Body & beauty

Jo Fairley: Self-care Saviours

Our columnist reveals the best mood-boosting products to give yourself a bit of TLC this month

The time most women, in particular, spend on ourselves as part of our beauty and wellness routine is very often the only time in any given day that we do something purely for ourselves. And that self-care doesn’t just make our skin softer, or give us a sensory treat – it actually charges us up again so that we can get on with the job of looking after our families, colleagues, homes and gardens. For me, a mood-boost is still traditionally triggered by using aromatherapy products – so below, I share some blissfully-scented treats which push my ‘reset’ button, on even the toughest day, making me feel grounded and soothed.

Mauli Supreme Cleansing Oil with Pure Muslin Cloth

Most nights I’ll use a cleansing balm, but several times a week I love to mix it up by working this multi-award-winning, make-up melting cleansing oil into every facial nook and cranny, closing my eyes and imagining myself somewhere tropical, the air heady with the scent of jasmine blossoms.

Urban Veda Soothing Facial Oil

I like to massage this into skin at night, a couple of times a week, focusing on tension that’s built up along the jaw-line, while breathing the blissfully meditative sandalwood scent. Tip: on nights I use facial oil, I’ll use a balm or cream cleanser. On nights I use a cleansing oil, I’ll use a traditional, creamy moisturiser.

Jane Scrivner Body Splash Oil

Not really a ‘splash’, if you ask me – more of a ‘sloosh’, delivering potently aromatherapeutic oils which can be used in the bath or straight onto the body, for skin nourishment. My mood-boosting favourite of this new quartet is Revive Body Splash Oil, which magically conjures up the scent of a spa I used to visit in New York with its centreing blend of peppermint, basil, lime peel, geranium and clary sage.

Soapsmith Bloomsbury Bath Soak

Nothing says ‘self-care’ like a long, hot bath, for me. I’ve a positive arsenal of aromatherapeutic bath oils (notably from Aromatherapy Associates) on hand, but lately I find myself returning to this skin-softening soak, infused with rose petals and with a petal-perfect scent to reassure me to believe summer will return before long. The bonus? it leaves the whole house smelling divine for at least 24 hours…

Therapies Roques O’Neil Crystal Clear Smelling Salts

Absolutely my go-to at my desk when my spirits are flagging – a modern version of smelling salts (which used to be created from ammonia), with a therapeutic blend of protective frankincense, heart-opening wild rose and courage-boosting rosewood essential oils. I often follow founder Michelle Roques O’Neill’s advice to use them as part of a brief, desk-based creative meditation.