Triona McCarthy: These gadgets and gizmos are just the thing to give your face a lift

Let’s do a deep dive into the gadgets claiming to help with the jowl and general face loosening situation many of us find ourselves fighting as we face into — geddit — our 40s, 50s and beyond.

I feel like jade rollers were the start of these beauty tools, quickly followed by Gua Sha — both are brilliant at supporting circulation and lymphatic drainage, lifting, plumping, sculpting and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

You can pick up a Gua Sha from your local pharmacy. For extra radiance, apply Botanics 100% Organic Facial Oil to the skin first (€14.99, boots.ie). Or how about this jade roller I found online — the Afterspa Jade Facial Roller (€13.46, theskinnerd.com).

During lockdown, when we couldn’t get to our beauty professionals and lots of people reported having eyebrows a lot lower than usual without their usual botox, many began researching gizmos and gadgets to achieve a bit of a lift.

Indeed, you might say nothing focuses the mind like necessity!

The NuFace Trinity Pro Device with Facial Trainer Attachment (€369, skinbyolga.ie), is the one I reached for when I was feeling a little, eh, low myself.

Because our body’s natural current starts to slow as we age, sagging and wrinkles appear, so the microcurrents in this device mimic the natural current of our bodies.

It’s a little like a workout for the face: toning facial muscles for a firmer looking jawline and bouncier skin. And the great thing for those of us with hectic lives is that you can do it in just five minutes a day.​

Something I found simple to reach for daily was another lockdown discovery, the Eden @home LED Mask Kit (€150, edenbeautygroup.com).

The mask plugs into your phone charger for ease of use and you couldn’t ask for more than that if you’re a constantly-on-the-go type (having once-and-for-all escaped lockdown, naturally).

It has three colour settings: red to stimulate collagen and elastin production; blue, which is anti-bacterial and kills the P bacteria that causes acne; and orange, which is brightening.

I’ve heard said some people find the various colours relaxing and soothing, which is a real bonus.

The kit contains all the products you need for a home treatment, including a derma roller, a box of Age Complex ampoules and an Age Defence Cream. Now talk about giving yourself a lift...

Three of the best … lip/cheek colours

1. Charlotte Tilbury Beach Sticks, €37, charlottetilbury.com

Gone are the days of bulging make-up bags, with clever multi-taskers like this brand new Beach Stick from Queen Charlotte. It is as easy as “twist, glide and glow”, as she says, for the prettiest pout and a cheeky glow. Simply blend using your fingertips for the fastest finish.

2. Gen See, Clean Sheen Cheek + Lip Color, €22, genseebeauty.com

The one I reach for myself the most, as it’s so easily blended on top of my makeup and completely customisable, allowing me to add as much or as little as I like throughout the day. There are six stunning shades to choose from — Apricot is my shade, the perfect peachy orange that seems to suit everyone I get to try.

3. Benefit Benetint Rose-Tinted Lip And Cheek Stain, from €21, Benefit stores and counters nationwide.

This OG lip and cheek product, created as a nipple tint for exotic dancers, has been a staple in many a make-up bag for some time now. Recently, I’ve noticed the teenagers in my life all wearing the kiss-proof, waterproof wonder.