Blusher can be a challenge. I have seen some real horror stories - women who have seemingly no mirrors or lights at home, walking around with perfect red circles that make them look like a clown.
After months of wearing sunblock to stop my skin from ageing in the harsh sun here, I realised I needed to get my head around this capricious tool. I was looking as pale as the desert sand, so I went on a blusher mission to help us all.
Where to begin? At the Chanel counter, of course, where the familiar black-and-white packaging, the reassuringly high prices and the relentlessly snooty saleswomen never fail to meet expectations.
I have travelled all over the world and I can confirm that the staff is the same everywhere. They must put them through a "how to make the customer feel like a loser" training course. I used to be upset and even threatened by it. Now I understand you need to feel inferior to a Chanel saleswoman in order to pay through the nose for their products in the hope they will improve you.
"I am looking for a blusher," I tell the saleswoman at a Chanel counter in Dubai.
She looks beyond me and then nods slowly while walking towards the blusher section.
"For day or evening wear?" she asks.
"Can't I just have one for both?"
She gives me a steely stare and half-smiles.
"If that's what you would prefer, madam, of course. This one could be used for both," she says, lifting a box of pale pink blusher. "It is the right colour for you. If you want a sexier evening look then use a little shimmery blush on the highest point of your cheekbone."
"How do you know this is my colour?"
She sighs. "You choose a colour that is similar to your cheeks after a bracing walk, or some exercise. Failing that, the colour of your lips. And as you have combination skin we will go for a powder."
As she lifts the brush towards me I suck in my cheeks as we were always taught to do.
"There is no need to do that, madam," she says. "We simply dab it onto the apple of your cheek." She demonstrates. "And to determine where the apple is you just need to smile."
Now one side of my face looks like I have stomped through a cornfield while the other is still pasty. I ask if I might have a go and copy what she did. There is nothing to it.
I buy the blusher. I smile. She doesn't. I leave wondering how she ever works out where the apple of her cheek is but am happily reassured that some things in life remain the same.
M loves Dr Hauschka Skin Care
Jennifer Aniston and Madonna apparently swear by it. Dr Hauschka Skin Care is based on natural and organic ingredients, and devotees claim "it moisturises like a dream" and "diminishes the look of fine lines". The facial cleansers, toners, moisturisers, scrubs and masks contain only vegetable oils, essential oils and organic plant essences. They smell wonderful, and a little goes a long way when it comes to the creams. Our skin looked dewy even after cleansing. Those with oily skin should use with care as some of the products can be quite heavy. But as they're 100 per cent natural, any excess could probably be spread on your toast.
Toned Day Cream, Dh118.25; Cleansing Clay Mask, Dh115.50; Rose Day Cream Light, Dh102.75; Clarifying Toner, Dh111.50, Dr Hauschka, Organic Foods & Cafe, www.organicfoodsandcafe.com
Giveaway - there were never such devoted Sisters
To celebrate the new year, Sisters Beauty Lounge in Abu Dhabi is offering two lucky M readers some free pampering. One treatment to be won is a Dermalogica deep cleansing facial, which is great for all skin types. It lasts for 75 minutes and normally would cost Dh375. The other lucky winner will receive a wash and blow dry by a senior stylist. To enter the draw simply e-mail magazine "Sisters Beauty Lounge" in the subject line. The offer applies only to the Abu Dhabi salon.
Sisters Beauty Lounge, Villa 1, Khalifa bin Shakbout Street, Abu Dhabi, 02 222 2501
Tips for caring for a dry scalp
Expert advice from Head & Shoulders' global stylist, Ben Skervin
Hydrate and rehydrate The scalp will be one of the last parts of the body to benefit from any water consumed - at least two litres a day is optimum for hydration.
Adopt a consistent diet Fad diets have been shown to result in vitamin, mineral and protein deficiencies - all of which can contribute to scalp conditions and have an impact on hair quality.
Eat 'good' fats Found in fruits such as avocados they are excellent for helping your body to keep in shape (and they can also have an effect on your scalp and hair). Try to increase your intake of oily fish, or consider taking a supplement of fish oil, linseed oil or gamma-linolenic acid.
Think Zinc Zinc is a wonder mineral. It takes a central role in many essential processes in our body and has been proven as crucial in helping with a number of conditions, including your scalp and hair.
Style without styling If your scalp is aggravated, keep styling to a minimum and especially cut down on the use of heat stylers and styling products - this is even more important if your scalp problems are the result of feeling particularly pressured and your lifestyle is hectic.
Take precautions if flying If you're going on holiday and especially before exposing yourself to long intercontinental flights, keep hair tied back and don't weigh hair down with styling products. I also advise my clients to drink a carrot-and-orange juice before flying, to help your body adjust to the extra stress.
Shampoo daily when holidaying Sun, sea, sand and swimming in a pool can often have a detrimental effect on the condition of your hair. One side effect of this is that your hair will lose moisture faster. A gentle daily shampoo and a deep conditioning treatment before and after your holiday are the best plan of attack.
Gently rub wert hair After washing your hair, when first drying, use a soft towel gently, never rub hair too vigorously as wet hair is more at risk of breaking so needs more care.
Additional tips You can use heat protecting spray applied to the hair to prepare it for blow-drying. However, avoid too many heat styling tools such as straightening/flattening and curling irons. Also, when out in the sun try to keep your hair and scalp covered.
3 of the best organic body smoothers
NEAL'S YARD REMEDIES BODY BRUSH, DH40 These are made with natural plant fibre bristles and sustainably sourced beechwood to stimulate circulation and slough away dry skin.
THE BODY SHOP SKIN SPONGE, DH25 You need only a small squeeze of shower gel and a bit of water to rub up a lather with this sponge, made from recycled plastic bottles.
L'OCCITANE SHEA BUTTER ULTRA RICH BODY SCRUB, DH145 Scrub and moisturise simultaneously with this creamy polish made with 10 per cent shea butter.
