One step ahead of the Mother's Day posse

It’s Mothers’ Day next Sunday. You don’t want to be the one producing an ill-thought-out (and often expensive) gift for the woman who bore and raised you, so let’s address it this weekend and be ahead of the posse. Prices from €1.79 to €300.

It’s one of those “why didn’t they think of it before” great ideas. Fairy washing-up liquid has always promised to soften hands, but adding Olay moisturisers takes it to the next level, and by that I mean hands so smooth and soft, you’ll swear you’ve just applied hand cream. A thoughtful and inexpensive way to say Happy Mothers’ Day, Fairy Clean and Care €1.79 from supermarkets.

Avon Mini Kits are great little sets of skincare basics available in the award-winning Anew range, which comprises four systems that target different age groups. Each set contains a cleanser, day and night moisturisers and an eye treatment. The two-week supply makes it a bonus for holiday-makers, and the day creams all have SPF 25. A lot of bang for your €10 buck. See avon.ie or call 01-8706450 for your local representative.

It’s tempting for mum to treat herself to a new lipstick or eye shade, but less glamorous to buy the tools to apply them, so make-up brushes make a good gift choice. I’m very impressed with the quality of the MS Perfection Make-Up Brush Set; it contains four handmade brushes that do the job admirably for €20.

Hand cream makes a great gift, especially for the more mature mum. Top of my list this year is Abahna Lilac Rose Hand Cream (€30), an unusual floral mix in a rich and fragrant cream. Packed with goodness, it smells divine and just look at that packaging. Available from Louise Kennedy, Merrion Square, Dublin 2, 01-6620056, louisekennedy.com.

An indulgent body cream also makes a perfect gift for mum, and Clarins produces some of the best. With its latest Extra Firming Body Cream (€47.50) you not only get a rich and comforting texture, but a lifting and toning effect for smoother, nourished skin.

Jo Malone has come up with some winning combinations in recent limited editions, and her latest collection is no exception. The Tea Fragrance Blends is a contemporary take on that very civilized tradition of “taking tea”. My own favourite brew is Earl Grey, and it is given a cool finish with cucumber, which makes a lovely fresh daytime scent (€42).

Gift sets usually contain one star product, backed up by a few nondescript items, which is why I draw your attention to this set featuring no less than three award-winning products from Lancôme. It contains a skincare hit, one of the best cleansers on the market and a mascara that encourages lash growth, along with a mini lip shade and fragrance (€70).

Want the wow factor? Then look no further than the iconic green box that contains the magic pot of cream – or in other words, Crème de la Mer. It still elicits gushing praise from those at the top. Jorjee Douglass, make-up artist for Gwyneth Paltrow among others, thinks the new serum is so “incredible” that after three days she stopped using any other skincare product. Choose the cream at €125 or club together for the serum for €225, from Brown Thomas.

If she’s even mentioned having a bit of a nip/tuck, buying this gift could change her mind. Slendertone Face is a development from the famous brand that has been toning Irish bodies for 40 years. Turning its expertise to the face, this is an easy to use device that sits comfortably on the cheeks to tone, firm and lift the facial muscles. At a price (€300) – without the cosmetic surgeon, mind you. See slendertone.com.