Why the ‘boring’ beauty bits are often the most important ones

By Aisling Keenan
06th Dec 2019

Why the ‘boring’ beauty bits are often the most important ones

‘Boring’ beauty activities like whitening your teeth, body brushing and shaving, waxing, threading our unwanted hairs are not the most fun things to do. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need doing…

What’s the point in spending hundreds, thousands even, on expensive cosmetics, and further thousands on stylish clothes, if you neglect to look after the more practical elements of your overall aesthetic?

Of course, we know that good skincare results in make-up looking its best. But what other things are a basis for an all-round sense of ‘put-togetherness’? I don’t know about you, but on days where my cuticles are clipped and invisible, my teeth are sparkly clean and the skin on my body has been brushed and exfoliated, I feel as good as can be. And that’s before I add the finishing touches.

Whiter than white

As of the last few months, I’ve been using the Spotlight Oral Care Toothpaste for Whitening, €9.50. I’ve found it really made a difference to my teeth — they definitely look whiter and always feel clean. It’s vegan friendly and the packaging is ocean safe, so I’m doubly happy.

Spotlight Oral Care Toothpastes

€9.50 from spotlightoralcare.com

Best in body

We all spend so much time and effort perfecting the skin on our face so we look good. But nothing feels as good to me as knowing the skin on my body is smooth and supple.

This Dermalogica new launch has been my shower buddy for about a month and I adore it. It contains grapefruit and white tea. It’s a finely milled exfoliator so you get the sensation of mechanical exfoliation without tearing your skin.

Dermalogica Thermafoliant Body Scrub

€47.50 from dpharmacy.ie

Creme de la… main?

There’s nothing I like treating myself to more than a good, luxury hand cream. I’m very picky about which ones I will use, and so I splash out on a few key favourites. I love the Alpha H Age Defy one, but my number one joy? Chanel Le Lift La Creme Main. It’s divine, softens your hands and the skin around your cuticles. I put a thick layer on at night and sleep with it on.