Beauty

Compiled by PHYL CLARKE

I can't live without . . . YVONNE DONOHOE Director of sales and marketing, The Shelbourne Hotel

MAC Pro Long Wear foundation Great foundation that really lasts, whether it’s over the course of a long day or a late-night event. It’s lightweight and flawless and easy to go from day to night with a change of lipstick or a smoky eye.

Water I do a lot of travelling for work and I couldn’t survive without at least 2 litres of water – it helps keep my energy levels up. At the weekend, the occasional Grey Goose soda is perfectly acceptable!

Origins Leg Lifts Clarins Eau Dynamisante A super pick-me-up when you’ve been on your feet all day, Origins Leg Lift is a tingly menthol burst to put on tired legs and feet – the scent alone is enough to perk anyone up. Eau Dynamisante from Clarins has a fresh, energising quality – a blend of sunny scents like lemon, orange, lavender and petitgrain.

Perfume I’m a big fan of scent in general, and currently wear Hermès Eau Des Merveilles, which actually has some of the same notes as the Clarins cologne, just used in a very different way – there’s bitter orange and Italian lemon here too, but the scent overall is an elegant amber. At night, I like something headier, so my favourite at the moment is Tom Ford Black Orchid – it’s a luxurious, timeless scent, very glam.

Oysters Being a Galway girl, I love my oysters. I don’t get home as often as I would like but thankfully the Shelbourne’s Oyster Bar always has a fabulous selection, so I get my fix there as often as possible.

The countryside I love Dublin but also adore getting home. It’s the opposite of my life in a busy city-centre hotel, but it’s essential for recharging the batteries!

Past perfect

This is a milestone year for Japanese brand Shiseido, which celebrates its 140 anniversary, making it the world’s oldest cosmetic brand still in existence. Behold the lovely Jennifer Connelly (and in my next life I want those brows) who is a serious fan of the Future Solution serum. Leonard Daly, one of our top make-up artists is also big on this brand and lists some favourites in his kit. I asked him for his top picks: “The Shimmering Eye Colours are so beautiful with a perfect texture that stays in place for hours, and the new Perfect Defination Mascara, € 25, is fantastic. I also love the Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam €35, used with their special massage brush €25, as it exfoliates and plumps up skin like magic. Usually I’m not keen on applying foundation with a brush, but I’ve been converted by the user-friendly flat and angled shape of the Shiseido version €30, it’s the best one on the market.”