Last week of the financial year. Which means now is as good a time as any to splurge on that new MacBook. But isn’t it sad to think of all of those work-related costs we can’t claim. The manicures to fix keyboard-chipped nails and filing-shredded cuticles. The facials to re-oxygenate officed-out skin and massages to soothe RSI arms. The foundation and lipstick we need to look polished in the boardroom. The gym memberships that keep us sane and stress-free. Not that you can’t keep trying to push it every year. Just maybe try to first find an accountant with great hair and nails.

Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF15, $70

Sometimes a beauty editor can become a jaded old thing. Seen this before. Tried that a million times. Bought the t-shirt. But then something comes along that really makes us go, wow. That, dear readers, is this new foundation from Philosophy. It looks like a powder - it’s actually a super-fine mix of minerals, such as the broad-spectrum-protective zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and the glow-giving mica.

Mineral makeup in itself isn’t new - and there are many other good versions out there. The genius in this particular version isn’t necessarily the formulation - although you have to love that its pure mineral mix suits all skins, especially super-sensitive and problem types. It’s more about the delivery. The minerals press onto skin via a soft puff pad. By buffing the base onto skin this way, you get a beautiful, velvet-like finish, not to mention great skintone-evening coverage. It also means you have a mess-free makeup to carry around - although this base stays nicely in place for hours, meaning minimal touch-ups are required. If you do want to touch up, however, there’s a generously sized mirror on the lid. Or you can just use it to admire your new perfect skin.

Available in five shades, at Mecca Cosmetica - but best to go into store to find your exact match. Call 1800 007 844 for stockist details.

When applying concealer, don’t just limit it to the dark circles underneath eyes. Take some extra time to blend concealer into the inner corners and over your lids, taking it right up to the brows. This will brighten your eye area, as well as serve as a great makeup base. Dab a little more concealer at the outer corners of eyes, which will camouflage any redness and visually lift your features.

Why it’s happening and what to do about it. By Megan Yabsley, De Lorenzo’s in-house trichologist and stylist.

Why it’s happening: There are many reasons women can experience hair loss. It may be symptomatic of a more serious medical issue, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Or it could be that you have a genetic predisposition to hair loss. Typically, however, hair loss in women is temporary. It may be caused by hormonal imbalance, which is why many women experience hair loss soon after giving birth. It may be due to an iron deficiency (just be aware that some doctors disregard a low iron level because it’s not a threat to your health, but it still may be low enough to affect your hair). Or, it could be your body’s way of dealing with stress. (more…)

First up, be very wary of bronzers, especially ones that are warm or orange-ish in tone, as they can end up looking garish and obvious on paler complexions. If you do want a little colour, I’d suggest mixing some fake tan into your night cream - you’ll wake up with a natural-look glow and a seamless sunkissed hue.

Having said that, there’s no reason you shouldn’t celebrate your pale skin. Just think of the likes of Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Liv Tyler, or models Gemma Ward and Coco Rocha (pictured), with their porcelain and creamy complexions. The key to pulling off a pale look well is a great concealer. Pale skins shows up blemishes more than darker skins, so invest in a concealer that can hide any spots, redness and dark circles, and that will generally even out skintone. Try M.A.C Select Cover-Up ($32 from M.A.C). (more…)