I suffer from sensitive skin and dry patches at times so I have to keep a really good emollient cream to hand such as Elizabeth Arden's eight-hour cream or Rodial's Glow Balm.

These are specifically aimed at treating little dodgy patches and provide a great rescue effect.

Gloss act Lip gloss . . . I just love the stuff. I appreciate that lipstick is longer lasting but when it starts to wear off it looks awful, whereas with gloss it's not so obvious. Glossy lips are far more kissable too!

Current favourites are:

>> City Lips: lipplumping treatment . . .

comes in lovely ultrasheer shades.

>> Stila: this is one gorgeous gloss and is to be found in almost every make-up artist's bag.

For good reason too as it's non sticky and there's a great range of colours. Comes in a handy pen dispenser.

>> And finally Armani: Shine lip gloss in '06' (above) . . . a very soft, delicate pink that looks great on its own or worn over pale pink lipstick for that 'Oscar-night' look, 17.50 from Brown Thomas.

Blushing pride I love every single thing in my makeup collection but it must be said that I have become a little obsessed with blusher of late. And all thanks to having tried out some different shades to the ones I have been wearing for years. For a really youthful look, go for soft pinks, Sisley Phtyo-Blush no 4 in 'Pinky Rose' ( 45 from Brown Thomas only) is my current favourite pink and for a more natural shade try 'Terracota' cream blush by Becca (Harvey Nichols only).