Sally Foran: Here's why you should make the switch to brown mascara
Also, I've noticed that black mascara can accentuate lines and look overly stark, while brown creates a more flattering, youthful effect.
Beyond personal preference, brown mascara aligns perfectly with the shift toward minimalist and 'clean girl' beauty, a trend embraced by makeup artists (who recommend true brown shades without red or orange undertones for brunettes, and warmer browns for blondes and redheads).
With top brands expanding their brown mascara offerings, it's clear that this warm, wearable shade is having a well-deserved moment, thanks to its ability to enhance natural features without overwhelming them.
These are some of our favourites.
Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes
1. Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes in Dream Pop
A flattering berry brown hue designed to make blue and green eyes pop.
Delivering the same instant length, weightless volume, and 24-hour vertical lift as the original, this bold yet wearable shade adds a soft warmth and richness that enhances natural eye colour without overpowering.
The precision paddle brush lifts from root to tip, gripping every lash for a fanned out, false lash effect, with no clumps or flaking.
In consumer trials, 96% said lashes looked magnified and lengthened, while 93% reported volumised definition.
€29, Brown Thomas
POCO Beauty Empower Mascara
2. Poco Beauty Empower Mascara
A rich chocolate brown mascara in a high-performance, water-resistant formula that delivers instant volume, dramatic length, and smudge-free definition that lasts.
It features a precision-engineered wand that lifts, curls, and separates for a false lash effect with no clumps.
Infused with nourishing jojoba oil, it conditions and strengthens lashes with every wear, while the vegan-friendly formula offers buildable coverage that stays put all day, but melts away effortlessly upon cleansing.
€24, Arnotts
Rimmel London Thrill Seeker Extreme Volume Mascara
3. Rimmel London Thrill Seeker Extreme Volume Mascara in Cappuccino
Inspired by the brand's cult favourite lip liner and the rising 2025 Pantone Mocha trend, this is a rich, warm shade.
The formula combines a trio of conditioning waxes with a tower fiber brush to deliver volume, 24-hour wear, and bold colour payoff, minus the smudging or clumping.
Cruelty-free and buildable, it enhances all eye colours with a softer, more natural lift than classic black.
€15.99, Boots
MyMascara by Sculpted by Aimee
4. MyMascara by Sculpted by Aimee
A volumising, high-pigment mascara that delivers fuller, lifted lashes with a false lash effect in just one coat.
It features a curved wand for easy definition and all-day wear without smudging or flaking.
Enriched with Pro Vitamin B5, the formula nourishes and conditions lashes, making it ideal for sensitive eyes.
It's vegan and cruelty-free too. Enhances all eye colours, but especially blue and green.
€19, Meaghers pharmacy
Bellamianta Lash Illusion Mascara
5. Bellamianta Lash Illusion Mascara
Harnessing innovative tubing technology, Lash Illusion wraps each lash in flexible, smudge-proof tubes for a lash extension effect that lasts up to 24 hours.
Its ultra-precise silicone wand fans out every lash for clean, clump-free definition and is buildable too.
Perfect for those who struggle with panda eyes.
€23.99, bellamianta.com
Benefit's Bad Gal Bang Volumising Mascara
6. Benefit's Bad Gal Bang Volumising Mascara
A cult favourite and for good reason... this claims to deliver an eye-popping 36-hour wear time.
Expect massive volume, dramatic lift, and serious length, without clumping, smudging, or flaking.
The secret lies in its custom big slimpact brush, which grabs every lash and a lightweight, buildable formula infused with ProVitamin B5 to help strengthen over time.
Whether you're heading to the office or dancing 'til dawn, it'll keep your lashes bold and defined from the first swipe to last call.
€30, Benefit Boutique
AYU Volume Lashes Mascara in Brown
7. Ayu Volume Lashes Mascara
Infused with hyaluronic acid to keep lashes hydrated (mascaras can be drying).
This Irish brand's formula creates volume and length that won't flake or smudge.
It has an hourglass shaped brush to hug lashes creating a natural curl.
The highly pigmented liquid has a rich consistency, leaving lashes fanned out and full of volume.
It's also vegan, cruelty free, dermatologically tested and paraben-free.
€24.00, Kilkenny Design
Flormar Hero Volume & Curl Brown Mascara
8. Flormar Hero Volume & Curl Brown Mascara
Another hourglass-shaped applicator with a rich, warm brown tone for a softer, more natural everyday look.
Infused with moisturising glycols and Vitamin E, it nourishes lashes while delivering smooth, non-clumping definition.
It's also the most pocket-friendly mascara on our list.
€8.95, Penneys
Prices correct at time of print
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Irish Times
3 days ago
- Irish Times
Sam McKnight on reinventing haircare – and breaking it down in the compost bin
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[ Sam McKnight: From window cleaner to the world's most celebrated hair stylist Opens in new window ] Hair by Sam McKnight has expanded to include a wide range of hair care and styling products, and the latest addition to the range is Pure Genius 98% Natural Scalp Restoring Oil (€42 from Brown Thomas), which claims to be the world's first 100 per cent compostable (including the bottle) prewash treatment. It's a bold move in an industry not exactly known for sustainability, but a natural next step for someone who's always been ahead of the curve. The idea, McKnight says, came during lockdown, when he found himself spending more time in his garden, and looking more closely at the benefits of plants for hair. 'We've always used plants in our products, but I thought it was time to go further,' he says. The result is Pure Genius – a 98 per cent natural, scalp-restoring prewash oil that offers an alternative to the chemical-heavy treatments so many people, including McKnight himself, avoid. Hair by Sam McKnight Pure Genius 98% Natural Scalp Restoring Oil (€42 from Brown Thomas) 'I have psoriasis, and I use this,' he says. 'It's about cleansing the scalp and putting nourishment back in – helping the follicle, the roots, the hair at the source. And that keeps your hair healthy.' It's designed to be used just once a week, 10 minutes before washing. 'It's quite simple,' he adds, 'but it works.' What wasn't simple, especially in the beginning, was the packaging. Hair oil, as McKnight explains, is notoriously tricky to bottle. Open it a few times, especially with a thicker, more viscous formula, and you'll almost always get some leakage. It was a problem he and his team were determined to solve – but they also wanted to go further, ideally by making the packaging biodegradable. 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The brand has already made progress – the fully recyclable packaging on other products is made from at least 30 per cent post-consumer recycled plastic, and they are aiming to move towards 100 per cent – but McKnight is pragmatic about the challenges. 'It's about making steps that are realistic and affordable from a business perspective, not just token gestures. We're trying really hard to do our best, while still giving people what they want, which is great hair.' This week I'm loving ... Rituals The Ritual of Yozakura Shimmering Body Oil Rituals The Ritual of Yozakura Shimmering Body Oil (€25.90 from Rituals) There are few summer-inspired body products I've used recently that smell as good as this one. The Ritual of Yozakura Shimmering Body Oil (€25.90 from Rituals) is described by the brand as a decadent 'after-hours upgrade'. 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Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Sally Foran: Here's why you should make the switch to brown mascara
Brown mascara may be trending in 2025, but for me, it's been a staple for years. With my fair colouring, I've always found that brown offers a softer, more natural-looking definition compared to black, which can feel harsh, especially during the day. Also, I've noticed that black mascara can accentuate lines and look overly stark, while brown creates a more flattering, youthful effect. Beyond personal preference, brown mascara aligns perfectly with the shift toward minimalist and 'clean girl' beauty, a trend embraced by makeup artists (who recommend true brown shades without red or orange undertones for brunettes, and warmer browns for blondes and redheads). With top brands expanding their brown mascara offerings, it's clear that this warm, wearable shade is having a well-deserved moment, thanks to its ability to enhance natural features without overwhelming them. These are some of our favourites. Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes 1. Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes in Dream Pop A flattering berry brown hue designed to make blue and green eyes pop. Delivering the same instant length, weightless volume, and 24-hour vertical lift as the original, this bold yet wearable shade adds a soft warmth and richness that enhances natural eye colour without overpowering. The precision paddle brush lifts from root to tip, gripping every lash for a fanned out, false lash effect, with no clumps or flaking. In consumer trials, 96% said lashes looked magnified and lengthened, while 93% reported volumised definition. €29, Brown Thomas POCO Beauty Empower Mascara 2. Poco Beauty Empower Mascara A rich chocolate brown mascara in a high-performance, water-resistant formula that delivers instant volume, dramatic length, and smudge-free definition that lasts. It features a precision-engineered wand that lifts, curls, and separates for a false lash effect with no clumps. Infused with nourishing jojoba oil, it conditions and strengthens lashes with every wear, while the vegan-friendly formula offers buildable coverage that stays put all day, but melts away effortlessly upon cleansing. €24, Arnotts Rimmel London Thrill Seeker Extreme Volume Mascara 3. Rimmel London Thrill Seeker Extreme Volume Mascara in Cappuccino Inspired by the brand's cult favourite lip liner and the rising 2025 Pantone Mocha trend, this is a rich, warm shade. The formula combines a trio of conditioning waxes with a tower fiber brush to deliver volume, 24-hour wear, and bold colour payoff, minus the smudging or clumping. Cruelty-free and buildable, it enhances all eye colours with a softer, more natural lift than classic black. €15.99, Boots MyMascara by Sculpted by Aimee 4. MyMascara by Sculpted by Aimee A volumising, high-pigment mascara that delivers fuller, lifted lashes with a false lash effect in just one coat. It features a curved wand for easy definition and all-day wear without smudging or flaking. Enriched with Pro Vitamin B5, the formula nourishes and conditions lashes, making it ideal for sensitive eyes. It's vegan and cruelty-free too. Enhances all eye colours, but especially blue and green. €19, Meaghers pharmacy Bellamianta Lash Illusion Mascara 5. Bellamianta Lash Illusion Mascara Harnessing innovative tubing technology, Lash Illusion wraps each lash in flexible, smudge-proof tubes for a lash extension effect that lasts up to 24 hours. Its ultra-precise silicone wand fans out every lash for clean, clump-free definition and is buildable too. Perfect for those who struggle with panda eyes. €23.99, Benefit's Bad Gal Bang Volumising Mascara 6. Benefit's Bad Gal Bang Volumising Mascara A cult favourite and for good reason... this claims to deliver an eye-popping 36-hour wear time. Expect massive volume, dramatic lift, and serious length, without clumping, smudging, or flaking. The secret lies in its custom big slimpact brush, which grabs every lash and a lightweight, buildable formula infused with ProVitamin B5 to help strengthen over time. Whether you're heading to the office or dancing 'til dawn, it'll keep your lashes bold and defined from the first swipe to last call. €30, Benefit Boutique AYU Volume Lashes Mascara in Brown 7. Ayu Volume Lashes Mascara Infused with hyaluronic acid to keep lashes hydrated (mascaras can be drying). This Irish brand's formula creates volume and length that won't flake or smudge. It has an hourglass shaped brush to hug lashes creating a natural curl. The highly pigmented liquid has a rich consistency, leaving lashes fanned out and full of volume. It's also vegan, cruelty free, dermatologically tested and paraben-free. €24.00, Kilkenny Design Flormar Hero Volume & Curl Brown Mascara 8. Flormar Hero Volume & Curl Brown Mascara Another hourglass-shaped applicator with a rich, warm brown tone for a softer, more natural everyday look. Infused with moisturising glycols and Vitamin E, it nourishes lashes while delivering smooth, non-clumping definition. It's also the most pocket-friendly mascara on our list. €8.95, Penneys Prices correct at time of print
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
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How to get the viral Shark Cryglow LED mask for FREE at Boots with a sneaky, little-known trick that helps you declutter
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. Scroll down to find out if the viral LED Shark mask it worth it GLOW GIRL How to get the viral Shark Cryglow LED mask for FREE at Boots with a sneaky, little-known trick that helps you declutter A WOMAN has revealed how she bagged the viral Shark CryoGlow LED face mask for free at Boots thanks to a sneaky little-known hack that also helps clear out your clutter. TikTok user Steph from Leeds, shared how she'd been saving up her Boots Advantage Card points for months in hopes of finally snapping up the buzzy Shark LED mask. 2 Steph shared how she bagged a Shark CryGlow for free Credit: TikTok/ @stephaniedjl 2 She purchased the beauty gadget using her Boots points and a little-known scheme Credit: Amazon The beauty gadget has been doing the rounds online for its glow-boosting, skin-smoothing powers. And when it finally went on offer, she was just £5 away from having enough points to grab it. But instead of waiting around, she sprinted straight to her local Boots and used a clever trick that got her the last fiver she needed, without spending a penny more. It was all thanks to Boots' Recycle at Boots scheme, which is a little-known initiative that rewards you for bringing in your empty beauty and personal care products. We're talking toothpaste tubes, shampoo bottles, face cream pots, even things like contact lens cases and solution. Once you've collected five used-up products, you simply log them in the Recycle at Boots app, take them to a participating store, pop them in the green recycling box, and you get a £5 voucher when you spend £10. Steph said 'I was only £5 off buying the Shark LED mask with my points, so I ran to Boots, did the recycling scheme and bought it immediately," This time around, she used the £5 voucher to stock up on essentials and then cashed in her Advantage Card points to cover the rest of the cost of the Shark mask. 'I got this mask entirely for free,' she said. 'Definitely worth it.' She added that she often uses the recycling reward to try out new beauty products, but it's also perfect for picking up basics without dipping into your own cash. British skincare brand sold in Boots launches 50% off sale as it prepares to close down this month The best part is you're clearing out those dusty old bottles under the sink and getting rewarded for it. It's a win-win. So next time you're close to bagging something boujee with your Boots points, whether it's a viral skincare gadget, a designer perfume or just your favourite foundation, remember the recycle trick. Boot's loyalty scheme has been running since 1997, and there are now over 17 million Advantage card members. It works by rewarding shoppers with three points for every £1 they spend. Each point is worth 1p, so if you've saved 1234 points, you'll have £12.34 to spend. To pay for your shopping using your points balance, you'll need the full amount as you can't split payments between points and cash. Many shoppers build up their balance over the year to buy Christmas presents, or get bargains in the mega Boots sale at the end of the year. Shark CryGlow Review SOPHIA Bates put the mask up to test in her review. First impressions The face mask comes with a remote control, clip-on eye cooling patches, a charging cable and a satin drawstring pouch for storage. After charging the device for several hours as per the instructions, the mask was ready to go without needing to set anything up. When I first switched the device on, I was given a walk-through on the remote's screen that outlined the basic information, which is great for first-time LED mask users. The mask is bulky and it did take me a while to figure out how to adjust the straps so that it fit comfortably on my face, so it's not something I'll be travelling with. I found the LCD remote control to be slick and easy to use, and I love that it tracks progress by tracking how many times I've used each routine. The mask also shuts down automatically once the routine is complete, which is handy for power saving. Performance I've been using the Shark face mask for around two months, using primarily the Better-Ageing routine followed by the Under-Eye Revival mode. The Insta-Chill technology, which is unique to the CryoGlow, always makes me feel refreshed after removing the mask, and it's great for unwinding. There are three cold temperature settings which can be adjusted on the remote. The mask has an adjustable strap that tightens around the head for a secure fit, although I did find it to be quite heavy on the face. I know some people like to wear LED masks while running errands around the house, but I personally found the hard shell design to be too bulky for that (though it's perfectly comfortable to wear while sitting in front of the TV). The verdict Would I recommend the Shark CryoGlow Mask to a friend? Absolutely. It's the most user-friendly mask I've come across, and I love that the remote control walks users through every routine while tracking all progress. The four modes mean every skin type is likely to benefit from the mask, and I've seen results in my skin's brightness after the eight-week period that I've been testing the device. While the mask is quite bulky, the secure strap makes it comfortable enough to relax with, and the cooling technology leaves my skin feeling so awake after every use. Read the full review here. Double your points If you need that extra boost to your points then we have you covered. Experts have exclusively revealed the tricks to supersizing your points balance. The Boots Advantage Card app is a "game changer", according to Holly Smith, aka the UK's Coupon Queen. These are where your Advantage points, and tailored offers, will be listed. Sometimes, you can earn double, triple, or even QUADRUPLE your points by using these offers. Tap 'View Offers' under your points balance in the app to see your personalised deals. "Right now, my offers are 500 Advantage Card points if I spend £35 or more in-store, 100 points if I buy any Boots own brand products, and 10% off if I spend £15 or more on children's products – plus loads more," said Holly. The extra points will usually come with stipulations such as when you spend a certain amount, buy selected products or could simply offered as a one or two-time offer. To get the boosted points, you will need to 'load to your card', which means adding the offers onto your card before making a purchase, to get the boost. The offers typically change every four weeks, though there are also one day events that crop up so it's worth checking in regularly to see what's available in store or on your app. And if it's your birthday month you could push your points balance even further. When you treat yourself on your birthday, you get free bonus points in the process. During your birthday month, you can double your points, which is six points for every £1 spent. Make sure you put in your date of birth when signing up so you can access the offer. Remember to add the offer to your card before spending. There's plenty of other tricks you could also use to stack up your point balance.
