Kate Demolder: Here are the products that have made my beauty routine easier

Six months into her column for the Irish Examiner, Kate Demolder reflects on the products that have made her beauty routine easier

Fri, 26 Jul, 2024 - 09:32

Kate Demolder

It has been half a year since I took over the reins of the Irish Examiner’sWeekend Beauty column.

During that time, I’ve been lucky enough to try a myriad of beauty products. Some have been good, some great, and others extremely average.

Today, I’ll be talking about the excellent ones; the kind that have genuinely made my life easier, treated my insecurities and altogether made my beauty routine that much better.

1. Dyson Airwrap (from €449.99, Dyson.ie)

I resisted the hype for so long, but, the Airwrap really is excellent.

A hairdryer, curler and instant blow-dry product all in one, it’s also an excellent choice for those of us with damaged, bleached and over-processed hair.

I’m not good at hair, and I never have been, but this gives me a foolproof blowdry every time.

And given the money I paid for them ahead of weddings and other social gatherings over the past few years, I truly believe it’s worth the money.

2. 14 Day Mani Gentle Gels Polish At-Home Kit (summer sale price of €75, reduced from €172, 14daymanicure.com)

I wasn’t a nail person before. I dreaded the maintenance, worried about chipping, and didn’t like the idea of adding another beauty fee to my list.

Then, I got the 14-Day Mani kit. This set-up takes the faff and commitment out of nail painting and genuinely doesn’t chip for a fortnight.

Plus, for nail addicts, the whole kit is about the same price as two nail appointments.

3. CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment (€12.50, Boots)

My favourite products are multi-use and affordable, and this is just that.

Good for lips, rough skin like elbows and knees, a gentle highlight and evening slugging — this hasn’t left my bedside table since I got it.

4. Living Proof Triple Bond Complex (€44, Millies)

Very few products benefit everyone. At times, I’m hesitant to blanket-recommend something as I know it may only have suited me.

However, Living Proof’s Triple Bond Complex is one of those products that will bring any kind of hair back to life.

A little goes a long way, too. So use sparingly, and enjoy every drop.

5. POCO Beauty Suede Sculpt (€21, pocobeauty.com)

Another Irish beauty brand with knockout quality.

Pippa O’Connor’s brand POCO was the toast of the town when it launched earlier this year, with most raving about her sell-out Universal Glow Treatment.

However, I think her Suede Sculpt sticks are seriously underrated.

Easy to use, buildable and with colour payoff to suit a myriad of skin tones.

Everyone I know uses them differently, and they all look incredible.

6. Tan Organic Self Tan Lotion (€32.95, Meagher’s Pharmacy)

The best tan for acne-prone, sensitive or reactive skin, bar none.

An amazing formula, zero smell and the most beautiful golden hue that would suit pale and darker skin tones alike.

7. REMI Scalp Serums (€52, remi.ie)

Claire Fullam, also known as Claire Balding on Instagram, is a revelation. Her own experience with alopecia set her on the path to create REMI, the scalp products designed to create fuller, thicker hair to all who use them.

Their day and night serums are water-based and really work. Buy this for your friends who have lost hair for whatever reason, they will thank you forever.

8. Kevin Murphy Young Again Treatment Oil (€29.25, Millies)

I recently saw a TikTok video where a girl said she no longer wanted to gatekeep the product that brought her hair back to life, and it was this.

I’ve had a similar experience after a particularly bad bleach back in December. This leave-in treatment oil has lasted me since then and continues to make my hair look in far better condition than it is.

I would buy this for everyone on earth if I could — it is simply just that good.

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