Top ten mood enhancers

Nest Moss & Mint Liquid Soap, $44.95 Photo / Babiche Martens

Tune in to what your senses crave.

Follow your nose for some help in choosing beauty products that appeal to your mind, body and soul. Whether it be the calming aromas of the likes of lavender or vanilla, or uplifting citrusy scents that you seek solace in, there's a natural logic in letting your responses be a guide to what might be good for you.

This can be as simple as allowing yourself to respond instinctively to what seems to best suit your emotional needs at any given time, or seeking guidance from a skilled practitioner on using aromatherapy at a more learned level, where certain essential oils have a history in healing and wellbeing.

We've picked out a handful of do-good, feel-good and most especially smell-good body products to match your mood, plus a few extra atmosphere enhancers. Inhale the right aroma and exhale unwanted tension.

Keep calm

1. Nest Moss & Mint Liquid Soap $44.95

Smart New York-styled range with a clean, streamlined look and fresh, unisex aroma to enhance your bathroom. (From Isabel Harris, Teed St, Newmarket.)

2. The Aromatherapy Co. Therapy Range Body & Bath Oil in Lavender, Manuka & Wild Chamomile $18.99

This lavender-rich mix is a touch of tranquillity, with rosehip, almond and carrot seed oils for skin conditioning and essential oils for fragrance and their healing and calming qualities.

The Therapy Range boasts eight different fragrance choices offering an enticing way to incorporate aromatherapy in your body and home care products. (Stockists and online at www.thearomatherapycompany.co.nz.)

3. Nellie Tier Neroli & Rosewood Bath Salts $27.50

You'll want to dive straight into this good-sized jar of bath salts, but hold on until you run the tub. Sink into water softened by a mix of sea salts, French clay and essential oils. A great locally made gift for someone needing a nudge to relax, also available in two other distinctive fragrances.

(For stockists or to buy online see www.nellietier.co.nz.)

4. Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating 200ml Body Lotion $33.90

This luscious smelling, creamy antioxidant-rich lotion for mature skins is new from this authentic plant-based European skincare company. It has a lovely warming aroma, whereas the equally inviting Citrus Hydrating option for normal skin has a lighter, cooler, feel. They join the Weleda line-up of Sea Buckthorn replenishing lotion for dry skin and Wild Rose pampering lotion for normal to dry skin, all four of which can be sampled in a mini trial pack for $24.90. (From health food stores and selected pharmacies and online, see www.weleda.co.nz)

5. L'Artisan Moyen Boule d'Ambre $219

Hand-carved by a mother and daughter team outside Paris, these fragranced wooden balls come from the L'Artisan company known for its luxury candles. Each is unique and they are available in four sizes. (From Tessuti, Herne Bay and Newmarket, see www.tessuti.co.nz

Pick me up

6. Grown Reviving Body Exfoliant with Pearl, Peppermint and Ylang Ylang $33.95

Exfoliate regularly to slough off dead skin cells for smoother skin which better absorbs moisturisers. This one does the job gently, with floral essential oils working on texture and tone, while also offering aromatherapeutic benefits that mix the relaxing with the uplifting. (From Smith & Caughey and selected pharmacies, see www.grown.com)

7. Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Home Candle $130

The latest Jo Malone fragrance is dubbed the "scent of innocence", and is meant to conjure up childhood memories of blackberry picking in the English countryside. It has a refreshing tartness from grapefruit and berry, softened by bay and woody notes. Available also in a cologne, body cream and hand wash. (From Jo Malone, Britomart or 0800 JOMSHOP.)

8. Dunbar Sloane Sugared Grapefruit 150ml Room Spray $34.90

Elegant gold canister of long-lasting morning fresh spray from a new Georgian-inspired home range that includes six quintessentially English fragrance options including florals, fruits and spices. (Imported by French Country Collections. For stockists ph 0800 503 500.)

9. Linden Leaves Aromatherapy Synergy Pick Me Up 200ml Foaming Shower Gel $23

This zesty gel has a matching body lotion with the same airy citrus-based natural fragrance blend. Cleanse and moisturise daily for smooth, supple skin. (Linden Leaves flagship store, 317 Parnell Rd. Online and other stockists at www.lindenleaves.com)

10. Pure Fiji Hydrating Body Mist in Orange Blossom $30.50

This refreshing spray contains ngi grass and coconut milk extracts to nourish, while perfuming with the uplifting yet warmingly gentle aroma of orange blossom.

(For salon stockists ph 0800 7873 3454 or online at www.purefiji.com.)