I'm not sure when I realised the restorative powers of make-up. Initially, I was something of a tomboy; drainpipe jeans, stripy T-shirts, wriggling out of Laura Ashley dresses, and so on. But then, suddenly, it was all lip gloss and nail varnish. From then on, there was no better way to cheer myself up than a quick glide around the nearest beauty counter. It's less stressful than anything involving a changing room, and it's much cheaper than buying shoes.

The golden rule is to only buy products that are fun. Forget about stocking up on yet another anti-cellulite or anti-wrinkle cream, the act of buying it will make you glum, the act of applying it will make you glum, and you'll be glum all over again when it doesn't work. Instead, stick to make-up, and the more frivolous the better.

Hard Candy, Stila and Pop Beauty (exclusive to Topshop), are big on frivolity and don't take themselves too seriously. Sugar Shine Lip Vinyl from Pop Beauty in Yummy is a great lip lacquer duo in pink and peach, both of which look good on dark lips. It's also flavoured with carrot cake - what could be more uplifting? Stila's limited-edition High Tea range comes in beautiful toile packaging, complete with quotes from inspirational women. A lot of the colours are too pale, but the eye shadow quads in ceylon green and darjeeling floral (pinks and purples) are perfect for dark skin.

If you're still feeling down, try the Chakra Nail Pen from Tony & Tina in Powerful Emotion - a pink red. Red is apparently the base chakra and promotes fearlessness and a sense of belonging. Not bad going for a nail varnish. And if none of that works, well it's either shoes or therapy, or both.

· To celebrate the Afro Hair And Beauty show's 20th anniversary, we're offering 20 readers a pair of tickets to the show at London's Alexandra Palace on June 2. To enter, send a postcard with your name, telephone number and email details quoting ref Guardian/AHB to: ASAP Communications Ltd, Suite 1, 2 Tunstall Road, London SW9 8DA, by May 17.