Shiseido Gift Time at Brown Thomas Stores

My love of Shiseido is even greater than it was because the other week I had a Yutaka facial with Madoka, one of their Japanese skincare experts who was in Ireland for a few days. To say this woman had magic fingers is to do her a disservice - if regular facial massage is Harry Potter, then she was Merlin. Fab, in other words. I needed it too - the last few weeks of changeable weather, busy-ness and a bad cold left my eyes looking noticeably wrinkled and that's a real sign for me that skin is dehydrated and in urgent need of help - nay, resuscitation.

That's all by way of telling you that while Madoka may have moved on to treat the faces of Turkey's ladies who lunch, Shiseido have a good gift with purchase on the go in BT Dublin, Cork and Limerick from this Thursday until November 15th. Buy two products (one to be skincare, you know the drill), and choose from one of two Benefiance gifts containing five products (above) plus a tweedy beauty bag.

Benefiance is aimed at women in the 40-plus bracket but if you've dry skin you may well find you like it - I know I do. The brand's Benefiance Nutriperfect day cream was my winter saviour a couple of years ago - thick and unctuous, it's just a beautiful product.

Getting a gift with purchase is a great way to check out a range you don't necessarily want to splash the cash on before you try, so if you're curious, this could be a good way to sample the products. If it was me, I'd bag one of their beautiful Perfect Rouge lipsticks and a cleanser - their foaming offerings are particularly good - as my two picks to get the freebie.