PHYL CLARKEon beauty

Skin saviour

When it comes to celebrity endorsements, French cult brand Biologique Recherché is right up there: Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, John Galliano and Elle McPherson are all fans of this skincare range which aims to “build” a better skin. The treatments are very specialised and are available exclusively at Sanctum Skincare, where expert Rachel Walsh’s (pictured right) vast experience in both holistic therapy and cosmetic science offers a unique experience. Ask about the face remodelling treatment which delivers amazing results – a face lift without a needle or knife in sight. The hero product of the range is P50 Lotion, a skin purifier and exfoliator which works like a magic potion to calm and refine skin. I swear I could see my broken capillaries disappearing with each application. See www.sanctum.ie, or tel: 01-6745707/2140222.

No flash in the pan

Every wardrobe needs some basics – a classic white shirt, well-cut black pants, and as stylish a pair of flats as you can afford. But if you’ve ever watched Off the Rails, you’ll know the power of good underwear and its transforming ability to give great shape. One lumpy, bumpy body slinks into the fitting room and reappears transformed into a streamlined svelte figure ready to go shopping. What’s not to love?

There’s a parallel product in the world of beauty, a Spanx-like wonder which tightens and brightens skin, eliminating signs of fatigue and giving a smooth base for foundation (which will last all day), making it a must for brides, desk-to-dinner days or a morning-after rescue. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm has been described as “best product of the last millennium”, by New Woman magazine, and one tube is sold every 20 minutes worldwide. To mark its 30th year on the market, a limited edition goes on beauty counters on Monday. It comes with a reusable Swarovski crystal-studded cap, and they’re not looking for a penny over the usual €35 retail price for it.

Draw the line

Eyeliner is the way to go for drama or definition, but drawing a line with a brush can be a little intimidating for some users. Clinique’s Quick Liner Intense (€17.50) is a great product for those new to lining. The creamy formula glides on without dragging lids, you can soften line with the built-in smudger and it sets into a stays-put-all-day-long finish. It is available in four shades and don’t shy away from the black as it’s not too dense a shade.

Bat for lashes

Oh we do love our mascara – so much so that we often hold on to it way longer than we should, inviting bacteria to breed in the warm and moist tube. If you resent binning it after the recommended six weeks, consider buying at the cheaper end of the market, so you’ll have better cost-per-wear value and can move on to a fresh one without resentment.

Note the date when you buy a new mascara, and never share with a friend (you won’t thank her if you get an infection or vice versa). If you feel your mascara is drying out, don’t pump it – this will only make matters worse as it pushes more air into the tube.

If you’re still unsure about the merits of lower-priced mascara, check out my tester’s review on one of the latest to hit counters: L’Oréal Volume Million Lashes (€14.99). “The brush is brilliant; it coated my lashes and separated them really well. Just the right amount of mascara is left on the brush, which means no clumping or smudging.”