Beauty

Compiled by PHYL CLARKE

In the red

Clarins’s signature red is colour perfect for this time of year and its gift sets are terrific value. Save more than you pay with the Gorgeous Getaways products set for €49.50 – a saving of €58.40; the skincare classic Multi-Active set costs €56, a saving of €37, and for the guys, the Skin Smoothers set is €49.50, which is €30 less than the cost of buying the products individually.

Our most-wanted list

This week’s selections support home-grown companies, and you don’t have to compromise on selection or quality to support our own.

The seaweed baths at Strandhill, Co Sligo are a real treat for mind and body, detoxing, moisturising and rejuvenating with this potent natural resource. I wish I lived nearer so I could visit more often. The next best thing is their Voya Lazy Days Bath in a Box (€16), which makes a lovely gift. They also have great hair and skincare gift sets for Christmas – all beautifully presented. See voya.ie.

Recently, while visiting a relative who was a bit under the weather, I was looking for something just that little bit different for her. I believe I hit the spot with this fragrance diffuser (€25), from Wicklow-based company Max Benjamin. It’s an elegant addition to any interior and comes in four different aromas. My choice was the fresh Lemongrass and Ginger, but the French Linen Water would be a lovely bedroom choice. Widely available at department stores and at maxbenjamin.ie.

Green Angel is another Irish brand that combines the benefits of seaweed and essential oils. Its soothing Herbal Silk eye cushion (€14.95) is a boon for tired eyes. Store it in the fridge for a cooling treat. The cushion can be bought alone or as part of the Twilight Treat set (€48.95), which also includes evening skincare and bath-time products. For stockist information tel: 01-4124900.

Ireland AM beauty guru Laura Bermingham has teamed-up with Carter Beauty, Blackrock, to produce a festive body oil in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The oil comes in a solid form, infused with orange, clove and lime. It dissolves on contact with skin, for a moisturising skin treat (€15). Tel: 01-2103624, carterbeauty.ie.

Lashing out

They say necessity is the mother of invention – and the current financial climate makes for some surprising discoveries. A friend who previously would not look beyond the counters of Lancôme and Dior for her mascara was straight on the blower to me last Monday singing the praises of a mascara costing a fraction of the price of her usual lash enhancer. Her new best friend? Rimmel Lash Accelerator (€6.99).

Lip service

Oh, it’s busy busy these days, isn’t it? Hardly time to top up your lippy. I’ve found a solution with these two Clinique products. In the morning, fill in lips with the Defining Liner for Lips in great new neutral shade Plush Pink (€19), then top it off with Vitamin C Lip Smoothie in Strawberry Bliss (€19). Neither of theses shades are as pink as their names suggest, but are rather muted pinky beiges, which makes just the right amount of statement for an office environment. The liner will last, so you’ll never look washed out and you can reapply the Smoothie without leaving your desk, making this the perfect office lip combo.