McEvoy system has make-up in the bag

Brenda McCormick

Renowned make-up artist Trish McEvoy began her beauty career at a very young age.

Born in Ireland and raised by her grandmother in Berlin, she was five when she first began playing with make-up at her grandmother's perfumery. The experience created a lifelong love of cosmetics and skincare.

At 25 she founded Trish McEvoy Beauty, and turned it into a multi million-dollar company by the time she was 30. In 1978, she opened one of America's first medi-spas, The Dr Ronald Sherman/Trish McEvoy Skin Care Centre in New York, with her husband, a renowned dermatologist.

They made their reputation by teaching their clients how to care for and enhance their skin, while offering the best in make-up and application advice. When it came to expanding, McEvoy wanted her expertise to travel with her products. To achieve this, she personally trained every make-up artist and counter person at each Trish McEvoy counter. Over the years McEvoy developed a reputation as an innovator. In particular, she introduced quality, hand-shaped make-up brushes at a time when most women were using sponge applicators. She was also one of the first to offer a customisable "wardrobe" of scents to women and the brand was one of the first to put sunscreen in products. One of the most famous components of her line is the patented Makeup Planner system, a personal organiser for products in a kit that's perfect for handbags or travel. The brand is still independent and McEvoy oversees all operations. Her collection of skincare, cosmetics, candles, brushes, fragrance, and accessories can be found in more than 200 stores in the US, UK and Ireland.

If you buy just one product: The Beauty Booster serum (€124.50) is great for giving skin a moisture kick. It contains hyaluronic acid, dual-action peptides and powerful antioxidants to rejuvenate. It's pricey but a little goes a long way.

The fans: Angelina Jolie, Judi Dench and singer Rihanna, who apparently loves the Wild Blueberry and Vanilla Candles.

Where to get it: Harvey Nichols, Dundrum Town Centre

More info: www.trishmcevoy.com