There are some weird and rather wacky beauty products on the market that I can’t believe anyone actually uses, but they do; from bath salts made with dehydrated crustaceans and bacon-flavoured toothpaste to “suction cups” to give you an Angelina Jolie pout. How crazy is that?

It all sounds a bit like nonsense to me but, on a serious note, there are some wonderful products on the market that may seem a little unusual or confusing, but are really great. So for this month’s column I thought I would introduce you to some new and exciting makeup and beauty treats.

1Prime Time

Don’t be scared to use a primer. It will hold your makeup on for longer, fill in any fine lines and disguise temporarily open pores. My favourite is Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer from stockists including www.arnotts.ie at €34. This is a lightweight, oil-free silky blend of vitamins A and E, grape seed extracts and green tea. Apply after your moisturiser and before your foundation.

2Eye Eye

Eye cream works wonders, especially for the over-30s. Eye Magic Rescue by Charlotte Tilbury from stockists including www.brownthomas.com at €55 is an utterly amazing anti-ageing eye cream. This little pot of magic reinvigorates and nourishes the skin around the eyes.

Fading away fine wrinkles and increasing the collagen content in the skin, it will make the eyes appear younger and more radiant. Dab a small amount around the eye area morning and night.

3Night Shift

Estée Lauder has a miracle Advanced Night Repair Serum, available from stockists including www.debenhams.ie at €67, which has been around for years and really does what it says on the rather smart brown glass bottle.

Apply at night before your moisturiser. Place a few blobs using the pipet applicator on to your hand. Rub serum between your hands to warm it up and gently pat it over the face and neck. It smells expensive and feels lovely. This amazing serum hydrates tired, dry, lined skin, evens out the skin tone and makes your skin look radiant. After only a few weeks you will really see a difference in your skin.

4Eight Hour Miracle

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream RRP €34 from stockists nationwide is my winner product and always has been. It was created in the 1930s by Elizabeth Arden to soothe the skin – and there is not a makeup artist in the world who would not have a tube of this glorious cream in their kit boxes. It’s multi-purpose, for all skin types and ages.

This is a non-greasy, quick-absorbing cream that can be used on your cuticles, feet, eyebrows and lips.

You can also use it after waxing treatments to calm the skin, while it’s especially great after travelling or working outside in the harsh elements – a brilliant all-rounder that nourishes and protects your skin in an instant.

5All Set

Barry M Flawless Mist and Fix Makeup Setting Spray from stockists including www.littlewoodsireland.ie at €6.39 is a super product. Once you finish doing your makeup, carefully spritz this light spray over your face and neck and it will set it nicely so that it lasts longer.

This is especially useful before a night out if you want to shake a few moves on the dance floor, so your makeup won’t slip down your face in a sweaty mess!

6Tone Up

Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner from stockists including www.debenhams.ie at €29.50 works wonders on the skin after you have taken your makeup off.

It will thoroughly remove all traces of makeup and grime and will rehydrate the skin before you apply your moisturiser.

It will also clear pores to rid the skin of blackheads. Boots also stock a traditional Glycerin and Rose Water Toner at €3.49. This toner is a cooling, refreshing beautifier that softens and moisturises the skin before you apply your moisturiser. Great if you suffer from the odd pimple too.

7High Brow

Benefit’s “Gimme Brow” gel from stockists including www.debenhams.ie at €26 is a fab tinted brow gel that contains tiny microfibres that adhere to skin and hairs to create a natural-looking fullness and definition. This gel is water-resilient, long wearing and now available in three easy-to-choose shades, so every gal can find a shade that suits their colouring.

Apply the gel with the tiny tapered brush provided. Stroke the brush tip along the brow to define the shape and brush it through the brows with the side of the brush to blend and build up your brow. This gel volumises the brow hairs and tints and tames the hair. CL

Next month: Is your foundation really doing what it says on the bottle? For any beauty queries, please email dollybuckley1@gmail.com.