Laura Kennedy: The best beauty basics to buy now

Too often, we can take our everyday beauty and grooming products for granted. Our daily staples tend to become invisible to us. Mundane. They aren’t the exciting (and recently, tragically underused) “out out” products. They’re our basics, but they’re also the ones that keep us looking like ourselves – the ones that retrieve us from despair when we wake up looking like someone else – someone very tired, or very unenthused, or just a bit all over the place. Since they work so hard for us, I am all about upgrading to slightly more glamorous everyday tools and products. They should feel luxurious to use and if they possibly can, they should elevate the everyday, and be beautiful.

Aimee Connolly’s collaboration with Irish make-up artist and influencer Tara O’Farrell was another triumph for the Sculpted brand that is making an international name. The capsule collection originally sold out online in hours, but there will be a restock, and you might get lucky and find the collection locally. The hero product is this universally easy and glamorous Sculpted X Tara Cheeks & Eyes Palette (€36 at Boots and selected pharmacies nationwide). It will take you comfortably through the year and any occasion – day or evening – that may come up.

If you don't own a large, wide-toothed comb, reconsider – it's one of the most basic and versatile tools. Nothing puts a parting into wet hair like it, and it won't catch or snag like a smaller comb or brush. Nothing will distribute conditioner more gently or evenly through wet hair either, so it's handy to keep one in the shower. Such a basic tool can be drab if you let it, so don't. I like Re-Comb (£16 at re-comb.com) – they make wonderful combs of every type from recycled plastic. The marbled effect is beautiful.

Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ (€34 at spacenk.com) is a glorious hybrid of form and function. SPF should above all be functional or comfortable. If it isn't, we're not going to wear it. This one works perfectly and is light and non-congesting, but also has a dewy (not greasy, heavy or slimy) finish that works like a moisturising primer under make-up. If you have dry skin or just like a comfortable and glowing skin finish, this is the SPF for you.

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Fragrance is an everyday joy, and is becoming an ever more accessible luxury. The Zara Rain by Jo Loves fragrance collection (from €15.95 at zara.com) was created for the high-street brand in conjunction with Jo Loves – the award-winning brand headed up by fragrance legend Jo Malone. Bergamot & Leather Spritz is the standout scent in the range – the most sumptuous warm scent with the robustness of rich leather and a playful snap of elegant bergamot, it is nothing short of delicious. It wears with universal appeal, so this scent is ideal for anyone who likes a statement scent, regardless of gender. It smells like a fragrance retailing at quadruple its price point. I'll be stocking up on it.

Product of the Week

The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying and Balancing Gel Shampoo (€10 at The Body Shop stores nationwide)