Looking for minibreak style inspo? Team IMAGE spent 48 hours in Galway trying to live like the locals – here’s everything we packed, from beauty must-haves to handbags that hold it all.
AMBER O’SHEA
Social Media Manager
I wouldn’t go anywhere without The Smooth Company Dream Cream, I actually popped into Brown Thomas in Galway to restock my empty one! This one is so handy to have if my curls aren’t working and need to shape shift into a slick back without damaging my hair. When I was in Brown Thomas, I also picked up this hair perfume by Gisou and wowww it’s so delicious. For this road trip, I brought along my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 along with some mics; these are so handy for on-the-go content creation and interviews! For my outfits, I was feeling very 70’s and took my beloved Charlotte Simone with me, I love this coat because it just adds a fun umph to my outfit and makes me feel like a fashionista. Lucky for you, you can purchase one now from Charlotte Simone as her current drop is live now. I paired this coat with some dark denim jeans and a mini kilt, to give my outfit a little bit of an edge and an ode to Vivienne Westwood. I picked this one up at a local charity shop. I love layered pieces like skirts over jeans, I think it feels very fun.
For the next day of the trip, I brought my Marmala handbag, which is great for running around the city as it holds so many things, but it’s also so beautiful to wear. I had a very oversized cream blazer from the menswear section at the charity shop. I placed a corsage flower on the side of it as a brooch, paired it with my denim jeans and a Chloe-esque blouse from H&M. For my skincare, I was using my Sculpted by Aimee products, especially this Hydro Glo Serum, this is a new addition to my bag and makes my skin feel great. Inside my make-up bag was my Hildun Beauty lip balms, I adore the shade coral and don’t leave the house without it, pairing it with the Olivia lipliner. We got some glorious weather in Galway so I packed my Roxy sunnies.
ISABELLA TIERNEY
Social Media Assistant
Oh my god, I was so beyond excited to head west! I couldn’t wait to be the unofficial tour guide, showing the team all my favourite spots from when I lived in Galway. Cue the overpacking: I literally packed for every possible weather scenario. My trusty Gortex Salomons and new H&M sunnies were both obviously needed, just in case. My statement jacket was a non-negotiable. I got it at Christmas and genuinely cannot take it off, so obviously it was the hero piece for our trip. Suddenly, every outfit just looks better. On the accessories front, I’ve fully adopted my Love Beth bracelets as my everyday wrist essentials.
The beauty bag was essential. Thank you to my eczema for throwing a fit lately. Aquaphor has become my best friend. As for make-up, I’m all about the “if in doubt, blush and blue mascara… it out” philosophy. My Irish-designed Lukey Lukey Blush in Beret Berry is my favourite and the Polly Pocket packaging is chef’s kiss and because I’m obsessed with blue mascara, the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High is the perfect finishing touch. Stocked up from Boots, naturally.
HOLLY O’NEILL
Digital Editor and Beauty Editor
Not really believing the 16 degrees showing up on the weather app, I packed both sunnies – love this round tortoise shell style with wiggly pink arms from White Stuff – along with my trusty Arket workwear jacket which has a heap of hidden pockets to stash all your bits and is oversized enough to go over even your chunkiest jumper. Sarah arrived for dinner, fresh off the plane from the Oscars in LA, with a Rhode Peptide Shape for me, which I haven’t stopped applying since. Travel-wise, the Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse Face Wash is a gem for taking off all of your make-up in one go – very appreciated after a visit to both Daróg Wine Bar and Bierhaus.
EDAEIN O’CONNELL
Contributing Editor
A night away always calls for a great tote bag, and you can’t get much better than the classic Longchamp Le Pliage Original Tote in the large size. I have it in black, and it’s surprisingly roomy and goes with everything. I’ve been trying to look after my skin lately, and I find that whenever I travel, it takes the brunt. Between hotel air and one too many cocktails, dehydration wreaks havoc. To combat this, I always pack my Environ Skin Essentia AVST Moisturiser. This is the first moisturiser in the Environ step up programme and contains a low level of vitamin A. I use it every day and have noticed a significant difference in my skin. Meanwhile, I never go anywhere without my POCO Universal Glow. I will tell anyone and their mother to buy this, and each time I do, the reviews are raving. It gives the loveliest glow and has SPF 30, too. Finally, good footwear is essential when on a night away and with so much walking, you have to be smart when choosing your shoes. I love to feel dressed up, so a knee-high biker boot does the trick while still being comfortable. I have a pair similar to these Zara beauties, and they took me from day to night with ease.
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