
Triona McCarthy: Check out the face and body treatments favoured by A-listers – and find out where to dial a home spa
Secret's Out
If you have a party to go to while you're in the UK, you need to know about Secret Spa (secretspa.co.uk), a service I use to do my hair and make-up. It provides beauty and wellness treatments in your own home – or hotel room in my case, getting everything from tan to facials and nails, to massage and IV drips – with appointments available from 6am-10pm. The service uses vetted therapists and leading brands in London, Manchester and Brighton, and it's such a good service to use if you're away for a weekend with the gals in the UK.
They're my Rock
When I'm travelling, I keep my make-up and skincare perfectly organised with Irish brand Dust + Rock The Barrel Bag (€32, dustandrock.com). The drawstring bag has loads of room for my beauty essentials and has raised sides to prevent products from rolling out. It has two inner pockets for added organisation. It's not the only product from the brand that's a lifesaver, as when I want to bring my bling with me when I travel, I always use my Dust + Rock Jewellery Wrap (€28, dustandrock.com). It stops my chains from getting tangled, and has loads of room for my rings, earrings and bracelets, too.
Glow on the Go
Why not pick up a travel pack from Irish brand Seavite and glow on the go with their Seavite Face Travel Set, (€85, seavite.com). This set features an award-winning cleanser, toning sea spray, serum, and moisturiser, all in chic, refillable packaging. Powered by organic seaweed and skin-loving botanicals, so perfect for sensitive skin.
Treat
Shimmer time
If you've been looking for a shimmer oil that doesn't make you feel greasy, then you need to know about The Ritual of Karma Shimmering Body Oil (€25.90, rituals.com) which has a whole set of sparkly new products to help you feel like you're still on holiday even when you're back home in rainy old Ireland. I love getting my glow on with this product, which is enriched with three nourishing oils, subtle pearlescent minerals and the summery scent of lotus flower and white tea.
Treatment
Fabulous facial
My bestie Mary was home from America recently, so while we were in Dublin, I whisked her away for a fab facial with the award-winning aesthetician, Elaine Butler-Doolin of Bespoke Beauty in Donnybrook. The clinic's clientele includes Hollywood A-listers and top beauty icons (bespokebeauty.ie). Mary indulged in the exclusive Cloud9 Hydra Cell Facial (€135), starting with a thorough cleanse and exfoliation using luxurious Simone Mahler products. Butler-Doolin then worked her magic with infrared light Cryotherapy and soothing cool steam, boosting collagen while banishing fine lines and enhancing skin tone. Next came a delightful Facial Sculpting massage with icy tools, relaxing the face, neck and eyes – culminating in a hydrating mask that locked in all that goodness. Mary left with a radiant glow, feeling like a true star!
Trick
Aloe cool
No matter how careful we are with the SPF and suntan lotion, someone always ends up getting a little scorched on holidays. If you or someone in the family accidentally ends up getting a bit sunburnt, this little trick can help. Just freeze an aloe vera-based gel into ice cube trays, and pop one out when you need it. It will feel amazing on your burnt skin while helping it to heal too. Just make sure not to accidentally pop one into your pina colada!
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