Beauty

A round-up of beauty tips by PHYL CLARKE

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GROWN UP GLAMOURby Caroline Cox. This delightful dissertation is an informative and entertaining read on how to age gracefully, with encouraging examples from Bacall to Blanchett showing the way. Fashion dos and don'ts, practical advice (such as the correct length for a trench coat and choosing a classic bag) show how to cut a fashion dash and turn heads with the right make-up. No botox, clever tips on the "less is more" approach to cosmetics, and achievable at-home hair tricks strike the perfect balance. A classy "how to" guide (Quadrille, £12.99).

21ST CENTURY BEAUTY BIBLEby Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley. A brilliant shortcut guide through the maze of what the authors call the beauty jungle. Products are put through their paces by a panel of testers and marked out of 10. The results show what's really worth splashing out on. There is also some sound advice between these covers – how to get the perfect haircut and colour, home-made skin treats, how to choose the right scent, and achieving the perfect eyebrow shape. A mine of information (Kyle Cathie, £15.99).

BOBBI BROWN MAKE-UP MANUALOne of the world's top make-up artists, Bobbi Brown is in constant demand for catwalk looks and her take on a trend will often be copied. But the real secret behind the success of the woman who's on Michelle Obama's speed dial is her complete understanding of real women's make-up dilemmas. This manual is a make-up lesson, photographed step-by-step, from the basic face to the most advanced application techniques for professional artists. There's advice on everything from tools, skin conditions, bridal make-up and "bad day" beauty, to stocking a professional make-up kit. For make-up enthusiasts (Headline, £20) .

COCO CHANELby Justine Picardie. From abandoned child to legendary style icon, Gabrielle Coco Chanel's life is a fascinating read, and this new biography is liberally sprinkled with photographs and illustrations, while friends, employees and relatives share their memories of Chanel. A lovely book to curl up with on a winter's night and it would make a clever pairing as a gift with a scent from the same house. An insightful read (Harper Collins, £25).

Bathtime Treats

Verbena Body Scrub from L’Occitane (€34.95) is one of my favourite body treats, as it works on so many levels. Mediterranean salts in a zingy mix of verbena, geranium and lemon massage away dead skin cells to allow the nourishing essential oils to penetrate, leaving skin silky smooth. The refreshing fragrance is a total pick-me-up and lingers in the bathroom afterwards. A lovely gift for someone in need of a bit of mood-enhancing pampering. A cute duo from organic skincare brand Pai pairs Himalayan and Dead Sea bath salts with their super nourishing Comfrey and Calendula Body Cream. The Serenity Bath Body collection (€20) is available from Nelson’s Homeopathic Dispensary, Duke Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-6790451 for mail order.

These divine chinoiserie wallpaper-covered boxes certainly deliver the wow factor – what a clever idea for luxe skincare range Ren to team up with de Gournay to make the most covetable gift boxes. Two of the gift sets include the brand’s most fabulous product (in my opinion): Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil. Sets cost from €25.For stockists tel: 01 4610645