A little preparation goes a long way

There’s a lot to be said about being high-maintenance. Words I never thought I’d speak. And there is nothing like a Ball to hoopla a low-maintenance type into action.

It all started with the six-week eyelash extensions, courtesy of Flutter in Urban Retreat, Harrods. No need for mascara the next day – high maintenance proving to be the polar opposite.

Next was the St. Tropez 3-D tan. The way skin perfecting expert, Sophie Evans free-styled with that gun, it really was like watching a street artist at work. Although slightly different - she had me maneuver into all sorts of negotiable positions. Not that I minded, the finished result (St. Tropez’s new darker spray tan formula) was fantastic. To contour, sculpt and add definition to my freshly tanned skin, Sophie showed me how to perfect the new trend – the 3-D tan - at home. As easy as one-two-three, this involved a light dusting of St. Tropez’s Bronzing Rocks and Radiance Mousse to the shoulder bones, décolletage and cheeks allowing my features to stand-out under paparazzi flash-lights.

With a spring in my newly bronzed step I headed home. The following morning ‘no need for mascara’ was joined by ‘no need for foundation’ (or blusher) – my cheekbones were given an extra misting of tan during the session.

Grooming and generally looking after your self doesn't just raise the old self-esteem; but makes the banal everyday beauty routine less grueling. So next up a trip to the hairdressers.

I am generally a pretty highbrow individual, but will always oblige when a salon assistant produces a copy of heat magazine: an interview with Sharon Osbourne? Perfect. She talks about Kelly’s new image, since competing on Dancing with the Stars (the American ‘Strictly…’). “She looks great, and has lost a lot of weight,” Sharon is quoted.

I’ve always said that “two’s a coincidence, three’s a trend.” And to follow that rule-of-thumb we can safely predict that temporary tattoos are bang-on fashion right now.

This month a booth was set up at the Harvey Nichols press day in Hanover Square, where guests were glitter-sprayed over a template of Will Broome artwork. Handbag designer Anya Hindmarch handed out old-skool barmaid-inspired transfers at her event; held at The Star pub in Bloomsbury. And - top-of-the-pops - Chanel have made tattoos, seen at their spring/summer 2010 show, available only to the British public. Swallows, interlocking ‘Cs’ and pearls are on the menu.

I went for a pearl necklace (no pun intended), which had fluttering swallows holding up the forged string by their beaks. An immaculate accoutrement applied onto the flawless canvas of my tan. “So there is no need for anyone to have real tattoos anymore,” Agyness Deyn affirmed, at St. Tropez sponsored Princes Trust Ball. “Quite.”

Favorite moment was being treated to a rousing performance from The Noisette’s Shingai – who kicked off her shoes and lept on top of our dinner table. Applause from Aggy, Henry Holland, James Brown and Shingai’s Mum quickly followed suit. There was also entertainment from Flawless (amazing), and Alison Moyet who topped off a brilliant night and had us doing ‘a Robbie’ as we reached for our lighters.

On the subject of Chanel, their limited edition green shade - hot for this season, sold out within minutes. You can now purchase it on ebay for an approximate five hundred per cent mark-up. Alternatively, log onto ASOS.com or visit your local Nails Inc. They have both produced a thoroughly modern hue so evocative of Chanel’s unobtainable lacquer that you might as well be called Coco.

With the Ball over, you have to ask yourself: “Will I keep up the high-maintenance/low-maintenance (in disguise) grooming?” During my St. Tropez tanning session Sophie told me a few of her celebrity clients do Bikram yoga, as I do. And they swear it doesn’t evaporate their spray tans (even though it is practiced in 40-degree heat). And they were right. Bikram did however strip my tats, so I’m going to continue with tanning, hair-dos and manicures, and save the transfers for special occasions.