Beauty

Compiled by PHYL CLARKE

BEAUTY SPOT

How’s this for a genius idea? Pop your finger into Bourjois 1 Second Magic nail polish remover’s foam-filled bottle to instantly remove all traces of polish. No mess, no fuss – it’s a no-brainer at €6.99

Exceptions to the rule

Although lacking in sun protection, these face bases have stand-out qualities which make them a cut above the rest.

Face Atelier Ultra Foundation €38. This cult base is a favourite of Lady GaGa and Madonna (who chose it for her forthcoming Confessions tour). The key ingredient is silicone, which blurs lines with a dewy finish. The sophisticated formula means you don't need primer or powder. Available from Irish online beauty store cloud10beauty.com

Special Edition Armani Luminous Silk €42.50. A special lid for a very special foundation. For a limited period. Armani has highlighted the benefits of its award-winning silky fluid with a Swarovski crystal-embellished lid. It’s free when you buy the foundation and one other product.

By Terry Cover Expert €49. Perfecting formula with a matte satin finish which melds with skin for a lifted and plumped effect. The shade range is excellent for Irish complexions. From spacenk.comor Harvey Nichols Dundrum.

Foundation fest

IF YOU’RE IN the market for a new foundation, you’re in luck as the latest offerings boast skin-loving ingredients and fabulous finishes. Getting your perfect shade is vital, so visit the counters equipped with a container for samples (the little brown pill containers from chemists are ideal). You’ll need to see how the shade works in daylight and your own mirror at home. As sun protection is so important, these recommendations all have a minimum of SPF 15, so that’s taken care of too. You’re welcome.

Staying power

Avon Ideal Flawless €15.50 With natural coverage and 16 shades, this gives a good finish to skin without compromising on coverage. avon.ieor tel 01-870 6540.

Clarins Evermatte €32.53. A lightweight oil-free formula that smoothes out flaws and softens lines giving a matte non-powdery finish. A godsend for oily and combination skins.

Cover All Vichy Dermablend €21. For those with something to hide or just wanting a really smooth finish, this corrective foundation covers a multitude including rosesea, scarring and hyper pigmentation without any mask-like heaviness. The longwearing formula stays put all day, too.

I can't live without. . . Hannah Yelland, actor, currently appearing in 'My Cousin Rachel' at The Gate

Sleep I am noticing more and more that the right kind of sleep is essential, and that is not an easy thing to accomplish when you work in the theatre. I’m trying to work out the best remedy, and usually a bath with Dead Sea spa salt (Dead Sea Spa Magik) or some essential oil will do it. It’s even trickier here when the Guinness is so good and really tasty after a hard night’s work. I might have a caffeine-free tea like Clipper peppermint or something to wind down a bit more.

Fresh air and walks with my dog. Since getting our dog, Henry, about two years ago, I have found it an incredible help in keeping a healthy lifestyle together, even when my work is so sporadic. I also love gardening, and have recently bought a house with my husband in Washington DC that has a little patio garden just waiting for my return so I can really start to grow beautiful plants, as well as hopefully a few edibles.

Alba skincare I buy this in America and it’s really fantastic. It’s totally paraben-free, which I love. I’m a great believer in using things on your skin that are as natural as possible. There is a lot of focus on buying good food to look after us from the inside, but I think that applies to products we use, too. I ran out recently so I am using Laidbare moisturiser at the moment which is another natural product.

Concealer I tend to buy whatever I feel I can afford at the time. I love Touche Éclat, but I also use similar products like Neutrogena’s own brand, or something from the Make Up Forever range. It’s always great to just use that in the morning to give your eyes a bit of a lift. I don’t tend to wear foundation in the day when I’m working, as I like to let my skin breathe before the make-up goes on at the theatre.

Hannah Yelland stars in Daphne du Maurier’s My Cousin Rachel in a new adaptation by Joseph O’Connor at The Gate Theatre, Dublin until May 19th

Fresh faced

Rimmel Wake Me Up €10.95. A high-tech formula containing a mix of skin-treating ingredients gives a “healthy glow” finish.

Wow Benefit €35. A naturally radiant result with light-to-medium coverage and light-diffusing particles to brighten the complexion.

Isadora Light Touch €19.95. A hybrid of skincare and make-up containing collagen booster and ceramides with buildable sheer-to- medium coverage and a fresh finish.

Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation €52. A treatment formula which locks in moisture while delivering stay-true colour and medium coverage. Particularly good for mature skin which will love the dewy finish.