LIFE column: Lighten Up

Our beauty expert, Triona McCarthy knows a thing or two about good and bad lighting – especially when it comes to maintaining a glowing complexion.

Triona’s Trends

In terms of skin health and looking our best, light has a lot to answer for – and I don’t just mean that bad bathroom lighting that can ruin a good selfie. Did you know that high-energy visible (HEV) light – better known as that blue light emitted from screens – can damage the skin’s elastin and collagen? Yep, sadly, poring over our phones does nothing for our actual pores. This ain’t so good for wrinkle prevention or maintaining glowing skin; and, that’s before we even talk about the dreaded ‘tech neck’, which is caused by peering down at the screen all day.

So, let me be your #skinfluencer this week. Get into the habit of holding your phone up high and limit your screen time at night. Your face will thank you for it – and those selfies will look a whole lot better. As if we need another reason to put down our phones.

Sisleyouth Anti-Pollution Energizing Super Hydrating Youth Protector, €151.50, is a moisturiser targeted at 25-35 year olds. It protects the skin from both indoor and outdoor pollution, and, more importantly, acts as a blue light shield.

Eucerin Sun Pigment Control SPF 50+, €23, guards skin from UV and HEVIS light with glycyrrhetinic acid to help support the skin’s own DNA repair mechanism, while regular use visibly reduces existing dark spots. I find it fab under make-up.

Facial awareness

Until now, an at-home facial might consist of a sheet mask or a hot cloth, but Swedish company, Foreo have launched the UFO Smart Mask, €279. It promises to deliver spa-level facials in just 90 seconds. This nifty new sheet mask gadget claims to stimulate collagen production and even out skin tone. There are seven activated sheet masks to choose from, depending on skin type. You simply clip it onto the UFO and begin massaging the device across your skin in a circular motion.

Available from Arnotts and Space NK.

Most Wanted

Charlotte Tilbury can do no wrong in my, eh, eyes. Even when she is throwing some serious shade with her brand new six-shade Easy Eye Palette, the Charlotte Darling, €54.  It’s a nod to her own signature smoky eye, but with a bronze bent. This is, as always with Charlotte Tilbury, a well-curated palette; it’s perfect for shimmering lids that’ll take you from spring to summer and beyond.

Available nationwide at Brown Thomas and at Arnotts.

Cult Product

If you’ve got fine or thinning hair that can crack under pressure, then make ‘use the Manta’ your new daily mantra. The Manta Super Gentle Anti-breakage brush, £25, mantahair.com,  is moulded to the shape of the hand and scalp. It works to create less tension on each strand, and gives the scalp a massage while it’s at it, which is great for the promotion of hair growth. Best of all, Mini loves it as well – it is very kid friendly.

Bye, bye dark side

I don’t want to brag – OK, maybe a little brag, but it looks like Kendall Jenner has been following in my footsteps lately. I know! I’m as surprised as you are, but she revealed her lighter locks just days after I took a trip to Aviary Lane in Dublin’s South Anne Street.

Anyway, after years of living firmly on the dark side, I knew this wasn’t a decision to be made lightly, so I was more than happy to put my trust in superb colourist, Elaine Sullivan, who is also Aviary Lane’s proprietor. She transformed my dark hair into a warm brown. You’re welcome for the inspo, Kendall. 

Aviary Lane, 24 South Anne Street, D2, tel (01) 611-1101 or see aviarylane.com

Triona’s Trick

Running is the new clubbing, getting high on endorphins instead of ecstasy! If you’re a runner or a gym bunny, keep your feet sweet by using hand sanitiser to clean them. This kills germs and inhibits bacterial growth.



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