In a test of the latest eye make-up removers, six experts were asked to try five products.

The best was L’Oreal Dermo Expertise Gentle Eye Make-up Remover (pictured) with a perfect score of 10/10. It was described as gentle for sensitive skin, quick to act and effective.

Second, with 9/10, was Simple Conditioning Eye Make-up Remover. The bottle design was found to be particularly useful when using cotton buds for correcting.

Third, with 8/10, was Lancome Bi-Facil Non-oily Instant Cleanser Sensitive Eyes. The fact that it’s non-oily and gentle to the eyes were its plus points.

A survey by the UK College of Optometrists reveals the 92 percent of women are putting their health and appearance at risk by using old makeup.

It’s not generally known that makeup has a sell-by date in most advanced countries. For example :

* Mascara has an expiry date of 3–6 months.
* Liquid and cream foundations, concealer, cleanser, moisturiser, 6–8 months.
* Pressed, loose and compressed powders, eye shadow, blusher, lip gloss, lipstick, toner, 1 year.
* Eye and lip liner, 18 months.

The problem is that these products can be a “hot house” for bacteria which can cause infections when the makeup is applied. The bacteria builds up over time until it becomes dangerous to use. Mascara is a particular problem because the stick used to apply it can scratch the soft tissue surrounding the eye.

The worst offenders, says the study, are women in their 30s and early 40s.

Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser to the college, said, “Mascara can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s not surprising we’ve found nearly half of women suffer from itchy, watery and red eyes when they are holding onto their eye makeup for so long and sharing it among their friends.”

All around me are the sounds of a spring storm. The wind elicits groans out of winter-weary tree limbs and throws raindrops against the glass like a desperate lover tossing pebbles at the window to signal his arrival. This is no gentle spring shower, this is a storm.

With all this grey surrounding me, I had to write of something sunnier and I found something gold and gorgeous to light up this dreary day.

L’Oreal’s Wear Infinite Eyeshadow Quartets contain the perfect bronze, gold, amber, copper and cocoa shades to make eyes shimmer and highlight them against the bronze glow we all plan to have this summer. I like the Golden Sunshine quad. For deeper tones there is the Bronze Sunset shade collection.

Rage as it will, the storm will soon give over to warmer, sunnier summer and I may just hurry it along by giving my eyes that summer shimmer today.

It’s spring finally and under a warming sun that is creeping higher in the sky each day your makeup looks tired and out of place. Time to shake off winter routines and go for something light and breezy, something that lets the real you shine out.

Metallics are fine for nighttime wear but if you’re going to be out and about in the sunshine, you might feel and look more natural in mattes and neutral colors.

Eyeliner should be dotted in between the lashes, not a drawn line. Eyeshadows can be neutrals, pinks, sandy beige or earthy. Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Duo in Cocoa Delight or Indian Summer have neutral shades that are suitable for most skin tones. Try brown mascara if you have light brown or blonde hair, you can use black if your hair is darker.

When you get to lips, it’s okay to stay neutral but forget the matte and go for a moisture-drenched gloss. Gloss in barely-there hues will give you a fresh look and a hint of color. I like Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Nude Lustre.