Beauty bulletin

DREAM CREAM

Foundation, SPF or skincare? Garnier’s new Miracle Skin Perfector Daily all-in-one BB Cream, €14.99, is all three. Coming at us from Asia, where BBs — or blemish balms — are huge news, this is the first mass market launch specifically designed for European skin tones. Delivering some coverage, 24 hour hydrating benefits and UV protection, BBs deliver what tinted moisturisers just never could.

SHADOW PLAY

Trust me: Chanel’s August 19th-launching Illusion d’Ombre shadows, €28, aren’t like anything you’ve ever tried. Dense, springy, pigment-loaded and super-shimmery, these apply like a dream for maximum night time impact. Best of all, they’re not scary or difficult to use — make-up artists and beauty novices alike will get great results from these posh pots.

APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE

Promising a result equal to that of retinol, the current anti-ageing gold standard, Lancôme’s new Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector, €70, was 12 years in development and was tested and approved by the same team at Manchester University who tipped the nod to No7’s famous Protect and Perfect serum. Tackling wrinkles, pores, skin texture and evenness, it previews at Brown Thomas stores from today.

NAIL IT

Look for Catrice’s Out of Space collection rolling out on stands now. Among some ace eye products are some equally excellent-looking aquatic shades for nails, and at a mere €2.79 each, you can afford to collect the quad.

BOOK WORM

Stuck for ideas for your new season beauty look? Find a little inspiration between the covers of Fashion Now 2 by Terry Jones, €10.20. Published by Taschen, the tome contains archived shoots from 25 years of i-D magazine.

THE LOOK-FOR-IT LAUNCH

Sleek cosmetics are much beloved of those in the know, but in Ireland, there are no bricks and mortar stockists, and fans who don’t want to buy from the brand’s website have to make the pilgrimage north if they want a fix. Now Irish shopping site beautyemporium.ie has scored a coup and snapped up Sleek’s affordably excellent palettes, lip polishes and super-bright blushes. Best of all, shipping, at a flat €2, is even cheaper than from Sleek’s official site. Later this month, the new Nude collection will land, and with prices from €8.40 for a 12-pan palette, well — it’d be a sin not to indulge.

LIP SERVICE

Forward planning is always good, so here’s a heads-up: for autumn, brands are rolling out a slew of dramatic darks and luxe metallics for eyes. But what to wear with them? Get ahead of the posse with Nars’ Pago Pago lipstick, €25. A sheer petal pink, it’s the perfect accompaniment to statement peepers.

Q. I’ve heard lots of people talk about threading as a great brow-shaping method, but, um, what’s actually involved?

A: An Indian technique, threading uses special waxed cotton thread which the therapist pulls quickly over tautened skin to pull hairs out in a rolling motion. It’s quicker than plucking and there’s less pulling and tugging than with wax, and though it can sting, the procedure is quick so your torture ends quickly.

Anything else you need to know?

“Yes,” says UK brow guru Shavata, right, who has a branch of her empire at Harvey Nichols Dundrum, where a brow shape costs €20.

If you’re prone to pain, take a couple of paracetamol before your treatment and beware if your period is due.

“The best times to come in are within the two weeks afterwards,” she says.

Stockists

Catrice at Dunnes, Penneys, independent pharmacies and The Moderne; Chanel at department stores; Garnier at supermarkets; Lancôme at department stores; Nars at narscosmetics.eu and Brown Thomas, Dublin; Taschen at Amazon.co.uk and good book stores.