Why are women so secretive when it comes to swapping beauty tips? It's time for sharing, writes Phyl Clarke.
I know, I know, I shouldn't have, but the dessert looked too good to pass up when at a friend's for lunch. I can work it off by walking to work tomorrow, having a light lunch and vegetable soup for dinner, I calculated double quick. And it's my yoga tomorrow night - I'm practically saving calories by having it, I decided, as a large slab hit my plate.
The world blurred as I entered chocolate mode and minutes or even hours could have passed before I returned to the general conversation, which had moved on from the Metro to the state of the health service. With a will of iron, I refused a second slice and asked for the recipe. My hostess suddenly became very vague and fidgety, and seemed to find something very urgent to attend to in the kitchen. "Thanks for a lovely day and don't forget to send me that recipe," I reminded her as I took my leave. Not a dicky bird.
Women are very possessive about some things. They will happily tell you where they bought the dress you admire on them (even down to the size), but try and get them to tell you what particular shade of lip colour they are wearing and they'll clam up. "Oh, I can't remember, the labels worn off - I've had it for ages." Secrets and lies.
This is all by way of coming around to what I hope to be an occasional series on what I call the beauty secret service (BSS). Those cult brands that sit happily on stands in salons and spas, that have women looking good - but they're not telling. The ones not taking double-page spreads in the glossies.
How's this for some serious testimonials for my first BSS brand, Susan Posnick: Sienna Miller wears her concealer; Reese Witherspoon uses her blush; and Scarlett Johansson and Charlize Theron wear the Colorflo foundation. I was convinced enough to give it a try when I came upon it during my research on mineral foundations. I realise now that since I first tried it, it has not only been in my make-up bag, but it has been used on a daily basis (and, I have to confess, I have a lot to choose from).
It was only after developing skin cancer herself that Posnick, a make-up artist for over 20 years, developed Colorflo foundation (€67). It has an incredible SPF of 26, and it comes in a spill-proof container that is foolproof to apply. It is also sweat-proof and water-resistant, and can be worn straight after treatments such as microdermabrasion due to its anti-bacterial properties. None of this would matter a whit if it didn't look good on the skin, but what you get is a perfect finish that reflects light away from imperfections. A complete winner.
If you decide to invest, do treat yourself to another star in the collection - the double-ended Colorcorrect pencil (€19.50). This cream in pencil form is a little magic wand for evening-out skin and for brightening the eye area.
The range itself is quite small, which suits me. Each product seems to have a dual purpose. The eye definer (€31) is also a double-ended pencil with a shadow on one end and complementary liner on the other.
And don't get me started on the lip colour (€30), which has a gorgeous fruity taste - and a plumping lip conditioner at the other end. Ah, now you want to know where to get it, don't you? The secret address is: Neelu's Beauty and Remedial Salon, George's Street, Dún Laoghaire, 01-2806742, www.neelus-salon.com.
If you are lucky enough to live within travelling distance of Neelu White, I highly recommend making the trip, for she is also a secret wonder, who will give you a serious boost in a no-nonsense fashion - you will leave her salon with your head held a little higher.
Beavering away in her own secret way, she has a loyal clientele, and for good reason. Making women look good and feel good about the way they look is her mission. Now who could argue with that? pclarke@irish-times.ie