Life column: Happy New You

Here’s to a beauty-full new year from our resident beauty expert, Triona McCarthy, who reveals her tricks and tips for a healthy kickstart to 2020.

Triona’s Top Trends


We all know that for our favourite beauty products to work their best, they need to be applied to a canvas that’s well taken care of — aka our perfectly primed and nourished hair, skin and nails. So, with that in mind, I’ve found two New Year beauty resolutions that won’t be hard to stick to. To quote Oprah — “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

I love a good supplement, and Revive Active Beauty Complex, from €49.95, supports skin, hair and nails. It contains marine collagen, and the all-important hyaluronic acid, along with a heap of skin-friendly vitamins. And there are no artificial colours or flavours to worry about — just goodness that you can down in one, effortlessly. Best of all, it’s an Irish product, another resolution of mine — buy Irish when possible!

I also want to use more sustainable and organic products, so Aliso, the new brand by industry icon Andrea Roche, ticks all the boxes, including the Irish one.

The range is launching with two lip balms, in two flavours, Summer Fruits, and Fresh Mint, both €12.95, available online and in pharmacies and health food stores throughout Ireland, including Meaghers Pharmacy, McCabes Pharmacy, Cloud 10 Beauty and The Beauty Basket. These lip balms are certified organic, so there are absolutely no nasties, just naturally nourishing oils, waxes and healing ingredients.

Light work

A new year means it’s time to reflect — in more ways than one! So say hello to Simplehuman Sensor Compact, €117, which brings the benefits of Tru-Lux lighting while you’re out and about. So, if you’re forever wondering if your foundation-matching is on point, then wonder no more. This portable light system simulates natural light, so you see colours as they truly are. The fold-out ring lets you hold it firmly on your finger. Whatever next, eh?

Cult Product

My little sis Laura was home from Oz for Kissmass with her beau, Adam, and now that she’s gone back, I’m missing her madly. Nothing like a newbie from Nars to brighten up a dreary January! Nars Tinted Glow Booster, €39, aims to even out the skin tone while introducing a slight shimmer. It’s infused with Jojoba Hydraglow Complex, which will combat dryness and introduce a dewy glow. It comes in four shades, ranging from light to deep.

Most Wanted

I’m just a little obsessed with my pores: I swear they’re bigger. This is probably down to my age, as pores can appear larger and more pronounced due to the slow-down in the production of collagen and elastin in the surrounding skin. FFS! Thankfully, bareMinerals new Poreless Collection has been clinically shown to minimise the appearance of pores, with its skin-refining superfruits and prebiotics. There’s an Exfoliating Essence, €26; a Clay Cleanser, €24; and an Oil-Free Moisturiser, €40, to gently exfoliate and leave skin feeling hydrated and fresh.

See arnotts.ie

Eye Opener!

Following a facial from La Prairie skincare-expert Jackie, at Brown Thomas, I always leave with glowing skin as well as tips on the best gin to drink, snacks to bake and more! Book in for a facial with Jackie in the treatment room at Brown Thomas Beauty Hall, as its a great way to try out all those posh, pricey La Prairie products you’ve been lusting over. I hear Christina Hendricks is a big fan. I’m a little taken with the new La Prairie Lifting And Firming Eye Serum, which is an, eh, eye-watering €420! This is designed to both lift and firm the eye area, and has been getting rave reviews, with one client of Jackie’s — an eye surgeon, if you don’t mind — describing it as “blepharoplasty in a bottle”.

Triona’s Trick

Eyes on the puffy side? Mix leftover coffee granules with one tablespoon of coconut oil and apply the mixture under the eyes. Leave for five minutes, then gently wipe it away. The mixture causes the blood vessels to contract, and reduces puffiness.



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