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
Self-care and skin care routines were something a lot of people delved more into during the last few years. 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 seventh year, we’re taking a look at some of the past winners and runners-up.
For 2023, we are thrilled to welcome Ayu Cosmetics as sponsor of the Beauty Category. Founder Suzie O’Neill is a renowned makeup artist, with a vision to empower women with the tools and knowledge to bring out their best selves. “I am delighted to be sponsoring the beauty category at this year’s Irish Made Awards,” Suzie says. “It is great to be able to celebrate so many Irish products, and we love to see all of the new innovative brands on the market!”
Deadline for entries to the Irish Made Awards is fast approaching so ensure you send us your pitch by 30 May! 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:
AyuGlo: Our 2022 Beauty winner was AyuGlo. Created by Ayu Cosmetics, the tanning brand was the first foray into skincare for founder Suzie O’Neill, who wanted to develop a false tan that felt like a skincare treatment. Made in Co Mayo, AyuGlo tan is available in mousse and liquid formulas and in two shades. Truffle extract and vitamin E help to hydrate and nourish the skin, and the fast-drying tan has a natural guide colour that doesn’t transfer to clothing. The tan has a unique scent, a mix of rose, iris, geranium and peony. It is vegan-friendly, safe for use in pregnancy and suitable for sensitive skin.
The Handmade Soap Company: 2021’s winner was also 2019’s 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.
Bellamianta: 2020‘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.
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.
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.
BiaBelle Beauty: BiaBelle 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.
