Emer O'Callaghan: My top beauty tips  for debs and grads

Aw, August, you are flying by, and with it our summer.

I was driving back from Wexford the other day after a work event and pulled into the beach at Youghal, threw off the suit and on with the swimming togs in the boot. I had a lovely refreshing swim to cool me down as I headed home.

It’s so true about the best things in life being free!

As a woman in business, I know that investing in the best in every aspect of my life is worth it. I am a self-declared high value woman - what’s the alternative? A low value person? No thanks!

How do you teach a young girl to value her own natural beauty and face? That is the question so many parents ask themselves today.

It’s debs and grads season and I’m busy doing make-up and facials for them - I just love being part of anyone’s special day in their lives.

It’s fair to say the girls have a lot more expense and things to get done in preparation for their debs night.

I had a lovely girl in the clinic yesterday for her make-up who was telling me her brother was at home sulking because the girl in the class he had been dreaming of asking to the debs had gone with someone else. You snooze, you lose!

Debs and grads nights have always been big deals, and while this new TY ball they now all do in Transition Year has taken some of the shine off them, it’s still the end of your secondary school days and marks a new chapter in your life.

When I was in Leaving Cert year, lots of my classmates were heading out to work full time, and lots, like my own older brothers, had left school in third year to do trades, and never had a grads or debs.

I often think we take these special events for granted, never stopping to think there are people you know who never got to have these milestones.

This week, I have some tips to help the debs and grads students of 2026 plan for their big night to make it a memorable one.

PREP THE SKIN

I work all day with skin and it just fascinates me how we all have such different types.

Sadly, the biggest thing I notice is how neglectful people are of it.

If education on skin was given at a younger age, I do believe we might prevent a lot of the skin cancers and skin conditions we see today.

Teenagers don’t realise they are abusing their skin, they use a mix of loads of different brands, they have treatments and devices that damage their skin barrier.

The debs is usually the first time I get to see this age group and a good professional Deep Cleanse Facial is a must for them. It’s the only way to get make-up to sit correctly, evenly, and last all night.

It’s just as important for the body - far too much emphasis goes on the fake tan, but if you have not scrubbed off the layers of dead skin, your tan will not sit evenly and look patchy and drier in some parts. So top of the beauty list is a facial and a professional body scrub. It’s all in the prep: the smart girl learns this young.

DIY TANNING

This is one beauty treatment far too many chance doing themselves simply because they are used to doing it. First off, no tan you buy over the counter is as good a quality and strength as what we use in our clinics and salons. This is why we have professional grade tans.

By getting your spray tan professionally done, not only will it be a more natural colour, but it will be even and it will last over a week.

I would never advise anyone to spray tan their face, debs night or not, as they are comedogenic, which means they are pore-clogging, so you will get spots afterwards.

NAILING IT

Yes, it’s summer, and bright neon shades are in, but they are not suitable for debs night. You need to pick one colour that you get done the same to both hands and feet, pink nails and green toe nails and a blue dress look all wrong. The rule is match your dress.

Try not to have the nails too loud with art and bling as you want your dress to stand out. I did one of my beauty videos on this recently and you can watch it on the Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook/Instagram/TikTok pages.

MAKE-UP

Young girls today are like professional make-up artists, but what they forget is that your debs night is not your average Saturday night out with the girls - it’s a night you will remember for the rest of your life and you will have the photos to show it.

My advice is to treat it like that, and to book in for a professional make-up job, then you won’t just look the same as you always do.

If you’re unsure what you would like, you can always book a make-up trial for your debs. Can I also remind you that big, thick, fake eyelashes do take from a lovely eye make-up as they are just so dominant.

DON’T FORGET...

To bring lipstick for topping up after dinner. Make sure to drink water to stay hydrated, and make sure you get a photo with your family before leaving - and remember to thank them for all they have done for you to make this night a very special, memorable one! Have a ball!

• Emer O’Callaghan is a multi award winning beauty doctor, skin specialist, and winner of Irish Beauty Therapist of the Year who works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. A Guinot Crown Elite Clinic and Dermalogica Centre of Excellence, 2008-2026, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie, follow us on Facebook/instagram/TikTok now.
• OVER 60S RADIANCE FACIAL: We have age-appropriate facials and products for ladies of every decade, and this week our Over 60s Professional Radiance Facial, 90 minutes, is reduced from €165 to €130. Includes a full professional skin analysis, home care skin plan, samples and treats. To book, call Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. Appointments only, free parking for clients.