Published: Wednesday, 23rd June, 2010 4:30pm

This week's treat gets you ready to party

It's been 20 years since I last went to a First Holy Communion - my own - and in those intervening years it's plain to see that the style stakes have greatly improved for the big day out.

So to glam up for the occasion of my niece's special day, I needed to make use of the Head Shoulders Knees and Toes summer package, which consists of a spray tan, make-up and nails.

Deirdre Feary of Athlone's Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, based in Belhavel above the Honey Pot, was in charge of my summer-kissed make-over and first up was the tan.

Getting a tan done can be a messy process, whether it's spray or application, however this tan, which is a salon brand, was sprayed on in minutes flat and was done with the least amount of hassle I've ever experienced. After being left to dry for about 15 minutes, I was back at work 30 minutes later, after Deirdre reeled off a list of Do and Don'ts on tan maintenance. The tan was a lovely natural colour that developed into a shade that I found was very suitable for white/freckly skin - I wasn't in the least bit orange looking! After it developed overnight and I took a shower the next morning, I was left looking as bronzed and sun-kissed as if I'd spent four weeks on a tropical island and there wasn't any sort of streaky or patchy effect. It also didn't rub off on my clothes from the moment it was applied, which was another benefit.

And the best thing about a good false tan is just how healthy it can make you feel - like you've already had that refreshing sun holiday but without the cost! Many people, including strangers, even commented on how natural-looking it was.

I later returned to Deirdre to get my nails and make-up done the morning of the communion.

We picked a nice purple colour for my nails, which would give a bit of a colour-boost to my pale outfit on the day, and got a good file and buff done as well to help sharpen up and shine my nails. Then we focused on the make-up, which I suppose was my favourite part of the treat, as it really feels like you're being pampered when you have someone else doing your make-up!

Now on the best of days all I'd put on is a bit of mascara and bronzer, and so I didn't want to feel too 'done-up' as I hate that unnatural, caked-on look some people seem to think passes for good make-up. Luckily, Deirdre knows what suits me, and also asked did I want to highlight any particular facial feature.

Well, with them being the windows to your soul, who wouldn't want their eyes to stand out? So Deirdre not only picked out some nice brown/bronze coloured eye shadow but also used a few tricks to enhance the colour of my eyes. When I looked in the mirror, there were two big vibrant blue eyes starting back at me, and with my tan developing nicely, I barely knew myself (in a good way)! It just shows what a clever application of concealer, foundation, eye shadow, lip gloss and mascara can do for a girl!

Of course one of the great things about getting any treatment done with Deirdre is the odd compliment she throws in, which can cheer you up no end, on those days when you're feeling blurgh! And because she's such a straight-talker, you know she's not lying!

The make-up made me want to learn how to do it every day, however the big winner was the fake tan, which everyone thought was lovely and looking back on the family photos of the communion, I do look sun-kissed and healthy looking - a bit more fancy than on the day of my own communion for sure! The tan lasted for around a week, and although I was away on holidays, and couldn't maintain it as well as I could have if I was at home, it faded well and evenly. It's certainly the best fake tan I've used.

Whether it's a wedding, christening, party or even just a weekend break away, I'd recommend this package to make you feel fabulous!

The summer package is available now in Head Shoulders Knees and Toes in both the Athlone and Moate. Contact Deirdre on 6444621 or Yvonne on 6481565.