Life's little luxuries

What's a girl to do when she's feeling a little low? Treat herself to a Few luxury beauty items of course!

Whether you're feeling stuck in a rut, frustrated at not getting a pay rise or just plain fed up of your boyfriend, you need to treat yourself, and in my experience nothing puts the smile back on a gal's face quicker than a little beauty retail therapy. But instead of stocking up on a load of bargain buys, why not spoil yourself by indulging in a luxury product - or two if your credit card will stretch to it!

  Magic in a pot - Creme de la Mer By spending a little bit more than you usually would, you can enter the hallowed world of Luxury Beauty and believe me, once you've done so you'll never want to go back to mid-market!

Now although a lot of people may scoff at the price tags on premium pampering products I must point out that the reason they're so expensive is because they literally are the crème de la crème of cosmetics. Ingredients in the likes of Crème de La Mer and SKII products are usually incredibly rare and the process of sourcing them is more often than not very complicated. Then of course there's all that marvellous cutting edge scientific know-how, which is supplied by some of the best - and most expensive - names in the business. So, if you do decide to treat yourself, then yes your purse will be a little lighter but take it from me the results the products deliver will definitely make your confidence levels soar!

One of my favourite treats is Guerlain's Happyology Night Cream (£51, 01932 233874) as it is like a mini facelift in a pot. Especially created for women in their mid-20s and beyond, it helps to boost endorphins - the molecules that make us feel happy - which as a result makes your complexion look peachier. It also has a number of firming agents which smooth the skin and banish any lines. I'll usually compliment this miraculous product by using a daytime moisturiser that's equally serious about avoiding craggy, crêpey skin. Erno Laszlo's pHormula No 3-9 (£125, 020 7235 5000) is nothing short of brilliant as it promotes thorough skin cell renewal and boosts collagen production. If I'm feeling really flush then I'll treat myself to Barbor's Sea Creation (£210, 01332 638 546) a silky soft moisturiser packed with pearl protein and the cell regenerating and free-radical eliminating wonder ingredient 'thermophilus', which is sourced from 2,500 metres deep beneath the ocean. La Prairie's Skin Caviar (£100, 08708 377377) and Crème De La Mer's Refining Facial (£60, 01730 232 566) also produce fabulous results thanks to their unique and precious blend of ingredients.

The skin on your body also demands a decent dose of luxury every now and then so why not spoil it with a little of Natura Bissé's Diamond Body Cream (£140, 020 7730 1234). This Spanish skincare company - which quite rightly tags itself as 'The Jewel of Skincare' - believes that good skincare shouldn't just apply to the face. That's why it has created the most indulgent and divine smelling body cream which contains extracts of enriching shea butter, de-stressing essential lavender oils and active marine and sweet pea extracts. Slick this on your body and you'll, quite literally feel like a million dollars. Laboratoire Remède Alchemy's Treatment Cream (£70, 0808 100 4151) is also effective - especially if your skin is dehydrated or stressed - and can be used on both the body and the face. Instead of smearing on any old cellulite busting scrub why not splash out and purchase La Prairie's Cellular Buffing Oil (£64) which comes complete with a handy mitt and really gets to work breaking down all those nasty toxins which cause cellulite. Like most luxury purchases, it'll also look darn good on your bathroom shelf!

For fabulous feet treat yourself to Z Bigatti's Re-Storation Footlights Foot Treatment (£87, 020 7730 1234) an intense scrub n' smoothing kit that leaves your tootsies looking and feeling baby soft.

Your hair can also benefit from a little luxury in order to keep it in condition and looking glossy and glamorous. JF Lazartigue's The Duo (£150, Harrods) is a nourishing cream and serum combo for all hair types that'll leave you with hair that resembles a Hollywood A-lister's.

So beauty buddies, I'm signing off as I have an urgent appointment with the Crème de La Mer cosmetic counter. Well, you've got to practice what you preach don't you?

Share this Print this