If the pandemic gave shoppers one thing, it was time to better understand the items they buy. With plenty of time to window shop online, many of us became experts in personal style and go-to buys, and nowhere was this more evident in skincare.
This boom in popularity when it comes to all things beauty also lead, in some part, to the launch of Planet Beauty, Brown Thomas's new specially curated department for sustainable and innovative skincare, haircare and makeup, in Dundrum and Clarendon Street stores.
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We caught up with Triona McGinley, Brown Thomas Beauty Buying Director, to discuss the major trends coming our way in the world of beauty, and what styles to try as we get closer to Christmas.
"It's really a move into niche", Triona says. "Some of the brands are influencer-led, some of them are personalities, and it's really to have a wider option and a more diverse, all inclusive beauty offer."
With 60 brands on offer, from the affordable INKEY List to influencer-led brands like Kash Beauty and more high end ranges like Kate Somerville and 111Skin, and 70% of those certified sustainable and green, it's also a reflection of the changing tastes of a buyer who gets most of her beauty tips from social media.
"Definitely through the pandemic, people educated themselves more, they became more aware of their skin, of their hair and definitely educated people more on how important your skin is", Triona adds. "Gone is the day that your makeup bag just had one brand. Now, it's a complete eclectic mix from an entry price point to a higher price point."
As the winter weather keeps coming our way, prepping your skin for cold temperatures and biting winds is a must. Triona suggests sticking with creamy, nourishing products such as a good cleanser, such as Sarah Chapman's Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse.
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"With the skin routine does come that massage. There's a lot around face yoga, face gym. It's really stimulating the muscles you have on your face. You spend a little bit more time on the cleanser, you leave it on for a little while and then you remove it with a little bit hot water. So it's a self care moment as well."
Incorporating active ingredients is essential, too, she says. "Twice a week, you would definitely use something that has a retinol percent in it. I do think the INKEY retinol is probably one of the better at the moment."
Choosing the right moisturiser for you comes down to preference, she says. "When it comes to your moisturiser, I think it's a balance between a preference. Do you like a light lotion type formula, or do you like a stronger, creamy type formula?"
Ensuring the skin is hydrated is key for a flawless makeup base, so Triona suggests using a face mask, such as the 111Skin range, once a week – and don't neglect your neck. "Because of the formulation, they're so luxurious that I naturally end up putting down my neck."
To keep hair looking luscious, she says simply leaving your go-to conditioner in a little longer can revive dull and limp hair. "You know, there's some things that are still very relevant in the beauty world. The shower cap is still very important!"
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Finally, with Christmas and Christmas parties just around the corner many of us are no doubt planning our looks. Triona says the next big makeup trend for the festive season is the fuchsia eye.
"That's in line with the Valentino colour", she says. "It's more about how courageous do you want to be? So you have the really maximum statement, like an all-over fuchsia with a big flick, or you have the softer, smokey eye that just gives that natural eye pop."
And, of course: "You have to have a red lip for Christmas."
This season, however, Triona suggests playing with textures, which is massively trending on social media. "Use maybe a matte lipstick, but a gloss. Because there's that mix of matte and gloss."
