Beauty

PHYL CLARKEwrites about beauty tips

Clean sweep

BETTER SKIN IS an achievable new year’s resolution and one which need not break the bank, if you’re prepared to put in a little time and effort. Of course upping your water intake will hydrate and plump skin, and regular walks will not only trim your waist, but also boost your circulation for a rosy glow. Not a penny spent so far – but if you have €60 to spend, I could not recommend a better use for it than a facial by Ruth Doyle, pictured above, whose magic hands have treated the likes of Rihanna, Christian Bale and Jon Bon Jovi.

Her signature Mellow facial lasts 90 minutes and begins with a back massage to totally relax you and to allow her to get to know your skin. A customised treatment follows, starting with a deep cleanse using a combination of dry brushing and steam. Her amazing massaging techniques deliver nourishing serums deep down into the tissues, resulting in an enhanced and rejuvenated complexion.

Doyle is not aligned to any particular brand but cherry picks the best across different ranges. She favours seasonal oils to balance skin’s needs through the year and incorporates everyday items – for example, she uses ice cubesto seal serum into pores.

The luxurious texture of my face mask turned out to be plain old everyday yoghurt, which Ruth recommends as a once-a-week home treatment. Her favourite cleanser is Ren Calendula and she loves serums that can penetrate to the layer before that reached by injectable treatments. Her experience and knowledge of skincare has led her to create her own range, which she is currently in the throes of finishing and hopes to launch this spring. Here are some face-saving tips you can use at home.

Cleanse: Apply cleanser with clean hands to dry skin with upward, downward and sideways strokes (a bit like you would with a face wash) and remove it using both sides of a warm face cloth. Rinse for a little longer than average, and finish with a cold splash to tighten pores further and boost circulation.

Nourish: Apply a serum that penetrates deeper than creams and moisturisers. Avoid the nose and chin – pat these dry with tissue paper. Once a day is sufficient for this cleansing and nourishing regime. Once a week, apply natural yoghurt to your face as a mask (including eyes and lips) to reduce redness. Leave it on the skin for 10 minutes. Clay masks are also great to tighten the pores and remove grease from the chin and nose area; Doyle likes the Body Shop’s Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask.

See mellow.ie or tel: 086-7931890

Three to get you through

Backcombing is still very much in fashion and will continue into 2011, along with the 1970s feel. Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb in a Bottle (€8.29) gives instant volume and sexy texture without teasing time with the comb. From Boots chemists.

Caring for the skin around your eyes and concealing dark circles just became easier with Garnier’s Caffeine Anti-Dark Circle Tinted Eye Roll-On (€14.99). A refreshing roller ball glides mineral pigment around the eye area. Great for on-the-go perk-ups. From pharmacies.

Using a base coat on nails before applying colour gives polish something to grip on to, but it’s a bit of a bore to then have to invest in a separate top coat to keep polish intact. Step forward Sally Hansen with the clever two-in-one Diamond Strength, Diamond Shine (€9.51), which provides a great foundation for colour and doubles up as a topcoat.