Tarte

Before the rise of online shopping and at-home beauty boutiques stocking cult, covetable beauty bits and bobs, America was the holy grail for anyone looking to nab something a little different. While we're not doing too badly in Ireland in terms of hard-to-find ranges and gorgeous goodies these days, there's really nothing like the smug factor of being able to say, "Oh this? I got it in Sephora on Fifth Avenue". And in truth, the US still has the lion's share of niche brands and quirky cosmetics, making any trip across the pond a kid-in-a-sweetshop experience for beauty junkies.


THE NEW NAMES


Tarte


Famous Stateside for its Cheek Stains in oodles of flattering shades, not to mention its
Lash Couture mascaras, this brand has covetability in spades.


Lorac


Say it 'le rock', and make sure you snaffle something from this self-confessed red-carpet authority. In particular, check out its foundation, primer and concealer options, and do allow yourself to drool over gorgeously presented palettes.


Besame Cosmetics


Retro fans and burlesque babes will swoon for Besame Cosmetics' beautiful formulas and even nicer packaging. Get the perfect old-school pout with the reds that abound in their lipstick ranges, and all products come dickied up in glittering, red and gold tubes and compacts.


Also check out: As America was the birthplace of mineral makeup, you'll find a plethora of brands available like Bloom and Pur Minerals as well as cheaper deals on Bare Escentuals.


Doing Drugstore


Neutrogena


We know the brand for the hand cream, but in the US, it's got way more than that going for it. Its Mineral Sheers line of mineral foundations is lauded by beauty editors on both sides of the pond.


Revlon


Revlon product lines like the Age Defying and Beyond Natural makeup ranges are worth a look, and beauty tools – like tweezers, buffing blocks and eyelash curlers – offer great quality at good prices.


Almay


Largely disappeared from our shores, Almay is huge in the States. Snap up its recently launched Pure Blends range of makeup – 90% natural ingredients.


Also check out: Rimmel, L'Oreal Paris and Max Factor, all of whom offer products that differ to those available here. And if you're one of those gals who laments the disappearance of Maybelline's Full 'n' Soft mascara from our shores, then you're quids in.


Skin Saviours


Shu Uemura


Nope, it's not just about makeup with these guys, as they also make excellent skincare too. Try one of their cleansing oils, like High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil – once you've tried this method of makeup removal, you'll never go back.


Philosophy


Cute names and multi-functional bath products make this brand stand out, and Philosophy's skincare has many devotees too. Its hero product is Hope in a Jar, an antioxidant-packed soufflé-textured moisturiser with a cult following.


Ole Henriksen


While you can buy Ole Henriksen products in a couple of locations in Ireland, they're much more widely available – not to mention cheaper – across the pond. Snap up a recent launch like Express the Truth wrinkle-resistance creme.


Also check out: The US abounds with 'Dr' brands from leading dermatologists. Bag yourself some hard-working goodies from MD Skincare and Dr Brandt, and take a peep at Nude, Peter Thomas Roth and Kinerase.


Body Beautiful


Kiehl's


We've heard rumours that it's on its way back to our shores, but until then we'll have to buy Kiehl's out of country. Bag yourself some Superbly Restorative Body Lotion for silky-smooth skin.


Dylan's Candy Bar


Re-Treat is a bath and body line from sweet-shop superstar Dylan's Candy Bar. Pick up mouthwatering treats like Strawberry Licorice Soda Pop Shower Gel and Birthday Cake Batter Ice Cream Sugar Scrub. Yum.


Fresh


Purveyors of gorgeous skin and body care, Fresh do a lovely line of fragrance too. Try a floral like Fig Apricot; gourmand fans will swoon for Tobacco Caramel.


Also check out: Karl Lagerfeld's new Kapsule collection, a trio of bespoke scents. The By Killian fragrance brand (from the heir to the Hennessy Cognac dynasty, no less) is also available state-side. Cheap body products are yours courtesy of Jergens, and don't forget to look at Goody, which has a massive array of hair accessories.


Beauty Spots


Sephora


While its umpteen stores stock a huge array of new-to-us brands like Vincent Longo, B Kamins and Kinerase, one of the best things about Sephora is its own-brand products. Load up on cheap-as-chips lip liners, on-trend lip and nail colours as well as great compacts and palettes stuffed full of high-fashion shades.


Apothia


Head to the west coast to check out Apothia, the daddy of modern-day beauty boutiques, and home to a carefully edited selection of the world's top brands, like haircare from Paul Labreque, and own-brand Apothia Los Angeles fragrance and candles.


Ulta


A bit like Superdrug or Boots, Ulta stocks mid-price offerings as well as bargainous own-brand bits. Bag products from Jane and Red Earth and take a look at Sally Hansen, which has a huge makeup offering in the States.


Also check out: Target and Walgreens are great for beauty on a budget. High-end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus will provide you with luxury splurges, and don't forget Victoria's Secret, where you can bag glittery goodies as well as lingerie.