Get the Midas touch and be on trend with this season's 'neutral luxe' look, writes Phyl Clarke
I'm really not over the shock of it yet. I had watched the National Lottery creep up to €16 million over the course of my non-summer holiday. I had speculated on the serendipity of buying a ticket at a different venue. I'd read my horoscope and my left hand was itchy. The signs were all there. I had taken everything into account, except the Cunningham family in Cork, on whom the gods chose to smile that Saturday. Of course I'm delighted for them. I smile through gritted teeth, my dreams of a life of leisure and the angst of choosing which particular jet I am going to fly in evaporating into thin air.
Back down to earth, and while all that glitters may not be gold, "neutral luxe" is certainly a late-summer trend. "Neutral" as in keep the rest simple, or you'll stray into crazy shiny lady territory, and "luxe" as in shimmering, gilded gold cosmetics - minimal and modern.
Choose a liquid foundation for a radiant finish. Clinique's Gentle Light Make-up (€26) contains light-reflecting pigments. Mac's Face and Body foundation (€36) gives a dewy "no make-up look", or you can apply Bobbi Brown's Foundation Stick (€35) where needed, to even up your complexion. Keep clear of anything too matte or dry, to keep the finish modern and young.
Opt for a matte bronzer to shape your face, applying it just under the cheekbones, and finish with a little pop of peachy pink blusher with a hint of shimmer. Blush (€29) in the shade called Orgasm is perfect, if you're not too shy to say the word out loud in Brown Thomas.
When it comes to eyes, gold comes into its own - by day as well as night. A swish of Laura MercierMetallic Crème Eye Colour in Gold (€27) leaves a gorgeous, shimmering sheen, and will not look OTT. Stila's Eye Shadow Trio in Mazatlan (€29) is a complete eye palette in varying shades of gold. It's easy to wear and blends down to a very soft, sheer look.
PrescriptivesCustom Compact (€65) offers the chance to build your own set of four colours in different shimmering finishes. François Narshas been selling us the promise of exotic South Sea Island holidays for years, and his new Summertime Duo Cream Eyeshadow (€34) doesn't disappoint, with a pair of champagne and sunset gold shadows that can even be applied with fingertips. Go either for shadow or, to be really up to the minute, a nude eye base and a slick of golden eyeliner, which is very now. Benefit's Gilded (€19) is a gold eye pencil that can be used in a number of ways, such as adding sheer golden highlights to your eyes or a soft sheen to the centreof your bottom lip. Use lengthening (but not thickening) mascara, and tidy those brows.
If you're thinking of lips and gold in the same sentence, a word of warning - don't. You can get the effect without actually wearing gold lipstick, which will make you look as if you've passed on to the other side. Wear a neutral shade from peach to coral, depending on your colouring, in a shade you are comfortable with, and add a little gold eyeshadow to give a hint of gilt. Top with a neutral lip sheen for a 24-carat finish. Who wants to be a millionaire when you can feel like one?