In Mona Simpson’s euology for her brother, Steve Jobs, she says that beauty was Steve’s highest value. Not into gimmicks or trends, his philosophy of aesthetics, she says, reminds her of a quote: ‘Fashion is what seems beautiful now but looks ugly later; art can be ugly at first but it becomes beautiful later.’ She says that in his last year, Steve studied a book of paintings by Mark Rothko, someone he hadn’t known before he had been thinking of an Apple campus.

Jobs’ interest in Mark Rothko

Simpson states that her brother liked to keep learning. ‘Once he told me if he’d grown up differently, he might have become a mathematician. He spoke reverently about colleges and loved walking around the Stanford campus.’ About his interest in Rothko, Simpson notes that he was ‘thinking of what could inspire people on the walls of a future Apple campus.’

Mark Rothko’s inspiration

Mark Rothko moved through several styles, from the figurative to the abstract, before he reached his signature style. Theartstory.org describes his characteristic paintings as ‘soft, rectangular forms floating on a stained field of colour.’ The site explains his legacy by pointing out that the artist ‘explored the compositional potential of colour and form on the human psyche.’

Rothko’s work communicated strong emotions as he sought to move the viewer on a deep level. To quote him: ‘If you are only moved by colour relationships, you are missing the point. I am interested in expressing the big emotions – tragedy, ecstasy, doom.’ His use of colour was profound and was able to convey a sense of the spiritual.

Rothko’s philosophy was influenced by his Russian-Jewish heritage, as well as Greek mythology and Nietzsche. His bold social revolutionary ideas were maintained throughout his lifetime. Like Jobs, he was often at odds with the establishment ‑ sometimes even refusing sales and commissions.

Pulsating vibrancy

Theartstory explains that to stand before a Rothko ‘is to be in the presence of the pulsing vibrancy of his enormous canvases; it is to feel, if only momentarily, something of the sublime spirituality he relentlessly sought to evoke.’

A fat day is similar to a bad hair day: you wake up feeling insecure and somewhat worthless. It’s more of an emotional issue than a logical one. Feelings of self-loathing, guilt and insecurity are transferred to one’s appearance. Fat days and bad hair days have one feeling downright bad about oneself. One’s body becomes a dumping ground for one’s insecurities. Rather than address feelings of loneliness or despair, it is easier to blame it all on one’s hair or fat.

How to side-step fat days

There are five strategies to side-stepping fat days: look in the mirror and describe yourself objectively, stop appearance rituals, question your self-defeating thought processes, get back into the situations that you have been avoiding and broaden your perspective on how you see yourself.

By looking in the mirror and using non-judgemental words to describe what you see, you will get a better understanding of the difference between what you actually look like and what you think you look like.

Stop appearance rituals like mirror-checking, hiding your body, asking for compliments, going on diet after diet and over-doing it on the exercise. A way to get out of these patterns is to acknowledge that they don’t make you feel any better. Often they can make you feel a whole lot worse.

Step it up

Rather emphasise your good points than your flaws. Quit self-defeating thoughts like comparing yourself to others and wondering why people are looking at you. If you think you’re being silently criticised, ask yourself if there may be any other reason why you’re being looked at.

Don’t flake out of a date because you’re having a bad hair day or a fat day. Get back into the situations you’ve been avoiding rather than back out, even if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

Change the way you see yourself by broadening your perspective on yourself. When you recognise your gifts, talents and good points, you start to increase your self-esteem. With a high self-esteem, you’ll find it easier to side-step fat days and bad hair days.

There’s a lot to be said for a faux tan: you get to have a golden glow without having to expose your skin to the sun. But for many of us, the idea of applying fake tan brings flashbacks of streaky and awful looking fake tans. The good news is that technology has now advanced to the point of being able to fool even the sharpest eye. The secret ingredient is dihydroxyacetone, a sugar that reacts with the skin to create colour.

How to apply self tanner

The first step is to find a self-tanner that works for you. You may have to do a bit of sampling before you find a perfect match. If you’re naturally fair-skinned don’t choose a dark shade and vice versa. Find a shade and texture that suits your skin. Use testers on the inside of your arm. Watch how the colour develops and check that there’s no reaction.

Don’t apply self-tanner to your skin if you’ve washed with ordinary soap. The reason for this is that the soap’s alkaline PH will affect the final colour. Use a body wash instead of soap. And then, be sure to exfoliate your skin if you want to keep your tan for longer. Shave your legs before applying self-tan.

Once you’ve exfoliated and shaved, pat your skin dry with a towel. Apply the self-tanner by smoothing it on systematically and slowly. Start at your toes and blend it well so as to avoid a streaky effect. Work in small, circular strokes moving onto the larger areas of your body first. Once you’ve done your shins and thighs, move onto your arms.

Applying self-tanner to dry areas

Because dry, rough areas absorb more colour, it’s important to pay careful attention to your feet, knees and elbows. The trick with these areas is to apply some moisturiser onto the skin before you apply the self-tanner.

Applying self-tanner to the face

Apply a very thin layer of Vaseline to your brows and hairline before you apply self-tanner to your face. This will help prevent staining. Use a paler colour on your face than you would on the rest of your body.

Caring for your feet goes so much further than buying the perfect pair of high heels or running shoes.We pay so much attention to our face, hair and hands but we hardly ever notice our feet. Our feet are what support us most of the day and they need attention and care to keep them healthy and strong. Avoid fungal infections by looking after your feet and keeping your toenails in good condition.

Cleaning

Make sure you wash your feet on a daily basis and when washing actually make sure you scrub underneath the foot and between the toes. After washing make sure you dry your feet really well as water can accumulate between the toes and lead to smelly, infected feet. Also make sure you exfoliate and moisturise your feet as you would your hands or any other part of your body. Clipping your toenails should also form part of your cleaning routine as long nails can lead to infection and pain as your shoes press against them.

Your feet

Remember every foot is different and should be treated as such. Feet need regular exercise to avoid cramps and stimulate circulation and running is not enough; make sure you do exercises that specifically stimulate the muscles in the foot like dancing and yoga. A pregnant woman exerts a lot of pressure on her feet and shoes with padding help with comfort while hosiery can help to prevent varicose veins. Older feet need to be kept warm with socks and boots and feet should be regularly monitored for signs of arthritis.

Your shoes

Picking the right shoes is an essential part of caring for your feet. Shoes with adjustments like laces and straps are good for all ages as shoes can be adjusted as feet grow/swell. Make sure your shoes are always the right size and get your feet measured regularly – too small shoes can cause deformities and discomfort while shoes that are too big can slip off and lead to injury. Always opt for shoes with support and a good sole and avoid wearing high heels for lengthy periods of time.

The wrong shade of nail polish can really ruin a good outfit. Dark nail polish can look classy and sophisticated but can very quickly turn from chic to goth. Dark, bold colours have been seen on celebrities worldwide but how do you wear this trend? Make sure you choose colours that complement not only your outfit but your skin tone and pick colours that help to enhance your personality at home and the workplace.

For light skin

Bold blacks can look ghoulish on light skin tones. If you have pale skin with freckles opt for deep purples and greys as these colours help to enhance your natural colouring. Berry colours in matte tones look great with a dark suit at the workplace and set off lighter weekend outfits. Stay away from colours that are too shiny as they can make the skin look translucent.

For medium skin

Medium skin with olive tones is really set off by dark browns and gold as these colours enhance the natural tones in the skin. Unusual colours like military green and navy blue also look great on olive skin tones. Eva Mendes loves to rock a dark nail and the look really complements her olive skin tone. Sexy reds and even burnt orange also looks wonderful on medium-toned skin.

Dark skin

Basic black looks amazing on dark skin as does aubergine and burgundy. Dark red colours also look very sexy when worn by women with darker skin tones. Dry and stay away from browns that are too close to your actual skin tone as your nails will disappear and watch out for gold which can look cheap and tacky on darker skin.

Other tips

Keep your nails short and well-shaped when wearing dark nail polish – too long and you end up looking like a witch, too short and rough and you may be taken back to your punk teenager days. Protect your nails from discolouring by using a base coat and while dark colours look best in matte make sure you finish the look up with some clear nail polish for a healthy shine.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), with the help of Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson, has forced L’Oreal to pull advertisements featuring supermodel Christy Turlington and actress Julia Roberts. Swinson said that the images in the ads exemplified the ‘dishonest and misleading nature of excessive retouching’ and the ASA found that the ads were exaggerated and misleading.

The Miracle and The Eraser

L’Oreal’s ad featuring Roberts, the face of Lancome, promoted a foundation called Teint Miracle. The cosmetic company claims it creates a ‘natural light’ that emanates from the skin. The Maybelline ad with Christy Turlington was for The Eraser, a foundation that is claimed to be anti-ageing. The image of Turlington was airbrushed so that some parts of her face were shown to be covered by the foundation while others, without the foundation, looked more like the skin of a 42-year-old smoker would look – which Turlington is.

L’Oreal admits to retouching

L’Oreal UK admitted the picture of Turlington had been ‘digitally retouched to lighten the skin, clean up makeup, reduce dark shadows and shading around the eyes, smooth the lips and darken the eyebrows.’ But the company said that signs of ageing like crow’s feet were still visible and that the image illustrated the results of using The Eraser ‘accurately’.

L’Oreal – who own the Maybelline brand as well – gave the ASA photographs of both Roberts and Turlington on the red carpet to show the advertising watchdog that the two women are naturally beautiful. The company admitted to retouching Julia Roberts’ image too but argued that the ad was ‘aspirational’. The company wouldn’t, however, give the ASA Roberts’ ‘before’ pictures as her contract wouldn’t allow it.

This is ridiculous – Swinson

Swinson said that L’Oreal’s unwillingness to give the ASA ‘before’ pictures ‘shows just how ridiculous things have become when there is such fear over an unairbrushed photo that even the advertising regulator isn’t permitted to see it.

‘Excessive airbrushing and digital manipulation techniques have become the norm, but both Christy Turlington and Julia Roberts are naturally beautiful women who don’t need retouching to look great. This ban sends a powerful message to advertisers – let’s get back to reality.’

L’Oreal has been banned from publishing the advertisements again.

If your budget is being affected by the economic climate it doesn’t mean you can’t still look good. Luxuries like beauty treatments are the first to go when money is tight but there are ways to boost your beauty routine without breaking the bank. We’ve rounded up some beauty tips to help you deal with dark circles, give your hair extra body and have your skin glowing – without the help of a stylist or beauty therapist.

Deal with dark circles

The best way to disguise dark circles is by using a lot of concealer. First use eye cream to help keep the concealer from settling into the lines around the eyes. Then apply plenty of concealer under the eyes, from the inner corner to the outer corner, using a concealer brush. Blend and apply a second layer if necessary.

If you want to perk up your eyes before applying concealer, caffeine will do the trick. Caffeine shrinks blood vessels, which make dark circles dark, and helps reduce puffiness. Soak tea bags in hot water for a minute and then dip them into ice water. Apply to each eye for 15 minutes.

Give your hair volume

First, switch to hair mousse. It’s no more expensive than other hair products but it coats hair and lifts it at the root for instant volume. Once you’ve applied some mousse (be sparing) blow-dry your hair upside down, pointing the hair dryer away from your scalp. Using a round brush while drying your hair will help boost volume, too. For long hair use a medium-sized brush and for short hair use a small one.

Get glowing skin

If you can’t afford a monthly facial to keep your skin looking young and fresh use makeup for the same effect. Use cream and liquid products for extra glow rather than powdered formulas. Instead of powdered blusher, brush on a light liquid formula that won’t leave your skin looking dull.

Use a price comparison website to find budget-friendly cosmetics and save even more.

In her book French Women For All Seasons, Mireille Guilano writes that ‘if you want to live a bit like a traditional French woman – training yourself to tune into peak sensory experience, to live in the season, to eat for pleasure and not get fat – being able to get inside the “head” of French culture is a big help.’ She believes that the language of whatever preoccupies a nation is a window into their being and shares some tell-tale French expressions.

Simplicity

‘Faites simple’ is an important concept to French women who know that more is less and that ‘when you start with quality – keep it simple.’ When it comes to food, French women enjoy using good, fresh food which means less preparation and less cooking time. When it comes to fashion, they’ll only have a few select outfits that can be dressed up or down – since it’s all about quality over quantity.

Comfortable in one’s skin

Bien dans sa peau or ‘being comfortable in one’s skin’ defines the healthy French woman. ‘For all her attention to what she wears and what she eats, a French woman is most defined by her ease in being herself and the attractiveness that comes of her enjoyment of life.’

Guillano explains that such a woman comes to terms with enjoying each stage of her life, adapting to life’s seasons.

Between two ages

Entre deux ages means ‘between two ages’ and French women appear to live an ambiguous age. One can’t turn back the clock but one can take care of one’s body by watching what goes into it and by moving one’s body throughout the day.

‘Ageing gracefully, French women don’t suffer the ravages of time too fast, and so they learn to be comfortable with their age,’ says Guillano.

A certain indefinable flair

Une certaine tenue ‑ French women know how to express a certain subtle something with flair – by adding a particular element or by mixing elements. They may accessorise with a handbag, shoes or make-up but whatever it is, it is a unique form of self-expression.

Guilano  believes that the French women’s edge is that she knows herself well enough to make the choice self-expressive. She writes that it’s not about the accessories or how they’re put together. It’s more about ‘adding a touch that is entirely individual – sometimes witty and idiosyncratic, perhaps even a little eccentric, but never tacky,’ writes Guilano .

Indulging in what’s in season

De saison refers to indulging in what’s in season because French women ‘know life would be tedious if it came in only one flavour’. French women enjoy anticipating and indulging in the latest trends, whether it’s the latest style, food or drink. But then, they do so while appreciating the classics that never fade.

It’s never too late to be beautiful

Laissez-aller – French women never give up on themselves. They maintain their minds and bodies ‑ making the most of themselves, no matter what their age.

Ageing Irish professional men are crowding local cosmetic surgery clinics for Botox in the hope that it will help them get work. According to Aisling Holly, the managing director of cosmetic surgery company The Hospital Group, there has been a massive increase in the number of men visiting their clinics for Botox. Middle-aged solicitors and accountants, she says, are finding it hard to compete against younger men in the job market.

Jobs scarcity fuels Botox demand

According to industry experts, there is a direct link between the tough job market and increasing numbers of older men opting to undergo anti-ageing treatments like Botox injections, which work by blocking nerves and, essentially, paralyzing the face.

This supports findings by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons that reveal an increase in older men choosing facelifts, eye lifts and Botox, while younger men opt for procedures like pec implants and chest reduction.

Obesity profits cosmetic surgeons

Holly said that besides an increase in the numbers of men wanting Botox treatments, which start at €295 (£255) a session, she is also seeing more people come into The Hospital Group’s clinics looking for weight loss surgery. Irish clinics are now fitting around 25 gastric bands a month. Gastric bands work by blocking off part of the stomach, making it smaller so that it feels full on less food. The procedure costs a minimum of €7,995 (a little under £7,000).

There is also increasing demand for cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks, facelifts, injectable fillers and breast lifts in Ireland.

An unregulated industry

It’s a worrying fact that cosmetic surgery is not yet officially regulated in Ireland. ‘Many of our patients research and consult with a number of different companies before reaching our door. As a consequence, we’re aware of some quite dubious practices that can flourish in an unregulated environment as companies prioritise profits ahead of patient welfare,’ Holly told the Irish Examiner.

Everyone is faced with an annoying beauty snag from time to time, and they tend to hit when you have no time to deal with them. Luckily, we have some instant beauty fixes for some of the most common problems. We tell you how to hide your roots when you can’t make it to the salon, disguise dark circles under your eyes, banish red bumps on your arms and deal with that one annoying chipped fingernail that can ruin your manicure when you least expect it.

Roots

If you choose a hair colour dramatically different to your own, you’ll need to be able to commit to having your roots done as often as every three weeks. Reds, in particular, fade very quickly. But if you must have a colour that’s many shades different from your own and you can’t make it to the salon as soon as your roots start showing, there is something you can do to hide them immediately: comb a zig-zag pattern through your hair’s natural parting and hold it in place with some light hold hair spray. See how a stylist does it here.

Dark circles

Dark circles under your eyes are an absolute no-no. They make you look tired and washed out. If you wake up after a night out looking like the undead, do not apply thick concealer under your eyes. First apply foundation, and then use a make-up brush to gently apply concealer under your eyes. Using your fingers to dab it in can work well, too. Probably the best product on the market for an instant dark circles fix is YSL’s Touche Éclat. Applied carefully it’s invisible.

Red bumps

The red bumps that appear on the back of many people’s arms come from a genetic condition called keratosis pilaris. While they’re unsightly, they aren’t bad for you. Using a product with lactate and urea in it – ingredients found in creams for dry, cracked feet – will get rid of them very quickly.

A chipped fingernail

If one of your nails gets chipped, you can do one of two things. You could quickly file the nail down a bit and paint the rest of the chip with matching nail varnish. If you don’t have the colour the manicurist used, dip a nail varnish brush into nail varnish remover and run it in a line from the cuticle to the tip of your nail. This will soften the nail polish, so you can patch up the chip.