GETAWAYS IN A BOTTLE
If, like me, you’ve ditched your usual daily ‘armour’ fragrance – the one that helps you hit your stride as you set off to work of a morning – then you’ve likely been reaching (or looking) for something that suggests escapism.
I have turned to one of my favourite summer getaway perfumes, Goutal Eau du Sud eau de toilette (€85, johnlewis.com) – in a brand revamp the company has dropped the Annick and redesigned the bottle (I prefer the original, which had a charming retro glamour to it). For me, it’s synonymous with one of my favourite places, the South of France, and one of the most beautiful fragrances, featuring bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit.
Also evoking glamorous getaways is Loewe Paula’s Ibiza eau de toilette (€72, loewe.com), a new fragrance inspired by the Balearic island (and a famous former boutique). It’s floral with frangipani and patchouli but blended with green galbanum and a dash of mandarin and vanilla.
Serge Lutens’ latest offering Des Clous
Pour Une Pelure eau de parfum (€123, libertylondon.com) is instantly transporting. A hit of fresh orange zest blends with a light dose of cloves to create a gorgeous sultry citrus. And Elizabeth Arden White Tea Mandarin Blossom eau de toilette (€49, debenhams.ie) is a charming addition to the collection.
A trip to the manicurist is still out of the question, but the Nailpad is a portable nail polish station, with an integrated pot holder to make doing it yourself so
much easier.