Read article : RSVP'S Beauty Awards 2016 - RSVP Magazine
Welcome to your essential beauty bible. Alex Hatton, together with Ireland’s leading beauty experts, brings you the definitive collection of the most effective skincare, body and make-up products on the market.
MEET THE JUDGES
Alex Hatton, Maura Derrane and Sarah Keary
Our columnist Alex Hatton brings you a collection of the most effective buys in skin and body care. These gems are a must for every beauty buff.
BEST VALUE CLEANSER
Simple, Micellar Water, €4.99 A star budget buy. An express, easy and efficient no-rinse cleanser and make-up remover solution.
BEST TONER
Urban Veda, Purifying Hydrating Toner, €18.99 www.urbanveda.co.uk A simple spritz of this light facial toner hydrates, refreshes and soothes skin.
BEST DAILY EXFOLIATOR
Dermalogica, Daily Microfoliant, €53 An RSVP favourite. This hard working rice-based powder exfoliates dead cells, leaving skin smoother and clearer.
BEST FACE MASK
SkinCeuticals, Hydrating B5 Masque, €58 Beauty editors stock up on this gem because it’s packed with deeply hydrating vitamin B5 to help restore the skin’s natural moisturising factor. Skin genuinely becomes softer and more radiant.
BEST DAYTIME MOISTURISER REFORM
Everyday Moisturiser, €39.99 Everything you need in one jar: it reduces moisture loss, restores the skin barrier function and protects the epidermis against free radicals.
BEST SPF FACE
Eucerin, Sun Protection Sun Fluid Mattifying Face SPF 30, €18.50 A matte melting formula that delivers UVA-UVB protection. Specially formulated for the visage and ideal under foundation.
BEST NECK CREAM
NeoStrata, Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream, €63.95 This cream is your only answer to directly targeting the appearance of wrinkles and creases on the neck and décolletage.
BEST FOR RADIANCE
Murad, Intensive-C Radiance Peel, €65 This at-home peel treatment is packed with a powerful cocktail of glycolic acid, vitamin C and indian fig to brighten, smooth and hydrate.
BEST SERUM
Emma Hardie, The Midas Touch Face Serum, €80 This treatment serum is packed with powerful antioxidants – it’s also super hydrating – and skin feels more subtle, toned and radiant after application.
BEST EYE CREAM
Kinvara, Eye Wow Eye Serum, €29.95 Perk up your peepers with this newbie juice that contains a powerful blend of 11 plant extracts targeting dark circles, fine lines and puffiness.
kinvaraskincare.com
BEST ANTI-AGEING PRODUCT
Eau Thermale Avène, PhysioLift Precision Wrinkle Filler, €39 Completely fuss-free, just one simple click helps to visibly correct deep wrinkles and furrows around the mouth and nose, the eye area and forehead in just three weeks.
BEST LIP BALM
Nuxe, Rêve De Miel Lip Balm, €12 It soothes, softens and helps rejuvenate your pucker with intensive moisture and a kiss of honey.
BEST VALUE LIP BALM LIDL
Cien Bodycare Lip Balm, €1.59 (for a pack of three) A purse-friendly buy that instantly hydrates parched pouts.
BEST BEAUTY SUPPLEMENT
Viviscal, Maximum Strength tablets, 30 capsules, €49.95 The daily cosmetic supplement that nourishes hair from within to give you the luscious locks you’ve always wanted.
BEST DETOX TEA
Miss Fit Skinny Tea, 14-Day Teatox, €24.99 The #1 natural, laxative free teatox programme that allows you to lose up to five pounds in five days. You just sip your way to a slimmer you.
BEST FACE OIL
Kiehl’s, Midnight Recovery Concentrate, €44 A Hall of Fame beauty buy! Just a few drop of this elixir and you’ll wake up to a fresher more radiant face: fact!
Kiehl’s.com
BEST NIGHT CREAM
Lancôme, Visionnaire Nuit, Beauty Sleep Perfector, €74 The skincare launch of the year: this nightly number transforms the quality of the skin while you slumber. it is smoother, more elasticated and radiant upon waking.
lancome.com
BEST PRODUCT INNOVATION
Elizabeth Arden, Superstart, Skin Renewal Booster, €59 Meet the next gen in skincare: the beauty booster! Used just before serum or moisturiser this booster works on the surface layer of the skin to increases its natural defenses and ability to renew.
elizabetharden.com
BEST CLEANSER
Liz Earle, Cleanse & Polish, €21.87 A beauty icon. This hot cloth cleanser leaves skin clean, soft and radiant. Ideal for your morning or evening cleanse.
lizearle.com
BEST MOISTURISER
Crème de la Mer, The Moisturizing Cream, €138 Experience the comforting richness of the famed “miracle broth” in a rich, lux cream. Expect an immediate improvement in moisture levels and radiance. It’s worth every single cent!
cremedelamer.co.uk
BEST BUDGET BODY MOISTURISER
Vaseline, Spray Moisturiser, €7.49 This is the business: a snazzy spray system, that dispenses a moisture rich lotion quickly and evenly for an all over coverage in seconds. Just spray and go!
vaseline.us
BEST BODY MOISTURISER
L’Occitane, Almond Milk Concentrate, €44 A cult classic. Enriched with powerful almond extracts, this milk melts into the skin to help it look firmer and smoother while delivering a 48-hour hydration hit!
uk.loccitane.com
BEST VALUE BATH WASH
Radox, Muscle Soak with Sage & Sea Minerals, €4.44 This bubble bath leaves skin refreshed, soft and squeaky clean. It’s the beauty equivalent of a hug.
BEST BATH OIL
Neom, Tranquility Bath & Shower Oil, €48 This elixir is packed with 19 essential oils including lavender, sweet basil and jasmine. A real beauty treat.
BEST VALUE BODY SERUM
Dove Derma Spa, Uplifted+ Massaging Body Roll-On, €11.99 A nifty roller-ball serum that moisturises and massages as it rolls to improve firmness and elasticity. It also smells divine!
BEST BODY BUTTER
The Body Shop, Spa Of The World, Hawaiian Kukui Cream, €39 The bodycare product of the year: this deeply nourishing emollient is packed with famed kukui oil to restore the skin’s natural suppleness.
BEST DAYTIME BODY OIL
Waxperts, Beautiful Body Oil, €9.99 This multi-usage dry oil contains a cocktail of star active ingredients to nourish, repair and soften skin.
BEST EVENING BODY OIL
Holos Skincare, Good Night Body Oil, €16.90 This Irish holistic hero is all you need for night-time skin moisturising and is made up of a calming trio of essential oils: lavender, chamomile and rose.
BEST BODY SHAPER
Thalgo, Stomach and Waist Sculptor, €44 We love this: it helps to firm the deeper layers of the skin for a tighter and firmer looking waist. Just in time for summer!
BEST BUST TREATMENT
Palmers, Cocoa Butter Formula Bust Cream, €9 A must-have beauty weapon for a perkier pair; specially formulated with pure cocoa butter cream and vitamin E that smoothes on like gel.
BEST HAND WASH
The Handmade Soap Company, Lemongrass & Cedarwood Hand Wash, €12.95 Nourish and revive your paws with this zingy and refreshing hand wash. Buy Irish!
BEST HAND CREAM
Green Angel, Seaweed & Lavender Hand Cream, €20 We’re dedicated fans of this luscious cream packed with minerals and essential oils to nourish your mitts.
BEST VALUE HAND CREAM
Ziaja, Goat’s Milk Hand & Nail Cream, €3.49 A brilliant budget buy: this intensive hydrating formula keeps your paws soft and supple.
BEST FOOT CREAM
Aveda, Foot Relief, €26 For happy hoofs, slather on this deeply nourishing cream designed to sooth the roughest and toughest feet!
BEST NAIL TREATMENT
Sally Hansen, Complete Care 7-in-1 Nail Treatment, €10.99 Whatever your nail dilemma this is the solution: after just three days, nails look shinier, stronger and brighter.
BEST DEODORANT
Sure, Max Pro, €7.35 A summer essential. Simply use before you hop into bed, wash off in the morning and rock off knowing this number will keep you dry all day.
BEST BODY SCULPTING TREATMENT
CoolSculpting, River Medical Group, from €840 A great non-invasive way to reduce fat by up to 40% after one treatment. Results can be seen within 4-6 weeks but as your body ‘gets rid’ of the fat cells you will continue to see results for up to 3 months.
BEST NAIL VARNISH RANGE
SoSu, Nail Polish Collection, €7.99 A digit game changer: gives the look of a gel finish without the need to visit the salon.
sosueme.ie
BEST HAIR REMOVAL PRODUCT
Waxperts Wonder Pads, €9.99 for 40 discs These little wonder pots are a bathroom must-have. Use daily in between waxing, or after shaving to avoid ingrown hairs.
waxperts.bigcartel.com
BEST BODY EXFOLIATOR
Organic Surge, Tropical Bergamot Skin Perfecting Body Scrub, €16.99 This uplifting wonder pot is packed with natural pumice, sweet orange and bergamot essential oils to gently polish and smooth your skin.
organicsurge.com
BEST SHOWER FOAM
Molton Brown, Dewy Lily of the Valley and Star Anise, Bath & Shower Gel, €22 This scrumptious, sudsy shower gel is blended with delicious Lily of the Valley: it leaves a light floral scent while deeply cleansing the skin.
moltonbrowne.co.uk
Sarah Keary is one of Ireland’s most established make-up artists with a background in fashion, television and bridal. Her celebrity clients include Pippa O’Connor Ormond, Kathryn Thomas and Sharon Corr.
BEST VALUE PRIMER
Flormar, Illuminating Primer Make-Up Base, €9.95 Prep and prime to selfie ready skin with this brilliant illuminating base.
BEST EYE PRIMER
Smashbox, Photo Finish 24-Hour Shadow Primer, €23 An eyelid primer that instantly makes your shadow look more vibrant and locks on color for a full 24 hours – no fading, creasing or smudging!
BEST VALUE FOUNDATION
L’Oréal Paris, True Match Foundation, €14.99 This lightweight and silky texture glides on seamlessly for an all-day, buildable coverage.
BEST POWDER
Giorgio Armani, Luminous Silk Compact, €45 We covet this chic compact; it delivers a flawless finish with a gorgeous touch of the famed Armani illumination.
BEST FACE CONCEALER
NARS, Radiant Creamy Concealer, €28 Partied a bit too late last night? Mum’s the word with this lightweight concealer!
BEST UNDER EYE CONCEALER
Clarins, Instant Concealer, €26 This buy just might be your new best friend. It instantly brightens dark shadows so you look refreshed and revived.
BEST EYESHADOW
M∙A∙C, Eyeshadow, €16.50 A highly pigmented powder that applies evenly and blends seamlessly. Available in a host of hues.
maccosmetics.com
BEST GEL LINER
Inglot, AMC Gel Liner No.77, €15 This black glam gel eyeliner glides on like a dream, making it ideal for creating the perfect feline flick.
BEST VALUE LIQUID LINER
Essence, Easy 2 Use Jumbo Eyeliner, €2.89 One of the thickest eye marker pen on the market; accurate lines are super easy to achieve, even if you’re an eyeliner newbie!
BEST VALUE MASCARA
Catrice, Glam & Doll False Lashes Mascara, €4.50 This number scores extra points with its curved brush, which reaches each individual lash in one swift swipe.
BEST BROW FILL
Benefit, Brow Zings, €34 Put your best brows forward with this mini brow salon, it’s complete with all the tools you need for perfect brows!
BEST VALUE BROW FILL
WetnWild, Colour Icon Pencil, €2.49 Give the brows in your life the special attention they deserve with this versatile dual-ended pencil.
BEST VALUE POWDER BLUSH
Sleek, Blush in Rose Gold, €5.49 A brilliant beauty dupe! This longlasting and highly pigmented blush glides on smoothly and packs a great colour punch.
BEST LIPLINER
Maybelline, Colour Sensational Lip Liner, €5.99 Mirror like colour with reflective shine formula. This literally does not budge!
BEST RED LIPSTICK
Max Factor, Marilyn Monroe Lipstick Collection, €10.99 each This is so special: a beautiful edit of four lux lippies inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s signature rouge pout.
BEST LIP GLOSS
Rimmel, Oh My Gloss, €6.99 Perfect glam on the go! Your lips are instantly drenched with a seriously sexy shine.
BEST FALSE LASHES
Fuschia Make-Up, Faux Mink Lashes, €15 The most glam false lashes a girl can get – and they’re so lightweight, you’ll forget you’re wearing them too!
BEST CELEBRITY COLLABORATION
UD | Gwen Stefani Blush Palette, €42 Such a chic cheek collection developed and designed by the iconic Gwen Stefani for Urban Decay. You need this in your beauty wardrobe!
BEST POWDER BLUSH
Charlotte Tilbury, Cheek to Chic Swish & Pop Blusher, €39 This delivers a flattering flush of colour in two easy steps. Blend it on the apples of your cheeks for a just-pinched look. We love it!
charlottetilbury.com
BEST HIGHLIGHTER
Rosie for Autograph, Marks & Spencer, Highlighter Powder, €20 This gorgeous creamy highlighter boosts skin radiance in seconds. A highlight for the highlife!
marksandspencer.com
BEST FACE SCULPTOR
IsaDora, Face Sculptor, €25.95 This wheel of wonder contains a richly pigmented bronzing powder and highlighter, and blush. A musthave for your bag of tricks.
isadora.com
BEST PRIMER
Yves Saint Laurent, Touche Éclat Blur Primer, €38.00 This glitzy gel-based formula creates the perfect canvas for flawless, longer lasting make-up – simply apply and glow!
yslbeautyus.com
BEST MASCARA
Lancôme, Hypnôse Volume à Porter, €27.50 Let your eyelashes take centre stage with this wonder wand that gives lashes length, lift and va-va voom.
lancome.co.uk
BEST LIPSTICK
Shiseido, Veiled Rouge Lipstick, €25 Pucker up with this creamy, satin lippy that locks on to lips in one swipe, delivering an intense colour payoff.
shiseido.com
BEST FOUNDATION
Clinique, Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer, €32 This new formula provides a medium coverage, yet it’s so light in texture it almost feels like you’re not wearing foundation.
clinique.com
BEST PALETTE
Pippa for Blank Canvas, €34.99 This is the business: it’s packed with five matte nude toned shadows, a highlighter, peachy toned blusher and contouring powder.
blankcosmetics.com
BEST TAN TREATMENT
Guinot, Huile Mirific, Gold Nourishing Dry Oil, €39.25 A luxurious dry oil that delivers a stunningly sexy shimmer to the skin. A real tanning treat and officially our favourite find of the awards!
Guinot.com
BEST GRADUAL TAN
Karora, Gradual Tan Face & Body, €14.99 Get glowing with a daily dose of natural colour and a burst of hydration. Layer it up for a richer honey-dipped tan.
karoracosmetics.com
BEST BRONZER
Bobbi Brown, Face & Body Bronzer in Medium, €46 A beach bag essential, we adore this light-weight bronzing powder that highlights, colour and contours.
BobbiBrown.com
BEST INSTANT TAN
Cocoa Brown, Instant Tan Bronzing Gel in Shimmer & Matte, €6.99 each This delivers an instant, faux flawless tan and comes in a matte and shimmer finish. Every girl should try this!
cocoabrown.ie
TAN FOR FACE
Garnier, Ambre Solaire, No Streaks Bronzer, Dry Face Mist, €12.20 An ultra fine mist which dries instantly to give a streak free, gorgous golden hue to the face and neck area.
BEST TANNING SUPPLEMENT
Pharma Nord, TanCare, €18.95 (for a twomonth supply) Packed with beta-carotene, these clever capsules enhance the appearance of your skin and will give you a gorgeous golden tan with less sun exposure.
Maura Derrane believes that a spritz of perfume can lift your mood, make you feel confident and indeed evoke happy memories of times past. Maura is also mum to Cal who is nearly two years old. Maura places a lot of emphasis on what skincare products she use on Cal and herself: here are some of her all time favourites.
Perfume –
BEST DAYTIME
Shiseido, Ever Bloom, EDP, 50ml, €76 Modern and feminine, this musky white floral scent is a timeless addition to any perfume collection. It’s a very intimate and smooth scent – and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go.
BEST FRESH
Tom Ford, Neroli, Portofino Acqua, 50ml, €120 This is Tom Ford’s original Neroli scent with additions of citrus notes like orange and lime. It is the Italian coastline in a bottle and conjures images of orange groves and warm sea breezes.
BEST CELEBRITY
Britney Spears, Fantasy, EDP, 30ml, €27.50 If you like really sweet and chocolaty fragrances this one is for you. With notes of sweet fruits – lychee and kiwi –and gourmande notes of white chocolate, this is a really girly perfume.
BEST SCENTED BODY WASH
Viktor & Rolf, Flowerbomb Perfumed Shower Gel, €45 If you love to start your day with your favorite scent, then a shower gel is the way to go, especially this one with its uplifting notes of bergamot and rose.
BEST SCENTED BODY LOTION
Jo Malone London, Pomegranate Noir Body & Hand Lotion, €50 No need for any perfume when you wear this body lotion. It has a brilliant silky consistency that totally envelopes your body with powerful notes which include clove, raspberry and pomegranate.
BEST SCENTED BODY CREAM
Roger & Gallet, Fleur d’Osmanthus Precious Revitalising Balm, €23 This is one the most revitalising scents, with the beautiful fleur d’Osmanthus at its heart, which has a peachy and orangey smell. The balm itself is enriched with precious oils like almond and shea butter, and literally melts into the skin.
BEST REED DIFFUSER
Max Benjamin, Tea Diffuser, €24.95 We adore this reed diffuser; it’s warm, comforting and the on-trend tea notes coupled with the fresh zest of lemon provide a delicious scent for your home.
BEST LUXURY CANDLE
L’Occitane, Lavender Candle, €25 Enriched with relaxing lavender essential oil, this scented candle fills your home with a soothing, aromatic atmosphere for up to 23 hours.
myloccitane.com
BEST NEW FRAGRANCE
Brooke & Shoals, Lemon Leaves, Grapefruit and Green Tea, EDT, 50ml, €60 A totally uplifting and invigorating scent. The lemon and grapefruit are to the fore when this is first sprayed, but it settles on the skin as a soft cologne.
brookeandshoals.ie
BEST ROSE
Juicy Couture, Viva La Juicy Rosé, EDP, 100ml, €85 This is a zesty mix of fruit and jasmine with powdery rose and woody notes at its base. It is a modern and youthful take on a rose scent.
juicycouture.com
BEST FLORAL
Lancôme, La Vie Est Belle Florale, EDT, 50ml, €63 A totally different compilation to the original fragrance. It has more of a zingy scent thanks to the additions of osmanthus and bergamot. A stunning scent.
lancome.co.uk
BEST EVENING
Marc Jacobs, Decadence, EDP, 30ml, €62 A sweet deep perfume with top notes of plum and iris with a woody and amber base. The sweetness still comes through when it settles on the skin. This is a good night time choice and the bottle is a perfume collector’s dream.
marcjacobs.com
Mother and Baby –
BEST BABY WIPES
Water Wipes, Baby Wipes, €2.99 These Irish wipes are perfect for newborn babies as they contain 99.9% water and the only other ingredient is grapefruit seed extract. They don’t have any scent and are very moist, which is exactly what you need for the little ones.
BEST BABY BODY WASH
Mothercare, Little Softie, Top to Toe Wash, €2.50 A paraben-free, no-tears wash that is gentle on both baby and mum’s skin. Suitable to use from birth.
BEST BABY MOISTURISER
La Roche-Posay, Cicaplast Baume B5, 40ml, €7.50 This is a multi-tasking hero product. Mum can use it as a body cream and as a nappy cream for their little one. It can also be used on dry or irritated skin. It contains vitamin B5, shea butter and thermal water to soothe the skin. We love it!
laroche-posay.com
BEST SUPPLEMENT FOR MUM
Cleanmarine, Krill Oil for Women, €47 (one month supply) Each capsule is packed with essential Omega 3 Phospholipids combined with vitamin D3, B1, B2 and B6. They help regulate hormonal activity and reduce tiredness. Ideal for women of all ages.
BEST CHILD MULTI-VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT
Vivioptal Junior, €9.95 It is hard to get all the right vitamins into your kids if they are fussy eaters. Vivioptal has a good broad section of vitamins and minerals to help growth and bone development.
BEST BALM FOR MUM & BABY
Nía, Just Balm, €12.95 This balm is a real find: it’s a 100% natural healing moisturiser and is suitable for use on all itchy, dry skin conditions and rashes. Suitable for babies, children and adults.
BEST SPF FOR CHILDREN WITH SENSITATIVE SKIN
Bioderma, Photoderm Kid SPF 50+, €20.50 This not only contains a high protection sun screen but also protects sun sensitive and intolerant skin. Visible when applied, it is also water resistant and fragrance free.
BEST BABY OIL
NAIF, Soothing Baby Oil, 100ml, €14.95 Baby oils are great to use after a bath when baby’s skin is still a little damp. This one by NAIF is perfume and preservative free, and is really gentle with ingredients like cottonseed oil, which is easily absorbed into baby’s skin.
naifcare.com
BEST SPF FOR CHILDREN
Vichy, Idéal Soleil for Children, SPF 50, €21.50 This milk gives vulnerable skin high protection from the sun with mineral ingredients. It can be used on face and body and is very easy to apply.
Vichy.ie
BEST SLEEP AID FOR MUM
This Works, Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, €19.50 This is a great product to help you get some valuable shut eye. It contains essentials oils of lavender, vetivert and wild chamomile to relax both body and mind.
thisworks.com
BEST FOR STRETCH MARKS
Clarins, Tonic Body Treatment Oil, €47 This oil is amazing. It is full of pure plant extracts like rosemary and hazel to protect the skin’s barrier. It also smells really therapeutic and is really soft and silky.
clarins.co.uk
Gadgets –
BEST MAKE-UP BRUSH
Cailyn, O! Wow Brush, €29.99 This brush is incredible: it feels like velvet yet it is densely packed with ultra fine fibers that facilitate an airbrushed foundation application.
cailyncosmetics.com
BEST PRO MAKE-UP BRUSH SET
Blank Canvas, 12-piece “My Face and Eye” Professional Set, €89.99 This brush set has every tool you need for painting the perfect face. From blending and contouring to lips and eyes, your make-up application will be a joy.
BEST BRUSH TRAVEL SET
Nima Brush, “Girls on Tour” Travel Set Collection, €55 This is the best travel size pro brush kit on the market. A gorgeous edit of seven must-have brushes for on-the-go application.
BEST SONIC SKINCARE KIT
Clarisonic, The Smart Profile Kit, €249 The original and still the best. The oscillating head cleanses six times better than hands alone and is so effective that skin on the face and body is more receptive to creams, serums and moisturisers.
BEST NEW SKINCARE BEAUTY GADGET
Darphin, L’Institut Facial Sonic Cleansing and Massaging Expert, €149 This sonic cleanser and massaging expert works on two levels. Firstly, the brush cleanses the skin. Now for the magic: the kit contains a smooth steel massaging head that deeply delivers moisturiser to boost microcirculation and relax the facial muscles. Genius.
BEST HOME PEDICURE
Emjoi Micro Pedi Nano, €39.95 It exfoliates and removes dry, rough skin while being gentle on your feet; leaving your heels and soles soft and so summer-ready.
BEST WONDER WAND
M2 Beauté, M2Brows, €130, from The Derma Clinic, Dublin A precisely engineered brush with a rich serum that you apply to those places where you would like to optimize your eyebrow growth. Expect supermodel bushy brows in just four to six weeks!
when I was about 22 years old. That was over 40 years ago! I keep a bottle (with a pump in it) on the shower shelf. One pump on my wet wash cloth is sufficient for my entire body. You feel so nice and clean with no soap scum to make you feel like your skin is drawing up! My complexion improved within three weeks and continued to improve throughout my life. People ask me all the time what the secret is to my nice complexion, as I don't have wrinkles either!
