This month, our sustainable shopping list is filled with Irish beauty buys.
Clean Sweep
The words ‘natural’ and ‘ecofriendly’ increasingly appear on beauty packaging, but
how can trust everything we read? Few brands make it clearer than Mervue Organic, a new skincare brand born in the heart of Galway, which has been awarded just about every organic, sustainable and ethical accreditation available. Packaged in beautiful (and recyclable) blue glass, for founder Yvonne Daly it was vital that each formula is as kind to the environment as it is to the skin. Mervuenaturalskincare.com
Oíche Mhaith
With ingredients sourced from Glenasmole Valley, the fabled home of Tír na nÓg or the Land of Eternal Youth, one might have high hopes for Oíche Apothecary, a new ethical Irish skincare range. Rooted in the mysticism of the country’s ancient past, the range was founded by sisters Lorna Stewart and Aisling Boyle. The products contain 100 per cent organic peat, long-known for its preserving and healing properties, while other locally sourced and naturally occurring nutrients derived from seaweed and frochán (bilberry) aid the skin’s ability to regenerate while we sleep. Oiche.ie
One Tool Wonder
From textured waves to voluminous bounces, curls come in many iterations these days and finding one tool that can meet all needs is a challenge. Enter The Wave Styling Wand, €89.99 from Be Almaí, the brainchild of Irish hairstylist Caroline MacMahon of Hidden Hair in Co Tyrone. Coming with two interchangeable barrel sizes (1"/ 25mm and 1.25" / 32mm) and a temperature range of 120° and 230°, the versatile wand gives the user creative freedom and complete control when styling at home. Bealmai.com
Skincare Bazaar
A stockist of “niche skin treasures” is how founder Dawn Hill describes Floraison, a Dublin skincare destination and space where the noise of “buzz ingredients” are left at the door. As one of very few facialists in the country entrusted to stock the renowned Biologique Recherche, Hill has recently taken on Vintner’s Daughter, a category-defining label that harnesses the power of the world’s most nutrient-dense botanicals. Its Active Botanical Serum, (€200), is hailed as “the face oil to end all face oils”, while Manasi7, an organic makeup line from Stockholm and Saint Iris Adriatica, a blissful body care brand for time-stressed people are also exclusive to the studio. Floraison.ie
Revive + Thrive
For a fresh start to life after lockdown, head to your local Kilkenny Design store where there’s a new collection of athleisure brands, wellness treats and beauty boosters. As part of the retailer’s countrywide Revive 2.0 rollout, the refurbished Nassau Street, Dublin store includes a dedicated wellness section, where trained specialists can advise on products, as well as well-known beauty brands such as Pestle & Mortar and Aoibhín Garrihy’s BEO Sleep Well range. Kilkennyshop.com
ReSculpted
While we’re all au fait with what goes in a recycling bin by now, cosmetic products are an altogether trickier beast. As part of increased efforts towards sustainability, Aimee Connolly’s successful makeup brand is now working with TerraCycle, an innovative recycling company, so customers can gather (and rinse) Sculpted empties and return them via the website or at the Dundrum store. In exchange for five empties, receive 200 points (worth €20) towards something you love or choose to have a tree planted on your behalf in order to give back to the environment. Sculptedbyaimee.com
Scents of Home
Spanish brand Loewe, under the creative direction of Northern Irishman Jonathan Anderson, has launched a collection of home fragrances, candles and rattan diffusers that are exclusively available here at Brown Thomas. With an appreciation of craft at the fore, the fragrances are housed in handmade ceramic containers that evoke the elegant simplicity of Ancient Greek drinking vessels, while the scents are inspired by the vegetable garden at Anderson’s London home. Prices range from €75 - €320, Brownthomas.com
Read More: The Thoughtful Shopper: June Edition
