We may be a hardy bunch, but we're girls. And let's face it, this puts a different complexion on matters of beauty and body care. After all, we're not entirely without our vanity. But before judging us as a bunch of powder puffs on ice, be aware that this concern goes more than skin deep. Attention to body care is not just tonic to morale, it is also an important form of discipline. For if we didn't take care to look after ourselves, how can we expect to look after each other?

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With no mirrors handy, other than the saucepan lid - and that's if you dare - one relies as much on the observation of the team as one's own instinct. This applies whether out on the march or in the tent. Naturally, one wouldn't dream of setting booted foot outside the tent of any morning without putting on one's face. Travelling at up to 9,000 feet, the effects of altitude are magnified by the extreme temperatures which includes the damaging effects of the sun. This can ravage the skin. Face and eyes must be protected. A good layer of Marks & Spencer moisturising sun protection factor 25 cream, topped up with our handy lipstick sized Lancaster sun sticks are both lavishly swiped over lips and daubed on the ends of noses. You don't hang around with skin protection on Antarctica. Eyes are also protected with 100% UV-proof Cebe goggles which are rather chic. We also try to avoid marching hours that will take us walking straight into the sun. Snow blindness is a crippling experience to be avoided at all costs.

Inevitably, in such cold temperatures the nose, like a good play, runs and runs. Competing on nasal stalactites is all very well, but the nostrils do get very sore, and this is where nanny's favourite, vaseline, comes in handy. We apply lavish amounts of an evening, in addition to the Marks & Spencer sun formula, which doubles up as an evening moisturiser, much needed when on Antarctica which is the driest continent on earth. Contrary to popular powder room folklore, it would seem that vaseline, far from encouraging facial hair, promotes a glowing complexion so we won't be returning to civilisation as hairy faced yetis yet. [One hairy moment Rosebud had involved ice fusing her neck gaiter onto her upper lip. Applying a short sharp tug had the same if not a more effective result as an upper lip strip wax.]

Bad hair days, however, are here again, and every day. Save for Ann, who's hair always appears mysteriously clean and tidy. Pom, despite frantic finger combing each evening, does sport a medusa style, sometimes, for a sense of occasion, neatly twirling it into a fetching chignon. Caroline, who braved a Chilean "trim" in Punta Arenas (worth a mention in dispatches), has as a result a rather medieval monkey-style look - but it's growing on her. Zoe looks very Notting Hill, whilst Rosebud should be thankful that there have been no migratory birds overhead looking for temporary accomodation.

Snow is a common denominator when it comes to general body care. Snow is our soap, whether behind the ears, between the toes or for brushing teeth. It is also our loo paper, which looks after hygene in that particular department. Snow powder is used for "dry cleaning" our rather limited wardrobe. A quick swirl and sponge from loose snow powder, then attach the offending items onto the back of the pulk where they get wind dried for the eight hours of marching and voila - meadow-fresh garments. (Although despite such valiant efforts, we do not envy the pilots who will be collecting us straight off the ice - once the cabin temperature rises, the pilots will be cloing down their nasal flaps as the cabin takes on the aroma of a game larder.)

As one male Polar veteran has said "Polar exploration is the cleanest way of getting dirty." For us, it's anand shut vanity case. We intend to remain fragrant ladies on the ice.

Now excuse me, might be gone a while - gone to powder my nose...

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