The Irish beauty industry is thriving, with lots of high quality, sustainable and organic products available. Check out these Irish-made businesses that are top of their game
Photo: Pexel SoraShimazaki
Self-care and skin care routines were something a lot of people delved more into during this challenging year. Whether it’s putting on a luxurious face cream or getting a new perfume for a new season, we all deserve to treat ourselves and surround ourselves with products we love. As the annual Irish Made Awards kick off for their fifth year, we’re taking a look at some of the past winners and runners-up.
For 2021, we are thrilled to welcome Codex Beauty Labs as Sponsor of the Beauty Category. Codex Beauty Labs is a global brand with roots in Co Cork, through the Codex Bia range and its founder Tracey Ryan, Managing Director of Codex Beauty Ireland. Codex is passionate about supporting the Irish community of farmers and growers, using locally harvested ingredients in their formulations for both the Bia and Antü ranges.
The Codex Beauty Labs ethos: “Our mission is to blend the sciences of ethnobotany and plant biology with biotech innovation, to create a new standard within the natural space: plant-based biotech beauty.”
Deadline for entries to the Irish Made Awards is fast approaching so ensure you send us your pitch by June 7th! For details on how to enter, see the Awards page, and FAQs here.
Meet the past Beauty winners and runners-up of the Irish Made Awards:
Jo Browne: Luxury natural products created by founder Joanna Browne. Jo Browne was 2017’s Irish Made Awards Beauty Winner. Using high quality ingredients in each product, some of their most popular products are their solid perfumes and facial cleansing balms. They also use bamboo for all their packaging as their ethos is to develop premium products in a sustainable way.
The Burren Perfumery: The Burren Perfumery is a family company that produces perfumes and cosmetics from organic ingredients at a small scale. They produce quality products by hand in the heart of the beautiful Burren in County Clare, which inspires their products. A delicate floral fragrance with notes of meadowsweet, lady’s bedstraw and hint of chamomile, Summer Harvest from the 2018 Beauty winner is one to pick up for the summer.
Kinvara: The 2019 Irish Made Beauty winner was Kinvara, founded by Joanne Reilly who holds degrees in natural sciences and tropical ecology. Her skincare brand includes ingredients from natural plant extracts, minerals, seaweed and clays, which also makes them vegan. If you’re on the lookout for a hot cloth cleanser, Kinvara’s is made of 100% plant oils and contains no harsh chemicals, it restores balance and cleanses your skin gently.
Bellamianta: Last year’s winner, Bellamianta, is a beauty fan favourite. With a range of tanning mousses and lotions, to bronzing and body makeup, their super quality and nutritious formulas are vegan, non-toxic and alcohol-free. Looking for a glowy bronzed skin look for your staycation? Try out this buildable moisturising lotion suitable for all skin types, enriched with Shea Butter that helps to moisturise and restore skin’s elasticity.
The Handmade Soap Company: 2019’s Beauty runner-up, The Handmade Soap Company was founded by Donagh Quigley in 2008. The business creates natural soaps, lotions, body washes and candles that are vegan-friendly. There is a big focus on sustainability, as its factory in Slane, Co Meath is powered with hydro turbine energy from the River Boyne. Your hand moisturising routine will be a treat with their fruity Grapefruit & May Chang hand lotion.
BiaBelle Beauty: BiaBella Beauty is a luxury cosmetics and tan brand that was founded by sisters Aoibhinn, Blathnaid and their mother Susan Murphy in 2017. The business quickly became a favourite with some of the world’s biggest influencers and beauty bloggers. All their packaging is recyclable and their products vegan-friendly. Try out the Golden Filter Anti-Aging tanning mist packed with vitamins for a gorgeous face glow from the 2020 Irish Made Awards runner-up.
Hawthorn Handmade Skincare: Another 2020 runner up was the lovely Hawthorn Handmade Skincare, based on the shores of Lough Carra in County Mayo. Their skincare philosophy is simple: create skin nourishing products using natural ingredients. They are mindful of the precious landscape around them and so they stand against excessive packaging and ensure their containers are recyclable. Try this rejuvenating face balm made with sustainable ingredients that is suitable for all skin types.
Are you an Irish-made beauty business? To enter this year’s awards, send us a pitch telling us why your company and product should win. Find out more about requirements here. The Irish Made Awards 2021 are proudly supported by Design and Crafts Council Ireland and Guaranteed Irish.
