Triona McCarthy: I’m turning into my mother and I couldn’t be prouder – she’s the strongest woman I know

Lately, the pace of turning into my mother has somehow picked up speed and do you know what, I couldn’t be prouder. If I am only half the mother my mum is, I’m happy, as she is the strongest woman I know. She has been to hell and back, having lost my dad when she was my age and left with eight children. Then my sister Tricia died and to this day I really don’t know how she has kept the show on the road.

A poem by @cultofyouth is my gift to anyone on here missing their mother today: “There is not a piece of you that was not once a part of me, the Mother said. If you ever feel alone, run your finger over skin, squeeze to feel bone, I am there, I am there.”

Back to the task at hand, I’m currently enjoying Gucci Flora Gorgeous Magnolia Eau de Parfum, from €79, brownthomas.ie. The fabulous Miley Cyrus stars in the campaign for this floral feast of sensual scents of magnolia and patchouli essence, and dewberry accord.

It takes inspiration from free-spirited women and is designed to celebrate inner strength, which every mum has in spades.

I also think Jo Malone Red Hibiscus Cologne Intense, from €120, arnotts.ie is a real treat, combining the rare and vivid red hibiscus flower with jasmine and vanilla.

Another woman I’m a huge fan of is Trinny Woodall, who is mum to daughter Lyla and understands the need for speed! The Trinny London Lash2Brow, €34, trinnylondon.com is an innovative, dual-ended mascara and tinted brow gel in ONE tube to transform your lashes and brows in the blink of an eye.

OK, real talk now, you can be a great mother and still whisper “f**k off” five times a day. And today of all days, you should be able to take some time for yourself and maybe pop on the Guinot Instant Revitalizing Anti-Wrinkle Mask (€51.50, guinot.com). It contains regenerative active ingredients to help reduce the lines your kids have given you and restores radiance so that your skin looks visibly more youthful. Munch on a few chocolates and listen to a podcast while the mask is working its magic.

If you are going out on the town tonight, a new matte powder will finish off your make-up beautifully. The YSL All Hours Hyper Finish Powder (€53, brownthomas.com) mattifies and sets the complexion for up to 24 hours and is infused with skincare actives and 90pc natural-origin ingredients. It blurs imperfections and minimises the appearance of pores, while smoothing skin. I love its finely milled texture, and it can be worn alone to enhance a ‘no make-up’ make-up look — plus the luxe black case it comes in is next level!

And finally, for a really special experience, I highly recommend Eavanna Breen’s Power Facial (€485, eavannabreen.ie). Eavanna is one of Ireland’s most immediately recognisable names in skincare, and is responsible for the glowing, healthy skin of Irish celebrities like Greg O’Shea, Holly Carpenter, Thalia Heffernan, Erica Cody, Glenda Gilson and Samantha Mumba. The Power Facial combines a targeted chemical peel, microneedling with stem cells and exosomes, laser genesis and LED light therapy to deliver a radiant and youthful complexion, so you’ll look younger than your kids after it.

Happier now?!

Three of the best… Conditioners

1 Kérastase Premiere Anti-Rigidity Decalcifying Repairing Conditioner, €48, millies.ie

Designed for all types of damaged hair, this conditioner addresses the impact of calcium overload, restoring vitality to over-processed or bleached hair to bring back its bling!

2 Augustinus Bader The Rich Conditioner, €50, augustinusbader.com

This swanky new conditioner that deeply hydrates and restores damaged hair, helps to reduce breakage, prevent split ends and nourish dry, brittle hair. It may be pricey, but your hair will thank you for it.

3 Luna Professional Haircare Volume Conditioner, €14, lunahaircare.ie

Cork beauty queen Lisa Jordan’s new conditioner gives body to flat and lifeless hair and nourishes delicate hair thanks with protein and moisture-boosting humectants.

Triona and Mini’s tween skincare buys