DAH-LINGS, IT’S MY BIRTHDAY today and I just don’t understand it when my friends and family say that I’m ‘difficult’ to buy for. Why, I’m extremely easy to please ...
MAKE-UP MAESTRO
Please may I have Elizabeth Keiser on tap to "do" my face every day? One of Bobbi Brown's elite team of beauty artists, she was in Ireland recently and took 10 years off my face in 10 minutes, using two different concealers and fresh pink shades. You can tap into some of her tips and techniques yourself, as she was part of the creative team on Bobbi's latest book, The Make-up Manual(€23).
Alternately, the new Pretty in Pink collection (€80) would make a lovely birthday gift. Containing the Platinum Pink Shimmer Brick complexion highlighter, a blending brush and glitter lipbalm, all contained in a silver case, its flattering shades suit all complexions and give an instant summer update.
WORRY-FREE HAIR
I would love three months’ worth of good hair days please, and without the torture of tonging, rolling or blowdrying. If you think that I’m living in fantasyland, get ready for a hair revolution, courtesy of Joe Coyne at Dylan Bradshaw’s hair salon. Nicknamed “the 12-week Blowdry”, this treatment has everything going for it. Firstly, it’s a natural keratin super-conditioner that will leave your hair so soft, you’ll wonder if it’s yours at all. Then there are the side effects which smooth and relax the hair – frizzies have no chance against the protein-rich blend. Hair is languid and shiny, and the treatment seals in colour, too. Before you balk at the €200 price tag, consider this: one weekly blowdry, average price €30 = €360 over three months. All hail the new hair era. For appointments, tel: 01-6719353. See www.dylanbradshaw.com.
A BIT OF ROMANCE
After seeing Audrey Tautou in the new campaign for Chanel No. 5 (right), I’m longing to be transported into the glamorous world created by Chanel: a train journey, a handsome stranger bewitched by a fragrance, all bathed in the golden glow of romantic mystery. Spray all around, so you are enveloped in the iconic scent, then log on to www.chaneln5.com for your own few minutes of sheer magic.
BRIGHT EYES
As the years roll on, it’s the skin around the eye area that shows the first signs of ageing, so I’m plumping for a luxe eye cream, and it doesn’t get any more top of the range than Georgio Armani’s Crema Nera (€125). Besides, the poor man has gone to such great lengths to perfect his formula. The cream’s key ingredient – obsidian mineral complex – was developed after a trip to the volcanic island of Pantelleria which, despite having one of the harshest climates on earth, is lush and green. This cream promises a three-fold effect: it’s anti-wrinkle, firming, and illuminates the eye area. But it’s the texture I love, a light, mousse-like whip which is so easily absorbed it can be used during the day to revive and brighten. Armani has even included a sliding mirror in the compact.
A REFINED BODY
Crème de la Mer continue their range of indulgent luxuries with a body refiner (exfoliator to you and me) which is infused with 1.75 carats of pure diamond dust. Using the hardest material known to man to exfoliate and brighten the skin makes sense. It certainly delivers on that front, but it’s the subtle sparkle of diamonds dust left gleaming on the skin that takes it into “beyond fabulous” territory (€110).