BEAUTY:WOW! AM I IN DUBLIN? in Arnotts, in Henry Street? Walking into the new beauty hall it certainly has the glamour of some of the more swanky department stores abroad. But this is indeed our own dear Arnotts, where school uniforms, multi-way armchairs and difficult-to-find baking accoutrements live happily under the same roof as fashion and fragrances. The front of the store has been totally reinvented, with the beauty department now a real destination rather than somewhere you walked through to get to another part of the shop. As for the brands, all your old friends are still here, along with some new and exclusive lines.
How about Swedish range, The Make Up Store, which chose to launch in Dublin ahead of London and New York? Yes, they’re here with their fashion-forward line of 1,600 products and a team of make up artists to help.
In complete contrast is Aussie brand Becca – famed for its skin-perfecting foundations and natural looks. Its Best of Becca palette (€65) features the cult cheek shade Turkish Rose, along with four flatter-all shades for lips and eyes.
Expert brow threading is available with Neelu White, who now has two treatment rooms in the store, as well as stocking the Mineral Essence range of natural cosmetics. Michelle Obama is such a fan of this range that she wore it for her husband’s inauguration.
The new fragrance area has delights from top brands such as Hermès, Annick Goutal and Serge Lutens alongside more familiar names. Don’t miss the display at Guerlain’s scent table; they’ve been master perfumers since 1828, and still produce covetable scents, the latest being the cheerful Idylle (€45).
Still on fragrance, stop by the YSL counter to sample the new fragrance Parisienne (€51), inspired by Kate Moss, who is also the face of the scent. The French are so taken with “La Moss”’ that the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is holding an exhibition spanning her 15-year career (from November 26th).
Luxury skincare is well represented too, and top range Darphin doesn’t disappoint. These are salon-quality products for use at home. The lavishly rich Aromatic Cleansing Balm with soothing rosewood will give a luxury feeling each time you use it. At €75, it’s expensive, but the large 125ml size will last and last. I also love the brand’s Age Defying Dermabrasion (€58), a gentle but powerful exfoliant which can be used by even sensitive skintypes.
For gorgeous moisturising, Chanel’s Ultra Correction Precision range (from €97) has been causing a big stir with its new “super creams”– the Lift and Line Repair. As always with this brand, the fabulous textures make them such a pleasure to use. Make-up specialist Yvonne Lynch, who has worked with creative director Peter Philips in Paris, is based here, so get the skinny from her on all the latest in maquillage. Continuing the Gallic theme, the Nuxe range is a personal favourite, in particular Huile Prodigieuse (€17.50). This is a dry oil multi-tasker that can be used on face, body and hair. There is also a version with a subtle golden glow for an extra special effect.
Arnotts, Henry Street, Dublin. Tel: 01-8050400
Make up Forever The brushes, as well as the face and body foundation, are excellent.
Tweezerman The best slanted tweezers. I'm trying to get Arnotts to stock their Tweezerman eyebrow gel. It's the best.
Ren Beautiful range of bath and body products – the Moroccan Rose Oil is fab.
Strivectin and Planet Skincare for Botox- free skincare solutions.
Rituals Great for keenly-priced, unusual gifts.
