Forget Easter eggs and indulge in cracking beauty treats instead

Move over Easter eggs. Lisa Haynes goes hunting, basket in hand, for alternatives to a serious chocolate overdose.

SUGAR and spice and all things nice. This is pretty much the recipe for Easter, with a non-stop feast of chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and candy.

But why not switch the traditional Easter egg hunt to a search for this season’s indulgent beauty treats? From cocoa-based scents to Mini Egg nails, it’s all you could ever need to cure your sweet tooth.

Grab your wicker basket and hunt high and low for this seasonal stash.

* SPECKLED CHIC

Inspired by ornate bird shells (and maybe choccie Mini Eggs), Models Own’s Speckled Eggs (below) is the way to nail Easter decoration. Take flight with the five pretty pastels available: Dove pink, Duck blue, Goose yellow, Magpie mint, or Swan lilac, €7.65 each (Boots).

* GOLD RUSH

If you’re avoiding chocolate, drop Lush’s Easter egg (left) into your tub. The Golden Egg Bath Bomb will fizz and fill your bath water with a sumptuous honey-toffee fragrance, €4.50.

* FLAWLESS FINISH

Take your cue from the professionals with these Models Own Egg Shaped Make Up Applicators (right), €12.99. Smooth away streaks with the feather light blending sponges — the pointed end to reaches difficult areas around the eyes, nose and mouth; the wider end works a treat on the face and neck, giving a perfect finish.

* EAU DE COCOA

Jean Paul Gaultier has conjured up a delicacy that will last longer than a box of chocolates. Indulge your cravings with Kokorico Eau De Toilette, a warm, intriguing scent inspired by the richness of cocoa beans, from €25.50.

* BUN BATHING

The next best thing to hot cross buns with melted butter? Lather up with Philosophy’s Cinnamon Buns 3 in 1 Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath; you can read the mouth-watering recipe on the bottle as you bathe, €18 (Boots).

* BEAUTY BAR

Now you can sample an entire family-sized chocolate bar without feeling guilty. Too Faced’s Chocolate Bar (above) eye shadow palette includes 16 antioxidant-rich, cocoa powder-infused matte and shimmer shades of natural browns, pinks and plums, €63 (Debenhams).

* TRUFFLE TIPS

Just try and resist the urge to bite your nails wearing Revlon’s Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel (right). The Chocolate Truffle shade is a rich brown that smells just like freshly melted chocolate once dry, €8.99.