BEAUTY: Korean face oil to Irish sea moss — beauty hits to try this autumn

Autumn has officially arrived and beauty writers everywhere are reflecting on the products that were the biggest hits so far this year – both tried-and-tested formulas, and others new to market.
Prada Beauty dropped a new foundation recently. Reveal Optimising Foundation improves tone, luminosity and texture, at least that’s the promise. It’s long lasting and comes in no less than 33 shades. This foundation is available in Brown Thomas for €58. Not too expensive when you compare it to the Augmented Skin cream, which costs an eye watering €355. (Yes, you read that correctly, €355.)
One of my testers was seriously impressed with the Aveeno Body Oil Spray, which instantly nourishes very dry, sensitive skin. It’s packed with divine jojoba and oat oil. It absorbs really fast leaving a silky finish. Best of all, it’s available in chemists nationwide for about €7.
Nuxe and Erborian also produce fabulous oils. The Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is multi-purpose, suitable for face, hair and body. It’s a brilliant all rounder. You can pick it up for around €26. Shop around though, as I see it priced at anything from €24 to €30 depending on where you purchase.
Erborian Skin Therapy is a Korean oil that I discovered recently when a friend bought it on a long-haul flight and raved about it. I love Korean products, so decided to try it. Would you believe it came up in one of Boots Tuesday deals, 30ml for €12? It’s a night oil, and it’s lovely. Non greasy, it absorbs quickly into the skin. It makes some amazing promises, including the promise of plumped, radiant skin. What did I find? Well, nothing fantastic I can assure you, though others swear by it. Maybe my views are a bit too jaundiced! This oil is well worth €12 though, and if it comes up again I’d definitely buy it. Normally 30ml is anything from €45 to €60.
Ah Shore Look (ahshorelook.ie) is a wonderful Irish story. Keith Barry and Yasmin Halpin are the immensely proud founders of a sea-moss product line. Drawing inspiration from the nutrient-rich sea moss found in coastal Irish waters, they developed a cruelty-free range of skincare products that includes a cleanser (€22.95), a face serum (€32.95) and a moisturiser (€28.95). They also sell edible gels and gummies that are packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, all designed to boost your immune system. I’ve just started on the serum and will report back at a later date.
Are your lips screaming for a bit of attention? And I don’t mean the kissing kind! At this time of year, you might experience chapped lips, and the best remedy is a lip oil. I recently tested Irish company Kash Beauty’s lip oil, which is deeply nourishing thanks to an enriched formula. You’ll be pout perfect in no time. It comes in four shades, You’ll find it at Boots and Dunnes Stores for €14.95, or online at kashbeauty.com. Other popular lip-oil brands include Clarins (€26) and E.L.F Honey Talks (€11.50), at Shaws and selected chemists.
Speaking of Kash Beauty, their Radiant Canvas primer (€21.95, 40ml) is your secret weapon for a flawless make-up base. It’s enriched with hyaluronic acid and avocado oil, which both lock in moisture. Other great primers to try include Laura Mercier’s Pure Canvas (€48, 30ml)and The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer (€7.45, 30ml)
Irish brand Bellamianta (bellamianta.com) is the gift that keeps on giving. Renowned for their tanning products they have now added lip oils blushes and highlighters to their ever-expanding stable. The Glaze Blush Balm (€23) is a real multi-tasker, allowing you to experiment on lips, cheeks and eyes. This is the way forward I feel. It comes in six glorious shades. My particular favourite is Desert Rose, the perfect shade of pink for my skin.
For those seeking a beautiful highlighter that gives a glowing skin complexion, look no further than Sculpted by Aimee’s Liquid Lights Starter Kit, which retails for €19. Yet another award-winning Irish company, Sculpted by Aimee also do primers, tanning products, make-up, skin-care products and more. Well worth checking out.
So many products and so little time! I just love trying something new though. So far this year is playing a blinder!

Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.