Beauty buzz

The perfect party season pick, Estée Lauder’s new Pure Color Gelée Powder EyeShadows, €24, are actually a part of the brand’s spring Cyber Eyes launch, but happily they’re previewing at Brown Thomas stores right now. Malleable, metallic and utterly must-have, they come in six high-impact shades, can be used wet or dry and are limited edition — so if you want ‘em, go get ‘em now.

BOX CLEVER

If you love browsing blogs, cosmetic counters and glossy magazines to discover new brands, but your budget doesn’t always stretch to a purchase, then beauty boxes are a great idea. Now delivering to Ireland is Carmine, a monthly UK subscription service offering five new-to-you luxury sample sizes for around €15 including delivery. Plus you can cancel any time. www.carmine.co.uk

OPEN AND SHUT CASE

Clarins’ Christmas makeup palette, €40, is a decent price for four eye colours, blusher, plus mini gloss and mascara. It also includes brushes and a good-sized mirror. The padded and embossed case zips closed and is sturdy enough to stand up to regular handbag abuse too.

IT’S A WRAP

Those outside the capital will need to call for mail order (we suspect fashionistas won’t mind) because the eponymous fragrance from Diane von Furstenburg, from €85, is a Brown Thomas, Dublin exclusive. This seductive oriental marks the queen of the wrap dresses’ return to beauty with a blend of patchouli, violet and frangipani, and we hear whispers there’s more to come.

FRINGE BENEFITS

You can pay over the odds for fancy, embellished falsies but there’s no need to this Christmas. Budget brand NYC’s lashes are excellent value at just €3.99 and very party-appropriate. Bat for lashes, indeed.

WATER BABY

This little glass vial of goodness will be a moisture-boosting boon for any skintype. Oily types can apply Ren’s Max Moisture Concentrate, €44, solo and drier complexions will benefit from layering it with other creams for maximum results.

Q. My hair is a misbehaving nightmare! It’s frizz-prone and never sits flat. Are there any products I can buy that will help, or is it for the chop?

A: Fine hair is often prone to frightening frizz and in the first instance, a regular trim is your friend.

Be careful to never let your stylist razor the ends of your tresses as this will exacerbate the problem, and invest in a decent hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Dove’s recently launched Nourishing Oil Care range, from €3.47, is a great pick. In addition to regular care products there’s a brilliant Express Treatment Conditioner, €4.69, that you whack on for 60 seconds.

Thanks to a stripe of almond oil and coconut oils, it really does work to tame badly-behaved hair and deliver smooth shine.

Stockists

Clarins at department stores and pharmacies; Dove at supermarkets; Estée Lauder at department stores; Ren 01-4610645