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New and Spectacularly Improved: Colorsport Eyelash & Brow Dye Kit

/ brightandbeautyfull / 19 Comments

In between HD Brow sessions at Carter Beauty, Blackrock, I daren’t try to tweeze because I am useless at it, but I do find that a dye job goes some way to keeping the look going without too much drawing-on-the-brows error. I hadn’t been terribly impressed by Colorsport the the first time I tried it; I gave another brand a go, which shall remains nameless {okay, not: 1000Hour} and disliked it mightily. It didn’t mix up well at all, and I ended up sacrificing a lip brush to use as an applicator.

I was on the hunt for yet another brand to try, but there is a dearth of brow dyeing kits in Ireland — dare I say, the world? Googling comes up with nothing. SIGH. I found myself, as I often do, in Boots and thought I’d trust the packaging — IMPROVED & FASTER FORMULA — and give their Dark Brown dye another chance.

Glad I did! Look:
COLORSPORT 30 DAY KIT

Thank you, genius, who thought that an actual mascara wand would be a good idea. Seriously! This makes it fairly foolproof — a designation I almost proved false, as I was going to take out the paper things and start mixing up the stuff for the bottle with the stuff from the tube in that little well, until it occurred that perhaps the instructions might best be consulted…

Right. Those papers are for when one dyes one’s lashes. Otherwise, this now could not be simpler, and less messy: apply the Eyelash Colour Solution directly to the brows with a cotton bud {or pad, if you’re me}; then, squeeze some of the Eyelash Contour Gel onto the wand, and brush it on. My first squeeze was, er, robust, and I got enough for a brow and a half, so easy does it.

One thing that is unclear is how long you are meant to keep it on, and how you are meant to remove it. Not great to be desperately scanning the directions when you’ve got this stuff working away. Somewhere it said 2-3 minutes; I’ve just looked back and actually can’t find that information again. Really not great!

I decided that the time it took to take a couple of photos was long enough.

30 DAY BROW DURING

Insert Groucho Marx impression *here*

That mascara wand applicator is the biz. I coated every single hair.

30 DAY BROW DURING 2

Lydia, oh Lydia, oh have you met Lydia…

Just about there ^ I started getting worried that it was going to be too much…

30 DAY BROW ACTUALLY AFTER

Nope, not so much! I mean, I could have groomed them before I went deliriously snapping away, but honestly, that’s exactly what I was looking for.

So, no messy mixing up of the two potions, and this dye job happened in 1/5th the time it took in the unimproved and slower version. Sold!

! I did it AGAIN: ‘before’ pictures might have come in useful! Argh!

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€8.50; also comes in black.

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Snap! Judgement: Pixy Soothing Body Balm

/ brightandbeautyfull / Leave a comment

First thought: This is only small.

Second thought: Smells nice, though.

Third thought, as applying to skin: Ohhhhhhhhhhh — !

PIXY SOOTHING BODY BALMI like me a balm, but find that on the bod, they can be a bit greasy. This has all the qualities of a balm, and finishes with a glow, but it doesn’t feel at all slimy. Its mousse-y texture feels very, very gentle, and you absolutely don’t need all that much to get excellent coverage.

I feel itchy all over just thinking about wintertime: this is a combination of both cocoa and shea butter, which just sounds like a total itch-buster. It’s also got calendula, ylang ylang and lavender oil in there, which contributes to its balm-y qualities, and its lovely fragrance.

I am sold on this little tin of goodness, and am sure it is a future candidate for an I Used It All Up post…

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€12.99; free delivery in Ireland for orders over €10!

http://www.pixy.ie

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Déjà Vu All Over Again: Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer

/ MANY BRAVE FOOLS / 1 Comment

Here I was, posting away, when it occurred to me that I’d already written about the blandly desginated, but oh-so-shiiiiiiiny 250.

*Searches own blog*

Dammit. Well, the prices &tc are here, but better photographic representation of the shiiiiine are below.
ARMANI GLOSS deja vu

ARMANI GLOSS redux

If anything deserved to be double-posted, it’s this.

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€25.50/£23.50/$29

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B&B! Q&A: Emer Gillen, and Ten Years of Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

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EMER GILLENEmer Gillen is originally from Sligo; based in London for the last four years, she trained as a beauty therapist in the Georgina Price College of Beauty Therapy in Galway. Having had an equal passion for spa therapy and travel, she pursued the opportunity to work on a cruise ship with Steiner Leisure Ltd. “This was my first introduction to Elemis products and treatments, and was where I made such a strong connection with the brand,” she explains.

She was part of the management team that launched the Spirit One Spa when it opened in the Radisson Blu, Galway, and considered it a natural progression to join the Elemis training team 8 years ago as an International Trainer. “I have such a varied spectrum of responsibilities with my role,” Emer says, “from spa, salon and retail courses, alongside working with our Elemis Day Spa, SpaSpecialist and British Airways Travel Spa teams. Globally, I work closely with our distribution teams developing their training divisions and I also present Elemis on QVC UK.”

Emer took some time to talk about a mainstay of the Elemis brand, followed by my review of the Spirit One experience…

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ELEMIS PRO COLLAGEN ANNIVERSARY EDITION
It’s the 10th anniversary of the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, and I think it says it all in the name. Can you talk about the properties of both the collagen and the marine aspect, and how they are so effective in anti-ageing?
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is about working with the skin’s natural functions to assist in improving collagen and elastin production, which leads to stunning long-lasting results.

The results really speak for themselves: the Marine Cream has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth by up to 78%, and increase hydration and moisture levels by up to 45%.

The composition of the cream challenged traditional anti-ageing skincare by combining ground breaking natural marine ingredients Porphyridum and Chlorella seaweeds along with Padina Pavonica, which is central to the cream’s activity; a fan shaped brown algae, it is handpicked daily by scuba divers from the temperate waters of Malta, and left to dry under the sun’s warming rays. This dynamic anti-ageing cream gel helps to dramatically increase skin elasticity, suppleness, firmness and hydration levels.

How does the new cult fave Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm complement the cream, and how does it work?
Make-up, sweat and pollution build up in the layers of the skin. Oils and waxes are naturally compatible with sebum, easily breaking down excess pore blocking oils. Theses oils and waxes protect the skin from being stripped of its natural lipid layer and essential skin protection. Make-up micro particles left in the skin result in a long-term dulling of the complexion and may also lead to other skin problems.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is a beautiful texture for an exceptional treatment experience, preparing the skin brilliantly which complements Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and enhances its anti-ageing effectiveness.

Cleansing balms seem to be all the rage at the moment. What are your top tips for using a balm?
Scoop a small amount of Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm with dry fingertips, and massage directly into the skin. Then, wet the fingertips and continue to massage as the balm transforms into a beautiful milk. Remove with a very warm cleansing cloth, both morning and evening.

For a special treatment, smooth a generous amount over the face, neck and décolleté with dry fingers. Massage to warm the skin and loosen the balm. Leave for 10 minutes. Hold a very warm, damp cleansing cloth over the skin, practice abdominal breathing and inhale the exquisite aroma. Gently wipe away.

The Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift facial in Spirit One Spa was gorgeous. How do people go about designing facials, and what are the specific benefits of this one?
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Facial for fine lines and wrinkles was designed by Noella Gabriel, Director of Elemis treatment and products development. Through Noella’s vast industry expertise, and therapy background, this treatment was developed to deliver a results-driven sensory experience for the client.

The Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Facial allows you to experience the ultimate in scientific skin therapy. It’s an advanced anti-ageing facial, clinically proven to reduce the number of wrinkles by 94% and improve skin firmness by 57% after just one treatment. This anti-aging face and eye treatment helps to protect against the signs of ageing, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face and restructuring the eye contour. Specialised lifting massage techniques are combined with Elemis anti-ageing products for maximum treatment efficacy.

Looking over the protocol for the facial, I notice that there are loads of essential oils used — lime, rosewood, tea tree, to name a few. Can you talk about the brand’s use of such ingredients, and what the benefits are?
Each Elemis product and treatment takes you on a sensory journey and the Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Facial is no different. The use of Lime, Lavender and Rosewood Essential Oils which are anointed onto luxuriously warm mitts or facial compresses are used to enhance the aromatic experience of the Elemis facial. We understand the emotional and physiological response that aromatics have on our wellbeing, and so essential oils, herbs and fruits play an integral role in the fragrance pyramid of each unique product.

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So, how was it?

Spirit One Spa is like a little fairground of therapeutic possibilities: you’ve got your sauna and your steam room, and your bowl of ice to really get those pores breathing, but there are also loads of marble beds upon which to recline, and the Sabia Med, a beach room in which you can lie on sand and relax, from a simulated sunrise to sunset. The spa is also very popular, and was rather busy the day I was there to avail of its benefits — benefits that were somewhat diminished by the chattery hen parties that were roaming about the place. Save it for the pub, ladies, seriously. Manners! One would encourage the staff to gently enforce the rule of silence. It’s only fair.

Once the hens went on their way, the place achieved the kind of serenity it aims to provide. And once I was lead away to enjoy my treatment, it was like being transported to another world. A world of seemingly endless double-cleansing, toning, exfoliation, massage… and every Elemis product known to woman. Okay, not every, but all the best ones.

As mentioned above, the use of essential oils in tandem with the glorious signature scent of the products was almost enough to send me into bliss, just on their own. It all started off with a  Hot Lime Foot Cleansing and Thai Foot Ritual, and progressed through the use of Japanese camellia oil, rosewood, more lime, and lavender, this last in the form of an eye pillow that did its work whilst I received a hand, arm, and décolleté massage.

It’s amazing how relaxing it can be for the face when your hands are getting a good going over…

Amongst the products used were, of course, the piéce de resistance of the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, but also in play was the Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Serum, the Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Peel Off Mask and the Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment. And the Eye Renewal. And the Wrinkle Treatment. And the Rehydrating Ginseng Toner! This too is like a little fairground, a little fairground of renewal and utter, utter relaxation.

The best thing was that, even after a night of gorgeous food and plenty of bubbly, my visage was not ravaged. In fact, the glow lasted the guts of a week, and as ever, my make up looked all the better for having had the canvas primed, as it were. Nothing like several hours wrapped in a spa robe and a fab facial to put all things right in the world.

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The Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Facial is 1 hour 10 minutes, €95.00. See spiritonespa.com for details

spirit one spa, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Galway, Lough Atalia Road, Galway, Ireland
T: +353 91 538 462 

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ALSO: Some of the best sushi ever is available at the Radisson Blu’s Japanese restaurant, RAW: sushi in the sky. SERIOUSLY. And I have enjoyed sushi in both NYC and LA (admittedly not in Japan) and both of those places have the best sushi, but this sushi in Galway not only holds its own, but also beats the competition! Seriously!

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Pretty In: NYC Appelicious Glossy Lip Balm, Pink

/ brightandbeautyfull / 1 Comment

This was on the Bitchface of the Yesterday, whenever that yesterday was, and it deserves a post of its own. Is so pretty:
NYC Applelicious Pink 1

It’s so light, too and yet the pigment is robust, and it feels like a balm even if it looks like a lippy. I have APPLELICIOUS PINKalso tried Caramel Apple which conveys the lightest layer of glittery reflection, but it doesn’t have nearly the heft of this.

Which is grand: it is a balm after all. I find coloured balms to be attractive in that they do impart both healing qualities, and a bit ‘o tint, but sometimes… sometimes you just want your cake and apply it, too. I like the soft feel of this, but also like that it looks like something as well.

Look at the little apple! That smears away fairly sharpish, but as signature touches go, it is adorbz. The apple itself is the balm-y bit, and even if it gets all covered in the outer core of colour, it still works.

Staying power? Pretty good, considering that any balm isn’t generally known to, or wanted, to linger on the surface.

These are a snip at €2.49! And perfect for the lowering weather. And again: such a pretty colour.
NYC Applelicious Pink 2

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At chemists nationwide, and other places where you’d think to find it, in fairness.

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Haaaaate Being Sick? Pukka Organic Elderberry Syrup Sorts it Out

/ brightandbeautyfull / Leave a comment

I haaaaaate being sick, and I haven’t suffered a cold in yonks. PUKKA elderberry syrupI’ve got all sorts of bits and pieces about the place – one decongestant pill in a blister pack, some throat spray, and loads of arnica due to horseriding — but I hadn’t any cough stuff, which I wanted to take as a preventive measure. If I haaaaaate being sick, the thing I hate even more is coughing in the night.

And then lo, and behold: I found a bottle of Pukka Organic Botanicals Elderberry Syrup in the press in the kitchen! I had interviewed Sebastian Pole here, and when we’d met, had not only been gifted with skincare products, but also some tea, and apparently, this!

Elderberry sounds awfully old-fashioned, and something that would pop up in a Regency romance novel — not that I’d know that for sure — and I was afraid that it would taste awful, too. It certainly doesn’t! I mean, you’re not going to slip a bottle in your handbag just in case you get a grá for a snootful, but it is pleasantly fruity, and the texture of the syrup is thick and soothing. It’s also got Manuka honey, ginger and thyme in it, adding to its pleasantness.

And it helped loads. I didn’t get a cough, even when I felt the ick migrating for me lungs, and even though its a bit pricey at €15, it is totes worth it. I’m almost back to 100% brightness, and I credit this with helping the recovery.

I may hide this back in the press, just so I don’t start nipping at it…

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Order from bodykind.ie, or check in your local health food shop.

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The Eyes Have It! And Boy, Do They Need It: New Fave Mascaras

/ brightandbeautyfull / Leave a comment

Just for the sake of argument, here’s my naked lashes.
BYE BYE EYELASH EXTs 2

And so:

CLARINS Length & Curve Mascara, €26
They look pretty clumpy in the first photo, which they really weren’t. The second image shows them to better advantage. That is Intense Brown, which you may not have thought. They look nice and black to me!
CLARINS 3
CLARINS 1

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RIMMEL LONDON Scandaleyes Retro Glam, €8.99
So fake looking, in the best possible sense!
RIMMEL 1
RIMMEL 3

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BOURJOIS Volume Clubbing Blackjack Mascara, €10.49
I heart this a lot because it is so seriously thickening.
BOURJOIS 1
BOURJOIS 2

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LANCÔME Hypnôse Doll Lashes Mascara, €28
We’ve seen this one before; in this case, I only had time to do one coat, and I think it looks pretty substantial.
LANCOME doll eyes

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Finally, here’s a reminder about the Electric Blue stuff via Maybelline Colossal Color Shock Mascara, €10.75; I wore it out into the world, and it was noticeable in ‘Ohh, like yer blue lashes’ way.
MAYBELLINE COLOR SHOCK 1

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Finally, finally, a shot I like to call Daft Noir Selfie.
DAFT NOIR SELFIE
I am especially proud of the daft shadow of my phone, and my hands holding it.

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How About A Quickie? Lancôme DreamTone Facial at Arnotts

/ brightandbeautyfull / Leave a comment

Is a 20 minute facial enough? It usually takes me a good while to relax into the vibe of a beauty room, but I am willing to train myself to let go faster, if it means enjoying a facial the like of Lancôme’s, on now through September in Arnotts, using DreamTone, the newest skin tone-evening, dark spot-eradicating product on the market. Three tones have been created to suit all skins, which mainly works, as the tone of the product itself isn’t all that overwhemling, which is a good thing. It’s a bit creamy for a serum, in my opinion, but it gives a lovely sheen to the skin while it is doing its complexion enlivening thang.

DREAMTONEThe cost is €40 against purchase, which is great, because I can totally rationalise 50% off the price of the serum {€87}; you can of course, use it against purchase of any of the products. I have to say, I’ve got my eye on the Hydra Zen Neurocalm Moisturiser, as I am very into its gel aspect, and how soothing and cooling it is on my skin.

The protocol packs an awful lot into those 20 minutes, so yeah, it’s plenty of time to do something nice for your skin…
> The facial starts with a double cleanse, using Galatéis Douceur.
> Your skin gets a thorough but gentle scrub with Exfoliance Clarté.
> The Hydra-Intense Masque follow; Sheena, my expert aesthetician, called it a ‘drink of water for your skin.’ {It felt like it.}
> A 10 minute hand massage is administered while the masque is let do its work.
> After the masque is removed, the Dreamtone is applied, also accompanied by a gentle massage.
> The whole biz is sealed with the application of the Hydra Zen Neurocalm Moisturiser.

Don’t worry about going out into the rest of the store, much less the world, with a naked face: you’ll be offered the chance to have some foundation applied, if you wish. Me, I was happy enough to go forth, glowing.

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Ring 01 404 0400 {ext 371} to book.

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O, Joy! Cicaplast Lips Barrier Repair Balm

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This image is a little fuzzy, as my hands were shaking with excitement.
CICAPLAST repairing balm

Which is sad! But I know that I am not the only lip balm addict in the world, and the evidence that La Roche-Posay are expanding their Cicaplast family is just… just beyond thrilling.

I have previously written about my love for the Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm here, and the straight-up Cicaplast Pro-Recovery Skincare here, which both served me well as regarded equestrian injuries in the past. This, I hope I don’t have to use due to extreme duress, unless it is because I have been snogging the face offa someone blisterin’ hot. Hmmm. I am feeling inspired…

This is a thicker texture than most balms, and yet it absorbs quickly, and leaves behind, yes, a barrier, one of protection and of continuing hydration. It’s got some fancy MP Lipids in it, which help to rebuild the skin, layer by layer. Because of my assiduous use of lip stuff, I haven’t had cracked, peeling lips in years, and I am willing to take this innovation on trust, and since I’ve been using this, I have to say that even though I haven’t got worst-case-scenario-mouth, the improvement in softness and suppleness has been remarkable. And! Even though I love to reapply, I haven’t had to very much, because this is so effective.

The elements are reverting to their blowy, chilly, autumnal selves, and the chapping from the wind is not something I’m pleased to welcome back. Especially when out on horseback. This little tube of wonder is set to be my go-to balm, not only to protect against the weather, but also to soothe and heal me gob for the times that I not so much forget to use it, but am hoarding it against the really cold days ahead. Although, at the price below, it’s not that much of a stretch to stock up…

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€6.50

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B&B! Q&A: Maleka Dattu, Merumaya Integrative Effective Skincare

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MalekaRecently launched in Arnotts, Merumaya Integrative Effective Skin Care is the brainchild of Maleka Dattu. Part of the team that grew the Clinique brand into the number one spot in the UK, she began working in beauty at the age of seventeen, moving through field sales, training, marketing, communications, new product development, and general management. The Cosmetic Executive Women’s Achiever of the Year in 2006, after twenty seen years in the business, Maleka decided to follow the dream, and developed her own brand.

Maleka is a charismatic speaker, and in many of her answers, gets straight to the point — the bullet point, to be precise!

What’s the first product you remember using, the one that has always stayed with you?
The first skincare range my mother bought me was from Avon — the entire range of six products for problem skin. I felt so grown up, so indulged especially because my Mum spent more on my skincare than her own. My second influence was working with Sothys Paris skincare, and their ampoules of concentrated product. That could be where my instinct for creating effective, active products came from.

Had spearheading your own brand always been a dream?
Yes. I always wanted to have my own business and it was always going to be in beauty. My whole working life has been in beauty and I still get a thrill from it every single day.

What was the first question you asked yourself when you were brainstorming the Merumaya brand? What were the defining characteristics that you wanted Merumaya to bring to the market?
> What are the USP’s? {Unique Selling Propositions}
> What makes it better than other brands?
> What do customers want from skincare?

I had flip charts up on one entire wall all headed with different topics such as; active ingredients, product line up, tag line, distribution, positioning, customer benefits, packaging, brand design, as shown here!

inspiration wall all

Maleka’s Inspiration Wall {click to enlarge}

What would be your best advice for someone wanting to start in the beauty biz— not only as a career move, but also someone wanting to start their own business?
>Be prepared to go the extra mile in every instance.
>Take on a mantra such as “‘It will do’ will never do.”
>Build good relationships.
>Be customer focused and retail oriented (vs. wholesale).
>Keep in touch with the customer and your front line sales team.
>If starting a business: allocate resources towards the customer facing initiatives. Underestimate sales and overestimate expenses so you have a buffer.
>Make sure your cash flow works and have plenty of funds available.

I am loving the Melting Cleansing Balm! Why is this a good, if not better option, for cleansing the skin, and what is different about its formula?
It is not waxy, therefore it’s easy to apply and easy to remove. You can do a double cleanse with MCB as quickly as one cleanse with a waxy formula. It is a superb formula with Sweet Almond and Echium oils, MERUMAYA Cleansing Balmand mangosteen for anti-oxidant properties. The scent makes you feel fabulous, and your skin feels soft and velvety after use. It is in a tube so portable and easy to use. You can use without the Daily Cleansing Cloths {€15.50} if you wish — I recommend with! It is a fantastic price and a little goes a long way. It is thorough and yet, gentle, and takes the chore out of cleansing, and puts some pleasure back in. What more do you need?

Any special tips for use?
If you wear face make up, double cleanse at night. The first cleanse removes your make up, and the second cleans the skin underneath the makeup. Enjoy cleansing: it is a cornerstone to vibrant, healthy looking skin. Last tip is: tell all your MERUMAYA Iconic Youth Serumfriends about it!

What other product from your line would you heartily recommend to women who want younger looking skin?
The Iconic Youth Serum is the heartbeat of the brand, and it is an essential product for every skin type. It has huge benefits to the skin and everyone who uses it at night will see and feel a difference tomorrow, and see softer, smoother, plumper, more radiant skin. Importantly, it helps to prevent further skin aging, while perfecting the existing signs of skin aging — so it’s never too early or too late to start!

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Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm €18.50
Merumaya Iconic Youth Serum €43.50

http://www.arnotts.ie

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