No time to look good for the school gates? Struggle to look presentable for those early breakfast meetings? Worry no more – we have some brilliant quick beauty fixes which will have you looking more human than you feel. (And all trace of those sleepless nights will be between you and the bathroom mirror.) Move over ‘dragged through the hedge’ mum, here comes ‘fresh as a daisy’ mamma!
By Clare Trodden
Clare, a national newspaper and magazine journalist for more than 25 years, and the former Editor of Spectrum has been finding different ways to make you look and feel great for those early mornings in February. Here’s what she found.
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Clinique, All about eyes de puffing eye massage, £20
I’ve been using Clinique’s award-winning repairwear eye cream, £26 , to try to counteract the havoc wreaked by regular use of swimming goggles (just in the pool mind, they don’t work so well in meetings). The cream is helping me in my battle against a combination of dark shadows, puffiness and lines.But, sometimes, I could do with a little something extra. A friend recommended Clinique’s roll-on product, which has been around for a while.
I like a little novelty as much as the next woman but often think there is just too much gimmickery in the cosmetics world. I must now ‘fess up to my misplaced prejudice, at least where this product is concerned. It doesn’t replace my eye cream but really helps to perk up the skin around the eyes, especially in the morning.
Even on the warmest day, it feels cool and refreshing and as soon as I apply the skin around my eyes seems to relax. I’ve tried it under, over and without make-up and apply it through the day. It’s never made my mascara run. I carry it around with me. I am addicted – roll on the next fix. www.clinique.co.uk
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L’Occitane, Immortelle brightening moisture cream, £36
The immortelle flower might not be immortal but has incredible longevity and its organic essential oil is one of the anti-ageing ingredients in this cream.L’Occitane is a lovely brand, with some delicious fragrances – their verbena range is an uplifting joy to be gone in to another time. But this cream is fresh as a daisy, quickly absorbed and deeply moisturising but with no greasy film.
As well as helping to brighten the skin, it also aids collagen production and help regulate melanin production.
However, there is no sun screen, so make sure you either top it off with a high factor or save it for days when the sun don’t shine.
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Nails inc, Neon and Nude Collection, £22
I was first drawn to this brand years ago, mostly for the range of colours but also for the cheeky little fingers on the original packaging. Those are gone from this new collection and there’s an edgier skull motif on the box, but I still miss those victorious little digits. However, the colours are still great and the varnish gives a good finish.While some of us are definite nudes and others are neon ravers, most of us like to have the best of both worlds. These options are big on the high street and while an entire beige - taupe, mink, nude, call it what you will – outfit can make many complexions look washed out, a little on your finger tips gives a polished and “done” finish.
Initially, it might look as if these three nude options are much the same, but these subtle shades are distinct and even more so once applied. Then there are the bright sparks. Even if you aren’t brave enough to go the whole neon hog, a couple of coats of pink or orange will perk you up nicely.
I should add that Nails inc. are quite strict about how the varnishing should be carried out. This is a good thing. No one would accuse me of being at the well groomed end of the spectrum, but friends and nieces can all recite my obsessive nail procedure.
If you are going to paint your nails, do the prep and do it right. It will make your manicure last a lot longer. And with this little collection you will have an entire wardrobe at your fingertips that will keep you on trend right through to the end of summer.
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Percy & Reed, No Fuss Fabulousness Dry Shampoo, £12
It’s sheer genius to come up with a product which imbues manky hair with fabulousness. So, well done to Percy. Frankly, I’d try this one for the name alone, even though I’ve had my issues with dry shampoo in the past. All it used to do was make hair look a bit greasy and very poorly conditioned, with a dusting of plain flour to finish. The essential ingredient still seems to be corn starch but it’s a much finer consistency than in products of yore.The first time I tried this one, I used way too much, so didn’t get many treatments from the spray. However, their advice on spraying it on to a brush and applying that way is much more economical. In the interests of research, and downright laziness, I made one application last as long as possible.
My hair really did need cleaning on first application but I managed to get two extra days of not washing. On day one, my hair looked fine; on day two, it was passable. Not sure how it would react with other styling products, either that you already had on your hair or might want to use, but it was fine for me.
It’s not got the feel of a clean, freshly laundered barnet, but delivers a very acceptable option on days when there is no time to wash and no option to turn up to a meeting in your beanie.
