Longford skincare specialist Annmarie Brady reveals the secret to achieving the perfect Christmas glow

Camera-ready skin is always a big confidence booster during party season, but despite what the many Instagram skincare trends would have you believe, it’s not going to happen with a quick rice water mask or a few nights of Vaseline slugging. 

The only way to achieve a compliment-magnet complexion is through a consistent and effective routine. 

If, however, you’re a skincare novice and have no idea where to begin nor the budget to try out various treatments, Longford skincare specialist Annmarie Brady has the golden advice. 

“People underrate cleansing,” she explains. “They will either buy a cheap cleanser, don't cleanse at all, or they don't spend enough time cleansing. I always say start with your cleanser and make sure it's the correct one for your skin type. That can make a world of difference because if you have the base of a good cleanser, then everything else will work so much better for you. Always cleanse for 60 seconds to make sure you’re thoroughly cleaning the pores. After that, use a hydrating serum, hyaluronic acid or a vitamin C serum, and always SPF every single day. What you do at home every day is what matters and then treatments come after that.” 

Also read: Christmastime joys and traditions with Longford's Anne-Marie Tomchak

She adds, “A good routine that works for you doesn't have to be 10 steps. 3 or 4 steps in the morning and an evening should be ok. If you're getting those right with the right products for your skin, and not what your friend is using or what you’ve seen on TikTok, then that can just make the world a difference.” 

If you have a solid skincare foundation in place and you are looking for an effective treatment to try, one to give your skin that extra glow for Christmas, Annmarie’s most popular treatment is currently the Skin Formula Lactic Peel, which is “naturally hydrating and brightening on the skin” and is suitable for all skin types. 

She also introduced a new treatment in recent months called Cell Story - a form of bio microneedling - that has the benefit of zero downtime. 

As Annmarie explains, “With traditional microneedling, you're using a device and creating trauma to the skin. With this treatment however, you don't have any trauma to the outer layer of the skin. People like it because it's a form of microneedling, but unlike the traditional microneedling, you can go out into the world afterwards and no one would know any different!” 

With a thriving business and a busy home life, Christmas is a lively one for Annmarie. With husband Dermot, they have three children, Alice (10), Charlie (12) and Jamie (21). In the Brady household, the festive season starts the moment those Toy Show opening credits roll. The night in question has gone on to become their annual tradition. 

Also read: Longford panto legend Davy Flaherty 'a bubbling wreck' as he stars on stage with his daughter

“The Toy Show, with the matching pyjamas and treats, is the start of Christmas for us. We also try to have all the decorations and the Christmas tree up in time for that. Before last year, the Toy Show was on in late November which felt a bit too early for decorations. Having them up that early doesn't sit right with me at all because in my house growing up, it was always December 15 when we’d put them up, don’t know why that date,” Annmarie laughs. 

She adds, “Another tradition of ours would be going to the Longford panto every year. The day the kids finish up school, we’d also go into Longford town where they would do their Christmas shopping, and we’d then go for lunch, that kind of thing, so that's become kind of like a tradition for them now.”  

As Annmarie looks back on the Christmases of her own childhood, there’s a number of core memories that immediately stand out. 

“My dad was a publican, and as Christmas Day was one of two days the pubs were closed - the other being on Good Friday - he used to always be there so it was a big family day as I’m one of six. It was a crazy busy day, but a lovely day. Loads of food and games, that kind of thing. Mum always having the biggest turkey that she could fit into the oven is another memory that comes to mind.”  

“The Christmas gift that always comes to mind is a vanity doll head. That freaky looking thing!” she laughs. “I remember getting one of them and a little vanity case; it was a little suitcase and I had a mini hair dryer in it as well. Of all the presents I've ever received over the years, that's the one that stands out. I remember bringing the case everywhere with me too. I used to think I was the business carrying it around!” 

Also read: Blossoming business: Longford's Ellen Madden and Down the Floral Path

The beauty-themed Christmas gift must have made quite the impression on Annmarie as she would go on to work in the beauty industry as an adult, first qualifying in 2005. Five years ago, she opened her successful skincare business just outside Ballymahon. 

“I used to work in Quinn's Solicitors in the town for 17 years but I would do beauty in the evening times. Then when we moved out to where we are now, we purpose-built a salon space. I've been in the industry a long time, but I've only been working in it properly for the last five years.” 

As well as treating different types of skin issues and helping clients achieve their skincare goals, Annmarie also specialises in bridal skin. For brides-to-be with ambitions of picture perfect skin, she has some valuable advice. 

“If you have no problems with your skin, if your skin is fine and you just want to get into a routine and have the best skin, then coming in to see me around 6-12 months is suitable. It also gives your skin a chance to adjust to any new products or ingredients and a chance for you to get the results from a treatment plan. But if you have any problems such as acne scarring or pigmentation, any problematic areas that need work on, especially acne scarring, then you're talking about coming in 18-24 months before the wedding date just to give your skin the best chance.”

When it comes to a skin consultation - a step that is absolutely worth taking if you want to determine exactly what your skin needs - Annmarie starts by observing a client’s complexion using a state-of-the-art diagnostic machine that enables her to see exactly what is going on with the skin. 

Also read: Longford gallery and Café owner loves variety of creating and displaying art and tutoring

She explains further, “You can really tailor a programme for somebody - like a home care plan and a treatment plan - just going on those images. A skin consultation is always the best way to start, and I always work with what someone has. So if they have 10 products at home, I try to incorporate them into the routine so they're not spending a huge amount of money starting off. This way, they can build on it. 

“Then, as they're going further into their skincare journey, two months or so down the line, say with their cleanser, they can then step in with a Skin Formulas one, so that way they're not spending a huge amount of money at the beginning.”