Tried and tested

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, €23

Transforming from a gel to an oil on the skin, this emulsifies with water into a milk that strips off all make-up, leaving skin smooth and clean. Brilliant for make-up removal, Pure Melt will transform your cleansing routine if you’ve previously been a wipes fan.

Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel, €24.25

Harder to find than the others reviewed, this cleanser from five star spa faves Elemis is a citrus-scented wonder that’s a real treat for mature and dry-skinned types. Bonus? It’s mineral oil- and silicone-free too.

Chanel Sublimage Essential Comfort Cleanser, €80

The splurge of the bunch, this is the best bet for an older skintype, containing as it does nourishing oils like camellia and jojoba oils to soften and nourish the complexion. It’s super-effective too, whipping through make-up, even waterproof mascara, in seconds.

Body Shop Nutriganics Softening Cleansing Gel, €13.60

With an Ecocert stamp, this cleanser has certified organic ingredients and happily also really performs. Great for make-up removal and basic cleansing alike, it’s a great purchase and is also a really good price.

www.Beautyemporium.ie

The big feather in Beauty Emporium’s cap recently was landing Sleek cosmetics, a budget brand much loved by those in the know, but with no retail stockists in Ireland. Now available to us online with €2 postage, it’s actually cheaper than buying from Sleek’s own website. Not bad, eh?

www.Cloud10beauty.com

The new kid on the block, Cloud 10 is making a name for itself with smart ideas like a clever points system which allows you to earn points to spend on new products from brands like Sleek, Face Atelier and Opi. With €3 shipping and free samples with your order, it’s definitely one to watch.

www.misebeauty.com

For lovers of niche, indie and hard-to-find brands, this is simply the best site to browse. Mise stocks the cult Kevyn Aucoin cosmetics brand as well Japonesque brushes, Ellis Faas, Becca and Julie Hewitt. There’s a full skincare complement to browse as well.

www.Beautyfeatures.ie

With a whopping choice of brands, Beautyfeatures’ brand offering is unrivalled in the Irish shopping-sphere. Browse affordable Moroccanoil, Dermalogica, ProActiv and The Balm and best of all, get quick delivery and excellent customer service on the lot.

Crabtree and Evelyn India Hicks Island Living Spider Lily Hand Therapy, from €9

With a really pretty fragrance, this is an effective hydrator that thankfully has a non-greasy texture, making it a good choice for the office. It sinks in quickly leaving no sticky residue and you won’t have to wait around for hands to dry.

Guerlain Super Aqua Hands, €50

The luxury pick of the pack, this smells of roses and is most definitely a treat. At this price point you expect a little extra, so this delivers an included SPF of 15 and the ability to tackle age spots to actually reverse brown marks on hands.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Hand Cream, €27

Rich, thick and unctuous, this is a brilliant cream for cold weather or for hands that need serious TLC. Infused with the famous cream that made Elizabeth Arden’s name, its ingredients heal, protect and soothe sore paws.

Roger and Gallet Creme Sublime Bois d’Orange for Hands and Nails, €9

Deliciously scented with the brand’s Bois d’Orange fragrance, this is a surprisingly affordable treat that performs. It nourishes hands thanks to the inclusion of argan oil and evening primrose oil to hydrate repair, and protect.

Stockists

Body Shop branches nationwide; Crabtree and Evelyn at pharmacies; Chanel at department stores and larger pharmacies; Clarins at department stores and larger pharmacies; Elemis at spas and timetospa.co.uk; Guerlain at Debenhams; Elizabeth Arden at department stores; Roger and Gallet at pharmacies.