FAMILY, HOME & WELLNESS €2000 + AMAZING PRIZES Muireann O’Connell On house-hunting and job security Celia MADE IN OUR HELLO SPRING IRELAND SPECIAL ISSUE WASTE NOT, WANT NOT GINO D’ACAMPO’S MISSION TIMELESS TRENCHES Celia Sexual Healing INTIMACY AFTER CANCER The perfect spring coat TRINNY WOODALL TURNS 60 NURTURING MATURE SKIN STEPS INTO SPRING IN STYLE Celia HOLMAN LEE STYLE & 44BEAUTY PICKS Travelling with friends? DON’T FALL OUT! AMAZING PRIZES Issue 8 April 22nd 2024 €3.50 (NI stg £3)
CONTENTS ON THE COVER Online... womansway.ie Subscribe... 01 4569872 Email... womansway@harmonia.ie Facebook... facebook.com/womansway TikTok... @womansway1 Instagram... Womans_way WIN WIN WIN HOME & GARDEN FOOD & DRINK FASHION & BEAUTY 54 Vegging Out: Cook veg the Italian way. 58 No Waste: Gino D’Acampo’s mission. 46 Sniffl e City: Pollen-proof your house. 48 Pretty Pastels: Decorate with girlie accents. 62 Going to Pot: Pots for every season and palette. 64 Flooded Gardens: Sort them out. 14 Seoulista Beauty: Fab beauty hampers for fi ve readers. 20 Guinot: A €500 skincare hamper. 24 EcoHomme: Six scalp oil bundles. 70 New Nordic: A €500 hair volumising hamper. 4 Celia Holman Lee: The queen of fashion talks love and style. 22 Domhnall O’Donoghue: Revisiting former passions. 26 Go Sheer: Makeup coverage gets lighter. 30 Timeless Trenches: The perfect spring coat 32 Floaty Florals: The prettiest trend. 66 Spring Garden: Jobs to do now. HELLO SPRING SPECIAL ISSUE Celia Holman Lee Page 4 25 Beauty Faves: What the WW crew use on repeat. 28 Skincredible: Tips for mature skin. 88 Dries Van Noten: His most memorable looks. Pretty Pastels Page 48 Seoulista Beauty Page 14 No Waste Page 58
Contact us: Subscriptions, email subscriptions@harmonia.ie; telephone hotline, 01 465 9872. Woman’s Way queries, email womansway@harmonia.ie; website womansway.ie. Published by Harmonia Limited, printed by Boylan Print Group, distributed by Newspread. Woman’s Way is now a fortnightly magazine. Subscription rates for the Island of Ireland are: Annual €91.00,; Six Months: €45.50; Monthly Payments: €7.58. Woman’s Way Subscriptions Dept, Units 2&3 M50 Business Park, Ballymount Avenue, D12 HP11. © 2023 Harmonia Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publishers. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations. All information is correct at time of going to press. SUBSCRIBE TO WOMAN’S WAY & DON’T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE To subscribe online log on to womansway.ie or call the Subscription Hotline on 01 465 9872 FEATURES TRAVEL REGULARS THE WW TEAM HEALTH & WELLBEING Carifi a xx FEATURES 40 All at Sea: Family-friendly cruises. 42 Ethical Travel: See wildlife responsibly. 44 Fun with Friends: How to make trips work. 16 Linda Stinson: Introducing the Bellamianta founder. 18 Ellie Loftus: Meet the Nickeze creator. 21 Muireann O’Connell: The Ireland AM star spills the beans. 86 Trinners for Winners: Trinny Woodall turns 60. 74 Running Tips: By Olympian Perri Shakes-Drayton 76 Happy hearts: Preventing heart failure. 78 Sexual Healing: Intimacy after cancer. 80 ADHD: Paying attention to the condition. 82 Ozempic Explained: The skinny on weight-loss drugs. 84 Jenni’s Joy: Jenni Falconer’s fi tness passion. 11 We Love: The WW team shares what they’re loving. 34 Entertainment: Check out our top picks. 50 You Said It: Readers’ letters and pictures. 52 Timeout: Take a break, try our quiz and Prize Crossword. 68 Knitting: Cool Celtic scarf. 71 Horoscopes: What’s in the stars for you? 73 Ask Fiona: Our columnist answers readers’ dilemmas. 91 Lend a Hand: Ways to give back. 92 Quick Fire: Flo McSweeney. 93 We Tried: Tiling the kitchen. 94 Why is This a Thing?: Cancel culture. 11 We Love: they’re loving. 34 Entertainment: picks. 50 You Said It: pictures. Hello, Welcome to our Hello Spring Special issue. If you happen to be an early riser, you can't have missed the racket the newly nesting birds kick up as dawn breaks. I love that sound. They're marking their territory, letting rivals know where their feeding patch is. The smallest of them sings the loudest, which makes perfect sense when you think about it. There's so much to love about this time of year. I fi nd with the longer evenings, I have so much more energy for everything. I'm stymied at the moment on the gardening front. A house move means that all my growing plans are delayed. But I'll make up for the temporary pause when I've a new garden to create. It's exciting to have a whole new space to make my own. All that said, the Irish weather is often at its most unpredictable at this time of year. One minute it's bright and sunny, the next we're being pounded by hailstones (and always when we don't have a hood or umbrella to hand). You'd think we'd all be used to it by now but we still complain. In this issue we've tried to refl ect all the myriad moods of this time of year. The glorious optimism when the sun makes an appearance as well as the sudden downpour that rains all over our parade. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Le grá, Publisher: Norah Casey Editor: Carissa Casey Deputy Editor: Andrea Smith Contributing Editor: Astrid Madsen Contributors: Áine O'Connor, Chrissie Russell, Domhnall O'Donoghue Art Director: Karl O’Toole Designers: Áine Duffy and Susan Conley Subscriptions: subscriptions@harmonia.ie Email: womansway@harmonia.ie Woman’s Way, April 22, 2024 Vol.62 Issue 8 All at Sea Page 40 Linda Stinson Page 16 Muireann O’Connell Page 21 Knitting Page 68
4 WOMANSWAY.IE Scintillating brothers are gone,” she says, sadly. “My other brother, Donal, died of cancer when he was 59. Leonard had Alzheimer’s, which took him in the end. He was so ill in the months leading up to it and then he was gone. My sister-in-law said to me, 'Celia, you're the last of them now'. It’s very hard and I think I’ll be sad about that for the rest of my life. I know there are much worse situations and terrible tragedies that have happened to people and I’m okay, but just as my mother used to say, ‘I get lonesome’.” Losing her mum Kathleen 19 years ago was a very difficult time in Celia’s life. Sadly, Kathleen struggled to cope with life at times and Celia is convinced that this was due to undiagnosed and untreated depression. Unfortunately she didn't get the help she needed back then. "She was my everything and is always in my thoughts,” says Celia, softly. “My mother was beautiful and incredible and life was never easy for her. With people like my mother, you love them so much and your whole being becomes worker and he retired from CIÉ, as it was known at the time. Then, all of a sudden, he got the old Alzheimer’s and he was gone.” People always heap praise on Celia and her brilliance, but she is too modest to take the credit - even if the rest of us think she richly deserves it. “No, I don't think so,” she demurs. “I will say yes, with my hand on my heart, that I’m a great old worker though.” Family is everything to Celia, and her husband Ger, two children and five grandchildren are the lights of her life. On the day we chat, she admits to feeling sad though, as her beloved mum’s anniversary has just passed. It is also hard for her as her “beautiful” brother Leonard died last year aged 76, which means that Celia is the only member remaining of her original family. “My father, mother and now my two Having started modelling at 15, Celia Holman Lee (73) still lives and breathes the fashion industry. She always looks amazing - as you will see from this gorgeous shoot - and she’s great fun and hugely entertaining. Celia and her husband Ger have a very successful modelling agency and fashion show production company, the Holman Lee Agency (holmanlee.ie). The Limerick woman is as busy as ever, between organising fashion shows and her regular TV appearances on RTÉ’s Today show, and she has no plans to retire. “It's an old saying but if you love what you do, it will never look like a job, and that’s how it has been for me,” she says. Celia reckons she got her work ethic and drive from her late dad, Jackie Holman. “He was a great man,” she says. “He was a hard “My sister-in-law said, 'Celia, you're the last of them now'. It’s very hard and I think I’ll be sad about that for the rest of my life” CeliaCelia Holman Lee tells Andrea Smith about a career and marriage that have lasted over 50 years.
IN PERSON WOMANSWAY.IE 5 continues overleaf >>
6 WOMANSWAY.IE watching them and minding them. I got great strength from that and a real empathy. My mum’s diffi culties gave me a great understanding of people who have issues.” Caring for her mum taught Celia coping skills and strategies for dealing with life’s diffi culties, and she is grateful for that now. She is also hugely grateful for the fi ve grandchildren who bring her so much joy and happiness to counteract the sadness. “Henry came along with his blond hair and beautiful eyes and helped me get through my mother’s passing,” she says. “He’s 15 now and Erika, the only girl, is 12. Ryan just made his confi rmation so he's 11 and Tommy is nine and made his communion last year. The small fella, Alexander, is six. They’re all marvellous and doing fantastic - they’re very, very good children. I love them to bits. They come over to see me all the time and they all tell me they love me.” Celia is also very proud of her daughter Cecile and son Ivan, and indeed Cecile works with her in the modelling agency alongside Ivan’s wife Asta. Celia has been with her husband, Ger, for 56 years and they live in Limerick with their labrador dog, Argo. They met when she was 16 and he was 18 and were married when she was 22. One question that people always ask her is the secret to their long relationship? “We just get on,” she shrugs. “We have our rows and disagreements, of course, but I don't go out the front door and he doesn't go out the back door. We don't walk out.” And do they still fancy each other? “I’d say Ger Lee fancies me and of course I fancy him,” she laughs. “We have a lot of fun and I don't really go anywhere without him, even though we might be ignoring each other for some reason.” Having started modelling and begun her own agency in an era where models had to be tall and very slender, Celia greatly welcomes the current drive for inclusivity around size and colour. She also believes that counteracting ableism has greatly
IN PERSON WOMANSWAY.IE 7 continues overleaf >> “We have our rows and disagreements, but I don't go out the front door and he doesn't go out the back door”
8 WOMANSWAY.IE From top to bottom: Celia modelling knitwear for Michelina Stacpoole in the 1970s; Celia and Ger on their wedding day in 1972; Celia modelling in the 1970s for late Limerick fashion designer Vonnie Reynolds
WOMANSWAY.IE 9 IN PERSON improved the fashion industry. “I think it's fantastic and long may it continue,” she says. “Being curvy used to be such an issue and it was ridiculous, all that ‘you can't be thin enough and rich enough’ kind of thing. Thank God all that is gone now. I work mainly with the boutiques and a few of the bigger department stores and I've always brought different sizes to the ramp, because whatever you're selling has to be relatable.” Celia remains very slender, which she attributes to always running around and being careful with her diet, saying she is “not the least bit adventurous with food”. She’s not strict though and enjoys some dark chocolate and wine. Her advice to others around staying youthful in appearance is to use the best skincare, drink lots of water, get out the fresh air and eat as healthily as possible. She also thinks it’s important to look after your hair and teeth. “You have to mind your teeth because they hold your jawline,” she points out. While she always looks incredible, Celia says that she has always been easy about her face and doesn't get hung up on having perfect makeup. When it comes to dressing up, she reckons that as she has been in the fashion industry since she was 15, it’s practically in her DNA to be able to pull herself together well. “I’d never tap myself on the back, as I'd say I’m in the industry the longest in Ireland at this stage so I should have it right,” she says. “I should be able to dress myself at this stage, you know? Celia’s Tips for Spring 1 A good, strong posture gives you a youthful appearance. The dresses I wear wouldn’t look the same if I was walking with my shoulders thrown forward and no control of my core. I've spent 50 years shouting at the poor models to throw their shoulders back and down - it has become my mantra. 2 Women say to me, “Celia, I don't like my boobs” or “I don't like my arms”. Now the clothes won't talk to you. They won't tell you, “Hi, I’ll cover your backside”, so you have to teach yourself about your shape to get it right. The best thing you can do is learn what works for your shape and only try those kinds of clothes on when you go shopping. 3 Accordion pleated skirts are in this season and they're good on most body shapes. They look great with a nice heel, sneakers and a pair of summer boots. I think the knitwear that’s in is rather fabulous this season. I saw some beautiful pieces in Vila. There’s a nice shaped skirt out there that was in last season as well and works on most body shapes. It’s straight and then it kicks out just under the bum. I've seen that in all the chain stores at the moment and I have one myself in blue. They're great. 4 Spring is a great time for blazers, and it’s up to yourself whether you want them nice and fitted or big and oversized. They can go over everything. Just mind what colour you buy - a nice dark green will work with navy, for example. And of course, black is black, but black around your face isn't the greatest thing as you get older. And if you're tired, it's a killer. 5 Trouser suits seem to be everywhere this year and a trouser suit in a soft fabric is great. They’re a good fit on most body shapes and soft trousers work on everybody. 6 Most trends will work if you have the body shape but there are some that work for everyone. I love to see ladies in a nice, long maxi dress because they suit everybody’s body shape. They were out last year as well and I thought all the women looked amazing in them. When I go to my daughter’s mobile home in Lahinch, I'd have a pair of fabulous jeans on, but then I’d turn around and put on a lovely maxi dress. WW All of the fabulous dresses that Celia wears on these pages are available from iClothing.com. Prices range from €22.49 to €59.95 Visit iclothing.com for more details. Photographer: Kety Duran Stylist: Caila Cemin Makeup: Deane Shannon Hair: Clayton Barbosa Location: iClothing.com Studios With thanks to Barbara Stack
MADE IN IRELAND TERMS & CONDITIONS: Price includes P&P and is correct at time of going to press. Your subscription contract will be fulfilled by Harmonia Limited (info@harmonia.ie) together with its agents. See www.harmonia.ie for full terms and conditions. Prices quoted are for postal delivery to Irish addresses only. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of first subscription issue via An Post. Buy online at: womansway.ie Or phone our Hotline on: 01 465 9872 Tired of reading from a tiny screen? Take time out from your busy life and rediscover the joy of fl icking through a beautifully designed magazine. Woman’s Way is the leading Irish women’s magazine, one of the few left on the market. We are a voice for Irish women and support Irish brands, large and small. Packed full of fabulous beauty, fashion, interiors, gardening, recipes and more, along with great stories and interviews with our favourite celebrities. You’ll see euro prices for all our product recommendations and they are all available here in Ireland. We support Irish women, support us. Stop scrolling, start flicking Take time out, Take Woman’s Way Our six monthly subscription is ONLY €45.50 or, even better, pay monthly for JUST €7.58
WOMANSWAY.IE 11 Carifi a Loves... Style and Beauty Soirée When it comes to style, few can top our current cover star, Celia Holman Lee. And skincare guru, Neelu White, is superb at explaining how to keep skin glowing regardless of age. So I’m pretty excited to see both women in action at a fashion and skincare night at the Morrison Hotel in Dublin on April 25. Tickets are just €25 (and are redeemable against a treatment or product). And cos they’re such incredible ladies, they’re giving free tickets to the fi rst 30 readers to email neelu@neelus-salon.com with the subject line ‘Woman’s Way’. Get to it girls and see you there. WW Mind Candy Guilty pleasure confession time: I’m addicted to Married at First Sight Australia, or as true afi cionados call it, Mafs (a bit like maths but without the brain power). Shame me all you like, but it’s the highlight of my weekday evenings. For those not in the know, it’s non-stop tears, tantrums and melodrama. Available to binge on Channel 4 and trust me, you’ll be hooked before you know it. Let it Rains Was delighted to pop along to the new Rains store on Dublin’s Wicklow Street. Much as we’re all longing for a long, warm and rainfree summer…this is Ireland. The Rains range of outerwear and bags combine style and practicality, ideal for those days when you just can’t be sure what the weather will bring. The Last Pearl Can’t wait to see the new production from the Sligo-based Blue Raincoat Theatre Company. The Last Pearl is currently playing at the Factory Performance Space in Sligo and will be at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin from April 29 before going to Glasgow and Edinburgh. It’s a super creative piece about a woman and her daughter trying to survive in the aftermath of a typhoon. My incredibly talented cousin, Aisling Mannion, is in the ensemble. For details check out blueraincoat.com
12 WOMANSWAY.IE He’s back I went to see Al Porter at Vicar Street recently and it was such a delight to see him back on stage. I had a pain in my face from laughing. Al has been through some well-documented diffi culties in recent years and was subjected to a lot of unfair treatment, and he is touchingly humble and honest about it all. He’s on tour now (including Vicar Street again on June 8th) and he’s hilariously funny. Al is absolutely world class and I predict he will soon become internationally famous. Lifelong Pals Having friends and staying active is so important throughout your life. I love that my mam Eileen (83) goes to the Greenhills Over 55s Club every morning with her two great pals, Marie and Maria. They do line-dancing, découpage and all manner of fun things, and here they are wearing the Easter bonnets they made recently. AndreaLoves... Sorted by Stacey After 23 years in my house, I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. I’m trying to declutter so I adore watching Sort Your Life Out on BBC One. Stacey Solomon and her team help people whose houses are out of control. They take every single item out of their homes and lay them out in a warehouse, where the participants decide to keep, bin, recycle or sell each item. The house makeovers are always stunning afterwards and Stacey does a great job as she is so kind and tactful. Best of all, I get a lot of tips around how to make my own house fl ow better. Brush strokes I was badly in need of some decent makeup brushes so was delighted to try out LUNA by Lisa’s new set. There are fi ve core brushes (€12 to €22, lunabylisa.ie) that are both vegan and cruelty free. They look gorgeous with their marble pink and rose gold handles and cream-coloured synthetic bristles. Best of all, they’re really soft and they apply my makeup really smoothly. Fashion friends I had a great time with FleishmanHillard at the ARC Fashion Show at the RDS recently. The most moving part was when the ARC Angels - four women who have gone through cancer - took to the stage. Michelle, Emma, Marian and Dervla all looked so beautiful. The money raised went to ARC Cancer Support (arccancersupport.ie), which provides free psychological, emotional, practical and educational support to people affected by cancer and those who care for them. WW Sarah McGovern, Andrea, Anna Daly, Gill Madden and Rhona Blake Marie, Eileen and Maria
COMPETITION 14 WOMANSWAY.IE Woman’s Way has teamed up with Seoulista Beauty to give fi ve lucky winners a hamper of Seoulista Beauty Instant Wonder range products worth €100. Are you ready to elevate your skincare game? Introducing the new, gamechanging Seoulista Instant Wonder daily skincare range from cult beauty brand, Seoulista Beauty. Harnessing the expertise of dermatologists and the cooling benefi ts of cryo-technology, Seoulista Instant Wonder offers a range of benefi ts with minimal steps. Designed to seamlessly integrate into your daily routine, these products support a healthy skin barrier while providing optimal convenience and quality. Suitable for all skin types, the entire range features the hero ingredient, black rose, known for its soothing and radiance-inducing properties, along with other barrier-boosting ingredients. Combined with the award-winning Seoulista Cryo Cool to aid absorption and stimulate the skin, the Seoulista Instant Wonder range elevates your daily routine by helping to maintain everyday skin health. Seoulista Beauty is available from seoulistabeauty.com, Boots and local pharmacies nationwide. WIN To enter, please answer the following: WHAT IS THE NAME OF SEOULISTA BEAUTY’S NEW RANGE? HOW TO ENTER Email your answer by April 22 to: womansway@harmonia.ie including your name, address and telephone number and labelling your mail ‘The Seoulista Competition’ This Woman's Way competition is open to anyone resident in NI and the Republic of Ireland, aged 18 and over, except employees and their families of Harmonia Publishing, its printers and anyone else connected with the competition. No purchase is necessary. We will only accept one competition entry per reader. Prizes are awarded by drawing entries after the closing date. Winners will be notifi ed by email. The editor’s decision is fi nal. A Skincare Hamper
WOMANSWAY.IE 15 Hello, Dolly Country music legend Dolly Parton celebrated her 78th birthday earlier this year. I am a big fan. She’s a force of nature and an all-round amazing talent and human being, with no intention of putting the brakes on. She’s just dropped a new Top 10 hit on Billboard with Lookin’ For You in collaboration with Zach Williams. And the fi rst West End staging of Hello, Dolly! since 1984 was just announced at the Palladium in July, starring Irish actor Imelda Staunton. Then she launched her own scent, which has grown to fi ve fragrances. So now you too can wear a bit of Dolly. Scent from Above is my favourite. A wonderful fl oral aroma for spring. Dolly Parton Eau de Toilette Scent From Above €60 Mála Láimhe Joanne Hynes has just dropped her new Oh Diane! Spring 2024 Collection at Dunnes Stores. Her limited edition signature pieces are always bold and witty, and I fell in love instantly with this cool, vintage-inspired MNÁ handbag in brown and green for €60. Buy quickly though because her collections always sell out fast. Darkness Into Light I have been walking into the sunrise in support of Pieta since the fi rst Darkness into Light (DIL) at my childhood back garden in the Phoenix Park in 2009. Back then, some 400 people took part, now hundreds of thousands of people participate in 200 locations and 14 countries across four continents. There is something spiritual (and emotional) about walking alongside fellow supporters as the darkness slowly ebbs and the sun peeks over the horizon. This year, Darkness into Light takes place on Saturday May 11, and every €26 sign-up fee enables Pieta to answer two calls to their 24/7 helpline, visit darknessintolight.ie Norah Loves... Flower Power What I love about Newbridge Silverware is it never rests on its laurels. The recently launched spring collection celebrates the blooms and colours of nature. This is my favourite pick from the botanical-inspired range. It has a delicate opalite pink stone and a little fl oral motif etched on a silver-plated disc. The Magical Garden Charm Pendant €54. Bláthnaid Treacy, Eoin Doyle and Erica Cody at the DIL 2024 Launch
16 WOMANSWAY.IE Finding your passion Chrissie Russell speaks to inspiring Irish women A wedding day disaster was the catalyst for Linda Stinson founding her own tanning brands. LA BELLE LINDA I ncredibly, given the fact that she’s now the owner of one of Ireland’s best-selling brands, launching a self-tan product was never in Linda Stinson’s original career plan. The Co Tyrone mum-of-three had been working at a high level on the customer service side of the cosmetics industry, and toying with the idea of launching a product or setting up a day spa, when a disaster on her wedding day sparked the idea for a global beauty empire that’s now worth some €6.3m. “Tan was never in the pipeline for me,” laughs Linda, creator and founder of global award-winning beauty brands Bellamianta and Iconic Bronze. “I always loved sitting a woman down in the chair for a facial, or doing her makeup, and just seeing her leave really happy, knowing that I’d helped make someone’s day. I liked the service and the product side but I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do next.” Concerned that setting up a day spa would be incompatible with her plans for having a family, Linda set about identifying a product gap in the market, only for one to reveal itself to her at the worst possible moment. “It was my wedding day disaster that was the reason I went for tanning,” she reveals. “I woke up the morning of my wedding [having had a spray tan done the day before without doing a patch test fi rst] and under my arms was green. I have eczema and I was covered in patches, it was a nightmare.” In desperation, Linda even tried wiping bleach under her arms to get rid of the colour, while one of her sisters (she’s one of seven siblings) rollered foundation onto her back. More than a decade on, she still struggles to look at colour photos of her wedding day because she can see the patches on her skin caused by the poor ingredients and high alcohol content in the tanning brand she’d used. “That was the eureka moment,” smiles Linda. “That’s when I knew, ‘This is what I’m going to do’. I knew the self-tan industry was highly saturated, but I could see a space in the market because there were all these products containing a lot of alcohol, or there were completely natural products that weren’t performance driven - there was defi nitely a gap for a high-end product that was ‘skincare meets tanning’, something that gives a good colour without containing a lot of alcohol.”
LIFE INSPO WOMANSWAY.IE 17 LINDA’S TOP TIPS ON MAKE-UP AND TANNING FOR MORE MATURE SKIN • When you enter your 40s and 50s, it’s important to avoid heavy make-up application as it can settle into fi ne lines and wrinkles, making them more noticeable. I fi nd that using a damp make-up sponge or a fl uffy brush, helps to blur and create a smooth, airbrushed fi nish. • Always fi ll in sparse eyebrows with a brow pencil to frame the face. “But avoid overly harsh or exaggerated brows. • Don’t forget primer. Applying an illuminating primer, such as the Bellamianta 3 in 1 Glow Base, can give a youthful, litfrom-within look. • Adjust your eye make-up application according to changes in eye shape as you age, and don’t think that contouring is just for the young ones, just keep it subtle. “Focus on enhancing your best feature, whether it’s cheekbones, jawline or brow arch. • When using self tan, start prep the day before. All waxing or shaving should be done at least 24 hours before application to allow the skin to settle. If you don’t give your skin the time it needs to settle, this can cause irritation and leave you with an uneven, patchy tan. • In order to prolong your tan, use an oil-free moisturiser daily. As we age, our skin gets drier, and it’s really important to use products that are right for your skin type and packed with moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid and shea butter.” LINDA’S TOP TIPS ON MAKE-UP AND TANNING FOR MORE MATURE SKIN • When you enter your 40s and 50s, it’s important to avoid heavy make-up application as it can settle into fi ne lines and wrinkles, making them more noticeable. I fi nd that using a damp make-up sponge or a fl uffy brush, helps to blur and create a smooth, airbrushed fi nish. • Always fi ll in sparse eyebrows with a brow pencil to frame the face. “But avoid overly harsh or exaggerated brows. • Don’t forget primer. Applying an illuminating primer, such as the Bellamianta 3 in 1 Glow Base, can give a youthful, litfrom-within look. • Adjust your eye make-up application according to changes in eye shape as you age, and don’t think that contouring is just for the young ones, just keep it subtle. “Focus on enhancing your best feature, whether it’s cheekbones, “I’ll never forget the date, because I launched Bellamianta in the maternity ward" A self-confessed ‘science-nerd’, Linda started working on formulas, fi nding the right type of BHA (beta-hydroxy acid, used in skincare to hydrate the skin) and level of pentavitin (used to lock moisture) to work on a variety of skin types. It wasn’t until the 97th formula that Bellamianta (the name means ‘beautiful aspirations’) was born. “It was painstaking,” Linda admits. “But growing up I was always resilient –my mother might call it stubborn - I tried never to let anything beat me. I wanted to bring out a product people were going to like, so if it wasn’t right, it had to go back to testing.” She started generating buzz around the product by reaching out to bloggers and infl uencers and selling out of her car boot. In a crazy twist of timing, the day her business went live to customers in 2015 was also the same day Linda gave birth to her second daughter, Ruby, now aged eight. “I’ll never forget the date, because I launched Bellamianta in the maternity ward,” says Linda. “I remember my mum coming in and seeing me with the phone in my hand and saying, ‘You do realise you’ve just had a child’ and I said, ‘She’s sleeping, she’s grand’. And sure all the hard work was done before that anyway, all I had to do was press ‘live’ on Facebook.” Orders quickly started coming in and the business soon had to move out of Linda’s garage and into a warehouse in her hometown of Pomeroy. When its second product, Bellamianta Rapid Tan launched, it generated a waiting list of over 20,000 units and the brand moved again to even larger offi ces and warehouses. High-profi le support has been there for the brand from the beginning. From the moment RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars waltzed onto our screens, Bellamianta has been the show’s offi cial tanning partner, and even before Maura Higgins set foot in the Love Island villa, she’d already formed a solid partnership with the tanning brand. By the end of this year, Linda hopes to have launched her fi rst ever store in Belfast, with other units hopefully to follow in Dublin and either Liverpool or Manchester. Her eldest daughter, Holly (14) appears in the latest photoshoot for Iconic Bronze, which is geared towards a younger demographic at a more mass market price. Bellamianta is very much a family business, with Linda’s mum also her managing director, her dad working in the warehouse and her sister in marketing. “I have a very good support network around me,” says Linda. “And I have the fl exibility I need because I’ve built such a strong team around me. The other day I was at my daughter’s feis and it was running two hours behind, but I wasn’t panicking and having to ring up work. I don’t miss out on memorable things like that for the kids because I have the fl exibility of being my own boss.” “I work hard and I play hard,” she says. “Nothing good in life ever came easy.” WW bellamianta.com; iconicbronze.ie “I’ll never forget managing director, her dad working in the warehouse and her sister in
18 WOMANSWAY.IE Game-changer Ellie Loftus has created a brand of period underwear, swimwear and sports shorts. Ellie Loftus still shudders when she remembers the anxiety that would plague her when she had her period at school. “I was extremely sporty, and I remember if I had a pad and was playing a game of basketball wearing a PE skirt, feeling so fearful that the boys watching the match would see the pad and know that I had my period,” says the Co-Galway based mumof-two. But it was only when she realised that the same fears were being faced by the next generation that she decided enough was enough, and began work to set up Nickeze, a revolutionary Irish company making leak-proof period underwear, swimwear and sports shorts. Recent statistics have shown that one in five girls in Ireland are abandoning sports activities because of period-related concerns, and it was something Ellie was determined to tackle. “I could see the impact of periods on my eldest daughter when she first got hers, and the fears she had were the exact same fears that I had had 35, 40 years earlier,” she says. “That was my ‘aha’ moment, I wanted periods to be better for this generation, not like how it was for mine.” With an impressive background of working in child and adolescent health, as well as being a trained barrister and former Irish Olympic bobsled team member, registered nurse Ellie set about developing period underwear specifically with teens in mind, making sure that Nickeze pants would have the absorption and leak-proof capacity to weather a full school day. Launched in 2021, Nickeze became the first Irish-owned company making period pants, and since then the range has regularly evolved, largely based on the feedback Ellie gets from customers and their needs. This year, Nickeze plans bring out a range of period swimwear with coloured detailing. “A lot of mums whose daughters were doing swimming came to me and said ‘we really want a swimsuit that is chlorine resistant and could you do Ellie Loftus The Today Show
LIFE INSPO WOMANSWAY.IE 19 By Chrissie Russell something with a little bit of colour?’” explains Ellie. “Because sometimes when girls wear black period swimwear, they’re conscious of ‘does everyone know I have my period because I’m wearing this?’” “These are the things where you’re constantly looking for innovation to come up with solutions and solve issues,” she adds. Ellie knows from the many reviews that have reached her what an impact Nickeze period pants have made on the lives of teens, specifi cally those with additional needs. “I would have a lot of mums with girls with intellectual or physical disabilities who can’t manage pads or tampons,” she reveals. “Girls with autism and sensory diffi culties and girls with Down Syndrome who are very fearful of blood, but the black panelling in our pants disguises it so they can’t see it.” Interestingly she often fi nds that mums might buy the pants for their daughters and then invest in a pair for themselves. While teens may have been her initial focus for the brand – and still one she’s passionate about, having just recently released the Cara Kit, an innovative emergency pack of period products, specifi cally to be kept on site at sports clubs - Ellie is constantly looking to develop designs that benefi t all age groups. One example of this is the ‘Brigette’ super-absorbent period underwear, aimed at perimenopausal women. “That awful bleeding you get where you might have had normal periods all your life and then the next moment the perimenopause comes and, oh my God, you’d nearly need to wear a mattress,” explains Ellie. Interestingly, although there’s growing awareness, the idea of ‘period underwear’ is still such a new concept in Ireland that the feedback Ellie most commonly hears is. ‘I didn’t know these existed’. She’s keen to make people aware that leak-proof pants and swimwear are an option, and earlier this year appeared on RTE’s Today Show to raise awareness of the brand. She’s also a champion for sustainability, with Nickeze products 100pc reusable and long-lasting. It takes up to 800 years for a period pad to decompose in a landfi ll, meaning that the fi rst pad any of us ever wore is still in a landfi ll somewhere. But while Ellie would love to reduce the amount of santary products ending up in landfi ll, she’s also mindful of never judging someone’s choice. “I don’t ever go preaching to anyone, because women need to have the choice, and I don’t want to be making anybody feel bad about the choices they do make,” explains Ellie. “But what I do ask is: Is there any way when it’s coming up to your period - when you might be putting on a pad because you don’t know it’s coming – would you consider wearing period underwear on those days? Or at the end of your period? Because even those small changes are massive and if everyone did that, can you imagine how much less plastic would be in the environment?” Last year, the 20pc VAT rate on period pants was slashed to zero, enabling Nickeze to pass that saving onto customers, with some underwear now available for as little as €7. Others, like the super absorbent pants, cost more to make and therefore more at the till. But the venture has never been about making money for Ellie, whose main job is still working in healthcare Monday to Wednesday. “I’m not fl ogging a product, trying to make sales,” she explains. “I’m a nurse. I’m not dependent on Nickeze fi nancially and that means I can really put my heart and soul into it. It’s personal for me. I want to fi nd solutions and there isn’t going to be a solution to keeping girls in sport if someone isn’t away coming up with innovative designs.” She gets a lot of heartwarming feedback from grateful customers. “You just have to look at Trust Pilot for us to see how personal it is,” smiles Ellie. “I know for a fact that it has changed girls’ and women’s lives and that makes it the most worthwhile thing, outside of my nursing, that I’ve ever done.” WW nickeze.com “Girls with autism and sensory difficulties and girls with Down Syndrome who are very fearful of blood, but the black panelling in our pants disguises it so they can’t see it” Leak-proof sports shorts
COMPETITION 20 WOMANSWAY.IE One lucky reader will win a €500 hamper of Guinot products. Guinot has over 50 years’ experience in the professional beauty industry, offering an alternative to aesthetic medicine. The beauty brand is globally renowned and proud to create effective, award-winning treatments and products that make a difference to your skin. Tailored prescriptions from Guinot-trained Beauty Doctors will enable you to achieve your skincare goals. Guinot’s revolutionary salon treatments and after-care products are formulated with the best in skincare innovation to enhance and maintain treatment results at home. Your trusted Beauty Doctor will continue to evolve your prescription to your ever-changing needs, seasons, and lifestyle changes. Win To enter, please answer the following: HOW MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE DOES GUINOT HAVE? HOW TO ENTER Email your answer by April 22 to: womansway@harmonia.ie including your name, address and telephone number and labelling your mail ‘The Guinot Competition’ This Woman's Way competition is open to anyone resident in NI and the Republic of Ireland, aged 18 and over, except employees and their families of Harmonia Publishing, its printers and anyone else connected with the competition. No purchase is necessary. We will only accept one competition entry per reader. Prizes are awarded by drawing entries after the closing date. Winners will be notifi ed by email. The editor’s decision is fi nal. A €500 skincare hamper
IN PERSON WOMANSWAY.IE 21 in the TV industry, she doesn’t dwell on job security. “I think the gig economy is taking over regardless of what industry you’re working in, so there is no security in anything,” she points out. “I used to worry about it so much, thinking, ‘Oh my god, I'm going to be fi red tomorrow’, but now I’m just enjoying myself. I love my job and it's an honour to get up in the morning to do what I do, but yeah, the security just isn’t there any more.” Happily, if it all goes pear-shaped, the Limerick woman has a back-up plan.“They’re taking [trainee] gardaí up to 50 now, aren't they?” she jokes. “My father would be delighted as I could follow in his footsteps.” WW Muireann was speaking at the launch of Virgin Media’s new Streaming TV platform, which offers your favourite traditional TV shows and channels alongside the most popular streaming apps (like Netfl ix, Prime Video, AppleTV+, Paramount+ and YouTube) and players (including the Virgin Media Player, Channel 4 Player and TG4 Player) from one tiny box over wifi . You can learn more at virginmedia.ie Marie is a great character and Muireann’s bosses would love her mum to come into the Ireland AM kitchen to make her famous quiche. “We were doing a show from Limerick once and I tried to get her in, but she said, ‘Absolutely not’,” laughs Muireann, speaking at the launch of Virgin Media’s new Streaming TV box. “I’d love to have her on but she hates being on camera, although she’s alright about it when she’s recognised. She once phoned the Virgin Media call centre, which is in Limerick, and mentioned that her daughter worked there. They asked her who her daughter was and then gave her a discount, so that was grand.” Muireann is engaged to radio executive Philip Manzor, who prefers to keep out of the spotlight. They are currently renting in Dublin and looking to buy, although she says that house-hunting is a “nightmare”. “I’m in a very lucky position because I meet people all the time at viewings with kids who are living at home with their parents,” she says. Muireann loves her job on Ireland AM and says that although things move fast With her friendly, warm manner, Muireann O’Connell is the perfect person to wake the nation up each morning on Ireland AM. She may be based in Dublin, but she’s passionate about Limerick, where she grew up as the youngest of four children. The Virgin Media host’s father Brendan was a garda, and he sadly passed away from cancer in March 2021. Muireann is really close to her mother Marie, and jokes that she's like the ‘fashion police’ when it comes to critiquing what she wears on screen. Ireland AM presenter Muireann O’Connell tells Andrea Smith about house- hunting, job security and her close relationship with her mum. qufi n Daytime
22 WOMANSWAY.IE FALL BACK, SPRING FORWARD Revisiting former passions can be a great way to energise ourselves in the present, as Domhnall O’Donoghue recently discovered.
WOMANSWAY.IE 23 IN PERSON Far left: Bairbre Ní Chaoimh experiences I’d acquired while treading the boards. To be truthful, I’ve never felt more creative and empowered. “Thank you, Bairbre,” I stuttered, uncertain whether I wanted to revisit my former career, no matter how briefl y. Could I even act any longer? Was it like riding a bicycle? But I wanted to spend time with my dear friend, regardless of the circumstances, so I accepted her kind offer. SPRING AWAKENINGS Fittingly, the play was called Awakenings, written by the talented Berni Dwan. The story tackled the age-old confl ict between different generations and their opposing views on religion, politics, culture, traditions, and inclusivity. The theme highlighting the importance of welcoming unexpected opportunities paralleled with the invitation Bairbre had offered me: to reignite past passions. I joined four other actors in Near FM, Our calendars, pinned to the wall or taped to the fridge, are dotted with dates when we collectively attempt to introduce change into our lives. In January, how often do we declare, ‘New Year, New Me’? But with its slew of well-meaning resolutions, this period is becoming increasingly hijacked by businesses vying for our money rather than providing us with the tools for genuine transition and progress. For me, spring has always been a more suitable and authentic time to initiate growth. Mother Nature — and not some clever marketing ploy — prompts us to echo the new beginnings occurring in the environment, like the sudden burst of daffodils in our gardens or the arrival of longer, warmer days. No wonder spring cleaning has become such a popular annual event: out with the old, in with the new. However, no matter the season, I recently learned that while we embrace the future and all its possibilities, we shouldn’t completely disregard our past. In fact, to paraphrase the American daylight-saving mnemonic, sometimes we need to fall back to spring forward. STAGE TO PAGE In March, I received a call from my dear pal, actor and director Bairbre Ní Chaoímh. Many moons ago, a beautiful friendship emerged while collaborating on a theatre production. We hadn’t seen each other since she performed a reading during one of my book launches in 2019; the stay-at-home pandemic played its part in our separation, and so did the fact that in recent years, I’d moved on from acting to focus on my writing and travels. I was delighted to receive Bairbre’s call, but rather than wanting a simple catch-up, she had an offer to make. “I’m directing a radio play, and I’d like you to be in it.” Growing up, the acting world was always my safe space. In the rehearsal room, my teenage self found a tribe of friends, but more importantly, I discovered my voice there. Playing other characters, I felt invincible. But in recent years, I wanted to be myself rather than someone else, so I exchanged the stage for the page, taking with me all those many skills and Domhnall O’Donoghue an impressive radio studio in Coolock, the Dublin suburb forever associated with Cadbury’s chocolate-y delights. Over two days, the process was just as sweet as a Dairy Milk bar, and I was immediately reminded why I’d fi rst pursued an acting career as a teenager. Thanks to the fun and productive environment Bairbre created for us, the camaraderie was infectious as we brought “Despite my initial reservations, I couldn’t resist the magic of reconnecting with a world I once loved” Bernie’s play to life. In the canteen between takes, we enjoyed plenty of discussions about politics and other contentious issues — just like the characters in the play. Despite my initial reservations, I couldn’t resist the magic of reconnecting with a world I once loved, realising that it still brought me joy. One of the few drawbacks of being a writer is its solitary nature; being around other creative people and bouncing ideas around was enriching and thrilling. REVISITING FORMER INTERESTS While recording Awakenings this spring, I realised that returning to former interests can be just as refreshing as looking forward to our next adventure or signing up for a new activity. The play was set in a residential home for the elderly; by coincidence, following the recording, I read an article about how our cognitive well-being benefi ts from revisiting the pursuits we once found so enjoyable, especially as we advance in years. The fact that we’ve done these activities before makes them a rich source of mental stimulation and emotional satisfaction. Reconnecting with our past helps to jog our memory, reignite old skills, and remind us of our previous experiences and achievements. Better yet, rediscovering our former passions is an instant way to reawaken our inner child. And we should always make time to play, whether it’s spring, summer, autumn or winter. WW
COMPETITION 24 WOMANSWAY.IE Six lucky readers will each win EcoHomme Rosemary & Mint Scalp Oil (€14.99), a Lavender Pillow Mist for the bedroom (€14.99), a Stress Busting Spray (€14.99) for the car and a Space Clearing Spray for the offi ce (€14.99). The Irish-made EcoHomme Rosemary & Mint Scalp Oil nourishes your scalp while keeping your hair lush and vibrant. With a carefully blended formula of four essential and eight botanical oils, including rosemary and mint, it will keep both your scalp and hair healthy while protecting against dryness and dullness. With botanical oils of jojoba, avocado, sweet almond, castor, sesame, coconut and vitamin E, both hair and scalp will be restored. A beautiful, non-greasy formula in an easy-touse and no-mess applicator bottle. Leaves your hair rejuvenated while smelling fresh too. Less expensive than imports, more quality ingredients and 30 per cent more product. Get yours at any health store or pharmacy now or visit ecohomme.com. To enter, please answer the following: WHERE IS THE ECOHOMME ROSEMARY & MINT SCALP OIL MADE? HOW TO ENTER Email your answer by April 22 to: womansway@harmonia.ie including your name, address and telephone number and labelling your mail ‘The EcoHomme Competition’ This Woman's Way competition is open to anyone resident in NI and the Republic of Ireland, aged 18 and over, except employees and their families of Harmonia Publishing, its printers and anyone else connected with the competition. No purchase is necessary. We will only accept one competition entry per reader. Prizes are awarded by drawing entries after the closing date. Winners will be notifi ed by email. The editor’s decision is fi nal. WIN A ROSEMARY AND MINT SCALP OIL BUNDLE
BEAUTY Annutri Glow It Facial Oil €35 I’m all about the oils this issue and have been using this facial oil for the past few weeks. I really like it as it adds much-needed moisture to my parched face. It has anti-ageing and soothing antiinfl ammatory properties, thanks to the addition of rice bran, melon seed, chia seed, pomegranate seed and argan oil. It also contains six essential oils, including lavender, bergamot and sweet orange. I add a few drops to my moisturiser at night and have defi nitely seen a difference. BPerfect X Mrs Glam Showstopper II Palefi e €37.95 I enjoy a bit of glitter and this palette is probably the prettiest one I’ve ever owned, both inside and outside. Curated by celebrity makeup artist, Michelle Regazzoli Stone, the elevated version of her original palette has 25 eyeshadows and four multi-use face powders. It will take you anywhere as it contains matte and metallic shimmer eyeshadows as well as blusher, contour and highlighter. I’m saving it for my holidays when I intend to sparkle my way around Lanzarote. HotPicks In this issue, Andrea Smith shares some of the beauty bits she’s loving at the moment. Bare By Vogue Golden Shimmer Dry Oil €29 I’m not good at applying tan and don’t have the patience to sunbathe, so my skin is usually pasty white. As I have brown eyes and dark hair - well, dyed anyway - I look better with a bit of colour. I’m loving this lovely dry oil by Vogue Williams as it gives my skin a shimmery, bronzed sheen. You can’t go wrong with it as you just lash it on and you’re glowing. I probably wouldn't wear it pushing the trolley around Lidl, but it’s perfect for a night out to make me look a little less ghostly. Kash Beauty Lip Oil €14.95 I can’t stand wearing sticky lip gloss as my hair gets stuck to it so this lip oil by cosmetics queen Keilidh Cashell is a great alternative. It gives me shiny lips and keeps them moisturised without the dreaded stickiness. There are two new additions to the range - Hey Honey and Sweet Dreams - and I already love Watermelon Kiss and Candy Kiss. And if I ever have anyone to kiss - unlikely, but hey - the oil won’t end up all over them. WW WOMANSWAY.IE 25 Sculpted by Aimee DuoCleanse €36 The latest two-step cleansing product from makeup magician Aimee Connolly is very clever, because there are three different versions that will work with whatever your skin needs. You can choose from Cleanse & Clarify, Cleanse & Brighten or Cleanse & Exfoliate. I fi nd the latter great as it gently sloughs away dead skin cells to reveal a smoother texture underneath. My face feels squeaky clean and refreshed after using it. been using this facial oil for the past few weeks. I really like it as it adds much-needed moisture to my parched face. It has anti-ageing and soothing antiinfl ammatory properties, thanks to the addition of rice bran, melon seed, chia seed, argan oil. It also contains six essential oils, including
26 WOMANSWAY.IE It’s that time of year when everything gets lighter including makeup, writes Carissa Casey.
WOMANSWAY.IE 27 BEAUTY Bellamianta Glow Base €18 Chanel Skin Enhancer €60 Clarins Tinted Oleo-Serum €38 Clinique Moisture Surge Sheer Tint €40 Jones Road What The Foundation €45 Mac Studio Waterweight SPF30 foundation €40 Nars Sheer Glow Foundation €50 Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint €25 I ’m slightly loath to announce that barely there makeup is where it’s at right now. How we wear makeup is so personal. There are those hardy few who save cosmetics for special occasions and those of us (mise) who rarely leave the house without foundation and a slick of eyeshadow. I know many women who couldn’t face a big event, never mind a coffee with friends, without full metal makeup. If that’s your thing, roll with it. But if you’re ‘no makeup makeup’ curious, let me suggest two good reasons for experimenting with the look. Firstly, mature skin doesn’t wear heavy makeup too well. It has an unfortunate tendency to settle in any stray lines and wrinkles and, if your skin tends towards dryness, many foundations can end up looking cakey. The second reason is that the barely there look is very on trend. The fashion set has moved away from Kardashian style contouring and baking. It’s all about the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic or, the current favourite moniker ‘balletcore’. I’ll admit I struggled with the less is more vibe. But I’m getting there. Lighter makeup starts with great skincare. If there’s one ingredient I’d recommend for daytime use it’s vitamin C. It imparts a nice glow and helps protect the skin against sun damage. That said, I always use an spf as well. For me, the next step is to use a glow primer. Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter at €50 is fabulous. I’ve also been trying out Irish brand Bellamianta’s range of glow primers Glow Base at a far more reasonable €18 and fi nding them great for everyday wear. If I had the confi dence I would stop there but I like a bit more coverage. I’m loving the Jones Road WT Foundation €42 at the moment although I’ve tried and can recommend the other options shown here. If you’re not ready to try a new foundation, you could just use your existing brand mixed with a dewy primer or some moisturiser. Drier-skinned ladies don’t need to powder but I do or I’ll end up with way too much shine as the day progresses. Of course I still use a slick of bronzer and a smear of blush just to give my face some colour and shape. For eyes, I go with a pale neutral tone. And that’s it. Job done and yup, I’m getting used to the whole pared-back thing. WW “Firstly, mature skin doesn’t wear heavy makeup too well. It has an unfortunate tendency to settle in any stray lines and wrinkles and, if your skin tends towards dryness, many foundations can end up looking cakey”
28 WOMANSWAY.IE Become Skincredible Makeup artists share the top tips everyone over 40 needs to know.
By Sam Wylie-Harris. WOMANSWAY.IE 29 BEAUTY While we change our wardrobe in tune with the seasons, our beauty routine can get stuck in a rut. It’s easy to do, especially if you feel comfortable with the same old products and techniques. “One of the questions I get asked a lot about as a makeup artist, is how best to wear makeup over the age of 40,” says Carly Utting, senior artist at cosmetic company MAC. “And truth be told, it will look differently than it did when you were 20.” As an over-40 makeup artist and makeup wearer, Utting says she uses makeup to enhance her features to be smoother and plumper, or more defi ned. “As we age, the tone of your skin changes and we tend to lose pigmentation in the lips and cheeks, so this is where I focus on when styling a makeup look for an over-40s client,” highlights Utting. SKIN PREP Aimee Connolly, makeup artist and founder of Sculpted by Aimee, says: “Regardless of your age, a great makeup day always starts with your skin prep.” “Makeup will apply more seamlessly when using the right base products for your skin concerns – for all skin, hydration is key, and particularly as we age.” Before you grab your makeup bag, Connolly says to give your skin the drink it needs with a silky-smooth serum and hydrating moisturiser. She suggests a hydrating serum infused with the all-important, skin-boosting ingredient hyaluronic acid for lasting luminosity. Paired with a ceramide-rich daily moisturiser, Connolly says the skin barrier will be strengthened and moisture will be locked in “to prolong your makeup, while still keeping your skin hydrated”. FOUNDATION “Selecting the best foundation for my skin has been a little like fi nding my perfect pair of jeans!” says Utting. “I’ve trialled so many over the last couple of years, and my main advice would be to opt for a serumlike foundation, or a foundation with lots of skin caring ingredients.” She continues: “These foundations not only add radiance and even out the skin, but they treat the skin while you’re wearing it.” POWDER “When powdering the skin, opt for blurring, fi nely milled powder,” advises Utting. She suggests MAC Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Weightless Loose Powder as a go-to for 40+ skin. “This formula will softly blur fi ne lines and texture, to create a smooth, even base, particularly when applied with a soft medium-sized brush,” explains Utting. “Packing too much powder onto fi ne lines can enhance them, but softly brushing powder with a brush works wonders at disguising them!” BLUSHER Utting says she adores adding a creamy, radiant colour to the cheek on 40+ skin. She suggests MAC Glow Play blushers in So Natural and Blush Please for a beautiful fl ush of colour to the cheek. “The formula lends itself perfectly to a skin that requires a little extra TLC, says Utting. “Bouncy and playful, it adds a luminous, healthy, youthful shine.” Meanwhile, Connolly says Sculpted by Aimee Cream Luxe Blush in Dusty Rose is her go-to shade: “It will add a natural rosy tint to the apples of the cheeks and tip of the nose, without appearing too strong in colour.” LIPS A lip primer will smooth out fi ne lines that form on your lips over time, says Utting. “Meaning when you apply your lipstick, your lips look more even and fuller.” She says this should be followed by a lip liner two or three shades darker than your natural lip shade. “Pushing the boundaries of your natural lip line to enhance the shape is a wonderful way of achieving a fuller pout.” Texture wise, Utting says a soft shine on the lips enhances the shape, so she recommends glossing over the top of any lip shade. She recommends going for glosses that are super creamy and not sticky, so they stay put and add a beautiful shine. EYES “Long-lasting cream eye products will always be my go-to choice when creating eye makeup for 40+ clients,” says Utting. “I particularly love a soft sheen to the eyes to brighten and lift.” While Connolly adds: “To create an eye-opening effect while maintaining a youthful appearance, opt for a natural bronze eyeshadow applied across the eyelid.” “Enhance defi nition with a creamy brown kohl liner, particularly suitable for a softer defi ned eye.” She suggests an eyeliner duo with a nude shade on the opposite end. “Which is ideal for brightening the waterline, instantly rejuvenating the eyes.” Connolly adds: “Consider switching to a brown mascara for a softer approach to volumising lashes.” WW BLUSHER Utting says she adores adding a creamy, liner two or three shades darker than your natural lip shade. “Pushing the boundaries of your natural lip line to enhance the shape is a wonderful way of achieving a fuller pout.” BEAUTY She continues: “These foundations not only add radiance and even out the skin, but they treat the skin while “When powdering the skin, opt for advises Utting. She suggests MAC Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Weightless Loose Powder as a go-to for 40+ skin. “This formula will softly blur fi ne lines and texture, to create a smooth, even base, particularly when applied with a soft medium-sized brush,” “Packing too much powder onto fi ne lines can enhance them, but softly brushing powder with a brush works liner two or three shades darker than your “When powdering the skin, opt for Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Weightless Loose Powder as a go-to for 40+ skin. “This formula will softly blur fi ne lines and texture, to create a smooth, even base, particularly when applied “Packing too much powder onto fi ne lines can enhance them, but softly brushing powder with a brush works BEAUTY MAC Glow Play Blush, So Natural €34 MAC Prep + Prime Lip €26 MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot, Groundwork €26 MAC Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Weightless Loose Powder €36 MAC Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation €45 Sculpted By Aimee Brighten & Define Eyeliner Duo €18 Sculpted By Aimee Cream Luxe Blush €19 Sculpted By Aimee HydraGlo, €30 Sculpted by Aimee My Mascara Brown €21
30 WOMANSWAY.IE I t seems slightly pointless to say that trench coats are currently trending. They’re pretty much always in style. They’re so useful during the so-called transitional seasons when it’s too warm for a heavy wool coat but too cold for a light jacket. Besides, the belted trench has been a fashion classic ever since a throaty-voiced Marlene Dietrich stalked the silver screen. In recent years there’s been a penchant for giving the trench a ‘modern twist’ by way of a hood, a scarf or by cropping to just below waist height. Despite this, the traditional trench is still a trendsetter. Most of us have a trench somewhere at the back of our wardrobes. If so, a good dry clean is all that’s needed to buckle up in style this spring. If you plan to invest in a new trench, there’s plenty of choice in the shops at the moment. The cropped versions are super chic. Because it’s such a classic, you’ll fi nd plenty of high end designer trenches on the vintage clothes sites. Here’s our pick of some of the best…. WW Why the trench is the perfect spring coat THE TIMELESS TRENCH My Essential Wardrobe Mira Trench €169 M&S Short Trench €82 Marlene Dietrich
WOMANSWAY.IE 31 STYLE By Carissa Casey Selected Short Trench €129.99 Cos Linen Blend Jacket €115 Massimo Dutti Loose Trench €199 Cos Linen Blend Jacket Selected Short €129.99 Forever New Natasha Trench €143 Zara Short Trench €59.95 Hobbs Saskia Trench €240 H&M Short Twill Coat €34.99 &Other Stories Trench €179
32 WOMANSWAY.IE Floaty Florals Sure to be a huge hit this summer, fl orals fl oated down the runway at S/ S24 shows with fl ower power and plush posies being some of the most talked about pieces – a fl ing with femininity was the thing. From ethereal sheaths to romantic ruffl es and sweeping maxi dresses, beautiful blooms were the centre of attention - and we can’t wait to crash this garden party with all its glory. After all, there’s always room for an update on this dreamy favourite. “Floral dresses are a timeless staple that will never go out of style,” says Esme Stone, head of brand at J D Williams. “A fl oaty, fl oral, yet comfortable dress offers the perfect combination of style and femininity. “Spring is all about pausing, refreshing, and enjoying special moments, so whether you’re looking for something for a summer wedding, or simply to wear to the offi ce, fl oaty fl orals are a classic.” Here’s how to work this romantic look… From ditsy prints to beautiful bouquets, romance is in the air this spring. Copper & Black Peony Painted Leaves Maxi Dress €154 Rebecca Rhodes Sydney Maxi Dress, Retro Zest €365 FLORAL MAXI/MIDAXI DRESS One to watch, is the ‘IT dress’ going to steal the spotlight this summer? “The fl oral and romantic trend is perfect for occasion season, which we’re quickly gearing up for,” says Rebecca Rhoades, founder of Rebecca Rhoades. “It’s a look that can be modernised by combining bold prints with pretty soft fabrics and traditional fl orals – the trend creates a very feminine look when worn in fl attering silhouettes.” Rhoades suggests opting for block colour accessories when wearing prints. “But what I also love about prints is how unique they are to each person – they tell a story. “So if you want to go for print-on-print, do it. Summer weddings are also a time to get noticed, so perhaps go for something you wouldn’t normally… just don’t outdo the bride!”
STYLE FLORAL SLIP The strappy, fl oral slip signals summertime and this core essential knows exactly how to do casual… Whether you wear yours with a white T-shirt underneath or sweater over the top as we wait for the weather to warm up, it’s a winner with trainers or metallic fl ats. As Collins puts it: “Floral dresses are super versatile and can be dressed up or down. For a more casual look, team your fl oaty fl orals with high tops and a denim jacket – or add your favourite lightweight jumper over the top to create the illusion of a skirt and knit combo. WW FLORAL TOP One of the prettiest updates is a fl oral top, from smock to cropped – the key is to make it playful with a plunge neckline or bare midriff. Especially if you’re unsure about head-to-toe fl orals. Jo Collins, head of design for womenswear, kidswear and non-clothing at FatFace, says to choose a neutral base such as jeans and add a cool cut, fl oral top. Pair with ballet fl ats, such as satin or crystal-embellished ones for a casual, feminine vibe. They’re bang up to date – yes, the ballet is back. FLORAL JUMPSUIT Comfortable and classy, the jumpsuit is another fi rm favourite this time ‘round, especially with iconic Seventies fashion trends still headlining. Dressed up with heels or wedges, long, fl oaty, wide-leg trousers add length, while it’s an ideal special-occasion staple to accessorise with a fl oppy sun hat and clutch. Cited as a modern woman’s wardrobe staple without the faff of having to spend time styling separates, this all-in-one does all the hard work for you. combo. WW back. The strappy, fl oral slip signals summertime and this core essential knows exactly how to do casual… a white T-shirt underneath or sweater over the top as we wait for the weather to warm up, it’s a winner with trainers or metallic fl ats. dresses are super versatile and can be dressed up or down. For a more casual look, team your fl oaty fl orals with high tops and a denim jacket – or add your favourite lightweight jumper over the top to create the illusion of a skirt and knit One of the prettiest updates is a fl oral top, from smock to cropped – the key is to make it playful with a plunge neckline or Especially if you’re unsure about head-to-toe fl orals. Jo Collins, head of design for womenswear, kidswear and non-clothing at FatFace, says to choose a neutral base such as jeans and add a cool cut, fl oral top. Pair with ballet fl ats, such as satin or crystal-embellished ones for a casual, feminine vibe. They’re bang up to date – yes, the ballet is combo. FLORAL SLIP The strappy, fl oral slip signals FLORAL TOP One of the prettiest updates is a fl oral top, from smock to cropped – the key is to make it playful with a plunge neckline or Especially if you’re unsure about head-to-toe fl orals. Jo Collins, head of design for womenswear, kidswear and non-clothing at FatFace, says to choose a neutral base such as jeans and add a cool cut, fl oral top. Pair with ballet fl ats, such as satin or crystal-embellished ones for a casual, feminine vibe. They’re bang up to date – yes, the ballet is By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA FatFace Frankie Expressive Floral Top €52 River Island Pink Floral Halter Neck Top €55 L K Bennett Robyn Neon Garden Print Silk-Blend Dress €600 Whistles Shaded Floral Nellie Dress €253 Girl in Mind Tamara Frilled Jumpsuit €71 Ted Baker Marleeh Floral Halterneck Jumpsuit €315 FLORAL SHEATH Dainty, with chiffon ruffl es, semi-sheer accents and delicate sprigs, the fl oral sheath dress suggests a tea party with all the trimmings. But this style doesn’t have to be saved for best. Collins says to gently layer with a light cable knit or casual jacket. “The perfect pairing for picnics, summer drinks and everything in between… devoted to style, embrace the beauty of nature with this key trend.” combo. WW L K Bennett Robyn Neon Garden Print Silk-Blend Dress sheath dress suggests a tea party with all the trimmings. But this style doesn’t have to be saved for best. Collins says to gently layer with a light devoted to style, embrace the beauty of nature with this key J D Williams Printed Tie Waist Apron Dress €57.50 River Island Pink Floral Slip Maxi Dress €88 WOMANSWAY.IE 33
34 WOMANSWAY.IE Hot List The 5 NEW BOOKS TO READ READ • WATCH • LISTEN By Prudence Wade and Andrea Smith BOOKS FICTION The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet is published in hardback by Faber & Faber, priced €15.99 How far would you go to fi t in with a class of people you don’t belong with? In The Kellerby Code, Edward fi nds himself striving to fi t in with his friends Robert and Stanza, even if it means bending over backwards to fulfi l their desires – be it running errands, serving their needs, or even contemplating unthinkable acts on their behalf. As the plot unfolds, we delve deeper into Edward’s psyche, leaving us questioning the sanity of his actions and the sincerity of his friends. At the heart of this dark comedy is an exploration of social classes and the lengths one might go to belong. We are thrust further into Edward’s unravelling mindset, grappling with the blurred lines as to whether he is making the right decisions to gain a place at the table with those he is so desperate to sit next to. A deeply unsettling, interesting novel that will leave readers gripped to the end. Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera is published in hardback by Bantam, priced €21.74 Listen For The Lie taps into our obsession with true crime podcasts, weaving them into a readable, modern whodunnit. At the centre is Lucy Chase, who’s thought to have murdered her best friend. She’s not formally convicted and moves away from her Texas hometown, fl ying under the radar until a podcaster digs up her story for his latest series. Lucy returns home and is forced to confront the ghosts of her past – her failed marriage, the strained relationship with her parents, and why she just can’t remember the night Savvy died. It’s probably not a book that will stay with you after you’ve fi nished, and there’s the odd murder mystery cliché throughout, but it’s a page-turner that you’ll absolutely race through. It might be a bit early to start thinking about summer books, but this easy read should defi nitely make it into your suitcase. How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin is published in hardback by Quercus, priced €21 How To Solve Your Own Murder by debut adult fi ction writer, Kristen Perrin, offers an intriguing premise that intertwines past and present seamlessly. Set in Dorset in 1965, the story follows Frances Adams, who spends her life preparing to solve her own murder predicted by a fortune-teller. The narrative shifts to the present day with Frances’ great-niece, Annie, determined to uncover the truth behind Frances’ death. While the plot is engaging and suspenseful, the abundance of minor characters makes them feel undeveloped and challenging to track. However, Perrin’s skilful storytelling and atmospheric setting make for a compelling read, ultimately delivering a satisfying mystery with a twist. NON-FICTION Garment Goddess by Laura de Barra is published in hardback by Gill Books, priced €17.99 With spring cleaning on all our minds, Laura de Barra, queen of the home hack, is here to help us shop for, care for and repair our clothes. She has the tips that will ensure we buy right to begin with and maintain well for longevity. Delving into areas like fabric composition and manufacturing techniques, as well as how to assess if garments are right for your wants and needs, this practical book teaches you all you need to ensure your shopping, storage and laundry habits are enhancing and not hampering the life of your clothing. In a world of fast fashion and dwindling quality, this is a great book to help you contribute positively to an industry impacted by overconsumption. CHILDREN’S BOOK Thank You by Jarvis is published in hardback by Walker Books, priced €18.85 Last year, Jarvis picked up the Oscar’s Book Prize for The Boy With Flowers In His Hair. Thank You is his next offering, and it’s just as sweet and celebratory. It follows a child practising gratitude – going round and thanking everything, from the sun and the moon to elephants and his sister. Jarvis has become known for his instantly recognisable collage art style, and it’s the centrepiece of this book. The eye-catching illustrations bring together bright colours and interesting patterns, which will no doubt delight children and adults alike. While it’s sweet, this is perhaps a book only for very small children – there’s not a huge amount of meat on the bones to keep older kids interested at bedtime. But for little ones, it’s a joyful book with a simple and sweet message at its heart. WW fi t in with a class of people , Edward Listen For The Lie published in hardback
WOMANSWAY.IE 35 ENTERTAINMENT For decades biopics tried to tell entire life stories in two hours. With a few notable exceptions, like The Coal Miner’s Daughter, it usually made for an interesting but superficial movie. Things changed twenty years ago when filmmakers realised two things. The first, as evinced by Ray, Jamie Foxx’s multi award-winning turn as Ray Charles, was that life stories are better when they’re warts and all instead of hagiographies. And the second, as per Capote, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, was that it’s better to focus on a pivotal point in a life story rather than the whole thing. And so it is with Back to Black, a biopic of Amy Winehouse written by Matt Greenhalgh (Control, Nowhere Boy) and directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey, Nowhere Boy). The film, in which Marisa Abela plays and sings Winehouse, focuses on her fraught romance with Blake FielderCivil (Jack O’Connell), the relationship that inspired her huge album, Back to Black. But since her estate first announced it had signed a deal for the movie in 2018, there have been questions. The main one being, do we need it? Most biopic subjects are long dead and we know little enough about them or the event around which the film revolves. However Amy Winehouse only died in 2011 and during her brief life, she generated forests-worth of coverage. From the outset, her career as songwriter and singer was stellar, managing to achieve both critical acclaim and sales. But relatively little press coverage was about that remarkable talent and success, it focused instead on her personal life. As well as her complex relationship with Fielder-Civil, to whom she was briefly married, Winehouse had addiction issues and an eating disorder. One might think that chronic mental health issues like these, especially in one so young, might buy grace. But far from it, like Britney Spears, another very young woman who was punished for her success, Winehouse’s issues were used to justify the relentless pernicious intrusion into her life. It was so bad that in 2009, she won an injunction against a paparazzi agency under the Protection from Harassment Act. So not only have Winehouse’s lows been thoroughly documented, they have been documented within recent memory and in an internet age when nothing goes away. There is an issue too around the commodification of female suffering. Think of Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin, Princess Diana and the enduring penchant for telling the stories of famous women by highlighting their agonies rather than their achievements. To be fair to Back to Black, it does depict Winehouse’s relationship with Fielder-Civil as the fuel for her art and her music is very much part of the film. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis wrote the rest of the score so it’s a musical feast. It would be disingenuous to tell Amy Winehouse’s story without mention of addiction, but what’s important is where the emphasis falls. In his Oscarwinning 2015 documentary Amy, Asif Kapadia didn’t shy away from Winehouse’s problems. But there was a real attempt to contextualise them. His doc gives a real sense of the enormity of the press intrusion, the pressures of success, the pressure to repeat success. You sense how many people want something from her but how few give her anything back and it makes you wonder about the cause and effect of her problems. It's very moving and, although widely praised, one person who did not like it was Mitch Winehouse, Amy’s father, who didn’t come out of it too well. A controversial figure, especially amongst Amy fans, her father has given his approval to Back to Black and his critics fear that he is trying to rewrite his part in the story. The fear was not allayed by Winehouse’s decision to allow a scene in which Amy overdoses to be filmed in the actual flat where she overdosed. But perhaps that’s the biggest issue with telling such a recent story, it’s still very raw. And whether Back to Black is celebration or exploitation is something each viewer will decide for themselves. WW In cinemas April 12, cert 15A Aine O’Connor on the biopic of Amy Winehouse, who died aged 27. Back toBlack Marisa Abela and Jack O'Connell in Back to Black Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in Back To Black
36 WOMANSWAY.IE The Durrells Netfl ix In every life, there are times when it can all feel a bit relentless. Money evaporates, there hasn’t been a week-long stretch of decent weather since that time in lockdown when you were stuck in your garden but couldn’t buy any paint or plants, and you have yet another ailment that’s been put down to hormones. For these days, I offer you The Durrells. Twenty-four episodes of gentle, easy, warm, engaging and funny TV. The four series, which originally aired on ITV, are based on animal conservationist Gerald Durrell’s The Corfu Trilogy, the true story of his four childhood years lived on that Greek island. It begins in 1935 in Bournemouth, where widow Louisa Durrell, played by the always watchable Keeley Hawes, is counting down the seconds to her fi rst drink. Money is tight, life is dull and she is quite concerned about her four children. Ten-year-old Gerald (Milo Parker) has just been thrown out of school. 16-year-old Margo (Daisy Waterstone) “is becoming a twit”, 18-year-old Leslie (Callum Woodhouse) is “a psychopath” and 23-year-old Larry (Josh O’Connor) is a reluctant estate agent who wants to be a writer. Louisa decides to sell up and move to Corfu for a better, cheaper life. It’s a fabulous plan that does not run as smoothly as she hoped, as their money troubles continue, their house is falling down, there’s no electricity or sewage facilities and the kids remain a challenge. But Louisa is a plucky woman and, with the help of local taxi driver Spiros (Alexis Georgoulis) and maid Lugaretzia (Anna Savva), she fi nds a way. Beautifully adapted by Simon Nye, The Durrells is well-observed about families, motherhood and cultural differences. Louisa is a really great character and Hawes is fantastic in the part. Her relationship with each of her children is different, nuanced and funny, for instance Larry wants her to fi nd a lover but Leslie gets terribly upset at the prospect and she herself wrestles with the mother/lover confl ict. Smart, sweet and funny, The Durrells is comfort viewing for most ages and tastes. Keeley Hawes, Josh O'Connor, Milo Parker, Daisy Waterstone, and Callum Woodhouse in The Durrells Hidden Áine O’Connor ventures into the hinterlands of the streaming services to GEMS fi nd great watches you may have missed.
WOMANSWAY.IE 37 ENTERTAINMENT In this neo-noir, with its vaguely The Usual Suspects/ LA Confi dential vibe, Guy Pearce stars as Leonard, a man who has lost his short-term memory since he was attacked by the men who murdered his wife. One culprit is dead and in order to fi nd the other, and compensate for his memory loss, Leonard uses tattoos, polaroids and notes. The story is told in two simultaneous strands. One, in black and white, is chronological and it puts us in Leonard’s shoes. He’s alone in a hotel room on the phone. We don’t know who he’s talking to, but neither does he. The second strand is colour and told in reverse order. In these, Leonard is out in the world, investigating. He has interactions with Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) and Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss) and he can’t decide whether to trust them. The truth of who Leonard was and has become lies at the intersection of the two strands. Although less userfriendly than The Talented Mr Ripley, Memento is worth the concentration it demands and it keeps you guessing right until the very end. The Usual Suspects and LA Confi dential, by the way, have also stood the test of time and are available to rent on YouTube for €4. WW Guy Pearce in Memento Memento/The Talented Mr Ripley Netfl ix If you’re in a crime/thriller frame of mind, here are two great ones from the vaults. Anthony Minghella’s 1999 adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel, The Talented Mr Ripley, is a period piece so it has aged very well. The movie was a peak in the early careers of a whole generation of actors. Matt Damon plays Tom Ripley, a young 1950s conman in New York who sees an opportunity when shipping magnate Herbert Greenleaf mistakes him for a Harvard contemporary of his son. Greenleaf wants Tom to go to Italy and persuade this son, Dickie (Jude Law) to come home. A whole new world of money and privilege opens for Tom, fi rst on the ocean liner where he meets heiress Meredith (Cate Blanchett), and then when he worms his way into the life that Dickie shares with his girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). Things go awry but Tom will do whatever it takes to keep his new life. It’s not only gorgeous to look at but it keeps you both hooked and guessing. The Talented Mr Ripley plays on and with the notion of identity. Way back in his second fi lm, in 2000, Christopher Nolan played with identity through memory. Memento showcases the themes of time and memory that have been so pivotal in all Nolan’s work. Jude Law, Matt Damon, and Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley Guy Pearce and Joe Pantoliano in Memento
38 WOMANSWAY.IE By Andrea Smith. Photo credit Jack Merriman As Juror 3, Tristan Gemmill plays a bullying character in the stage version of Twelve Angry Men, which brings the 1957 three-time Academy Award-nominated fi lm to the stage. The actor is poised to play the baddie when the gripping thriller comes to Dublin this month. “I’m really looking forward to it as I haven't been to Ireland since my wife and I visited on honeymoon in the ‘90s,” says Tristan, who has also appeared in Casualty, The Crown, London’s Burning, The Bill and Poirot. Tristan grew up in southeast England and moved to Australia for ten years when he was 15. Most of his family are still living in Australia, but he came back to England in the 1990s to visit friends. He ended up getting an acting job there which led to getting a UK agent, and, well, he never went back. And now he’s in Twelve Angry Men, which follows the story of 12 male jurors in New York in the 1950s, who retire to the jury room to determine the fate of an impoverished 18-year-old boy accused of killing his abusive father. The decision is put to a vote within fi ve minutes by the jury, and 11 out of 12 of the jurors are convinced of the accused’s guilt. The one who isn’t is Juror 8 – Jason Merrells Actor Tristan Gemmill is looking forward to coming to Dublin to play a baddie. The Cast of 12 Angry Men Life as an angryman (Casualty, Emmerdale) – who says that as the defendant will receive a mandatory death sentence via the electric chair if found guilty, they should all at least discuss the evidence. Prejudices and preconceived ideas about the accused, the trial and each other come into play, keeping the tension up until the nail-biting climax. As the the most passionate advocate of a "guilty" verdict, Tristan says his character is “unpleasant and boorish”, although he is greatly enjoying playing the role. Being the baddie is something he’s used to, as when he played Robert Preston in Coronation Street, he was imprisoned for assaulting Rich Collis. He also slept with Carla Connor while married to Tracy Barlow, and got Vicky Jefferies pregnant and led a double life while in a relationship with Michelle Connor. He does baddies well! Tristan is married to actress Emily Hamilton and they have three teenage children. As a dad, he says that each stage brings different challenges, but he is enjoying having teenagers in the house. “I quite like this stage at the moment,” he says. “Obviously, they're a little bit spiky, but their own personalities are properly coming through and you can have interesting conversations with them.” Does he fi nd it hard being on tour with Twelve Angry Men as it takes him away from home and is on the road for months? “I absolutely love doing this show and I love the cast,” he says. “It's a tight piece and I really feel like we’re doing something worthwhile, which makes being away from the family more bearable.” WW Twelve Angry Men runs at Bord Gais Energy Theatre from April 16 - 20. Tickets from €21.50 from ticketmaster.ie. (Casualty, Emmerdale) says that as the defendant will receive a mandatory death sentence via the electric chair if found guilty, Tristan Gemmill
WOMANSWAY.IE 39 ENTERTAINMENT For many people, hitmakers Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) provided the musical soundtrack to the ‘80s and ‘90s. Their Hit Factory was responsible for selling millions of records and launching the music careers of acts like Kylie Minogue, Steps, Bananarama, Sonia and Rick Astley. So with Love in The First Degree buzzing around inside my head, I was excited to head to the New Wimbledon Theatre in London to check out SAW’s new musical, I Should Be So Lucky. The story centres around Ella (LucieMae Summer) and Nathan (Billy Roberts), a young couple who are madly in love and about to get married. Then, at the last minute, a situation arises that causes Nathan to jilt Ella at the altar. She’s brokenhearted and goes off to Turkey on honeymoon with her motley crew of family and friends, where fun and mayhem ensues. As they tan themselves in the sun, the gang deals with old fl ames, new suitors and bitter enemies, and in the meantime, Nathan realises his mistake and tries to woo Ella all over again. The whole thing is great fun and, in truth, the plot is fl imsy enough and is only secondary to the whole thing. You won’t really care too deeply what happens to the couple though as you’ll be too busy singing along to 25 songs from the hitmakers’ catalogue, including ten number one singles. It’s like Mamma Mia! but with SAW songs instead of Abba’s. The Wimbledon audience were literally dancing in the aisles to Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up, Jason Donovan’s Too Many Broken Hearts and Kylie’s Better the Devil You Know. The feelgood factor was off the scale as the cast burst into banger after banger and we all happily joined in. The musical is named after Kylie’s biggest hit single and the star herself appears regularly throughout the show in ‘magic mirror’ form. She talks to Ella at regular intervals and gives her advice on the various dilemmas she encounters. The whole thing is camp and colourful with fabulous singing and dazzling choreography. The SAW team have been “seriously hands-on” with the musical, which comes to Dublin in May. If you’re looking for a brilliantly fun night out and want to sing and dance your heart out while reliving the ‘80s and ‘90s, this is defi nitely the musical for you. WW I Should Be So Lucky will be playing at Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin from May 7-11. Tickets from €30 from ticketmaster.ie. Andrea Smith went to see a new musical where the wedding’s off but the honeymoon is still on. I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY Lucie-Mae Summer and Kylie Minogue Billy Roberts and Lucie-Mae Summer
40 WOMANSWAY.IE INTO SUMMER BEST FOR… MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE A DISNEY TRIP TO FRANCE Eat, sleep and revel in childhood fantasies on one of Disney Cruise Line’s ships. Once onboard, kids aged between three and 12 can meet their favourite characters from the worlds of Marvel, Star Wars, Disney and Pixar, while having fun at deck parties, playing games and watching musicals. From late July to September 2025, the Disney Fantasy will spend a season in Europe doing three, four and fi ve-night voyages from Southampton. Enjoy a full-length retelling of Anna and Elsa’s adventures in Frozen, featuring state-of-the-art technology, elaborate costumes and puppetry, and sing-a-long to favourite tunes from Aladdin, The Lion King and Mary Poppins. Goofy’s Sports Deck features miniature golf, basketball and shuffl eboard, and there are eight pools for making a splash – including one shaped like Mickey Mouse and a twisting water coaster that extends over the side of the boat. Expect explosive entertainment with the fi rst fi reworks at sea. Visit disneycruise.disney.go.com T he idea that cruising solely suits elderly travellers is a misconception. Increasingly, ships are being built to attract younger customers, and all-inclusive prices can be an economical option for families on a budget. Thrilling zipwires and fl umes rival anything found in a theme park, and there are enough games to absorb impatient minds for 24 hours a day. But it’s not only kids who benefi t – the experience is relaxing for parents too. With trained staff on hand, children can run wild while adults dine or relax in the spa. Activities aimed at elderly travellers also make cruises viable for a multigenerational break, if grandparents are keen to tag along. Best of all, there are ships and destinations to suit all types of travellers. Here are a few likely to please everyone in the clan… BEST FOR… ISLAND HOPPING A GREEK ODYSSEY ON NORWEGIAN GETAWAY With a cluster of stops all different in style but equally enchanting, the Greek Islands are best explored by boat. Children with short attention spans can be easily entertained with a different port every day. Step back several thousand years by delving into archaeological Why a family cruise is a great holiday for all ages. CRUISE Cartoon crew onboard Disney Fantasy Miljet in Croatia
TRAVEL WOMANSWAY.IE 41 By Sarah Marshall, PA sites on Heraklion on the east coast of Crete, including the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Wander through narrow lanes with beaming white houses on Mykonos, and learn about Greek mythology while exploring the semisubmerged, crescent-shaped caldera of Santorini. Between shore visits, there’s plenty to enjoy onboard with an Aquapark featuring fi ve waterslides, video arcade, and multi-level sports complex with a rope course and games courts. Extend the holiday with stays on the Greek mainland at capital city Athens and Thessaloniki on the Aegean coast. Visit ncl.com BEST FOR… A STRESS-FREE BREAK AN EXOTIC ADVENTURE WITH AMBASSADOR CRUISE LINE Departing from eight ports including Belfast and London, Ambassador Cruise Line aims to please all ages, with themed party nights, fancy dress competitions, crafting, a Taylor Swift tribute act, and Festival Deck Fest. Departing from London Tilbury, fl agship vessel Ambience also hosts twice-nightly shows at two-tier entertainment venue The Palladium, choir classes and game shows – making it ideal for a multi-generational break, if granny and grandpa want to pop along. Up the ante by covering off two continents on a 12-night Iberian Treasures & North Africa voyage, stopping in Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco. Visit ambassadorcruiseline.com BEST FOR… NATURAL DISCOVERIES AN EXPEDITION CRUISE TO PATAGONIA Cruises can be educational as well as being entertaining, especially for older children. The emphasis on the environment in schools these days is the perfect justifi cation for a family trip focused on wildlife. The glaciers of Patagonia provide the ideal context for discussions about climate change, coupled with stories of great explorers in the era of European discoveries. Departing from Punta Arenas in Chile, a fi venight small ship expedition cruise visits the dramatic landscapes of glaciers, mountains and windbeaten forests in Tierra del Fuego, rounding Cape Horn and ending up in Argentinian city Ushuaia at the end of the earth. Sail through the Strait of Magellan (named after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan who led the fi rst successful expedition to navigate the strait in 1520), and take a zodiac boat excursion to the Tucker Islets where Magellanic penguins nest from October to March. Visit swoop-patagonia.com BEST FOR… NEW TO CRUISE FAMILIES A GENTLE INTRODUCTION TO CROATIA Ideal for families embarking on their fi rst cruise, this voyage along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast balances time at sea with excursions on land. Start in UNESCO World Heritage city Split, dominated by the 1700-year-old ruins of Diocletian’s Palace – a labyrinth of walls and gates built by the Romans. Continue to Hvar, an island claiming to be the sunniest spot in Europe, and on to Croatia’s greenest island Miljet, covered largely by a national park. Used as a backdrop for King’s Landing in Game Of Thrones, much of Dubrovnik’s old town – the next destination on the voyage – will be recognisable to fans of the cult TV show. Along with discovering historical sites, there’s plenty of time to swim and snorkel in clear, warm water. WW Visit familiesworldwide.co.uk “Cruises can be educational as well as being entertaining, especially for older children” Norwegian Getaway Aladdin takes the stage on the Disney Fantasy Cadiz in Spain Glaciers in Patagonia
42 WOMANSWAY.IE you are paying for hands-on interaction with animals, you’re not travelling ethically. There are no exceptions to this rule.” AVOID ANYTHING INVOLVING ENTERTAINMENT “One of the biggest indications of whether wildlife experiences are ethical is if they include some form of ‘entertainment’ factor, where wildlife have been trained to perform, or, more alarmingly, a chance to get handson with wildlife,” says Greg Fox, co-founder Mahlatini Luxury Travel. “Research from credible sources is key.” DO YOUR RESEARCH “Many organisations have memberships or certifi cations that demonstrate they walk the walk ethically, sustainably and responsibly. World Animal Protection, The Long Run, Travel by B Corp and 1% For The Planet are just a few of these to look out for,” says Lara Webster, Journey Planner at Journeys With Purpose, an operator specialising in Watching wildlife on safari Wild Side Experts explain how best to book an ethical nature-themed break. WALK ON THE is impacted by tourism – even in remote areas such as Antarctica or the African savanna. So, how do you navigate the minefi eld of choosing an ethical wildlife holiday? We asked some experts to share their tips. BE AWARE OF (TOO) CLOSE ENCOUNTERS “We don’t ever support any kind of ‘close encounters’ with wildlife, which involve touching, feeding or the exploitation of wildlife of any kind,” says Candice Buchan, head of Rainbow Tours. “We wouldn’t do anything that interferes with the natural order of the animals freely going about their business, or where they don’t have complete autonomy. The closest people could get would be with researchers or conservationists that are working to protect certain species.” Charlie Potter, Africa sales manager at luxury family safari specialists, Coral Tree, adds: “Paying to feed lion cubs or washing elephants is normalising wild animals as pets and is fuelling the illegal wildlife trade. If I nspired by numerous nature documentaries, wildlife holidays are becoming increasingly popular. Bookings for safaris have boomed in Kenya and Tanzania since the pandemic, and citizen science trips based around conservation are becoming more popular too. But as we develop a greater sensitivity towards the wild world, our attitude towards nature is changing. Although once commonly accepted, the idea that animals might be used for entertainment is now abhorrent. Recently, easyJet Holidays vowed to stop selling any activities where animals might be harmed in captivity. Other operators have made similar commitments in the past. Distinguishing between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ wildlife experiences isn’t always easy, however. Some sanctuaries, for example, provide excellent care for animals – even if they aren’t living in the wild. On the fl ip side, there are occasions where animal behaviour
TRAVEL WOMANSWAY.IE 43 Sarah Marshall, PA conservation focused trips. “Sometimes, the clearest indication of whether a holiday or activity is ethical is your gut instinct. As well as asking the relevant team/company questions, question yourself! Does your trip require the wildlife to behave (or worse, perform) in an unnatural way? Are you gaining access to it in a manner that is likely to encroach on its boundaries, comfort or cause distress? Read the reviews, and be honest with your judgement.” DON’T FORGET ABOUT COMMUNITIES “In an ideal world, we’d like to see national parks and their attendant wildlife conserved because it’s the right thing to do – because we believe that we should leave the planet in a better state than when we found it,” says Chris MacIntyre, managing director for Expert Africa. “However, in the real world, we understand that these areas, and their wildlife, usually need to pay for themselves to be conserved – and so generating funds through tourism is often key to the conservation of many such areas and their wildlife. For the local communities, we’re keen on interactions which help to provide them with sustainable jobs and income, and encourage conservation of the wildlife and its ecosystem.” NOT ALL ZOOS AND MARINE PARKS ARE BAD “Clearly the great beauty of a wildlife experience is appreciating the magnifi cence of these creatures in their natural habitat, so we don’t have zoos or marine parks in our programme,” says Buchan. “However not all these experiences are 100% negative – sometimes the education on offer is valuable, and in some cases these organisations are doing important conservation or research work. So each case needs to be carefully assessed on its individual merits, ethics and objectives.” CHOOSE SANCTUARIES CAREFULLY “When visiting a sanctuary or volunteering with animals, look for minimal or zero contact policies. The more human contact animals have, the less likely they can ever be released,” advises Rob Perkins from Responsible Travel. “In most cases, and unless necessary, you should have little or no physical contact with them. There are many sanctuaries rescuing animals that can’t be released back into the wild – but those that operate ethically don’t offer rides or performances, and will still discourage unnecessary contact. “For example, bathing an elephant may seem innocent, but they aren’t domesticated animals. So they’re often badly abused to break their spirit, in order for tourists to be able to ride or wash them. With rare exceptions, wildlife experiences should happen in the wild – on the animals’ terms. Animals shouldn’t be held in captivity as a tourist attraction.” WW “Paying to feed lion cubs or washing elephants is normalising wild animals as pets” Bathing elephants is unnatural Whale watching Petting wild animals changes their behaviour Viewing animals from a distance is ethical
44 WOMANSWAY.IE for their top tips to ensure your trip is fun and stress-free for everyone… DECIDE ON THE PLANNING PROCESS For travel expert Nina Price Travel, you need to fi rst decide if you want to do the planning yourselves, or go to a third-party travel agent who can plan the entire group holiday on your behalf. “You will still need to appoint someone who can do the liaising and be upfront with the rest of the group. They need to be super organised. Too many cooks spoil the broth,” says Price. “But if no-one is willing to do it, tasks need to be delegated. Those who aren’t doing much should be cooperative and chilled out.” Price also thinks it’s best to set Going on holiday with friends can be a great opportunity to try new things, deepen relationships and create lifelong memories. But what if your friendship group has many different personalities and interests? What happens if clashes arise, you disagree on what to do, or some friends want to go somewhere that’s way out of someone else’s budget? Planning a group holiday where everyone feels happy and content might take some careful consideration. We asked travel experts up a WhatsApp group as soon as possible. It doesn’t only help with communication but will help you get a feel of how many people are actually going on the group trip. “I have a rule of thumb: give people three options. If there are too many, no decisions get made. So that’s three destinations and three types of accommodation. Put some activities out there too,” she adds. AGREE ON A BUDGET (AND KEEP IT FAIR!) Budgeting is key. Some people in the group may only want to spend €100 on the trip, whilst others may want to fork out €1,000. “This needs to be a really honest conversation about how much everyone is willing to spend,” says Hollie Youlden, FUNwith friends the rest of the group. They need to be Budgeting is key. Some people in the group may only want to spend €100 on the trip, whilst others may want to fork out €1,000. how much everyone is willing to spend,” says Hollie Youlden, Hollie Youldon How to make group holidays enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.
TRAVEL WOMANSWAY.IE 45 By Yolanthe Fawehinmi, PA marketing manager at Kilroy, a youth and student travel agency in the Nordic and now UK region. “Obviously in a group, people earn different salaries, some people could be in a relationship or be a parent, so how much you have in terms of disposable income will differ amongst a group of friends,” she says. “It also helps to establish the biggest priority for the trip. Is it the quality of the accommodation, or the destination? Or is it about the number of activities you can fi t into your holiday?” Price agrees handling the spending and budget is really important, and adds: “You need to be realistic and open to the fact that you may not travel to the destination you want. Going on group holidays is all about compromise and having fun with friends. So keep this in mind too.” PLAN HOW YOU’LL SORT SPENDING MONEY WHILE AWAY There are various money apps people can use when planning a group holiday with friends, which can be helpful for keeping track of spending, especially if it’s more than three people. However, Price does believe 20 people should be the limit, especially if you are fl ying somewhere and not booking in advance, and would always advise going on holiday in smaller groups. “There’s an app called Splitwise, where you can keep a tally of who has paid for what. This could be a very useful tool when it’s time for people to make payments. Sometimes it’s usually easier for the delegated organiser to make the down payment and everyone just sends them the money back, as it can get very messy,” says Price. “Also, think about ways you can save some money. It’s getting so expensive to travel everywhere. You can share luggage to cut costs, and look at destinations where you might be able to fl y to a smaller airport outside the city and get a transfer. “Don’t book during peak seasons perhaps, such as the summer holidays, as you will always need to pay more. Group discounts are sometimes available too – but this can be a lot of work for one person.” HOW TO AVOID CONFLICT AND FACTOR IN EVERYONE’S NEEDS? Sometimes a bit of confl ict and tension is inevitable on a group trip, but there are things you can do to ensure everyone is getting the most out of the holiday and avoid any big arguments erupting! “You need to work some fl exibility into your itinerary,” says Youlden. “There are probably things that everyone agrees are a must-do. For example, say you were going to India as a group, the Taj Mahal is probably going to be one of those must-sees. But then there’ll be other activities or cities where maybe only half the group is interested, and the other half isn’t.” CONSIDER A THEMED TRIP It could be worth thinking about going on a themed holiday. These are more popular now and great for group holidays – that way, you’ll all know what you’re signing up for and there’ll be a shared experience at the heart of it. For example, going on a cooking holiday to Italy. “I was in Florence last year, and there was an option to tour the city in a golf cart,” says Price. “You can fi nd stuff like this on websites Not In The Guidebooks and Do Something Different.” WW “I have a rule of thumb: give people three options. If there are too many, no decisions get made”
46 WOMANSWAY.IE OPT FOR ALLERGY-FRIENDLY MATERIALS IN HOME FURNISHINGS Gluhovsky says that opting for allergyfriendly materials such as leather, vinyl and hardwood for furniture and fl ooring will reduce pollen retention, compared to fabric and carpets. “Choose washable curtains and blinds for easy pollen removal and maintenance,” he continues. “These simple choices not only enhance your home’s style but also promote a healthier living environment.” Alex Williams, from Tiger Cleaning and member of Checkatrade agrees: “Pollen can make its way into your home and nestle into the fi bres of your carpet. “Although hoovering will help, one of the best ways to reduce pollen in your home is to install hard fl ooring. You can keep hard fl oors clean with a damp mop, meaning that pollen particles aren’t fl oating around in the air.” about creating a lifestyle that prioritises your wellbeing, especially during peak allergy seasons,” says Alex Gluhovsky, spokesperson at iWardrobes. With over half of hay fever sufferers stating the allergy disrupts their sleep, your bedroom should be free from the intrusion of pollen, advises Gluhovsky. “So begin by keeping windows closed during high pollen seasons to prevent allergens from drifting indoors.” Enhancing your sleep environment further by adorning your windows with blackout curtains, not only creates a cosy ambiance, but also acts as a barrier against pollen infi ltration, he says. “Invest in hypoallergenic bedding to experience luxurious sleep while minimising exposure to allergens – bedding made from materials like organic cotton or bamboo are gentle on the skin and are naturally resistant to allergens.” Banish With allergy season in full swing, here’s how to pollen-proof your home. S neezing, runny nose, itchy eyes? While some of us welcome beautiful buds on trees, others approach springtime with trepidation thanks to the allergic reactions it brings. Kicking off with tree-pollen season – now in full swing – Mother Nature then turns her hand to grass-pollen season from mid-May; with weed-pollen season gaining momentum from the end of June… and so the cycle goes. Our natural instinct is to seek refuge inside, but how safe is your home if you’re suffering from hay fever? Here, experts share their top tips for pollenproofi ng your surroundings… CREATE A POLLEN-FREE ZONE “Transforming your home into a pollen-free safe-place is not just about cleanliness; it’s Banish Pesky Pollen
WOMANSWAY.IE 47 INTERIORS By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA STRATEGIC INDOOR GREENERY PLACEMENT “While indoor plants can enhance the aesthetics of your home, certain species can exacerbate pollen allergies,” notes Gluhovsky. “Some plants release high volumes of pollen into the air, which can contribute to allergies and respiratory issues for hay fever sufferers.” Think low-pollen indoor plants such as ferns, palms and orchids, as they produce minimal amounts of pollen compared to others, suggests Gluhovsky. “Additionally, strategically place these plants away from windows and doorways to minimise pollen intrusion.” KNOW WHEN TO AIR YOUR HOME “If you don’t know exactly what type of pollen you are allergic to, it can be diffi cult to know what time your allergens are the highest; however most fl owers pollinate in the morning, between 5am and 9am,” advises Williams. It’s recommended to keep your windows closed at these times and rely on ventilation to keep the temperature down, says Williams. “If needed, you can open your windows towards the end of the day to let air in, which is when there is less pollen circulating in the air.” If you’re still suffering, he says it’s worth consulting a gardener about the specifi c plants in your garden or street, as they can advise on their pollination timings so you know when to keep your windows closed. INVEST IN AIR CONDITIONING OR AIR PURIFIERS Air conditioning comes in handy not just for keeping cool in the summer, but also when it comes to hay fever… “Rather than cooling your home by opening all your doors and windows, using air con means the air coming into your home is fi ltered from pollen particles, helping you breathe easier throughout hay fever season,” says Williams. Depending on your budget, Williams says air purifi ers work by taking the air from your home, fi ltering it and removing the pollen particles, and pumping out clean air. KEEP YOUR HOME AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE Everyday cleaning jobs to keep on top of include hoovering, carpet cleaning, cleaning windows and seals, cleaning hard fl oors and dusting regularly, suggests Williams. “Changing the way you dust and using a damp cloth instead of a feather duster will help collect more of the dirt and pollen – and stop this from fi ltering through the air. “When dusting, start from the top and work your way down so any dust that hasn’t been picked up yet falls on unclean surfaces. “For the best results to pollen-proof your home, it’s worth combining solutions to help keep the sneezes at bay,” adds Williams. WW “Some plants release high volumes of pollen into the air, which can contribute to allergies” Use hypoallergenic bedding Succulent plants Keep your home as clean as possible
48 WOMANSWAY.IE Sugar &Spice From soothing shades to a pinch of pink, signal springtime with a pop of soft colour. I f you’re feeling creative and craving some sugary sorbet, softly spiced hues or a lick of lilac, there’s nothing like expressing yourself with playful pastels. Especially if you’re after some girlie accents to put you in a sunny mood. Here’s how to style up your happy space with a few sweet somethings… WW 2
HOMES WOMANSWAY.IE 49 By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A great way to give your home a quickie makeover is with some eye-catching artwork. This female torso is right on point with the pastel hues and diamond motif. 6 Ambleside 2 Seater Sofa Weathered Oak Feet in Ambleside Capital Mineral, €1165, Sofology A statement sofa for sure, this mesmerising, minty green hue has freshness and lightness written all over it… with curvaceous arms and comfy back cushions to sink into. Very versatile, its cool tones will give any room a fresh face. 7 Blooming Lovely Incense Gifi Set, €76, Temple of Incense Soothing, relaxing and a stress-buster, these incense sticks are inspired by a fragrant bouquet. Highlights include jasmine blossom, Indian rose and lavender supreme. Includes 20 sticks within each box of scent (six pack). 8 Snapdragon Wallpaper, €143 per roll, Hafi ie Lloyd More is more with these brilliant blooms. Giant and gorgeous, they’ll transform your wall with their power pastels and dazzling display of fl ora. 9 The Midi in Lilac, €376, Mustard A storage unit to swoon over, if you ever needed a motivating force to fi nally get organised, this luxe locker will get the job done. The colour of spring, lilac moves us in many ways – and this is a must-have for keeping everything just so. 10 Issey Velvet Fringed Cushion Covers, €34 each, Oliver Bonas A prize pick in rich velvet, scatter cushions are the icing on the top when it comes to soft furnishings. WW 1 Natural Bloom Check Mugs – Yellow, Purple and Green, €3.50 each, B&M Stores Gingham checks are all the rage and this timeless pattern will boost coffee mornings. 2 MOSI Lavender & Yellow Woven Coaster, Placemat, BINTI Lavender and Yellow Bread Basket, various prices, The Basket Room Quirky accessories, such as these woven placemats and basket, channel boho vibes… and carefree brunches. 3 ‘Checkmate’ Checkerboard Wallpaper in Lavender and Purple, €122 per roll, Sorbet Dreams Think a feature wall with this lovely lavender check to fashion a vibrant vintage vibe. 4 TruGlow Blush Pink Ribbed LED Pillar Candle Trio, €23.29, Lights4fun A trio of blush pink pillar candles with beautiful ribbed detailing adds a touch of radiance to a chilled out corner. 5 Colourful Torso Poster, from €11.97 (30 x 40cm), Desenio “A great way to give your home a quickie makeover is with some eyecatching artwork. ”
LETTERS 50 WOMANSWAY.IE Online... womansway.ie Subscribe... 01 240 5363 Email... womansway@harmonia.ie Facebook... facebook.com/womansway Twitter... twitter.com/Womans_way LETTER EMAIL DETAILS For the moment, we are asking you to send us all your letters and pictures to womansway@harmonia.ie. We love to hear from you so please stay in touch. Facebook... facebook.com/womansway LETTERS STAR LETTERPRIZE Our next Star Letter writer will win three pairs of Polly & Andy seamfree bamboo socks, adult size 6-9 in various patterns, worth €28.50. Polly & Andy is an Irish sustainable footwear company based in Waterford. Its super soft bamboo socks have a seamless toe, meaning there are no irritating lumps and bumps. Bamboo socks are sustainable, breathable, moisture wicking and hypoallergenic. Size range includes baby to adult UK size 13. Discover more and shop at pollyandandy.com or visit @pollyandandy on Instagram. Fast Fashion I was delighted to see the piece in Woman’s Way on the damage done by fast fashion on all levels. But unfortunately while producers make money and governments collect tax on these products there really isn’t a will to change. I hate how all this is going and yet the world and its mother are watching every move farmers make and clamp down on us, and everyone needs us. So why can’t they get real and do something. I myself think there are loads of ways to help fi x this by educating people and put some money into running programs on same. Thanks for highlighting the damage done by fast fashion. Mary Nertney Mouse This is Mouse, a lovely cat who enjoys attention from passing people. His beloved sister Plumbus passed away on the same day as Queen Elizabeth. But she will never be forgotten. Mary Healy Vitamin C Thank you for the explainer about the ways in which vitamin C works on the skin. I’ve started seeing it pop up on skincare ingredients without understanding why. I thought it was a bit of a gimmick to be honest. So I was delighted to read up on the science behind it. Great issue all around. Keep up the good work. Regina Horton Sofi travel I’d never heard of soft travel but it’s a trend that makes sense to me. This idea of going on holidays to relax, instead of going on a Very saddened to read about Anna’s dad and brother passing away, my heartfelt condolences to her and her family. It’s harrowing to lose loved ones and there really are no words to express how sad and life-shattering it is. And yet I felt such joy to hear about her new baby; life is bittersweet and we have to make the most of the moments we have, and enjoy what makes our hearts sing. Fair play to her for writing a book and I wish her the very best for the months and years ahead. Fidelma Cullen box-ticking mission to the main sights, is what it should be all about. Of course most of us can’t afford to be abroad for that long so there’s always going to be some days to take in the sights. But as I get older I can see the benefi ts of slowing down and embracing this soft travel trend. There’s nothing quite like sipping an apéritif at a local café, taking in the smells, sights and sounds. It’s making me want to book my next getaway... Lorraine Foster