Emer O'Callaghan: Getting mum Communion ready

May is Communion season - always a very busy month for us beauticians.

It also means lots of very early 7.30am and 8am starts for make-up for the mums because the Communion mass is usually an early kick off at 10am.

The panic and rush to get everyone sorted and out the door on time is real, and you can see the visible relief in parents’ faces when they finally sit down in the church - everyone washed, fed, dressed and on time. It’s like a collective sigh of relief.

I love when people say, ‘Oh, we have a Communion this year’, almost with a nod and a wink, like it’s a big deal, and it’s said with such pride and fuss for the child, which is lovely.

They should start every Communion mass with an opening line of: “Ye did it, they’re all here, you can breathe.” I say that to my clients who have Communion kids and they all laugh but fully agree.

Aw, I love seeing little Communion girls and boys around the place, like mini brides and grooms, they are just so dotey.

I loved my Communion dress and all the paraphernalia that came with it, it’s the first time as a little girl you get to be dressed like a little princess.

Being the only girl and youngest, my mum, nanna and brothers and all our lovely neighbours in Bishopstowns made a big fuss of me on my day, but in truth I was so sad as I missed my dad so much. It makes me sad to even now look at my Communion photos because I can remember that feeling. Grief is an awful thing and it’s even harder for a child as you just don’t understand it - but we got through it and life sadly goes on.

These days, I love when clients come in excited for a big day like a Communion, many are invited to them too and one thing is for sure, everyone wants to look their best, and isn’t that a wonderful thing also?

CHILDREN AND SKINCARE

I make no secret of the fact I am 100% against any child doing any skincare, make-up, lashes, etc, for any occasion. Sadly, in the past five years many big beauty companies have targeted children under ten.

As a beauty doctor and skin specialist, I can tell you a child’s skin is like sponge and it is so delicate and should never be subject to skincare products that young.

I urge parents to invest in good quality SPF for their children and not skincare brands.

FACIALS ARE THE KEY

“Oh Emer, just make me look ten years younger please for the Communion and I will be happy.”

That’s a line I hear a lot this month. So many women have so much to be juggling - home life and work and all that comes with both - is it any wonder they put themselves bottom of the list all the time?

But the smart woman prioritises her monthly facial - many of my clients book them in at the start of the year - and that time is golden for them, their me time, and bit of escapism. They are also slowing down the ageing process.

My new six-week skin kick-start course is very good at addressing this. The smart lady knows the importance of regular facials to keep ageing dead skin away.

MUM’S MAKE-UP

I am doing so many professional make-ups on Communion mums in recent weeks, and my Master Colors Paris brand is so popular with every age. It’s lightweight, offers full coverage, and best of all, is so anti-ageing as it’s a serum-based foundation so it won’t seep into your fine lines and wrinkles and make you look older.

My trained eye can see a mile away a woman who does regular facials, it’s the way the make-up sits and looks on the skin when there is no mountain of dead skin underneath.

A good facial is a game-changer for any Communion mum.

NAIL IT

No child had painted nails for their Communion back in my day in the 1980s. In fact, I actually love how innocent we all were. I only ever saw my mum and my nanna paint their nails and there is no way on earth I’d be allowed get mine done.

Far too many parents today are so dismissive about things like their child painting their nails, but their little nails are only forming and developing and nail polish and the remover are harsh for any child’s nails.

So many parents feel pressure on this, but in truth, a once off coat of normal nail polish for a child on her Commuion day is not much harm, but the trouble starts when it’s adult shellac long-wearing nail polish.

DO THE TAN

DIY jobbing your own tan for your child’s Communion is not advised. Like any beauty treatment, it’s very obvious to see the difference between a home job and a professional job.

I believe a good professional spray tan is ideal as it will, done correctly, last a few day. St. Tropez is still my No.1 recommendation for tanning and it’s one less job and worry for you to be thinking about.

I don’t advise getting false tan on your face, it blocks the pores and can lead to breakouts, spots and blocked pores and blackheads. I did one of my popular beauty videos on this recently and you can see it on our Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages.

LET THEM BE KIDS

We all remember our First Holy Communion and there is so much work the teachers and parents put in to make it a memorable day.

I often feel disappointed to be working in an industry that is trying to get children into beauty products and treatments at a very young age. I have a strict ‘no under 18’ rule in my clinic now.

So many little girls will spend their Communion money on beauty buys today and I think thats so sad.

A childhood is such a precious time, and it’s such a short time too, they will be adults long enough and be dealing with the pressures and strains of life for the rest of their lives. Why rush that golden time?

Preserving their childhood for as long as we can is so important.

I hope you truly cherish and enjoy such a precious day in your child’s life, knowing God will help and protect them all the days of their lives.

• Emer O’Callaghan is a multi award winning beauty doctor and skin specialist who won Irish Beauty Therapist of the Year and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. A Gold Standard Crown Elite Centre of Excellence 2008-2026, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow on Facebook/Instagram/TikTok.
• SIX WEEK SKIN KICK-START: You can start this in my clinic any time, simply pay for each facial as you go. You will also be given a personalised home care plan to follow at home. Suitable for all over 21.
• Appointments necessary, to book call Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. Free parking.