Aimee Connolly: ‘Think of make-up like you’re building a cake and adding each tier as you go or as you want’
“If I could give one tip it would be to layer your make-up slowly. Think of make-up like you’re building a cake and adding each tier as you go or as you want. It might sound cliched when it comes to beauty, but I think it has the power to change everything in terms of the outcome. This doesn’t just go across foundation, it applies to everything and it suits those who love a super natural, pared-back look as much as those that want to go full glam.
“Rather than getting the full coverage base on in seconds, take a little bit and layer as you want to build the coverage. This not only allows you to stop when you’ve applied enough, it could also allow you to ease up on foundation and maybe focus your concealer into the higher coverage areas you want. This way you’re not left with lots of excess that doesn’t blend in as it has nowhere to go. Similarly with something like contour or blush – two things that lots of us fear – by starting slowly and applying little bits and adding as you see fit, you should feel more confident in your end colour.
“Otherwise, what typically happens is that people pick up so much pigment, not realising, apply it on to the face and then panic at the amount that’s been applied and start blending like mad people. This can cause make-up to go blotch-like or, just in general, to separate. It might seem counterproductive going in three or four times with the same product and technique but I can guarantee you the result will be much more flawless and subtle, which is what we want when it comes to make-up. So in short, enjoy layering your cake – which is of course your lovely face – and hopefully you’ll achieve the desired finish you want.”
Aimee Connolly is a make-up artist and founder of Sculpted by Aimee
Eavanna Breen: ‘Without wearing sunscreen daily, you are wasting your time and money’
“In the words of Baz Luhrmann, ‘If I could offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.’ You can spend all of your money on a 10-step Korean skincare routine, have regular facials, Botox, Profhilo, fillers, everything that the beauty industry can offer. Still, if you are doing all of these things without wearing sunscreen daily, you are wasting your time and money.
“There are three types of radiation from sunlight: infrared, visible and UV radiation. Infrared radiation and visible light does not cause problems to our skin. UV light energy, however, does. Our skin cells’ DNA absorbs it, influencing the skin’s normal growth and appearance. This DNA damage can lead to genetic changes or mutations, leading to skin cancer. UVB rays are often referred to as the burning rays. They are the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn. Even though these rays are stronger during the summer, they can still cause damage during the winter. UVA rays are the aging rays; they penetrate deeper into the skin and cause free radical damage to our collagen.
“Collagen is what we need to maintain a healthy, vital skin. As we age, we lose 1 per cent of collagen per annum after the age of 25, so we need to be preserving what we can. Wearing an SPF daily throughout the year will help protect what collagen we have left.
“One of my favourite sunscreens is the Skinmade Sun Oil. It provides SPF 50 and is full of antioxidants that help repair the DNA damage caused by the sun. Unlike nearly all sunscreens on the market, it does not break down in the sun, so no reapplication is needed for eight hours. This sun oil is also 100 per cent natural (or body’s ingredients), cruelty-free, vegan and suitable for all skin types. It’s my desert island product!”
Eavanna Breen is facialist, aesthetician and clinical director at Akina Beauty and Laser
Peigín Crowley: ‘Understand the difference between sleep and rest and the value of booking rest into the day’
“If I could give one tip it would be to help people understand the difference between sleep and rest and the value of booking rest into the day. For many people, myself included, sleep is the holy grail and, while it is absolutely the most important physical rest the mind and body can have, we also must train ourselves to take mindful breaks from ‘doing’ throughout the day in order to move consciously into a ‘being’ state.
“We are suffering from a rest deficit, especially after lockdown, with our ever-increasing ‘to do’ lists and our eagerness to sign up for social occasions again.
“When we are busy or in our high-functioning ‘doing’ mode, our stress hormones are pumping through our system – cortisol and adrenaline. While these hormones are necessary in times of danger as they help us in fight or flight mode, if they are present on a daily basis, they become bully hormones that affect our ability to rest and digest. Rest and digest hormones are messengers that have a physical function which can affect our emotional wellbeing. They can be released through touch, thoughts, activities and the food we eat.
"When the body is in 'being' mode, it moves into a healing state, this is when all the soft wellbeing hormones are released, serotonin in the gut, dopamine in the brain, oxytocin when we hug and kiss or go for a massage, endorphins which are released after exercise and melatonin at night when we sleep.
"Being conscious of the need for rest during the day is the key – this does not include scrolling through your phone or watching Netflix. Plan to book rest in as a priority just like work tasks."
- Active physical rest: Gentle movement, a leisurely walk in nature, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, sit in a bath with essential oils and magnesium salts
- Sensory rest: Digital detox, time away from the screen, no background noise, in dark space, diffuse an oil, breathe deeply and let go
- Emotional and social rest: Turn off the phone, set boundaries, say not, time on your own, reconnect to self, edit friendships to those that make you feel good
- Creative rest: Reading a book, journaling, enjoying a hobby, arts and crafts.
Peigín Crowley is a wellness expert and founder of Ground Wellbeing spa products
Brian Keane: ‘To become fitter, lose weight or just manage your daily stress levels, getting up an hour earlier can help’
“Get up an hour earlier each day. I know how unpopular this advice will sound on the front end, but hear me out. Regardless of your goal: to become fitter, to lose weight or just to manage your daily stress levels, getting up an hour earlier can help with all that.
“What you do with the extra hour is largely down to you. You could do a workout, either at home or in the gym. You could load up your favourite podcast or audiobook and go for a morning stroll. Or you could just take some alone time for yourself and have an uninterrupted cup of coffee before the children wake up. The sky really is the limit.
“I should also clarify, I’m not saying to miss out on a good night’s sleep either, far from it. This might mean going to bed an hour earlier. If that’s what you have to do, then that’s what you do. True, you might miss out on the next episode of The Tinder Swindler or Squid Game, but do you really need to watch three episodes in a single night? Probably not. Also, if you’re an evening snacker, going to bed an hour early will probably reduce the probability that you’ll finish off the family-size pack of Mars or Dairy Milk bar in the cupboard (we’ve all done it); so if your goal is weight or fat loss, it’s a double win.
“If an hour sounds like too much, start by setting the alarm 15 minutes earlier than normal and just have that window as ‘me time’ – as the weeks go on, you can increase it by 15 minutes until you hit the hour mark. I promise, after a month, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.”
Brian Keane is a fitness expert, best-selling author and podcast host at briankeanefitness.com
Orla Hopkins: ‘Make small changes, don’t overthink things and set yourself realistic goals to avoid overwhelming yourself’
“If I could give one tip for wellness it would be to start small. Focus on one change at a time. Make small changes, don’t overthink things and set yourself realistic goals to avoid overwhelming yourself. I always say ‘keep it simple’ – no matter how small the change is, as long as you feel the positive impact then it is making a difference.
“If, like me, you like to keep track, grab a notebook. Start with three simple changes (ie drink more water, add in three exercise sessions per week, or take time for deep, conscious breaths each morning). I feel when I see it written, it’s easier to implement. Then it’s about not overthinking it but just doing it. Once you make that start you will thank yourself.
“Once your body begins to feel those feel-good endorphins, you are on the road to consistency. If three exercise sessions a week sounds unachievable to begin with, don’t worry: As I said, start small. So maybe begin with one session a week or simply make exercise part of your daily life. Try walking or cycling instead of using the car, get off the Luas, train or bus a stop early and walk the rest of the way. Get active around the house – wash the windows or get gardening, for example.
“Once you begin to reap the benefits of elevating your mood from exercising, in no time I’m sure you will feel the need to increase the amount of activity and on the path to living a healthier lifestyle.”
Orla Hopkins is a fitness contributor with RTÉ and cofounder of New Dimensions Active