The skier's survival kit

Ski holidays demand not only a suitable wardrobe but an arsenal of cosmetics.

Not that skiing is a pursuit that calls for elaborate make-up; it's more that vicious sun, wind, cold, reflective glare and damaging UV rays add up to a situation that requires an effective and unique defence strategy. I have a fantasy look for the slopes.

My ideal is to be able to swoop athletically down the piste and stop for lunch looking fresh, glowing and groomed. More often than not, the reality is hair squashed flat by a ski hat, streaming eyes, red nose and cheeks and disintegrating nails. But it doesn't end there, because in any resort - and this week I'm in Zermatt - there's après-ski to contend with, too. This means a need to surface later in the day looking effortlessly got together with flawless skin, shining hair and muscles miraculously pain free.

This year I sent a collection of sunscreens out for downhill trials and, so far, the top votes went to Decl?or's sun range for being effective, easy to apply and not too greasy or sticky.

So Decléor has been added to my fail-safe ski kit; a collection which I've developed over the years to cover every eventuality.

In the pockets of my ski jacket I tuck Dior's Ultra Protective compact, which gives you a tanned look, SPF25 protection and a mirror so you can reapply even at the end of the remotest and highest run. I also pocket Dr Murad's SPF30 lip-and-eye stick, a small tube of Dr Hauschka's lip balm and an emery board. This is no indulgence. A brilliant skier friend of mine made the mistake of having false nails applied before she left for skiing: she wanted to look manicured at all times. It was a disaster. Her acrylic talons snapped off one by one almost as soon as she hit the piste.

Ergo, the best nails for skiing are minimal in length and good nail oil and hand cream are essential.

After a day plunging kamikaze along the slopes, I use Aromatherapy Associates Fitness Oil in my bath and Muscle Gel for specific aches; a spray body oil like the one from Thalgo and soothing eye compresses because the speed and wind get to my eyes, leaving them red and sore.

Vanity aside, it's not a bad idea to wear some make-up when you're skiing, solely because it adds a layer of protection. But, be careful what you apply. It's a good idea to use gel or cream eye shadows and blushers - or, better still, a product that works for both at the same time - because the powdered and brushed-on varieties can look patchy and caked after all-day exposure. Needless to say, waterproof mascara is a must, although these days it is cleverer to have your eyelashes dyed and even permed before you go. This way you have perfectly curled and accentuated lashes without the mess of running mascara behind your shades.

I have recently added PhytoStyle Hair Freshener to my ski-survival bag, which saves having to wash your hair every day. You merely spray it in and it dries miraculously without leaving it damp or dry.

The ultimate ski-survival kit is an ongoing project. Every year I road-test more products and can pretend to myself that with every cable car climb, I'm in situ, doing necessary research.

Kathy Phillips is associate editor of Vogue (Health and Beauty).