Find out what’s happening on the beauty scene

IT’S all too easy to get stuck in a beauty products rut. Buying new ones can be hit-and-miss.

Step forward beauty subscription boxes. It’s a convenient, new way to ‘try before you buy’. Simply sign up online, and then wait for the curated edit of luxe samples and full-size products to land on your doorstep.

Curious? Then check out Glossybox. What’s in the box? Five hand-picked beauty heroes, ranging from niche and new to prestige brands.

What makes it different? Glossybox partners with more than 600 global brands, so there’s a diverse mix of products. That French pharmacy brand you’ve always wanted to try? It’s probably in there.

Special-edition boxes? Mark your diary for the Festival Edit box, in June, and “the biggest limited edition collaboration to date”, in November.

How do I sign up? Subscriptions start at £10 (+P&P) for one month.

* Visit www.glossybox.co.uk/

LASH IT ON

Get a fuller flutter with a product that bridges the gap between mascara and falsies. “I’m a huge fan of false eyelashes, but without the time and patience to have them applied professionally, I was tempted to try what’s been dubbed the next best thing.

“A mascara and lash builder, Santhilea Magnetic Lash promises black, velvet-like lashes in three steps. After curling, step one is to apply the mascara. Then, while still wet — this is the tricky bit, as you have to be quick — step two is to apply the lash builder.

“Using a small wand, packed with tiny fibres, it goes on a bit like candyfloss, the furry fibres clinging to the wet lashes. It’s tempting to keep applying more, but the trick is to hold back and apply carefully and evenly.

"While waiting for the lash builder to dry, which takes a couple of minutes, I used a cotton bud to gently wipe away any fibres that have fallen onto my skin.

“The final step is to reapply a generous amount of mascara to seal the fibres — the results are dramatic and my lashes are doubled in size. The effect lasts well through the day, too, and I’m impressed that my lashes don’t look clumpy when I top up with a fresh coat of mascara, before heading out in the evening.

“As for taking it all off, my usual make-up remover did the trick, and, best of all, there’s none of the icky, glue residue you get with falsies. I’m converted.” 4/5 n Santhilea Magnetic Lash mascara is €35.48, www.feelunique.com  (free P&P)

— Sam Wylie-Harris

NAIL IT

Put your stamp on a nifty, nail-art kit...

“As a self-confessed nail-art addict, I was more than keen to try out this beautifully packaged stamping set. I’d never tried stamping before, but, thanks to the easy-to-follow instructions, I felt like a pro in just a few attempts.

“Using the engraved metal plates provided, I covered my desired design with nail polish — I picked a pretty, floral pattern — then used the scraper to remove any excess polish from the plate.

Next, I rolled the rubber stamp over the plate to pick up my design, and then transferred it onto my pre-painted nails, using a rolling motion as outlined in the guide. Easy-peasy. I finished with a coat of clear polish, to protect my tarted-up talons.”

* MoYou The Pro Stamping nail-art set, €30 (Boots) — Helen Coakley

PRETTY IN PINK

Our testers pucker up to put punchy, pink lip glosses through their paces...

Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Colour Plumping Effect in Fancy Pink, €28.50 (www.debenhams.ie) “A wet-look, pretty, rosy pink, the short brush-bristles make this gloss easy to apply. Once on, it blends in well and is not nearly as neon as it looks in the tube. Not too sticky, either, it also stays on for much longer than many glosses.”

5/5

Michael Kors Into The Glow Lip Luster in Getaway, €28 (Arnotts.ie) “When applied, this rich, sleekly-packaged gloss doesn’t quite pack the pink punch expected, instead leaving lips a slightly paler (but equally pretty) shade.

It claims to provide lasting colour throughout the day, but required reapplication after eating and drinking. 2/5 Pur Minerals Summer Collection Pout Pen in Mai Tai, €19.18, free P&P (LookFantastic.com)

“Not being much of a lipstick fan, I’m surprised how much I like the pout pen. You take the felt-tip end, draw around your lips to stain them in the pretty pink colour, then go over the top with the hydrating balm.

It feels light, looks lovely and, as long as you don’t eat, lasts a good while, too.” 4/5

WATCH OUT FOR

The new Pop of Passion collection, from BareMinerals, delivers succulent, dewy colour for lips and cheeks, just the thing to get you in the mood for summer.

We love the lip oil-balm, available in eight shades, which has a light, moisturising feel and glossy hue that make it look like you’ve been sucking on a fruity lollipop (in a good way). It’s already adored by millions, and No7’s Protect & Perfect range has just got even better.

The results of a year-long study are out, showing that Protect & Perfect intense advanced serum, €33 (Boots.ie), is the first serum that’s clinically-proven to deliver anti-wrinkle results that improve over time, rather than plateauing after six months. Impressive results for a high-street product.

THE REAL DEAL

There’s a new manifesto making waves in the cosmetics industry, but it’s got nothing to do with politics. The Real Beauty Manifesto is asking companies to sign up to a list of six values, including purity (avoiding harmful chemicals), transparency (clear labelling) and sustainability (using resources wisely).

Look out for the RBM logo, on products from participating retailers, and find out more at www.realbeautymanifesto.org

BEST TAN EVER

Self-tanning brand, Vita Liberata, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade for the second year running — something no other beauty brand has achieved. The Irish company is now stocked in 26 countries and has had a 400% growth in sales in recent years.

SCENT OF THE WEEK

Earlier this year, actress Cate Blanchett the new face of Sí by Giorgio Armani to coincide with it’s 2015 reboot. Sí was launched in 2013 and was Armani’s first fragrance since 2010’s Acqua di Gioia.

The updated scent is light, floral and packed with summer fruits.

The dominant notes are Sicilian bergamot, mandarin oil and blackcurrant liqueur creating a fruity overtone which may be a little sugary for some tastes while lowery undertones of neroli and Egyptian jasmine evoke days spent in warm summer gardens.

Not at all overpowering on the skin, it has impressive staying power, fading away over the course of the day to leave a sweet trace. Giorgio Armani Si Eau de Parfum, 30ml, €56.