YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

One of my longest running beauty love affairs is with Clarins Radiance Plus Self Tanning Cream Gel. Technically a facial gradual tanner, it is also a fantastic moisturizer for normal to oily skins.

Its non comedogenic formula means it won't block pores, irritate skin or cause pimples(unlike many facial tanners where you wake up with an unwanted breakout along with your prescribed glow). It creates an even, radiant tan and perks up the most lacklustre of complexions. I have been know to go practically barefaced on lazy days while using this...just add concealer where needed and lashings of mascara for natural Nicole Richie chic.

While it boasts a reasonably hefty price tag, one bottle of this has lasted me over a year of thrice weekly applications- that's what I call value for money and infinitely cheaper than a mid winter trip to Fiji to top up your tan.

GLOW YOU GOOD THING

In a rare moment of beauty foresight, my girlfriend and I went through a stage in the late nineties(our early teenage years) of loving face glosses and bronzing shimmer sticks along with the Backstreet Boys and black bootleg pants. We used these to emulate the glossy bronze cheek bones and sexy wet look eyes inspired by the femme fatale of the times, J-Lo. This is still my favourite beauty era to date.

Alas both the Revlon Face Gloss and Australis Bronze Shimmer Stick have been discontinued (as happens with most things I profess to love- someone in the beauty universe is toying with me I swear) but recently I happened upon a couple of worthy replacements.

Becca Bird of Paradise Gloss is one of those beauty finds you never knew you needed and then suddenly cannot live without. Thicker and stickier than your average highlighter..it's a new take on the old school face gloss. It can be used on the top of cheekbones to give a glossy super model glow or on lids to create a smoldering wet look take on the traditional metallic or smokey eye, dab onto your cupid's bow and the middle of your top lip to for a easy way to define your pout or smooth across collarbones to highlight and create a sexy glimmer that complements your sassiest dress. Contained in a cute as a button compact with a handy mirror for about-town applications, this will fast become a makeup bag staple.

Its hard to improve on perfection but Model Co have hit the jackpot with the reformulation of their delicious Luminosity highlighter into the new Model Co Luminosity Shimmer Stick. A swipe across brow, nose and cheekbones will provide an effortlessly bronzed and sexy glow and its clever stick design makes application a breeze, guaranteeing you get just the right amount of product every time . The irresistibly pretty hot pink packaging is hand bag friendly and will invoke envious stares from all.

OUT DAMN SPOT

Pesky pimples tend to have an immaculate sense of timing- they always emerge when you want to see them least (not that they are ever welcome, TAKE NOTE PIMPLES!). The following sneaky tricks will help make them less likely to appear and much easier to banish.

First double cleanse your face with a gel or foaming cleanser...these are pretty much the only kind that will effectively remove makeup and oil and all those other meddlesome things that cause pores to get blocked.

Then thrice weekly, exfoliate with either a chemical exfoliant ( chemical being lotions and potions containing AHAS, beta hydroxy acids, fruit enzymes etc which are applied like a cream or toner or masque) or with a granular exfoliater (ie the ones with satisfying scrubby bits that leave your skin as pink and glowing as a baby's behind). This will remove debris such as dead skin cells (again, nasty pore blockers)and give your skin a permanent glow.
Try:Daily Microfoliant and Gentle Cream Exfoliant by Dermalogica and Clarifying Lotion by Clinique in 2 or 3 or St Ives Medicated Exfoliating Scrub.

If, despite your best preventative efforts, a little blighter happens to make it through, use of these magic potions at the first sign of swelling or redness to knock it on the head. Dermalogica Special Clearing Booster contains 5% Sacylic Acid and is a super strength acne fighter..no pimple is immune. Skin Doctors Zit Zapper is another champion in the War against Blemishes, it works a treat at drying up oil spills and will eradicate blemishes in a matter of hours (now if only we could do something about terrorist cells....). If you have an area that is particularly pimple prone, apply Dermalogica Overnight Medicated Clearing Gel nightly (or when your period approaches if they are hormonal)for guaranteed clear skin.

N.B No doubt you smarty pants readers have noticed I've favoured mainly Dermalogica products in this post...unfortunately that is not because I'm being bribed(not for lack of trying - Dermalogica if you're reading this, I'll take payment in products pleeeeease!)but simply because I think they are the absolute authority when it comes to clear, glowing skin. Consistently fabulous every single time. Run, don't walk ladies!

HERE COMES THE SUN

A good bronzer is a rare and beautiful thing. The right one will give you a subtle, sun kissed glow, lift your look instantly, hide a multitude of sins and bring a boy to his knees. These are my top picks for breezing your way to a bronzed and beautiful future:

Mac Bronzing Powder is like the perfect pair of black skinny jeans: comfortable, cool and always in style. It's natural looking colour options and lightweight formula make this a fool proof purchase.
N.B If you feel like jumping on the mineral band wagon, also try Mac's Mineral SkinFinish Powder in Medium Deep.

Thin Lizzy's Perfect 10 Bronzing Powder (despite having the worst advertising campaign I have ever seen) is the makeup staple of many girls across the nation and an old favorite of mine. It has two flatteringly natural shades, blurs imperfections and contains lovely shimmering particles which make you look all glowy and candle lit. BONUS: Can be used in place of foundation on those lazy or late for work days.

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder is deliciously luxurious and a make up artist's fave. The powders formulation moisturizes AND controls oil so it will never look caked on or shiny and the neutral colour looks amazing on everyone.

Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna is a religous experiance for the make up devout. THE last word in bronzer, it shimmers without being shiny, builds up to the perfect tan and never looks orange or dirty. Hallelujah!

FAMILY FEUD

For all you lovers of the original Cetaphil cleanser, this new addition to the family will rock your world. Formulated for oilier skins and designed to remove makeup and all manner of grease and grime, this is Cetaphil's more attractive and well endowed little sister. I was a fan of the gentle cleansing provided by the Cetaphil first born but got frustrated at its inability to remove makeup and work up a satisfying lather.

Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser has a clinical, medical waiting room-esque fragrance which convinces you it's cleansing effectively and a lovely, light, foamy formulation which removes EVERYTHING surplus to requirement and refreshes skin. I used this as a replacement for a Clinique cleanser during a cash strapped week and haven't looked back.

Great for those oily or acne ridden lovelies who find general acne targeting skincare too drying. If you are a sensitive flower however, I would recommend sticking to the original Cetaphil cleanser as you may find this one a tad harsh for your delicate skin.

RAZOR SHARP CHEEKBONES IN THREE EASY STEPS (For contouring virgins everywhere)

I alas was born with less than delicate bone structure. My face shape has always been more moon than perfect oval and was the source of much teenage angst in earlier years. In an act of rebellion against pesky mother nature, I have developed three easy steps that help achieve a more defined cheekbone. They are as follows:

1.Apply your foundation of choice (a tint works best as their glowy qualities will have added benefits for highlighting bone structure and stop people think you've taken inspiration for this look from an 80's supermodel. Try Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint, Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15, Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturing Foundation or the aforementioned Mac Face and Body Foundation).

Then take a matt bronzer or golden brown blusher and apply with a long handled blush brush(bronzer brushes are generally too big and awkward to get a contoured line) from temple (the bit beside your eye- it took me years to find it) to the bottom of your cheekbone (have a poke around with your fingers and see where it ends.)

2.For the next step use a peachy pink or rosy blush (powder or cream work equally well). My picks are Nars The Multiple in Orgasm, Mac Peachy Keen, and any of the Bloom Sheer Colour Creams. Apply this to the apple of your cheek ( the fleshy bit when you smile) taking care not to get it to close to your nose - this will make you look more Bobo the clown than blushing beauty. Use a stippling or foundation brush to make sure the colour is blended seamlessly around the edges.

3. Finally using your favorite highlighter, (I find powder is better than liquid for precision and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick is the ULTIMATE) apply in a wide C-shaped curve over your brow bone, down past your temples and across the top of your cheekbones.

Voila- Giselle eat your heart out!

IT MUST BE LOVE

My makeup crush du jour is Mac's genius Face and Body foundation, loved by makeup artists around the world.
It's super size 120ml bottle gives you excellent value for money and its amazing formula creates a finish which looks like your own skin...only a thousand times better. It imparts a subtle glow and provides flawless coverage while never looking cakey or overdone. Perfect for a natural day look or vamping it up at night.

If you're a tad on the shiny side, simply dust some mineral or translucent powder over your nose, forehead and chin to matt out the T-zone. No illuminator required... the foundation alone kept this sleep deprived new mum glowing from dawn till dusk.

BACKLASH

While my partner and son have hit the genetic jackpot when its comes to bambi-esque eyelashes, I am the not so proud owner of stumpy, straight and sparse lashes more reminiscent of an albino rabbit than that ill fated deer’s offspring. This unfortunate inheritance kept me setting the alarm and creeping to the bathroom every morning to apply lashings (‘scuse the pun) of mascara before my other half woke up, well into the second year of our relationship.

After many years spent trawling department stores and beauty pages in search of the ultimate wand and formulation...these are my top picks for perfecting your flutter:

Diorshow Mascara is the pick of many beauty experts, featuring a supersize brush and a thick and creamy texture which layers well without clumping.

Lancome Virtuose Mascara is a little gem I had heard nothing about until I chanced upon a recommendation for it by another beauty blogger ( thank you fruity beauty) and it has quickly become a firm fave…Virtuose’s curved brush renders an eyelash curler obsolete and it has a special formula that holds curl while creating lush, long, blacker than black lashes.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Mascara is like a luxurious serum for your lashes, and is part of the EA Ceramide collection of skincare, lipstick and mascara. All aim at preventing and disguising the effects of ageing through the use of Ceramide proteins to aid in the plumping of skin and growth of lashes. Its glides on smooth as silk and gives natural looking, long, lean lashes and really does help them grow over the course of a month or two.

Maybelline Sky High Curves Mascara is the cheapie option for all you babes on a budget but skimps only on price, not on results. I bought it at the supermarket during a makeup emergency on a weekend away and was amazed at its quality. It creates long luscious clump-free lashes in a flash. Use one coat for those natural babe earth goddess days or pump it up with several coats when you’re unleashing your inner vixen. Will not disappoint!

Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effect Faux Cils Mascara is the luxe pick of the pack- It's sleek gold design will invoke envious stares from all when you pull it out for a touch up. It lives up to its name by giving you long false looking lashes using a clever triple film technology which lengthens, thickens and curl in one easy swipe. You'll have a hard time convincing your boyfriend you're not faking it!

IT'S A NUDE REVOLUTION

There are very few genetically blessed beauties who can pull off a nude without sacrificing their glow, on the rest of the female population those tones caramel to taupe tend to lend to a corpse like pallor. I have been told by several beauty insiders that the key to avoiding channeling the un-dead is to choose a shade no lighter than your skin colour and with a natural based tone(think honey, rose, flesh and caramel tints) rather than those Twiggy inspired sugar pinks and chalky beiges.

The lovely ladies (and lady boys) of the Mac counter have introduced me to two lipsticks which make mastering this look a cinch… they are Freckletone - a sheer caramel wash that works well for a natural look and is a fave of Hilary Duff, and Honeylove -a pale pinky nude which is super matt (on trend for this season) and works a treat for when you’re working smokey eyes.

To lift this look a bit and make it even more fashin forward femme fatale, put a touch of clear or plumping gloss (Lipfusion by Fusion Beauty from Mecca Cosmetica is on parr to a trip to the plastic surgeon and requires much less damage control, and Bloom does a great one called Lip Plump that tastes like Big Red) on the middle of your top lip and press together. Voila! A shiny sexy pout to rival Angie’s.
NB: Lighter lip colours also make your lips look bigger so this is a flattering look for those lips on the underweight side