Live beautifully: One reader’s skincare rituals and self-care saviours

Makeup Liane Wanjiru, Beauty Coach at Clarins Boutique & Spa, Dublin | Hair Saoirse O’Neill of The Sober Colourist | Photography Claire Nash

Marian Dunne (74) shares her biggest beauty moments

Marian Dunne is originally from Ballinasloe in Co Galway, now living in Dublin. Widowed 18 years, she has eight children and 15 grandchildren. She loves to walk, play golf, travel to visit her family overseas and spend quality time with her grandkids.

As part of our Live Beautifully series with Clarins, where we meet real women and hear about significant moments in their lives, we spoke to Marian about some of her greatest beauty and self-care moments. To find out how you could take part in your own photoshoot and interview, like Marian, read on.

What was the first cosmetic item you ever bought?

Nail varnish. As a teenager, I would spend hours in my local pharmacy – I was so overwhelmed by all of the different colours. I loved red in particular. And I always loved perfume, too. I think a good perfume is so important. It can help you feel good about yourself. I never like splurging lots of money on clothes but the one thing I don’t mind spending on is perfume – the kind that lingers on you all day. If you spritz a good perfume, you can feel like a million dollars.

Did your mother or grandmother give you advice about skincare or self-care growing up?

I was born in the 50s and back then they didn’t have as much variety of makeup and creams as they do now. Basic soaps to cleanse and simple face creams were all I had growing up. My mother and grandmother never really wore much makeup. However, my mother always made sure to wear a slick of dark red lipstick when she was going to mass or down the town for the messages. She was a brilliant dressmaker; she made my own wedding dress from crochet lace and silk. So, she liked to look presentable and fashionable when she could.

What part of your beauty regime is non-negotiable for you?

The one thing I always swear by is cleansing. I had eight children and as a busy mother I didn’t always get time to myself, so I loved my night time regime of cleansing my face thoroughly before bed. I’m not sure what I was cleansing off as I rarely wore makeup, but I suppose I was cleansing off baby food and sticky fingers and just the remains of the day from my face. I made it a ritual every night.

One time, after I had one of my babies, my sister-in-law brought me a gift from Clarins. I’ll never forget the beautiful yellow box it came in and the smell of freshness when I opened it. It contained a cleanser, toner and moisturiser, and it was from then that my ritual began. I remember sneaking out of the babies’ room, sinking into bed, putting my hair back and just massaging and cleansing my face. It felt like my own little pamper session and I just loved that part of my day. I tried to impart that little ritual onto my children. It’s something you have to do for yourself.

Tell us about a time you felt your most beautiful?

My eldest daughter’s wedding in 2000. Nathalie was living in Paris, she married a French man, and she came home to have the wedding in Mount Wolseley in Co Carlow, which was very dear to our hearts as we had a family home there on the fourth tee of the golf course at the time. It was a large family wedding with over 200 guests so the pressure was on to get a perfect ‘mother of the bride’ outfit. In the end, I wore a beautiful navy chiffon dress, a cream fascinator, cream scarf and navy shoes. I just felt really elegant and proud of my daughter and all my family, and I really enjoyed the day. I felt my makeup was lovely, too – I did it myself but I was so happy with the overall look.

How do you prioritise self-care in your every day life?

Now because I’m living alone, I have more time for myself. I go for walks in my local park, I play golf and go to yoga and Pilates classes every week. I love to get out into the fresh air. I’m very lucky to have a park beside where I live, with trees, streams, rivers and birds. I love listening to what is around me and feeling connected to the earth and nature – that gives me strength and power.

In the evenings, after my meal – something simple and healthy – I sit down with a good book or TV show and drink some wine and get ready for my nightly cleansing ritual. That, to me is an absolutely perfect day.

GET THE LOOK: The hero products used on Marian for her photoshoot

Calling all beauty-lovers!

We are looking for readers of Irish Country Magazine to take part in our Live Beautifully series. Enjoy a morning of pampering in the Clarins Boutique in Dublin, have your photo taken by our professional photographer, share your beauty insights and go home with a goodie bag full of fabulous Clarins products!

To put yourself or someone you know forward to be in with a chance of taking part on Wednesday 19 March, click here and fill out the form, by 10 March, 2025.

Terms and conditions apply. All readers are welcome to enter, no matter your age, background, ethnicity, ability – we want to celebrate women from all walks of life. Please note, due to a high level of interest, we may not be able to respond to all entries, although we will do our very best to. You must be available on the date of the photoshoot and able to travel to Dublin city, where it will take place. The photographs and interview will appear in an issue of Irish Country Magazine and on the social media channels of Irish Country Magazine and Clarins.