You little beauty
Our beauty team answers all your questions
Q I was lucky enough to visit a spa recently, and was amazed how much the beautiful scents relaxed me – I felt on cloud nine afterwards!
How can I recreate a bit of that feeling at home without breaking the bank?
Caroline Brown, 48
A Bringing that wonderfully relaxing spa feel to your own home is easier and cheaper than you think. First of all, invest in a few essential oils. They are not too expensive, easily available and last for ages.
Lavender oil is a must. It is proven to calm and relax the mind, and if I ever have trouble sleeping, I add
Pro:Voke Touch of Silver Brightening Shampoo, £2.12, Superdrug
Q I love my highlights, but last year I went on holiday and they turned into yellow stripes in the sun! Is there anything I can do to stop this happening again?
Laura Cowgill, 55
A There are lots of measures you can take to ward off brassy tones this summer. We are now very mindful about applying SPF to our skin, but we tend to forget about our hair, which needs as much protection. Find a good SPF hair mist and be disciplined about applying it. A big floppy hat is a great shield too, and will protect your face from the sun to boot. Finally, make sure to use a violet shampoo twice a week. Purple notes cancel out yellow ones, so this will keep your colour in check. a few drops to my pillow.
Next, I’d recommend mandarin oil. Citrus scents are instant mood-boosters, so if you want to be energised, this is the one you should reach for.
Finally, go for eucalyptus oil. That strong, menthol-like scent will transport you right back to the spa steam room.
If you are having a bath, a few drops while it’s running will create a spa-like atmosphere in a jiffy. If it’s a shower, simply add a few drops to a damp flannel and place on a dry-ish area of your shower area. The steam will create a vapour.
Q I love eye make-up but wearing contact lenses means that my eyes get irritated very easily and I often have to forgo mascara if they’re being temperamental. Help! Ann Whiting, 66 A Getting make-up in your eyes isn’t often a huge problem as your eyes flush it out in a jiffy, but contacts inhibit that process. Stick to cream eyeshadows, as they are less likely to get in your eye, and choose water-based creams, as oil-based ones can irritate eyes more. When it comes to mascaras and eyeliners, look out for hypoallergenic make-up. Clinique mascaras are often recommended by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, because every single formula goes through 7,200 tests, and if there is even one reaction, the whole product is Odylique reformulated. Odylique’s Eyeliner in Organic Black is made up of 100% natural and EyeLiner, 64% organic materials. £12.50,
odylique.co.uk