Make-up marvels to keep an eye out for

Beauty
Maggie Gibbons

I recently made two very pleasant discoveries on the beauty shelves while out browsing for cosmetics. One was a make-up brand I love but had I’d never seen on these shores, the other was a brand from these shores that I had never come across before and now love.

Flormar
Drumroll please! One of Europe’s favourite make-up brands, Flormar, is here. I spotted it  in Staunton’s chemist Louisburgh recently, and I was thrilled, as previously I could only buy it in Spain. The brand offers amazing quality at purse-friendly prices. Everything in the range comes in under €13.
Flormar’s Perfect Coverage Foundation (€10.99) is excellent, and gives many of the high-end brands a good run for their money. This little budget beauty is a keeper!
Choosing a new foundation can be daunting given the huge range of colours and brands. Try before you buy. Always apply about three shades to your jawline, and check in natural light. The right shade will almost disappear into the skin rather that sit on top. Get help if you’re in doubt – the beauty-counter assistant will only too happy to assist you in making the right choice. When buying cosmetics it’s only common sense to make sure you get the right shade.
Flormar are literally hundreds of nail polishes too – every shade under the sun (€4.95 each). They have a high-shine finish, which look like a professional manicure, and the polish seems to stay put without chipping for at least five days.
Their bronzing powder (€9.95) can multitask as both a bronzer and an eyeshadow. The pigment is beautiful on the skin and imparts a stunning glow. With hints of golden and pink marble tones, it will quickly become your ‘go to’ bronzer.
Flormar Double Radiance Primer (€12.95) gives a dewy velvet feel and can be used prior to foundation or mixed with it for a flawless complexion. Primer is fantastic for blurring fine lines.
Flormar is quickly establishing itself as a popular, quality, make up brand. Check your local chemist or buy online at flormarireland.com.

Anneco
I recently came across Irish beauty line Anneco. This natural brand was founded two years ago by Galway lady Ann Shields, whose love of all things natural led to her researching and developing this great range. Anneco prides itself on delivering everyday make up that is ethical and kind to your skin, and all products are 100 percent natural. The collection includes foundation, concealers, blushers, bronzers and primers.
The Perfect Canvas Primer (€24.50), enriched with vitamin E, creates a fabulous silky base for foundation.
There are three lovely colour-correcting mineral powder concealers (€14.50 each) – yellow for dark circles, green for redness and blue for yellow tones and pigmentation.
The vegan make-up brushes are of the highest quality, and cost from €5.50.
Anneco Mineral Foundation (€25.50), scented with orange essential oil, comes in six shades, so you are sure to find one that suits your complexion. You can order sample packs to try for €5, which is a wonderful idea. (I can never understand the reluctance of stores to provide samples when someone is willing to spend their hard-earned cash on a new product. I know it’s not the fault of the store, but I really feel they should be amply supplied with small samples of foundation, concealers and so on.)
Anneco’s make-up cleansing oil (€18.50) is beautifully scented with lime essential oil, macadamia, apricot, peach and other organic oils. You can also purchase muslin cloths to enhance its effectiveness. I’ve always used Liz Earle cleansing oil and cloths, but happily admit to changing over once I started using this. Oh, fickle me!
Sample packs of concealers, blushers and bronzers can also be purchased for €5.
You can buy online at annecobeauty.com, or call Ann on 086 3708744 to check your nearest health store.

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