I’ve never been much for makeup. Really, I can recall the number of times I bought makeup on one hand. Concealer, lip balm, and an eyelash curler are my basics for everyday. But I rely heavily on skin care because skin is, after all, our largest organ, and the one exposed to the weather, pollution, and conditions of the world. Honestly, I didn’t even own any makeup until I was 30 when I bought makeup to wear for my own wedding in 2006.
Then in 2018, I went to the blog awards in Dublin with Nadia and I bought a wide array of makeup to wear. Here are photos from my 2018 No 7 makeup shopping spree (using all my Boots points up). If you’re looking for a treat with your Boots points, here is a link to Boots Ireland skin care and makeup bundle deals ranging from €10-100.
Until Monday, I was in the States for almost four months taking care of my mother after the unexpected death of my father. Knowing I’d be there for a bit and under stress, I packed my favorite skin care and makeup products. In the rush to pack and clear out my parents’ home of 36 years, ALL the skin care, makeup, and beauty products/items I brought got thrown out accidentally. It happens. And it’s all replaceable. Losing my dad has given me such perspective on possessions, time with loved ones, and being present for myself and others. But I digress, losing the makeup and skin care seems like a nice time to look into new products.
My skin is different now than it was several years ago (three photos below of me over the last 14 years), so it stands to reason I should adjust the products I use to cater to my skin’s current needs. Now, it tends to be dehydrated and, of course, I want to fight those fine lines and wrinkles. So, I asked for advice on Instagram! Below, you’ll find:
- The complete linked list of recommendations from everyone on Instagram. Links are geared towards shoppers in the Republic of Ireland and I separated it by skin care, makeup, and tools. I also created a highlight with the replies. I noted Irish businesses in the list. I will mark what I ended up buying.
- List of other items I have always found useful that I will definitely replace. I will mark what I ended up buying.
- Photos of me from 2007, 2015, and 2020 so you can see how my skin has aged.
The Recommendations
SKIN CARE
Kinvara Skincare. “24-hour rosehip serum, rosehip day cream, and cleansing oil.” – Irish business
Wilds in Glandore – Irish business
Gardiner Family Apothecary. “For allergic skin.” – Irish business
Ground Wellbeing Skincare. “Made in Cork. Amazing!” – Irish business
“Skin consultation with Skin Nerd“ – Irish business
The Ordinary x2 “Excellent and great price point too. I use their moisturiser, serums, etc…”
Dermalogica “for all kinds of sensitive skin and allergies”
Cetaphil cleanser “I have rosacea and very sensitive skin!”
Liz Earle – I bought the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
Charlotte Tilbury, “beautiful and animal cruelty-free”
Inkey List x2 “Oat cleansing balm”
La Roche Posay x3 Anthelios 50+ SPF & “Toleriane Range” – moisturisers – I bought the Anthelios 50+ SPF
Boots No 7 x2 “for skincare” – I bought the Hyaluronic Acid & Camellia Oil capsules plus their Lash Impact Waterproof Black Mascara
Olay serum and SPF moisturizer
CeraVe Skin Renewal Night Cream
Trilogy “organic from NZ”
Silcock Base “simple non-perfume moisturizer”
LaRosett “Swedish mud mask, super gentle”
Vichy Mineral 89 Serum – I bought this
MAKEUP
Sculpted by Aimee x3 “Tint and Glow” – Irish business
AYU concealer – Irish business
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick & Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer
Benefit “in the little bottle designed to look like a pencil”
I couldn’t find the pencil one, but here is Boi-ing Industrial and Boi-ing Cakeless
Bare Minerals “I have rosacea and very sensitive skin!”
Maybelline Erasure Eye – I bought this
Bobbi Brown corrector followed by Clarins concealer
TOOLS
African wash cloth “highly recommend” – I bought this
Caroline Hirons‘s book and kit bag
Brush set (this wasn’t recommended specifically, but someone said “decent brushes”) – I bought this
My Go-To Essentials
Eyebrow Care Kit (you know how I love taking care of my brows)
Eyelash curler – I bought this
Carmex lip balm (this is my idea of lipstick)
Bag Balm or Eucerin Aquaphor Skin Soothing Gel Balm for Face, Body & Hands (a must for winter)
My Face in 2007, 2015, 2016 & 2020
Here are four photos from the last 14 years to show the progression of my face and ageing. No filters used for any of these, but I was wearing makeup to cover my undereye circles, which have always been the one feature I dislike about myself. If I wear nothing else, I will put on concealer for those dark circles.
I am often asked how I keep my skin clear and not wrinkled. Honestly, I have never smoked, I barely drink, and I wear sunscreen. I wore sunscreen daily year-round from age 12 to 35, then I became a mother and it became less regular, but still part of my habits. Genes are also a factor. But rest assured it isn’t because I have led an easy of stress-free life, I have been through more than you can imagine and it’s hidden beneath my Gen X pokerface.
The first photo was taken in 2020 at age 44 living through the pandemic in Ireland with two kids (but before my dad died).
The second photo was taken in July 2016 while I was pregnant with my second baby, Bumblebee. I gave birth to him at the end of August. My skin was very dry during this pregnancy. I was sick most of the pregnancy and very anaemic – horrendous work-related stress compounded the problem, so he was born three weeks early.
The third photo was taken by my dad at Thanksgiving 2015 when I was a few weeks shy of my 40th birthday.
The fourth photo was taken in 2007 at age 32 living in sunny California. I had just coloured my hair dark brown.
There are NO affiliate links in this post and no links to anythings I’ve been given for free or paid to promote. Not that I would have minded that, it’s just not the case here.
I will certainly come back again.