For winter, we’re with Lady Gaga, who once said: “Leather, high heels and a bad attitude. Here I come.” That’s one way to sum up the spirit of winter dressing. In beauty terms, it means deep, rich, leather-burnished scents: definitely Le Lion de Chanel, then, with its intoxicating patchouli and sandalwood, and Ormonde Jayne’s Orris Noir, for its combination of warm and smokey incense and myrrh cut through with icy iris (www.ormondejayne.com). Embrace winter by candlelight (Cloon Keen’s Noble Fir, naturally), all the better for reflecting darkly glittering eye make-up – Glossier’s refillable trio tins each feature a shimmer shadow. Outline with Ayu’s new liquid liner, good value at €18, since our tester says it goes on really well and does not shift.

We are magnetically drawn towards autumnal blackberry shades at this time of year, particularly Chanel’s darkly seductive Rouge Noir, on nails, lips and even eyeliner. But if these feel too gothic on lips, make them more balmy: there’s been a run on Clinique’s Almost Lipstick Black Honey lip colour, but you can get the same naturally flattering effect with a stain of any dark cherry shade mixed with lipbalm (we love NYC brand Naturopathica’s Sweet Cherry Lip Butter, at uk.naturopathica.com; try the divine Manuka Honey Cleanser while you’re there). Origins Blooming Sheer Lip Balm in Night Bloom (€20) comes close, too. Finish with gleaming skin (the skincare and facials mentioned below can help). The heels and attitude are all your own.

DARK & DANGEROUS

Winter showstoppers

NAILING IT
Head to the Gloss House (no relation!) salon on Booterstown Avenue, Co Dublin, for a luxurious manicure (from €28) in Nailberry’s dark and shiny Le Temps de Cerises (www.glosshouse.ie). Pair with a dark lip colour, from Rouge Noir (above) to Shiseido’s Modern Matte Lipstick in Nocturnal (€31), a rich velvety russet; and sultry coffee eye shades in this Nars mini
Laguna palette (€26).

JONES ROAD
Bobbi Brown no longer heads her eponymous label, and is now making waves with Jones Road, available to order from next month via www.jonesroadbeauty.com. Our picks are the Miracle Balm and the Best Eyeshadow, €27.

SKIN FIRST
Before you pile on the shimmery highlighters of the “party season”, get your skin in good condition for winter. For a facial with impact, I always recommend Megan Byrne at the Institute of Dermatologists, using the coolly effective French Biologique Récherche line. Also, I recently had a Sarah Chapman facial with expert facialist Sinéad instore at Harvey Nichols – firming and brightening, it will get you hooked on Chapman’s luscious Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse. We’re also booking a bespoke Codage Paris facial at the Velvaere spa, at the Radisson Blu Royal Dublin.

IRISH SKINCARE

Modern Botany in West Cork is a brand to be celebrated – in the Irish beauty Oscars its natural deodorant spray would certainly be up for a supporting role. The company takes its time creating new products – always entirely plant-based – and the arrival of two new ones is most welcome. Certified vegan, cruelty-free and Cosmos Natural, and with robust R&D behind it, the Cleansing Balm (€45) is beautifully transparent in every way: it’s gentle and safe to use every day for a deep clean – and try as a weekly mask. It contains local organic seaweed extract as well as marshmallow plant root, a powerful anti-inflammatory, says co-founder Dr Simon Jackson. It doesn’t feel “worthy” to use – it’s as luxurious as any balm you’ve tried. The Recovery Cream, meanwhile, is for those who like their skincare sustainable as well as lovely to use. Balancing and restoring, it will rescue skin that’s playing up – from head to toe. €40.

HAIR LUXURY

You’ve read about Augustinus Bader’s deluxe skincare – The Cream is a supreme treat for winter skin, and the brand’s first Serum and Eye Cream have just landed, too. Now the Prof extends his technology to your hair, with a full range dedicated to its health. Our hair could certainly do with Bader’s amino acids complex. The Hair Oil, rich in fruit and nut seed oils, is a fragrant delight. At Brown Thomas.

ONLINE HELPLINE

Boots Ireland now have a dedicated Menopause section online at www.Boots.ie, designed to support us at this stage of life. Also, GP Dr Caoimhe Hartley runs a dedicated menopause clinic in Dalkey, Co Dublin (and online); see www.menopausehealth.ie.