Louise McSharry: Catch up on the latest makeup gems to hit the market

I’ll start with two products from a brand anyone who watches beauty content on TikTok will be familiar with: Kosas.

This LA-based brand is hugely popular and it’s easy to see why. The products are all built around the ‘clean girl’ ethos of being as ‘natural’ as possible. This means they’re cruelty-free and have botanical-heavy formulas while leaning away from synthetic ingredients.

Personally, I don’t have any issue with ‘unnatural’ ingredients in my beauty products, what matters to me is if they work. Kosas’ products really do. Their focus on developing skincare-makeup hybrids is successful and the price point is excellent compared to much of the beauty market.

Until recently, Kosas was tricky to get in Ireland, but it’s now easily available through Space NK. I’m particularly into the Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25 (€40 via spacenk.com), which feels like a nourishing skincare product when you apply (probably because of the inclusion of niacinamide, squalene and hyaluronic acid) but offers a surprising level of coverage without ever making your skin look like anything but skin.

Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss (€23 via spacenk.com) has barely left my hands since I got it. My lips have been chronically dry since I recently started a new medication, so it’s been hard for me to find anything other than lip balm which feels comfortable on them. This little guy delivers moisture and comfort, along with colour and shine, and I now want every single colour (there are eight).

Elsewhere, it isn’t often that I fall in love with a high-end mascara. I find that there are incredible mascaras available at lower price points, and their lifetime is simply too short to make it worth investing much in them. However, I was devastated when I recently ran out of YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara (€34 via brownthomas.com) in… brown. I know. I never thought I’d see the day that a brown mascara would become a staple of mine but the colour somewhat softens the incredible length and volume this product provides, leaving you looking feminine and pretty. I will be repurchasing.

Armani Eye Tint in 22M/Deep Nude (€34 via brownthomas.com) is another product I’ve picked up four or five times a week since I got it. This liquid shadow is super easy to apply and blend out, and works beautifully on its own (especially for the green or blue-eyed, thanks to its warm undertones) or under other shadow.

I like to wear it under a matte grey shadow for a smokey-eyed effect. I find using a grey rather than black softens the look, which can sometimes be a bit harsh, especially as I get older.

Vieve The Ninetease Palette (€52 via brownthomas.com) is full of beautiful matte greys, along with gorgeous silver shimmers, should you be on the lookout for a new palette.

Lost in Translation

‘Glazed eyeshadow’ is the latest beauty trend to take off, and no, it’s not miles away from the ‘glazed nails’ trend popularised by Hailey Bieber. The look simply entails wearing a shadow that sparkles in such a way that it appears wet (or glazed). Charlotte Tilbury Hypnotised Pop Shots (€30 via charlottetilbury.com) are ideal for this look, as are Pat McGrath foil shadows (as included in the brand’s palettes, from €59 via patmcgrath.com). As with all shimmery shadows, your fingers are the best tool for application.

Something old…

We’re not going back very far in history, but the innovation of super glossy products which feel like a balm while delivering colour is relatively new. Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm (€40 via brownthomas.com) was one of the first to blow people’s minds on this front, and it remains a star-player. Gloss is back in a big way, and makeup wearers are determined to have their lips shining — however, these days they’re not willing to sacrifice comfort for it. This product is hydrating and comfortable to wear, but also delivers high-shine and high impact colour. As a brand, Hourglass’s commitment to being entirely cruelty-free while creating innovative and high-performing luxury beauty products is admirable. Their success shows they’re putting their money where their mouth is.

... Something new

YSL Rouge Volupté Candy Glaze (€40 via brownthomas.com) launched late last year, but it’s having a major moment now thanks to TikTokker and all-round Gen Z superstar Alex Earle. Earle recently posted herself raving about the product, and now it’s the only lip product people are talking about. Offering the look of a lip gloss with the comfort of a balm, this little guy includes 78pc caring ingredients like vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, pomegranate extract and cold-pressed mango oil. It smells like mango too, and is beautifully packaged in classic YSL beauty packaging. Candy Glaze comes in 12 shades, which give you the option of a wide range of colours that also deliver when it comes to pigment.