You Beauty! Annabel Rivkin's cabinet of wonders

I've found the perfect lip gloss and it hails from a lamentably overlooked stable: Clarins. I feel a little sad that Clarins isn't as fashionable as it should be. True, it doesn't have the razzle dazzle of MAC or the instant glamour hit of Chanel, but, for me, it has pedigree. It possesses an inherent French elegance and boasts a line of well-tested products, some of which are outstanding and all of which are luxe-y yet affordable. The body and face oils are perfectly weighted and wonderfully scented. The sun creams are classics - and who doesn't enjoy a well-judged squirt of Eau Dynamisante?

The Instant Light range has recently captured my heart and I divert from gloss a moment longer to recommend the Rose Shimmer Complexion Perfector which does just what it says on the tin. But my true tendresse is reserved for the Natural Lip Perfectors which are a happy and successful ménage between lipstick, balm and gloss. They're also clever with colour at Clarins and each shade (I like 03) harks back to a sort of Julie Christie pout but in a very modern, iridescent way. How is it possible for a product to appear both retro-matte and light-reflecting?

The trick lies in generosity of application. I shovel on this gloss - delivered through an effective spongey tip - allowing it to bleed slightly over the edges of the lipline. This creates a pale, informal, pouty mouth that is still somehow subtle, flattering and classy.

Oh, and the taste. I wonder if this stuff is actually fattening because it is fudgey and fragrant and delicious which means that when you allow someone to kiss you, they'll probably want to keep on kissing you. And that is usually a good thing.

Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in Rose Shimmer, £15 (uk.clarins.com)