Veganuary has been and gone, says our beauty buff, Triona McCarthy, but cruelty-free beauty isn’t just for one month of the year. Find out all you need to know, right here.
Triona’s top trends
From haircare and skincare to fragrance and make-up, this increased focus on animal-friendly cosmetics is a trend I can, well and truly, get behind – it’s good for us and the planet.
Check out my edit of cruelty-free, vegan formulas that don’t compromise on performance – yep, just call me Triona McEarthy…
Hermetica Megaflower Eau De Parfum, €150, available at Brown Thomas, was love at first sniff for me when we met in The Loop one morning. It’s floiental – so it’s fabulously flowery, but with a sophisticated twist. Best of all, all the fragrances in this range are clean, so they are green and alcohol-free and they also moisturise the skin.
Rodial’s Skin Lift Foundation, €49, provides hydrating coverage that isn’t too heavy, so it’s sure to complement vegan vibes. Ten specially selected shades aim to cover 30 skin tones, thanks to light-reflecting pigments and colour correcting actives, for a cruelty-free and clear complexion.
Coco & Eve’s Like a Virgin Hair Mask, €40, debenhams.ie, is a super nourishing treatment that’ll lock in moisture when it touches hair ‘for the very first time’ (geddit?). Just pop it on your washed and towel dried mane, brush through with the handy tangle-buster that included, leave it in for ten minutes and rinse.
You’ve got nail
I am such a Last Minute Lizzy! I always seem to be doing my make-up in the back of a taxi on my way to whatever. It’s the same with my nails. That’s why I love CND Vinylux 2-in-1, €19.54, available in five shades.
Portable and easy to use, one side disperses Vinylux long-wear colour, while the other end has the brand’s award-winning, fast-drying long-wear topcoat.
The result is beautifully polished nails with seven-day wear, wherever the week may take you.
See lookfantastic.com
Needle-sharp
Ouch! I fell into the revolving door of a city-centre hotel recently, I’m not joking. And there was no drink taken. I sat down to lunch with facialist-to-the-stars, Teresa Tarmey, as we laughed at my cut knees and bruised pride!
I had been dying to meet Teresa whose client list apparently includes Trinny Woodall, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.
Known as the queen of laser, Teresa uses a combination of light therapy, different ingredients and microneedling to get that red carpet skin.
Thankfully, Teresa has brought her expertise to the mainstream with her Microneedling Kit, €422.06 (net-a-porter.com), which aims to leave your skin plump and glowing.
Most Wanted
I’m already a fan of Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick, so when they launched a new concealer, I had high hopes.
The Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer, €37, didn’t disappoint. The light, creamy texture offers outstanding coverage, yet it feels and, more importantly, looks incredibly light on the skin. It blends beautifully, and doesn’t settle into fine lines or cake. It’s equally good at covering dark circles under the eyes or redness around the nose.
Cult product
The newest string to Andrea Roche’s (Cupid’s) bow, Aliso Lip Scrub, €12.99, is not only certified vegan, and cruelty-free but the 100pc natural formula is chock-full of ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil.
I love not having to dip my fingers into a jar or tube to get it out, and not only does the formula exfoliate my lips, it’s so convenient and travel friendly, too.
Triona’s Trick
Regular tumble-dryer sheets are absolutely awesome for taming flyaway hairs, especially if you’re going for a sleek ponytail or bun. Simply run a sheet over your hair and you’ll be a smooth operator!