At 48 years young, I am starting to go through “the change” – and so far I have managed not to allow the odd hot flush, bloated tummy (I am taking vitamin B6, which helps) and really dry skin bother me too much.

I am very aware that this is only the beginning of my menopause and I have decided to positively tackle any symptoms that it throws at me calmly and keep reminding myself that this is only a temporary thing and will pass.

It’s really important that we don’t keep our feelings to ourselves. Us women should talk about how we are managing with this change to our bodies – and sharing how we are coping can be a comfort and a help to others going through the same.

Some will sail right through with not a bother on them – and some will not. A friend of mine said she felt quite literally like she had been run over by a roller during hers. Another friend said she hardly even noticed, except she found a few unsightly hairs growing on her chin and that her waist line seemed to get a bit thicker.

So this month, I have decided to put together some really useful beauty tips to help you on your menopausal way.

Hot Stuff

Hot flushes can make you feel very uncomfortable and can heighten the risk of rosacea. That’s why it is important to treat yourself to a regular face mask. Penneys is now doing a brilliant range of face masks, and the sachets are very generous, so you can definitely get two masks out of the one for … well, pennies!

Do leave the masks on well-cleansed skin for a good 20 minutes. Apply to the face and neck (great when applied on back of hands if they are very dry). Be careful not to get any of the mask in your eyes or mouth.

Always reseal the mask after use so that it does not dry out. Splash your face with warm water to take the mask off or wipe if off gently with a warm flannel. Pat face dry and apply a light moisturiser.

An emergency “quick cool down” tip that my grandmother passed on to my mother and her to me, is to always carry a wee spritz of Cologne 4711, available from stockists including www.boots.ie at €15.99. A few sprays will calm, cool and freshen you up. It’s such a light, beautiful cologne.

Do be careful of your eyes when spritzing and always hold at a distance when spraying your neck. I find this lemony citrus, sandalwood cologne gives me a feeling of wellbeing, so it’s worth a try, ladies – and as 4711 Cologne was first created in the early 18th century, it’s definitely stood the test of time. As Grandma would say: “An oldie but a goodie.”

Polish Up

One of the main culprits of hormonal spots is the build-up of oily sebum, which is secreted by our sebaceous glands. Sebum can slow down and make your skin cells sluggish and cloggy and this does happen during the menopause.

Regularly exfoliating your face and neck can really help those annoying spotty pimples, so why not try something like St Ives Even & Bright Scrub from stockists including www.boots.ie at €6.99, which will kick-start your skin’s circulation to create a smoother, brighter complexion.

Always rinse the face off with a good splash of cold water to tighten up your facial pores. Get in the habit of patting your face dry with a towel, as rubbing the skin will only aggravate the spots.

Nail It

We often see changes in our hair and nails during the menopause. I am very aware that my finger and toe nails have become soft and flaky and I’m having to keep them short, as they catch on everything.

I have to wear a nail hardener like Sally Hansen’s Diamond Strength instant nail hardener from stockists including www.inishpharmacy.com at €9.95 to protect my nails all the time.

Super Supplement

A few of my 45+ year-old girlfriends have been upset that their hair is thinning during the menopause, especially at the front of the hair line. I have found the most amazing Irish health product called Amphis, which is the latest new luxury marine-based beauty and nutrition range to help combat these problems.

Amphis brilliantly helps to beautify the body and fight off the signs of aging from the inside out. I have been taking the Amphis hair and nail sachet every morning – a pleasantly orangey-tasting liquid in a small sachet that is easy to take and costs €69.99 for 28 sachets.

It’s full of keratin-boosting liquid, which really does accelerate the growth of strong, lustrous hair and strengthens nails. Even after only a few weeks my nails are not as flaky or soft.

I also take their Skin Nutrient capsule twice daily, €59.99 for 60 capsules, which fights the free radicals that cause aging and really does rejuvenate the skin. I definitely feel that the quality of my skin is better and my complexion is clearer since taking these Amphis products daily. Amphis is now available online at www.amphisbeauty.com.

Hair Raising

During the change, your hair and scalp can get very dry. Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Shampoo from www.viviscal.ie at €11.95 really does boost limp locks, and Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner from stockists including www.tesco.ie at €5.99 is gentle on hair, smells lovely, and will nourish and hydrate the hair to the very ends. A great combination.

Hands On

There is nothing worse than dry hands and feet and again, during “the change”, this can happen. I always leave a small tube of hand cream in the side door of my car, next to the kitchen sink and in my handbag. My old favourite E45 does the trick and you can buy a small tube in your local chemist for less than a fiver.

Drink Up

It is very important to drink at least one litre of water every day to keep you hydrated, help your eyes to shine bright and give your skin a healthy glow. I start my day with a mug of hot water and a slice of lemon to detox and cleanse my body. Green tea is also a healthy, cleansing drink. CL

If you have any queries, please email me at dollybuckley1@gmail.com.