Triona McCarthy: Give your face a lifelong glow with high-quality and affordable serums

Pop them on BEFORE your moisturiser because they make such a difference. As I always say, serums are like stitches, they get deep down to repair the skin, while moisturiser is more like a plaster. ​

Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum, €150 for 15ml, augustinusbader.com is the high-end new kid on the block. The hydrating and lightweight formula is loaded with pure retinol that works to renew cells as well as reduce deep lines, blemishes and pigmentation. If you have sensitive skin or are just a stickler for great ingredients, this one is made without irritants, allergens, or fake fragrance.

Next up is Westman Atelier Skin Activator,  €160, westman-atelier.com. This one was actually created with leading skincare scientist Dr Raymond Park, who invented a non-prescription formula to treat and protect the skin barrier. The formula in this serum is hyper-potent and has 12 actives that work to reduce lines and hydrate. The bottle is refillable, so you’ll be doing an added bit for the environment as well.

​I heart Irish brand, Ella & Jo, which had me with its Melt The Day Away Cleansing Balm. Now, it’s added a super affordable yet really Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum, €40, ellaandjo.ie to its skincare line. It’s packed with ingredients to boost collagen and promote hydration. Wear it underneath your make-up and you’ll notice an instant difference.

If you’re a fan of Tech Powered Luxury, the podcast that merges luxury and technology, then listen up. Irish brand Seoulista Beauty has just been revealed as the sponsor for its second season. I think this is the perfect match for a brand that blends cutting-edge tech with natural ingredients. Check out Seoulista Brightening Super

Serum, €24, seoulistabeauty.com which will even the skin tone and brighten your complexion.

​Speaking of luxurious tech, for a true salon experience without leaving the house, check out this Ultrasono Device by Haumea Skincare, €229.99, haumeaskincare.com. The ‘tone’ mode uses high-frequency pulsations and negative ions to promote blood circulation and the production of collagen and elastin. So, after cleansing, apply serum to your face and neck, turn on the device and glide it in an upward motion. Now, prepare to glow.

Three of the best… Concealers

1 NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Contour Concealer €11.99, boots.ie Who says you have to spend an absolute fortune for a fab product?! You just need to be in the know! Effective yet lightweight, this long-lasting option is easy to blend and won’t leave any shininess.

2 YSL Touche Éclat High Cover €36, Brown Thomas So many people think the original pen — which defined the 1990s — was a concealer. No, no, no, it’s a highlighter. This one, though, has high coverage and even includes caffeine to wake up those peepers the morning after a long night.

3 Kosas Revealer Concealer €29, spacenk.com Wanna try a newbie? Not only is this concealer available in a whopping 28 shades, it’s also a hard worker and does much more than cover up spots. The vegan-friendly formula has caffeine and pink algae along with arnica and pro-vitamin B5 to tackle dark circles.