The beauty spy: On multitasking make-up

Do more with less with these great double-duty products.

Shaving, plucking, cleansing, moisturising... with so much to do and so little time, it's amazing that we manage to get out of bed. I have often wondered if we gave up all our beauty regimes, would we just revert to our unkempt, pre-historic selves? Hideous thought. Good news, then, that there's a new make-up trend: products that accomplish more than one job, saving us precious minutes in the morning and room in our handbags.

Lipsticks that can prevent ageing lips? Eyeshadows that can tighten and tone your eyelids? In the quest for flawless skin, make-up has had to up its game, and now many major beauty companies are claiming their foundations, eyeshadows, concealers and lipsticks can enhance, repair and fight ageing.

The latest foundations contain anti-ageing ingredients that promise to prevent fine lines. I like two: Max Factor's new Ageless Elixir 2 in 1 Foundation + Serum and Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus All-smooth Make-up SPF15. The Max Factor elixir includes moisture-boosting properties and strengthening antioxidants such as vitamin E and green tea. Its thick consistency made me nervous at first, but it glides on and gives a light finish. Plus, it's only Dh94.

Clinique's offering is a long-wearing foundation with an SPF that lifts it to above average war paint. The star ingredients are the Laser Focus Wrinkle and UV Corrector, liquid foundation and whey protein. After using this for a few weeks, I wouldn't say it gives me a porcelain look, but I do appear smoother, clearer and even dewy.

Mascaras might be becoming over-gimmicked. Vibrating with renewable wands seems to be the latest trick. But for a good everyday mascara without the batteries, try Revlon's Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara. The formula helps promote lash growth, making this my go-to product. Its chunky wand grips and coats nicely and my lashes look longer and more defined.

I also love Max Factor's Colour Elixir lipsticks. With their shea butter and antioxidant rich white tea extract, they're almost a treatment and lipstick in one. If you need a pop of colour, try Magenta Divine as its pink glossy hue delivers a moisturising finish. It's also long lasting; the colour survived my midmorning cappuccino and I didn't need to reapply until after lunch.

Multitasking was never so easy.

Three of the best

Richer than pink but softer than red, embrace spring's plum lipstick colours

INGLOT SLIM GEL LIPSTICK NO.66, DH70 Ideal for dry lips, Inglot's tall, thin gels have a lighter, more moisturising feel to them while maintaing a good colour.

BOBBI BROWN LIP COLOR IN DESERT PLUM, DH130 A creamy, matte lipstick with a highly pigmented formula. This glides on smoothly and the colour stays put.

ILLAMASQUA UNDERWORLD, DH100 Be brave - this isn't as purple as it looks. Described as blueberry violet, this leaves a pretty, plummy hue with a lovely sheer finish.

M Loves

CUIR NOIR When it comes to fragrance, sometimes the words musk and oud can make us scuttle back to our trusty Chanel No. 5. But the latest Armani Prive fragrance, Cuir Noir, is refreshingly neither too strong nor too woody. The scents of sandalwood, rose, vanilla and oud make a heady cocktail that is powerful yet feminine. However, it's not for girly-girls, but is a sensuous, grown-up fragrance that will earn you some attention.

Armani Prive, Cuir Noir, Dh950, available in Harvey Nichols, Mall of the Emirates, 04 409 8888 and Paris Galleries across the UAE