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Phyl Clarke on keeping the body beautiful on holiday

Phyl Clarke on keeping the body beautiful on holiday

My body's on show at the moment, for the entire world to see. No, I haven't taken up a dubious new profession (haven't you heard, Stringfellows is closed).

No, I am on my holidays. And the weather is glorious. A lot of time is being spent on the beach, with that delicious feeling of the sun caressing (protected) skin. Happily, my time here in Connemara has coincided with the good weather.

I can't resist the local potatoes, to the extent that extra must be cooked at dinner to allow for leftovers to be fried up the next morning for breakfast. I am getting the odd walk in, but I would have to walk back to Dublin to make any impact on my expanding waistline.

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With this current exposure in mind, this week I thought I would give you my thoughts on body care - how to keep what I have (even the extra, unwanted bits) in good condition.

Skincare, from the neck down, has become another mind-boggling exercise in choice for consumers. Every cosmetics house and fragrance line offers a body care range, too, and some will quickly empty your wallet. While I will happily fork out €125 for Crème de la Mer for my face, I baulk at paying a staggering €225 for the body cream. I like to think I spend my pennies wisely, and that does not include buying a body product that I feel I need to eke out because of the cost.

When it comes to body cream, I like to slap it on generously, so I am happiest in the mid- to lower-price range of products.

Back a step, though. You will get a better result from the body cream if your skin is prepared. Personally, I have not bought any exfoliation product since I invested in my Japanese Wash Cloth, €25 from www.spacenk.com. It smoothes away all those nasty dead cells, and you can use it with a shower gel of your choice. Follow with a moisturiser, and you're good to go. Me, I'm off to lie on the beach to digest those spuds.

The Goods

The Body Shop Cocoa Butter This is the one I always go back to. It's a lovely beige colour, and leaves a pleasant film on the skin that says "I'm nourished". €11 for 250ml from Body Shops nationwide.

Oil of Olay Total Effects Moisturising Treatment A star in this award-winning range, it's rich and toning and costs €14.75 for 150ml, from pharmacies. Kiehls Crème de Corps Gorgeous, luxurious, and expensive. A great gift, for yourself or someone else. €42.50 for 200ml, from Nue Blue Eriu, South William Street, Dublin 2, or better still order from www.spacenk.com which sells 500ml for €54.