5 cult beauty staples you need for a post-lockdown upgrade

Ready to streamline your post-lockdown beauty routine in a minimal selection of hard-working beauty heavy-hitters? A lipstick-balm hybrid, powerful skincare and effortless mascara – these are the 5 cult hero beauty staples you need in your beauty comeback kit.

A does-it-all lipstick

Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge, €33

Give summer-ravaged lips a hit of hydration with Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge, an all-in-one treat for the lips. The formula has a blend of ceramides, vitamin E, SPF12, Patented Pro-Xylane and Lancôme’s Moisture Locker Complex to moisturise, strengthen the skin barrier and leave lips hydrated, protected and smooth for up to a whole 8 hours. There’s a mammoth wardrobe of 38 suits-all shades from palest nude to richest red, in no less than three finishes; a buildable glossy sheer, creamy satin and velvet matte. The colour pay off is strong, the packaging is chic as they come – as we said, this lipstick has it all.

A solid serum

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Serum, €76

Ready to commit to your skincare routine with something powerful? Lancôme Advanced Génifique Serum is a global cult hero for a reason, with more than 35 million bottles sold worldwide since its launch in 2009 and more than 10,000 5-star reviews. It’s a lightweight, revitalizing, quick-absorbing first step in your beauty routine that can be used morning and night for all ages, ethnicities and skin types. Its powers lie in activating the skin’s strength; it’s inspired by microbiome since, with a complex of 7 prebiotic and probiotic-derived extracts and hyaluronic acid for instant radiance, barrier protection and visibly reduced signs of fine lines, uneven skin texture and ageing. The delivery is genius too – a patented, self-loading dropper means you’ll get exactly the right amount of serum for your face and neck every time so you’ll never waste any.

A powerful eye cream

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux, €54.50

For a more targeted treatment for the delicate eye contour, Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux has a unique complex of 7 pre-and probiotic extracts, a vitamin C derivative and hyaluronic acid for the eye’s specific microbiome. It’s a fresh and creamy texture that instantly absorbs, giving 24 hours of intense hydration, instantly smoothening, strengthening the eye barrier and protecting against pollution. It’s also clinically proven to target the key concerns of dark circles and fine lines – after just one jar, the appearance of dark circles is diminished, and eyes appear re-plumped and more youthful.

A foolproof mascara

Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara, €33

Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara receives tens across the board from every beauty pro for formula, wand and application. The bristles are short, meaning every lash is quickly coated and easily separated without clumping and making the application foolproof and leaving lashes looking intense. The formula contains vitamin B5 and jojoba oil for conditioning lashes, leaving them supple and soft, plus its fluid, creamy and glides on thanks to emollient waxes. This makes it buildable, giving you time to build up more volume – a whopping increase of 8 times the lash volume if we’re being exact.

A mood-boosting scent

Lancôme La Vie est Belle, 50ml, €89

Lancôme La Vie est Belle is a universally adored sweet floral scent and Lancôme’s best selling feminine fragrance. Creating by three of France’s leading perfumers, it has notes of iris, orange blossoms, rich patchouli and jasmine that make it deliciously sweet.

Lancôme is available online and in stores at Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Boots and independent pharmacies nationwide.