Skincare: Beat the January beauty blues

Despite the influx of positive mantras, teeming out of every corner of the internet and from every person I meet, I can’t be shaken from the belief that January is a positively drab month. The weather has been abysmal, we’re all a little sad that fairy lights and free time are no longer a feature of our lives, and we all feel a bit guilty.

I’m not going to chide you for what you’ve done to your skin over the past weeks (I’ve done it too), but it probably needs a little help. I make it a January tradition to cheer myself up by putting some life back into my greyer than usual face. That, at least, is a resolution I can keep.

Nuxe Nuxuriance Ultra Re-Plumping Roll-On Mask

(€39.25)

This divine roll-on gel mask is directed at mature skin, but behaves dreamily on everyone. It’s cooling and pleasingly gelatinous, and immediately hydrates

Olay Sensitive and Natural Day Cream SPF 15 (€13.79)

Sometimes you need something practical and reliable, and this is it.

Great for skin over 30, it makes a lovely base for make up and finishes a skincare routine nicely

Kinvara 24hr Rosehip Face Serum

(€19.95,

[ kinvaraskincare.com ]

)

Kinvara is a lovely Irish brand, and this serum is one of its best products. It disappears instantly into skin, calms redness, and is perfect for every skin type, age and gender

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm

(€28.50)

For skin that’s really struggling, or for people who work outdoors at this time of year, this is a tub of relief. It creates an insulating barrier on the skin, but doesn’t feel nasty or uncomfortable

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Stick

(€16.95)

This is damage control. The evidence of all that stuffing you ate may show on your face, and this stuff can cover everything from tattoos to vicious spots. Just dab on and go about your business

Catrice Highlighting Eyeshadow

(€3.30)

This eyeshadow comes in three understated shades and also functions beautifully as a highlighter to make skin glow.

It’s pretty and it’s affordable

Clarins Multi-Blush in Rose

(€21.50)

This blush just wakes up a face, and it has a wonderfully silky texture.

All Clarins Multi-Blushes come in realistic shades, and this one is instant, fresh ‘walking by the sea’ skin

Mac Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

(€28)

Not for the faint of heart, this incredible formula redefines opaque. Opt for a neutral or a jolly explosion of colour. Either way, wear this mattest of matte finishes with confidence.

Laura's product of the week

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation

(€45)

I know that we’re barely into January, but I’m very confident that this is the foundation of 2016. Chanel bases can run on the dark side, but this one has shades pale enough for the palest skin, and goes all the way to deep chocolate tones.  The finish is candlelit skin, semi-matte, but impossibly glowy, without shine. It is incredibly flattering and I won’t wear anything else at the moment.

[ lkennedy@irishtimes.com ]