Crack open a bottle… of bath oil

For those days when only a luxuriating soak will do the trick – a trio of scented soothers

‘There must be quite a few things a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them,’ wrote Sylvia Plath in The Bell Jar. Hear, hear. Sometimes a long wallow in a relaxing, fancy-smelling bath with a dash of candlelight on the side is all I need to feel reset on the path of equilibrium.

But as much as I love a good quotation, it isn’t me pulling Plath out of the thematic hat – it’s Sophie Hinchliffe, co-founder of brand Sister & Co, which she launched in 2015 and which has since become a go-to for

OUR BEAUTY DIRECTOR’S HERO BUYS bathers who want a little bit of languishable, fancy aromatherapy but don’t wish to pay too much for it.

Take its Bath Soak, €17.50 for 150ml – it’s great stuff and contains a clever plant-based emulsifier to ensure the organic oil blends with the bathwater rather than ending up as a greasy residue all over your bath. The scents are good, too. The healthful-smelling Myrtle (rosemary, lemongrass and lemon myrtle) is my favourite, but there’s also Rosa (rose, jasmine, geranium and grapefruit) and Holly (black pepper, cardamom, lemon and frankincense).

The recommended dose is two capfuls added to running water, but I’ve been doubling that to get a really deep-smelling soak. There are also accompanying body oils, which are top-notch, too, and body oil washes in the same flavours.

While it’s all very wellness focused – the products are a way, says Sophie, ‘to slot more delicious smells and moments into your everyday’ – it’s eco, too: think Cosmos organic certification, recycled cardboard packaging and fully recyclable glass and aluminium containers.

If you’re looking to do some early Christmas shopping these goodies are a great place to start. Visit sisterandcoskinfood.co.uk.

★ Susanne Kaufmann Oil Bath for the Senses

(from €29, cultbeauty.co.uk). Total luxury with notes of ylang ylang, patchouli and lavender – and one of the chicest bathroom bottles ever.

★ Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Bath and Shower Oil (€55, aromatherapyassociates. com). A real classic, there’s always one of these in my bathroom and usually a travel-size version in my on-the-move washbag, too. Key notes include pine, ginger, rosemary and lavender.

A long wallow in a fancy-smelling bath resets my equilibrium