The beauty spy: Shimmering make up

Yves Saint Laurent once said: "The most beautiful make-up on a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy."

I think Clarins had this quote in mind when they created my new favourite thing: Passion Face Palette, or to give it its rather more alluring name - Passion Palette Teint. It is a magical little compact face powder that you apply by lightly sweeping over the face and décolleté with a powder brush. I have always resisted face powder, because my granny uses it, but I am now a convert. Not only does it set your foundation, but it really gives you a much more polished look. And a good quality powder such as this one will reflect the light around you and diffuse it all over your face, which then really brightens up your skin. It lends it an almost luminous quality, making it look ultra-smooth.

With any powder you need a lightness of touch to ensure you don't get the caked look that my grandmother is so fond of.

I am utterly mad about this new Clarins product, especially in these pre-festive-season days when I seem to have events on every night. Not only do I practically glow in the dark, but the next day my somewhat jaded demeanour is easily rectified by a quick flick of my powder brush.

But even this little miracle worker can't do it all, so you should invest in something called Watt's Up! by Benefit. It is a highlighter that you can use on your cheeks, brow bones and your eyes. It is so smooth and easy to use and comes with its own little blender. It is a good, neutral colour that works all over, and a great little emergency product if you need an extra boost.

For your lips I suggest MAC's Dazzleglass Brilliant à Lèvres, which is a seriously shimmering range. My favourite is the Dressed to Dazzle, which is between nude and pink, with lots of glitter. Your lips really are dazzling in this and it is a great pick-me-up whenever you feel a tad dowdy.

For the cheeks I go for something a little less shimmery because I don't want to be mistaken for a Christmas tree. Sephora's Hydrating Powder Blush is a great option, as it hydrates as well as giving you a healthy glow. Also from Sephora is the Brightening & Smoothing Concealer with hyaluronic acid, which illuminates the skin, as well as plumping it up. Talk about useful multi-tasking. Altogether now: ready, steady, GLOW!