For
fragrant, glossy hair
Kérastase Elixir Ultime ($55.5 for 125ml;
kerastase.co.uk) is a new scented hair oil containing its hair-taming ‘Oleo
complexe’. Tailored to four hair types, from fine and sensitised to colour-damaged.
Kérastase
Elixir Ultime ($55.5 for 125ml; kerastase.co.uk)
For
split ends
Shu Uemura Essence Absolue (63.5 for 150ml,
shuuemuraartofhair.com) contains camelia oil to condition hair and give it a
glossy shine. Use it before you wash your hair or as a leave-in conditioner to
help beat straw-like tresses.
Shu
Uemura Essence Absolue
For
extra TLC
Leave the corn germ oil, camelia oil and
karanja oil-packed Phyto Subtil Elixir ($39 for 75ml; John Lewis and
Selfridges) on your hair for 10 minutes once or twice a week before shampooing
for a shine boost.
Phyto
Subtil Elixir
For
repair
Ojon’s Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy
($46.5 for 45ml; ojon.co.uk), contains seven natural oils said to tackle
damaged locks, fight frizz, and protect against heat damage. This treatment is
designed to replenish lost oils. Massage a few drops in your palm, then apply
to your hair before styling.
Ojon’s
Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy
Your Body
There’s a reason why body builders slather
it on – body oil flatters the contours of toned arms, backs and arms, and the
latest formulations offer a range of benefits, from firming to detoxing and
even the added benefit of minerals, depending on their formulations.
Elemis’ Lime & Ginger Salt Glow unguent
body scrub is one of their bestsellers. But in the same way as rich oily bath
oils leave an oil slick behind, your partner won’t thank you unless you clean
the bath afterwards. Post-shower or bath, you can slather on oil-rich body
butters and solid body balms, which deliver the healing benefits of essential
oils in a solid oil carrier. Bear in mind that your skin can absorb up to 60
per cent of what you slather on to it, so make sure the oils you are using are
organic and as natural as possible, to avoid chemical nasties. Apply body oils
to wet skin to get the most moisturising benefits.
For
spa R&R
For the ultimate in luxury oil treatments,
head off to L’Andana Spa, on Tuscany’s Badiola Estate. ESPA’s signature Olive
Oil and Lavender Body and Face Treatment ($76.9 for 110 minutes) uses
‘And’Olio’ extra virgin olive oil, fresh from the estate’s olive groves. ‘Extra
virgin olive oil is one of the best-kept beauty secrets,’ says Elisa Silvestri,
ESPA SPA manager at L’Andana. ‘Its antioxidants protect skin, improve
elasticity and repair skin-damage – the perfect antidote to too much winter sun
when skiing, or to festive junk food.’ A stay at L’Andana costs from $721pp for
two nights’ b&b; andana.it.
ESPA’s
signature Olive Oil and Lavender Body and Face Treatment ($76.9 for 110 minutes)
We love
For
sensuous skin
Shiffa’s Sensual Body Oil ($80 for 100ml;
zuneta.com), is a balancing body oil made with jojoba, neem and calendula oils
to deeply moisturise the skin. Scented with geranium and sandalwood, this oil
will also invigorate the mind.
Shiffa’s
Sensual Body Oil
For
inch loss
After 28 days’ use of Caudalíe Contouring
Concentrate ($40.9 for 75ml; caudalie.com), trials showed an improvement of up
to two grades of cellulite (which is graded from 0 – no visible cellulite when
skin is pinched; to 3 – cellulite is visible when lying down).
Caudalíe
Contouring Concentrate
For
multi-purpose use
The Body Shop Beautifying Oils, ($14.5 for
100ml; bodyshop.co.uk) are multi-purpose dry oils for the body, face and hair
that come in 11 core fragrances and contain Fair Trade Namibian marula nut oil,
Hawaiian kukui nut oil and sweet almond oil.
The
Body Shop Beautifying Oils
For
relaxation
Pour two capfuls of Blend Collective’s
Silky Bath & Shower oil ($39.9 for 100ml; blendcollective.co.uk) into your
bath or massage into skin during your shower. Sandalwood and other scents help
you unwind.
Blend
Collective’s Silky Bath & Shower oil
For
soft, smooth party skin
Ole Henriksen’s anti-inflammatory Lavender
Body Oil ($49.5 for 355ml; Harvey Nichols) can be used on the skin after
showering, as a body massage oil or a cleanser.
Ole
Henriksen’s anti-inflammatory Lavender Body Oil
For
an instant sheen
Champneys’ new Dream of Distant Shores Dry
Body Oil ($16 for 100ml; Boots) is perfect for going straight from the gym to
the Christmas party. It contains citrus, cedarwood and tropical fruit oils that
won’t stain your party dress.
Champneys’
new Dream of Distant Shores Dry Body Oil
Your Diet
Beauty really does start from within. ‘Lack
of essential fatty acids constitutes the most neglected aspect of a beauty
regime for healthy, radiant skin,’ says Dr Udo Erasmus, author of the book Fats
that Heal, Fats that Kill (Alive Books, $32). Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are
necessary for reducing inflammation in the body, which can accelerate ageing.
However we can’t make EFAs ourselves, so we have to get them through diet. EFAs
are polyunsaturated fatty acids and the best-known are omega-3 and omega-6. We
tend to get enough omega-6 (present in foods including meat, cooking oils,
nuts, eggs and avocados) but need to eat more omega-3. Particularly rich food
sources of omega-3 include oily fish such as sardines and salmon, flax seeds
(also known as linseeds) and walnuts. These days, there are lots of capsules
and oils containing these EFAs to help you easily reach your daily quotas.
We love
For
great skin, hair and nails
Supplement your diet with Udo’s Choice
Ultimate Oil Blend ($17.5 for 500ml; udoschoice.co.uk) and get the essential
fatty acids you need for a healthy body and mind.
Udo’s
Choice Ultimate Oil Blend
For
an organic beauty boost
Viridian Ultimate 100% Organic Beauty Oil
($15 for 200ml; viridian-nutrition.com) is rich in omega-3, -6 and -9. Keep it
in the fridge and add it to smoothies or salad dressings.
Viridian
Ultimate 100% Organic Beauty Oil
For
dry skin and eczema
‘With incredibly high EPA and DHA levels,
this fish oil has 700mg of omega-3 in each capsule,’ says nutritionist Dr Sam
Christie. ‘Taking omega-3 fats mean skin is less likely to dry out and become
prone to itching and redness. Nerve-fortifying high-potency fish oils are great
for anyone suffering low energy or low mood through the winter, too.’ Try
Nature’s Best Fish Oil ($23 for 180 capsules; naturesbest.co.uk).
Nature’s
Best Fish Oil ($23 for 180 capsules; naturesbest.co.uk).
