Our columnist is feeling pretty and it’s all down to a few essentials and some trusty professionals
I’ve been watching The Summer I Turned Pretty with Mini, my 10-year-old, and her bestie Biba, and yes I get far more ‘emosh’ than they do #teambelly. Anyhoo, it got me thinking about The Season I Turned Pretty. After hitting the big 50 and entering the madness of menopause, honestly, I felt like I fell apart, so I’ve done a few things to, eh, turn pretty! Something I’ve learnt as I’ve got older is you need to invest in people over products – let me show you how.
Fitness Fun
Having always hated exercise, I finally found someone that makes me come back. Every single week. Sometimes twice a week! Jessica Kavanagh is a genius. Not only is she a personal trainer with her Rathmines studio Inform Fitness (informfitness.ie) but the grit and determination she shows competing worldwide as Ireland’s first IFBB Bikini Pro is iconic. While I won’t be doing that any time soon, I love that she understands that everyone needs a different approach to their fitness and a tailored nutrition plan.
Toothy Tri
With my great advanced age, my teeth decided to move around so I had to embark on my Invisalign ‘journey’, as the kids call it on social media. I had heard great things about Seapoint Dental Clinic in Dublin (seapointclinic.ie) and my relationship with the clear plastic braces began. I have to admit I found it hard to start as you have to leave them in for 22 hours per day, but I’m on it now. I can’t wait to dazzle you all with my smile.
Bloomin’ Good Botox
While looking after my skin with suitable skincare for texture and tone, Botox is the business for that extra bit of better. I’m a big believer in doing your research and finding the person that’s right for you, especially when it comes to injectors. Sisters Jane and Katherine Mulrooney (drmulrooney.com) have helped me hold back the tides of time. They’re both doctors and skilled in cosmetic procedures.
Hair We Go
A great cut can take years off you, so I go to the amazing Christian Shannon at Brown Sugar (brownsugar.ie), who knows exactly how to give me the perfect cut to flatter my face shape. He convinced me to cut my hair shorter a few years ago, which gave it much more body and made it much easier to manage.
Elta MD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50, €60, instituteofdermatologists.ie
Super SPF
It was Professor Caitriona Ryan from the Institute of Dermatologists that turned me onto Elta MD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 (€60, instituteofdermatologists.ie), which is a lightweight SPF that helps to even out skin tone and is non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
Poco Beauty Skintuition Foundation, €32, pocobeauty.com
All About the Base
Cher sang If I Could Turn Back Time, and a great foundation can take years off you. I’m enjoying Poco Beauty Skintuition Foundation (€32, pocobeauty.com) at the moment. Pippa O’Connor Ormond’s foundation is basically skincare with coverage so it nourishes your skin from within. It also evens out skin tone, smooths texture and strengthens the skin’s barrier.
Mind Yourself
The most significant glow-up for me lately has been BTL Exomind (€500 a session, ailesburyclinic.ie). It uses magnetic stimulation on the brain and helps with anxiety. As someone with ADHD in menopause, let me tell you, it works!
Westman Atelier Petite Petal Edition Set, €82, shop.cashelpalacehotel.ie
Boutique buys
I love dropping into The Boutique at Cashel Palace Hotel on our way to West Cork, as they have a fabulous retail space with an emphasis on wellbeing. It stocks great items, such as the Westman Atelier Petite Petal Edition Set (€82, shop.cashelpalacehotel.ie) with mini blush, highlight and lipstick.
Lifting the lid
Blephs are the new Botox! Blepharoplasty is a type of surgery that repairs and corrects drooping eyelids, puffiness and undereye bags by removing or repositioning excess skin, fat, and muscle. If you’re getting your eye lids done, make sure to schedule your Botox appointments wisely. It’s better to let Botox wear off so the surgeon can accurately assess your natural brow and eyelid position for optimal surgical results.
Triona McCarthy lets us in on her secrets to staying pretty. Photo: Gerry Mooney
Triona’s budget friendly beauty buys
Fab facials
I love a word-of-mouth recommendation and that’s how I found Agne at Absolue Skin (absolueskin.ie) on Upper Pembroke Street in Dublin. Her facial sculpting massages are fabulous, and they range from Kobido (from €100) that boosts circulation, releases muscle tension and improves fine lines, and another more intensive one called the Reconstructive Facelifting Massage (€145) that aims to restore symmetry and reshape the face.