BEAUTY:IT'S NOT THE most fun part of the daily beauty ritual but it's probably the most important as clean skin is the key to everything that follows – and you'll get more benefit from your serums and moisturisers.
By all means, use the cleanser that matches your skincare range, but if you’re watching the pennies this is an area where you can choose to economise, with no repercussions. The aim is to get skin scrupulously clean and the difference between the cheap and expensive brands is usually in texture and fragrance, not in the efficacy of the product.
Cleansers come in many different formulas – milks and creams, gels, oils and balms. Be guided by your skin type: the general rule is the dryer your skin, the richer the cleanser.
Wipes are great for weekends away or to have within bedside reach when you’re too tired to bother with anything more.
Ponds Cold Cream has been around forever. It’s rich, so it’s great for dry skins or when you want that little bit of extra moisture in the winter months. Cetaphil is another bargain – a lighter formula and marvellously effective at removing every trace of make-up – and it’s suitable for all skin types. Both are available at chemists.
3 with the Xtra Factor
Facialist Emma Hardie focuses on making the skin resilient through massage and her Amazing Face range includes a professional cleansing system. The Moringa cleansing balm smells heavenly and the kit also includes rosehip exfoliating beads, €49.99 at Arnotts.
Remember the first time you used an electric toothbrush and your teeth felt cleaner than ever before? Now you can get that same polished feeling on your skin with the Clarasonic Mia (below), a sophisticated gadget that uses the same technology as a sonic toothbrush. Make-up, dead skin cells and impurities simply melt away under the micro massage motion of the rotating brush head. Gentle enough to use daily, it’s a real investment in your skin. It costs €133, from space nk at Harvey Nichols, Dundrum.
The Japanese Konjac sponge is brilliantly simple and effective. Made from vegetable root which gently cleanses and buffs skin. It costs £12/€14.50 from victoriahealth.com.
LA Confidential
One of Hollywood’s most in-demand skin fixers (Renée Zellweger reportedly has him on speed dial) is Ole Henriksen, whose natural approach targets the real skin care bad boys – eruptions, acne, enlarged and clogged pores. His 8 Step Purifying Facial is a comprehensive treatment which uses citrus-infused steam, compresses and doesn’t shy away from the all-important extractions either. The treatments (the Purifying Facial costs €90) and skin care range are available at Spirit One Spa, Radisson Blu Galway.
I can’t live without . . .
ANGELA SCANLON Stylist and fashion writer
Brighton Rock lippie from Topshop
I adore a strong lip and the pigment (and price) of Topshop’s range is great. This one makes me look alive on TV, even if I don’t feel it.
Aveda Hand Relief moisturiser
Great name, better moisture. This stops hands from cracking in the cold and smells fab too. Carmex It has to be the pot rather than the tube. It’s the only thing that works for me and stays on lips the way Vaseline and the rest just don’t.
Shu Uemura cleansing oil
The Beaut.ie girls, Kirstie and Aisling McDermott, recommended this to me and I wouldn’t be without now. Voted the best in the world for a reason; it gets rid of everything. I’ve got my Mum addicted too.
Nail polish
I’ve always got my nails painted. Turquoise is an ongoing obsession, but most recently I’ve been wearing neon pink-matte. My favourites are Barry M and Rimmel for cheap thrills and Chanel for some luxury.
