STYLE: Budget-friendly beauty buys

The beauty products just keep on coming. Some are wildly expensive, but there are plenty affordable offerings that could make a great Christmas gift or just a lovely treat to self. Here are a few that caught my eye.

Skincare
Although I’m well aware of the popularity of skincare devices among TikTokers and influencers, I don’t often write about them, as I never use them. They also tend to be very expensive, which makes them a bit prohibitive for us normal folk. However, I was greatly impressed recently when I read that German holistic beauty/tech brand Geske is offering salon-quality treatments for a fraction of the cost.
The Geske Limited Edition MicroCurrent Face Lift Pen in Starlight (€39.95) claims to instantly smooth out fine lines around eyes, mouth and forehead. It stimulates over 65 muscles in your neck and face to tighten and tone skin. Use it daily for five minutes, they say, for tighter, brighter skin. I remember using Slendertone years ago – it sounds quite similar. Unfortunately, I never waited long enough for visible results, as the pain nearly killed me! Hopefully, the new technology overcomes this. The Geske Pen would make a lovely little gift for someone, without breaking the bank.
Bridget’s Mantle is an artisan organic skincare range made in Co Meath. Their beauty face creams, spritzes and serum products use the very top quality natural ingredients in a sustainable way. It’s just wonderful to see so many homegrown brands entering the beauty and skincare market. The Best Seller’s Gift Set, a pack of three of their best-selling products, retails for €54, which is wonderful value.

Eyebrows
Another great Irish brand, Sadie’s Secrets (sadies-secrets.com), offers an at-home, no-rinse anti-aging eyebrow tint that covers grey and light hairs instantly (€29.95). It comes in two shades, one lighter, one darker. You can keep building until you get the desired effect, and it lasts ages. Its also cruelty free, vegan friendly and sustainably packaged.
My problem with eyebrow tints, though, is that you need brows to begin with, as the tint grabs the little hairs. Sadly, I don’t have much eyebrow due to vigorous over-plucking in my youth, so the result isn’t great for me.
A cheaper alternative if you’re an eyebrow virgin is NYX. They offer five shades in their eyebrow tinted gel – more than some pricier brands. The offerings for blonde and brown hair are spot-on, and the gel formula holds just as well as anything more expensive. For €9, it’s a bargain for groomed and defined eyebrows brow.
Facial oil
I love a nice facial oil and always use one from September through to April for skin nourishment. When using face oil at night, remember that oils can stain your pillow. I have an older pillowcase that I put on over my good pillow, which works a treat.
Byoma Hydrating Recovery Oil (€17) is a great value oil, especially if you tend to have dry skin. Its lightweight formula containing gorgeous ingredients like rosehip and jojoba absorbs quickly. This always gets fantastic reviews.
But wait till I tell you what I’ve been using for the past couple of months! Castor oil. Yes, you read that right. Lots of magazines and beauty features have been extolling its virtues, so I thought I’d give it a go. I got the organic one in the chemist and mixed it with some almond oil, as castor oil tends to be very thick. I’m in love. My skin feels healthy and well moisturised. I’ve heard all sorts of claims about its capacity to removal of wrinkles, but I’m honestly not interested in that, as I just don’t believe it. My skin just feels wonderfully hydrated.

•  Maggie Gibbons is an image and style consultant based in Louisburgh, Co Mayo. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.