There’s a broader conversation to be had about how Irish beauty brands are changing the game. The innovation. The frequency of launches. The products being brought to market that aren’t just box-ticking exercises but actual solutions. Products that upgrade our existing make-up, skincare and haircare routines. But today I’m going to zero in on one brilliant new product.
I’ve been writing about beauty for 15 years. While I still get excited about newness, it’s rare that a product makes me drop everything and zone in, completely. But that’s what happened when The Brow Blueprint by Brow Aid landed on my desk.
I am a brow-product obsessive. I’ve written about them many times before – not just because I love a good brow, but because I’m genetically predisposed to sparse ones, and surprise, surprise, I also overplucked in my teens. I have little to no growth at the front of my brows, so every day involves a ritual of shaping, filling, and trying to make them look somewhat chic. Some of my favourites include Poco Beauty Brow Pen (€20 from pocobeauty.com), Mighty Fine Brow Pen from Benefit Cosmetics (€31 from Brown Thomas), and the ever-expanding range from Kim O’Sullivan’s brand Brow Aid.
Most beauty-savvy readers will already know O’Sullivan. She runs the Dublin Makeup Academy and, a few years ago, launched her own brow brand. I’ve covered some of her previous product launches, but The Brow Blueprint stands out for its innovation.
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It’s a double-ended brow pen. On one end: two ultra-thin, sharply defined bristles, angled for precise application. They are almost like fangs, slightly tilted in the middle and ultra-sharp, with minimal flexibility. They allow for feather-light, realistic strokes that mimic actual brow hair – especially when you apply upwards – slightly more ink is placed at the root, which makes it look even more realistic. The ink flows consistently through the bristles, preventing patchy, gappy application.
Flip to the other end, and you’ll find a cluster of denser bristles arranged in an angled square-shaped formation. Slightly more flexible, this side is for use on the main body and tail of the brow – ideal for filling in and adding definition while still keeping that crisp, hair-like finish. Just be mindful of pressure – both sides require the lightest touch for best results.
Regardless of which of the three shades – Light, Medium or Dark – you choose from, there are two tones of your chosen shade in the pen; one slightly lighter, one slightly darker – mimicking the actual balance and nuance of light and dark shades of the same tone in brow hair.
The precision here is exceptional. If you’ve traditionally found brow products fiddly, intimidating or difficult to master, this product will make the whole process feel effortless and enjoyable.
True to form, O’Sullivan has kept the price point accessible at €21. Affordable innovation that actually delivers? Yes and yes.
This week I’m loving …
Charlotte Tilbury Airbush Flawless Blur Concealer
The queen of flawless has created one of the best concealers I’ve ever used: Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer (€38 from Brown Thomas). What do we really want from concealers? Coverage. Not light, dewy, diminished within an hour or two – actual coverage that’s skin-like, that blurs and smooths, and stays roughly in place until you decide to remove it.
A word of warning – this concealer is pigmented with a capital P. Dot a tiny amount under the eyes and you’ll have more than enough. Available in 34 shades.
