Christmas and the gift of beauty
By Triona McCarthy
Sunday Dec 14 2003
AS a hardcore beauty junkie, I lose the head altogether at Christmas and need an even bigger "fix" than normal to get me through the festive season. So many parties, so little pampering time.
There will be no "cold turkey" for me this Christmas. A gal's gotta look good so here's my list, Santa Baby!
Every girl should have a GHD, that's one of those frizz-fighting ceramic hair straightening irons available in Peter Marks nationwide. I have three darling younger sisters who visit regularly and somehow inadvertently pack my GHD in their bags and then scamper off back to West Cork. So, I could do with a few extra, because I hate having a BHD (bad hair day)
But there are times when you've just got to fabulise that little bit more - and my favourite hair salon in Dublin is Toni & Guy in Blackrock. Leonard Daly is the kind of friend any girl with "kinky" hair like me needs. Somehow he always manages to fit me in for a super-fast wash and blow dry when I whizz through the door. A year's worth of blow dries would definitely go down a treat in my Christmas Stocking!
If body hair were fashionable, I'd be a Supermodel. Julia Roberts? What's that all about?
I hate the stuff; I even wax the hair on my forearms off. The smell of depilatory creams make me nauseous and I especially hate shaving - having shaved off my baby toe in the shower last week - don't ask, long story! But there is light at the end of the tunnel and that is Aculight - a laser that permanently reduces hair. Hallelujah!
This treatment, which is next on my list, is available in Bellaza Beauty & Toning Clinic in Ranelagh. It costs 150 a session and 12 are recommended to rid you of your bikini line. Not bad when you add up what you spend each year on waxing. By the summer, my body should be a hair-free zone ready to slip into my itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, Moschino bikini!
However, while there may not be any superfluous hair peeking out of my bikini, there may be a problem with superfluous flesh! Having a belly bigger than your boobs is not a good look, so short of asking for cosmetic surgery gift vouchers, I think the more sensible option is to get me a personal trainer.
Having made a few enquires; Pat Henry was the name on everybody's lips. This is the man who can whip even the biggest butt into shape. I wanted him to move in with me for the year but sadly, this isn't possible, instead I have to drag my Sumo wrestler-esque bottom to his gym on Pembroke Street in Dublin where a six-week course will, he promises, get me honed and toned ready for my bikini or perhaps a little red swimsuit. Baywatch here I come!
Speaking of bikinis, and beaches, brings me very nicely on to my next want or, should I say, need. Lancome's new Spring 2004 make-up collection, aptly called Calypso, which I've just had the pleasure of previewing. Basically, I want the lot, having 'I wanted him to move in with me but sadly this isn't possible, instead I have to drag my big bottom to his gym
watched Lancome's make-up artists Michelle and Jurgen apply the season's new colours on models Glenda Gilson and Martha. Think turquoise and gold for next summer, girls.
Next on the list is something Glenda introduced me to on the night; a semi-permanent pedicure. How cool is that! It's basically a French manicure on your toes, using tips that grow out after two months. This is available in So-Belle in Castleknock in Dublin at 30 a set. Susan is the girl you need to hot foot it to.
A good early present would be a weekend away to Temple Country House and Health Spa. This is the most magical old country house near Horseleap in Co Westmeath. As luck would have it, they have a special on for this week only - so if you can drag yourself away from the shops, you and your loved one can escape for 24 hours for only 300. This includes two Spa treatments (the seaweed wrap or hot stone therapy are out of this world), meals (local meat and produce are used to create delicious healthy yet tasty meals) and accommodation (think four poster beds and free-standing bath tubs - divine!).
Just one more ickle thing - a few gift vouchers from my Mecca, my place of worship, Nue Blue Eriu on South William Street, Dublin 2, wouldn't go astray as they stock all my fave beauty products including Eve Lom, Lola, La Praire and Chantecaille. Packaging and wrapping are so important when giving or receiving gifts. Nue Blue Eriu with their distinctive blue bags and red ribbon, do it for me every time.
So now Santa Baby hurry down the chimney to me.
- Triona McCarthy
