Ella & Jo Cosmetics is proving unstoppable in its rise to the top.
We’re huge fans of the skincare brand at VIP, so we’re always delighted to see them being rightfully rewarded across Ireland and the UK.
2024 has been a standout year for the Irishborn skincare company, with founders Charlene Flanagan and Niamh Ryan celebrating the recent win of a slew of prestigious awards.
In the last 12 months alone they have been rewarded the likes of IMAGE Magazine’s Irish Brand of the Year, Goss.ie’s Businesswoman of the Year Award, VIP’s Power of Women Award in Skincare & Cosmetics, and the UK’s CEW Best New Brand Award.
Launched in 2017 by Niamh Ryan, a skin therapist from Ballina, Co Mayo, and renowned makeup artist Charlene Flanagan, Ella & Jo has become a household name in Ireland and is rapidly expanding its reach worldwide.
The brand’s signature combination of vibrant, fun products with clinical-level skincare results has earned them a devoted following, with their products now in 1 in 5 Irish homes and sold in over 50 countries.
Their skincare brand has always been close to Niamh and Charlene as the conception of Ella & Jo came from Niamh’s own struggles with her skin. She was forced to rely heavily on harsh acne medication Roaccutane as she dealt with self-esteem issues.
“It left me feeling vulnerable,” shares Niamh. “I knew there had to be a gentler, more effective way to help people regain their confidence.”
Inspired by her journey, she became a skin therapist, opening Bella Beauty, a successful salon in Ballina, Co Mayo. Niamh realised that her clients’ needs went beyond in-salon treatments, inspiring her to envision solutions that would help people take control of their skin health in a more meaningful and effective way.
Around the same time, her longtime friend Charlene Flanagan was making waves in the beauty industry as a highly sought-after makeup artist and educator. She hosted masterclasses across Ireland, emphasising the importance of skincare as the foundation of any beauty routine.
They began their brand with one singular product, the Squeaky Clean Brush Cleanser – inspired by Niamh’s realisation that dirty makeup brushes often undermined her clients’ skincare efforts.
Seven years on, Ella & Jo is a beauty powerhouse, consistently doubling turnover year-on-year and driving sales with repeat purchase rates of over 70%. Their hero products include the Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm, which boasts an 80% repeat purchase rate, and the Plump & Protect Hydrating Day Cream with SPF 30, which oversold its forecast by four times upon launch. Their Glow Up Enzyme Mask, praised by brand ambassador Cat Deeley, sold out within 24 hours of its debut.
Ella & Jo has established a strong hold on the Irish market and is now gaining traction in the UK. With a pop-up on London’s iconic Oxford Street and a high-profile partnership with Cat Deeley, the brand is poised for further international expansion, setting its sights on reaching a global audience.
“We’re actively seeking key retail partners in the US, UK, and beyond. It’s exciting to think of people in new markets discovering and falling in love with our products,” Niamh said.
Explore the full Ella & Jo range at ellaandjo.ie.