The Beauty Spy breaks out the war paint for the boardroom

You won't see her, but she's there, in the salons, spas and shops, and she's happy to share her secrets on beauty at work.

Did you really think those drawers in your desk were meant for pencils and boring bits of paper? Think again, ladies. This is where you keep your war paint, the things that will keep you looking immaculate in the boardroom and also provide you with emergency evening make-up should your handsome boss finally notice you and ask you out on a date. What handsome boss? I hear you ask. You don't have one? Time to change jobs immediately.

It can be a long hot day in the office, so the first thing to do is to make sure you don't reflect this fact in your general, er, aroma. Keep some Clinique Dry Form deodorant handy for emergencies, as well as some floral scent, such as Kimono Rose by Bois 1920.

If you get that overwhelming 3pm desire to snooze just before a crucial meeting, there is nothing like a little spritz of freshness to get your brain cells working again. Dr Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Smart Spray with invigorating peppermint oil is just the thing. It could also be very useful for spraying into the eyes of any potential boardroom adversaries to slow them down a bit.

If you want to convince colleagues that you are right about something, stare them down with dramatic eyes, helped along by two great new Thierry Mugler products: one is Vinyl Gloss for Eye Lashes, which you wear over your mascara, and the other is the Latex Khol Eyeliner, an eyeliner that is so easy to apply you can literally put it on behind your computer without anyone noticing. A bad hair day is never going to increase your confidence, so invest in some dry shampoo for those days you can't face washing it; I like the Au Naturel Dry Shampoo by Frédéric Fekkai, a plumping treatment that adds bounce and lustre. And keep some Huile Prodigieuse from NUXE in your drawer, too, as it's ideal for your legs and décolletage and is guaranteed to get you noticed.

For a quick work-to-dinner transformation you need to start off with a clean slate, so have some quick cleansing wipes available such as the Botanics Quick FixCleansing Wipes. You should have some tinted moisturiser to hand, followed by the eye magic as outlined above and finally some seriously red lipstick. I like the new Maybelline Color Sensationallipsticks: Lady Red, Fatal Red and Glamorous Red, all glorious and guaranteed to turn you into a ritzy girl in seconds.

Get all the inside tips on the best products and treatments at Beauty Spy.

3 of the best

Spa treatments for working women

1. The Pullman is offering a 30-minute massage followed by a low-calorie lunch at its spacious rooftop spa for just Dh300. You'll also get access to all spa facilities while you sip unlimited amounts of tea and coffee.

Ultimate Ladies' Day Spa Experience, Mondays 9am-4pm, The Pullman, Mall of the Emirates, 04 377 2380

2. For a quick lunchtime fix, try the corporate promotion at Sisters, weekdays from noon-3pm, where you can add a free Shiffa Precious Mind treatment (a 30-minute scalp massage using Shiffa oil) to any facial when you bring in a copy of M magazine.

Sisters Beauty Lounge, Villa 1, Khalifa bin Shakhbut Street, 02 222 2501 and elsewhere

3. With the aim of improving the health and well-being of the modern woman, the Talise Anti-Ageing Programme begins with a comprehensive health assessment consisting of a body scan and blood analysis plus lifestyle and nutritional consultation. You can also enjoy an anti-ageing facial, two yoga classes and a fitness session.

Programmes are available for three, five and seven days, from Dh1,495, Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeriah, 04 366 6818

M loves

A Sleeping Beauty potion Every working woman can do with some at-home pampering. For us it's often a long bath, a face scrub and mask and lashings and lashings of Kiehl's glorious Midnight Recovery Concentrate. This replenishing elixir is a powerful concoction of essential oils that nourishes your skin as you sleep. Bliss awaits.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Dh315, available at Harvey Nichols, Mall of the Emirates, 04 409 8888; Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall, 04 350 5333