There's something exciting about the arrival of spring at the beauty counters that makes me shiver with delight.
I love the spicy fragrances, smoky eyes and scarlet lips of winter, but spring brings a fresh crop of products.
Plus, I must admit, my love for the new season is tinged with a little relief. Oh, how I practically kissed that Lancôme La Roseraie blush with its pretty pink pastel hue, and the candy colours of Bobbi Brown High Shimmer lip glosses, all light with girlish detail instead of winter's hard-working foundations and stark colours.
Along with my 60 denier opaques and knee-high boots, I'm pleased to banish my heavy creams for moisture-thirsty skin to the back of the cupboard and make space for some of the imminent season's latest skincare products.
With the focus on flawless, glowing skin, I'm delighted that Phytomer products are now available in the UAE. This fab French range is cruelty-free without nasties. Its Hydra Original Non-Oily Ultra-Moisturizing Fluid has a wonderfully light, silky formula. No intense rubbing or massaging needed as this simply glides onto your skin. Apply morning and evening for a softer complexion. Plus, this smoothing cream costs less than Dh200.
Guerlain has come up trumps with not only its glorious Orchidée Impériale Longevity Concentrate but also the Orchidée Impériale Toner. Harnessing the vital energy of the orchid, this range boasts the gift of turning back cellular time. Lofty claims aside, this is good stuff. I've been testing all three products for a month, and they are divine: my skin is soft, hydrated and looks brighter. Pricey but heavenly.
The new season also brings new ways to deal with skin imperfections. If you find products for blemished skin too harsh and drying, then take a look at Vichy's new Normaderm range. Clever Vichy has managed to strike a balance between medicinal yet lovely, pampering care that is both anti-ageing and for problem skin. No more being housebound and wailing for a week if you get a blemish; start with the Normaderm Purifying Cleansing Gel, which has a refreshing scent and gently exfoliates without any irritating granules. If you have oily skin, then opt for the Purifying Astringent Lotion to close the pores. (If you have normal or dry skin, skip this part.) As an alternative you could try Guerlain's toner (above). Finish with the Anti-Ageing Cream, which leaves a matte finish.
Your skin will blossom in no time.
3 of the best
Keep your hands soft and supple with the lastest hand creams
CLARINS HAND & NAIL TREATMENT LOTION, DH107 Sesame oil and shea butter soften the hands while mulberry and myrrh extracts target age spots and strengthen nails. Massage in gently.
MOLTON BROWN ROK MINT SMOOTHING HAND LOTION, DH90 A creamy lotion with the crisp, green scent of freshly picked mint. This leaves hands nourished and protected, plus it's anti-bacterial.
ELEMIS REVITALISE-ME HAND LOTION, DH134 A richly hydrating formula that has a light, citrus scent of sweet orange, lime and neroli oils. Spendy but treaty.
M loves
GLAMBOX When we go through our vast supply of make-up, we still yearn for something new, something to make our long daily grooming routine more exciting. GlamBox does just that and at an affordable price. Customers pay a low fee and get a box of sample-sized new products delivered every month. We were initially put off by the small size of the samples, but realised the idea was genius as we could then buy the full-sized version of the ones we liked and not get stuck with large vats of the ones we didn't.
Dh150 for three months, Dh300 for six months, Dh550 for one year, www.glambox.me
