Little Luxeries - Daily Pick-Me-Ups

Daily pick-me-ups

When we treat ourselves, it tends to be a luxurious body lotion or expensive perfume that falls into the shopping basket. But don’t forget those daily essentials. Shower gel might not seem exactly luxurious, but it can be. Look for one with added benefits, such as moisturising ingredients or just a fragrance that makes you smile. Weleda’s (www.weleda.co.uk) new Aroma Showers range is a good place to start. There are several fragrances to choose from, at £8.25 each. Each one is designed to enhance your mood and turn your daily shower into a ‘spa-worthy’ experience. As an added bonus, the body wash is very rich and creamy, so leaves skin feeling softer. Make that shower even better by trying a new shampoo and conditioner. Eco-brand Rhyme and Reason packs in plenty of natural, nourishing ingredients into its haircare range, from coconut oil to shea butter. There are five combos to choose from – Volume & Boost, Nourish & Gloss, Quench & Curl, Colour Protect and Repair & Restore – at £8.99 each from www.boots.co.uk. Personally, I like the Nourish & Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner as they help to detangle, smooth and add shine. Sales of lipstick plummeted during the pandemic. There’s little point applying lipstick when it’s covered up by a face mask. Now that restrictions are easing, a slick of lippie might help to put a spring back in your step. Your prepandemic ones will most likely need binning as they usually have a shelf-life of six to twelve months. Ideally, head to a make-up counter to choose a new lippie, as the colours are never 100% accurate on a screen. My new go-to neutral is Bobbi Brown’s Crushed Shine Jelly Stick in Honey. It contains fruit oils and hyaluronic acid to help soften and hydrate lips and the colour is perfect for everyday use. Looking for something with a bit more wow factor? Try Papaya or Candy Apple. They’re £25 from

Speaking of make-up counters, why not treat yourself to a mini-makeover or make-up tutorial? Lots of brands offer them for free, or for a fee that’s redeemable against new products. Some beauty counters offer walk-in consultations, but full make-up lessons usually need booking online or over the phone. Sleep shouldn’t be a luxury, but it sure feels that way sometimes. If you’re struggling to drift off, try unwinding with the Luna Eye Mask from Sensory Retreats (£3.95, www.sensoryretreats.com). It’s self-heating (which feels surprisingly comforting) and infused with lavender to help you de-stress and relax. Of course, you don’t need to buy anything new to add a dash of luxury to your daily routine. Many of us have shelves of products we hardly ever use. Why shouldn’t you wear your favourite perfume on the school run? Or massage in that scented body oil straight before bed? And you could take your evening bath to another level by lighting a scented candle, putting some music on and pouring yourself a glass of wine. Bliss.