How has your skincare regime changed over the years? What do you buy again and again and what beauty ideas have you ditched? May Ciaran, founder of Ionic, an Irish brand producing silver-infused mulberry silk pillowcases, reflects on her beauty routine.
I’m addicted to SPF – I wear it all day, every day. AlumierMD Clear Shield is my go-to, because I’ve got blemish-prone skin.
A brow pencil is another must-have. I grew up in the early ’90s, so over-plucked. Luckily, I still have some left, but there are some casualty spots.
I love that I look like both sides of my family, that my features reflect both sides equally. I can identify parts of me that look like my dad, who is Black Nigerian, and parts of me that look like my mum, who is white Irish, and my aunts and uncles on both sides.
Over the years, my beauty routine has changed to become a lot more skincare than make-up focused. Before, I was all about the make-up. Now I’m much more concerned about the health of my skin.
I’ve been sleeping on a silk pillowcase for nearly five years now. I’m not against the signs of ageing, but I’m not going to give them a helping hand! It doesn’t pull out the moisture from my skin and it doesn’t give me any of those sleep creases.
Growing up, my beauty icon was Naomi Campbell. As a child in the ’90s, the supermodel phenomenon was still very much roaring everywhere. There weren’t so many Black supermodels, so she stood out to me. And we have the same birthday!
My morning routine is very simple. I’ll spend a few minutes reading or listening to an audiobook and then I’ll usually meditate for about ten or 15 minutes using my Muse headband. It records your brain activity and your heart rate, so you can see how settled or unsettled your mind is, and you can choose a meditation that’s most suitable in the moment.
I love a glossy lid. For autumn, I’ll go with an auburn or burgundy shade on the eye, and then a gloss on top. I use Danessa Myricks Colorfix Glaze in Clear.
I have no loyalty when it comes to concealers and mascaras. Right now, I like Maybelline Sky High.
Every time I get my hair braided, I feel beautiful. I’ll get it braided if I’m going on holidays or for a special occasion.
My haircare routine is really simple. I’ve gone from ten products down to just three. I use a clarifying shampoo every five to seven days followed by a protein-free conditioner, both by OrganiGrowHairCo. Preservative-free, they’re actually so fresh you have to keep them in the fridge. They work really well for my hair.
Maybelline Sky High Mascara, €8.36. GrowPoo Clarifying Shampoo, from around €23.50. Muse meditation and sleep headband, €379.99
By Megan Burns and Nathalie Marquez Courtney. This article originally appeared in the Autumn issue of IMAGE Magazine.
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