always a really good quality lip protection before I go outside, and even though I use a really good hand cream throughout the day, I still find I need to use a thick layer of extra rich cream at night and of course, never leave the house without gloves. At this time of year I do like to use all the lovely deep nail polishes that are in-vogue at the moment - I love the dark plum shades that are popular now, but it's essential to use a base coat to avoid staining.

Try to top up with a top coat to avoid having to remove polish too often as even the gentlest of nail polish removers have a tendency to dry the nails out. If you're planning on wearing strappy dresses and sandals to any parties over the festive season pay particular attention to elbows and heels which will have been covered up for a while. It wont be enough just to slap on some moisturizer - you will need to exfoliate the skin and use a good quality rich cream, preferably one with shea butter or similar ingredient to deeply moisturize the rough areas.

If you are going to be wearing more make-up than usual in the coming weeks make sure your cleansing routine is followed thoroughly to keep skin looking tip-top for the New Year ahead. And remember, late nights, partying and over-indulgence all take their toll on our skin so whilst its great to indulge at this time of year, make sure you invest in some hard-working products to help you keep glowing into 2008!

Merry Christmas to all our readers