Eco packaging, bronzers and lightweight moisturisers. . . Phyl Clarketests some new beauty products.
Bronze medal
Here's something to cheer you up this non-summer. Shimmering shades of pink, gold and bronze combine to give you a glow from top-to-toe. Fusion Body Bronzing Powder from Smashbox (€56) is a generously-sized compact that comes complete with a neat kabuki brush. Sweep over collarbones, shoulders and ankles for a subtle sheeny hue. They've even given it a tropical twist with a warm, sweet fragrance. At Arnotts and Clerys department stores, plus selected pharmacies throughout the country.
Lighten up
At this time of year, a lighter day cream seems more appropriate, and two of the best-selling skincare ranges have launched new versions of their cult creams this summer. Crème de la Mer has added a moisturising gel cream, which will stretch your holiday purse at €225, but I suspect that devotees will not need too much convincing to try the new edition. It has a fabulous texture, leaving the skin comfortable and soft. From Brown Thomas and Dublin Airport. Dr. Hauschka's Rose Day Cream Light combines the benefits of the original cream with a lighter formulation. It is particularly suitable for sensitive skins, and is so gentle it can even be used on babies. It costs just €22.95, so you can afford to be generous with it. Call 01-2896990 for details of stockists. www.drhauschka.ie.
Behind the mask
Both matcha tea and goji berries have taken the press by storm in 2007. Matcha is a powdered Japanese green tea, and goji berries are the new blueberries, containing lots of anti-oxidants. No surprise then, to find they are the key ingredients in a new facial mask from Pangea Organics. This is a deep cleansing, regenerative mask that also promises beautifully radiant skin. Although deeply unattractive in colour, it doesn't have an unpleasant smell or sensation on the skin, and my face was left feeling soft and super-clean after one application. Extra green points to Pangea for their fun eco-packaging which you simply soak, and then plant out. Up should spring medicinal herbs used in their products.
Pangea Facial Mask costs €44.99 from stockists including Melt, Temple Bar, Dublin 2; Only Natural Too, Wexford; Chi, O'Sullivan's Quay, Cork; Medicare Pharmacy, Castletroy, Co Limerick; Macks, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo.