Pestle & Mortar (now landed at M&S)

Since it dropped in M&S in July, we’re told that Pestle & Mortar has become one of the fastest-selling brands in the department. And we’re not surprised. Visit their own website and it’s ablaze with logos for different awards this Irish skincare has picked up, from Natural Health, Ireland’s Image magazine, Beauty Shortlist – and we’re rather hoping that at some point, they might add find room on what must be a very crowded mantelpiece for a Beauty Bible Award.

It’s really quite a big collection, and the fact that it’s now in M&S makes it easier to peruse. We like their philosophy, though, that ‘less is more’ – not an overcomplicated range, everything created for all skintypes, to deliver ‘healthy, hydrated skin that looks and feels its best.’ 

There are now 11 products on sale at M&S, but if you’re unsure what to go for, the Ultimate Hydration Kit is a great place to start. (We’re great believers in try-before-you-buy-full-size-products, us.) It includes skin-quenching heroes including  their Pure Hyaluronic Serum, Hydrate Lightweight Moisturiser, Balance Facial Spritz (all 30ml sizes), and it’s £45 here. 

Via their website, alternatively, Pestle & Mortar also offer travel sizes (find them here, including an introduction to their Erase Balm Cleanser/£27 for 50ml – among our own favourites from the range, and a brilliant all-natural make-up melter for the end of day.

Co-founder and CEO Sonia Deasy – who has managed to build this brand alongside raising a family of five – was shortlisted for EY Entrepreneur of the Year earlier in 2019, an Ernst & Young initiative which champions entrepreneurship throughout Ireland.

And we agree: this is a skincare name which is set to go far. But is also, happily (thanks to the M&S listing) is also available nearby, for many of us.

£26-68 at marksandspencer.com – buy here

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