BEAUTY: Do your exercisesEveryone knows you don't get good results without doing your exercises, and this applies to muscles, too. I'm a big fan of Eva Fraser's Facial FitnessDVD (€29.99), which is a set of exercises designed to give the facial muscles a workout.
The results are amazing and Eva is living proof that her method works – but as she says herself, “you have to do them”. The DVD is available from Sanctum 01-6745707, or www.evafraser.com.
Kate Moss loved this little gadget so much that she ordered them for her mum and for her friends at her recent girls' pampering day at the Dorchester in London. Ooh the glamour of it all! Tua Visois the latest device in facial muscle toning. Two electrodes placed at different strategic points on the face work together to lift, tone and sculpt muscles. There is a little learning curve to locate the correct points, but the instructions and diagrams are clear and the results have been compared to a great botox job. It costs €199 – but you are paying for the fact that the device does all the work for you while you catch up with the latest goings on in Fair City. www.tinarichards.com.
Sharpen your pencils
Liner is back in a big way for autumn, and Prescriptives has come up with a winner in its Longwear Kohl Liner (€23). Soft and creamy to apply, it sets to a smudge-resistant and waterproof finish. It is available in four wearable shades, and the Slate Grey is bang on-trend for autumn.
Bobbi Brown Creamy Eye Pencils (€22) have intense colour, and a formula so smooth they glide on effortlessly. Bonus marks for the built-in smudger and sharpener.
Highlight your brow bone for an instant brow-lift with Benefit High Brow (€21). This linen-pink pencil gives the illusion of a magic "lift" when it's applied under the eyebrow, resulting in a more wide-awake and fresh look. Directions for use are included.
One of MAC's top sellers, the Spice lip pencil (€14.50) has earned its stripes for its universally flattering tone and versatility. With its smooth, creamy texture, it's perfect for lining lips or filling them in. Can be worn alone, with lipstick or gloss.
Get the books out
You Being Beautiful
(£14.99, Harper Collins)
This hefty 400-pager manages to be both informative and entertaining. Oprah Winfrey favourite Dr Mehmet Oz joins up with Dr Michael Roizen to break down the mechanics of beauty and health. Not a heavy scientific tome, but a fun approach, with clear illustrations, tips and "factoid panels". This book covers everything from how to brush your teeth, to the less-than-beautiful subject of bunions. It's jam-packed with information on how beauty is more than skin deep. A great read for the longer evenings ahead.
Look Good Feel Good
(€9.99, Marie Keating Foundation)
Here's a make-up manual with a difference – the models are real women with health issues ranging from cancer to severe acne. Make-up artists Rhona Cullinan and Derek O'Kelly go through the basics of skincare, share trade secrets and discuss beauty during and after cancer treatment. The step-by-step approach and clear photography add up to a practical handbook, with products lists, and all proceeds going to the foundation.
Skin secrets
(£19.99, Kyle Cathie)
The coverline reads "How to have naturally healthy beautiful skin". Skincare guru Liz Earle shares her knowledge on how you can make a visible difference to your skin at any age. Her holistic approach has won her legions of fans for her skincare brand. Supplements and therapies are covered, along with skin disorders such as psoriasis, rosacea and eczema (which the author has suffered from).