Aimee Connolly: taking joy in the journey
As a beauty influencer and founder of the Sculpted by Aimee brand, Aimee Connolly brings a creative spirit to both her career and her travel adventures.
For the acclaimed make-up artist, travel isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about the journey. Time spent in the air has become a vital part of Aimee’s routine, where ideas flourish and inspiration sparks.
Here she shares her some of her favourite destinations and treasured travel memories.
“I adore the airplane time for brainstorming and it has become such a part of my general work week. It’s where I find that my ideas come, because I’m literally uncontactable.”
For Aimee Connolly, the joy of travel starts the moment she steps on board an Aer Lingus flight. Constantly on the move, she has come to value not just the destination but the journey itself.
For the 31-year-old Dubliner, flying is a time for clarity and inspiration, making it an essential part of every adventure. She adds…
“I’ll download decks to review or I’ll just have a piece of paper and a pen and let it all flow. My time on board is honestly cleansing and healing, and I would be lost without it.”
Rest and relaxation in Portugal
Though Aimee loves exploring new places, there’s one sunny spot she finds herself returning to again and again. “I generally always take the opportunity to visit somewhere new—I will say though that somewhere that I just associate with ‘chilling’ is Portugal, and in particular Faro. I actually am going back there this weekend for the third time for a long weekend away,” she reveals.
“I love it because it’s so easy to get to and it’s on the beach. Nothing excites me more than having a place that offers a few different things like a pool and the sea.”
She adds…”You can brainstorm and do your work, then you can chill and have that gorgeous evening time or a beach walk. It’s an easy weekend to take you out of the daily grind and just have a bit of R&R and some sun.”
Paris, pastries
& plenty to do
Aimee studied French as part of her university degree and she and her husband tied the knot last year in France—so it’s no surprise that Paris is a destination close to her heart.
Aimee and her husband John were married at the luxurious Château de Varennes in the stunning Burgundy region of France in 2023.
“I think that a year or two ago I would have said London is my favourite city as it’s where a lot of my family are based. London is now a really prime location for us as a commercial market, so I think somewhere completely different that I think about for a city break would be Paris.”
She adds…”Paris is a city that has so much to offer; I’ve been when it’s sunny, and I’ve also been in winter, and it’s just as magical in any season. It’s a great place to simply walk around; most importantly, there are the most delicious croissants. I adore pastries!”
Book a flight to Paris to experience the magic of the City of Lights for yourself.
Adventure and luxury in Ireland
Closer to home, Aimee is passionate about unwinding and exploring in the wilds of Ireland . Top of her list? Ashford Castle, where she finds exceptional hospitality and plenty to do, from hiking to spa days.
“I’m a big fan of Irish trips and I love getting out in nature and hiking. One destination that really sticks out in terms of hospitality is Ashford Castle. I don’t think I’ve ever had service and hospitality like it, aside from Adare Manor. In Ashford Castle there was so much to do: whether it was a walk or run, a spa session, or a chance to eat delicious food, it was all just so fab.”
For some more inspiration on travelling in Ireland, read our behind-the-scenes tour of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Romance in South America
Aimee’s honeymoon took her to new heights—quite literally—with an unforgettable trip to South America. The vast landscapes and exhilarating experiences left a lasting impression.
“Our trip to South America on our honeymoon earlier this year was my first time on the continent—I absolutely fell in love with it. We mainly travelled to Brazil and Argentina but we also went to Patagonia to do one of the highest and hardest hikes in El Chaltén, which was amazing. It was about 7.5 hours, so it was a long day and we were exhausted afterwards, but it was incredible. It has definitely made me eager to go back and see more places like Chile.”
Future travel dreams
From North and South America to Asia, Aimee is always looking for new destinations to inspire her.
“My travel bucket list is very long. I’m someone who likes to be busy, so the thought of going and exploring somewhere really excites me. I’ve always been like this, even since I was working part-time and studying, before Sculpted by Aimee. I’d often work for weeks on end, knowing I had a week away somewhere new,” she explains.
“I would love to see more of North America and South America, places like Chile. I’ve never been to Hawaii or Fiji and I’m also really intrigued to go to Japan. We make a lot of our products in South Korea, so I’ve said to myself that the next lab trip in Seoul, I’ll hopefully get the short flight to Tokyo and spend a weekend there.”
Aimee and John exploring Argentina, including the iconic glaciers of Patagonia!
A picture postcard Christmas
Aimee’s love of travel started early. One of her earliest holiday memories is a snowy family Christmas in the UK’s Lake District, complete with a larger-than-life canine companion.
“I think I was about four when I spent Christmas with my mom and my small but mighty family (as I always call them) in the Lake District. I remember it really clearly… it was the most magical, snowy Christmas. There was a huge Saint Bernard dog who was bigger than me, and I used to run out every morning and play with him in the snow. I remember it feeling like it was Christmas magic with all my family.”
Book flights to Manchester to experience Aimee’s recommendation on the Lake District.
Making memories with others
For Aimee, it’s a blend of family, her husband and her close-knit group of girlfriends that make her trips so memorable. “My ideal travel companion really varies. My husband and I are very alike in a great way, so we’ll go and pack in lots and make the most of a trip—whether that’s exploring, going on a hike in the mountains or having a beach day,” she says.
“I’m a huge fan of experiences with my family… We’ve gone to Bali and South Africa and we’ve gone skiing together. I think that’s so important! I have a really tiny family—there are only five of us—and making those memories means so much to me.”
Embracing the journey
For Aimee Connolly, travelling isn’t just about ticking off a series of destinations. Whether she’s hopping on an Aer Lingus flight to her next adventure or brainstorming ideas mid-air, she’s learned to find joy in every part of the journey. Her parting message? Enjoy the flight, let your creativity soar and embrace the journey as much as the destination.
About Aimee
Aimee founded Irish make-up brand Sculpted by Aimee in late 2016.
After years spent working in the industry, she felt passionate about creating high-quality products that make people’s lives that little bit easier.
Aimee is a regular contributor to TV shows and beauty and has a unique insight into the kinds of products that suit her wide demographic. Her flagship Irish store opened on Grafton Street, Dublin in 2022.
