Beauty Spy: hand creams and radiant skin

Luscious hand creams, simmering cheeks and how to to make your skin glow at home...

Above left: The Hand Treatment from Crème de la Mer is the finest on the market, leaving a silky veil as soon as you put it on that lasts for hours. £58.72 for 100ml(0870 034 2566; cremedelamer.co.uk).

Middle: Clémence Poésy is a fan of Doux Me products. Ultimate Protection for the Hands contains avocado oil and arnica extracts and is easily absorbed. £11.70 for 75ml (020 7573 1234; liberty.co.uk).

Right: Jurlique is a brand you can trust - its products are stuffed full of essential oils and natural ingredients. This Citrus Hand Cream has a zesty, uplifting scent. £17 for 40ml (jurlique.co.uk).

Right: Realhair has just launched a range of styling products that are light and easy to use and make your hair behave without weighing it down. The jaunty packaging is also pleasing. Style Volume Plumper, £14 for 150ml (020 7589 0877; realhair.co.uk).

Far right: Give your cheeks a warm, shimmery glow with Dior's pretty palette. Bronze Harmonie de Blush Sunshine Tones in Coral Riviera, £25.50 (020 7216 0216; dior.com)

By Mathilde Thomas, founder of Caudalie

Run a warm bath with organic essential oils of lemongrass, lemon and cypress to release toxins, or juniper berries, rosemary and geranium to fight cellulite.

Renew your skin with a scrub. For a great treat for the face, mix Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream with Gentle Cleanser and Instant Foaming Cleanser. On the body, apply the stronger Merlot Friction Scrub with sugar.

Cut a few fresh grapes in half and rub the cut surfaces over your face in a circular motion. This loads your skin with powerful antioxidants and trace elements.

The pores of the epidermis will have been opened by the steam from the bath water, so apply a face mask. Massage your skin beforehand. For a burst of radiance in only ten minutes, I recommend the Vinoperfect Radiance Revealing Mask.

Finally, enjoy a cup of herbal tea. In our Caudalie spas we serve the 100 per cent organic Draining Caudalie Tea made with red vines, with a delicious flavour of blueberry and cinnamon.

Caudalie at Space NK (020 8740 2085; spacenk.co.uk)

Above: Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Revealing Mask, £27, Gentle Buffing Cream, £16.50, Crushed Cabernet Scrub, £29

The promise To increase core and upper-body strength.

The process Disappointed that weekly runs were leaving me weak and flabby, I headed to Michael Garry's discreet private gym in Belgravia. I wanted a programme that produced the benefits of weights without losing out on fresh air. After a full assessment on state-of-the-art Technogym machines, we devised a routine of lunges, dips, press-ups and, most importantly, chin-ups that I could do in my own time in the park to tie in with his twice-weekly sessions.

The verdict Michael's set-up is impressive. There was never more than one other person in the gym, and the limestone sinks, rain showers and Hermès products more than made up for the early mornings. I was already feeling stronger and fitter by the end of the first week.

18 sessions over 9 weeks, £1,440. 54 Ebury Street, SW1 (07958 302 798; michaelgarry.com).