There is a lot of talk at the moment about the demise of make-up; how the new season's trends are all about being 'pared down'; how fabulous an apparently bare-faced Gemma Arterton looked at the recent London premiere of Tamara Drewe; and wouldn't it be a great idea to all just throw our make-up bags on the bonfire.
Don't take my make-up awayThis, frankly, alarms me. Ever since I was given by my parents, for my sixth birthday, a plastic doll's head complete with a tray of gaudy pastes, powders and hair products, I have been obsessed with the stuff. My sister and I spent hours teasing this long-suffering and rather wiry-haired blonde's tresses into perms (this was the 80s), and caking her eyelids with sparkly blue powder. Until I was about ten, when anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I was older, I would reply wistfully, "a beautician."
It was, therefore, a long slog to 14, the age at which my parents finally allowed me to wear make-up (the onset of pimply teenage skin having forced their hand). I saved up for weeks to buy a black No 7 mascara and a Rimmel concealer, and only wore them on very special occasions - basically when boys were involved - for maximum impact. University, though, was a different story. By this point we were in the grip of Spice Girl fever, so it was all about the sparkle. Luckily, my flatmate was similarly obsessed, and together we would wander around town with small glittery hearts stuck to our cheeks and a blaze of iridescent power around our eyes. The climax came when we decided to 'share' a box of Guerlain Meteorites - a pot of divine-smelling shimmery balls that cost the earth. Come the holidays, we would take turns to have them (it never occurred to us to put half in a different container; this was not, you may have guessed, Oxford).
Things have levelled off since then and my daily product count now only comes to about ten. But I have, over the years, come to think of make-up as a kind of luxurious third leg. Apart from the obvious improvement to my appearance, there is something deeply therapeutic about the application process. While every other morning task is carried out at double speed, you can't, as every girl knows, rush mascara.
So while Gemma Arterton may be happy to step outside all dewy-faced, I will not be joining her. Like that episode in Sex and the City in which Carrie realises she has spent the cost of a house on shoes ("I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes," she wails), I will be the one shuffling about in my make-up bag, sparkly hearts and all.
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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UJDA CHAMAN
Produced: Panorama Studios International
Directed: Abhishek Pathak
Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla
Rating: 3.5 /5 stars
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Company%20Profile
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THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
Kandahar%20
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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