Thoughtful (beauty) shopper - the May edition

Making light of the work

Irish organic skincare brand Nunaïa Beauty has reworked the packaging for its multi-award-winning organic Facial Oil Serum to reduce the carbon footprint of the box by 83 per cent. Using soy-based inks, new design and card thickness, the serum itself is formulated with a blend of eleven superfood plant actives sustainably sourced from the Amazon Rainforest and boasts one of the highest organic certifications on the European market at 99.5 per cent Certified Organic. Available at Nunaïa.com, and selected retailers nationwide. Nourishing Radiance Serum €79, Nunaïa (cabin baggage friendly size)

Natural Fact

Founded by spa, wellness and aesthetic expert Begoña Sanjuan along with chemist and natural cosmetics specialist Dr Isabel Ramos, Ayuna is a Spanish-based brand which focuses on vegetable cell cultures and formulations with ingredients rich in phyto-peptides and plasmas rich in botanical cell factors, highly concentrated botanical molecules that occur naturally and benefit the skin. The range very much promotes the less is more approach, with three hero products: The Prebiotic Refining Concentrate (€105) which refines and evens skin tone: the Need-le, €225, dubbed as “IPL in a bottle,” a brightening formula that uses silicon-based microneedle spicules extracted from freshwater sponges to gently exfoliate the skin.

Working on texture and tone, it creates micro-channels that facilitate deeper absorption of active ingredients including pomegranate and Arabian cotton that stimulate the photobiotics on your skin to address hyperpigmentation and UV exposure. Finally, there is Plasma, €150, a protein plasma mask that activates circulation, drains and tightens. All ingredients are naturally sourced, and, whenever possible, organic, with pure botanical ingredients that are pesticide and herbicide-free, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and EcoCert, Cosmos and/or ISO Compliant. Available from Floraison, 16 Fitzwilliam Street. Dublin 2, D02 Y221. floraison.ie

Plum Job

Augustinus Bader has collaborated with award-winning director Sofia Coppola to create a new lip tint in three shades. Featuring Bader’s proprietary TFC8 technology, the Bader Lip Balm, says Coppola, was already one of her favourites. “I was excited when the brand agreed to collaborate on a tinted version. Shade 1 is based on a favourite sheer deep pink lipstick I hoarded after it was discontinued, that’s easy and adds a brightening, subtle tint. Shade 2 is a red coral I like for summer or at the beach, and Shade 3 is a burnt, earthy plum.” Formulated with a blend of plant-based butter and oils, including Shea butter, Vitamin E and Candelilla wax, it comes with Augustinus Bader’s TFC8® technology, offering intense moisture as well as protection from environmental stressors. Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola - The Tinted Balm with TFC8®, €40, is available at Augustinusbader.com and Brown Thomas now.

Shades of Glory

Chanel has just dropped a new range of 14 shades inspired by some of the House's most iconic colours. Their global makeup artist Cécile Paravina created the new hues in matte, satin and metallic finishes while the case comes with a double-C engraving, with a wide mirror and three applicators to apply the lightweight powder texture. Using a formula enriched with sage oil, it promises long-lasting wear for up to eight hours with their Noir Allure mascara also reissued in an orangey-red, brick brown or pastel lilac mauve. Worn with Ombre Essentielle, the new colourways can give a tone-on-tone look or you can contrast them for a more dual effect. Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow, €40, and Limited Edition Noir Allure Mascara, €48 are available from Brown Thomas and chanel.com

Power player

Skin cell renewal is a key factor in a healthy dermis as dead cells and debris can manifest as wrinkles, fine lines and even discolouration. SkinCeuticals has just launched a one-step daily serum that exfoliates and accelerates the skin renewal process to combat those effects. With a 7 per cent Multi-Acid Complex that combines alpha and beta hydroxy acids with a multi-layer action to gently peel and accelerate skin renewal cycles it reduces visible discolouration, and fine lines. There is also 1 per cent taurine, a high concentration of an amino acid found naturally in the skin which increases what are called NAD+ levels to stimulate cell energy and to improve the skin barrier function so you get really moist skin. What’s more, It has been clinically proven to be safe and effective as part of a skin conditioning protocol to prepare skin for in-clinic procedures such as chemical peels. €140 from selected clinics and skinceuticals.co.uk.

Smoothing things out

If you are looking for a smoothing, nourishing hair treatment heading into summer then check out Dublin salon’s The Sober Colourist’s special treatment by haircare brand Noz. Formulated with coconut and grapeseed oil, it is vegan, cruelty-free and completely chemical-free, and works on frizzy, dry, colour-treated hair as well as wigs and extensions. The treatment is combed on strand by strand, left to sit for 45 minutes, rinsed off, and blow-dried smooth, with a straightener run over about 10 to 15 times to finish. The smoothing and straightening effects work for up to 12 weeks, but the conditioning element can continue beyond that, particularly if you avoid any sulphates in your hair products. €225 for long hair, €185 for short. thesobercolourist.ie