If this is something you struggle with and would love to master, but you don’t have time or unlimited resources – hello, who does these days? - then consider this your quick and easy guide to mastering a five-minute morning makeup routine.

Minimal products, maximum results – and I promise, you’ll feel good.

Step 1. The Base.

And really, this is so much more than a base. This is your glowy prep step, your hydrating primer and, on the days when you don’t feel like wearing foundation, the product to reach for to even everything out and add a little bit of glow.

The product I recommend wholeheartedly for this step is Poco Beauty Universal Glow Treatment. It’s something I use every single day: alone, under makeup or mixed with foundation when I want to sheer out my base a little. It can also be used on the body. It’s a multitasker with a capital M.

Other products I love within this category include Vieve Skin Nova, Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer and Saie Glowy Super Gel.

Step 2. Foundation.

For everyday makeup, my go-to is always something light, glowy and skin-like.

Few of us have time to master an expertly applied base that requires a lot of blending and general elbow grease.

My pick in this case is always a lovely, tinted moisturiser or similar. The one I recommend to everyone is Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint. A tinted moisturising serum, it delivers the perfect amount of coverage, and a comfortable, skin-like finish that lasts throughout the day.

Others I really rate include Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Dewy, Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturiser and Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint.

Step 3. Concealer.

A little something to brighten and even out the under-eye area, and cover redness, blemishes, sunspots and so on.

Again, my choice here is something light, skin-like and buildable. If you need a little extra coverage in certain areas, you can simply add a second layer.

Several concealers I love tick all these boxes, including Clarins Skin Illusion All-In-One Concealer, Huda Beauty Faux Filter Concealer, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Concealer and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer.

Step 4. Bronzer.

God knows I love a bronzer. It’s a simple step that ties everything together, adds glow and warmth to the face, helps define the contours and generally makes you look like a fresher, brighter and more glowing version of yourself.

Nine times out of ten, I also use my bronzer on my eyes for a nice wash of colour. A neutral, matte brown looks gorgeous on literally everyone.

For speed and ease, my preference is always a powder bronzer and a nice, big, fluffy brush. To use a very scientific phrase, my approach to applying bronzer is: lash it on.

Always apply it in upward motions. Start on the cheeks, swirling the brush upwards towards the ears. Dusted along the top of the hairline and slightly into the hair, followed by a quick sweep across the nose. I also like to apply it underneath the jawline and down the neck to create shadow and definition.

My favourite bronzer for this is Dior Forever Nude Bronze Glow. I also love NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder and Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Soft Matte Bronzer.

Step 5. Mascara.

In the same vein as bronzer, I also love to lash on mascara - preferably one that is lengthening, thickening and somewhat dramatic.

I have a specific technique for applying it, too. I push the mascara wand right into the roots of my upper lashes (watch me do it here) and then wiggle it outwards, so every part of the lash is coated from root to tip. I do the same on the lower lashes, albeit with a lighter hand. We want a fluttery effect here, not spidery.

I apply two coats usually, sometimes three if I’m looking particularly knackered. Mascara opens up the eyes like nothing else, making you look fresh and awake - even when you feel the opposite.

My all-time favourite mascara is this one. I also like Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara and L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara.

Step 6. A multitasking lip-and-cheek product.

Why use two products when you can just use one?

There are so many great lip-and-cheek sticks and multipurpose colour products available now, most of them cream-based, which is my preference.

They’re quick and easy to use, too. Apply directly to the cheeks and blend upwards or pick the product up with your fingers and tap it into the skin. Then apply the same shade to your lips.

You can add lip liner if you wish but, most of the time, I don’t have time. LOL.

My absolute favourite multitasking lip-and-cheek products include Poco Beauty Universal Lip and Cheek Stick, Lisa Eldridge Velatura Balm Dewy Lip and Cheek Stick, SIMIZHAZE Colour Glaze Lip and Cheek Pigment.

Lastly. The Tools.

For this routine, only three brushes are required - and again, they’re multitaskers.

My favourite complexion brush is the Sculpted by Aimee Complexion Duo Brush. It has a foundation brush on one end and a concealer brush on the other. You can also use it to apply your primer or glowy base.

For bronzer, I like a big, fluffy brush. My current favorite is the Hourglass #1 Ambient Powder Brush. Yes, it’s a little bit more expensive, but it is exquisite. Beautifully made and effortless to use.

Other big, fluffy brushes I love for bronzer include this one from By Terry and this one from Refy.

Lastly, you’ll need a fluffy eye brush for applying bronzer, as above, or eyeshadow. I’m a big fan of this one from Lisa Eldridge and this one from Victoria Beckham.

If you’d like to watch me do this exact routine in video form, it’s available on my Instagram.

I know we’re all time-starved and generally bamboozled by day-to-day life, but sometimes five minutes and a little bit of makeup can make us feel much more like ourselves.

Hopefully, this makes those five minutes a little easier!

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Augustinus Bader The Overnight Restorative Cream

Heavy on rotation for the last couple of weeks is Augustinus Bader’s brand new The Overnight Restorative Cream. Powered by an advanced version of the brand’s famous TFC8® complex, along with a lot of barrier-supporting ingredients.

Interestingly, centella in particular is unusually represented here – including asiaticoside, madecassic acid and asiatic acid. And, unlike The Cream, there’s no retinoid, no exfoliating actives (and it appears to be fragrance-free).

So, this is very much restorative via helping the skin recover and not battering it with a heap of actives to force it to aggressively renew. Can I get an amen.

Touch and feel-wise, of course, it’s absolutely gorgeous. A light cream, it sinks beautifully into the skin. leaves it feeling plump, calm, balanced (and er, expensive).

It doesn’t launch in Europe until the 8th of September, but you can still get your hands on it now from here, or if you’re based in the US it appears to be available from Sephora and the other usual places.

Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Crème

It’s been quite a while since anything skincare-related from Chanel even vaguely floated my boat but this one does, and in a big way. Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Crème is like a big drink of water for your skin, presented in an incredibly luxurious glass jar.

The interesting bit is the texture. Chanel uses what it calls ‘microfluidic technology’ to suspend droplets of camellia extract within the formula, which remain separate until you apply the cream and then they essentially burst onto the skin. Gimmicky sounding? Absolutely. But does it makes for a deliciously fresh, juicy formula that leaves the skin looking and feeling ridiculously plump and moisturised? Also yes.

Barrier support continues to be one of the biggest skincare themes at the moment, and Chanel clearly wants a slice of the action - and this is their very luxurious, very Chanel answer to it. I approve.

Clarins Skin Illusion All In One Concealer

I was accidentally flashing this around social media for the last couple of weeks, including in makeup videos and so on, until one day I went looking for price information, couldn’t find it anywhere and realized it hadn’t actually launched yet.

Panic ensued.

Anyway, now it has launched, so I can talk about it. Clarins’ new concealer is really excellent. It hasn’t left my makeup bag since the beginning of the summer. Great coverage, beautiful skin-like finish, excellent longevity, and a lovely thin formula that looks like skin without ever looking dry or exacerbating fine lines. 10/10.

Victoria Beckham Eye Wardrobe in Bordeaux

Trying again I should say, as I’ve owned this for quite some time and recently busted it out only to be brought to my knees once more by it’s beauty.

Eye Wardrobe, specifically in Bordeaux, is just exquisite in every way. The shades, the ridiculously soft butter-like texture, the colour payoff, the blendability, ALL OF IT.

While I use all four shades, the light brown-gold shade at the front has my heart entirely. It’s so flattering and so unique on that people always ask what’s on my eyes when I wear it.

Buying

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Patches

To be completely transparent, these belong in both the trying and buying categories. The brand initially sent me a pack of their Jet Lag Eye Patches to try and I loved them so much that I then went out and bought another pack myself.

I consider myself something of an under-eye patch connoisseur, and these ones are really good. They remain cold on the skin for the entire length of time you wear them, which obviously feels amazing, but also does a stellar job at reducing puffiness and generally hydrating the under-eye. Big fan.

Missoma Jewellery

I’ve really got into Missoma over the last couple of years. I used to be a Monica Vinader ‘stan’, as the young ones say, but over time I felt the quality was going downhill.

Right at the end, before our official breakup, I sent a couple of different rings back on two separate occasions to have them replated because they had tarnished (again) so quickly. On the second occasion I just thought, that’s it - I can’t be arsed anymore.

Enter Missoma.

A friend recommended the brand and I’ve been buying bits and pieces from them ever since - and happily, I might add. Really lovely, high-quality pieces that don’t tarnish.

Over the last couple of months I’ve bought these earrings, and these ones, this necklace, and then this week I treated myself to this stunning ring that I’d been eyeing online.

La Roche Posay Dermallergo Cream

I’ve been using La Roche Posay Dermallergo Cream for years now and recommend it regularly as a great lightweight moisturiser for everyone. It’s particularly excellent, however, for those with sensitive or reactive skin.

There are two versions, a fluid and a cream, and they’re both great. The fluid is lighter and more gel-like in texture, while the cream is, as the name suggests, a cream. I picked it up again the other day, along with one for the husband, as he uses it too.

L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara

I recently decided to branch out from my almost decade-long (!) love affair with L'Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara and try a Maybelline mascara instead. See the binning section below.

I regretted it immediately. I am always open to trying new mascaras but I have yet to find one that truly keeps me in a chokehold the way Lash Paradise does. So lengthening, so thickening, so dramatically volumizing without clumping or flaking and, thank god, it continues to remain less than €20.

V Face Beauty Device

A friend of mine recently posted about this on her Close Friends Stories on Instagram and I nearly injured myself trying to urgently respond and say what the hell is this, where did you get it etc.

I fear this is one of my more insane purchases in recent months, but I love a gimmick and I love a beauty tech device, and this is both.

I bought it from a potentially questionable-looking website, but it arrived on schedule (in very simple, basic packaging) and I have indeed been using it.

Has it blasted my double chin? Not yet, but nothing good comes to those who will not wait, so I’m committed to using it for the next couple of weeks.

I will report back ASAP.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Sheer Clean Dry Shampoo Mist

I don’t actually have this in my possession yet as I’ve literally just ordered it from Space NK, but I thought I’d add it to the list nonetheless as I know we’re all huge fans of dry shampoo and go through it like hot dinners.

Living Proof, an excellent haircare brand whose dry shampoo iterations I’ve bought many, many times, has now brought out a mist version, which I’m incredibly intrigued by.

It’s exclusive to Space NK at the moment, so that’s the only place you can order it. As soon as it arrives, I’ll let you know what it’s like.

Binning

Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Mascara

The aforementioned Maybelline mascara I purchased was this one, Falsies Lash Lift. I was influenced by a TikTok video and found myself ordering it the next day.

Aside from the fact that I just generally think this is a very poor mascara, with a strangely shaped wand that doesn’t really do much, I must admit it was already a failure in my eyes before I even got to using it.

I had to perform literal surgery to get the plastic off the packaging. Surely to god there has to be a better way of securing the packaging than smashing sellotape all over it for consumers to then have to pick apart? And when the plastic finally comes off it takes some of the packaging with it? 0/10 on every front.

Laura Mercier Tinted Blur Balm

I know there’s been quite a lot of buzz about Laura Mercier’s Tinted Blur Balm over the last few months, but try as I might to make it work for me, I just cannot.

I don’t really understand it. The coverage is so minimal, I don’t particularly like how it feels on my skin and, to use a very scientific phrase, it just wouldn’t lay down.

Do you know what I mean? It just wouldn’t sit on my skin properly. I also think the packaging feels a bit cheap. And reading this back, I can’t believe I’m writing about a Laura Mercier product like this, but here we are.

OTHER BEAUTY BITS TO KNOW ABOUT

• Laura Geller arrives in Ireland - according to the press release I received today, the brand “will expand their retail footprint into Ireland via Dunnes Stores, McCauley Pharmacy, and McCabe’s Pharmacy.”

• Other BIG news I got an email about - which I’m pretty sure is under embargo and so I don’t want to get sued. So, what I will say is that a fantastic brand currently only available in the USA that I personally tried to find when I was in New York earlier this year but couldn’t because it was only available in the bigger Sephoras, is now coming to Ireland and the UK via a retailer we all know and love.

  I’ll let you figure it out, and if you don’t, don’t worry, because I’ll be able to tell you in approximately nine days anyway.

Discount Codes

And lastly, as ever, here are all the discount codes I have access to right now.

FYI - Some of the links and codes shared on Glow Notes are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them.

Current Body - CBSIMONES for 10% off all LED Devices

Dr. Sam’s Skincare - SIMONE10 for 10% off

Look Fantastic - SIMONELF for 21% off everything here

ID Formulas - SIMONEG10 for 10% off

Tria Laser - SIMONE for 10% off

DCYPHER - SIMONE20 for 20% off

U Beauty - SIMONEG20 for 20% off

ZIIP Halo - SIMONES for 10% off

And that, my friends, is all for now.

I hope you enjoyed this newsletter, and if you did - please drop and comment and a like.

I really appreciate the support.

There is a lot going on at the moment. A lot. The biggest thing happening is that we’re renovating a 180 year old house in East Mayo that we bought several years ago. It’s been a LONG, tough, stressful project to get off the ground, but it seems to be finally happening.

We’ve been over and back to East Mayo like yo-yos for the last few weeks, and I feel like I’m living out of a suitcase. I’m exhausted and excited! But mostly exhausted.

We have big plans for this house - or this project, I should say - as there’s more than just a residential aspect to it. It’s going to completely change our lives. And I’m 100% ready for it. But I’m also scared!

There is no doubt that we’ve bitten off more than we can chew, but there is one thing I can be sure of: I am insane. And the only person more insane than me is my husband. And together, we will get this done. Come hell or high water, etc.

So, here’s the gist. There are two buildings involved. One is the original building, which we’re not changing structurally. There since 1846 and an absolute beauty. The inside has been gutted and a new roof put on, but that’s as far as we’ve got.

The second building - which was attached to the first - was lower and narrower and falling in on itself, so it had to be razed to the ground.

We’re now excavating and laying the foundations, and then (re)construction will begin. It will be constructed to tie in with the original building in every way.

All the walls for this building are precast, which means they will be built off-site and then lifted into place by crane. The specs involved in designing and ordering these melted my brain in a way that I hope I will never have to revisit. They have to be EXACT. No room for error. Thank JESUS for my husband who is in the construction industry and has expertly guided us through this process, and approx. 17,253,521 others.

Anyway, last night was the first night all of us were at home together, in what felt like an age, and so we cooked dinner and drank a lovely bottle of wine and now I am hungover.

When I posted some clips from the site on Instagram, I was inundated with requests to keep the updates coming, which made me feel a bit emotional, if I’m honest. I couldn’t bring myself to talk about this project for so long because there was so much stress involved, but I feel like we’re entering the good part now.

Also, obviously, the financially ruinous part. Balance and all that.

If you’d like to have a nosy around, please check out this highlight on my Instagram for now. And here are some snaps of the old girl below. There’s also a video here.

Great Lengths Hair Extensions

If you read my last newsletter, then you’ll know I had plans to have hair extensions put in.

Well, those plans went ahead as scheduled… and then three weeks later I removed (most of) them.

This feels like a slightly strange thing to announce as somebody in her forties who has always had pretty decent hair and has never really been an extensions person. I had them once, about 10 years ago, but it was a very short-lived affair.

My hairdresser, Kate had been encouraging me for a while to try Great Lengths keratin bond extensions. Not for length, but for volume. As anybody who’s followed me for a while will know, my lifelong ambition is essentially to have the biggest hair physically possible.

So, I gave in. The process was fascinating, albeit long (I documented it here). It took more than three hours because Kate attached around 115 keratin bonds to my head. I have been told by people in the know when it comes to extensions, that 115 bonds is a lot.

My feelings towards them changed hourly.

For the first day or two I thought they were brilliant. I couldn’t stop touching my hair. I couldn’t believe how much of it I suddenly had.

Then came wash day. When they’re soaking wet, the weight of them is immense. Blow-drying was another learning curve. The ends become much bigger and fluffier than my own, so you have to smooth everything out before you even think about styling.

I also made the tactical error of deciding to wash them myself for the first time on the evening of the Love Island final - confidently allowing myself an hour beforehand. Ha! Let’s just say it took considerably more than an hour.

As a result, I then declared them to be one of the worst beauty decisions I’d ever made.

But… then I curled them. The curls lasted beautifully for days, which never happens with my own hair, and naturally I changed my mind (again).

A few days later, after a full day in clinic with my hair piled on top of my head, a headache in full swing, and lots of the bonds visible - I decided that was it.

No more hair extensions.

Off to the salon I went. I shared my woes, and Laura, another amazing Great Lengths specialist, said, ‘Let’s take out all the bonds on the top, and several at the back and sides. All you want is a bit of extra volume, right? Give them a go and see what you think.’

And so I did, and the difference was monumental. I couldn’t see them anymore, I couldn’t really feel them either, and because so many had been removed from the top I could also successfully run my hands through my hair again. Winner, winner.

I’ve had them for four weeks now, and I think this lighter load might be the sweet spot. I have that little bit of extra oomph I wanted. I can fling my hair this way and that, and the bonds are never visible.

They’re also just easier to manage on the whole. Washing, styling, the whole shebang.

For reference, I’m using this shampoo and conditioner, this build-up removal treatment, this styling spray, this volume spray and this dry shampoo.

The only brushes I use now are from The Belle Brush. All phenomenal and extension-friendly. I carry the Mini Detangler in my handbag, and have the large brush and the medium brush at home.

Saltair Body

Two new products I’ve added to my body care routine lately, and both are from Saltair.

In general, I think this is a bloody good brand. The products are so well formulated, beautifully packaged and really reasonably priced. Salt Water Vanilla Serum Body Wash is exquisite (and less than €20 for 500ml. Hallelujah). It’s gentle on the skin, luxurious and wouldn’t be out of place in a five star hotel.

I bought this first and was so impressed that I then decided to try Saltair Retinol Revive Overnight Body Lotion. Happily, it’s also 10/10. I specifically bought it to use as part of my self-tan routine. I exfoliate and do all my usual bits and then use this as the last step.

I find it really helps with dry patches and overall smoothness. It’s incredibly thin and light, but still feels really nourishing and soothing.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Loose Powder

I’ve been using this for quite a while thanks to samples the brand sent out during the summer: the Brightening Peach shade, the translucent one, and a couple of tan shades which I gave to friends.

When I used it for the first time I was immediately struck by the THINNESS. It’s practically invisible on the skin, and - I have to give it to CT - it really does blur. I was so impressed with it that I took out my x3 magnifying mirror to have a look up close.

It’s so finely milled that when you apply it to the skin it’s almost undetectable, but the effect is not. And there’s no caking, no dryness, no looking older than you are.

Obviously, the more you use, the more dramatic the effect will be. I tend to use a small amount, starting at the outer corner of my eye and working my way inwards, as I want the least amount of product at the inner corner, where my skin creases the most.

I also really appreciate the design. It’s a tub of powder but it has a click-and-seal mechanism inside, so the powder is held in place at all times. No mess, no powder everywhere, on every surface, on every living thing.

Orebella Salted Muse Parfum

I’ve been wearing Salted Muse non-stop since it arrived at my door two weeks ago. One of four fragrances from Orebella, Bella Hadid’s line, it’s arguably one of the most unusual fragrances I’ve ever tried.

First of all, the packaging. A literal giant gemstone that would work just as well as a gorgeous ornament on your bookcase. The formulation is unique, too. Each fragrance in the range is alcohol free and bi-phase, with a base of hydrating, calming ingredients, like camellia oil, jojoba oil and snow mushroom. As a result, it has to be shaken first to activate it, before spritzing.

And that’s before I even mention the scent. It’s intensely fresh and coastal, quite masculine, warm and woody, with a sugary, powdery base. It’s a total head-turner, in my opinion. Next on my list to try is Blooming Fire. I’ve ordered this discovery set so I can give it a go, along with the others.

Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight in Peau De Rose

When I interviewed Gucci Westman a couple of weeks ago, one product she mentioned more than once - and uses on both herself and everyone she works on - was Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight in Peau de Rose.

When I got home the following day, I immediately went online and ordered it. And since it arrived, I’ve used it every day.

There are two key things to say about this product. One: it’s eye-wateringly expensive. Do I regret purchasing it? Absolutely not. Will I be buying more shades. Also no.

The second thing to say is that it’s exquisitely formulated. A cream-highlighter hybrid that adds a next-level sheen to the skin, housed in the most beautiful, weighty, timeless packaging. This is a true treat-yourself (or someone you love) product.

Swooning guaranteed.

Discount Codes

And lastly, as ever, here are all the discount codes I have access to right now.

I’ll update them whenever anything changes, and you’ll be able to find them at the bottom of every newsletter.

FYI - Some of the links and codes shared on Glow Notes are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them.

Current Body - CBSIMONES for 10% off all LED Devices

Look Fantastic - SIMONELF for 21% off everything here

ID Formulas - SIMONEG10 for 10% off

Tria Laser - SIMONE for 10% off

U Beauty - SIMONEG20 for 20% off

ZIIP Halo - SIMONES for 10% off

And that, my friends, is all for now.

I’m heading west to the site again this week, and then on to my favourite people in the world for a weekend of hugs, wine, walks, dogs, football matches and more wine.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and if you did - please drop and comment and a like.

I really appreciate the support.

Now, this isn’t brand-new technology - it’s an upgraded version of the original, which came out some time ago. The Tria FRX is described as a clinical-grade fractional non-ablative laser, and let’s get into that non-ablative part first, because it’s important.

What does non-ablative mean?

If you’ve been around these parts for a while, you know I spend some of my time working in clinic as an aesthetic practitioner, and so I’m forever going on about treatments like fractional lasers, microneedling, radiofrequency, etc.

Fractional ablative lasers work by creating hundreds, sometimes thousands, of microscopic treatment zones in the skin. This triggers your body’s wound healing process and stimulates collagen production. They’re incredibly effective, but they also come with associated downtime.

The Tria FRX works differently - because it’s a fractional non-ablative laser. This means the surface of your skin stays intact, and instead it delivers controlled heat into the deeper layers where your collagen is produced. The goal is still collagen stimulation and skin rejuvenation but with minimal to no downtime.

What can it help with?

Because it works under the surface of the skin, it’s designed to target several things at once, including:

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Dark spots, sunspots, pigmentation

• Uneven skin tone

• Collagen stimulation

Some of the before and afters I’ve seen already are incredible. Take a look:

How do you use it?

Despite the technology behind it, it’s actually a very straightforward device to use. It’s lightweight, comes with a charger and once fully charged, it’s cordless.

Make sure your skin is clean and dry, then switch on the device. The power button is on the top, and there are three intensity levels. If you’re just starting off, especially if you have sensitive skin, I’d recommend going in at the lowest setting.

Once you’ve selected your intensity level, hold it upright against the skin. You’ll know you have full contact with the skin as the light on the device will flash (FYI – the laser will never fire until the device is fully flat against your skin, so it’s very safe to use). Then, start gliding it across the face. I have a demo on my Stories here.

The treatment is divided into zones, so for example, one cheek counts as a single zone. You glide the device back and forth on the zone until it beeps. That means you have completed that section, and you can move on to the next.

This Substack newsletter is sponsored by Tria. Their goal is to bring a new level of transparency to the at-home beauty tech world.

I’ve tested a few at-home devices over the years, but this is the first one that actually felt comparable to a clinic laser - which is why I said yes to partnering with them.

If you’re interested in trying it yourself, you can use my code SIMONE for 10% off on the Tria website at any time.

Does it hurt?

I wouldn’t necessarily say it hurts - I would describe it more as spicy. A very clinical term, I think you’ll agree.

Ultimately, despite being an at-home device and easy to use, it’s still a fractional laser. The sensation is noticeable, but tolerable. I’d describe it as an elastic band being flicked against your skin with a bit of heat thrown in for good measure.

After treatment, especially if you’re sensitive like me, your skin can be a little bit pink in places, but this settles down within an hour or so.

What about post-treatment skincare?

It’s important to be gentle with your skin after treatment, so use a gentle barrier-repairing moisturiser (or Tria’s great Phytograph Gel) and, of course, sunscreen during the day.

You don’t have to completely stop active skin care products while you’re using this device, but I wouldn’t use everything at the same time of day.

For example, the device is recommended for evening use, which gives your skin the opportunity to recover overnight. The following morning, you can still use a gentle exfoliant or a vitamin C serum if your skin is happy.

Personally, I would not use a retinoid on the same evening you use the FRX unless your skin is hardcore and used to both.

Should you use it every night?

Initially, yes.

For best results, the Tria FRX laser is designed to be used every night for eight weeks.

After that, you take a four-week break before starting another treatment cycle (increasing the intensity if your skin is ready).

My thoughts so far

I’ve only been using the device for a couple of weeks, so I’m not quite ready to give my final verdict, but what I will say is that it’s incredibly easy to use. I love the technology, and I understand why people are going nuts for it.

If you want to read more about the device, click here. I also have a discount code for anyone interested in purchasing: SIMONE for 10% off.

On our last day, we parked ourselves at the pool for an hour. I was stretched out on a sun lounger, slathered head to toe in high-factor sunscreen as per, hat on my head, umbrella overhead - there wasn’t an inch of sun getting at me unless I wanted it to. Yes, there were dips in and out of the pool and so on, but for the most part, I stayed put in my sunless cocoon.

Beside me was my antithesis. A woman, around my age, on her own lounger, reading a book. No hat, no shade, and in the slightly more than one hour we were there, not a single sign of sunscreen. I noticed her because she had one of the deepest, most even tans I’ve ever seen. Not quite nutmeg brown, but close enough - and I must admit, the first word that popped into my head was “urgh.” Yes, because she was roasting herself and opening the door to serious future skin issues, but also… because the bronze hue she was sporting was truly something else.

I looked down at my own pale limbs - my (faux) tan all but washed off after a week of chlorine, sunscreen, and moisturiser. I haven’t sat in the sun properly since my early twenties, not since my mum had a basal cell carcinoma the size of a one-euro coin cut out of her cheekbone. But goddamnit, I wanted to be that bronzed. So I resolved, once I got home, to try to replicate that glow - from a bottle, of course. And not my usual natural glow, but a full-on, ultra-dark, deep tan. And that’s exactly what I did.

My usual self-tan prep routine commenced with gusto (you can read more about that here, including the products I use). The key product for me is still the best tan remover exfoliator I’ve ever found. Once that was done, I went in with my absolute favourite tan: Poco Beauty Skincare Infused Tanning Mousse. It spreads incredibly well (and smells like a Tom Ford fragrance) and sinks in quick - no sticky, can’t-touch-anything phase etc.

But then, before application, I did something I’ve never done before - I spent a full hour cruising TikTok for the best tan application tips I could find. And let me tell you, the fake tan girlies on TikTok know their stuff.

I picked up techniques I’d never even considered, and also more obvious ones that I absolutely should have been doing already - but wasn’t. Here’s the rundown:

• Do not apply fake tan straight after showering and exfoliation. Wait at least three hours, or ideally until the next day - application will be smoother, more even, no strawberry legs in sight. Also, one lady said she shaves the day after she’s rinsed off her tan?! Have any of you heard of this? I’m so intrigued.

• Apply two to three pumps per area. This is something I was absolutely not doing before - and honestly, I think this is the tip that made all the difference. 2-3 pumps for my chest and neck, 2-3 pumps for each arm, leg - you get the idea. Lash. it. on.

• Do not tan hands and feet until the very end. And not only that - mix a pump of moisturiser and tan together. Yes, I know. I used a big, dense buffing brush, and pumped one blob of tan and a much smaller blob of moisturiser and then brushed on to my hands and feet - and let me tell you, it’s life-changing.

• Wait 15 minutes for everything to dry in and then apply a second layer. Unheard of for me. Unheard of. But I did it. Does this officially make me a self-tan success story? Answers on a postcard.

The next morning, I hopped in the shower, rinsed off the guide colour, and was left looking exactly like the woman on the sun lounger - minus the sun damage, obviously.

I moisturised like it was my full-time job for the next few days, determined to make the best tan I’ve ever achieved last as long as possible - and it did. I’m happy to report that I got a solid seven days out of this tan before it even began to fade. Can you believe it?

I feel like I’ve broken through some kind of cosmic beauty barrier (or whatever it is that separates fake tan disasters from fake tan perfection - lol).

Want to read more?

We were training on a brand-new machine that the clinic is considering bringing in - first to market and doesn’t officially launch until next summer, so naturally, we were mad to give it a go on ourselves.

Originally, I was going to blast my face, neck and chest (although the neck was my main focus), but when the training team chatted through the downtime I changed my mind.

We were told to expect three days of redness, tightness and sensitivity before things settled into the sandpaper-to-the-touch stage, along with more tenderness and superficial scabbing for up to seven days. I usually wouldn’t mind this, but as I was heading on a family trip the following day I decided to just blast my neck.

Overall, it was a pretty comfortable treatment - the sensation was a little like someone sprinkling hot oil on your skin - although I was numbed to the max.

In the end, we also did a gentle rejuv setting on my face, no downtime, bar a little flushing immediately afterwards (skin looks great now I must say - super glowy).

Anyway, here I am on the left, mid-treatment.

And right, 24 hours later. Red hot, quite stingy, tender and very sensitive. At this point, I was slathering on barrier repair cream like my life depended on it. No other skincare.

And below is where we’re at five days later. I swear my neck looks better already.

The sandpaper feeling is still there - although nowhere near as much - and there are still a couple of little areas that feel slightly tender. I’m expecting everything to be back to normal by around the seven-day mark.

What I’m really hoping to get from this treatment is tightening. That’s what this type of laser is particularly brilliant for, but I’m also hoping to see improvements in tone, texture and some of the finer lines creeping in around the neck.

Will keep you posted.

Leeds: Blow Dries, White T-Shirts, Hot Chocolate

We spent a couple of days in Yorkshire this week - my old stomping ground - specifically Leeds, a city I absolutely love.

• We had a lovely dinner here with the pups. Canal-side, dog-friendly, great wine list. And we also ate here. Hugo Spritzes, fantastic food, great views over Aire Valley.

• Stopped here for the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life. They do coffee and matcha but specialise in chocolate drinks - hot and cold, white, dark and extra dark - with homemade marshmallows. Divine on a level I simply cannot put into words.

• Had a rather excellent blow-dry in this neighbourhood favourite. A very aesthetically pleasing salon. They do nails also - planning to book in next time we’re here.

• Our favourite coffee spot in Leeds is Archive. Sensational brews, lovely team, outdoor seating, dog-friendly. Parking is a bit of bitch, but other than that 10/10.

Product-wise, whilst I had to be careful with my neck while I was away, I was completely gung-ho with my face, so it was a full beat every day, as the young ones say.

I took Poco Beauty Skintuition with me - such a bloody good foundation. Buttery smooth, super light, and somehow manages to feel like a skin tint whilst giving far more coverage than you’d expect. Full face of it below (I wear shade Pebble, FYI).

Another couple of products I’ve been reaching for daily:

• Dior Forever Nude Bronzer. I just love the tone of it. Cool, reddish-tone, so flattering. It’s incredibly easy to apply, never goes muddy and somehow always looks expensive on the skin. I also use it with this brush, which Anna put me on to. So good.

• And after interviewing Gucci Westman a few weeks ago, I’m firmly back in my Face Trace Contour Stick era. She uses it to sculpt the face, so naturally, I came home and immediately started using mine every single day again. Cheeks, forehead, nose, etc.

• Merit Flush Balm in the shade Le Bon Bon. Instantly complexion lifting. Quick and easy to use, and great on the lips to for a cohesive finish.

This time of year, I basically live in white t-shirts worn with linen trousers or my all-time favourite Citizens of Humanity cargo trousers (10/10, best ever, so comfortable).

But, specifically, I want to mention the white T-shirt I buy on repeat (the one I’m wearing below) because despite washing them 700 million times, they never lose their quality or shape. 100/10.

If you like a little structure and a bit of weight to your T-shirts, they are honestly just the best. I also think they’re particularly flattering if, like me, you’re slightly fuller in the chest. The sleeves are perfect, too! Just above the elbow.

OTHER BEAUTY BITS TO KNOW ABOUT

• Tria’s New Facial Laser

I’ve been using Tria’s new facial laser for a little while now and I’m so impressed that I’ve agreed to partner with them on an in-depth guide here at some point over the next few months. It’s one of the best at-home rejuv lasers I’ve used.

• Victoria Beckham Blush Stylus

If you’ve ever used Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Contour Stylus, you’ll love the new Blush Stylus. Same clever pen format, only now in blush form, with five creamy shades to choose from. The packaging is beautiful (and weighty - which, if you’ve been reading Glow Notes for any length of time, you’ll know is something I bang on about rather a lot).

My favourite shade so far is Rossa - a classic rose.

• Chanel x Gracie Abrams

Chanel announced Gracie Abrams as the face of Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu Eau De Parfum.

• Dr Sam Bunting’s Book

The queen of skin herself - and someone I was lucky enough to interview - Dr Sam Bunting is finally bringing out a book.

She’s one of those people who has an extraordinary ability to explain skin in an evidence-based way without ever feeling intimidating, and I suspect the book will be much the same. I’ve already pre-ordered.

• Merit Clean Volume Mascara

Merit has launched a new tubing mascara called Clean Volume, and the team very kindly sent me both the black and brown shades to try out. It is not for me.

I am unbelievably fussy when it comes to mascara. I want BIG volume. I want length. I want lift. I want drama (I want my lashes to look like they’ve had a transplant, basically).

This mascara doesn’t really deliver on any of those fronts. It does give nicely separated, fluttery, natural-looking lashes, though. Think pretty and fresh as opposed to violent volume (which is what I want).

• Hair Extensions

I’ve decided to take the plunge and get hair extensions again. I say “again”, but the last (and only) time I had them was ten years ago.

I looked back through old pics recently, and I think I liked them. Although, if I’m completely honest, I can’t remember.

My brilliant hairdresser Kate has been encouraging me to give them another go for quite a while, more for bulk/volume as opposed to length, and so here we are.

She ordered them from Great Lengths, and I’m having them put in next weekend. I’ve been told they’ll last somewhere around five months before needing to be replaced.

I’m genuinely SO excited - but also a bit scared. Have you had them? Please tell me everything I need to know.

Lastly, Discount Codes

I get asked fairly regularly about the codes I have for different brands and, while I try to keep them up to date in places like my Linktree and occasionally on Instagram, I realised it’s probably much easier to whack them at the bottom here instead.

I’ll update them whenever anything changes, so if you’re ever looking for a code, you’ll know where to find it.

FYI - Some of the links and codes shared on Glow Notes are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them.

Current Body - CBSIMONES for 10% off all LED Devices

Look Fantastic - SIMONELF for 21% off everything here

ID Formulas - SIMONEG10 for 10% off

Tria Laser - SIMONE for 10% off

U Beauty - SIMONEG20 for 20% off

ZIIP Halo - SIMONES for 10% off

And that, my friends, is all for now.

If you enjoyed this post please drop a comment or a like! I really appreciate the support.

Long before Westman Atelier became one of the industry’s most coveted luxury beauty brands, Westman had already cemented herself as one of the fashion industry’s most influential makeup artists, working on countless Vogue covers with some of the biggest names, including Nicole Kidman, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Aniston, Cate Blanchett and many more.

I meet Gucci at Cashel Palace in Co. Tipperary (10/10 hotel, would happily live there) - where Westman Atelier has taken over for a one-day, sold-out masterclass.

Let me set the scene. A warm summer afternoon, over one hundred women, an incredibly beautiful setting, champagne flowing, and watching Gucci Westman do her thing. A vibe, as my teenager would say.

Before the masterclass kicks off, we sit down at the edge of the (incredible!) gardens for a brew, and I quickly discover that she’s exactly as I’d imagined: calm, warm, funny, with a relaxed, easy way about her.

I tell her I’ve been using her new Sun Tone Bronzing Creme almost every day. As someone who struggles to find bronzers that aren’t overly warm, it’s one of the first I’ve found with an undertone that genuinely flatters (while being utterly gorgeous to use).

“I know,” she laughs. “So many are too warm, and then they’re not deep enough. You need that mix. I’ve been obsessed with bronzer my entire career, so I was really focused on getting it right. I used to have to mix three different products to create the one I wanted.”

It’s a fitting place to start because, throughout our conversation, one thing becomes crystal clear: Gucci likes to do things her own way. Whether she’s formulating products, creating makeup looks or building a business, she’s always trusted her own instincts, and as I’ll soon find out, she loves saying no.

Gucci on...

Knowing when to stop.

One thing I've always wondered about makeup artists who've worked in editorial, fashion and film is whether they ever know when a look is finished. When do you know to put the brushes down? When do you know when to stop?

“I haven’t yet,” she laughs. “But I think that's a really great question. Actually, that is very hard. That's a really good question that you would know to ask. Earlier in my career I was doing every fashion magazine cover, and every cover meant changing something, adding something, doing a little bit more. It was always difficult for me to feel OK with doing less. But something shifted inside me. I feel so happy with what I’m doing now.

I still work with a few actresses, but I stretched myself too much for years. I was away from my family for almost five weeks at a time, and I realised I just couldn’t keep doing that. I almost had to experience it to understand that I couldn’t continue working at that pace.”

Building Westman Atelier.

“It really is an amazing feeling. I feel like my entire career brought me to this point. I worked with Lancôme for five years and Revlon for eight years, but all that time I had this feeling in the back of my mind that I wanted to create my own products.

I grew up in a family that was really focused on wellness and ingredients. We lived in an ashram before moving to Sweden when I was ten. I’m half Swedish, and we weren’t allowed sugar or anything that wasn’t healthy. At the time it was such a pain,” she laughs.

“I used my lunch money to buy candy. I also wasn’t allowed to wear makeup, but all of that really informed the products I wanted to create.

I wanted to replace my favourite makeup artist products with formulas that didn’t have silicones or toxic ingredients, while adding skincare benefits that actually functioned. I wanted to make something I loved wearing - products I didn’t feel desperate to wash off at the end of the day because I’m allergic to silicones and I also have rosacea.

That was a huge challenge. Even with our Foundation Stick, my husband and I got into an altercation in the lab because they wanted to use a particular ingredient and I said no. That has probably been my biggest weapon - saying ‘no’. I’ve always believed there’s a way. You just have to keep trying. Every single product you see had that same challenge.”

The philosophy behind Westman Atelier.

“I wanted it to feel curated. Easy. One of the nicest things women say to me is, ‘Thank you. Your brand has made such a difference. I never knew how to do makeup before and now it feels so easy.’ That’s exactly how it should feel. You should be able to do your makeup in five minutes.”

The social media aesthetic she’s never understood.

Gucci has watched beauty evolve over decades, from glossy magazine editorials to the rise of TikTok, and she has a lot to say.

“I’m not interested in transformational makeup. That social media aesthetic was never attractive to me. I’ve always wanted to look like myself, just better. I don’t want to look like I can’t move because I have so much stuff on my face. And listen, I don’t judge anybody. If that’s someone’s way of expressing themselves, that’s completely fine. But I don’t think it should become the guide for younger girls.

The message becomes: do your makeup, put filters on your photos, post them on social media, then go home and judge yourself by how many likes you got. Why? Why is that the measure? It’s terrible. It’s so sad, and it’s such a negative spiral.”

The one beauty trend she’s never been a fan of.

“I’ve never been a fan of those huge fake lashes. I find them so unattractive. I just don’t understand them. I also think it’s ironic that I wore so much makeup when I was younger, and now that I’m older I wear so little. It really is a cycle.

Saying that, I think there’s a real appetite now for what we’re doing because people want to know what’s in their products. They want to know what’s in their food. They want to improve their quality of life. We’re incredibly focused on ingredients, performance and becoming more sustainable. It’s a huge challenge, but I’m on a mission to do it well.

Our compacts are refillable but people don't even buy the refill! I know, she laughs. But we have to do it. And hopefully at some point people will start buying the refills. It just feels good to try to push because then you're one of the little specks in the universe that are trying to do something better, more conscious."

Creating beautiful things.

I tell Gucci that one of the things I love most about Westman Atelier is that the products feel considered. Baby Cheeks Blush Stick has lived in my makeup bag for years, not only because I love using it, but because I genuinely enjoy looking at it. Doing your makeup always feels like a little moment for yourself, and I love using something that's beautiful to hold as well as beautiful on the skin. Gucci understands that emotional connection.

“A lot of people want that feeling - pride and pleasure when they take something out of their bag. Why shouldn’t it feel that way? I was really inspired by the emotional connection you have when you see a timeless fragrance campaign. It feels dreamy, right?

I wanted our products to have that feeling. They shouldn’t feel disposable. I wanted them to feel luxurious. For example, all our brushes are handmade in Japan. They’re made to last. Everything is rooted in quality because these are products people use every day.”

The products she uses every day.

If I were to open Gucci’s makeup bag, what would I find?

“Oh, I use our Foundation Stick and Concealer every day. I use our Brow Pencil, Lip Liner, Face Trace Contour Stick, Super Loaded in Peau de Peony - my favourite, and mascara. My face usually stays the same - I mostly change my lip colour. I use our new Hydro Balm Lipsticks. They launched in March, and they’re actually the number one lipstick at Sephora US and Space NK UK. It’s the most beautiful formula. It’s so hydrating and makes your lips feel so good. They’re really easy to wear.”

For someone discovering Westman Atelier for the first time, however, she has an easy answer.

"Probably the sticks. The Highlight Stick, Baby Cheeks and Face Trace are the best introduction to the brand. We've discovered that the behaviour of our customers is they don't go in and buy one product, they buy like five or six because they trust. That's such a great feeling. When somebody tries one thing and they like it, they're much more likely to go back and rebuy that and then also pick up some other things as well. It's kind of like, 'Wow, that's nice. I'm going to go back and see what else they have.' That's very unusual."

The moment everything changed.

Every career has one defining moment. For Gucci, it came courtesy of none other than industry legend Grace Coddington.

“When I first moved to New York, I decided I would try fashion because I’d done a lot of TV, commercials and movies in Los Angeles. I was living in a four-storey walk-up with Tatjana Patitz, the model. Grace Coddington put two options on me for Vogue shoots.

I went to meet her and I think I’d made a little bit too much effort. I was probably a little too done. I walked in and said, ‘I love your husband!’ She looked at me and said, ‘First off, he’s not my husband.’ I immediately thought, ‘Oh crap. Why did I say that?’ As I left Condé Nast the options disappeared from my calendar.

A few months later I got another two jobs with Grace. One was with Arthur Elgort and one was with another photographer in Miami. She barely spoke to me the whole time and I had no idea if she liked me. At the end of the trip we were in a van going to the airport.

I was flying the equivalent of Ryanair while everyone else was flying Delta or British Airways, so I got dropped at a completely different terminal. I was about to say goodbye when she turned around and said, ‘I haven’t seen talent like that since I discovered Pat McGrath. Now you’re part of my team and you must never not be available for me.’ And that’s when everything changed. I worked with Vogue on every story, every cover, for years, but I always had to prioritise Grace. That was the first big moment in my career. It transformed everything.”

What comes next.

"We're going to expand into a few more categories. There's more skincare on the horizon. It's such a great moment for the brand, and seeing people really appreciate what we've created still makes me so happy. And that you can find it here in Tipperary! Kate (Wachman, owner of Cashel Palace Hotel) is one of my best friends, so I've been to Cashel Palace before.

They have a recharge bar. I got my own customised smoothie this morning," she laughs. "It's such a gorgeous spot. It's a little gem. The vibe is amazing, and the team here are amazing. They genuinely care for you and want you to have a great time, and you can't make that up. That's big on my list of returning somewhere."

Want to read more?

That’s exactly what happened last year when I posted an Instagram Story of my makeup brushes inside a laundry bag, about to go into the washing machine. Cue uproar.

I received hundreds (maybe even more - I had to tap out after a while for my own sanity) of messages, and they fell into two very distinct camps.

The first was absolutely scandalised. There were angry makeup artists, people calling me every name under the sun, and others who took the time to send me expletive-filled messages (nice). Which I honestly found fascinating - why are people so upset by the way someone chooses to wash her own makeup brushes?

The second camp proclaimed me a genius (which, in all fairness, I greatly preferred).

Those messages ranged from “This is brilliant” to “You have to tell us EXACTLY how you do this!”

The funny thing is, I genuinely didn’t realise washing makeup brushes in the washing machine was remotely controversial. I’ve been doing it for years. I’m fairly sure I picked it up from a YouTube video at some point, but honestly, I can’t remember - it was that long ago.

The angry messages detailed all the destruction I was apparently inflicting on my poor brushes: “The glue will melt!, “The handles will crack!, “You’re destroying your makeup brushes!”

Then someone commented underneath the Reel (which I’d hastily thrown together because people were literally clamouring for info) and wrote:

“Isn’t it better than them not getting washed at all?”

And that, my friends, is the entire point.

Because that’s exactly what would happen.

Painstakingly hand-washing every single makeup brush isn’t high on my priority list. My priority list looks more like this:

• Get my work done.

• Pitch for more work.

• Work in the clinic.

• Be a good mum.

• Be a good wife.

• Be a good dog mum.

• Stay alive.

I wish I had the time to lovingly hand wash every brush individually. But alas, I don’t.

So, the other day, I did what I always do. I flung them into the washing machine and, because I was clearly in excellent form that day, decided to throw another Story up on Instagram.

I set the cat among the pigeons once more. The uproar (re)commenced. This Substack was written, and a great time was had by all.

Am I sorry that my decision to wash my makeup brushes (which I bought with my own big-girl money) upsets so many complete strangers on the internet? No.

Anyway... on to the important part.

Because if there’s one thing you take away from this slightly ranty newsletter, it’s this:

It absolutely bloody works!

Here’s exactly what I do.

(Brace yourselves.)

I gather all my makeup brushes and sponges and throw them into a laundry bag - or anything similar that lets water flow through but can be tied tightly.

The latter is important. The bag has to be tied tightly.

Otherwise, the brushes escape and smash around the washing machine and essentially attempt to destroy themselves (and your nervous system - the noise when they’re smashing around is something else), which rather defeats the whole purpose.

Then, into the washing machine they go. I add one non-bio laundry pod (or whatever gentle detergent is available) and put the machine on a 15-minute hand wash.

The hand-wash cycle gently swishes everything around, so the brushes aren’t being aggressively assaulted.

When the cycle finishes, I lay everything on a towel (I put them outside if it’s sunny), leave them for ten or fifteen minutes to dry, and that’s it.

Sparkling clean brushes. Sparkling clean sponges.

Have I lost the odd brush over the years? Abso-fucking-lutely.

This is not entirely risk-free.

Interestingly, though, every brush I’ve lost has been because the handle cracked - not because the bristles fell out, which is what most people insisted would happen.

And, in fairness, every single one had already had a very good innings. They’d either been poorly made in the first place, or they’d reached the end of their life after years of use.

So yes, there is a risk. But personally? I’m willing to take it.

So there you have it. Possibly the most scandalous - or perhaps the most genius - thing I’ve ever admitted to doing. I’ll let you be the judge.

If you decide to give it a go yourself, all I can say is: Godspeed.

And if one of your brushes gives up the ghost along the way… don’t blame me.

I’m too busy trying to stay alive.

Want to read more?

What is Hyperpigmentation?

In a nutshell, it’s excess melanin production in certain areas of the skin.

It can occur for a number of reasons, including sun exposure (the biggest culprit), inflammation, medication, and hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause.

It usually appears as patches or spots that are darker than your natural skin tone. Sometimes it’s one small area, sometimes it’s more widespread or scattered, and it often leaves the skin looking dull, uneven and flat.

Is Melasma the Same Thing?

Yes and no. While hormonal changes can contribute to hyperpigmentation, they can also trigger melasma, which is a specific pigmentary disorder (and a commonly misunderstood skin condition). While it falls under the umbrella of hyperpigmentation, it behaves very differently and requires a different approach to treatment.

Melasma typically presents as symmetrical patches of pigmentation, most commonly on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip and chin (it often looks like a coffee stain on the skin) and it can be particularly stubborn to treat.

It’s tricky, temperamental, and does not like to be rushed (like me). It gets worse in the sun, and generally reacts badly to light and heat based treatments.

Treatments that work wonders on other types of hyperpigmentation are not always appropriate for melasma. For example, IPL is incredibly effective for sun-induced pigmentation, but in some cases it can actually make melasma worse. There are several effective laser treatments available now, however, specifically for melasma, such as Pico and LaseMD Ultra (one of the best I’ve tried, FYI. Full review here).

If you think your pigmentation could be melasma, the first step is to have a consultation with a qualified professional and get an accurate diagnosis before starting treatment or moving on to specific products.

Once you know exactly what you’re dealing with, you can create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your skin and gives you the best chance of long-term improvement.

The Most Important Thing To Know

Before we get into products and treatments, it’s important to set realistic expectations… because you can’t banish pigmentation forever.

I know, not what anyone wants to hear.

In many cases, of course, you can reduce it significantly and sometimes even clear it completely - but not forever. Why? Because we’re constantly producing melanin and we’re constantly exposed to the things that trigger it - so it can absolutely come back.

Think of managing hyperpigmentation as an ongoing process rather than a one-off fix.

And when it comes to seeing real improvements, we're talking months rather than weeks. It’s a long game. Pigmentation takes patience and consistency to fade.

The Three Products That Make The Biggest Difference

If you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation, there are three products I recommend focusing on before anything else.

• A BROAD-SPECTRUM TINTED SUNSCREEN

Boring I know, but a good tinted sunscreen is the foundation of any pigmentation routine. Use every morning as the last step in your routine and reapply every two hours (or more often if you’re swimming, sweating, consistently outdoors).

A tinted sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB, but it also helps protect against visible light (including high-energy blue wavelengths) which can worsen hyperpigmentation.

And I know I say this all the time, but there is truly no point investing in products and treatments if you’re not protecting your skin with daily sunscreen.

Some of my favourite tinted sunscreens include:

• EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF46

• Supergoop! Protect Tint SPF50

• SKN TO SKN Glow & Go Tinted SPF30

• Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF50

• AN ANTIOXIDANT SERUM

Whether it’s vitamin C, niacinamide or another well-formulated antioxidant, this step is incredibly important.

Antioxidants help reduce the appearance of existing pigmentation while also helping to prevent new dark spots from forming. They have plenty of other benefits too, but when it comes to pigmentation specifically, consistency is key.

Apply every morning after cleansing on dry skin, and follow with other serums and/or moisturiser and sunscreen.

Some of the best options on the market, in my opinion, include:

• Medik8 C-Tetra Antioxidant Serum

• Skingredients 15% Vitamin C + Tri-Mushroom Serum

• Skinceuticals C E Ferulic

• Trinny London Naked Ambition Azelaic Exosome and Vitamin C Serum

• A RETINOID

Retinoids increase cell turnover, helping the skin gradually shed pigmented cells and fade areas of excess pigment over time.

They’re one of the best-studied ingredients in skincare for good reason, with benefits that extend well beyond pigmentation, but they can play a really valuable role in improving uneven skin tone and helping to prevent future pigmentation from developing.

If you start using these three products consistently, you’ll often see a noticeable improvement before you even consider in-clinic treatments.

Retinoids I recommend include:

• Medik8 Crystal Retinal

• Skinceuticals 0.3% Retinol

• Paula’s Choice 0.3% Retinol

• The Skin Diary Night Repair Therapy

Once you've got those basics in place, ingredients like tranexamic acid, azelaic acid and prescription pigment inhibitors can also be extremely effective, depending on the type of pigmentation you're treating. But get the basics right first, then go from there.

What About Treatments?

When skincare isn’t enough, in-clinic treatments can make a significant difference.

One of my favourite treatments for sun-induced hyperpigmentation is IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). Read all about it in my in-depth guide to aesthetic treatments. It targets excess pigment very effectively and is something I use regularly in clinic to reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Depending on the type of pigmentation and your skin, I may also recommend combining IPL with a course of chemical peels and/or Excel V, another type of laser treatment, to achieve the best possible results.

Other treatment options include more intensive chemical peels, prescription topical skincare, tranexamic acid delivered via microneedling or injection, oral tranexamic acid in carefully selected patients and more.

These options are not suitable for everyone however, which is why a consultation with an expert is so important.

The Takeaway

Hyperpigmentation can be frustrating AF, but it is treatable.

The most important thing is to be consistent. Daily sun protection, the right skincare and appropriate in-clinic treatments can truly make a huge difference over time.

And remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to ensure pigmentation never returns. It’s to keep it under control and maintain healthy, even-looking skin in the long term.

For more deep dives into skincare, ingredients and treatments visit the skincare guides section of my Substack or follow me on Instagram.

The following day I even had my brows done! Which is something I almost never outsource. It turned into quite the treatment week, so I decided to document the process. Let’s begin!

There’s very little I love more than well-considered, effective aesthetic treatments. Not just because I’m an aesthetic practitioner and administer many of them myself (you can book in here with me) - but because I know how much they contribute to the overall health and condition of my skin.

So, on Sunday, I headed into the clinic and spent just over an hour on the treatment bed. Bliss. 10/10. Would highly recommend.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

We (my colleague Joann - 10/10 aesthetic nurse) started with IPL, arguably one of the best treatments for underlying redness, broken capillaries, thread veins, pigmentation and sun spots - all targeted in one session.

I chose this specifically because I have a few faint broken capillaries on both cheeks. Since last summer I’ve also been dealing with a couple of stubborn pigment spots across the tops of my cheeks and my forehead. As diligent as I am with my skincare, sometimes I simply want to speed things up - and IPL helps me do exactly that.

PolyPhil (Polynucleotides): Neck and Under Eyes

Once the IPL was done, we applied numbing cream to my neck, under eyes and lips.

I’ve written about PolyPhil, or more commonly polynucleotides - many times here. In fact, I declared it the best aesthetic treatment I had in 2024. So it will surprise absolutely no one that I’m back getting it again.

If you’re not familiar with polynucleotides, they are biostimulators injected into the skin to reduce fine lines, improve texture and hydration, and stimulate collagen and elastin production. Read my in-depth guide to aesthetic treatments here.

Different formulations of polynucleotides are designed for different areas of the face.

For my neck - one of my favourite areas to treat - we used PolyPhil Next. This combines polynucleotides with hyaluronic acid for additional hydration and is specifically designed for the lower face and neck.

It’s injected directly into the neck lines via multiple small injections, which leave what we call blebs (small bumps under the skin). These usually fade within a day or two. Over the following two to three weeks, I generally notice softer lines, improved hydration and a smoother overall appearance in the area.

Next, we moved to the under-eye area with PhilArt Eye, a polynucleotide treatment designed specifically for this area. I use PhilArt Eye to improve the appearance of hollowness under my eyes, and I genuinely find it phenomenal. Unlike the neck treatment, this one does not contain hyaluronic acid (HA is not recommended for use under the eyes as it can cause lumps, swelling, puffiness etc.).

As an aside, one aesthetic treatment I’ve never been convinced by is tear trough filler. I’ve never seen results that I love (but I have seen a lot of lumps and general migration). It’s simply not something I can ever see myself doing. Polynucleotides, on the other hand, work by stimulating the skin itself - improving collagen, elastin, hydration - which over time reduces the appearance of fine lines and hollowness.

Again, the treatment leaves small blebs around the eyes that fade within one to two days, and then you’re left with fresher, brighter and less hollow under eyes. Hurrah!

A Subtle Lip Refresh

Finally, we moved on to my lips.

I’ve been contemplating doing something here for a while. Now that I’m in my forties, I’m starting to notice slight collagen loss and some flattening - particularly in my upper lip. It was always on the thinner side, but recently it’s become very flat and the edges have basically started disappearing. Fun!

After chatting with Joann, we decided on Volbella. It’s a very soft hyaluronic acid dermal filler often used for thinner lips or for treating lip lines. It acts more as hydration than obvious volume and the results are subtle.

We focused mainly on supporting the structure of my upper lip and in total, I had just under 0.5ml.

Immediately after treatment I loved the result - although with lips, that initial look never lasts because swelling quickly sets in. The next day my lips were noticeably puffier, and by the day after that they had settled back down.

Now they’re essentially back to normal, but with a little more structure in the upper lip and a very slight plumping effect - exactly what I wanted.

The photo below on the left was taken immediately post treatment, and the one on the right was taken two days later, when I was heading out for the day. As you can see, all redness from the IPL is gone (along with my broken capillaries. Yay!), a few needle point marks remain under eyes, but everything else has returned to normal, including the lips, which settled nicely.

The Brows

Once all the injectable treatments were done, the next day I move on to something I very rarely have done outside my own makeup table: my eyebrows.

I went to see Ireland’s brow queen, Kim O’Sullivan, at the Dublin Make-Up Academy. I’m currently writing a piece that I wanted her input on, and while I was there we decided to do a shape and tint.

I’ve done my own brows for years. Partly out of habit, and partly because I spent a long time in the microblading cycle. I started getting my brows microbladed around 2012 and, more recently, spent nearly two years having the pigment laser removed.

That laser removal took place at Kim’s academy, where they have a specialised laser designed specifically for removing eyebrow tattoos.

Originally, Kim and I had discussed redoing my brows once the laser process was finished - but after two years of removal sessions, I literally couldn’t face it.

However, this left me with the exact issue that many people who remove brow tattoos end up rediscovering: the reason we tattooed them in the first place.

For me, I have very little hair at the front of my brows and not much in the tail, although the middle section is fairly decent. Kim explained how regular tinting and shaping can dramatically improve the appearance of density and structure. After seeing her work in person, I completely understand why.

By tinting the brows, you essentially reveal lots of tiny baby hairs that are naturally very fair. Once tinted, they suddenly become part of the shape. Combined with the brow products I already love using at home, it makes a significant difference.

Kim recommends a tint and shape every seven to eight weeks, and I can absolutely see myself sticking to that.

And that’s me done! (For a few months anyway…)

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please hit the like button and drop a comment. I really appreciate the support.

• A general where-the-hell-have-I-been-update

• A call for your best Pilates and gym gear recommendations

• Links to Substack pieces and others across the web I think you’ll enjoy

• My thoughts on the newly reformulated Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

• Recent purchases: very comfortable clinic trainers, two excellent coats, and a dangerously good vanilla body mist

• … and the simple hair routine tweaks that helped me grow my hair longer than ever

Links and what I’m reading.

I’ve been contemplating ditching BIAB and gel manicures for a while now. The upkeep, the cost, and the no-doubt questionable state of my nails underneath are starting to wear thin (pun intended). This piece by Angela Scanlon popped up on my feed a few weeks ago and got me thinking about my commitment to the whole gel nail thing - is it really a choice, or has it quietly become a requirement? An interesting read.

This great Sunday Style School piece by Jen Knows Best. Lots of great tips on how to level up your daily looks with tiny tweaks. No new purchases necessary.

Anna’s ridiculously excellent guide to vintage Levi’s - everything you ever need to know about styles, sizing and how to find your perfect pair.

And finally, this breathtaking piece by my wonderful friend Laura Kennedy. I read it several months ago and it has stayed with me ever since.

My Substack has been a little bit neglected over the past couple of weeks because I have been, to use one of my favorite phrases, up the walls. In a good way - but so busy that my lower back pain returned with gusto. That also resulted in a return to Pilates, which, now that I’ve been back at it for a few weeks, I’m absolutely thrilled about because I forgot how much I loved it and how good it is for my back.

I’ve had so much on over the last couple of weeks - a lot of hosting gigs, in particular. I hosted several consumer and press events for La Mer, a gorgeous launch event for Poco Beauty (one of my favourite Irish brands), and I was part of a panel for Hildun Beauty, another gorgeous Irish brand, for a Valentine’s Day event. Big fun.

I also have some similar events coming up this month which I’m trying to gear myself up for mentally and physically. One of which, by the way, is Future Beauty - Ireland’s biggest beauty, health and aesthetics show. If you’d like to attend I have a 50% off link for my Substack peeps. Click here to get your ticket.

Anyway - Pilates first, and some suggestions from you, pretty please. If you are a yoga, Pilates, or general gym lover, I need some gear recommendations. Especially leggings that actually stay up during reformer classes (I feel like this is a very specific Pilates problem).

In my previous life (e.g. Simone who used to do Pilates regularly 2–3 years ago) I had some nice bits and pieces from Sweaty Betty, but most of them now either don’t fit, aren’t that comfortable, or - in some cases - I’ve worn holes through them. So I’d really appreciate some gear recommendations from those of you in the know.

Now, onto foundation. Specifically, a reformulated foundation. The internet collectively lost its mind a few weeks ago when Giorgio Armani announced the launch of a reimagined version of Luminous Silk Foundation.

I’m here to tell you (especially if you were a big fan of the first iteration)… to not be afraid.

Because I’ve used it several times and it feels thinner, lighter, and glowier than the original - I’m fully into it. There are now more shades than before, and some of the existing shades have been tweaked to accommodate skin tones more effectively. For reference, I’m shade 4.5. If you click here you can see me using it in action.

Recent Purchases: Trainers, Coats, Fragrances

I’ve been on something of a spending spree over the last couple of weeks as I’ve needed various new things (and obviously a couple of things I didn’t need per se, but sure look).

Trainers: My fave clinic trainers were worn down to a literal flat rubber sole, so I purchased this style of New Balance in a colourway that goes perfectly with my scrubs (grey/pink, thank you very much).

It’s a style I find incredibly comfortable for someone who’s on their feet for a solid eight hours in clinic, so I thought I’d recommend them here for those of you who work in similar environments. They seem to come in a million colourways and I also have my eye on another style in a grey/yellow combination. The fit is very slightly tight, so I’d recommend going up a half size from your usual.

Coats: I bought two new coats from ASOS. One is a cape-style cropped trench coat. I love the check pattern and the high collar that you can close up as well. It’s very cool and goes with literally everything. The second is a gorgeous wool coat with a built-in scarf.

I haven’t managed to wear the latter as much as I’d like as the weather has been weirdly mild here for the past few weeks - but it’s due a big day out very soon.

Fragrances: I was in town for a few meetings this week and passed Space NK on my way home, so I swung in for a quick look and ended up buying a new tin of dry shampoo which I’d run out of. I quite like Color Wow’s Insta-Wow version at the moment. Then I spent a few minutes sniffing around the fragrance stand.

I’m a big fan of Phlur fragrances and wear Missing Person nearly every day. But let me tell you - I did a double take when I had a whiff of the Vanilla Nectar Body Mist. Is this available in a perfume? I don’t even know - I need to Google it. But it is arguably one of the most delicious things I’ve ever smelled, so I promptly purchased it.

I know they’re also launching a new fragrance next week, which I can’t talk about yet because I’m pretty sure it’s under embargo, but when I can I’ll share all the details.

Hair Updates: Growth, Routine, and Products

I received an email from my editor this week to tell me that a recent piece I wrote about how I’ve grown my hair to the longest length it’s ever been has been one of my most read ever. How wild is that? I smashed it out in about 45 minutes as I was in a particular hair mood and had been engaging a lot with people online about hair products and so on.

I really do feel that the small changes I’ve made - it’s definitely not a big overhaul - have made an enormous difference. I’ve managed to get my hair significantly past my collarbones for the first time in years without wanting to hack it off.

For reference, the key products I mentioned are Oribe’s Flat Brush (definitely an investment, but hands-down the reason I have more hair, no doubt), Kérastase Chroma Absolu treatment for shine, condition and overall health, and oiling the ends of my hair like there’s no tomorrow - pre-blow-dry, post-blow-dry, whenever I can. My most used oil is this one from Kerastase.

And that’s all for now!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on Weekend Notes and everything I’ve been sharing on Glow Notes so far - please drop a comment below or send me a message.

What a guy.

It had genuinely never occurred to me that anything needed to be removed. But as a dark-haired girl, that was the moment the idea lodged itself firmly in my teenage brain – and I started noticing everything - the slightly more mature girls in school who were bleaching their upper lips, waxing their forearms (yes indeed!), and others who were shaving their legs.

Soon enough, I asked my mum if I could wax my legs. I was duly brought to her usual waxing spot and the process began. The first experience was excruciating, obviously, and I didn’t stick with it, so a razor and shaving gel became my faithful companions.

Fast forward to my early twenties in Singapore, where a friend introduced me to epilators, and I thought I had cracked the code. In fact, and this is slightly humiliating, I was still using the same epilator I bought back then up until six months ago. Can you believe it! Outdated? Yes. Inefficient? Also yes.

So, what exactly changed a few months ago, you might ask? Well, Tria entered my life.

Tria 4X Hair Removal Laser (I’m now using the 2.0 version which just launched) is a nifty handheld device that permanently reduces hair by up to 100% after eight treatments (but with visible results after just two).

This Substack newsletter is sponsored by Tria. Their goal is to bring a new level of transparency to the at-home beauty tech world.

I’ve tested a few at-home devices over the years, but this is the first one that actually felt comparable to clinic laser - which is why I said yes to partnering with them.

If you’re interested in trying it yourself, you can use my code SIMONE for 10% off on the Tria website at any time.

The first time I used it on my underarms, an expletive (or five) escaped my mouth - as it’s definitely spicy, very much on par with in-clinic laser. But you’re at home. In your own bathroom. Using it at your leisure. I call that a win.

Now let’s get into the nitty gritty (plus a video further down of exactly how to use it).

HOW DOES TRIA WORK AND WHO IS IT SUITABLE FOR?

• It’s a handheld, cordless device that uses a clinical-grade true diode laser for permanent results at home (not IPL).

• It’s the highest energy density laser hair removal device on the market, and is up to 233% more powerful than IPL (more power = more hair removed). Tria 4X has a precise wavelength (810nm), whereas IPL is broad and untargeted.

• It has a precise treatment window, so it’s perfect for treating smaller areas like the face*, ankles, bikini line etc.

• The new Tria 4X is intended for use only on light to medium skin tones and light brown to black body hair. It is not suitable for very dark skin tones, very light blonde/red/grey hair, or for use over tattoos.

*The device should only be used on the lower parts of your face. From the cheeks down roughly. Do not use it on eyebrows or any part of your upper face.

HOW TO USE IT

First: cleanse, shave and towel-dry the area you want to treat - underarms, bikini line, legs, etc. If you have sensitive skin, you can apply Tria’s laser gel to the skin first to prep and soothe (you can get the gel here). You do not have to use the gel, FYI.

Then unlock the device (watch the video below for the full step by step) - all you do is place the base of the Tria flat against your skin and select your power level (there are five levels - the higher the intensity, the better the results - provided your skin tolerates it).

And off you go! Hold the treatment window against your skin, wait for the beep, move to the next area with as little overlap as possible, and repeat. It’s incredibly easy - and oddly satisfying.

At the end, you can apply a little more gel to soothe the skin, though I often just whack on my regular moisturiser.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU USE IT?

When starting out, best practice is once every two weeks for the first three months. This is the initial treatment phase, and it’s where the real magic happens.

After that, you move into maintenance - using as needed to maintain results and prevent regrowth. For most people, myself included, that’s roughly once a month.

It’s important to note that you can definitely overdo laser treatments. Using it too frequently won’t speed up results - it will likely just irritate your skin. Consistency beats intensity, my friends.

So, here’s a summary of what to expect (approximately):

• 2-4 weeks: Hair growth may appear slower, and some hairs may begin falling out.

• 6-8 weeks: A noticeable reduction in regrowth.

• 12+ weeks: Long-term hair reduction, with only occasional touch-ups needed.

Now, all that being said, and even if you’re consistent - there are common mistakes to avoid.

You must shave before treatment. This is a common misconception with laser hair removal in general – hair must be shaved beforehand. Why? The laser targets the follicle beneath the skin - if hair is sitting on the surface, the energy is absorbed in the hair shaft instead of reaching the root.

Skipping sessions will only prolong the process. The device works in cycles targeting the hair growth cycle; interruption delays progress.

Using the wrong setting is a no-go. If the highest level feels too spicy, drop down one. Starting too high and irritating your skin will only make you less likely to keep using it.

MY RESULTS SO FAR

After six treatments (so far), my underarm growth is patchier and much slower than before. I shave about once a week now, instead of every 2-3 days. My bikini line has responded much slower, although the growth is still noticeably reduced (I must admit I haven’t been as consistent with this area as I find it quite spicy).

If 14-year-old me had known there would one day be a device I could quietly use at home, on my own terms, she would have been thrilled.

I hope this guide proves useful if you’re considering an at-home laser hair removal device. And don’t forget, you can use my code SIMONE on Tria’s website at any time for 10% off.

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The communications around this product always emphasised that it combined nanocurrent and microcurrent technology, but I initially started using it purely to lift, sculpt, and reduce puffiness. Puffiness is something I’ve dealt with on and off over the years, and, unfortunately, it’s something that seems to be getting worse as I hurtle through my forties. Fun.

Over time, as I became more comfortable using it (often freehand), I started to realise it does so much more. One thing I don’t think I fully appreciated at the start is that this really is a one-device-for-everything situation.

This Substack guide is sponsored by ZIIP Halo. Their goal is to bring a new level of transparency and accountability to the at-home beauty tech world.

Their in-app tutorials are the secret sauce. They sync automatically to your device, and you can follow along based on the area of the face you want to target (jowls, brows, cheeks – the 4 minute facial is 10/10) or what you want to achieve (lift, sculpt, redness reduction, etc.). They vary in intensity, too, from gentle redness-reducing treatments to a full-on Instant Face Lift (my favourite).

Yes, it’s clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and improve firmness in as little as six weeks, but for me, it’s the cumulative effect that keeps me coming back. As an example, here is my face after two weeks of consistent use. More glow, less puffiness and eyebrows halfway up my forehead.

A couple of weeks ago, I heard that the ZIIP Halo 2.0 had launched, and I was extremely keen to get my hands on it. Happily, it looks the same as the previous model, bar one or two tiny modifications, and it also costs the same - which I have to say I love ZIIP Beauty for. Often, these newly reimagined devices come with a price tag to match, but this one doesn’t.

After using it, I can feel the upgrades. It’s much sturdier, like it might last a little longer. When I asked the brand about this, they confirmed my suspicions: it’s been redesigned to be better for customers in the long term, with changes based directly on customer feedback (and another direct change they made because of feedback – is putting a little rubber lid over the charging area – the gel used to always get in here in my old device and it drove me mad).

The new 2.0 model now delivers electrical currents 63% more accurately. Isn’t that crazy? I was already getting pretty excellent results from the original, so an increase like that from a newly redesigned device is a whopper (you can also feel the difference in intensity when you use it – definitely a little bit spicier, but no discomfort).

And aside from treating the specific target areas I mentioned above, the Halo also has great topical skin benefits. It helps to soothe, calm redness, and improve overall tone and texture. The app basically has a little hierarchy of treatments: you can start low, slow, and gentle - working on glow, redness, and skin health - then build up intensity to lifting and sculpting, all the way up to their most intense treatments (like Instant FaceLift).

Apparently, 97% of users see immediate lifting and firming, which tracks - because I’ve yet to use it and not see something happening straight away, never mind long term. Here are some other before and after shots from ZIIP customers so you can see exactly what I mean.

The original isn’t available anymore, so if you’ve been thinking about taking the plunge but were on the fence, the ZIIP 2.0 is where it’s at - same user-friendly model, same price tag, better technology. And, as ever, the pocket-size, travel-friendly design and ease of use are among the reasons I’ve been using it consistently for so long.

If you’d like to try it yourself, use my code SIMONES for 10% off. The 2.0 model also comes with a trio of gels so no need to purchase any additional ones initially. Whenever you come back for more, however, my code works on gels too.

I should also add that brain fog has very much entered the chat in the last few years, now that I’m in my early forties and either in (or approaching? Who knows) perimenopause. So lists feel less optional and more essential.

With that in mind, it seemed fitting to round up the year on Substack with a big list – specifically of the best beauty products I’ve used this year. Some are new, some are not, but what they all have in common is that they’re bloody brilliant.

If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ll have seen most of them already - on Instagram, in my writing for The Irish Times - they’ve had a good innings.

Poco Beauty Universal Glow Treatment

It genuinely thrills me that the first product on this list is an Irish brand, with more to follow. Poco Beauty Universal Glow Treatment could sit comfortably on several lists: most used, favourite everyday staples, products I recommend to absolutely everyone, etc.

As a colleague said to me recently, it’s not that products like UGT this don’t exist - we’ve all used glowy primers and illuminating bases in one form or another - but this one is just different. It’s the thinness of the formula, the lightness, the ease of blending, the versatility. It plays well with everything, can be slathered on the face or body, used as a highlighter, or worn alone on days when makeup feels like too much effort. I use almost daily with my base product of choice. It is, quite simply, sensational.

Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Peel

Before I rave about this, a word of warning: Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Peel is not for the faint-hearted. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to redness - like me - proceed with caution. It’s a genuinely excellent product that will visibly reduce pigmentation marks and sunspots, but I would strongly advise against following the brand’s instructions to front-load and use daily for several days.

My approach is once, at most twice, a week until I achieve the results I want, then I stop (and don’t use it until I feel I need it again). It also causes fairly intense redness post-treatment. Don’t panic - it fades significantly within about half an hour.

All that being said, this is a phenomenal at-home treatment for pigmentation. Phenomenal. You can literally see pigment spots lifting as you use it. 10/10.

Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Eye Patches

If there are 1000 under-eye patches on the market, I have tried at least 999 of them. I’ve been using eye patches, gels - call them what you will - for many years and consider myself reasonably well-versed in this category.

Pestle & Mortar, another Irish brand, launched their Pure Hyaluronic Eye Patches several months ago, and they are so impressive. The ingredients list is serious: peptides, multiple weights of hyaluronic acid - they are intensely hydrating, while also doing visible work on dark circles, fine lines and general fatigue. Hands down the best I’ve used in a long time.

Dior Forever Skin Foundation Stick

Foundation sticks have been having a moment, and my favourite - which has featured repeatedly over on the gram (here, here and here) - is Dior’s. I rate it so highly because the formula is just exquisite - full coverage, intensely pigmented, but not drying or flat on the skin. Instead, it’s creamy, blendable, delicious.

It works beautifully with other products (see Universal Glow Treatment above), and is just as easy to apply with fingers as with a brush. It’s the product I reach for on nights out or whenever I need more coverage, and it also doubles brilliantly as concealer.

Rare Beauty All of the Above Eyeshadow Stick

Another product firmly in the most-used category this year is Rare Beauty’s All of the Above Eyeshadow Stick. There are several excellent shades, but my favourite is Contentment - a rich, warm, chocolatey brown shot through with gold shimmer.

What I love about this is that it’s an instant eye look in one swipe. It works all over the lid, under the eye, even on the waterline. It blends easily, and once it sets, it stays put. It’s also relatively affordable, which I appreciate given how often I use it and how often I’ll have to repurchase.

Merit Highlighting Balm

Merit only became available to Irish consumers towards the end of this year, so I’ve been using this for just four months - which makes its inclusion here notable. The brand’s ethos is a total vibe: minimalist, user-friendly, with chic, unfussy packaging.

I’ve tried several products from the range, including the Flush Balms, which I like, but this Highlighting Balm has not left my handbag since September. It comes in four shades; my favourite is Cava, an almost transparent champagne-hued shade. Creamy, luminous and never sticky, it works beautifully tapped onto high points of the face or mixed with foundation. Obsessed.

Sculpted by Aimee Cream Cushion Foundation

This has made the list entirely on the basis that, about two months ago, it earned a permanent place in my handbag. Once a product reaches handbag status, that’s it - it’s made it. I’ve used Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint Tinted Serum for years now; it’s one of my go-to products, so when the brand launched Cream Cushion, I had a strong suspicion I’d like it. And like it I do.

It’s a slightly unusual product in that it comes in a compact, but it’s a soft, squishy cream – very enjoyable to apply. The coverage is solidly medium, I’d say, and very buildable. The compact also includes a sponge, making it ideal for top-ups on the go – which is how I use it most of the time.

Kosas Extra Bright Serum Powered Colour Corrector

I have recommended this so often that we’re approaching embarrassing territory, but it truly deserves the praise. If you deal with dark circles, shadows, blue veins or just general exhaustion - which feels fairly universal at this point - a corrector is essential. And this one from Kosas is outstanding.

I use the lightest shade, Magic, a chalky pink that does extraordinary work neutralising darkness around the eyes. A little goes a long way, it blends easily, and once concealer goes on top, everything looks brighter and more awake. Angels start singing. You get the idea.

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops makes the list simply because of how often I use them – and that’s daily. Face, neck, chest.

I use it to balance fake tan, to warm up foundation, or to make myself look marginally less like a Victorian child during the winter months.

It is expensive for the amount of product you get, but one bottle lasts months, which makes it easier to justify. It’s also very buildable - the more drops you add, the deeper the bronze – very versatile, very good. Round of applause.

Poco Beauty Unfiltered Soft Focus Powder

If 2024 Simone knew that 2025 Simone would include a powder on this list, she would have laughed. I like a dewy finish and generally find powder ageing - and as I’m already tired and old, I don’t need help in that department.

That said, a sample of Poco Beauty’s Unfiltered Soft Focus Powder changed my mind. It’s translucent, extremely finely milled, and virtually undetectable on the skin, while doing an excellent job of holding makeup in place. When mine smashed in my case on a recent trip to London, I went straight to Brown Thomas the next day to replace it. That tells you everything.

Colour Wow Style on Steroids

Another product that is edging into embarrassing territory in terms of how often I’ve shown it: Color Wow Style on Steroids delivers volume and oomph with a capital O. Does it leave the hair a little crunchy? Yes. But am I entirely willing to overlook that for the volume, lift and movement it delivers? Also yes.

Someone messaged me on Instagram recently in response to a photo I posted of myself at an event to say my hair looked “full of secrets”. I was delighted to report that it was, in fact, full of Style on Steroids.

Color Wow Texas Hold’ Em Hairspray

The bigger, brasher sister of Style on Steroids, Texas Hold’ Em Hairspray entered my life a few months ago. It, too, delivers a hint of crunch and, in fairness, a touch of stickiness, but I remain firmly on board thanks to the hold and lift it provides. This is exactly what I want from a hairspray: volume added and volume held. I have no interest in a touchable, movable, natural-looking finish. Many thanks.

One thing to note: once applied and worked through with the fingers, it can leave a faint misty residue on the nails - particularly noticeable if you have colour polish on. A quick sweep of micellar water removes it in seconds.

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Winter really does a number on our skin. Cold outside, warm inside, wind, rain, and oh yes - it’s also one of the most stressful times of the year. Fun.

All of that takes a toll (especially if you’re unwell, run-down, on medication, or dealing with a battered skin barrier) - and when it does, your skin can feel tight, dehydrated, hot, sore, red and irritated. It can also look flaky, pinched, dull, and just generally pissed off.

So the goal - especially when it’s cold AF - is to simplify, be gentle, and bring your skin back to life with the right products and habits (lifestyle tweaks can play a big role, too).

Here are my sure-fire, tried-and-tested tips to help your skin repair, recover (and thrive!) during the colder months (and whenever life is generally doing a number on you).

Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser

As I said, your skin is (probably) one cold breeze away from a nervous breakdown in the winter months, so it's important to use gentle, hydrating cleansers (nothing active - no exfoliating, barrier-stripping cleansers when your skin is not feeling itself).

Oil-based, milk-based, nourishing cream cleansers are your best friends for the next couple of months. Your skin should always feel comfortable and hydrated after cleansing. If it feels tight, or dry, it means that the product you're using has disrupted your skin barrier, and stripped it of lipids - and we absolutely don’t want that.

My go-to, winter-friendly, barrier-loving cleansers for all skin-types are:

• The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser

• CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

• Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser

• Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil

Exfoliate less

Yes, exfoliating is so important for getting rid of dead skin cells, improving skin texture, and helping other products work more effectively, BUT - we need to adjust the frequency in colder weather as our skin is more prone to dryness, redness, and irritation.

I generally recommend exfoliating no more than once a week this time of year (unless you have very oily skin) with AHA or BHA exfoliants, and make sure to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, after you exfoliate.

AHAs are the exfoliants that work on the surface of your skin to slough away dead skin cells and improve texture. Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, etc. Like The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner and Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads.

BHAs are the exfoliants that work deeper in the skin, unclogging pores, reducing breakouts and redness. Salicylic Acid, etc. Like Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, or Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peels Pads (which uses a combination of both AHAs and BHAs).

Embrace LED Light Therapy

If you haven’t invested in an at-home LED device already, there’s no better time than the winter months. LED is fantastic for calming the skin, reducing redness and inflammation, and boosting circulation

And because it works to repair and regenerate the skin, it can strengthen your skin barrier, helping it to retain moisture and resist dryness. It’s an all-rounder, basically.

• I use Current Body Series 2 LED Face Mask five times a week (on clean, dry skin). You can still use my code SSCRIBES for 10% off, FYI.

• They also have an LED Light Therapy Panel which I’ve recently got my hands on. This can be used on the face, hands, back, anywhere.

Take shorter, cooler showers

Long, hot showers (as much as we love them when it’s freezing outside) can strip essential moisture from the skin and leave it feeling dry, tight and no bueno.

If you can, try to take shorter showers, that are warm or lukewarm (not hot) - your skin will be significantly happier, comfortable, and less dehydrated as a result.

Also, an easy hydration hack - when you do have a shower or a bath, a great way to instantly trap moisture in your skin afterwards is to lash on a body oil or thick body cream to damp skin.

These are my absolute favourite products for in-shower and post-shower hydration (and they’re suitable for very dry, dehydrated, eczema prone skin):

• Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil

• Eucerin AtoControl Calming Balm

• Nécessaire The Body Serum

Switch up your moisturiser

It's time to put a lid on your lightweight cream and gel moisturisers, and introduce a thicker, creamier moisturiser for winter months. Look for ones with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, that will hydrate, prevent moisture loss, and work to repair your skin barrier. Because it’s all about TLC, baby.

Some of my all-time favourite moisturisers for winter include:

• Medik8 Advance Night Restore

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo

• Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore

Apply your products to damp skin

Damp skin is easier to penetrate than dry skin, and anything that's hydrating, or water-loving (like hydrating serums and moisturisers) will hold on to moisture for much longer if you provide it.

So, spritz or mist your skin with a little water (I use Avene Eau Thermale Mist but normal water is fine) or use an essence (like Poco Beauty Skin Flood Ceramide Water) before applying serums and moisturiser and it will change your skincare game.

(Also, an important side note: exfoliating acids, retinol and any prescription or acne medications should always be applied to dry skin.)

Use calming products when you need them

When my skin is having a big reaction, when I’ve over-exfoliated, or when it’s generally very irritated, red, itchy, sore or tight, these are the miracle-working products I reach for to calm, soothe, repair and restore my skin barrier, quickly.

• Dr Jart Ceramidin Facial Barrier Mask

• Rhode Glazing Milk

• Dr Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Cream

Wear sunscreen

While there's definitely less UVB rays around, UVA levels are still high. These rays can cause fine lines, wrinkles, and general aging of the skin. UVA can also penetrate glass, which is why it's important to wear SPF every single day, even when indoors.

It's also important to note that lower UVB levels means lower Vitamin D production, and so now might be a good time to introduce a Vitamin D supplement, if you're not taking one already.

And that is it, my friends. I hope this is helpful in some way, and see you next week!

Want to read more?

Here are the best deals from my favourite brands, and links to the things I use and talk about all the time that happen to be on sale (plus extra bonus discount codes!)

SPACE NK - Up to 25% off everything

EXTRA 10% OFF TODAY WHEN YOU SPEND €120. USE CODE CYBER2025

The Space NK sale is always good. Nearly all of the products I love and use on a daily basis are 25% off, so I’ve stocked up on a few key items, including:

• Advance Night Restore - The GOAT of barrier-repairing moisturisers.

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Dewy

• Kosas Extra Bright Serum-Powered Corrector

• Rare Beauty Eyeshadow - All the shades are gorgeous, but I love Contentment in particular. It’s a universally flattering burnished, bronzey-gold.

• Hourglass No. 1 Brush - I’m ridiculously obsessed with the brush. I use it with my powder bronzer (Nars Laguna - also on offer).

• Laura Mercier Translucent Ultra Blur Setting Spray

• Phlur Missing Person - My most worn fragrance. I have the full size and the mini-handbag size. I also love Cherry Stem, Vanilla Skin and Rose Whip.

• The mini-makeup bag (available in several colours) that lives in my handbag

Everything I recommend and regularly repurchase from Space NK can be viewed here - and it’s all on offer. Woohoo!

CURRENT BODY - 10% off with code SSCRIBES

I’ve used the Current Body LED face mask for almost six years now. I swear by it, and last year upgraded from the Series 1 Mask to Series 2 (so much better). You can get 10% off with my code on all of my favourite devices, plus others.

• My Series 2 Led Red Light Therapy Mask

• LED Hair Regrowth Helmet

• LED Neck and Dec Mask (you can buy it in a bundle with the face mask here)

• Sauna Blanket

• Laser Hair Removal Device

BONUS DISCOUNT CODES:

• Use code SIMONES for 20% off ZIIP Halo and for 30% off gels

• Use code SIMONE for 20% off Tria Hair Removal Device

MERIT BEAUTY - 20% off everything + 44% off gift sets

PLUS A FREE FLUSH BALM WITH EVERY ORDER MADE TODAY

Merit (finally!) started shipping to Ireland a few months ago, and I have been busy using and adoring several products, including:

• Highlighting Balm (specifically in the shade Cava) - if you’ve seen this once on my Instagram, you’ve probably seen it a million times. The most beautiful, swipe-it-on-and-glow highlighter.

• Flush Balm Cheek Colour - My favourite shades are Cheeky and Stockholm, FYI.

• The Blending Brush - I’m obsessed with this, works with literally every type of product.

VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY - INCREASED to 25% off

CYBER MONDAY IS THEIR BIGGEST DISCOUNT ALL YEAR, FYI

What’s rare is wonderful, and that’s certainly the case with VBB’s Cyber Monday sale - 25% off everything on the website for a limited time, including some of my absolute favourite products:

• Portofino ‘97 - an utterly exquisite, head-turning fragrance. Bergamot, amber, vetiver - this is strong and longlasting and something you’ll want to own forever.

• The Foundation Drops - divisive, thanks to the price - but otherwise adored thanks to its gorgeous TFC8-infused formula (Augustinus Bader 4 Eva).

• VBB Makeup Brushes - Specifically the 12 Buffer Brush which I use every day for cream blush and bronzer.

BROWN THOMAS - Up to 25% off everything

Poco Beauty is included in this (plus gift sets!), so I’d go hard picking up some of my absolute favourite products from the range, including:

• Universal Glow Treatment

• Unfiltered Soft Focus Finishing Powder

• Suede Sculpt Contour Stick

Lots of other luxury beauty favourites are included, like YSL All Hours Glow Foundation, Charlotte Tilbury’s new Instant Look in a Palette and all of CT’s gift sets.

SPOTLIGHT ORAL CARE - Up to 50% off

PLUS AN EXTRA 10% ON TOP WITH CODE CYBER

We all use Spotlight Oral Care in this house and have done for many years.

Big fans of their Sonic Toothbrushes, the Ultra Whitening Toothpaste and Teeth Strips and the Water Flosser in particular. They also have some great gift sets this year.

DYSON - Up to €200 off

I already took advantage of this deal when I accidentally came across it the week before last. We needed a new vacuum cleaner and we’ve used Dyson for years, so off I went to buy one only to discover it was €200 off! Thrilled with myself.

• I also use the Dyson Nural hairdryer, which is also reduced at the moment. It’s incredibly powerful (a salon-worthy blow dry if there ever was one), with different heat settings that protect your scalp - and it weighs practically nothing.

• And I’m a long time fan of the Airwrap. Various colourways are included in the sale. Some more discounted then others.

• Vaccuum cleaners across the board are reduced, as is the Airstrait wet-to-dry straightener, the Corrale hair straightener, and lots more.

SCULPTED BY AIMEE - Buy four items and get 30% off plus a free gift

EVERY ORDER MADE TODAY IS PUT INTO A DRAW TO WIN A SCULPTED BY AIMEE ADVENT CALENDAR (THEY’VE BEEN SOLD OUT SINCE SEPTEMBER!)

And the free gift is GOOD. Two mini Liquid Lights in the shades Rosy Glow and Golden Glow. The more you buy from Sculpted by Aimee during their Black Friday sale, the bigger the discount - but the discounts start from just two products!

In case you need inspiration, these are the four items I would buy without even blinking:

• Cream Cushion Foundation (I wear shade 2.75 for reference, or shade 4 when I’m tanned)

• HydraTint Tinted Moisturising Serum (2.75 in this also)

• Complexion Duo Brush - This brush is so good. It’s in nearly every single one of my makeup videos. Foundation brush on one end, concealer on the other. Genius.

• Cream Luxe Blush in Dusty Rose - This is the best shade. Instantly complexion-lifting.

• Also, HydraLip in the shade Rose. I realise this is more than four products but I could not not mention by most used lipstick/balm hybrid of all time. If you’ve used it, you know.

MONICA VINADER - Up to 50% off

Another Cyber Monday sale that’s always a banger. I nearly always buy a few new pieces this time of year as the discounts are so high.

• These are the new earrings I bought

• The paperclip necklace I wear all the time is 30% off

• The green onxy gemstone ring that never comes off my finger is 30% off

And I’ll also just add Missoma in here - not a brand I shop at very often as I’m a bit of a Monica Vinader stan, but the Missoma sale is GOOD. Up to 40% off!

So good, in fact, that I ordered these Ripple Oversized Stud Earrings and this Tennis Eternity Stacking Ring - both 30% off.

TRINNY LONDON - Up to 40% off

ENDS AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, FYI

The Trinny London Cyber Monday is extremely good this year, and it includes their gift sets which are gorgeous. I specifically recommend the Back To Life Skin Set which comes with mini cryo sticks to depuff the eyes and face. They’re fantastic.

Other products I use and recommend:

• Naked Ambition - One of the best Vitamin C serums around for sensitive or redness prone skin.

• Trinity Sticks - Genius multi-tasking makeup sticks for the eyes, lips, cheeks. Mustique is my favourite - a cool-toned brown on one end for eyes, contour and a bright, blue-toned pink on the other end for cheeks and lips.

• Flush Blush Stackable Pots - Specifically in the shade schmoogie - a gorgeous mauve/rose that makes you look instantly brighter / fresher.

COS - Up to 50% off

TODAY ONLY. ENDS AT MIDNIGHT

I’ve bought quite a few pieces from COS over the last 18 months that you’ll have seen me in pretty regularly, so I’ll link them all below.

• This cropped boiled-wool cardigan. So chic, I wore it recently when I went to Carton House for an event. Not remotely itchy, FYI. It’s super soft.

• This burgundy cotton lounge wear set: top and bottoms. I live in this (I’m actually wearing it right now as I type this!). It’s so comfortable, and I dress it up for outside of the house by wearing a trench coat and burgundy trainers with it.

• Clean cut regular t-shirt. I have 700 of these (not really, but you know what I mean). I have a few in white, one in black and one in grey. Best t-shirt ever. Can be washed a million times and still looks new.

And in terms of what I bought, I’ve had my eye on this wool jacket/scarf combo for awhile. I picked it up in black in a size medium.

NET A PORTER - Up to 50% off

EXTRA 15% OFF WITH CODE CYBER15 AT CHECKOUT. TODAY ONLY

The Net-A-Porter sale is alarmingly good this year and I already have several things in my basket - some of which were on my wishlist. Woohoo!

• Anine Bing hoodie and bottoms - a matching set that I would absolutely never buy at full price but at 40% off it’s a different story

• This burgundy suede shoulder bag from Demellier London. Be still my beating heart - especially as it’s almost half price. I bought the Siena Saddle bag from this brand several months ago and the quality is absolutely incredible. One of my favourite designer brands but without the usual quite scary designer price tag.

• Another style of jeans that I live in is the Ayla from Citizens of Humanity. There’s several iterations currently at 30% off including this one, and this one. I also LOVE this Bryn style, which I may or may not have Christmas presented to myself.

• This Victoria Beckham bag has been on my never-going-to-happen wishlist for months. I was out for dinner with a friend at the end of the summer and I all but melted her ear off about it. And now, in both good and bad news, it’s 30% off…

• And finally, these incredible burgundy trainers from Adidas - reduced to €100. A bargain, if you ask me.

AMAZON - Up to 60% off

There’s obviously thousands of deals to choose from on Amazon on the moment, so I thought I would just link the things that I use every single day, or have bought and wear pretty regularly (Levi’s, shape wear, etc.)

What I own and use all the time:

• Lefant Robot Vacuum Cleaner - I would not be without this. We use it every day, twice a day. You can set it to a schedule, it self maps out rooms so it never bumps into anything. Highly recommend.

• Aarke Carbonator Sparkling Water Machine - A very bougie gift we treated ourselves to last year in the Black Friday sale. We use it several times a week and love it.

• Phillips Fabric Shaver - I de-bobble all my knitwear with this. 10/10.

• Stackers Jewellery Box - I bought this a few years ago and have since added layers to it for earrings, necklaces, etc. It’s absolutely brilliant and the quality is fantastic.

• GHD Curl Tongs - This is the hair tool I use all the time to wave my hair. It’s excellent.

• Levi’s 501 crop jeans - I have them in a stone wash and a dark grey. I wear a size 27, FYI and I’m a UK10/12.

• ShaperX Shapewear - I have this bodysuit in beige and black. The suction is next level. Incredible for nights out, under knitwear, etc.

• Seamless Wireless Bras - Pack of three. The comfort is next level. I can’t tell you.

What I bought for the house this week:

• Tefal Airfryer - Our much-loved Airfryer finally gave up the ghost last month. I don’t even know how long we’ve had it, but let’s just say we got our value from it, ha! We picked up this new one from Tefal for just €70.

• Slow Cooker - Peak adulting or what? We’ve wanted one of these for ages and it’s 42% off. The husband is currently making slow-cooked lamb in it.

• Compostable dog poo bags - 30% off. If you’re a dog owner, you know how essential it is to have 700 packs of these on the go. Reduced to €8.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY - 25% off everything (plus three free Pillow Talk gifts at checkout when you spend over 220)

I always stock up on three products from Charlotte Tilbury during sale season:

• Flawless Filter

• Hollywood Contour Wand

• Beauty Light Wand in Pinkgasm

These are my ride-or-dies from the brand and I always have them in my makeup collection.

And I have to mention the gift sets! Nobody does swoon-worthy gift sets quite like Charlotte Tilbury. People all but squeal over them and I completely understand why.

The three best ones I’ve spotted this year are Pillow Talk Dreams Come True Gift Vault (absolutely unbelievable and reduced by over €100), Charlotte’s Mini Viral Icons (a steal at just €40) and the Pillow Talk Christmas Cracker (€26!).

That’s all for now, I’ll be updating this list as and when new deals go live - and there’s some great ones coming up in the few days. See you then!

But what I mean by this list is that these are the products that are always there, permanently. As soon as they start running low, I repurchase them.

These are my ride-or-dies, my recommend-them-to-everyone products - my never-withouts.

Is that dramatic? Yes. But that’s often how I feel when I really love beauty products. Very, very dramatic.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

I really hate that phrase “if you know, you know,” but it genuinely applies here. I’ve used Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair since my early 20s. Now that I’m in my early 40s, well… you do the math.

That’s a bit frightening. really - especially since I still feel like a young wan - but in reality, I am a fully fledged forty-something woman. Anyway, more on that another time.

I truly love this product. I notice the difference in my skin when I don’t use it: it’s plumping, repairing, and intensely hydrating. As someone with very sensitive skin, this just works for me (and as I often say to patients in clinic, if you have a skincare product your skin loves and that you love, keep using it). I use it morning and evening by the way, don’t let the word ‘night’ put you off having your best skin in the daytime, too.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

I actually thought long and hard about including C E Ferulic, because although I’ve used it for many years, it’s expensive AF. And since it first launched, there are now several excellent antioxidant serums on the market that I also love (particularly Naked Ambition from Trinny London. If, like me, you’re prone to sensitivity and redness, the addition of azelaic acid in this serum makes all the difference).

That said, C E Ferulic remains the GOAT. The formula, the efficacy, the impact it has on your skin - both immediate and long term - is really something to behold. It brightens, reduces fine lines, and fades sun damage and pigmentation, and so much more. There’s a reason it’s won countless awards and sits in the bathroom cabinets of nearly every beauty expert I know. It’s that good.

Medik8 Advanced Night Restore

If there’s a repairing, barrier-healing, moisturising product that claims to do it all - I’ve tried it. And while there are many good ones, none (in my opinion) are as good as Medik8 Advanced Night Restore.

It’s like a big hug, a big drink of water, and someone brushing your hair all in one. Do you know what I mean? It’s full-on loving, soothing, repairing goodness - especially in the colder months when your barrier takes a battering. You wake up with glowing, plump, happy skin and reduced redness. It’s also excellent for post-aesthetic treatments and for use after retinoids (which it was designed for).

If your skin is sensitive, dehydrated, barrier-damaged, or just generally going through it, I can’t recommend this enough. 10/10 (and again, ignore the “night” and use in the daytime too).

Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Sheet Mask

Similarly, the Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Sheet Mask is one you’ll have seen me rave about many times (probably an embarrassing amount, if you follow me on Instagram).

This is another miracle worker. I reach for it when I’m travelling, after flights, post-aesthetic treatments, when my barrier is damaged or dehydrated, or before a special event when I need an instant pick-me-up.

In 15 minutes or less, it calms redness, cools, soothes, and helps rebalance the skin. I recommend it to most of my clients - especially those getting treatments like microneedling. One to two days post-procedure, there’s nothing like it for getting your skin back on track.

It’s just incredible. Annoyingly, it seems to be selling out quite a bit lately - which is never a good sign. Hopefully, it’s not being discontinued because, if it is, I will simply pass away.

CurrentBody LED Red Light Therapy Face Mask

Looking back through my social media recently, I realised I’ve been using the CurrentBody LED mask for nearly six years - and consistently, which is rare for me (lol).

As a mildly jaded beauty editor, I’m prone to trying things a few times, realising they’re shit, and binning them. But this one stuck - because it’s not about instant results, it’s about long-term skin health and maintenance.

Last year, I upgraded from Series 1 to Series 2 - and thank god I did, because Series 2 is so much better. More coverage, more LED lights, and, most importantly for me in my 40s, a chin-and-jawline section (a key anti-ageing zone).

I use it at least five times a week, sometimes more. It’s brilliant for reducing redness, softening fine lines and maintaining overall skin health (FYI - you can use my discount code: CBSIMONES for 10% off.

Medik8 Press & Glow

There are many exfoliants I love - because god knows I love a glow.

And while many exfoliants have come and gone from my bathroom cabinet (and some have stayed, like the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel Pads - also very good), the one that’s always there is Medik8 Press & Glow.

Unlike other chemical exfoliants you might know, this one contains PHA (polyhydroxy acid) - the gentlest of the exfoliating acids. Think of it as a distant cousin to glycolic or lactic acid.

It’s perfect if your skin is sensitive, dehydrated, barrier-compromised, or if you don’t tolerate stronger acids. It’s a safe pair of hands, as I like to say. And the glow it gives is major. You can use it several times a week - it’s incredibly gentle. 10/10.

Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint

We’re entering slightly embarrassing territory now, given how often I’ve talked about this product - but ever since it launched several years ago, I’ve had at least one (and often two or three) tubes of Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint on the go.

This is simply one of the best tinted moisturising serums I’ve ever used. And that’s saying something, considering how many great ones exist across all price points.

It just works for me - the coverage, the glow, the way it feels on my skin. It’s loaded with skin-loving ingredients you can actually feel when you wear it. It’s the makeup product I reach for six days out of seven. Simone x HydraTint, forever (and ever).

Poco Beauty Universal Glow

In the same vein as HydraTint, I use Poco Beauty Universal Glow Treatment alongside it almost every day.

This is the primer to end all primers - glow-giving, redness-reducing, skin-evening magic. It’s decadent and dreamy on its own, gorgeous under foundation, and beautiful mixed with your foundation or tapped onto the high points of your face after your base. It’s also stunning on the body.

It’s a true multi-tasker. I love it so much that I own every size — travel, standard, and jumbo. I gift it constantly and recommend it all the time. It’s just an excellent product.

L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara

The longest relationship I’ve ever had with a mascara - nine years and counting. Can you believe it? (Because I can’t).

L’Oréal Lash Paradise works for me like nothing else. I’ve written about it so many times - both here and for The Irish Times - that at one point my editor emailed to ask if I realised I’d written about it again, and could I possibly write about another mascara?

Of course, I said no.

Not only is it around €16 or €17 (depending on where you buy - I usually find the best offers here), but it gives you dramatically thickened, lengthened, dark, dramatic lashes — and it’s very buildable. I often go up to three coats on a night out. It doesn’t clump, flake, or irritate my eyes.

I’ve tried the other versions - the colours, the waterproofs - and honestly, they’re pretty crap. There’s nothing like the original. If they ever change or discontinue it, I’ll fling myself off L’Oréal’s head office building. I don’t know where that is, but I’ll find out.

Oribe Flat Brush

It might sound strange to say a hairbrush changed my life, but this one did.

Oribe Flat Brush is essentially a wet brush, even though it’s not labelled as such. It’s the only one I use when I’ve just hopped out of the shower.

I used to use a Tangle Teezer and a few others, but they always tugged and pulled my hair, and I knew that wasn’t good in the long term. Someone I follow on TikTok recommended this one ages ago, and I duly purchased it. It wasn’t cheap - around €110 - but it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made for my hair.

It glides through even the most tangled, dehydrated hair with zero pulling or breakage. I genuinely think I have more hair now because I’m not yanking it out with a terrible brush. Thank you, Oribe.

An update here: I’m actually using The Belle Brush now, too. Irish-owned, affordable and the founder Nancy is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

Several years ago, my hairstylist - who’s obsessed with K18 - started using it on me in-salon and insisted I get it for home use. She walked me through how to use it properly, and it’s made an enormous difference to my hair.

There’s a lot of confusion about this product. Some people think it’s a conditioner or serum, or that it should be rinsed out - but it’s none of those things. It’s a treatment that repairs your hair at a molecular level.

My hairstylist told me to use it once or twice a month, or anytime my hair feels like it’s losing elasticity. Her rule of thumb: if your brush isn’t gliding easily through your hair, it’s K18 time.

I use about two pumps, warm it between my hands, then section my hair so it’s evenly distributed. A quick dab on the ends won’t do - you have to commit. But if you do, you’ll see the results: smoother, stronger, healthier hair with less breakage and less fall. Phenomenal.

Color Wow Volumising Mousse

Another longtime staple. I always have at least one - sometimes two - bottles of Color Wow Volumising Mousse knocking around (20% off here with code SIMONELF).

It gives major lift and volume to my fine hair. I’ve tried many others (the Sam McKnight one is pretty good), but nothing beats this.

I apply quite a lot, FYI - pumping it directly onto my brush, brushing it through evenly, then blasting my hair upside down. It gives me huge lift with zero crunch or weight. Win.

Colour Wow ‘Texas Hold Em’ Hairspray

Out of all the products on this list, this one is my most recent obsession.

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ll know I’m obsessed with huge, voluminous hair. If there are 1,000 texture sprays or hairsprays on the market, I’ve tried 999 of them. I am on a lifelong mission for the biggest hair possible.

Is it because I was born with naturally fine hair? Probably. But we move.

Texas Hold’ Em came into my life several months ago, and now I have three bottles sitting on my bathroom shelf. I go through it quickly (probably not ideal, in fairness), but it’s that good.

There are videos floating around on my social media showing how I use it (like this one) but in short, it gives violent lift, volume, and hold. And really, what more could you want from a hairspray?

Is there a bit of crunch? Absolutely. Do I care? Not in the slightest.

If you’ve made it this far, take a bow.

This is probably one of the longest Substacks I’ve ever written - and, funnily enough, it took me the shortest time to write, because I’m obsessed with these products.

I hope this list is helpful to you in some way. These are truly all 10/10 - and if you try them, I’m sure you’ll love them… maybe not as much as I do, but close.

Want to read more?

I’ve had facials to beat the band, and so many of them are standard, perfectly lovely, instantly forgettable – nothing to write home about. But oh, am I going to write about this one. I’m going to write about it big time.

Picture this: I’m in a dimly lit room, tucked into a very comfortable bed, in a very chic spa - and the therapist is beating my face. And I mean that quite literally.

“There are over 400 individual massage movements in this treatment,” she says, as her forearms forcefully grip the side of my head and her hands pull my jawline up to meet my scalp. No shit, I think.

This goes on for what feels like hours. Muscles are released from parts of my face I didn’t even know existed, my skin is pinched, rolled, pressed and pulled - and then – just when I think we might be coming to the end, because the pummelling seems to be tapering off – she announces, “Now, it’s time for the peel.”

And not just any peel – a 20% glycolic acid peel that feels mildly irritating moments after she brushes it onto my skin. “Just a few more minutes,” she says after I politely express my discomfort through gritted teeth. “You’ll be fine.”

Fine I wasn’t, but on it went. Pummelling of the neck and shoulders started while the peel did its thing – a distraction technique, perhaps, but a good one, in fairness. At this point, I’m concerned that the treatment will never end, that the burning will never stop, but then suddenly it’s over. I’m up, staring in the mirror, and my face doesn’t know what puffiness is, my eyebrows are halfway up my forehead, my cheekbones have never been higher, and my skin has never been glowier. And then the two magic words escape my lips: “Jesus Christ.” And I know, in that moment, this is one for the books.

The almost religious-level results were confirmed two hours later at dinner with colleagues, when one of them exclaimed, while gawking at my face: “Holy shit, your skin!” And I think, yes. I’ll be doing this again (and again).

The “facial” in question is the Magistrale Treatment by Codage Paris – available in several places across the globe, and now at the exceptional Velveare Spa inside The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Dublin (where I went).

It’s 90 minutes of vigorous, borderline violent rejuvenation for the bargain price of €195 (or €160 in November and December). The brand themselves describe it as “a cellular workout for the skin” – and they’re not wrong.

My skin never looked better. And the results lasted for weeks. Absolutely unheard of.

It’s unforgettable, unrelenting, unmissable. Which is why I’m writing about it here, and why I’m booked back in again in the New Year. If you’re in Dublin, or anywhere near a Codage Paris spa that offers it – book it. Book it now.

You might regret it a little. But your face won’t.

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It seems fitting to do a little roundup of October on the very last day of October, mainly because I haven’t had a literal minute to gather my thoughts until today. It’s been a crazy month, but in the best way - clinic training, trips to see friends, aesthetic treatments, work events, and so much more.

I started the month at a TikTok Shop workshop at TikTok HQ, which launched in Ireland a few months ago. It was a really interesting experience, but also a bit overwhelming. So far, TikTok Shop reminds me of Amazon - but maybe not in the best way. Since gaining access to it, I feel it’s kind of ruining TikTok for me; I’m constantly being served videos of people shilling everything from hoovers and toy sets to hairbrushes and carpets. It’s seems to override the algorithm completely just to show shop-related content.

Anyway, I’ve given it a go myself a few times and it is useful in some ways, particularly for tagging products I’m talking about - things like the Sculpted by Aimee Cream Cushion or my beloved Color Wow Texas Hold Em hairspray. (You can watch those videos over on my TikTok here and here).

(In the images above, I’m wearing this jacket, these cargo pants, this bag and this exceptionally long-lasting lip combo: liner and gloss)

Speaking of the hairspray, I really must go on about it - one of the best I’ve ever used for volume. And I don’t mean a bit of oomph, I mean violent, hair-raising, and staying-right-there levels of volume.

Is there a bit of crunch and stickiness? Absolutely. But for the lift and hold it gives, all sins are immediately forgiven. If you’re not convinced, watch this demo here (and also this one - it’s the second or third product in).

I did some training with Cutera in-clinic this month too, specifically Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling and CO₂ laser resurfacing. Where I work, this is available as a combination treatment called Secret Pro. It’s quite an intense treatment but delivers incredible results for wrinkles, acne scarring, pores, general skin texture, etc. It’s included in my in-depth guide to aesthetic treatments, which you can read here.

I also had RF microneedling myself this month - a treatment I really love for skin tightening and general rejuvenation. It’s different from cosmetic microneedling (like SkinPen) which is more superficial, as RF microneedling works deeper in the skin. The downtime is less, but it’s a much more uncomfortable treatment. Your skin is numbed during the process, so it’s tolerable, but still resulted in me saying “Jesus Vicki!” to my colleague who was treating me. LOL.

I’m about ten days post-treatment now and looking at my skin, you’d never know I’d had anything done. I plan to do a course of three before the end of the year, so I’ll keep you updated.

Product-wise, I’ve been using a mix of old favourites and new additions this month - probably none more so than Medik8 Advanced Night Restore, one of the best barrier-repairing moisturisers ever. I’ve used it on and off for years, and it’s firmly back in rotation now post-treatment. It’s brilliant for sensitive or dehydrated skin, or when your skin barrier needs rebuilding.

When it comes to makeup, I’m in a bit of a love affair with Sculpted by Aimee Cream Cushion foundation at the moment. If you haven’t tried it, it’s definitely worth a go - gorgeous formula, easy to apply, great price point. I also tried YSL Beauty’s new All Hours Glow foundation this month, which I really like (demo here) - perfect for days when you want more coverage or have a special event.

And of course, I have to mention the foundation everyone is talking about - Victoria Beckham’s The Foundation Drops. I first used them back in August as I spoke to VB for a review piece in The Irish Times. You can read what she said about them here.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, but not for my bank account!) I do really like this foundation. It’s really good. Great coverage, a skin-like finish that lasts and lasts (and lasts). It’s good for your skin in a way that so many other skin tints wish they could be thanks to the addition of Augustinus Bader’s multi-award winning TFC8 complex. There’s an in-depth review on my Instagram that might be useful if you’re thinking about investing.

A few days ago, I went on a long-planned trip to see one of my best friends in Kent. We’ve been friends for nearly fourteen years now and try to get together once or twice a year, but we hadn’t seen each other for over a year thanks to work, moving house, life in general. It was a much-needed reunion - a few days frolicking around the Kent countryside; long walks, wine, cheeseboards - good for the soul.

I packed some of my favourite products for the trip and, in duty free on the way over (inspired by Anna), went on the hunt for the Dior bronzer in jumbo size. They didn’t have it, and I was so hyped up to buy a BOB (big ol’ bronzer, as Anna calls it) that I ended up picking up an old fave instead - NARS Laguna. I’d forgotten how gorgeous it is. I also picked up the giant Hourglass brush that Anna uses for bronzer because it looked so appealing - and I can confirm, it is. Giant makeup brush = happiness.

Speaking of recent purchases, here are a few things I’ve picked up over the past couple of months (as it’s been a while since I’ve updated here).

• This jacket from Other Stories, which I didn’t think I’d get much wear out of but have been happily wearing to death. It instantly levels up the majority of my jeans and knitwear lewks

• And another jacket, also from Other Stories, which I stupidly didn’t buy in store and then regretted for weeks because I couldn’t find it online - thankfully it came back in stock, so I grabbed it immediately.

• This burgundy jumper from Other Stories, which I plan to wear with aforementioned jacket. Super soft, stunning colour, 10/10.

• Then there are these Alohas trainers I’d had my eye on for ages. I can confirm they are incredibly comfortable - no breaking in required - and the animal print goes with everything I’m wearing at the moment, which is basically brown, burgundy, and denim. I’m quite happy about it.

• I also picked up this loungewear set from COS (joggers, top) and can’t recommend it enough. I wear it when working from home or travelling - it’s the comfiest, coolest thing, and still looks chic under a trench or bomber jacket (and again, it’s burgundy).

That’s all for now! If you’ve got this far, thank you so much for reading - I’ll be back with another update soon.

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Welcome to Glow Notes. A newsletter that’s equal parts skincare wisdom and a peek inside everything new and noteworthy in the beauty world, written by me, Simone Gannon - an aesthetic practitioner, skincare educator, and beauty journalist of over 15 years.

Here, you’ll find a mix of practical skincare advice, interviews with beauty founders, expert how-tos, deep dives into products, treatments, and the weird stuff that works.

If you read and enjoy this piece, please hit the heart button and consider subscribing.

We're really making moves here on our little island, turning out more brilliant beauty brands in the past couple of years than I can realistically keep track of.

There are many standouts: some small and spectacular, others that have grown steadily and made waves well beyond our shores, and they hit every category: makeup, skincare, wellness, haircare, you name it. My makeup bag, in particular, boasts a strong Irish contingent and I couldn't be happier. Exceptional products, clever formulas, thoughtfully made, problem-solving, and - if I do say so myself - chic AF.

So, whether you've never heard of these brands before, or maybe you have but aren’t quite sure which products to try, allow me to introduce you to five of what I believe are the absolute best beauty and wellness brands to come out of Ireland in recent years - and the products from their ranges that are worth every single euro.

SCULPTED BY AIMEE

Arguably one of our most beloved beauty brands, Sculpted by Aimee was founded by makeup artist Aimee Connolly back in 2016. It’s a brand that has truly taken off in the last few years, gaining a loyal following both at home and further afield (and winning multiple awards along the way) - now stocked in the likes of Boots, Selfridges, and more recently, Cult Beauty.

It’s an affordable, well-formulated, multi-tasking range that just makes you feel good. Covering makeup, skincare, tan, and accessories, several of their products have had a permanent home in my makeup bag for years now. And if you read my Substack regularly, you’ll probably already know which ones…

• Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint Moisturising Tinted Serum
  One of the best tinted serum-moisturiser hybrids to launch in recent years - and not just by Irish standards. HydraTint goes toe-to-toe with the big beauty heavyweights and holds its own with ease. Lots of shades, less than €30. One of my all-time favourite, ride-or-die bases.

• Sculpted by Aimee Satin Silk Longwear Concealer
  I wish I could find the article, but I distinctly remember writing about this when it first launched and describing it as a “Polyfilla concealer” - and I meant that in the best possible way. Borderline miraculous concealing abilities. Full coverage with a capital F but still lightweight, thin, looks like skin. Ten out of ten.

• Sculpted by Aimee Body Base Instant Tan
  I have several tubes of this stuff - both full-sized and the mini versions for quick trips. It’s a creamy, almost dry instant tan that settles in seconds, available in both shimmer and matte finishes. It goes on buttery and smooth, but never wet or sticky. One of my go-to products for topping up an existing tan or bronzing up random spots like the chest or ankles (we’ve all been there).

GROUND WELLBEING

Wellness, but make it beauty. Ground Wellbeing was launched at the height of COVID by spa industry legend Peigín Crowley. If you’ve ever worked in - or even near - the spa and wellness world, in Ireland or abroad, you’ll know exactly who Peigín is. Her influence runs deep, with her touch found in some of the most beautiful and successful spas around the globe - from interior design to treatment rituals. She’s a woman who understands wellbeing inside out, upside down, and every way in between.

Ground is built around the idea of slowing down and supporting both body and mind. The product range is rooted in care - spanning sleep, anxiety, menopause, skin health, and comfort through cancer treatment, to name just a few.

I’ve touched on this before, but I’ve lived with chronic anxiety for many years. During one of the worst periods I’ve ever experienced, a handful of Ground products quite literally helped carry me through. In particular:

• Night Body Balm. If you struggle with racing thoughts or have trouble sleeping - you need this balm. I’ve kept a jar on my bedside table since Ground launched, repurchasing it again and again. It’s a buttery, instantly melting formula that feels warm and soothing on the skin, and the scent immediately calms your nervous system. Apply to pulse points before bed, or, if you have time, slather all over after a bath or shower. There is nothing like it.

• Sleep Pillow Spray. Award-winning for a reason. I have this in the full size and the travel sized versions. I use it on my pillow before bed and on the top of my duvet cover, so as I move during the night, the soothing scent stays with me, helping to induce sleep. An incredible product.

I feel it’s important to reiterate here that Ground’s products are not just beautiful, they are truly therapeutic. I recommend them wholeheartedly, either for yourself or someone you love (there’s also a gorgeous line of Calm Balms for children, suitable from newborns right through to preteens).

And I haven’t even mentioned that Ground’s spa treatments and therapies can also be found in some of the world’s most prestigious spas: The Lanesborough in London, Rosewood in Hong Kong, Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, multiple Bulgari Hotels, Jumeirah Group hotels, Waldorf Astoria properties, and many more. Go off, Peigín.

DRIPPING GOLD

If you’re a lover of fake tan, no brand has earned its (non streaky) stripes in Ireland quite like Dripping Gold.

Founded in 2018 by entrepreneur and influencer Suzanne Jackson - just a few years after the successful launch of her makeup brand SOSU Cosmetics (which, by the way, is going through something of a fabulous rebirth at the moment - more on that another time) - Dripping Gold has firmly cemented itself as a go-to in the tanning world.

It’s now right up there with the big international names. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “Oh I love Bondi Sands… and I love Dripping Gold,” in the same breath. It’s that good. And it’s everywhere. If you’re not using it currently, chances are you’ve used it before - and you’ll probably use it again.

Why? Because if there’s one thing Suzanne Jackson is known for, it’s always having a flawless tan - and she’s delivered products that help the rest of us do the same.

The range is extensive - and affordable. Most Dripping Gold products are under €25, with quite a few coming in under €20. There are also prep products, tan toppers, and every possible tanning format you could think of - all done exceptionally well. These three, however, can take my money every day of the week.

• Glowing Steady Gradual Tan. I’ve raved about this before, and for good reason. This feels like a luxe body moisturiser that develops nicely into a warm, bronze hue. You can build it up easily, no streaks, no orange tones in sight. And it’s just €17.

• Express Tanning Serum. Frankly outrageous when it comes to ease of use. I feel like a pro when applying this. And again, it’s firmly in the ‘feels like a luxe body product’ category, as opposed to a fake tan product.

• Airglow Instant Airbrush Tan. One of the brand’s newest launches, this is an instant tan in a dry-touch, cold mist format. You simply mist it on, and then work it in with a dense buffing brush. Brilliant over existing tan, or for just tanning specific areas. It doesn’t budge once it’s on, or transfer to clothes. Genius.

POCO BEAUTY

Hitting shelves just two years ago, Poco Beauty is a brand on a growth trajectory that shows no signs of slowing down. Behind it is entrepreneur and influencer Pippa O’Connor, who you may know from her successful fashion line - but long before that, she was known for her love of beauty.

At first glance, only one word comes to mind with Poco Beauty. Chic. From packaging to price, to look and feel. Each product designed to solve, enhance, or elevate your skin in some way.

One of the stars of the range - and something I’ve mentioned in this Substack more times than I can count - is Universal Glow Treatment: a multi-use primer meets skincare hybrid that sits beautifully under makeup. It now has a brand new sister product, Universal Solar Glow - a sheer, bronzy version of the original that delivers the same lit-from-within glow, but with added sun-kissed warmth. Other standouts include:

• Skin Flood Ceramide Plumping Water. Available in three different sizes, this is an gorgeous watery essence that plumps and hydrates the skin on the face and body.

• Skintuition Foundation. A skincare-loaded medium-coverage base that blew up the Irish beauty scene several months back. It’s a thick, creamy gel-like formulation that sheers out wonderfully - great coverage, great glow, just great.

• Skincare-Infused Tanning Mousse. One of the brand’s newest launches, and their first foray into tan. This is an excellent tan. It feels grown up and luxurious and with a Neroli base scent, it gives ‘if Tom Ford did tan’ vibes. There are two shades, Classic Honey and Deep Honey - I use the latter (read about my tanning routine here).

This is brand that delivers affordable luxury at its finest. It gives glossy department-store vibes, but with prices that are much closer to the high street. One to watch - both now and over the next few years.

PESTLE AND MORTAR

If you're someone who loves their skincare stripped back, effective, and quietly luxurious, Pestle & Mortar is likely already on your radar. Founded by Sonia Deasy in 2014, the brand built its name on one product in particular - a hyaluronic serum that has achieved near-cult status.

This isn’t a brand that shouts. It's understated, clean, and deeply considered - all about simple routines with who’s who ingredients that do exactly what they say they will. It’s also one of the few Irish skincare brands that has truly gone global, with a solid international fanbase and shelves in the likes of Sephora, Liberty and Boots.

There’s a reason people come back to this brand again and again. The entire range is built around a holistic, ingredient-led ethos, with a clear understanding of skin health at its core - and it’s all wrapped up in beautiful, minimal packaging that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together (even if you absolutely do not. Hi, it’s me). There are many great products to rave about, but none more so than these three:

• Pure Hyaluronic Serum. The one that started it all. Several molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, in a heavyweight, fragrance-free, instantly thirst-quenching serum. Now also available in a sheet mask format which is truly out-of-this-world good.

• Pure Hyaluronic Hydrogel Eye Patches. Their newest launch, and of course they’ve levelled up the eye patches category. Beautiful, chic and weighty eye gels drenched in peptides and hyaluronic acid and a bit of miracle-working magic. They transform dry, tired, dehydrated under eyes in fifteen minutes or less.

• NMF Lactic Acid Toner. A gentle but powerful exfoliating toner that helps slough away dead skin cells, improve skin texture and reveal major glow along the way. Suitable for everyone, too - but particularly good option for sensitive skin.

And that’s it! (for now, anyway - I love writing about Irish brands so I’ll be back with more of this soon). If you enjoyed this post, please hit the like button and drop a comment. I really appreciate the support.

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