Sarah loves … complexion-boosting vitamin C, violet eyeliner (yes really), a great foundation, citrusy body oil and some great hair care.Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Liquid Liner/£24. I was playing with this one day, not expecting to love it, and absolutely adore it. Mine is Violet Sparkle, which sounds a bit scary perhaps but the line from the uber-slender brush is so fine, and I push it right down into the base of my lashes, top and bottom, so the effect is just gorgeous with brown eyes – and I imagine even more so with blue or grey.

Altrient C food supplement/£34.95 for 30 sachets. A daily sachet of this vitamin C gel gives you 1000mg of skin-brightening vitamin C. My skin really misses this high potency supplement if I don't take it. If I do, I get compliments. Simples. NB Do heed the direction to take it on an empty tummy in a cold drink (I like it in coconut water) and wait for 15 minutes before eating.

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer/£25. I try lots of foundations and come back to this one, which does just what it says on the tin (um, bottle). Clever thing is that despite giving really good coverage it is moisturising and (quite) lightweight and looks it ­- provided you don't trowel it on but use a brush or sponge to apply thin layers. One thing they say is that the shade (28 at the moment) may look a bit deep and strong when you first apply it because of the amount of pigment but don't be tempted to wipe it off because it will settle. It does last and last and yes last, which is a good thing because it’s difficult to tank the bottle round with you. But there is a compact version, though in many fewer shades, which you could take for on the go touch-ups if you need. Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation and Concealer/£27.

Dr.Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Vitalising Body Oil/£20.50 for 75 ml. I almost crave this bright zesty fragrant oil of a morning, especially when it’s grey. Having visited the Dr.Hauschka HQ in Germany I know how very carefully and tenderly this biodynamic (beyond organic) range creates the products, using ‘unique rhythmic processing methods’. And all that effort and TLC really shows in this and other Dr.H cosmetics. As well as being deliciously skin-softening and firming – they say ‘fortifying’ too though I am not entirely sure what that means – inhaling the clean refreshing fragrance lifts my spirits.

Phyto PhytoNeutre Clarifying Detox Shampoo/£13 for 100 ml. I’ve been a fan of Phyto for decades and this shampoo really does the biz when your mop is labouring under a bit of product overload. I massaged in Subtil Elixir, Intense Nutrition Shine Oil/£24.50 for 75 ml, first for 10 minutes – then shampooed and conditioned, et super voilà! After blowdrying and a wee bit of styling with a hot air brush, my hair looked scrumptious.