My Day in Beauty with Andrea Horan: “I’m a bit of a sham when it comes to beauty regimes…”

Andrea Horan is the woman behind the massively successful Tropical Popical nail experience (come on, it’s more than just a salon) and is also the creator of The Hunreal Issues, a site for someone who wants to be woke, but needs it to be packaged conveniently. She’s deadly, in short. But in terms of her beauty routine?

“Ironically for the owner of a beauty business, I’m a bit of a sham when it comes to beauty regimes,” Andrea says.

“I don’t really have one. I know, I know… I should be preparing for the future but I just forget to do all the things we’re told we’re meant to be doing. I’ve only started wearing a daily SPF. TUT TUT. The only thing that I can be depended on to wear every day is my perfume. I wear Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir and I’d feel weird going out without it on.”

ANDREA’S SKIN PICKS

Cleanser, Toner and Moisturiser:

“I remember one time I was going to visit my friend in New York. I’d gone out the night before and slept in and nearly missed my flight. I had two of my friends (hi Martin and Colm!) dressing me and hailing taxis to make sure I made it to the airport in time. I made it in the nick of time but realised when I got on the flight I still had my makeup from the night before on and my eyes were starting to hurt. Luckily I was flying Aer Lingus and they stocked the Liz Earle multi pack. Well, when I say I’ve never felt better after taking my makeup off, I’m not lying. I’ve used it ever since. I also feel a bit weird about all the acids and abrasive chemicals that have swept the market. I’m a bit of a hippy at heart and love a bit of nature, a bit of gratitude at the possibility of being able to get older and staying away from toxic stuff as much as possible. I know to any beauty buffs I sound like a novice but here we are. I have started using the Image Tinted SPF now, mostly because they sell it in Urbana where I get my face lasered. I only said ‘a bit’ of a hippy!”

Liz Earle Starter Kit, €21

ANDREA’S SKINCARE TIP

“Love the skin you’re in.”

ANDREA’S MAKEUP PICKS

Foundation: Charlotte Tilbury
Mascara: L’Oréal Volume Million Lashes
Liner: Kat Von D
Palette/eyeshadow: Inglot
Powder: MAC Mineralise Skinfinish
Eyebrow: Chosungah22 Song Gong Minn Brow Maker
Contour and Highlight: Sleek
Lipstick: MAC Relentlessly Red or the Candy YumYum

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder, €31.50

Chosungah22 Song Gong Minn Brow Maker, €30

ANDREA’S TOP MAKEUP TIP

“Get the base right with all the prep. Like for me, getting my eyebrows done religiously, acupuncture facials with Amanda in the Dublin Wellness Centre so my skin is looking plump and collagen filled, so that when it comes to putting on a face, you only have to do the bare minimum to accentuate the good bits that are already there.”

ANDREA’S HAIR PICKS

Shampoo/Conditioner: I get a blow dry with Jenny Dawson in Coterie on Wicklow St either every week or every ten days. This might sound extravagant BUT, I get the full week or ten days out of the blow dry. So It feels like I’m getting the value for my money. And I then don’t have to buy shampoo or conditioner. See – Bargain. If I do wash my hair myself, I just lash in some coconut oil and let it dry itself.

Hairspray: I don’t really use it but I have about four of the large Elnett bottles in my bathroom for some reason. I adore the smell of it. It just says party the moment you spray it.
Texture spray: I love the V05 stuff. I use the texturing spray if I’m going out out and need some va-va-voom.
Brushes: My dad always used Denman so I find myself always buying them too.

Denman Classic D3 Styling Brush, €9.69

ANDREA’S TOP HAIR TIP:

“More often than not, the hair that suits you most is your hair at it’s most natural. So if you can, try to work with it rather than against it. I’ve had every hair style and adored them, especially when I had a non stop bleach up. But whenever I look back on pics, my hair is always nicest when it’s as close to it’s natural state (with a bit of help with some sunshine highlights. What? I’m only human.”