KEEPING UP APPEARANCES:THEY SAY GOOD things come to those who wait: but let's face it, some of us could be waiting . . . and waiting . . .
In an ideal world, the sun would shine every day, the world would be at peace and our hair would behave. In an ideal world, your other half will have a flash of clarity, read your mind and the perfect Valentine’s gift would appear on your pillow next Saturday morning.
Now that’s all well and good if you’re married to a Mills and Boon hero, but sometimes it’s better to take off those rose-tinted spectacles and take matters into your own hands. Some suggestions follow which can be whispered into his ear while he sleeps . . .
A bouquet of roses is very romantic and part of their charm is their fleeting existence.
Jo Malone'sRed Roses collection (from €56.50) contains no less than seven types of aromatic red roses, along with crushed violet leaves and clove. The result is a luxuriously feminine scent available in cologne, body lotion and bath oil.
Master of refined chic, Giorgio Armanireinterprets his neutral palette to great effect in the Pink Light Eye Collection (€58). A quartet of pinky beiges cut with a silver grey, it's the make-up equivalent of the little black dress that takes you everywhere in style.
If you want your romance in a candle, look no farther than Diptyque. This French brand has more than an air of Parisian chic going on. Antique rose petals blend with geranium leaves to give a rosy pink dreamy glow (€58 from Brown Thomas and space nk, Dundrum).
St Valentine's Day is synonymous with flowers, and this beautifully embossed limited edition palette, the Fuchsia Now Fleur de Lys Shimmer Powder (€39), from Estée Lauder, combines varying shades of flattering pinks to add shimmering highlights to face and décollété.
Cuter than cute is the only way to describe Dior's Lady Dior compact (€101). A miniature of the iconic handbag, it carries two shades to illuminate face, cheeks and lips. The perfect "It bag" for glamorous touch-ups on the go.
No doubt many men will find themselves in a lingerie department before the week is out. The Agent Provocateurrange generally manages to keep matters risqué without the sleaze factor. Alongside wisps of lace, he will find its signature fragrance. Crème d'Amour and Poudre d'Amour contain the natural aphrodisiac Damania, and is meant to leave your skin silky smooth with a seductive sheen (€55 and €50 at Brown Thomas).
I predict squeals of delight from recipients of this oh-so-gorgeous lip palette from Chanel (€51). Well, just have a look at it. Six shades of colour form the interlocking Cs that spell “I’ve got class” to the world. You may find you want to touch up your lips quite often. In public.
Artistic types might covet the Collector Powder for complexion and eyes from YSL (€51 each). Graphic bands of harmonising colour in satiny textures work to give a fresh look. The Complexion shades vary from a pale sunny earth to a highlighting pink. Use singly, or sweep together with your brush for a toned look. The Eye palette features an eye-opening pale yellow and a very flattering grey/green with a soft pink and a line of purple for liner.