Phyl Clarke on products that make you feel good while you look good
It's all very well topping up your make-up bag with this season's must haves, and we all need an update around this time of year. My winter clothes have reappeared, and the sheerness of summer-weight make-up just doesn't cut it with the new tweeds, knits and the like. If you need any more persuading, think how much better you would feel if you were also doing some greater good apart from the obvious - protecting the outside world from the real you.
It's Breast Cancer Awareness month, and you can do your bit to support the cause and refresh your look at the same time. Estée Lauder, early sponsor of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has some special products to tempt us. My favourite is the Pink Ribbon limited-edition powder compact. The Lauder brand is famous for its compacts, and this one is filled with illuminating shimmer powder. When it is finished, you can refill it with Lucidity Pressed Powder for €70, of which €15 is donated to the cause.
Bobbi Brown gets top marks for its gorgeous shimmery Pink Bouquet lip gloss, with the full price of €22.50 going to research at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin.
Both Aveda and Origins make lovely products, which I often buy as gifts for friends, so you could do a little early seasonal shopping. Aveda's Hand Relief cream at €25, €4 of which is donated, is a treat for dry, chapped hands.
Origins has an offer on its Ginger Essence range, including the Sensuous Skin Scent at €50 and the Souffle Whipped Body Cream, €31. €1 from each product will be donated.
Prescriptives are longtime supporters of the pink ribbon campaign, and this year they have a cream blush stick which has a suits-all, rosy glow called "Woman". It costs €30, with €3 from each sale going to breast cancer research.
My hairdresser once told me that no home should be without a GHD hair styler, so of course I have one. (Don't you do everything your hairdresser says, in the hope that you can recreate that salon-perfect look?) If you've still to invest, the Peter Mark group has a special pink GHD to support the cause, selling at €199, of which €14.80 will go to research. You will need to give yourself time to get used to this new way of styling, but then you will understand what GHD really means - good hair day. Halo not included.