May's new beauty launches centre around improving what you've got — not camouflaging
Is there anything better than the first few weeks of an Irish summer? Though they may be hard to spot – no, my winter coat has not yet been put away either – we're coming into the time when it's undeniable. Just ask the 9pm sunset, and the fact that you look a little less dead behind the eyes.
This month's newness all centres around improving what you've got, rather than camouflaging what you don't. That sounds nice, doesn't it? Let's get stuck in.
1. No 7 Future Renew Night Serum
(RRP €44.99 for 25ml, Boots)
No 7 Future Renew Night Serum (RRP €44.99 for 25ml, Boots)
Future Renew is the result of years of research into the science of circadian rhythms and how they impact skin health. No7 scientists, in collaboration with the University of Manchester, have discovered that our skin repairs itself best at night, but that sun damage can disrupt this natural process. Enter the full suite of Future Renew products – from night until day. The star? Future Renew Night Serum is designed to work with the skin's natural rhythms to maximise repair and rejuvenation while you sleep. Beauty sleep in a bottle.
2. Eminence Sun Defence Mineral Collection
(€69, eminence.ie)
Eminence Sun Defence Mineral Collection (€69, eminence.ie)
You should be wearing SPF every day, but when the UV Index is high, layering becomes more important. This summer, I will be re-applying Eminence's feather-light, mattifying broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen regularly, to top up sun protection while also catering to my combination skin's needs. Designed to protect your skin from UVA, UVB and blue light, this soft powder sunscreen with SPF 30 perfects your complexion with a touch of tint. Six shades available.
3. Skingredients 15% Vit C, E + Tri-Mushroom Skin Booster
(RRP €45, skingredients.com)
Skingredients 15% Vit C, E + Tri-Mushroom Skin Booster (RRP €45, skingredients.com)
Jennifer Rock has done it again. Containing 15% Ascorbic Acid for visibly brighter, firmer and younger-looking skin, the Tri-Mushroom Skin Booster is a welcome addition to the brand's 10-product line-up. Created to target dull, fatigued, photodamaged or pigmented skin, this anti-ageing booster serum revitalises, adds radiance, and awakens the skin's natural glow in just one drop.
4. Benefit Hoola Wave Bronzing Balm
(€41, Boots)
Benefit Hoola Wave Bronzing Balm (€41, Boots)
You all know Hoola. Now, the iconic powder bronzer is making waves in an all-new, creamy balm. Weightless, buttery soft and packed with skin-loving ingredients. In five, mostly cool-toned shades, this is something for everyone to try.
5. Relife Definisse [KP1]® range
(RRP €110 - €140, aesthetic skin clinics nationwide)
Relife Definisse [KP1]® range (RRP €110 - €140, aesthetic skin clinics nationwide)
We know collagen production declines with age, and with this new dermatologist-backed line from Relife, one can seemingly safeguard their existing collagen while enhancing skin rejuvenation. The range feature three specialised products — Definisse [KP1]® Regenerating Serum which reduces fine lines and boosts luminosity, Definisse [KP1]® Redensifying Cream which provides hydration and improves elasticity and Definisse [KP1]® Revitalising Eye Contour which targets wrinkles and dark circles around the eyes — which all harness the energy of Key Peptide One [KP1]®, a groundbreaking peptide that protects collagen from degradation. And according to Dr Cal Condon, Consultant Dermatologist at Blackrock Health, 'The introduction of Definisse KP1 Collagen Modulator to your skincare routine offers a groundbreaking approach to anti-ageing.'
6. Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Sculpting System
(€26 - €75, Brown Thomas)
Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Sculpting System in Medium (€26 - €75, Brown Thomas)
The woman behind one of the most coveted brands on the planet has launched what she is describing as 'shapewear for your face'. Tilbury has outdone herself with a comprehensive contouring system. The Lip Cheat Contour Duos (€26) come in four shades to help anyone contour their lips. Big Lip Plumpgasm in Nude Diamonds (€36) is a sparkling champagne nude gloss to add dimension to your contoured pout. Super Nudes Shapewear Brush (€34) is a dual-ended sculpt and blend brush for everywhere from cheekbones to eyes, and the Glowgasm Face Palette in Nudegasm (€75) is returning to fanfare once more.
7. Sam McKnight Pure Genius Natural Scalp Restoring Oil
(€42, Cult Beauty)
Sam McKnight Pure Genius Natural Scalp Restoring Oil (€42, Cult Beauty)
Trichology perfectionist Sam McKnight, the man behind Kate Moss, Jodie Comer and The Hadid Sisters' locks, has released a scalp product to beat the band. Formulated with 98% natural ingredients and enriched with over 15 proven hair-enhancing natural oils, this scalp oil protects the microbiome by moisturising the surface and creating an optimal environment for hair to thrive. Housed in a 100% biodegradable oil-dropper and delivered in a box made from agricultural waste,.
8. IMAGE Skincare AGELESS+ collection
(€115 - €130, imageskincare.ie)
IMAGE Skincare AGELESS+ collection (€115 - €130, imageskincare.ie)
Sensitive skin friends, listen up. IMAGE's new six-product range is set to make daily retinol use a seamless reality. With patent-pending XOSM™ Technology, a system designed to optimise retinol absorption while shielding the skin from irritation.
As a result, AGELESS+ offers a progressive retinol approach, meaning users – even those with sensitive skin – can build up a tolerance and maintain visible results. (Pro tip: Start at the lowest percentage, which in this range is the 0.1% Pure Liquid Retinol, and slowly work up.)
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The Irish Sun
07-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Cellulite creams don't work and nothing replicates a facelift – but here's what you CAN do about ageing
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'Use a vitamin C serum every morning, top it with an SPF50 in place of your moisturiser and then use a vitamin A retinoid at night,' advises my dermatologist, Dr Emma Craythorne from Discovery+'s The Bad Skin Clinic. Everything else is window dressing. 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Skin is skin, so no neck cream or cellulite cream, no stretchmark cream or miracle slimming gel is going to work. It's simple – wear SPF when you go in the sun and use a retinol body lotion every night. 9 To reduce scars and texture on your body, use a retinol moisturiser Credit: Naturium Naturium Retinol Body Lotion, £27 Suitable for daily use, this thick body lotion sinks in quickly, smooths rough texture and moisturises limbs while fading scars and stretch marks over time. Don't expect miracles - slow and steady wins the race with bodycare. HAIR Your hair changes texture as it ages – it can become thin and fine and what's there can change to weirdly frizzy if it goes grey. To colour or not colour is up to you, but if you go lighter, remember to keep your roots and underneath sections slightly darker as that is far more youthful. Apply a hair oil to your mid-lengths and ends before shampooing, and also use it afterwards to smooth and add shine. 9 This bargain oil will help reduce frizz and strengthen hair Credit: Pantene Pantene Repair & Protect Hair Oil, £7.99 Don't overspend on haircare – trust me, the big beauty brands really deliver. If your hair is starting to thin, have a blood test. 'You need to check your hormones and nutrition levels, as knowing the cause of hair loss and the type of hair loss means we can treat it,' explains trichologist Lisa Caddy at Philip Kingsley. No supplement can replace good medical advice. Finally, remember what Hollywood legend Bette Davis said: 'Getting old is not for sissies.' But it's also a huge privilege. Follow Nadine on Instagram Everything you need to know about hair loss Marie Nieuwoudt, a Group Education Manager at What are the common causes of hair loss? Marie explained: "There are so many reasons why someone may face hair loss. "The number one reason is usually hormonal changes or underlying health conditions (like thyroid conditions), and stress of course also plays a big part in changes to your hair health. "But another very common day-to-day cause is excessive damage to your hair created by mistakes in your styling routines – and this a big one to be aware of for people who are regularly applying heat to their hair! "It's important to know the right temperature for your hair type when using styling tools, as this is essential in reducing unintentional heat damage. "I also see a lot of people facing hair loss resulting from hereditary conditions, which are passed down from generation to generation." What are the best hairstyles people should try to reduce their hair loss? According to Marie: "Less is more when it comes to hair loss! It's important to be gentle with your hair, so a low-maintenance style that limits pulling on your scalp will be your best option. 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The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
I hate my rough feet so tried three budget products to get them soft and flip flop ready – a £1.99 buy worked wonders
SOME people can make thousands of pounds selling pictures of their feet on the Internet. But I'm pretty sure you'd pay me NOT to see mine - they're horrible. Advertisement 7 I'm pretty sure you'd pay me not to look at my feet - they're that horrible Credit: Getty 7 So I tried 4 different products to see if they could help get rid of my dry skin Credit: supplied I've never particularly liked feet, especially my own, after years of battling verrucas and ingrown toenails have left them looking less than pretty. However, with the sun coming out for summer, the likelihood is that I'll be wearing sandals at least for a few days. So I wanted to see if there was any budget-friendly products that could possibly help get my dry tootsies - complete with cracked, rough heels - looking better, if only slightly. I decided to try three different options over three different nights, to see which one had an immediate noticeable effect, and which one is definitely not worth buying. Advertisement Read more Feet stories Cream machine It's most common to apply foot cream before bed, as you don't end up slipping and sliding everywhere if you need a wee in the middle of the night. But creams designed to help reduce rough, cracked skin are often so thick that they take forever to sink in. That wasn't the case with Boots' foot cream. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous I lathered it on about 10 minutes before getting under the covers, to try and give it enough absorbing time. Woman's feet turn yellow after stress triggers debilitating condition But as it was, I didn't need to leave it that long - as it had fully absorbed after about three or four minutes. The cream also smells divine, thanks to ingredients including mint, lavender and marshmallow, and feels cooling and soothing when it's applied. I didn't hold out a huge amount of hope for the cream to work miracles overnight, so was chuffed when I woke up the next morning to see a difference. Advertisement The skin felt softer, while the cracking appeared to have healed a little - and felt more comfortable to walk on. The cream is also purse friendly, at just £4.50 for a decent sized tub that looks like it will last at least a few months. Overall I was really impressed, and will definitely repurchase in the future. Rating : 4.5/5 Advertisement How to keep your feet in good condition Here's some tips and tricks to keep your feet in good conditio Soak Start your at-home pedicure by soaking your feet by filling a washing-up-sized bowl with warm water, add a handful of Epsom salts and around a cup of white, or apple cider, vinegar. Add a couple of drops of essential oil, such as eucalyptus or lavender, to make the soak smell heavenly. Scrub Mix two or three spoonfuls of brown sugar with a tablespoon of oil to make your own foot scrub. You can use olive oil or coconut oil. Massage the scrub into your feet for a few minutes and wash off with warm water. Soften Make sure your feet are left silky smooth by using a moisturiser. You can also make a foot mask by mashing up a banana with a sprinkle of oats. Mix in a tablespoon of moisturising honey and another spoon of olive oil. Coat your feet in the mask, wrap in cling film, and let the ingredients work their magic for at least 15 minutes. Scrub a dub dub Another way of trying to get rid of dry skin is by using a scrub before applying any cream. So I tried out the Boots' Sea Minerals and Mint exfoliating scrub before slathering my feet in the Boots' Cracked Heel balm. 7 I'm really not a fan of my feet - and they're definitely NOT summer ready Credit: supplied Advertisement 7 My heels looked rough and cracked before trying out the products Credit: supplied 7 While the right still looked pretty cracked, it seemed like it had worked on the left Credit: supplied Once again, the cream smelt incredible, and made me feet feel all fresh and clean once I'd used it. However, it didn't feel abrasive enough to get rid of dry patches - and seemed more like a face scrub than a foot one. Advertisement I think it would be better if the exfoliating bits in the scrub were rougher, to try and really get into the dryness and the root of the problem. After using the scrub, I went in with the Cracked Heel Balm. This £4.99 product claims to make a visible difference in just one use. So I was hopeful I'd see a change the morning after using it. Advertisement The balm itself is very thick, and leaves hands feeling greasy once applied. It also took a long time to sink in, but felt like it was doing something when it did. And when I checked the next morning, one foot seemed to respond to the balm better than the other. The left foot, which isn't as bad as the right, looked smooth, but the right one still looked cracked and rough. Advertisement I think this is a product that will work well over time - as miracles don't happen overnight! Rating : 3/5 Sock it The concept of popping socks on after a foot treatment isn't a new one - but the idea of these clever little footpacks is. Advertisement The Superdrug socks come in different scents, and I chose to try the Watermelon one. 7 There are lots of different scent options in Superdrug's Pampering Foot Socks, but I tried the watermelon one Credit: supplied 7 Not only did it smell amazing - and not too sweet - but it left my feet feeling soft and silky Credit: supplied Inside the pouch is two plastic 'socks', pumped full of product, and you have to cut the top off each of them before popping them on. Advertisement I can't say I enjoyed the sensation of putting my foot into the sock itself, but it soon passed. I kept them on for 20 minutes, before taking them off to see the results. The pack instructs you to rub the leftover product into your feet and lower legs, before throwing away the used socks themselves. And after doing so, my feet definitely felt softer - without feeling sticky or greasy. Advertisement I do like the fact you can pick up one of these packs like you would a face mask for a girl's night in, but obviously there are downsides given that they're one-use only and not particularly environmentally friendly. Rating: 3/5
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
My hair was so thin I had to wear wigs, but thanks to a £9 shampoo, my locks have grown thick and long
A BUDGET-FRIENDLY buy can help to transform your locks, leaving them looking thicker than ever. This haircare product will nourish your roots, boosting growth and promoting a natural moisture balance. 2 A Boots shopper heaped on the praise for a budget-friendly shampoo that transformed her locks (stock image) Credit: Getty One woman revealed the shampoo she used to level up her locks, calling it "the best". "I have a hair condition, which means I wore wigs," she explained. "Since using this shampoo, my hair grew so well and quite quick and now I don't use wigs anymore, couldn't be more happier." She added that she is "really happy with this shampoo". Read More On Beauty Boots shoppers can pick up the product, a 300ml bottle of It is described as "a harmonious blend of Ayurvedic wisdom and modern hair care innovation". This product is designed to nurture your hair into "longer, stronger, and healthier" locks. Nature Spell infused the mixture with potent Ayurvedic herbs including Ashwagandha, Bhringraj, and Amla. Most read in Fabulous According to the brand, the shampoo "not only helps stimulate healthy hair growth but also fortifies your hair from root to tip". The unique formulation is enriched with our exclusive root-growth complex that works to rejuvenate and strengthen hair. I'm a beauty fan but save money in Boots by switching to six bargain buys - the 75p shampoo and conditioner is a must With a sulphate-free formula, this product ensures your hair retains its natural moisture balance, promoting healthier, shinier, and more resilient strands. Manufacturers recommend applying a generous amount of the product to wet hair. Massage it into your scalp and through the lengths of your hair to create a rich lather. Rinse thoroughly and for best results, follow up with Nature Spell's conditioner to lock in moisture and nutrients. The shampoo is suitable for all hair types. Hair re-growth FAQs Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at How long does it take for hair to grow back? Hair grows, on average, half an inch a month. You cannot speed this up. Do rosemary oil and scalp massages work? Oils do not promote hair growth. In terms of rosemary oil, the current trend stems from one small study carried out on 50 men in 2015. No women were involved, and the study compared the effects of 2 per cent minoxidil to Rosemary oil. 2 per cent minoxidil doesn't do much for male pattern hair loss anyway, so the results were not very impressive. Oils do serve a purpose in conditioning hair treatments though. They help add shine and smooth the hair cuticle to lock-in moisture and improve combability. Scalp massages alone won't cure hair loss, but it can help relax you, aid in lymphatic drainage, exfoliate and help topicals penetrate. Are there any products or foods/vitamins you recommend someone using or eating to help with hair regrowth? To support healthy hair regrowth, if you are experiencing hair thinning we'd recommend our Density Preserving Scalp Drops clinically proven to help slow hair loss with continued daily use within three months. Telogen effluvium (hair shedding) due to nutritional deficiencies can often be simply treated with changes to your diet, and nutritional supplements such as our specially formulated Density Healthy Hair Complex and Density Amino Acid Booster. Iron and Ferritin (stored iron) in red meat, dried apricots and dark, leafy greens. Vitamin B12 in animal products and fortified plant-based foods. Protein from oily fish, lean meat, cottage cheese, tofu, nuts, chickpeas, and beans. However, there may be an underlying cause for their hair loss and rather than this being masked by using an off-the-shelf product, they should be encouraged to seek the advice of a specialist such as a Trichologist. Other customers shared their experiences with the product in the Boots review section. "I like it, [it has] pleasant, non-chemical scent, does not strip hair nor make it greasy," wrote one shopper. "This shampoo is the best I've ever used. My hairline has changed for the better! It's also probably the cheapest I've used. Great product!" said another buyer. "I was delighted to find this in Boots at a very reasonable price so bought the shampoo and conditioner. Smells lovely, lathers well, I will definitely buy this again," commented a third person. "Great shampoo, very good [for] sensitive scalps, leaves hair clean and healthy-feeling without weighing it down," said another Boots customer. 2 Nature Spell's Growth Complex Shampoo is available for just £8.49 from Boots Credit: Supplied
