Louise McSharry: Embracing your greys? Here are of the best red lipsticks for you

There is no doubt that some aspects of the beauty industry are toxic, but there are some trends that are the exact opposite. Recently, swathes of women have been sharing their decision to let go of hair dye and embrace their natural grey.

I absolutely love it. My own greys are still localised to patches at my temples, but once they take over, I will absolutely embrace it.

This position isn’t entirely principled. Yes, I think ageism is rife and that seeing women embrace the natural changes their bodies encounter as they get older is empowering, but also, I think it looks great.

I think there are few people chicer than a grey-haired woman with a great haircut and an outfit that reflects their personal style. If they have great makeup — even better!

In this context, and in most contexts, when I say “great makeup”, I am talking about self-expression.

The concern most women have when it comes to embracing the grey is that they will look older than they are, or indeed, that they will somehow feel older than they do with coloured hair. Getting creative with your makeup is a great way to counter that.

A bold lip is a simple way to make a statement, and bright colours look incredible with grey hair.

Red is a classic for a reason, and there is a good one for everyone.

People with warm undertones will look great with an orangey-red like SoSu’s Te Amo (€12.95, via sosucosmetics.com), while cool-toned people look gorgeous in classic blue-toned reds like Nars’ Dragon Girl, which comes in multiple formulas depending on your preference (from €30, via arnotts.ie).

Fuchsias are also excellent against grey hair — particularly on cool-toned faces.

Lisa Eldridge’s True Velvet Carnival (€32, via spacenk.com) is an absolutely beautiful example. It’s matte but comfortable and comes in a classic gold tube.

If you’re concerned about your lipstick feathering, you may prefer something that is a bit more hydrating.

Satin lipsticks are a little more forgiving, as they mimic the natural texture of the lip. Kosas’ Weightless Lip Colour Nourishing Lipsticks (€28, via spacenk.com) are incredibly comfortable to wear and deliver beautiful colour. Deep Talks, a berry, would look excellent with grey hair.

If the idea of full-on colour is too intimidating, a tinted lip balm is a more subtle way to add a bit of colour to your lips along with hydration — they’re also much less high-maintenance.

There are lots of tinted balms on the market these days, but Clinique’s Chubby Sticks (€26.50, via arnotts.ie) are one of the originators of the genre, and they are still a brilliant product. Fuller Fig is a raisin colour that suits most complexions, and is a personal favourite of mine.

Don’t forget about blush when using a bright lip colour, or indeed any time. A rosy cheek always looks fresh and healthy and can make your look more tied together. Tapping some of your lipstick on to your cheeks with your fingertips will give you a perfectly co-ordinated shade.

Lost in translation

I was recently chatting to a dermatologist when she mentioned NAD+, an ingredient that’s apparently the latest thing in anti-ageing. Short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ is a coenzyme involved in every cell in your body’s functionality. Unfortunately, we rapidly lose it as we age — around 50pc every 20 years. Now, though, there is some evidence that restoring NAD+ in the body (topically through skincare, or through supplements) can stimulate stem cell rejuvenation, and therefore have a positive impact on the visible signs of ageing. It’s early days, but worth watching the developments around this ingredient.

Something old…

Klorane is a beauty brand that has been formulating hair and skincare products for more than 50 years. Founded by a pharmacist in the South of France who was passionate about plants’ benefits to health and beauty, the brand is still centred around what they call Pure Botanical Care. I’ve loved Klorane’s dry shampoo for years, so when I spotted their Almond Milk Nourishing Shower Cream (€8.81, via caretobeauty.com) in a chemist while on holidays in Italy, I grabbed it. Rich and hydrating, this product manages to effectively clean and nourish the skin via cupuacu butter and vitamin E. If you have sensitive or very dry skin, this product is ideal, as it cleanses gently without leaving the skin feeling dry or tight. You won’t find it in an Irish chemist, but it’s worth grabbing if you’re ‘on the continent’ this summer, or you can order it online.

... Something new

When we were in our 20s, one of my friends worked in L’Occitane. As a result, taking a shower in her house was like visiting a cavern of body wonders. It was there that I first tried the brand’s Amande Shower Oil and immediately fell in love. You can imagine my excitement, so, when I heard there was a new product in the range — and their Almond Delicious Shower Cream (€19.50, via loccitane.com) didn’t disappoint. With a whipped creamy texture, it feels luxurious without being heavy as well as having the delicious sweet almond scent I already knew and loved. It also left my skin feeling soft and moisturised, which is exactly what I want from a shower product, and why I love the shower oil. Sweet almond oil, an integral ingredient in this range, is naturally rich in omega-9 fatty acids, squalene and vitamin E, making it ideal for skincare.