When I first heard about tweezers with a light built-in, I had an “I wish I’d thought of that” moment. It’s one of those ideas that is so simple, yet so brillant, that you know the person who thought it up is rolling in cash now.

Like many women, I have an obsession with plucking stray hairs - on pretty much anyone who sits still long enough (yes, this has proved to be a bone of contention in past relationships). And for me, the best time to pluck is at night, when your subject is sitting still and watching TV. But if you’re like me and your eyesight isn’t what it used to be, the lighting at night proves a challenge for plucking fanatics. Enter the illuminated tweezer.

However tweezers with a light built-in are nothing new these days. Pop into your local chemist and chances are you’ll find some sitting on the counter. So what’s next for the humble tweezer?

How about Tweezeme? Not only does this slanted-tip tweezer come with an LED light, it also boasts a magnified mirror and even an Allen key. MacGyver saved the world on several occasions with fewer tools than that. Though why you’d need an Allen key when tweezing your eyebrows, I’m not entirely sure.

What’s more, the people behind Tweezeme are coming out with a lipgloss with built-in mirror around Christmas time. I’m thinking this will be the perfect present for friends who reapply their gloss in public, only to end up with it smeared all around their mouth.

However when it comes to the Rolls Royce of tweezers, you can’t go past Tweezerman. The basic tweezers have won numerous awards and are favoured by those in the beauty industry. You can even buy tweezers embellished with Swarovski crystals. Although that may be just a little too Paris Hilton for my liking.

By Caroline Warnes