Ready to wear: YES PLEASE . . .

Last year Chanel's Rouge Noir nail varnish was so immensely popular that it sold out as soon as it hit the shops. This talon polish, in undiluted- Ribena colour, spawned waiting lists, tantrums and tears as ladies who were used to getting whatever they wanted with a wave of their Amex card, were forced to put their names down with everyone else. Next week Chanel launch the Rouge Noir mascara. Billed as "black, reddish purple and brown", it is certainly interesting, unusual and worth a try (it's a limited edition so be warned, once it sells out, that's it), especially if you find black too dramatic and brown too boring. It's rather "globby" however, so you may need to separate those lashes with an eyelash comb after application.

Chanel's Rouge Noir mascara, pounds 15 from department stores nationwide.