‘Tis the season to look absolutely glowing and gorgeous, mamas.
And to make sure we all look our absolute radiant best come Christmas parties and glitzy outings or even just for all those family gatherings, I have rounded up 10 seriously impressive beauty buys that have all crossed my desk the last few weeks – and that all did what they promised – and then some.
Keep these in your beauty arsenal this December, and you will be ready – and looking the part – for whatever this busy month throws at you:
1. MAC Strobe Cream Highlighting Cream
MAC’s iconic Strobe Cream has since forever been my favourite way of making my skin seem more luminous and glowing, and so you can imagine my excitement when I heard they were broadening the range by adding more shades – just in time for Christmas.
As well as this, you can now also get four different shades of the Skin Finish powder compacts – meaning it is easier than ever to dab and blend your way to your most illuminated, radiant skin ever.
Prices from €31,50 at MAC counters nationwide.
2. New HYLO-Fresh Eye Drops
December with its late nights and non-saintly nutritional ways can take a toll on your looks, for sure. This festive season, we are at least making sure our eyes stay healthy and sparkling by carting around a bottle of the new Hylo-Fresh eye drops in our handbags.
3. 111Skin Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask
This month’s Glossybox contained a whole lot of party-prep essentials for the festive season ahead, but what had me most excited, was the Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask from cult skincare brand, 111Skin.
This luxurious pre-party pick-me-up boasts a series of techy skin credentials, arbutin to brighten, silk amino acids to condition and Centella Asiatica to stimulate collagen production – to name a few. And not only that, it also felt amazing on my skin, and, after 20 minutes, left my face looking flawless and super-glowy.
£20 from 111Skin.com
4. Easilocks Copper Barrel Brush
When I tell you that this brush will revolutionize you DIY blow-dries, I am not kidding. The copper retains the heat much better than other barrel brushes, meaning your hair dries quicker and styling it takes less time. I also love how glossy and super-voluminous it made my locks look – party hair? Check.
Price: €37.99 from selected pharmacies nationwide.
5. Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint Bronzing Fluid
When it comes to tanning products, especially where your face is concerned, the more subtle and natural-looking, the better – always.
Which is why I have fallen in love with the Sheer Skin Tint Bronzing Fluid from Liz Earle, which is almost like a mix of a makeup and skincare product. This all-natural colour fluid (containing a mix of meadowfoam seed, borage seed and avocado oils, plus Alaria esculenta extract and natural source vitamin E) gives my face that perfectly sheer hint of a colur, and, even better, makes my normally slightly dry skin feel super-nourished and revitalised.
€32,50 from Arnotts and Boots.ie
6. Spotlight Teeth White Strips
We are dreaming of a whiter-than-white Christmas, ya’ll. A white smile, that is, and these whitening strips from Galway-based Spotlight really impressed us when we tried them out. Currently the only European whitening strips to contain hydrogen peroxide, the Spotlight whitening strips left our teeth several shades whiter than before.
€39.95 from Spotlightwhitening.com
7. YSL Le Cushion Encre de Peau
It’s official: cushion foundations are no longer just a Korean thing, ladies. In fact, my desk have been piled high with cushion foundations I have been introduced to in the last few months alone, but one stood out light years ahead of the rest: YSL’s Le Cushion Encre de Peau.
I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to foundations, and it takes a lot to sway me away from favourites I have been buying for years. But having tried this one, I was amazed at the featherweight, long-lasting formula – all perfectly contained in one nifty little cushion.
My skin? Luminous, matte and flawless all day. It was love at first try.
€45 from Debenhams and House of Fraser
8. Guinot Mini-Lift Eclat Beauté
This is an absolute Cinderella-like product that will take your skin from drab to total fab in no time at all. Or, you know, five minutes, as it says on the pack.
All you do – and this is so cool – is break the vial end of the ampoule (use a cloth for this) and apply the serum all over your face and neck. Wait five minutes and then apply makeup as normal. Trust me when I tell you that you will get compliments for your skin after doing this.
€18 from selected salons and spas nationwide and online at Feelunique.com
9. Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Illuminate Palette
Tis’ the season to sparkle and glow, you know, and this Christmas time I am all about a natural glow, which is why I have fallen head over heels for the new Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Illuminate Palette.
The six illuminating shades are perfect for blushing, bronzing and concealing on-the-go, and these pink and bronze colours will enhance the natural light of your skin – and who wouldn’t want that?
€45 from selected pharmacies around the country. (For further stockist information contact (01) 833 1636)
10. Giorgio Armani Crema Nuda
Say hello to my new best friend! Seriously; I have never tried a product that gave me proper supermodel skin before, but the new Crema Nuda from Giorgio Armani does just that.
A cross between a primer and a tinted moisturizer, it blurs imperfections and illuminates to reveal a fresh-faced finish that feels barely there. You can use it on its own for a nude, dewy finish, or as a base under foundation when more coverage is required. Either way, once you try it, chances are you will be just as hooked as I am.
€175 at Brown Thomas
For more tips and tricks when it comes to looking your most gorgeous, mamas, make sure you head on over to our Pinterest page, and give us a follow there too.
