Get a pinkish blush - from a box or a Valentine, writes Phyl Clarke.
There's nothing like a brisk walk on a cold, sunny morning to bring a healthy glow to the cheeks. Complexions positively sparkle as the circulation is boosted, and you would be happy to bump into your ex if only life worked like that. Back home, the steaming coffee and newspaper compensate, and as the Tubridy Show theme tune wafts across the kitchen from the radio, you give yourself a smug pat on the back that you've achieved so much by 9am.
This is my fantasy start to the day, with a spot of yoga thrown in for good measure, and it all seems so achievable the night before as I drift off to sleep. The reality of my mornings is something I'd rather not put down in writing - suffice to say that quite often I must get that "glow" by artificial means.
The beauty companies must have cottoned on to the fact that the less than perfect among us must seek our inner glow from a compact for those days when Mother Nature is having a duvet day. An old favourite is Benefit's Dandelion, which imparts a spring fresh subtleness to the skin. Braver mortals may like to try their new Thrrrob (€33) which is more of a pulse-racing pink, if you catch my drift. YSL are feeling the love this spring with their limited edition Palette Pop (€47), a very wearable mix of peachy pink, bronze and apricot. The flower woman theme so beloved of Christian Dior was reinterpreted for this spring on the catwalks and it has produced the Flower Blossom Palette (€52), which is delicate and feminine, also limited edition.
Multi Shade Enhancer from Shiseido in two colourways gives lustrous skin with the sweep of the built-in brush, great for on the move glow-getting. Bobbi Brown has been getting us glowing for years now, and her take on spring is raspberry pink. Cool in tone, it's a particularly good shade for Irish skin, as it gives a believable flush that has no doll-like connotations. The collection includes a Bobbi Brown palette (€55).
Bring a romantic glow to the cheeks for Valentine's Day with Givenchy's Prisme Again Blush (€35) in Loving Pink. There are four rosy shades in this very successful palette range. This new one even has the benefit being scented with wild rose, musk and vanilla. Now that I've said the "V" word, may as well keep going and add a few suggestions for the big day next Thursday. Either leave this page under his nose, or buy yourself a present - well why not? You love yourself, don't you?
A shower treat is the delectable REN Moroccan Rose Body Wash and Damask Rose body Cream. I love this set, exotic in name and a lovely start to the day. Available from Clerys. At the other end of the day, soak in a seaweed bath from Voya, with their deliciously scented candle flickering away while you are at it, €16 and €38 respectively.
Don't forget your fella - how about the manly sounding Blackthorn Body Oil from Dr Hauschka (€19.95), which tones skin and improves elasticity? It's great after sport or exercise. When he's comfortable with this, introduce the complementary Quince Body Moisturiser, €21.70.