KEY POINTS:
The post-daylight saving blues are about to kick in. There's nothing else for it but to take to the bathroom and perform a bit of DIY hydrotherapy. In other words, have a really long bath and give back to your skin for enduring such a long summer.
Narciso
Rodriguez for her Scented Shower Scrub
$97 for 200ml
Improvise and use this in the bath instead of the shower. You'll have to dangle your legs and other body parts out of the water when you're working on them, but it's a much more decadent way of doing a scrub than a shower. Or you could always step out of the water for a moment. This beautiful scented scrub uses shea butter to nourish and scrubbing beads to get rid of ugly old skin.
From selected department stores.
Dr LeWinn's Liquid Loofah
$34.90 for 150g
Fond of exfoliators, this loofah and fruit-based number contains apricot and sweet almond oil to help nourish as the exfoliation action does away with the old. It even helps revive tired feet and does a sterling job on hard-as-nails heels.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
Chanel Body Excellence Firming and Body Spray
$126 for 125ml
On the looks front, here's another stunner. This spray contains the exotic-sounding Purple Bengle PFA, which is extracted from a plant with firming properties, used in traditional medicine. It's a beauty spray with a silicone-in-water formulation that helps revitalise and energise the body. Skin is left toned, hydrated and smelling delicately of white flowers. Total luxury. And if that's not enough, the Firming and Refining Serum makes the most of glycolic acid to turn skin into a "smooth, soft fabric", but that's another story.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
In Essence Aromatherapy Silk Bath Milk
$36.50 for 100ml
This Australian aromatherapy company has a comprehensive line of skin and body-care products as well as essential oils. Ylang ylang, jasmine and Roman chamomile uplift at the end of a long day, while the arnica and maize oils nourish the skin. Win-win really.
From selected pharmacies. For stockists ph 0800 881 006.
Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia Body Creme
$170 for 90ml
The heavy white glass jar and gold-topped lid mean this deserves a place in every bathroom on looks alone. Like all fragrance-based body creams, it has fragrant intentions. A romantic floral, this blends tuberose, gardenia, neroli, rosewood and vanilla amongst other beauties into a modern take on the first Mrs Lauder's original Private Collection fragrance by her granddaughter Aerin. It's no slouch in the moisturising department, either. Helps skin find its inner Fifth Avenue princess. Skin takes on that wonderful, pampered, society girl glow.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.