Go for Glow in D4

There's really nothing like having a good neighbourhood salon in your locality. I'm all for supporting local business and popping into my local hairdressers for a blow dry, even though I might head to fancier fields for a cut. And to have someone easily to hand for a pick-me-up facial or massage and evening makeup too, if required - well, that's beaut.ie gold dust, isn't it?

Not for anyone living in and around the Mount Merrion / Ballsbridge area, it isn't. Colette Cassidy, the former head make up artist for Giorgio Armani in Ireland (see her handiwork above), has just set up her own makeup and skincare studio, Glow. Located in the Merrion shopping centre, there's a treatment room to the back,  and a bright makeup and retail area to the front where you can have makeup applied, or try your hand at a lesson.  Appropriately, glominerals makeup and glo skincare are the products on offer, which gives the studio a nice point of difference.

So, what did I have done? A lovely facial, using the glo skincare range - all of which smells yum - relaxed me and kicked off the pampering.  An enzymatic exfoliator was used, which is a nice touch and great for anyone who finds that grainy exfoliating products are too harsh on their skin - this did the same job with no rubbing. Facial massage was also incorporated,  and neck, arms and shoulders all got some attention, which I was most grateful for - I'd put my neck out that morning. Post-facial, Colette left me to relax for a bit, and I ambled to the makeup chair at my own pace.

Never having tried glominerals makeup, this was something new for me. Loads of choice in the range is precisely why Colette picked it -  as good for brides as it is for a night on the tiles, it's also entirely suitable for for work-wear. I looked in the mirror at my transformation and was mighty pleased - she'd given me a lovely dewy base courtesy of gloProtective liquid foundation, and my eyes were smoked up with a great burgundy shadow - not a colour I'd have really considered before, but which worked a treat with my dark hair and brown eyes.

Finishing with a touch of Body Glisten (a golden liquid highlighter) on decolletage, I was all done, and toddled off to two afternoon meetings where I was met with compliments on my look. "Oh this? This is just a little something I threw together in the cab," I fibbed. Nope, I didn't get away with that, and was forced to reveal my new find.

Find Collete yourself at Glow Make Up & Skincare Studio, Merrion Shopping Centre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, 01 2195822, or check out some of her editoral and bridal work at www.colette-cassidy.com. Facials begin at €70; Makeovers from €30. Tanning, lashes and massage are also on offer.