending voice notes. It’s frustrating to me that I can’t be in bed while I write this column. But typing extensively while lying down is just too tricky and, while I’ve experimented with various sitting up/pillow table options, I’ve had to accept that a table is best for this particular pursuit.

From Cara Delevingne’s Skrillex undercut to the Rihanna rat tail — the top 12 hairstyles that should never return

I struggled with including this one. Why? Because it requires a covetable level of “liathróidí” to sport — and it’s actually kind of cool. While similar to the bog-standard undercut of the early 1990s, this style — named after a US DJ — involves shaving one side of your head from the temple often around to the nape of the neck, while leaving the rest of your tresses flowing. It’s been repeatedly rocked by Cara Delevingne over the last few years... possibly because it’s a nightmare to grow out.

Louise McSharry: the must-have makeup products I can’t live without

Testing new products is a big part of my work for this column. New products launch all the time, and I am always looking out for something that’s going to improve your beauty lives. As a result, my makeup routine generally lacks consistency, so when I find myself returning to the same product again and again, I know it’s something special. If it becomes a part of my routine for months or years, then it enters the ‘staple’ classification.

Model and TV presenter Katie Piper: ‘Dark times are when you find out how resilient you can be’

Katie Piper is a person who has dealt with more in the past 14 years than most people have to deal with in a lifetime. As she says herself, sometimes it can feel as though she has lived two lives. A before and an after. On a March day in 2008, everything changed. At just 24 years old, Piper was subjected to an acid attack, orchestrated by an ex-boyfriend and carried out by an accomplice.

Notions & Necessities

Consenting adults

Triona McCarthy: Accepting who we are, and some product picks for expectant mums

Oh my goodness, my latest obsession is fellow Corkonian Cian Ducrot.

Louise McSharry: ‘We’re a tiny country but our beauty brands really punch above their weight’

When I started spending money on makeup, it was all about big international brands. Aside from the perfume I wore (Inis), I don’t remember a single Irish brand entering my consciousness. Fast forward 20 years, and the landscape has changed dramatically. These days, there are loads of Irish beauty brands at the top of peoples’ list of favourite products . Just in case you haven’t gotten on the train yet, I thought I’d recommend some of the ones I consider to be standouts.

Louise McSharry: ‘For years, I dismissed body makeup as something that would be more hassle than it was worth — then I tried it, and everything changed’

I don’t know about you, but I have been absolutely obsessed with following the recent gossip around Don’t Worry Darling. The film, directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Harry Styles and Florence Pugh, recently premiered at the Venice Film Festival, amid much rumour and speculation about tension on the set.

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Young, wild and toxed: Why are so many twentysomethings getting Botox and filler?

Last year, Connor paid £800 for 6ml of dermal filler to be injected into his chin, jawline and cheekbones. He is 23.

Louise McSharry: the best foundations with just the right amount of coverage

As autumn creeps in and the weather gets cooler, you may find yourself looking at your foundation and thinking ‘I’ve had enough of you’. Maybe you’ve forgone it entirely over the summer and last winter’s bottle is looking worse for wear, or perhaps you’re just sick of the one you’ve been using.

Louise McSharry: The best highlighters to get your skin glowing

I’m going to be honest with you. My makeup collection is, frankly, ludicrous. I own too many products for one person to ever use, and despite frequently gifting and donating them, it is growing all the time. This is partially because I receive products from brands for review, and partially because I simply can’t stop myself from trying new things as they arrive on the market.

Louise McSharry gives her stamp of approval to the best products to care for a new tattoo

I’ve always wanted to get tattooed, but the moment never felt quite right. I couldn’t find the right artist, or I was pregnant or breastfeeding or broke! This year, though, I decided it was time, and over the last six months I’ve spent three full days with my incredible tattoo artist getting the tattoos I’ve been dreaming of over the last decade. I’m no expert, but I’ve learned a lot so far, so today I want to impart some wisdom, should you be considering taking the plunge.

Triona McCarthy: Fall’s freshest beauty buys and a clever contouring trick

We all know by now that life is full of changes and bumps in the road, so if there’s one thing I wish for my kids, Mini and Maxi, it’s to have a best friend who has stood by them through everything. Mine is Mary — we’ve been besties since we were four years old and when I say she’s someone who’s seen it all, I’m not exaggerating. Through happiness and heartache, she’s always been there. And having both gone through the loss of a younger sister, we have an understanding and a connection that’s even more unwavering. We’ve been friends for almost half a decade, so it would be mad not to mark such an important milestone. As we are both approaching 50, we’ve planned a big trip — a cruise, no less. But this isn’t just any cruise, it’s a collab involving Gwynnie’s lifestyle brand, Goop, and Celebrity Cruises. All aboard the Celebrity Apex, a ship where we’ll be experiencing The Retreat. With a hotel room boasting a veranda and ocean views, a top-class spa and amazing food, I can’t think of a better place to mark so many years of friendship. Cruises may be associated with auld wans, but friendship is a huge part of staying and feeling young, no matter how many years have been racked up. We can’t wait.

Notions & necessities… from apple cider gummies to undercoat for your eyelashes

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Louise McSharry: the best products for menopausal skin

Lately, I’ve been thinking about menopause. Well, if I’m honest, I’ve been thinking about it since 2013, when my period stopped for a couple of years.

Notions & Necessities

Mane event Great Lengths ‘The Mane Event’ takes place on Ladies’ Day, Thursday, August 18 from 6-8pm in House Dublin, after The Dublin Horse Show. Guests will have the chance to win prizes in three categories on the night. Judges will include milliner Margaret O’Connor, model Sophie Anderton and fashion stylist Zeda the Architect. Prizes include vouchers for Great Lengths and brunch in House Dublin. See housedublin.ie

Louise McSharry: ‘A lot of people hesitate when it comes to glitter, but there is a way for all ages and styles to wear it’

My friends, I have been sweating. I considered using the word ‘perspiring’ there for some sad attempt at elegance, but that simply doesn’t reflect what’s been happening of late. From my face, from my scalp, from my back, I’ve been sweating.

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Why is men dyeing their hair a societal grey area?

When Liam Gallagher posted a selfie on Instagram last week, appearing to sport new blond locks, all hell broke loose.