We have perused countless cosmetic counters and window-shopped until we dropped, to bring you the best of beauty and what it has to offer. Here are some of our favourite beauty drops of 2021. 

As always, we like to bring you a bit of everything when showcasing our favourite finds. We have included some new drops that will go straight in your make-up bag, some skincare for glass skin this summer and ‘love is in the hair’ with a styling product from a new Irish-owned business. 

Mothership VIII: Divine Rose II Rose Chrome €130, visit patmcgrath.com

Dubbed the most influential make-up artist of all time by Vogue, Pat McGrath hits the nail on the head with every new collection. This 10-shade eyeshadow palette can be used every day. Stick to the neutral shades and light gold shimmer for a daytime look or if you’re feeling bold, try some pink shimmer on your inner corner for a pop of colour. 

Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer SPF50 €49, visit brownthomas.com

Great things about this primer: protects from UVA/B rays and offers factor 50 sun protection, blurring polymers, smooth appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a flawless base and contains hyaluronic acid for maximum hydration throughout the day. A 3-in-1 product that covers all bases.   

Tom Ford Soleil Sunlust Limited Edition Lip Gloss €44, visit selfridges.com

Hailing from Tom Ford’s newest collection, the Soleil Sunlust lip gloss is a colour-changing gloss that delivers a high-shine finish. For anyone that baulks at a gold lip gloss, don’t worry. It’s not as scary as it may seem! On application, encapsulated pigments break down to create a warm-toned rose-peach colour that is perfect for summer.

Colour Trip Sculpting Sponge €7.95, visit kashbeauty.com

New from Kash Beauty, an Irish-owned business, comes this sculpting sponge for make-up application. For best results, dampen the sponge and press your foundation into the skin for a smooth, flawless-looking base. The pointed tip of the sponge allows you to reach every contour on the face, especially around the eyes when blending out concealer to hide dark circles. 

Orgasm On The Beach Cheek Palette €49, visit narscosmetics.ie 

Nars have recently released a new collection inspired by their iconic blush in the shade ‘Orgasm’. This palette has six wearable shades for the cheek, suited to all skin tones to achieve a golden, peach glow. Top tip: use this palette for your eyes as well as cheeks. It saves suitcase space and will tie your make-up look together nicely.   

Gradual Hyaluronic Face Tanning Serum €39.99, visit bellamianta.com

Hyaluronic acid, peptides and niacinamide are the active ingredients in this gradual tanning serum which are meant to plump the skin and improve signs of ageing. Perfect for anyone who finds their tan sticks to dry skin or gets lodged in their pores. Top tip: Apply two or three drops for a natural tan or apply five drops for a darker glow. 

Correct Overnight Antipollution Treatment €55, visit neostrata.ie

Overnight treatments play a key role in the ‘lazy girl’s guide to great skin’. This overnight treatment is designed to minimize any damage from daily pollutants by little fuss and no time-wasting. It would work especially well for people who wear PPE masks all day and get breakouts as a result. 

Thalgo Spiruline Boost Energising Eye Gel €45, visit thalgo.ie

New from Thalgo’s Spiruline Boost range is this energising eye gel in the form of a compact roll-on to help de-puff tired under eyes. The ‘ice-cube’ effect helps to erase signs of tiredness and combat fine lines around the eyes. Top tip: Keep this product in the fridge for the ultimate cooling effect every morning. 

Cleansing Cloth and Cloud €12.50, visit monicatolan.com

Through the summer months, it’s important to look after your skin by double cleansing each night. Sweat, build-up of SPF and other day creams, as well as make-up, can block your pores and cause congestion. Using this two-pack cleansing cloth and cloud nightly will help remove any excess dirt lingering on your skin. These are much better for the environment too as they are reusable - remember to wash after each use.  

The Wave Styling Wand €89.99, visit bealmai.com 

New Irish-owned business, Be Almaí, has launched the Wave Styling Wand for bouncy, bombshell locks. You can set the temperature settings from 120 degrees to 230 degrees, giving you complete control over how much heat your hair is exposed to. This is a simple yet effective way of managing heat damage. Top tip: always remember to use a heat protectant, even when using a low heat setting on any hair tool.