BEAUTY: It's barely a year since blemish balm creams hit the shelves yet they've quickly become the beauty trend of 2012 with brands falling over themselves to bring out their own version of the skincare hybrid.
It's not difficult to see why the balms, or BB creams as they're more commonly called, have caught the public's imagination.
What's not to like about a product that combines moisturiser, concealer, primer, sun block and colour – ah now, there's the rub. To date, I've found the shades either very pale or too yellow in tone, so I'm happy to report that La Roche Posey's version includes a touch of pink in its two beige-toned shades. Suitable for sensitive or reactive skin types.
La Roche Posay Hydreane BB Creme costs €18 and is available at pharmacies.
TREND ALERT Eye Brightening Mascara
Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara €20 contains a subtle navy tint that makes eyes appear whiter. Clever, non?
Max Factor Eye Brightening Tonal Black Mascaras €8.99 A quartet of black mascaras with light reflective particles to enhance green, brown, hazel and blue eyes.
I Can’t live Without... Clare O’Malley, actress
BreakfastI am a big breakfast person and can't function if I skip it. I love my mom's homemade granola, with low-fat Greek yogurt and fruit. Sometimes I like a rasher sandwich, or poached eggs on brown bread. I also take vitamin B supplements in liquid form, which are great for the immune system.
Rockstar Entourage Gradual Tan MoisturiserI usually embrace my pale skin, red hair and freckles. But sometimes for stage lighting or for a night out it's nice to have a bit of a glow without having to go orange. After years of blotchy fake tan I have discovered Rockstar Gradual Tanner, which is Irish made and a real find.
YogaI love yoga as a way to start or end my day, whether it's taking a class or just doing my DVD at home – Gaiam DVDs are my favourite. Yoga leaves me stretched, open and ready to work. I've tried hot Bikram yoga, but think I'm better with something less extreme. It's a good way to unwind after a show, without having to hit the pub!
Badger BalmBadger makes a "sore muscle rub" and a "sleep balm" that smell amazing and the small tins fit in my bag. They have a wider selection of products in the States but usually have these two in Boots. It's a simple way to relieve tired feet and hands and can even help a headache.
A good bookMy granny says you're never alone with a good book. I'll read anything: plays, poetry, novels and biographies. I have a Kindle for when I'm touring and I also love a root around in a second-hand bookshop – Chapters, by the Gate Theatre, has a massive selection. Switching off with a book definitely makes me a happier, healthier person.
Clare O’Malley is currently appearing in The Last Summer at the Gate Theatre.
All About Eyes
Including an eye cream in your skincare spend is a wise investment – the finer skin around the eye area is the first to show the signs of aging and deserves a specific moisturiser, as face creams are designed for thicker layers of skin and won’t be absorbed fully, leading to an oily residue and blocked pores. Here are six of the best:
WRINKLE SMOOTHER Avene Eluage Eye Contour Cream €35.07A top seller in its native France, the Avene range includes a high-performance eye cream which uses Vitamin A-based retinaldehyde to smooth out existing wrinkles and improve the elasticity of skin while you sleep. At pharmacies.
NATURAL CHOICE Green Angel seaweed Aloe Eye Gel €20My sister introduced me to this Irish-made gel on a recent holiday and I loved its cooling "pick me up" properties that soothe tired eyes. Store in the fridge to accentuate the refreshing sensation. See greenangel.com for stockists.
INTENSIVE CARE Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle resist 24 €61An ultra-rich cream that provides high levels of moisture and wrinkle-fighting ingredients. My tester declared it the best eye cream she'd ever used and loved the constant hydration, as she works in an air-conditioned office.
BRIGHTENING TOUCH Lancome Genifique Yeux Light Pearl €49Light and instantly absorbed, the delicate texture of this illuminating serum belies a potent cocktail of ingredients which correct puffiness and dark circles using a unique teardrop-shaped steel applicator.
SENSITIVE TYPES RoC Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Anti Age Eye Cream €18.25For those who find the anti-aging properties of retinol uncomfortable to use, this multi-action cream includes a good alternative in Hexinol, with the bonus of SPF 15.
INSTANT DEPUFFER Chanel Sublimage La Créme Yeux €140This luxury formula has a comforting effect on application and is instantly absorbed, leaving under-eye skin smoothed and brightened. It also works to boost circulation to improve skin tone and reduce dark circles. It's also one of the few eye creams that can be used on eyelids.
Take it Off
Use a dedicated eye make-up remover that will gently remove the heaviest of eye make up without damaging delicate tissue.
Johnson's Baby Oil €2.99The budget choice dissolves shadow, liner, the lot – use sparingly and wipe off excess with a dry pad.
No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover €11A make-up artist friend swears by this gentle cleanser which removes everything from liner to stubborn mascara. At Boots.
Vichy Purete Therale Waterproof Eye make-up remover €13.50Specially designed for sensitive eyes with a lash protecting formula, this oil and water combination does the job without leaving a greasy film.
