Niall Horan dropped the routine and it’s ten out of ten, no notes.
The Dyson Supersonic. Sarah Chapman serum. Cryo tools. A facial steamer. Le Labo Santal 33. Niall Horan has your dream beauty routine.
Once upon a time, your best expectations for an Irish man’s skincare routine were a 3-in-1 body, face and hair wash, or the dreaded Fairy Liquid on the bath edge that’s been going viral on TikTok. Niall Horan has been either spending a lot of time on skincare TikTok, reading IMAGE or engaging an expert to recommend products, because his grooming routine contains 22 perfect steps that add up to a tidy €1,580.97.
He shared the full routine with Vogue’s Beauty Secrets and it’s the stuff of dreams, truly. First step, prioritise self care and “always set the tone,” says Niall, by lighting a Salt & Stone Saffron & Cedar Candle, €46.32, who says he always has a scented candle with him to feel at home. The haircare kicks off with two pumps of Leonor Greyl Mousse au Lotus Volumatrice Volumizing Styling Mousse, €32.80, massaged into a freshly washed scalp and focused in the quiff; “this is where I get the big hair.” Out comes the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, €399.99, with the styling concentrator attachment working hard on the quiff to create some pretty impressive volume.
The skincare begins with a cold water splash, a trick he picked up from Lewis Hamilton and Sam Smith, and then the next heavy-hitter, Sarah Chapman Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse, €62.95, followed by Make Beauty Micro Crystalline Exfoliating Face Mask, €34, which Niall uses “maybe twice, three times a week.”
The next step according to Niall is “really important – I try to do this as often as I can” – a blast of hot steam from the Vanity Planet Senia Hot & Cold Smart Steamer, €80, Then a moment for Jaxon Lane Bro Mask Eye Gels, €28.36, “just to give the eyes a little plump,” which he’ll wear in the car sometimes, or always on flights. While they’re on, we go to what Niall says is “the biggest and next best thing” that he has “just recently found” – a quick facial massage with Hana Emi Cryo Globes, €28.53, that he keeps in the freezer or a bucket of ice if he’s in a hotel. “Out of all the things that I use, I see the most effect off these.” Then we have a spritz of Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist, €66, a blast of cold air from the facial steamer, and Sarah Chapman Skinesis Intense Hydrating Booster, €95, applied to the face and neck. Then a face oil; Osea Essential Hydrating Oil, €68.09, is pressed firmly into the face, followed by two pumps of Element Eight Q2 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrate Correct Cream, €236.35, on the face and neck. The Horans have a history of dark circles, according to Niall, who counteracts his with Ilia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream, €59.28, all around the eye area. Finally, and crucially, is sunscreen, specifically Jaxon Lane Rain Or Shine Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA+++: , €30.25, with a call to action from Niall to wear it every day, especially “if you’re Irish or have fair skin.”
The final steps are made up of key staples; Salt & Stone California Mint Lip Balm, €8.05, to prevent wind burn when golfing, two more hair products – STMNT Grooming Goods Matte Paste, €27 and Balmain Hair Couture Standard Session Strong Hairspray, €39 – some Endseen Clairvoyant Hand Lotion, €54 for dry hands, deodorant and finally a couple of spritzes of Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum, €185, the fragrance that will be complimented upon by everyone you meet. Last step in the routine is an affirmation – “look fab, feel fab.”
If you are a man reading this and feeling overwhelmed, out of your depth and slightly insulted by the crack at your 3-in-1 bodywash, no need to panic. You do not need a 22-step routine. Let’s start off with cleansing morning and night, a hyaluronic acid serum and SPF for daytime, in that order and not at these prices. Eye masks, cryo globes and facial steamers are a fun time, but worry about getting into the routine of the basics before you start dropping €80 on a facial oil that you realise you hate the feeling of on your face. The Niall Horan routine is that of a seasoned pro, and not of a man who might on occasion have Fairy Liquid in his shower. Upgrade your regime with the basics first before you drop €1,580.97 on a routine. Or completely ignore that advice as I probably would, and shop Niall Horan’s full grooming god routine, and watch it in action, below.
Photography by Vogue’s Beauty Secrets. We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
This article was originally published in March 2023.