Retail Therapy: Black magic woman

M.A.C Love Lace collection. Photo / Supplied

M.A.C is getting in early with a small collection of new season's makeup colours inspired by the black lace we'll be seeing plenty of come winter, on counter already. Think fluttery, dark eyes and muted, moody shades for lips and nails. Spidery false lashes from the Love Lace collection set the scene and cost $26.60. There's also coloured kohl powders ($34) and a pale grey taupe nail lacquer ($26). Warm & Cosy is another M.A.C limited edition collection (of six weeks' duration) that is designed to bring a rosy hue to chilly Northern Hemisphere cheeks, but the golden pink Mineralize Skin Finish powders work equally well for our summer. Two new shades of Tinted Lip Conditioner are included in the range as are little droppers of Essential Oils in Sweet Orange and Lavender or Grapefruit and Chamomile ($46) to enjoy as perfume or blend into skincare products for their emollient qualities.

Sale time

It's markdown time at some of our favourite boutiques as stores make way for upcoming winter stock. Kate Sylvester stores are having sales, as are Zambesi and Workshop. Other stores to check out include Ponsonby Rd's Miss Crabb, Ruby, Verranda Young and Made, who have 30 per cent off summer stock and 40 per cent off Luella bags - a good excuse to get your hands on a piece of fashion history.

Out damn spot

This new electronic mosquito zapper has caught our eye. It promises to zap the protein molecules left in the skin from insect bite toxins. Apparently the heat from the Beurer Mosquito Bite Healer applied direct to the bite gave immediate relief from itchiness in three out of four people during a research trial. We've taken this German-made device to the beach to give it a go. It's available from leading pharmacies for $59.95.

The old-fashioned option is to apply plenty of insect repellent to ward off the pesky creatures before they strike. RID is a brand with vitamin E, chamomile and anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory Triclosan which can be used either before or after being bitten as it contains repellent and skin soothers. There's a heavy duty version for travellers to tropical countries, with extra Deet to help deter disease-carrying mosquitoes. (Priced from $16.99 to $22.99 in roll-on, pump and aerosols, from selected pharmacies, Rebel Sports, Briscoes and Postie Plus).

Pretty please

Towards the end of the month Elizabeth Arden will bring out Pretty Look Colour Story, a capsule collection of soft makeup shades with the same sort of gently feminine appeal as the namesake perfume, being launched in a 30ml spray size for $85. It's a big year for Arden, with plenty of on-counter promotions to celebrate the brand in its centenary year.

Other big brand new season makeup collections are due in store from February, with dramatic colours for eyes, and lips in deeper shades of the neutrals we've become used to, or heading into berry territory. Nail colours are mostly icky toned or fluorescent bright, with pale golds and silver greys as gentler options. Viva will keep you posted on the latest looks.