11 best pampering body care gift ideas for soft, supple skin

Read article : 11 best pampering body care gift ideas for soft, supple skin

#1: L'occitane Almond Favourites Set, $95

Includes an Almond Shower Scrub, Almond Firming Milk Concentrate and Almond Delicious Hands.

#2: Aromatherapy Associates Pure Indulgence, $117, Sephora

Includes a Revive Body Wash, Lavender & Peppermint Bath; Shower Oil, Relax Body Oil and Relax Candle.

#3: Clarins Body Shapers Set, $102

Includes a Body Shaping Cream, Exfoliating Body Scrub, Tonic Bath and Shower Concentrate, Contour Body Treatment Oil and a Festive Beauty Pouch.

#4: Burt's Bees Ultimate Body Care, $48, Sephora

Includes an Ultimate Care Body Lotion, Beeswax Lip Balm, Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream and Res-Q Qintment Mini.

#5: Crabtree & Evelyn Deluxe Bath & Body Trio Gift Set in Summer Hill, $88

Includes a Summer Hill Body Wash, Body Lotion, Hand Therapy and decorative porcelain robin ornament.

#6: Kiehl’s Bedtime Favorites, $60

Includes a Creme De Corps body moisturiser, Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish and Amino Acid Shampoo.

#7: Biotherm Lait Corporel Nourishing Body Milk Kit, $52

Includes a Lait Corporel Body Milk, Lait Gommage Exfoliating Scrub and Biomains Hand Cream.

#8: Origins Best of Ginger Set, $78

Includes a Ginger Essence Sensuous Skin Scent, Ginger Burst Savory Body Wash and Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream.

#9: Sephora Premium Bath Gift Set, $44

Includes a Shimmering Bubble Bath & Shower Gel, Nourishing Velvet Cream, Moisturizing Hand cream and Soap, all scented with the mild fragrance of cotton flower.

#10: Soap & Glory Pink Pamper, $44, Sephora

Includes a Face, Soap & Clarity Face Wash, Hand Food Hand Cream, Heel Genius Foot Cream, Clean On Me Shower Gel, The Scrub Of Your Life Body Buffer, The Righteous Butter Body Butter and Body Polisher.

#11: Mt Sapola Verbena Rose Bundle, $102.90, from Mt Sapola stores

Includes Verbena Rose Body Wash (220ml), Verbena Rose Body Lotion (220ml), Verbena Rose Hand Cream (25ml), and Verbena Rose Home Scent (60ml).

From MIC to TLC: Beauty blogger Binky Felstead indulges in some winter pampering

Read article : From MIC to TLC: Beauty blogger Binky Felstead indulges in some winter pampering

By Binky Felstead

Published: 16:56 BST, 20 November 2012 | Updated: 17:34 BST, 20 November 2012

10 View
comments

Wow - it's cold outside. Not freeze-your-false-lashes-off cold, perhaps, but still seriously chilly. And it's no fun, especially when you're standing around for hours filming on location.

I'm starting to worry that I may spend the whole of this season of MIC with dry skin and a drip on the end of my nose - definitely not a good look.

So earlier this week, as soon as filming wrapped for the day, I decided to trade MIC for TLC and treat myself to a real beauty treat. One of my favouritepastimes is locking the door on the rest of the world, taking the phone of the hook, and really pampering myself.

Binky Felstead talks you through the perfect pampering winter bath" class="blkBorder" />

Binky Felstead talks you through the perfect pampering winter bath

I'm lucky enough to have a really luxurious feminine bathroom in my house. It's so lovely that my housemates and I, two of my best female friends, are always fighting for bathroom time. I'm starting to think about drawing up a bathroom rota just so I don't get one of the girls knocking on the doors as I dip my toe in the scented water.

Dolce & Gabbana Rose The One is a feminine fragrance that is perfect for layering

Luckily, I found out that the others would both be out on Tuesday evening, so the minute I arrived home from work, I knew I had hours of indulgent Binky-time ahead of me.

I started by dimming the lights and filling the bathroom with gorgeous scented candles. There are tons of delicious ones to choose from, and I'm a real fan. In spring I go for light, girlish floral candles; in summer I burn zesty citrus flavours, but in winter I like to fill my home with really lush green scents and woody spiced fragrances.

I recently treated myself to three incredible Acqua Di Parma candles - Precious Wood, Spicy and Cloves all available atEscentual.com- all perfect for creating a warm, cosy deliciously scented room. So I lit them all and dotted them round the room.

Next I filled my bath right to the brim with steaming water and bath oil. I have to admit that my shelves are heaving with lovely bath time lotions and potions. I'm a complete beauty addict - in case you hadn't guessed - and I can't resist splashing out of scrumptious scents and smellies. But there are two bathing classics that I return to time after time.

Firstly I never tire of the heavenly lemon scented L'Occitane Verbena Festival Foaming Bath - it smells so divine that it always makes me feel wonderfully refreshed. I've enjoyed L'Occitane's Verbena products for ages and the bubble bath has to be my favourite.

A long bubble bath is the perfect way to relax and pamper yourself on these cold winter nights

My other bath essential is Clarins Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate. If I've had a really long tiring day, I always pour three or four capfuls of this aromatic oil into the water - it contains Rosewood, Geranium, Mint, Rosemary essential oils to cleanse and firm the skin, and it really does revive my spirit.

Jennifer Lopez debut fragrance, Glow by J.Lo: Could we soon be seeing a signature scent by Binky?" class="blkBorder" />

Jennifer Lopez debut fragrance, Glow by J.Lo: Could we soon be seeing a signature scent by Binky?

I'd had just the sort of day that called for a real pick-me-up soak, so out came the Clarins. Once I'd warmed up and relaxed in my steamy, scented bath for an hour,  it was time for a little bit of body work. The mixture of cold weather and hot central heating can leave my skin feeling really dull and dry so I use a body scrub religiously during the winter months. Right now I'm loving Acqua Di Parma Italian Resort Pumice Body Scrub, which contains three different exfoliating granules: volcanic pumice, marine salts and citrus peel. It leaves my skin wonderfully smooth and silky.

I snoozed on for another hour, rousing myself every so often to top up the hot water, but finally it was time to climb out of the bath. However, my pampering session wasn't over yet. I still had to moisturise and scent my body. Like most girls,  I am a bit of a fragrance flirt and find I fall in love with a new scent every three or four months. I love everything from unusual niche fragrances by elegant perfumiers like Annick Goutal or Serge Lutens, to the blockbuster celebrity scents from the likes of J Lo and Lady Gaga - you never know, one day I might even bring out my very own Binky perfume, after all, I've put in years of research!

Candles create an air of relaxation in a bathroom- but picking the right scent is important

For head-to-toe beauty sessions like this one, however, I like to layer up a single scent, as different fragranced products can lead to a perfume clash. Most of the big-name brands produce full body ranges for their fragrances - everything from deodorant sprays, hand creams and body lotions to shampoos and conditioners. And of course there's the actual scent itself.

This time I chose Dolce & Gabbana Rose The One, which has a Perfumed Shower Gel, a Perfumed Body Lotion and a Perfumed Shimmer Powder, all featuring the deliciously feminine fragrance that mixes fruity top notes, with a central bouquet of peony, lily, lychee and Bulgarian rose. A final spritz of Rose The One Eau de Parfum, and I was done. 

At the end of my luxurious evening I felt deliciously relaxed, my skin was baby-soft and smooth, and I smelled good enough to eat. Pity the only one at home to see and smell the results of pampering was my beloved pooch Scrumble.

Read more of Binky's blog for the Mailhere

Time to indulge in a soak

Read article : Time to indulge in a soak

Is there anything more soothing during the bleakest month of the year than a long, hot soak? Tap into Katie Wright’s guide to bathing heaven.

As good for your mood as they are for your body, baths can become addictive in winter, but that’s no bad thing.

The four essential ingredients for a super soak?

You’ll need a candle, soothing music or a podcast, wine (or tea if you’re abstaining this month), and something delightfully fragranced to pour into the steaming tub.

Turn your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary with these bathing beauties...

ESSENTIAL OILS

The most luxurious way to scent your soak, bath oils dissipate in hot water, releasing the fragrance and creating a moisturising film that clings to your skin.

They may be more expensive, but you only need a splash, and the potent aroma of essential oils can be invigorating (citrus and ginger) or slumber-inducing (lavender works wonders before bed). n TempleSpa Drift Away Bathing and Massage Oil, €28.26 (templespa.com, plus p&p) n Neom Energy Burst Bath & Shower Drops, €47.45 (www.lookfantastic.com, free p&p) n This Works Deep Sleep Bath Oil, €78.50 (www.beauty bay.com, free p&p) n Jo Malone London, Red Rose Bath Oil, €22 (www.brownthomas.com)

SPRINKLING OF SALT

If soothing aching limbs and cold symptoms is your top priority in the tub, bath salts are what you need.

A capful of the clever crystals in a hot bath will relieve muscle tension, plus the salt draws out moisture to reduce bloating (result!), while the vapours help clear airways. n Aveda ‘Stress-Fix Soaking Salts’ 454g, €42 (brownthomas.com) n Kneipp Eucalyptus Cold & Flu Mineral Bath Salt, €11.46 (Feelunique. com) n Burt’s Bees Theraputic Bath Crystals 454g, €16 (boots.ie)

WHEN IN FOAM

For the ultimate in relaxation, a frothy bubble bath will make you feel like you’re floating on a cloud.

Lavish, oil-infused bath foams offer skin-softening properties too — but if you’re feeling the pinch this month, cheap-as-chips bubble bath will do the trick. n Clarins ‘Relax’ bath and shower concentrate bubble bath 200ml, €22 (www.debenhams.ie) n Baylis & Harding Wild Rose & Raspberry Leaf Sensuous Bath Foam 500ml, €2.99 (boots.ie) n L’Occitane en Provence ‘Verbena’ foaming bubble bat, €23 (www.debenhams.ie)

MAGIC LOTIONS

Prolong that post-bath Zen by lathering up with a body lotion — particularly important if you’re partial to a piping hot soak that can leave your skin dry.

Gourmand scents, like vanilla and tonka bean, are real mood-boosters, while ingredients like shea butter and argan oil will soften and restore moisture. n Origins ‘Comfort Mood’ vanilla body butter, 200ml, €40 (debenhams.ie)

n Laura Mercier, Ambre vanillé body butter, €42 (www.brownthomas.com)

n Liz Earle Superskin Body Cream, €44 (www.boots.ie) n L’Occitane en Provence ‘Shea Butter’ body lotion 250ml, €27, (www.debenhams.ie)

Binky Felstead's Beauty Blog - The Art of Pampering

Read article : Binky Felstead's Beauty Blog - The Art of Pampering

Wow – it’s cold outside. Not freeze-your-false-lashes-off cold, perhaps, but still seriously chilly. And it’s no fun, especially when you’re standing around for hours filming on location. I’m starting to worry that I may spend the whole of this season of MiC with dry skin and a drip on the end of my nose – definitely not a good look.

So earlier this week, as soon as filming wrapped for the day, I decided to trade MiC for TLC and treat myself to a real beauty treat. One of my favourite pastimes is locking the door on the rest of the world, taking the phone of the hook, and really pampering myself.

I’m lucky enough to have a really luxurious feminine bathroom in my house – it’s so lovely that me and my housemates – two of my best female friends – are always fighting for bathroom time. I’m starting to think about drawing up a bathroom rota, just so I don’t get one of the girls knocking on the doors so as I dip my toe in the scented water.

Luckily, I found out that the others would both be out on Tuesday evening, so the minute I arrived home from work, I knew I had hours of indulgent Binky-time ahead of me.

I started by dimming the lights and filling the bathroom with gorgeous scented candles. There are tons of delicious ones to choose from, and I’m a real fan. In spring I go for light, girlish floral candles; in summer I burn zesty citrus flavours, but in winter I like to fill my home with really lush green scents and woody spiced fragrances. I recently treated myself to three incredible Acqua Di Parma candles – Precious Wood, Spicy and Cloves – all perfect for creating a warm, cosy deliciously scented room. So I lit them all and dotted them around the room.

Next I filled my bath right to the brim with steaming water and bath oil. I have to admit that my shelves are heaving with lovely bathtime lotions and potions. I’m a complete beauty addict – in case you hadn’t guessed – and I can’t resist splashing out of scrumptious scents and smellies.  But there are two bathing classics that I return to time after time:

Firstly I never tire of the heavenly lemon scented L’Occitane Verbena Festival Foaming Bath – it smells so divine that it always makes me feel wonderfully refreshed. I’ve enjoyed L’Occitane’s Verbena products for ages and the bubble bath has to be my favourite.

My other bath essential is  Clarins Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate. If I’ve had a really long tiring day, I always pour three or four capfuls of this aromatic oil into the water – it contains Rosewood, Geranium, Mint, Rosemary essential oils to cleanse and firm the skin, and it really does revive my spirit.

I’d had just the sort of day that called for a real pick-me-up soak, so out came the Clarins. Once I’d warmed up and relaxed in my steamy, scented bath for an hour,  it was time for a little bit of body work. The mixture of cold weather and hot central heating can leave my skin feeling really dull and dry so I use a body scrub religiously during the winter months. Right now I’m loving Acqua Di Parma Italian Resort Pumice Body Scrub, which contains three different exfoliating granules: volcanic pumice, marine salts and citrus peel. It leaves my skin wonderfully smooth and silky.

I snoozed on for another hour, rousing myself every so often to top up the hot water, but finally it was time to climb out of the bath. However, my pampering session wasn’t over yet. I still had to moisturise and scent my body. Like most girls, I am a bit of a fragrance flirt and find I fall in love with a new scent every three or four months. I love everything from unusual niche fragrances by elegant perfumiers like Annick Goutal or Serge Lutens, to the blockbuster celebrity scents from the likes of J Lo and Lady Gaga – you never know, one day I might even bring out my very own Binky perfume, after all, I’ve put in years of research!

For head-to-toe beauty sessions like this one, however, I like to layer up a single scent, as different fragranced products can lead to a perfume clash. Most of the big-name brands produce full body ranges for their fragrances – everything from deodorant sprays, hand creams and body lotions to shampoos and conditioners. And of course there’s the actual scent itself.

This time I chose Dolce & Gabbana Rose The One, which has a Perfumed Shower Gel, a Perfumed Body Lotion and a Perfumed Shimmer Powder, all featuring the deliciously feminine fragrance that mixes fruity top notes, with a central bouquet of peony, lily, lychee and Bulgarian rose. A final spritz of Rose The One Eau de Parfum, and I was done.

At the end of my luxurious evening I felt deliciously relaxed, my skin was baby-soft and smooth, and I smelled good enough to eat. Pity the only one at home to see and smell the results of pampering was my beloved pooch Scrumble!