Happiness releases your inner beauty, and new shoes can add gloss to your smile, writes Phyl Clarke
News flash! Happy people look younger, irrespective of lotions and potions, and how many muscles it takes to smile or frown, but people will always connect with a smiling face and a twinkle in the eye. Try it.
What makes me happy? The health of my loved ones and financial security, of course. Well, now that I've got that out of the way here comes the awful truth.
Oh dear, please don't think me shallow, but in my beauty world a new lipstick can lift my spirits no end. My current squeeze is Laura Mercier's Truly Red which is the perfect mix of rose, rust and red, and a bargain at €24, as it makes me feel glamorous, confident and in control. It goes with everything, and it makes me want to put on my high heels. Can't imagine life before it.
A good hair day makes me, and I'll warrant most women, happy. It's very difficult to see the glass half-empty with a good haircut. It's worth six new dresses and you wear it every day, so get thee to a good hairstylist. Tear out photos of haircuts/colours you like, and ask friends (or strangers) whose hair you admire where they get their tresses tamed. Most people are flattered that you admire their hair to the extent of wanting their stylist's name. It's also helpful to wear an outfit that sums up your personal style when you meet your stylist for the first time, so they can get an idea of the type of look that will suit you. Bring that photograph from the magazine; you will not insult a good stylist by doing so. It's an aid for you, the client, to walk away as a satisfied customer.
Waking up with beautifully soft, nourished skin sets the scene for a good day ahead, so don't forget your night time routine. If you can manage to do it before 10pm, all the better, as your skin will get most benefit from moisturisers between that hour and 2am. That's the critical four-hour window for maximum effectiveness of your products. You've spent enough on them, so get the most out of them.
A brisk early-morning walk is also a good idea. It will rev up the circulation and bring a fresh bloom to the skin, and then you can smugly enjoy your cappuccino.
A bargain always makes me happy. I enjoy my beautiful new Dries Van Noten shoes all the more as I got them half-price in the sales, whereas if I'd talked myself into buying them full price, I would have chided myself each time I wore them.
The powers that be in the beauty business also know that we love a bargain, and here are some to check out now.
This is more a giveaway than a bargain. Cliniqueis offering a week's supply of its famous three-step skincare system absolutely free. Go to any of its counters nationwide between next Wednesday and September 30th to avail of this offer.
Spend an hour in a floatation tank and lull your worries away. One session is the equivalent of six hours' deep sleep, the purveyors claim, and your cares will seem worlds away. (01-2304365) is offering two for the price of one until the end of September, so you make a friend happy, too, for €55.
Since its elevation to "wonder product" status, Boots No 7Protect and Perfect serum sells by the bucketload. How nice of them then, to offer a gift, including skincare and cosmetics, worth €42, when you spend €27 on No 7 products. Available while stocks last until September 11th. Oh happy days!