Archive copy by Jenni Baden Howard

Saving Face

Avoid the last minute dash to the airport shop and set off with a skincare “survival kit” designed to pamper and protect. ‘To counteract the detrimental effects of the sun, wind and cold, skin needs to be continually moisturised, day and night,’ says Sisley’s Christine d’Ornano, daughter of founders Hubert and Isabelle d’Ornano. ‘Using a high protection sunscreen which also moisturises will ensure your skin doesn’t dry out while you are out on the slopes.’

Steve Barton, Boots’ scientific skincare adviser, agrees that a high SPF is essential. ‘The sun’s rays become 13 per cent more intense with every 1, 000 metres in altitude, and there is ground reflection from snow, ice and even bright rocks. Reapply a high SPF regularly during the day, and use a very intensive moisturiser in the evening.’ Try Clarins’ Sun Control Stick SPF 30 (£11), Marks & Spencer’s snow and water-resistant Sport SPF 25 Lip And Face Protector (£5), Dr Hauschka’s Sun Block Stick SPF 30 (£5), or Korres’ nourishing Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 24-28 (£11).

Avoid a peeling pout by using a lip balm with serious sun protection. Chanel’s Soin Tendre Lévres SPF 15 (£12.50) is ultra-chic and effective, while Laura Mercier’s new Lip Balm SPF 15 (£16.50) is sure to make it into the ski bags of fans Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna and Cameron Diaz.

In the evening, apply a moisturising gloss or colour. Cargo’s creamy Lip Sticks (£14 each) are named after ski resorts. Choose from Vail, St. Moritz, Banff and Stowe (exclusively at Pout, tel: 020 7379 0379).

Soothe and moisturise après-ski skin with a lotion like Clarins’ wonderfully cosseting After Sun Replenishing Moisture Care For Face (£21.50), or No 7’s unseasonable but ideal Summer Skin Facial Aftersun (£7.50). A specialist cream will help alleviate and conceal any après-ski redness. Try Mary Cohr’s cooling Anti-Redness Cream (£25, tel: 0808 100 3102) or Eau Thermale Avène’s Anti-Redness Cream (£11.25).

Use an extra-rich cream at night, when skin is believed to be at its most receptive. Sisley’s luxe, shea butter-based Crème Confort Extreme (£65) is a favourite of Jade Jagger (tel: 020 7491 2722), while Liz Earle’s Skin Repair Moisturiser dry/sensitive (£10.50), is a lighter, nourishing alternative (mail order, tel: 01983 813913).

A Helping Hand

A “hero” hand cream is a girl’s best friend on the slopes. D’ Ornano is fanatical about avoiding sandpaper-like palms: ‘I wear gloves at all times during the day, and reapply a rich cream three or four times.’ Two of the best are Sisley’s Botanical Hand Cream (£30) and Jurlique’s Lavender Hand Cream (£25).

Substitute nail colour (too high-maintenance) with a clear, hardwearing shine. Try Marks & Spencer’s Perfect Nail Glass Top Coat (£5.50), or buff nails to a healthy sheen and smooth away snags with the new 6 Sided Buffer (£3). Condition weathered cuticles and nails by massaging them daily with BlissLabs’ fabulous new Super Groom (£12, tel: 0808 100 4151).

Glamour On-The-Run

If the very thought of going barefaced on the slopes is enough to leave you ashen, opt for a sheer SPF base such as Chantecaille’s Real Skin SPF 30 (£42), or Calvin Klein’s Sheer Coverage Foundation SPF 20 (£18). Both come in a choice of exceptionally natural-looking shades to enhance a natural glow. Make Up For Ever’s Colour Corrective Make Up Base (£12.50) in Green is perfect for concealing any redness on the piste, as it boasts an SPF 18 (tel: 020 7529 5691).

Other great sunscreens-cum-cosmetics include Estée Lauder’s Shimmering Shield for Lips & Face SPF 30 (£13), which gives a bronzed glow, and Elizabeth Arden’s new Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick Tint SPF 15 (£13). With a different sort of black run in mind, play safe with a waterproof mascara. Try Clinique’s Gentle Waterproof Mascara (£12), or No 7’s Ultimate Waterproof Mascara (£8.50).

By night, a touch of concealer should hide any redness (use a green corrective base, if necessary), while a sweep of powder bronzer will enhance your tan. Matis’ Perfect Tan Sun Powder (£25) is part of a superb new make-up range by the leading Parisian skincare brand (tel: 01322 290101).

High-Altitude Hair

‘On ski holidays, bad hair days are rife because the sun, wind and constant changes of temperature temporarily alter the structure of the hair,’ says trichologist Philip Kingsley. ‘Moisture is drawn from the hair, leaving it dull and liable to breakage. Also, more oil is produced when hair is pressed flat under a hat all day.’

Kingsley recommends washing hair daily, but after skiing. ‘Use a moisturising shampoo and following with a moisturising styling aid or body-booster if necessary.’ Add moisture and volume with Philip Kingsley’s Weatherproof Mousse (£11, tel: 020 7629 4004), or Boots’ Styling Mousse For Coloured Hair (£1.49).

Kingsley using hair mask every two days. ‘Apply it to the whole length of your hair, but more on the ends than the roots. Lie in a warm bath before rinsing, and your après-ski hair will look sensational.’ Try Kingsley’s Elasticizer (£16.50), or L’Oreal’s Elvive Nutri-Ceramide Fortifying Masque (£4.99).

To control longer hair on the slopes, Michaeljohn’s Enzo Volpe advises keeping things simple and stylish: ‘A ponytail - secured at the nape - is always elegant. Using damp twine means that the ponytail will be super-secure, as it will tighten as it dries.

‘Alternatively, wear a plait during the day, remove it in the evening and apply a small amount of volumising spray. You’ll have some extra lift to see you through the night.’ Volpe swears by Michaeljohn’s Root Lift Thickening Spray (£4.99, at Boots).

Après-Ski Soaks

For serious muscle-soothing, sink into a tailor-made bath soak such as Kneipps’s Juniper Herbal Bath (£5.49), ESPA’s Fitness Bath Oil (£13.50) or Olverum (£7.50), a traditional Alpine spa formula (at Harrods, Fenwick and Fortnum and Mason).

For simple, après ski skin-nourishing, opt for a moisturising bath or shower gel such as Fresh’s new Milk Shower Gel (£21) or Bath Foam (£22.50), or L’ Occitane’s Shea Butter Extra Moisturising Shower Gel (£8.95).