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Going all out on pampering at home

With money tight and regular salon visits no longer attainable for many, these are essential kit items for home manicures, pedicures and facials, says Aisling Keenan

Celluma's LED – LED light therapy has been shown to improve a variety of skin conditions
Celluma's LED – LED light therapy has been shown to improve a variety of skin conditions

FACE

Celluma LED (price on inquiry at Floraison, floraison.ie)

For a real in-clinic feel, treating your skin to some light therapy will do wonders no matter what your skin concerns are. LED light therapy has been shown to improve a variety of skin concerns and conditions, including eczema, mild to moderate acne, psoriasis, keratosis and rosacea.

Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Liquid Peel (€32)

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With 2 per cent salicylic acid and a blend of 10 per cent AHAs (lactic, mandelic and azelaic acids) this peel exfoliates, resurfaces, brightens and clears the skin. Great news, right? Except, I hear you say, for those with skin prone to breakouts. A higher acid concentration isn’t always for the best, but this one has been made with that type of skin in mind, making it ideal for home use.

Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Liquid Peel (€32)
Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Liquid Peel (€32)

Spotlight Oral Care Diamond PAP Teeth Whitening Powder (€22.46)

If there’s one thing I’m screaming about to anyone who’ll listen this winter, it’s the latest from Spotlight. You simply dip your toothbrush into the powder, coating the toothpaste already on the brush, and brush away as normal. It doesn’t add yet another thing to do to your ever-growing to-do list, and yet you’ll end up with whiter teeth. A real winner.

Spotlight Oral Care Diamond PAP Teeth Whitening Powder (€22.46)
Spotlight Oral Care Diamond PAP Teeth Whitening Powder (€22.46)

HAIR

K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask (€59)

Taking another step closer to real, long-term hair health is possible with the raved-about progressive treatment that is K18. With 10 years of tech pumped into it, it’s worthy of the (mountains) of press and influencer love it receives. Leave it on towel-dried hair for four minutes before blow-drying and watch as you unveil the healthiest-looking hair of your life.

K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask (€59)
K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask (€59)

LanaiBLO hair dryer (€104.99)

So many salons use these now, which says a lot, but also… look how pretty! The LanaiBLO hair dryers are available in many colours now, but my picks would be the emerald green (new for Christmas 2022) or the classic white one. The cord is extra long and drying time is noticeably shorter than with most other dryers I’ve used.

.LanaiBLO hair dryer (€104.99)
.LanaiBLO hair dryer (€104.99)

BODY

Voya Exfoliating Body Brush (€22)

A gentle and effective way to get full-body softness is to use a body brush on dry skin before you shower and moisturise. It helps remove dead skin cells and encourages lympathic drainage by increasing blood flow and getting your circulation going. Granted, having it done as part of a spa treatment is nicer, but failing that…

Voya Exfoliating Body Brush (€22)
Voya Exfoliating Body Brush (€22)

Seoulista Beauty Rosy Toes Instant Pedicure (€8.99)

Look, nothing is ever going to replace the sheer hard labour and mechanical effort of a good in-person pedicure, where various tools are employed to hack away at dry skin, callouses and whatever else lurks on our extremities. But making your feet feel temporarily lovely and soft? Why not? These are a nice addition to any at-home pamper session.

Seoulista Beauty Rosy Toes Instant Pedicure (€8.99)
Seoulista Beauty Rosy Toes Instant Pedicure (€8.99)