Louise McSharry: The best products for your 40s and beyond

I knew her range, Trinny London, was incredibly successful, and that she had an incredible online following of women who adore her, but I didn’t really know why. Then 15 minutes into lunch, I found myself having a deep and meaningful heart to heart with her and realised I was fully under her spell.

Watching her interact with customers in Brown Thomas enlightened me further to her appeal. She is profoundly honest, just as she was on TV. Now, though, there’s a warmth and empathy, and her genuine care for the women who queued to speak to her was obvious.

When I asked her why she chose to enter the beauty space rather than fashion, where most people would have expected her to go, her answer represented that care. Clothing has an edge, and it sometimes betrays you. Sometimes the jeans don’t fit, or the dress doesn’t suit, but beauty products are for everyone.

This ethos is at the root of my love of beauty too. I’ve seen the transformative powers of a product — the joy a red lip can bring, or the pep in someone’s step after they have their make-up done.

Now that I’m in my 40s, though, it’s interesting to see myself being erased from a lot of beauty content, despite the fact that women my age and much older are still vibrant and passionate and, frankly, have money to spend. Trinny London is speaking directly to us.

Of course, the brand is not the only one making beautiful products for women beyond their 40s — here are some of my faves:

1. Trinny London BFF SPF 30 Cream (€48 via brownthomas.com) — Sun protection is absolutely vital for people of all ages, both in terms of our skin’s health and its appearance. This product offers protection, and a glowy tint, leaving you looking healthy and fresh. It also works well under foundation, if you like extra coverage.

2. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Cream Makeup SPF 15 (€47 via boots.ie) — This cream foundation does double duty as it delivers beautiful, hydrated coverage and ceramides to improve the skin’s barrier and leave it looking firmer and plumper. As we age, the quality and quantity of our natural ceramides deteriorate, so we could all do with a little extra help.

3. Jones Road Miracle Balm (€42 via jonesroadbeauty.com) — While older women may naturally lean toward matte products, there are few things more youthful than a little sheen. This product, by Bobbi Brown (formerly of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics), was developed with older people in mind. Simply pop some on your lips or cheekbones for a new lease of life.

4. Sculpted by Aimee Shape & Set Brow Duo (€23 via sculptedbyaimee.com) — As we get older, our eyebrows lighten and thin, leaving the face with a little less structure. Fortunately, they’re relatively easy to fake with products like this one. Simply use the pencil to fill any gaps or enhance the shape, and then set the brow hairs into said shape with the fixing gel. Light Blonde is the perfect shade for grey or white hair.

Buying Irish

Irish brand 14 Day Manicure has been a game-changer for me in the summer, by making it easy to give myself a lasting gel pedicure at home. While I stick to the salon for my hands, my toes are for me and me alone, and being able to apply a polish which will last weeks in the privacy of my own home is a dream. The brand has just launched a low-irritation collection called Gentle Gels, formulated without ingredients like Hema, TPO and TT, which tend to be at the root of problems in those that don’t respond well to gel manicures. Gentle Gels are available in 83 individual shades (€10 via 14daymanicure.com) or with an at-home kit (from €89 via 14daymanicure.com), which has everything you need to get started.

Something old…

I’ve loved Aveda products since I got my hair cut in an Aveda salon when I was 12 and felt like a sophisticated grown-up. They smell great, they work well and all of their products are plant-based and always have been — long before it became trendy to do so. Aveda’s Be Curly range focuses on hair with ‘curls, coils and waves’, and aims to reduce frizz, hydrate and strengthen. Be Curly Curl Enhancing Hairspray (€18.90 via avedastore.ie) is a flexible-hold hairspray. It enhances the hair’s texture via wheat protein and organic aloe, which expands when the hair is wet and then retracts as it dries. You’ll be happy to hear it doesn’t leave the hair crunchy or flakey, but does add to your curls’ staying power. And, of course, it smells absolutely gorgeous, like a citrus dream.

... Something new

If I was going to a desert island and I could bring only one haircare brand with me, it would be Bouclème. The curly haircare brand was founded by Michele Scott-Lynch, who had spent her teens and 20s battling her hair and trying to make it straight. After having two daughters and watching them grow up with similar feelings, she realised that if she wanted them to love their curls, she had to love hers too. Bouclème was created with that mission in mind, building people’s confidence in their natural texture. The result is products which work brilliantly to help curls and waves look their best. The brand’s latest launch is no different. Flexible Hold Hair Spray (€27.12 via cultbeauty.com) helps with volume and hold when applied as the last product in a curly routine, or to restore oomph to the curls throughout the day. I found this absolutely made my curls last longer.