The look

Compiled by PHYL CLARKE

I can't live without

Gemma McGowan, co-founder The Handmade Soap Company

Neal’s Yard Palmarosa Purifying Moisturiser: This is light, easily absorbed, prevents shine and is perfect for use under make up.

Nutrimetics Velvet Finish: This Australian company produces wonderful mineral make up. I don’t wear liquid foundations as they block my rather sensitive pores, so this mineral foundation powder is an absolute godsend, feels amazing and gives great coverage.

The Handmade Soap Company Lavender Body Lotion: Great in the evenings, after a bath before bed. It’s quickly absorbed, and the gorgeous scents of lavender, peppermint and thyme really linger and help me relax.

Period drama

Viktor and Rolf brought us back to a more romantic era at this year’s spring fashion show by channelling pre-Raphaelite waves. If you have the hair length, it’s an easily achievable style. John Frieda’s Jake Davis talks us through the look. “Start by applying Luxurious Volume Blow Dry Lotion on to wet hair and working into two thick plaits starting at ear level. Once dry (you can help with a dryer) brush through the mid-lengths to get a textured wave. Finish the look by spraying Anytime Volume Refresher into the mid-lengths and ends to enhance airiness and volume .

Blow out

Those still hankering after a 12-week blow dry can now avail of the only HSE- approved treatment available on our shores. The QOD Gold Brazilian Blow Dry is 100 per cent formaldehyde-free and naturally straightens hair by 50-60 per cent. For your nearest salon, tel: 01-450 9079.

For the week that's in it

Mane ’n’ Tail started life 40 years ago as a horse grooming product, the developers of which were so impressed with the results on animal hair that they had a go themselves and found the ultra-rich strengthening formula worked just as well on human hair to leave it soft, nourished and manageable. Today fans include such hair lovelies as Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and Kim Kardashian. It is sold in chemists, from €6.95.

More moisture, courtesy of Pantene’s Pro V Deep Moisture Souffle, a hair treatment that leaves hair silky and soft and has been a big hit in the US. It is due to hit our shelves this month, priced €6.19

Oil change

Hair oils are still all the rage and one of the originals, Shu Uemura’s Essence Absolue, still stands out from the pack. The addition of camelia fragranced oil pearls to the original blend releases a subtle, lingering scent along with shine and definition. It costs €50 at hair salons.

Good hair days

Ever wondered how to achieve that effortlessly undone look so popular with the updo set? It’s the secret of the modern upstyle, which can look dated if it is too neat. Styling specialist Bumble Bumble has come up with the perfect finisher in Semisumo. This versatile finisher for dry hair can be used to break up an overly perfect blow dry, define an updo, and smooth and tame flyaways. Good hair days ahead then.

At larger branches of Boots, €25.

Heat treatment

Oh how we love the styling power of the GHD and curling tongs, but the constant high temperatures can have a negative effect on hair. Step forward Elnett (the go-to name in hairspray) which now has a heat protect styling range which holds and smooths your style and protects from heat, up to 230°C. It costs €8.99.