It's hard to keep up with the innovation currently happening in beauty - and that's if we're only talking about Irish brands!
Finding products that do what they say on the tin, ideally without breaking the bank (some element of sustainability is always a plus, too), can be a full-time job. But luckily for you, as lifestyle journalists, it partly is our job to trial and root out the best-performing products on the market and spread the good word.
Waterproof makeup, low-fuss glow-givers, a one-stop-shop palette and some innovative tan - these are our top picks from the new (and new-to-us) beauty products we tried this year.
rom&nd - Han All Fix Mascara
We don't gatekeep in RTÉ Lifestyle, and I have told so many people about this brand that I'm starting to worry about global stock. But what's a few more people while I'm at it?
Rom&nd is a hugely popular Korean beauty brand, and typical of K-beauty, their products are both extremely nourishing and insanely flattering in terms of shades. They're also very reasonably priced, which I'm always a fan of.
Although they're possibly best known for their lip products, it's their mascara that has truly blown me away. While prepping to attend a wedding in Rome this summer, I knew I'd need something truly waterproof and boy, did I find it.
Their Han All Fix mascara (€16) has become my holy grail makeup product: a waterproof brown mascara that doesn't flake or smudge, and holds a curl. It barely flinched in 38°C weather in Rome, and I can't say the same for myself.
They come in a range of shades, from cool- and warm-toned browns to black and varying shades of grey for more mature makeup lovers. CR
Charlotte Tilbury - Hollywood Instant Look in a Palette
A beloved go-to for weddings, special occasions, and big nights out, Charlotte Tilbury has become synonymous with a specific kind of glamour.
If it's a one-and-done product you're looking for, the Hollywood Instant Look in a Palette (€69) - one of the brand's many Christmas gift sets for this year - might be the one for you. I received the pinkier of the two shades and instantly fell in love with the versatility of the 7-pan collection of eyeshadows, blush and bronzer.
A little goes a long way, so I'd recommend starting with a light hand. Blendable, complementary and lovely as stand-alone shades, I can imagine taking this with me on every holiday for the next while. CR
AYU - Instant Under Eye concealer
Ayu is an Irish-owned and run vegan cosmetics brand created by makeup artist Suzie O'Neill. The brand offers a wide range of products, with plenty of gift boxes available for Christmas. When it comes to the products I buy again and again, though, it has to be the Instant Under Eye concealer.
At €18, it has a long life span, is silky smooth and highly pigmented, giving your under eyes a fresh and light look. They even have a handy shade finder online if you can't make it into the shops. SF
Bare by Vogue - Clear Tan Water and Face Tanning Drops
Founded by Vogue Williams, Bare by Vogue offers a range of luxury tanning products that are made in Ireland and the UK. They come in a range of shades from the faintest glow to the deepest, richest bronze and the collection now includes body butters, application mitts, face tanning drops and more.
As a very pale gal, I made my first foray into fake tan this summer for a wedding in Rome and landed on Bare by Vogue's Clear Tan Water (€24), a truly impressive product and a great entry point for the formerly tan-adverse.
I chose the Medium shade and paired it with two drops of the Face Tanning Drops in Medium/Dark Dace (€22) in my night cream before going to bed. Both products matched perfectly and left me with a subtle but warm colour. There's no colour guide, so you can top it up and go if needed, and that also means no marks left on your duvet or clothes. CR
Azure Tan - Organic Coconut Self Tan Mousse
New to the Irish market, Azure Tan is a renowned Australian tanning line that specialises in salon-quality self tan that nourish and protect your skin. The products are enriched with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C, so they give your skin a little hydration boost, too.
They launched in Ireland in September, and I got to trial some products just before winter kicked off. I tried the Organic Coconut Self Tan Mousse in Medium/Dark (€24.95), which gave me an even, bronzed glow that screamed 'I've just come back from a summer in Barcelona'. The Green Base tan is designed to neutralise red and pink undertones in the skin, which would suit very pale skin, so that's on my list to try next.
What I like most about this range are the products for maintaining your tan. As someone who will only bother with tan for very special occasions, I quickly got fixated on making my hard work last, so I was very impressed with their Tan Friendly Bodywash (€14.95), which left my skin soft and hydrated. CR
e.l.f - H2o Proof Eyeliner Pen
As part of my Roman wedding prep, I knew I needed a waterproof eyeliner that would glide on, set and not budge no matter how badly the rest of my makeup melted. In the e.l.f H2o Proof Eyeliner Pen (€10.50), I found that eyeliner.
I've been a long-time fan of e.l.f products, which, in my experience, are high-quality and innovative items for a fraction of the price you'd pay for luxury versions. I went for the Deep Brown shade, a lush espresso brown that adds the perfect amount of warmth to any eye look.
The applicator is a felt tip that gives you lots of control over the pen, and once the liner dries, it does NOT move. Not only did it weather the sweltering heat and a few tears on the day of the wedding, but it survived a 4am plunge into the venue pool and still looked flawless. CR
POCO - Universal Glow Treatment and Baby Lam Invisible Eyebrow Wax
Conceptualised in Ireland and made in Italy, Poco Beauty is the brainchild of entrepreneur and influencer Pippa O'Connor-Ormond. Her vegan products are cruelty-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, and are contained in sleek eco-packaging. I've been lucky enough to try out a few of her products and, so far, all of them have delivered.
I am currently on my fourth bottle of the Universal Glow Treatment, as it's perfect for mornings when I can't be bothered with make-up but don't want to look totally bedraggled. It gives your skin a glowy sheen alone, and works as a lovely base for make-up. Her new Baby Lam Invisible Eyebrow Wax really impressed me, too, by putting my unruly brows in place with just one sweep of the applicator. SF
Merit - Flush Balm Cheek Colour and Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara
Vegan, cruelty-free and EU-compliant, Merit is a minimalist make-up brand that works to create practical cosmetics for everyday life. Founded by Katherine Power, one of the entrepreneurs behind skincare brand Versed and digital fashion publication Who What Wear, Merit is a brand that focuses on skin-loving ingredients and easy application.
The Flush Balm Cheek Colour is a handy cream tint that can be used on the go to add a little colour to your complexion. The Clean Lash Lengthening mascara is my current obsession as it delivers clump-free, long lashes in just two coats. Two perfect products keep in your handbag. SF
SOSU
Owned by Irish entrepreneur and beauty blogger Suzanne Jackson, SOSU Cosmetics was initially best known for its tanning products. Today, they have expanded into a beauty empire.
The Underwear Hydrating Base is new to me, but over the past couple of weeks, I've started to see it as a bit of a gem. Marketed as an everyday essential, this is a skincare-infused base that provides a touch of coverage and lots of hydration.
With SPF 30 (remember, you need three finger-lengths of SPF on your face to make it effective), this is a silky smooth product that is ideal for wearing alone or as a primer under make-up. SF
Sculpted by Aimee
Irish MUA turned make-up mogul Aimee Connolly has seen huge success with her brand, Sculpted by Aimee. Although she has a wide range of cosmetics, tan and skincare, her hero products are her impressive range of foundations. From the iconic 'second skin' to the viral cream cushion foundation, Connelly is known for creating a base you can rely on.
I tried the HydraTint Moisturising Tinted Serum and fell in love with its lightweight feel and impressive coverage. Now on my second bottle, I find it perfect for days that I want to look put together without smothering my skin. Ideal for holidays abroad, too, as it won't feel like it's melting off in the heat. SF
