BEAUTY AND THE BOOST
Want to feel great without the help of shoe shopping or chocolate? Look no further than your beauty cabinet
Beauty products make you look better, but did you know they can actually influence your mood? "Applying certain ingredients to your body can stimulate hormones, which in turn have a physical effect on your mind," says Sue Harmsworth, founder of beauty range ESPA. She says we're naturally drawn to ingredients that make us feel a certain way - and these can change from day to day.
"It's important to listen to what your body needs," she says. "For example, if you're sad, you'll be subconsciously drawn to products with citrus ingredients, because their natural properties and the scent they give off will automatically make you feel happier. If you're lacking self-esteem, you'll be drawn to products that contain the likes of basil, because this has been proven to enhance confidence."
Clever, eh? Here, we reveal the best products for an instant mood uplift.
MAKE
ME FEEL: ENERGISED
PRODUCT: Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminée regenerating concentrate, £34.
WHY? This new anti-ageing tincture is bursting with ginseng, which is known for its energising qualities. If you're feeling slow and sluggish, smother this on. Your skin will absorb the ginseng, and you'll feel revitalised in no time.
MAKE ME FEEL: BALANCED
PRODUCT: ESPA Restorative Bath And Body Oil, £23 for 100ml.
WHY? Feeling emotional and a bit teary? Well, forget the tissues and opt for a long soak instead. This scrummy bath and body oil is packed with the two ingredients proven to make you feel more emotionally balanced - myrrh and rose geranium. Pour a cupful into your bath and breathe in the aroma. It's a hug in a bottle!
MAKE ME FEEL: SENSUOUS
PRODUCT: Estée Lauder Sensuous EDP, £30 for 30ml.
WHY? Perfume has the unique ability to smell different on different skin. Sensuous is designed with this is mind. On some women the floral notes will be at the forefront, on others the woody scents. Either way, you'll feel gorgeous.
MAKE ME FEEL: HAPPY
PRODUCT: Nivea Happy Time Body Lotion, £6.25.
WHY? Research has found that the smell of oranges can reduce anxiety* - so the orange-flower scent in this gorgeous body lotion will be sure to naturally lift your mood.
MAKE ME FEEL: CALM
PRODUCT: Rituals Himalaya Wisdom Body Scrub, £12.90.
WHY? This product lets you scrub your problems away - literally. It's full of Holy Basil - an 'adaptogen' herb that builds up resistance in your body to stress and trauma. Use it in the morning so it can work its magic during the day.
MAKE ME FEEL: STRESS-FREE
PRODUCT: Origins Peace of Mind On-The-Spot Relief, £11.
WHY? This clever little product contains two big ingredients, mentha piperita and piperitol, that specifically release tension in the head and shoulders.
MAKE ME FEEL: INTELLIGENT
PRODUCT: Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo, £9.30, and Conditioner, £10.28.
WHY? OK, so this shampoo and conditioner aren't going to up your IQ,
but the aromas of the rosemary and mint are natural stimulants for the mind.
If you've got an important meeting, use these for a brain boost!
MAKE
ME FEEL: RELAXED
PRODUCT: Green & Spring Relaxing Travel Set, £22.
WHY? This fab travel kit, consisting of a shampoo, conditioner, shower and bath foam and body lotion, contains relaxing lavender, as well as comfrey, a herb that helps heal aches and pains.
PHOTOGRAPHY: CAMERA PRESS, ALAMY, PHOTOLIBRARY, PIXELEYESPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK STOCKISTS: AVEDA (AVEDA.CO.UK), CAUDALIE (CAUDALIE.COM), ESPA (01252 352230), ESTÉE LAUDER (ESTEELAUDER.CO.UK), GREEN & SPRING (GREENANDSPRING.COM), NIVEA (BOOTS NATIONWIDE), ORIGINS (ORIGINS.CO.UK), RITUALS (UK.RITUALSTORE.COM) *BY INTERNATIONAL FLAVOURS & FRAGRANCES
This article has 2 comments
i want to try all these product, but maybe they are not available here in the philippines.
By raquel. Posted July 27 2009 at 2:14 PM.
I would love to be pampered..I would very much appreciate all the beautiful products. Nancie x
By Nancie Burley. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:42 PM.