I am so into product reviews. It's like having someone on hand with the exact same skin type, texture and concerns as you, who was born around the same kind of time (so totally gets your love for Neil Young/George Michael/Tiffany) who has already been out, bought the product, tried it and decided if it's good or not. What's not to love?

In your 40s, your face loses volume around the cheeks and your lips get thinner, so you have the constant appearance of a sad lady even if you've just won $10mill on the lotto. Now, Lancôme has really set itself up as a leader in skincare with heaps of great technology under its belt. The most recent being the GF-Volumetry™ complex which keeps skin cells in constant communication, an absolute must if the skin's structure and shape is to stay the same as when you were in your 20s. It's featured in Lancôme Rénergie Lift Volumetry Volumetric Lifting and Shaping Cream SPF15 ($175) and this is what we thought about it . . .

"Quite simply, you lose face as you age—skin doesn’t bounce back readily. With gravity and time tugging at your complexion, you need some serious fight-back with some serious muscle. Lancôme’s Rénergie Lift Volumetry is a hydrating and firming moisturiser that restores shape to ageing skin. It feels quite lush and restorative on the skin without a trace of greasiness. Keep reading . . .

This newbie has one of the more unique wands that I've seen in a while. It's been labelled a "willow wand" by Clinique; probably because it's green and curved at an angle that allows you to follow the natural arch of your lash line. The wand features a whole heap of fine-toothed 'spikes' that, amazingly, really do work to separate your lashes. It's like a mascara with a lash comb built in. Amazing.

It certainly lives up to its promise to coat each and every lash (no matter how short), though I did find the stumpy inner lashes nearer my nose were a bit harder to reach with the wand being shaped the way it is (and the 'spikes' only featuring on one side). But as with any innovative wand, all it takes is a bit of getting used to.

Keep reading . . .

As soon as I opened NAT Sea Salt Body Smoother ($56) I knew I was in love. You get hit with an almighty burst of peppermint that is super refreshing and wakes you up in an instant—something I definitely need in the morning. When I first used it, I was impressed by how easy it was to apply. The consistency was just right. Sometimes the scrubs that come in tubes are too sloppy and you end up losing them to the shower floor, and others in tubs, I've had to battle with for hours just to get a measly amount out. This, on the other hand, feel almost like a cream so it's easy enough to scoop out but solid enough to stay put, if that makes sense.

Keep reading . . .

I've avoided powder for a while but I'm officially a re-convert thanks to the launch of Invisible Zinc Invisible Staying Powder ($38).

Now you're no doubt familiar with the Aussie brand which is probably best-known for its non-chemical sunscreen formulations, but more and more recently, they've been dabbling in makeup products that contain SPF—to great applause from me. This latest launch is a translucent, super-fine powder that uses lavender oil to smooth, even and soften the skin leaving you naturally matte, not made-up matte.

It literally feels as though it's melting into your skin. No hours upon hours of buffing—you've got the elastomeric coated talc to thank for that. My skin felt so velvety all day long and it was great to know that the natural zinc oxide was providing broad-spectrum sun protection. A definite daily-use product, it's also a great makeup setter, not to mention pore-hider, and is suitable for all skin types, which is always good to know.

Stockists: Invisible Zinc (1300 738 850)

I'll admit it: names play a big part in me noticing a beauty product. It's not that I'll only use a beauty product that has a funky moniker, but with the mountains and mountains of products on the market today, a product's got to stand out, right?

And with a tongue-in-cheek way of looking at things, this Aussie haircare brand definitely stands out. The tagline for evo® is "saving ordinary humans from themselves," so you know you're in for fun times, but does that mean you're also in for good hair?

Thankfully, yes. Phew. I've been a fan of the brand for some time now but hadn't tried evo® easy tiger smoothing fluid ($26.95) yet—goodness knows why, my hair takes frizzbombtasticness to the extreme. It features wheat protein and wheat starch to add strength and flexibility, glycerine for a shine boost and "8 fancy a f@3k type suggestions." I'm not going to get into whether or not this is true, because I'm a lady. And I only got seven.

But getting down to business: my hair got shinier and inflated considerably less in humid heat; it gave my natural wave nice definition (no frizz) and I was rather pleased that as well as all this, it offers heat protection and entertainment. The only thing it doesn't do is clean my car.

Stockists: evo® (1800 882 174)

This product should totally come with a warning: mind-blowingly scrumptious. Could lead to an unhealthy addiction.

For those of you not familiar with the brand, here's a quick ice-breaker: Grown is an Australian made and owned range of luxury organic skincare with a pretty simple philosophy: never underestimate the power of nature, that's where beautiful skin comes from. All ingredients used are grown, not manufactured, hence the name.

The hand cream is a bit of a hero product for them having received cult-like adulations from us beauty eds. It's rare to find a cream that is both richly moisturising, yet non-greasy, and this, I'm happy to report, is both. It features grapeseed, wheatgerm and rose hip oil, all of which help to protect from free radical damage and ensure your hands stay nice and spritely. Camellia seed oil is also worth a mention as that increases the skin's lipid content, thus helping moisture levels to be restored.

Available in a handy 65ml tube ($24) or a mega 500ml pump ($66).

Stockists: David Jones and Priceline.

I used to commit the biggest beauty felony of all time and didn't use a primer. I know, I know, I know—how can I expect makeup to help me when I don't even help myself?

I say "used to" as I'm a changed woman even since I was introduced to Lancôme La Base Hydra Glow ($62) a month or so ago. Due to hit counters on January 24, it's a different kind of primer that doesn't just concern itself with helping your makeup stay put, but also tackles the issue of comfort and radiance, as well as sun protection (it's SPF 12).

To harness radiance powers that even the most luminous of luminous ladies would be jealous of, it calls upon the power of the pearl to reflect light and impart a gorgeous glow. The formulation is also enriched with a hydrating complex which moisturises for 12 hours and that, combined with its lightweight feel, make for a muchas comfortable wear. You'll find that you get a more natural, even base if you mix it with your foundation and apply the two products together. That's you looking all relaxed and radiant, you know.

Stockists: Lancôme (02 9931 8888)

What I want in a foundation is something that doesn't look like I'm wearing makeup (even though I am) and doesn't feel like I'm wearing makeup (even though I am). Are you with me? If so, I think I might have just found it: Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation ($98).

So you didn't really have to look too far then, the product pretty much found you with a name like that.

While I don't appreciate your tone, I agree. It does what it says on the box—and I dig that in a beauty product.

So now I guess you want to tell me why it's so great?

Yep. I could sing this puppy's praises all night so get yourself settled. First up let's talk ingredients: You've got some non-chemical SPF 30 protection happening thanks to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide; then there's the vitamin C ester which is known to counteract against red and blue tones (making it perfect for people like moi who look as though they've gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson during the night); and lest we forget DMAE (the de-sagging miracle ingredient that has been called a "facelift in a jar"), alpha lipoic acid, a super-duper antioxidant that I'm pretty sure has magical powers or mica which we know has magical powers of the wrinkle-diffusing kind. Keep reading . . .

Hands up who cares for their lashes like they do their hair? I'm sensing a noticeable lack of hands in the air. It's cool, we can still be friends, it's not like I used to totally look after my lashes either. It was only after I found Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Care Mascara ($20) that I started paying a little bit more attention to my flutter.

Tell me more . . . It has a hypoallergenic formula that's enriched with cotton and sweet almond oils giving it a balmy texture that helps to nourish and protect even the most sensitive of lashes.

So I have to sacrifice volume, right? Nooooooooo. Would I do such a thing to you? This mascara lets you have it all. It lengthens your lashes as well as looking after them.

Anything else I should know? It's got a brand-spanking new brush which is soft and flexible, getting to those inner lashes with ease and it didn't make me want to scratch my eyes out which some mascaras do when I have my contact lenses in.

Shade range: Noir (carbon black), Noir doux (soft black) and Brun delicat (natural brown).

Perfect for: Everyone but especially those with sensitive eyes who often find mascara irritating.

Stockists: Bourjois (1800 181 040)

Cream blushes can be a bit intimidating if you’ve never used them before but if you’re keen to extend your horizons beyond powder, you should give Max Factor Miracle Touch Cream Blush ($17.95) a whirl. It's great for beginners as it comes in four soft shades that aren’t too overpowering and are forgiving if the application is not perfect.

The colours: Soft Copper, Soft Murano, Soft Pink and Soft Candy

The trial: This creamy blush was super-easy to apply with fingertips. I dabbed it on the apples of my cheeks (remembering to smile first) and blended it in, in a circular motion.  I didn’t need to use heaps either–just a dot would suffice. The blush is very sheer, so if you’re after a bolder look, it's best to apply a couple of coats.

The finish: Sheer and fresh! It didn't dry to a powdery finish, but it certainly didn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. I was able to achieve the perfect dewy look easily. I probably wouldn't recommend it for those with oily skin or those who prefer a matte finish though.

Would I wear it again? You bet!

Stockists: Max Factor (1800 181 040)