To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the SOCIAL & PERSONAL Beauty Awards, we've carefully curated a list of the best products from this year's 'Best Beauty Buys', featured in our fabulous June issue, to add to your beauty routine in preparation for your strut down the aisle. Specially curated by SOCIAL & PERSONAL beauty editor Kellie Billings, whether you're looking for high-tech beauty tools, luxurious skincare, or must-buy hair products, we've got you covered!
Beauty Tech
I realise this is a serious investment, but hear me out. Would you rather invest in a tool that is going to future-proof your face (the one everyone will be looking at on the day) or spend your hard-earned cash on a pair of, albeit fabulous, shoes that you're probably going to ditch in favour of a pair of dance enabling flip flops? It's hard to think rationally about your wedding dress and all the surrounding accoutrements; believe me, I'm a magpie; when I see something shiny and beautiful, I immediately want it too. But if I could have advised myself of one thing for my wedding many moons ago, it would have been to invest in your skin, not the shiny stuff — specifically the myBlend myLEDmask. LED light therapy can help improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, and diminish dark spots. It also promotes collagen production and can be used to address various skincare concerns such as acne and inflammation.
myBlend myLEDmask Face & Neck, €1,200Hair Oil
If your hair is growing at a snail's pace and seems more lacklustre than luxurious, it might be worthwhile incorporating a scalp oil into your hair health routine, especially if you're a bride aiming to grow out your hair for your wedding day. Scalp health may be buzzwordy these days, but for good reason. Your scalp is an extension of your skin. You wouldn't dream of not applying a good serum or moisturiser after cleansing - think of the dehydration! Strong hair needs strong roots to anchor it, and the Annutri Grow It Scalp Oil can help. It nourishes the hair follicles, promoting stronger and healthier hair growth. It also helps maintain scalp moisture, preventing dryness and dandruff.
Annutri Grow It Scalp Oil, €35Body Scrub
Many of us are diligent when caring for our skin from the neck up, but what about the rest of our body? An absolute must for any bride or anyone, to be honest, if they are prepping their skin for a faux glow or want silky soft skin, it is a great exfoliating body scrub. It removes dead skin cells, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath. By unclogging pores, it helps prevent breakouts and ingrown hairs. Plus, exfoliating boosts blood circulation, promoting healthier, more radiant skin. Regular use enhances moisturiser absorption, making your skin softer and more hydrated, creating the perfect canvas for a faux glow. Jo Browne's Pure Luxury Body Scrub is divine, containing her signature blend of 8 essential oils in a deliciously nourishing sugar-in-oil formulation.
Jo Browne Pure Luxury Body Scrub, €28Hair Mask
In the months leading up to the big day, give your hair some extra love by treating it to deep conditioning treatments at least once a week. This will help restore moisture and improve the overall health of your hair. Consider investing in high-quality products tailored to your specific hair needs, and try incorporating a regular hair mask or deep conditioner into your routine. The Color WOW + Chris Appleton Money Masque is a great option for all hair types - it's made with a blend of sea algae and proteins to provide tons of hydration. Plus, it's vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.
Color WOW + Chris Appleton Money Masque, €45Retinol
Not to sound too emphatic, but you need this product! If you want to see a difference in your skin, I'm talking about evening-out pigmentation, softening fine lines and wrinkles, and a clearer complexion. Then, using a retinoid in your skincare routine is key. While some people find incorporating it into their routine challenging, I firmly believe they have yet to find the right one or are using it incorrectly. I suggest trying the Anti-Ageing Retinol from Jennifer Rock's Skingredients range. For the vitamin A uninitiated, this 0.6% retinol formula is gentle enough for even sensitive skin types. The addition of B3 (Niacinamide) is excellent at retaining your skin's moisture content and avoiding any flaking or redness. Begin using this at night on dry skin once or twice a week for two weeks, and gradually increase the frequency of use once your skin becomes acclimatised. From there, you can move up to the 1% formula within the range if you desire.
Skingredients Anti-Ageing Retinol 0.6% + B3, €49Serum
When it comes to skincare investment, the question that frequently arises is, what's the best choice? The answer, in most cases, is a high-quality serum (after SPF). Among the numerous serums available, a broad-spectrum option like Clarins Double Serum Light, which can be effortlessly incorporated into your AM and PM routine, is a great choice. A staple in many skincare routines, its potent blend of plant extracts will not just improve, but transform your skin, giving you a radiant glow. The serum harnesses the power of potent plant extracts such as turmeric, oat, and kiwi to deliver many skin benefits such as targeting fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and visible pores while promoting hydration, firmness, and radiance. The blend of these natural ingredients works synergistically to revitalise and rejuvenate the skin, leaving it smooth, radiant, and visibly rejuvenated.
Clarins Double Serum Light, €99Cleanser
Did you know that it's believed you age your skin by up to 8 days every night you sleep with your makeup on? Pass me the flannel! And while we may never want to take our wedding day makeup off, I'm afraid it has to be done. A nourishing cleansing balm such as Doctrine Divinity's Cleansing Balm can effectively remove makeup while still pampering your skin. Its rich emollient formula melts away even the most stubborn waterproof mascara and long-wear foundation, dissolving impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils. The solid balm melts into a silky oil when massaged into the skin; gently remove it using a warm flannel. I always recommend a double cleanse. It's akin to washing your hair; the first wash removes the oil and dirt, and the second is for gloss and shine.
Doctrine Divinity Cleansing Balm, €42Self-care & Wellness
Makeup, of course, can create that lit from within glow, but beauty starts from within. On the run-up to your wedding day, consider adding a supplement to your diet that targets skin health from the inside out. The Advanced Nutrition Skin Youth Biome is packed with a unique blend of beneficial bacteria and essential vitamins that support gut health and are closely linked to skin conditions. By enhancing the gut microbiome, they help reduce inflammation, improve skin hydration and promote a clear, radiant complexion. They also boost collagen production, aiding in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, and with regular use, you'll notice smoother, firmer skin.
Advanced Nutrition Skin Youth Biome, €73For more fabulous beauty recommendations, pick up a copy of the SOCIAL & PERSONAL June issue and explore the best of the best that the world of beauty has to offer!
- Kellie Billings