5 Minimal Waste Cruelty-Free Irish Beauty Products That I'm Loving Right Now

As I mentioned a while back, I have had a wild ride of utterly reevaluating consumption, blogging, and my personal responsibility to the environment. Stepping back and really looking at how I'd been going about things and taking stock for a moment made me realise that beauty blogging and fashion blogging, in the traditional sense that I had grown used to, were no longer possible for me. 

Basically, I stopped shopping except when necessary, shopped the stash of untouched products that had piled up in my house instead of going out for anything when possible, and made sure that I bought only sustainable, minimal waste items when I did need to get something. I replaced my toothbrush (once it was at the end of its life) with a wooden brush (three times by now), stopped buying traditional toothpaste (those tubes are not at all recyclable), switched to a reusable razor for shaving, and slowly changed everything that was on my bathroom shelf.

The biggest change, though, was simply not buying things. And this meant that I no longer had things to review all the time. Ergo, no real beauty posts for months beyond the less glamorous and more practical articles I have written about the experience of switching to more sustainable basic grooming options. Until today, when, after around half a year, I have finally accumulated five (the necessary minimum number for any listicle worth it's salt, obvs) beauty products worth talking about. All are cruelty-free (a pre-existing stance when it comes to products that I have maintained for years now), all are Irish (to reduce my carbon footprint and air miles), and all are made of either entirely, or almost entirely, recyclable materials. I still prefer refillable products when possible (brands, can you get on this?!) but these guys are the next best thing given the market we're in. Here are 5 Minimal Waste Cruelty-Free Irish Beauty Products That I'm Loving Right Now...

1. We Are Paradoxx Hangover Hair Elixir, 75ml, RRP €35.00

Look, I won't lie, this guy is pricey and I was totes initially suckered in by the packaging. That being said, I swear by hair oils and this is one of the better ones that I have tried. As someone who cannot go a day without washing their hair, I need the extra moisture and not only does this deliver that, but it also leaves a nice glossy finish and a lovely warm and sweet scent. It is also: "Clean, 100% toxin-free, organic + natural extracts, vegan, 90% plastic-free, paraben, perfume free, cruelty-free, ethical + sustainable, gluten-free, synthetic fragrance-free, eco-friendly, mineral oil-free, SLES + SLS free." And, as they note on the packaging, a little really does go a loooong way. Plus, come on, that's some damn cute packaging! Although I've gotten a few weird looks at the gym for pulling out what looks like a hip flask in the changing rooms...

2. Mungo Murphy's Nourishing Seaweed Mask, 20g (approx 5 uses), RRP €10.60

Admittedly, with this bad boy and it being a face mask, I haven't used it for the consistent two month minimum required before I normally talk about skincare. However, it's great! It calms the skin (and mine is currently super cross and covered in hormonal breakouts in the chin region), balances it out, moisturises, and leaves your face feeling soft and springy. Made from powdered seaweed, it comes in a small jar (no plastic in sight) and you take one teaspoon of it and add either add one teaspoon of water, natural yoghurt, or honey. I recommend honey for the consistency (water makes it very watery indeed) and to improve the experience as, I'm not gonna lie, it doesn't smell pleasant when you have it on but, if you get a little in your mouth (as I am prone to do) when it's mixed with honey it doesn't taste half bad, which makes the whole thing less unpleasant. 

3. Cloon Keen Perfumed Candle in Antique Library, 55-60 hours burn time, RRP €40.00

I actually met the Cloon Keen gang in their Galway store at an event a few years ago and got this candle as a press sample and fell in love with the warm, spicy, masculine scent. That candle was quickly used long, long ago and I decided to buy it again a few weeks ago as it had been over a year since I'd bought or had a scented candle. I allowed myself the treat and, boy, am I glad I did. My room feels instantly more elegant and cosy with this sucker going in the background. An Irish candle, rather than one that had to be imported, handmade in small batches, and packaged in glass and cardboard, it isn't going to leave too much of a mess behind or too much of a carbon footprint either comparatively. Excellent all around.

4. Inchydoney Soap in Lemon, RRP €6.00

Made in Cork, these lovely soaps are handmade by the owner, Louise, in an old cowshed on her family's farm with environmental impact firmly in mind. This lemon scented one is super-fresh smelling and is what I use in the shower, now that I have long-since abandoned shower gels and their plastic bottles.

5. Clarke's Of Dublin, Helping Hand Cedarwood & Sea Salt Soap, RRP €8.50

Going even more local, this lovely and super-clean smelling soap is 100% natural, hand poured, and hand cut using traditional methods in Dublin. It also boasts the finest natural ingredients sourced in Ireland, such as Offaly goats milk, Donegal seaweed, beeswax from Meath and Irish spring water. The Achill sea salt inside is designed to gently exfoliate. All in all, a kind of dream team combo of Irish products to make one rather excellent soap.

So, if you're trying to do your bit for our planet, you may need to slow down the consumption and make some changes but you don't have to miss out on little luxuries entirely, just be conscious and source them carefully. And in Ireland we're pretty damn lucky as there are plenty of people making some great beauty products with the earth in mind.

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The Best Scented Candles In Ireland

Oh, I know. I'm aware. It's all too obvious: I know it is rather basic of me but I do love a good scented candle.

And, Ireland, in particular, happens to produce some really wonderful ones. Here are some of my all-time favourites, all made here on the Emerald Isle, at a couple of different price points.

1. Fig & Vanilla, Paul Costelloe, Dunnes Stores, €12.00.

These candles are a long-time favourite of mine. The packaging is chic and slick and the candle is poured into a very simple glass tumbler that I have since repurposed to house my make-up brushes. Fresh from the box or empty with brushes or pencils inside, they look great on dressing tables and are really rather good value. You get a real luxe feeling at about a third - or less - of the price of a high-end candle of this size. This scent is my favourite - subtle and sweet and not at all over-bearing. I will say that more expensive candles tend to smell more potent without being too strong but Dunnes are one of the best for offering lower prices and non-stinky scents.





2. Spearmint & Sea Salt, Considered by Helen James, Dunnes Stores, €12.00.

A lot of the same boxes can be ticked as above for this offering from another of Dunnes' homeware ranges. I adore anything that claims to smell like the sea and am a big fan of this one. Again, the packaging is chic, the scent subtle and price-point is competitive. The only thing I will say is that it is so subtle, it can fade into the background and become virtually unnoticeable if you're burning it for a long period of time. However, it is still really pleasant and fresh and a little more unisex and less sweet than the Fig & Vanilla.





3. Rose Tea, Cloon Keen Atelier, €40.00.

I got gifted a sample of this last year and I love it. Sadly, this scent is never among those sold in the selection at Brown Thomas in Dublin. I have to wait until I go on a trip to Galway to stock up but it's always worth it! It really does smell like my favourite rose tea - a natural, earthy smell that isn't synthetic or over-powering at all. This is how rose should always smell - sweet but a little more complex and almost musky. There's a step up in price but also in packaging and quality. Again, I've kept the container and used it to house my sketching pencils. The mirrored effect on the outside looks nice now but was particularly attractive when a flame was burning inside and casting light all across my room. But it's not just how it looks, as I said, expensive candles smell different. They don't become background noise. They give off distinct smells that pervade the room once burned. If you like rose smells, this one is a real winner.

Sadly, this scent seems to have been discontinued now but I still highly recommend the brand and their Galway store is a place of great and quiet beauty.





4. Dublin Tea Rose, Oud and Patchouli, Rathbornes, €19.00 (Travel Size).

The lady in Brown Thomas told me that this company is the oldest, continuously running, candle company in the world. Established in 1488, this Dublin-based company is uber-elegant with containers that look like porcelain, a box that looks like something jewellery should come in and gilded lettering on everything. Again, it's a rose tea scent but, again, it is more complex and rich. In fact, I think this may be my favourite candle scent of all time. It's subtly sweet, a little spicy and really permeates through a room. I was also surprised by how long it burns for, definitely longer than was indicated on the box.

Yes, it's a bit of a splurge - the travel size cost more than the Dunnes candles that are around three times the size - but if you're looking for a luxurious Irish candle brand, this is the one!





So, maybe that wasn't quite so basic after all....I mean, I'm no nose and have none of the proper terminology going on but that's a lot of words about candles....

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Cloon Keen Atelier

I know it's rather basic of me but I do love a good scented candle. And Cloon Keen Atelier make some damn good scented candles.

You can purchase the candles and the rest of their line of products in select stores and spas, Brown Thomas among them, but I highly recommend a visit to their stand-alone store in Galway if you get the opportunity. Both the shop and the products themselves are stunning with a seriously luxe vibe that makes you feel really special and fancy. 

Through a pointed arched doorway, with gold lettering above and a plaque to the left announcing the identity of the store, you step into a tiny Aladdin's cave full of scented candles and perfumes. This tiny and charming premises dates back to 1625 and is executed in monochrome tones and mirrored surfaces that compliment and respect historic features of the building like the stonework. The packaging is, likewise, pared back and chic with monochrome boxes and labels with clean typefaces on simple glass bottles and metallic jars. 

The products rest in single file, ready for sniffing, on recessed shelves with spotlights overhead. There's no fuss, no unnecessary frills and the shopping experience is breezy with no one looming over your shoulder. You're simply left to browse at ease with shop assistants awaiting at the counter behind, ready to help, should you need it. 

You can purchase candles, perfumes, body lotions and linen sprays which come in delicious, and somewhat unique, scents such as Rose Tea and Antique Library. I'm currently burning the Rose Tea and it legit smells exactly like my favourite rose tea. I've also been impressed by the burn time and the unbelievably even way these candles burn - you can't mistake the quality. 

All the products are all macerated, poured and bottled in a perfume lab in Spiddal run by the store's owner, Margaret Mangan, so an added bonus with these is that you're buying Irish and supporting a small, fantastic business. Mangan left the film industry over ten years ago to move back to Ireland and set up the business with her husband, Julian Checkley. Originally, they worked out of her parent's garage while Mangan learned and thoroughly researched the history of, and how to make and design, fragrances. With a focus on individuality and simplicity, the company prides itself on a quality and creativity that keeps customers returning to them. 

Do go in and get a whiff if you're in the vicinity, you shan't be disappointed. 

But don't blame me if your monthly candle budget gets out of hand...

...or am I the only one with one of those...?

You can find the store at 21a High Street, Galway.

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Galway Fashion Trail

Last Saturday, I finally managed to get my butt over to the other coast and attend an Into The West Blogger Network event - and, boy, am I glad that I did! Not only was everyone involved with ITWBN great and super-friendly and welcoming, the event itself was fantastic. The very first Galway Fashion Trail, organised in conjunction with and, thanks to the help of, Galway Now magazine (who are also outstanding) saw retailers all over Galway city open their doors and welcome both us bloggers and the general public along for shows and showcases. Incredible generosity was displayed all day as we were fed, taken care of and given amazing gifts. I was really blown away by the whole experience and I have to thank everyone involved for showing us such a good time - Saibh and Sinéad and everyone else who was helping out with ITWBN, Galway Now and all of the retailers.

The day began relatively early in An Cupán Tae, who provided us with breakfast and the fuel we needed to keep going on a jam-packed day. We had their BeforeNoon Tea in their private dining space upstairs, the Serendipity Tea Room, and the whole set-up was so elegant and cute that I couldn't help but think it would be the perfect thing for starting out on a more refined Hen's or for a birthday brunch - basically for anyone else that is a bit of a Victorian granny at heart, like myself.

Next up, we headed across town to Colette Latchford's on Eyre Street for our first fashion show of the day. Colette (as well as being a name buddy!) stocks some fantastic labels including Marc Cain, Marella and Gant and while much is aimed at a slightly older demographic, there are also things that I was majorly lusting after. German brand, Oui, is, funnily enough, the epitome of French girl style and I was seriously digging their garments. Colette had picked out the cutest shirts with charming prints and cosy outerwear that had me wishing for bad weather. Basically, if you're looking for seriously chic investment pieces, this is where you need to head. The show at Colette Latchford's also included some pieces from Irish knitwear designer Heather Finn which was a nice little bonus as I'm a fan of her work.

Some Heather Finn knitwear

Then it was quickly on to the next stop, Gosh! Shoes in the Eyre Square Shopping Centre. We first had a wander around and took in the insanely impressive selection of boots, in particular. The store stocks New Balance, Doc Martens, Converse, Superdry and lots of other brands that I really like. It's incredibly well-curated. So much so that I wanted something at every turn! Their show featured shoes from the store paired with accessories from The Hat Shop downstairs, showcasing a variety of looks from the highly practical and wearable to the whimsical and avant-garde.

Rushing ever forward, we then visited My Shop...Granny Likes It, a store that stocks everything from jewellery to candles, textiles to ceramics and lots more in between! And, best of all, it's all Irish brands, including (but not limited to) Lynsey de burca, Chupi,Ursula Celano, Jenny Walsh Designs,Claddagh Designs,Liz Christy, Moth to a Flame, Slated, Aliquo,Friends and Family Tree, Rachel Mc Knight, Button Studio, Fab cow Designs,Lisa Ryder, Made Pretty, Oly Art, Cloonmore Pottery, Stephen Farnan Landscapes, Rag Button and Snow. I was seriously enamoured with the store. I LOVE Irish design and it's rare to see somewhere so absolutely chock-full of the best of the best of Irish brands. The jewellery from Isle, Arty Smarty and Kiki Na Art as well as the beauty bits from Barechic Skin were all so cool - as were the general vibes of the store - that I immediately fell in love with the place.

Then it was on to the Galway institution that is the Treasure Chest where Christmas was already in full swing with a Winter Wonderland above the floor where we were attending the fashion show. Sadly, I did not get to go up and wander but, if the entrance is anything to go by, it seems pretty damn magical! The Treasure Box is a great place to get gifts and bits and bobs but also your races and occasionwear destination. Again, I'd say much of the target audience is a little older but they really stock some pieces that perfectly suit Irish women and celebrations - whether that be weddings, parties or days out. The outfits showcased were all completed by the work of Suzie Mahony, a milliner who seems refreshingly no-nonsense and dedicated to kitting out her customers to perfection.

We then went into Hartmann's jewellery store for a goo where all of us bloggers were immediately drawn towards Maria Dorai Raj's simple silver geometric pieces which are beautifully minimalist and restrained.

Next, we moved on to Anthony Ryan's, one of the longest-established and best-loved department stores in Galway, with homeware, menswear, womenswear and clothes for kids as well. Here, they showcased their elegant selection of occasionwear for women but the show was slightly stolen by the head pieces by Caithriona King Millinery. For my personal taste, some millinery is just a little too old-fashioned and stuffy but her pieces were true works of art that had the crowd ooohing and awwwing the whole way through the show.

Then we finally made time to squeeze in some lunch as I was beginning to fade away and needed desperately to sit down for a while. We headed to Cask on Middle Street and had some quick and delicious tapas to refuel and it was only a pity that I couldn't sit for longer and really soak it all in. However, I definitely want to pop back in some time and try out some more bits on the menu - especially after meeting the chef, who was an utter dote!

Saibh had been bigging up the next stop on our tour all day. Willow is a recently opened branch of a store which, Grace informed me, was established first in Ennis, Co Clare. The Galway store is gorgeous. The décor is amazing and the stock is even better with a really cool international vibe. We're talking streetstyle, cyber-celebrity level of cool clothes. I even saw two sweaters that I immediately feel in love with and WISH I'D BOUGHT AT THE TIME. WHY AM I SO SILLY?!

Sigh. Anyway, expect more on this store later because I'm obsessed!

Finally, the sun appeared, and when we headed to the Kilkenny shop they were able to have their show outdoors, which was a nice respite from the heat of crowds indoors. After a drunken man (who appeared to be on a stag weekend) was encouraged to stop voguing on the runway area, the show began.

While in the area, we ran across the road to Cloon Keen Atelier, on High Street, who I've had a candle-crush on for quite some time now and have been eyeing up in Brown Thomas. However, I've never been able to justify purchasing one for myself. Wonderfully they provided a candle to us in our gift bags in the scent Rose Tea which smells exactly like my favourite rose tea! The store itself is stunning and I could have spent hours mooching around (despite its compact size) but it was too hectic a day for that kind of thing!

Finally, as I had to leave early, I popped along to newly-opened Muse by Dee, an adorable boutique on Middle Street. Dee's stock (and catering) really impressed me and it was really balanced - truly something for Irish women of all ages and tastes. And I was even more impressed that they also took this time to showcase some of the graduate collection of the really talented Dearbhla Joyce, who is very much one to keep an eye out for in the future.

A piece by Dearhbla Joyce

One of Dearbhla's show-stoppers!

Well, that was a whopper of a post. No wonder I was wrecked on the day! 

Thanks again to Sinéad, Saibh, ITWBN, Galway Now and all of the retailers and a special shout-out to the crew and models who must have been even more exhausted than us.

It was all truly amazing.

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