Made in Ireland.
We love supporting small Irish businesses, and especially so after the past 18 months, when so many businesses have struggled through lockdowns and restrictions.
When it comes to beauty and wellness brands, Ireland is practically bursting with amazing businesses and products, so many of which have become staples in my makeup bag and on my bathroom shelves.
Looking to invest in some seriously hard-working beauty buys for yourself – and pick up some Christmas presents for your mum/sister/MIL/bestie that everyone will love unwrapping? Here are just some of my very favourite Irish beauty buys right now:
1. Esker Fields Moisturising Handcream
Esker Fields is a range of natural skincare products handmade on a dairy farm in Co. Louth. The products are made using natural ingredients and pure essential oils, and I recently discovered their amazing hand cream and can now not live without a pot in my bag.
This hand cream is so perfect if your hands are feeling dry and sore – and let’s face it, after the last year and a half with constant hand washing, I think we all have dry hands. I apply it to my hands a night, and wake up with super-soft, smooth hands.
€14.50, Eskerfields.ie
2. Nunaia Superfood Cleansing Balm
I have been obsessed with this cleansing balm from Nunaia ever since I first tried it, and love how it completely dissolves all make-up, and makes my face feel so perfectly fresh and clean. But even better – it leaves my skin feeling so soft and hydrated, and not the least bit dry, which other cleansers often do.
The balm, which uses cutting-edge green beauty technology, contains rainforest actives sacha inchi and maracuja, rich in vitamin A, C, E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6 & 9) to nourish and brighten skin.
Founder Nicola Connolly developed this clean, plant-powered skincare brand following a decade living and studying wellness with communities, biologists and healers in Ecuador and Peru. Formulated with 13 of the world’s most bio-active plant botanicals, Nunaia adopts a ‘plant to skin’ philosophy. A community of growers in Peru source the active ingredients while a percentage of every product sold goes into the Nunaia Community Fund supporting the education of girls and women in the local Peru community where the ingredients are sourced.
€59, Nunaia.com
3. Pestle & Mortar NMF Lactic Toner
Another amazing Irish beauty brand that I have loved ever since I first tried it. To be honest, their entire range is brilliant and seriously impressive, and I find myself being in awe of founder and mum-of-five(!) Sonia Deasy, but one product I cannot live without is the NMF Lactic Acid Natural Moisturising Factor Solution.
The lactic acid-based toner contains Indian Gooseberry, an Ayurvedic super-ingredient known for its immense brightening powers, and lactic acid and gluconolactone to create a complexion-transforming lactic acid solution.
This skin toner is suitable for all skin types and delivers hydration, skin brightening and a natural healthy glow.
€32, Meagherspharmacy.ie
4. Luibh Night Cream
Another recent find that I feel everyone should know about.
Drawing inspiration from the verdant Irish landscape and all the hardy plants that grow in it’s climate, founder Bridget has been fascinated by plant medicine ever since she can remember. Luibh was founded together with her son and his partner, and developed to provide unique skincare solutions using science and a deep knowledge of wild plants and herbs.
This night cream is just so, so good, and helps calm damaged skin and aiding in regeneration while you sleep – so you can wake up with a healthy, irresistible glow.
€38, Luibhskincare.com
5. AYU Instant Under Eye Concealer
Kildare make-up artist and beauty tutor Suzie O’Neil founded AYU at her kitchen table, after years of being frustrated with high coverage products being too heavy for the delicate under-eye area. On the hunt for something lightweight that would conceal and brighten, but also suit dry and mature skins too, the AYU Instant Under-Eye Concealer was born.
And trust me, you will never buy another concealer again once you try this. It is no wonder that her concealers have caught the attention of make-up artists around the world, and remain one of AYU’s bestselling products.
This highly pigmented yet lightweight concealer will brighten and even out skin tone under the eyes for a fresher, brighter and more youthful look instantly! With 12-hour wear.
€18, Ayu.ie
6. Dublin Herbalist Herbalists Reusable Bamboo Make-Up Remover Pads
I love beauty brands that is making it easier to be green and sustainable, and the Reusable Bamboo Make-Up Remover Pads are now a staple in my makeup bag.
Made from 70 percent organic bamboo and 30 percent organic cotton, the pads feel soft and gentle on the skin, and genuinely remove all traces of make-up and dirt.
And if you worry about having to wash them, it is literally zero problem. Just toss them in the mesh bag they come in, and wash in the washing machine on 40 degrees, before hanging up to dry.
€9.95, Dublinherbalist.ie
7. Aliso Cryo Tools
Warning – these are seriously addictive. Cryo (cold) treatments are having a moment when it comes to beauty, and can help increase microcirculation, collagen production, and toxin elimination. These cryo tools are crafted from surgical stainless steel and have a soothing, anti-inflammatory, and firming effect on the skin.
I keep mine in the fridge so they feel extra cold on my skin, and love to use them to give myself a little face massage in the morning – honestly, it de-puffs my face and wakes up my eyes in an instant like nothing else. When used regularly, using the cryo tools can help regulate blood circulation in your face and tighten and firm the skin.
€64.95, Alisobeauty.com
8. BEO Sleep Well Overnight Lip Mask
I know we are all hiding our lips under our masks these days, but who doesn’t want gorgeous, kissable, soft lips?
I love this overnight lip mask from BEO, it keeps my lips hydrated while I sleep, and the lavender smell honestly makes me feel all calm and ready for bed when I apply it.
€16, Kilkennyshop.com
9. Voya Angelicus Serratus Nourishing Body Oil
The perfect treatment for dry winter skin, this seaweed-based luxury body oil is formulated with VOYA’s signature notes of lime and mandarin, and is super-hydrating for your body.
Enhanced with anti-oxidant Rosehip that slows the signs of ageing and Evening Primrose, which helps improve skin elasticity, the oil doesn’t sit on the skin like so many other body oils, but is easily absorbed, and makes my skin feel firmer and more glowing.
€41, Voya.ie
10. Oxmantown Calendula & Lavender Healing Balm
This balm has become a staple in our house, and we use it for anything from cuts, scrapes, bites, dry patches and cuticles.
Calendula is a hero ingredient when it comes to its healing properties for the skin, and this balm also contains nourishing organic shea butter and lavender to hydrate from head to toe.
€22, Kilkennyshop.com
