As a skincare founder, beauty to me starts with an obsession for glowing, healthy skin. I’m deeply passionate about understanding how to achieve this in a natural way. Beauty is also about authenticity—it’s reflected in how we care for ourselves and others, in the confidence that comes from feeling good in our skin, and in embracing the natural, imperfect, and unique aspects of who we are.
What does Beauty mean to you?
On Skincare
In the mornings and evenings, I begin by cleansing with my Almond Cleansing Milk, a sulfate-free cream-based cleanser that’s perfect for my skin. It contains Pro-Vitamin B5 and Aloe Leaf Juice to hydrate, calm, and soothe, while Wild Rose Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Shea soften and nourish. I love how it cleanses without stripping my skin, and I always use lukewarm water to avoid damaging my skin’s natural oil barrier.
Next, I love using Clinisept+ Spray with Hypochlorous Acid. I spritz it on and gently press it into my skin. It’s an antimicrobial spray that helps keep my hormonal breakouts and rosacea in check. I also love the Clinisept+ dental mouthwash.
For serum, I apply Triple Level Hyaluronic Serum, which is hydrating and plumping, especially around my eyes where I tend to get dry. The multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid provide deep and lasting moisture. I then follow with Hibiscus Serum in the morning, which targets fine lines and wrinkles with its powerful anti-ageing ingredients, including neuropeptide Myoxinol™ and Green Pea Polypeptides. In the evening, I follow the Triple Level Hyaluronic Serum with Phytomelatonin Rejuvenating Serum. The serum contains a patented extract and is proven to combat five signs of ageing.
For my eyes, I use Olive Eye Cream, a light yet hydrating cream packed with Pro-Vitamin B5, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide (B3), and Aloe Leaf Juice. It hydrates and soothes the delicate eye area, reducing fine lines and puffiness. It’s also ideal for daytime use because it doesn’t pill under makeup.
For my face moisturiser, I use Hibiscus Night Cream at this time of year both day and night. It contains neuropeptide Myxoinol™ and is proven to deliver age-defying results in just 10 days.
For body moisturiser, post shower or bath on damp skin, I use my Rose Body Oil. This ultra-smoothing body oil is proven to deliver exceptional results, leaving the skin noticeably more supple, deeply moisturised, and nourished.
In the mornings, I finish with the Le Prunier Plumscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 31. I absolutely love this hydrating and clean formula.
On weekend nights, I try to treat myself to a bath with magnesium bath salts from Better You.
In Irene's Cabinet
“In demure shade on my cheeks and lips”
‘I love this as a base.’
“This is hydrating and plumping, especially around my eyes where I tend to get dry. The multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid provide deep and lasting moisture.”
“I begin by cleansing with my Almond Cleansing Milk, a sulfate-free cream-based cleanser that’s perfect for my skin. It contains Pro-Vitamin B5 and Aloe Leaf Juice to hydrate, calm, and soothe, while Wild Rose Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Shea soften and nourish. I love how it cleanses without stripping my skin, and I always use lukewarm water to avoid damaging my skin’s natural oil barrier.”
“I use this under my eyes.”
On Haircare
I’ve got a lot of hair, so I tend to only wash it once a week (and tend to get a blowdry).
It’s also quite frizzy naturally and my hairdresser, Leila Karalic, recently did a fantastic keratin treatment which lasts about three months, keeping my hair’s natural movement but significantly reducing the frizz. I will definitely be doing this again pre-summer. Leila also highlights my hair once every three months.
I’m really liking the Innersense hair products at the moment. I’m currently using the Innersense Hydrating Cream Bath Shampoo and their Hydrating Cream Conditioner. They leave my hair feeling glossy, nourished and hydrated.
I’m loving my green No4 Bonne Brosse to brush my hair!
On Make-up
I’m fairly low maintenance with makeup. My skincare brand is natural and thus it’s certainly important for me to use cleaner make up products on my skin. I love the Westman Atelier Vital Skin Complexion Drops as a base. I then dab the Vital Skin Complexion Foundation Stick which I dab on areas of the skin that need a bit of extra coverage. I use the RMS Beauty ‘Un’ Cover-Up under my eyes. I use the RMS Lip2Cheek demure shade on my cheeks and lips (i’ll apply my Pistachio Lip Balm first on my lips). Sometimes I’ll do a bit of contouring with the Westman Atelier Face Trace. I use the Westman Atelier Bonne Brown defining pencil– I can’t go anywhere without my eyebrows on 😉 I only really wear mascara if I’m going out in the evening.
On Health and Wellness
I start each day by drinking a glass of room-temperature water. I used to begin my mornings with hot water and lemon, but after attending the Vana Wellness Retreat in India, I switched to room-temperature water. In Ayurvedic medicine, they teach you not to have anything too hot or too cold, as it’s not good for your system. I take my levothyroxine as I have hypothyroidism, and I take ProbiotiX Daily 5 Live, Hemagenics (a great formula with iron and its co-factors) and ImmunoBlast (has vitamins A, C, E, D and zinc to support the immune system).
Movement is another essential part of my wellness routine. It plays a crucial role in circulating blood, nutrients, oxygen, and energy throughout the body, which boosts my energy levels, improves my mood, and helps me manage stress by releasing endorphins. While my exercise routine has slowed down since becoming a mother of two under two, I’m doing my best. I love Reformer Pilates and Barre classes, and I really enjoy a lot of the classes at Equinox.
On weekends, I make it a point to take long walks with my kids and dog, as it’s a simple yet effective way to stay active and enjoy some quality time outdoors.
On Fragrances
I’ve never been very into fragrance. However, now retailing my brand in a number of predominantly fragrance stores, I have gotten to know many fragrance founders. I truly appreciate their nose and the attention to detail that goes into their inception. The packaging by Ormaie Paris is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Irene's Directory
London:
Hair: Leila Karalic: she comes to your house and is the absolute best colourist I know.
Face: SO many:
- Guendalina the Skin Sculpter: her studio is based in Notting Hill. Guendalina specialises in her own massage , “The Sculptural Face Lift” with the addition of Buccal massage and it’s great to lift, tighten and give your face a workout.
- Jacqueline Parker: she does more ‘advanced’ treatments (such as microneedling, Hifu, Mesotherapy, Peels) and is incredible at treating acne/ breakouts. She is one of the most knowledgeable facialists I have ever met.
- Barbara Jeffrey: she comes to your house, and does the most incredible Kobido facial – the non-surgical Kobido facelift massage blends 48 different ancient techniques to sculpt the contours of the face, release tension in the neck and shoulders, and invigorate the skin.
- Face Gym: I love the Signature Sculpt for a quick face refresh when I’m short of time.
Body:
- The Spa at Brown’s team are fantastic and trained in all types of massage, including lymphatic drainage that I love.
- I also use Barbara Jeffrey who does wonderful reflexology.
Nails: I’m really liking Townhouse at the moment.
‘This is one product I can’t do without. It’s rich, luxuriously smooth to apply, and has the most beautiful scent. Not only is it a treat for the senses, but it also works wonders for my skin, leaving it soft and rejuvenated by morning.’