Ballymahon woman's skin-care journey prompts business success

A personal journey to unearth a product that worked on her sensitive skin has turned into a thriving business for a Midlands entrepreneur.

Ballymahon native Lorraine Corcoran is the co-founder of Nyrah Beauty, a "homemade" brand aimed at restoring skincare confidence "to address the most common signs of ageing at every stage of life".

What started as frustration turned into a passion for formulating clean, effective solutions that "honour both the science of skincare and the integrity of natural ingredients".

A mechanical engineer with 25 years of experience in pharmaceuticals, medical research and development, Lorraine started Nyrah Beauty with her husband Aiden in 2022 and continues to expand the brand product range on offer.

"Occasionally, the best brands are born from solving problems for ourselves first. Our aim was to develop a range of animal-safe, plant-based, vegan skincare products. The business stemmed from a personal need to address the changes in my skin which started in my forties.

"I had hormonal, reactive and rosacea-prone skin and I was trying a variety of skin range products to counteract these issues but with no joy. I just wanted to find a simple routine that fitted into real life so that was the catalyst for starting Nyrah Beauty," Lorraine said.

Now living in Castlebar from where she has adopted a hands-on approach to the production and packaging of the business from a warehouse on the grounds of her residence, Lorraine emphasised that the Nyrah Beauty skincare range is focused on restoring skin confidence for women on the cusp of menopause.

"Our clinically proven skincare range is predominantly aimed at women in their 40s and 50s. I want to play a part in restoring their confidence as they go through a changing time in their lives.

"The skin is the biggest organ in the body and it is vital that is nourished and replenished, not just for women of a certain age, but those at all stages of life," Lorraine added.

The ageing process is a guarantee in life, but as the years pass, Lorraine is adamant that there is no reason why women cannot still look their best from the outside in.

"For me, it is about being part of women's daily lives in a small but meaningful way and I truly believe our range of Nyrah Beauty skincare products offers a solution to those suffering confidence issues with their appearance," Lorraine said.

The Nyrah Beauty trial pack, complete with seven core products, including moisturising cream, gel cleanser and serums, is the brand's top seller. On the market since March 2023, Lorraine said over 40,000 units have been sold to date.

"Our trial pack also comes with a step-by-step routine booklet that essentially guides your morning and evening skincare routine. We have been developing our skincare products with efficacy in mind and as our customer base grows it brings all involved with Nyrah Beauty great satisfaction knowing we are making a difference to the lives of women," Lorraine stated.

Such is the positive feedback from customers to date, it has enabled Lorraine to develop additional skincare products, a range of self-tanning products now available from the brand's online store.

"Customer interaction will allow Nyrah Beauty to grow. It is vital for your business that you listen to all product feedback and what your customer wants as part of their skincare routine," Lorraine said.

Lorraine said plans are afoot to have a Nyrah Beauty presence in select stores nationwide to build on its status as a prominent e-commerce brand.

"It was a great decision to start as an e-commerce brand but you are always looking for omni-channels to develop and promote your brand. To that end, we have started discussions with a number of retail partnerships with the aim of having a presence in select beauty and wellness businesses towards the end of the year.

"We started as a direct to consumer (DTC) business. Now that the brand has evolved we will continue to upscale Nyrah Beauty and also look towards expanding the business into the UK market," Lorraine said.

Lorraine is grateful for the repeat business Nyrah Beauty continues to receive, much of which she said comes from the Irish diaspora.

"For a brand which was launched three years ago, we have gained a loyal customer base which has allowed the company to become a prominent supplier of online skincare products," Lorraine added.

The company continues to post a high rating on the business review platform Trustpilot, a feat of which Lorraine is extremely proud.

"We believe in our skincare range and I know that they are making a difference to the lives of women who regularly contact me with positive comments about the products. The trial pack has been essential to the initial success of the business and thankfully, its sales volume is allowing our business to grow," Lorraine said.

The entrepreneur believes in the human-to-human connection which business entails and takes time to liaise with her customers on a personal level with any queries they have regarding the Nyrah Beauty skincare range.

"Your skin is a true reflection of what you are doing to your own self. I want to forge a connection and make a positive contribution to the lives of women who use our products. I am of the view that if you look your best you will emit confidence in your day to day life and kindness will prevail, what we all need in the world today," Lorraine concluded.