Ireland’s unique weather conditions can have a subtle yet significant impact on the average beauty routine, affecting attributes as diverse as hair, skin health and makeup application. The shifting pattern of the Irish climate, with its mighty gusts, relentless showers, and occasional bursts of sunshine, has a direct influence on how your hair, skin, and makeup can appear and behave throughout the day.
Hair, skin, and make-up issues linked to the Irish climate range from wind-blown hairstyles to runny mascara, to skin dryness or oiliness. Indeed, well known Irish YouTuber and beauty influencer Melanie Murphy has frequently documented this struggle for her hundreds of thousands of followers.
Murphy’s followers, who are predominantly women aged 18 to 30, regularly comment and engage with posts that relate to the often challenging local climate and the weather-induced beauty issues it triggers. “My skin is never dryer than just after I’ve walked home from work in the chilly Irish wind,” one follower commented recently.
The fight against frizz, especially during Ireland’s infamously damp days, is a common complaint amongst salon-goers and hairstylists alike. Hair tends to absorb the moisture in the air, causing strands to swell and frizz. This is particularly the case for those with curly, coily, or wavy hair types.
“During high humidity, moisture from the air can penetrate the hair fibre, causing hair to swell,” explains Irish hair stylist Karl Byrne. “When it affects each individual hair strand unevenly, this creates the frizz that many struggle with.”
While a good quality moisturizing conditioner and serum can combat the frizz, the unpredictability of the weather demands constant vigilance and adaptability in hair care routines.
Makeup too is at the mercy of the Irish climate. Our infamous winds and rains can cause havoc, smudging eyeliner, causing mascara to run, and wiping away foundation. Investing in waterproof products and setting sprays becomes crucial, while also bearing in mind the drying effect of the wind.
“I often have clients come in complaining how their makeup just doesn’t seem to sit right on their face on windy, cold days,” says Janine Holmes, a Dublin-based makeup artist. “I always suggest using a heavy-duty makeup primer and finishing spray to prevent makeup from sliding off. It’s also necessary to keep your skin hydrated through the day, as dry, chilly winds can strip the skin of its natural oils, making it appear dull and flaky.”
On those rare sunshine-filled days, another set of challenges emerge. While the warmth is generally welcomed, increased sweat can spell disaster for careful makeup application. In such cases, the usage of light, breathable, and oil-free products can make all the difference, as well as a good SPF for skin protection.
The British Journal of Dermatology includes studies showing that inclement weather can exacerbate skin conditions such as rosacea, dermographism, and cold urticaria. Despite the lack of persistent sunshine in Ireland, protecting skin against harmful UV rays is of prime importance. Even on an overcast day, up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate the skin, as reported by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
All in all, Irish weather – be it rain, wind, or shine – imposes its own unique set of challenges to maintaining your beauty routine. Arm yourself with the right weapons: a good moisturizer, waterproof makeup, and a robust SPF, and remember, the secret to flawless hair, skin, and makeup in any weather is to stay flexible, adaptable, and hydrated.
Original Source: https://www.weddingsonline.ie/blog/how-the-irish-weather-can-affect-hair-makeup-skin-on-the-day/
