I can't live without . . .

Ella McSweeneytv presenter and radio broadcaster

A hot flannel

Make-up is part of my work and normally I wear very little. After work, taking it off was always a dreary, dull, roll-the-eyes affair until I found a simple, pleasurably solution: a fresh white flannel, dunked in hot soapy water and softly patted on the face. It’s a sublime experience. It’s an old- fashioned thing to do and it works a treat; the flannel gives my face a mini-scrub and all remnants of make-up disappear. The flannels can be reused time and time again, too.

Mason Pearson hairbrush

My granny, a wise lady who came from Cornwall, used one moisturiser all her life and had about five things in her small make-up bag. But there was one prized part of her simple routine: brushing her hair with a Mason Pearson brush. She was a Mason Pearson devotee and used it with relish every morning and evening. About five years ago, I indulged and bought one made of pure bristles; it wasn’t cheap, but it has lasted beautifully. Like my granny, I take slow pleasure using it.

Lip balm

My name is Ella and I’m a lip balm addict, and a serious one at that. I hoard lip balms wherever a pocket or bag is to be found. I even have a stash in the car glove compartment. I’ve tried them all, but I always end up looking in my bags for my two favourites: if I want gloss, I reach for the tub of Vaseline, if it’s balm my lips need, the trusty blue Labello is whipped out.

Soap

There is something about a solid block of soap that’s comforting and reassuring. I love a good soap – it’s cheap to buy, lasts a long time and leaves my face squeaky clean. I’m not a fan of a bathroom full of endless products contained in plastic bottles, so soap suits me well. I have two staples – Dove cream bar and Neutrogena transparent facial bar, and both work a treat.

Running

You can take any amount of massages, facials, or hours in the steam room or sauna, but there’s nothing like a long run outside to help your skin, your body and your mind. It costs you nothing, makes your skin glow and leaves you feeling scintillated and exhilarated.

Guerlain Midnight Secret

I have a simple, minimalist make-up bag. I buy very little, but I buy well. If I’m working a lot, the make-up leaves my skin a bit wrecked. So I count up my pennies and buy Guerlain’s Midnight Secret cream – a blue bottle of bliss! I put a hot flannel to my face, take off my make-up, and then lather on this cream before bed. Delicious.