Vitamin Daily

This time of year means a diet of canapés and cocktails, a wardrobe of stilettos and stockings, and an agenda of late nights and early mornings. My survival guide:  

No-Fail Nails
Who has an hour for a manicure? My Revlon nail buffer lives in my purse and comes out on cab rides. It gives natural nails a glowing luster, and even works to refresh an existing polish job with high shine.  Revlon Crazy Shine, $5.99 at London Drugs.

Waterline Wake-up
A make-up artist introduced me to the nude-coloured “Baby eyes” Paula Dorf eyeliner for the lower waterline of your eyes to make them pop for photos. It’s the easiest pick-me-up ever. $23 at BeautyMark, 1268 Pacific Ave., Vancouver, 604-642-2294, www.beautymark.ca

Instant Eye Lift
I am suspect of anything that claims to “lift and tighten” in a world ruled by the laws of gravity, but the firming eye treatments at Spruce worked in less than 5 minutes, and though done with a machine, were totally painless. Broad Band Light Therapy, from $139, Spruce Body Lab, 1128 Richards St., Vancouver, 604-683-3220, www.sprucebodylab.com

Raccoon Eye Eraser
Running out the door before my mascara has set is just a fact of life for me. These cotton swabs filled with eye-make-up remover are handy for fixing smudges or toning down a liquid liner mishap without starting all over again. Almay Oil-Free Eye Make-up remover swabs, $5.99 at London Drugs.

Quick Cleanup
Finally home, the last thing I want to do is pull out a plethora of cleansers. These bamboo cloths remove even waterproof mascara with essential oils and vitamins. Juicy Bamboo facial cleansing cloths, $22 at Kiss and Make-up, H5 - 925 Main St., West Vancouver, 604-922-6292, www.kissandmakeupstore.com

—Sarah Bancroft