Sally Foran: The 8 products I repurchase again and again

The beauty market is absolutely saturated with products, here are the ones I keep coming back to

Beauty editor Sally Foran shares some of her top picks she can't get enough of

As a beauty editor and content creator, I’m constantly sent beauty products to trial. Barely a week goes by without a new beauty product launching, which can be overwhelming. The market is absolutely saturated with new ingredients, formulations and releases on a daily basis.

That’s why I believe there’s no higher recommendation than a beauty editor spending their own money to repurchase a product. Here are eight products I will forever spend my own money on.

1. Holos Anti Ageing Oil

I first started using this oil eight years ago. Many oils have launched since, but none have lived up to it. It’s lightweight, almost serum-like in texture, which is ideal for my combination skin, as some oils can feel a little heavy. It absorbs instantly and reduces redness, softens lines, fades pigmentation and hydrates. It’s such a multi-purpose oil — so many benefits from one little bottle. It’s packed with natural anti-ageing oils including rose, palmarosa, benzoin and frankincense, all in an argan oil base.

• €30, Murphys Pharmacy.

2. NIOD FECC Eye Serum

Despite receiving new eye products almost weekly, none have matched up to this eye serum, which I first started using four years ago. It has made a considerable, measurable difference (I’ve the photos to prove it!) to my hooded, crepey, droopy eyes, while also improving my under-eye lines and bags. It uses innovative peptide technology to deliver active ingredients where they’re needed, helping to minimise fine lines, soften crow’s feet and provide firming and lifting benefits. It also reduces the appearance of dark circles, puffiness and uneven texture, while providing immediate and lasting hydration to plump the skin and minimise wrinkles.

• €69, Cult Beauty.

3. Bioderma Atoderm 3-in-1 Eye

An occupational hazard of being a beauty editor is that I frequently risk skin irritation by trying new products. This usually happens on my neck and, despite being an eye cream, this works exceptionally well here.

I first used it when I had red, itchy, flaky and irritated eyelids and, because it repaired the skin so well, I figured it would probably work on other areas too. I was right. This has saved my skin on too many occasions to mention and it’s a fantastic product that I will never be without in my beauty cabinet. It can also be used as a make-up remover.

• €19, Millies.

4. Escentric Molecules Molecule 01

I get sent a lot of beautiful, expensive perfumes, so I really don’t need to be buying any more, but nothing matches the compliments I get when I wear this.

It’s unlike anything you will ever wear and is one of the most mysteriously alluring scents there is. You can’t smell it on yourself, but the response from others is undeniable. Every time I wear it, someone asks what I’m wearing. It’s an aroma chemical rather than a traditional perfume, so it behaves differently — you have to wear it to understand it.

The velvety woody note is hugely sensitive to your body’s chemistry and combines with your own natural scent to release something unique, so no two wearers will smell the same. How cool is that? It’s a true phenomenon in the science of scent.

• €105 for 30ml, Brown Thomas.

5. Batiste Dry Shampoo

I’ve been using dry shampoo for about 25 years. My hair gets oily the day I wash it, it’s very fine and I have highlights, so I have regrowth. Dry shampoo has a multitude of uses.

It helps me get up to a week out of my beloved boho blow-dry by mopping up oily roots, gives my fine hair the illusion of volume and disguises my dark roots, meaning I get longer between highlights, saving me time, money and damage to my hair. It also prolongs the vibrancy of my highlights because every time you wash your hair, you strip away some of the colour, so it fades quicker. It saves water, too, and washing my hair only once a week makes it healthier as the natural oils aren’t constantly being stripped away.

• €5.95, Meaghers Pharmacy.

6. Maybelline Sky High Mascara in Brown

I’ve tried many mascaras over the years in my quest for the perfect brown mascara and I always come back to this one. Its small brush makes it easy to apply to inner lashes, while the bamboo extract-infused formula gives buildable volume, separation, lift and impressive length without clumping. Even after a second coat, it doesn’t clump, smudge or flake throughout the day. Finally, it’s easy to remove.

• €18, Superdrug

7. Neutrogena Anti-Age Hand Cream

I’m religious about applying SPF to my hands as well as my face. The hands are one of the first places to show signs of ageing because they’re constantly exposed to the elements. I love this one from Neutrogena because it is not only very effective but also affordable, and it’s the perfect handbag size. I never go anywhere without it.

I have recommended it to so many people over the years, it features regularly in my Instagram posts and will always be a constant repurchase for me. It has a lovely, fast-absorbing formula that delivers deep hydration as well as sun protection, with glycerin and collagen-boosting minerals to help reduce dark spots and restore suppleness.

• €4.20, Boots.

8. Medik8 Crystal Retinal

Having used retinol religiously for years, I’ve now progressed to retinal and this is hands down my favourite. Retinal is a form of vitamin A and works faster than standard retinol, with less irritation. It’s one conversion away from active retinoic acid, while most retinols are a couple of conversions away, meaning they can be less irritating but can also be less effective.

As it also has antibacterial properties, it’s ideal for acne-prone skin. It’s doubtful I’ll ever switch to a prescription-strength retinoid, which is known to be more irritating, as I’m reaping all the benefits of retinal without irritating my skin. For me, it’s a no-brainer.

• €60, Space NK.

• Prices correct at time of print but subject to change