Kate Demolder: From sea moss to Pippa O'Connor — the new beauty products on my radar

I’ve avoided Dyson hair products for so long, refusing to pay that much for a hairdryer. 

But after years of bleaching and dyeing my hair, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to protect it. 

And quite likely, you do too. Dyson technology temperature-regulates 40 times a second, meaning the heat from its tools will never spike, as it can on others. 

The new clips, too, were perfected over the course of six years to ensure they will never damage your hair. 

Remember those times you’ve had to rip hair out to untangle a hair tie or convoluted clip? Never again.

• €399.99, Brown Thomas

Universal Glow Treatment, Poco Beauty

Pippa O’Connor’s beauty brand Poco Beauty launched earlier this month with three hero products, one of which blew the minds of Irish beauty fans for its texture and delicate glow; Universal Glow Treatment with SPF 30. 

Similar to Charlotte Tilbury’s Wonder Glow, Universal Glow Treatment can be used as a primer, illuminator or highlighter.

• €30, pocobeauty.com

Et Al Limited Edition Brush Set

I recently learned about Et Al, the wholly sustainable brand that makeup artists and celebrities are very taken with. 

While the products are beautiful — and refillable and recyclable — it’s the brushes I’ve been drawn to of late. 

Super soft, with just the right density and packaged with a solid brush cleaner, dare I say this is a foolproof kit for anyone trying to do their bit.

• €100, monicatolan.com

Act + Acre, Stem Cell Serum

Another brand I’ve come across while trying to save my scalp from overprocessing is Act + Acre, a trichologist-developed scalp care brand created to treat scalp concerns and support overall hair wellness with natural ingredients. 

Though not new (they’ve repeatedly sold out of Sephora in the US and won countless awards) the product line is newly available in Irish stores. 

And for good reason, I’ve noticed an inch of growth in the past month of using it.

• €88, Millies

Instamelt Day Dissolver Wipes, Conserving Beauty

I haven’t (and hope you haven’t either) used a face wipe in years because fatbergs are not part of my four-step routine. 

But I do miss them when in a rush. At last, Aussie brand Conserving Beauty has done the unthinkable and created dissolvable face wipes for gals on the go. 

On application, they’re oily enough to get rid of everything while also leaving skin feeling hydrated. 

Then, when you hold it underwater, it disappears.

• €27.10, Cult Beauty

The best beauty buys right now under €30

• Smooth Stick (€16.99, Arnotts): I use this on my eyebrows (all other brow brush products leave a residue on me; this doesn’t) and the stray bits of hair that look electrocuted. Worth every cent.
• Kevin Murphy Bedroom Hair (€29 for 235ml, Millies): To look undone, but in a done way, so you look like you’ve just rolled out of bed… but in a good way.
• Sea Moss Gel (€15.99, seamosssublime.ie): I recently came across Sea Moss Gel from a woman who had really good hair. She was recommended it by a surgeon, who confirmed that if you were to take all of the supplements this product boasts in tablet form, you would have to take 100+. Take a spoonful a day to treat everything from poor elasticity to eczema.
• Aveeno Skin Relief Gift Set (€18.65, McCabes Pharmacy): Some products last the test of time for a reason. As I’ve gotten older, and spoken to so many people about their skin over the years, I’ve realised that the majority of us — due to changeable weather, central heating and overuse of active ingredients — have dry, sensitive skin. Sets like Aveenos Skin Relief help that. Have a warm-but-not-hot shower, cover yourself in this (cream first, oil second) and sleep like a baby thereafter.