Beauty

Compiled by PHYL CLARKE

High Brow

Define and structure brows with Lancôme's Brow Shaper (€25), a transparent setting gel which can be used alone for a natural effect, or over filled-in brows.

Filling the gap

If you'd asked me last month if there was a gap in the make-up market, I would have been hard pushed to find one, but guess what - there was a yawning chasm waiting to be filled. I should have spotted it, for I've long admired the very model of woman epitomised by a new collection by Aerin Lauder (Estée's granddaughter). We're talking about the effortless style of a chic New Yorker - from the toss of her perfect blowdry which grazes the shoulder of her age-appropriate yet stylish outfit (no doubt purchased at the likes of Donna Karan), down to the tips of her salon-groomed nails.

There's nothing shouty here - this woman knows who she is. The seemingly barely there make-up enhances her best features and hides the rest - now who wouldn't want a bit of that? The range includes mistake-proof shades of rosy neutrals that compliment each other, so no worrying about colour matching either.

Thanks Aerin, for filling the gap we never knew was there. The collection is available at Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, and prices start at €25.

I Can't live Without . . .MADELINE RILEY, Assistant Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dublin

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H: Some days I'm literally on the go all day and barely get a chance to touch up my make-up, so I'm always on the look out for long-lasting make-up that looks as fresh at 7pm in the evening as it did at 7am that morning.

My iPad: I don't know how I ever got by without this. It's a wonderful tool when presenting to clients, especially for the quality and clarity of the imagery.

When I am away travelling, it is great for keeping in touch with my family through Skype. My two kids, Chloe and Stephen, love playing games and watching movies on it. They can navigate their way through it better than I can.

YSL Touche Éclat: Between work and family life, I can't remember the last time I had a sleep-in. YSL Touche Éclat really is my magic pen, always in my handbag to cover up the effects of any late nights entertaining clients.

L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil: I am of course a natural blonde! However with constant blow-drying, styling and possibly a little bit of colouring in more recent years, my hair has a mind of its own.

My sister Lorraine, who has a hair salon, suggested Mythic Oil to try and keep my hair under control. It really makes such a difference and my hair feels much more nourished.

Diet Coke: My weakness. Whether this is in the fridge at home, in the car or at my desk, there is never a can too far away. All that is missing is the Diet Coke Man at 11am in our office.

Ace Base

What do you look for in a foundation? Well, you probably don’t want to see it on your skin for starters – we like to fool the world into believing that we have the perfect complexion. Modern foundations are about so much more than colour – we now have formulas incorporating skincare benefits and clever tricks such as pore smoothing, firming and illumination. And then there are the long-wearing formulas, such as MAC ProLongwear, which have been launched in the past year. The Armani range has many fans of its excellent bases, and the latest offering, Maestro (€45), sets the bar very high indeed. It’s not a foundation, but rather a complexion perfecter which looks invisible yet makes the skin look even and radiant. The ultra-thin texture makes blending a cinch as it literally disappears on application. Exceedingly good.