When it comes to the (credit) crunch

The credit crunch may be biting but Alice Wyllie discovers that there are some of life’s little luxuries discerning Scots just cannot give up.

CREDIT crunch or no credit crunch, there are some little luxuries that women find it very hard to live without. Traditionally, one of these is lipstick – during an economic downturn, sales of lipstick tend to rise as women forgo bigger self-indulgent purchases, but still treat themselves to something small – but in the 21st century, there’s a slightly different cosmetic indicator that reveals how we’re tightening the purse strings: fake tan.

Sales of the most popular self-tanning products such as St Tropez and Fake Bake – particularly popular with footballers’ wives like Victoria Beckham and Colleen Rooney – have rocketed 51 per cent this year at John Lewis, as customers choose to fake it rather than spend their pennies on a holiday in the Med – the credit crunch may be threatening to bring us to our knees, but by God those knees aren’t going to be pale.

We asked some of Scotland’s most stylish women which little luxuries they’d be unaware to part with, recession or no.

RACHEL MCTAVISH, PRESENTER OF STV’S THE FIVE-THIRTY SHOW

“I have tried to curb my spending over the past few months. I do still have my weaknesses, though, and one vital luxury is fresh seafood. My husband is a brilliant cook and if I see beautiful scallops in the supermarket I will shell out (excuse the pun), my rationale being that it’s cheaper than us going out for dinner to a good fish restaurant and paying for a babysitter. Mind you, that wine to go with it...”

JENNY COLGAN, AUTHOR

“I couldn’t give up my monthly leg and eyebrow wax, which costs me about £25 a month.

Once I’m ‘deforested’ I feel I can face the world with a semblance of pride, rather than bristles.

I know it’s a real luxury to schedule it into my day – and it’s the time that’s a luxury as much as the money – so I make the most of it and try and read as many women’s magazines as I can while I’m there. I reckon I get my money’s worth that way too, and I feel light as air as I bounce, smoothly, out the do or.”

TINA WARREN, ORGANISER OF BURLESQUE NIGHT CLUB NOIR

“Recession or no recession, I could never give up my regular trips to vintage and antiques shops to look for bits and pieces for my home or wardrobe. I get so much enjoyment out of it.

It’s actually a really flexible way to shop, because when you’re feeling flush you can splurge and when you’re feeling the pinch you get as much fun out of looking around – and you can treat yourself to a little something cheap and cheerful.”

FASHION STYLIST, LINDSAY CAMPBELL

“I just don’t feel as though my look is complete unless I have my nails done professionally, so I could never give that up. I spend about £60 a month on my nails, which is quite scary when you think about it, but I really do think it makes me look professional. I’m really selfconscious if my nail varnish is chipped or my nails are grubby, so I see it as a necessity, not a luxury!”

LOUISE GRAY, FASHION DESIGNER

“I’m very girly and I’m absolutely addicted to accessorising.

I like piling on the jewellery, especially cheap jewellery like the £1 bangles you get from Indian shops. I’m always losing them and changing my mind, so I treat myself to some more cheap jewellery every Saturday.

It’s a little ritual for me, and sadly, one that I’d be really reluctant to give up. I know it doesn’t make much sense, but I’d be naked without it!”

LIZ CAMERON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF SCOTTISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

“The one small luxury I would find it difficult to live without is my BlackBerry subscription.

Staying connected has become an essential fact of life and, whether it is for business or personal communication, it keeps me in the loop.”

CLARE THOMMEN, COOWNER OF LINGERIE BOUTIQUE BOUDICHE.

“I’d find it really difficult to give up spa treatments. Because I don’t get that many days off, even when I’m feeling the pinch I like to relax properly in my free time, so I don’t think I could sacrifice my trips to the spa in a hurry. It’s quite an indulgence because it’s so pricey, but to my mind you can’t put a price on relaxation!”

ACTRESS LYNN FERGUSON, WHOSE PLAY HEART AND SOLE IS AT THE GILDED BALLOON THROUGHOUT AUGUST

“For me, the one thing that would be impossible to give up – regardless of the credit crunch woes – would be my children’s nursery care, because being a full-time mother would drive me absolutely barking mad. Like most people, the other thing I won’t be giving up any time soon is wine. For obvious reasons.”

ELAINE C SMITH, COMEDIAN & ACTRESS

“I can do without all my other make-up, but the one luxury I can’t do without is my red lipstick. If I have my red lipstick on I feel ready to face the world and, as it’s always the same colour, it has become my own little trademark.”