Aromatherapy Associates Facial

It is difficult to describe the utter comfort and super-human results that come as standard with an Aromatherapy Associates treatment - you'd need the tactile equivalent of smelly telly just to get started. But I'll do my best… 

So, the nice thing about an AA treatment is that you're not backed into a corner when you book weeks in advance by having to specify your chosen ritual. Instead, you talk through exactly how your skin has been feeling and behaving over the past few days on arrival, highlighting areas of concern for your therapist to focus on. It means the treatment is totally bespoke and you don't waste time having a mask, massage or melt (tenuous, I know) that frankly your skin doesn't need. 

Obviously, the whole experience is simply divine. But what really tickled my fancy, darlings, is the magical bed. With its sumptuous duvet and squiggly mattress, it feels more like you might be going for a nap than a treatment. And it just keeps getting better. Inexplicably, the bed forms the perfect wiggle underneath you in the exact shape your body secretly craved without even telling you. You begin to wonder how you've ever before been comfortable without this robbo-bed. This is a see (or feel)-it-to-believe-it jobby. 

Aside from the genuinely results-driven treatment (my blemishes have literally packed their bags and left since my deep-clean facial yesterday), the whole experience is all about the details. You're treated to any number of upper-body massages, from head and shoulders to hands and arms, maximising your time as a treatment mask sets. And once in the post-treatment vanity room, there are ghds, hairdryers, and massive mirrors - it'd be rude not to preen! 

We tried out our technical expertise and booked through wahanda.com, which is an online interactive directory for where to go and what to do. Kind of like Facebook for beauty. Fabulous.

T: 020 7838 1117, www.wahanda.com.

Christian Dior Golden Jungle

Calling all jungle divas. The delectably Parisian Parfums Christian Dior has unveiled its Autumn Winter collection, and it's a little bit wild. Golden Jungle is feline, sensual, and exotic - a luxe take on the glamorous urban jungle.

Leopard print (one of Christian Dior's favourite themes), is given a sophisticated twist with the brand's signature infusion of gold - 5 Couleurs Designer (in khaki, of course), 3 Couleurs Glow Palette (Ivory Glow or Nude Glow), the 3 Couleurs Smokey Palette, Dior Vernis in Amazonia and Bengale, and the Golden Jungle Crocodile Leather Effect nail duo. 

You might be spotting a trend here, darlings. 

The collection's piece de resistance, though, is the Golden Jungle Palette, an on-trend texture clash of shimmer and matte, teamed with a mini gloss. The palette is available in Golden Browns or Golden Khakis.

It is ultra-chic, wearable, and the perfect addition to Autumn Winter's layer-tastic fashion. Play, build, and wear with that signature Christian Dior suave. Grrr. 

VitaBella DIY Face Mask Treatment

DIY facials have come a long way from those slightly despicable-smelling pharmacy-bought sachets of our youth (go on, admit it - remember that uber-drying, cracking effect? There you go..)

VitaBella Face Mask Treatment is the very latest - an all-natural, soft fabric mask. It’s super hydrating, delivering active ingredients direct into the dermis thanks to pure Aloe Vera gel (which contains 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins, FYI). 

In user trials, skin hydration and moisture content was increased by more than 20% within the first hour, and we can vouch for the terrific skin-softening restults. 

The mask contains all the usual suspects – Hyaluronic Acid (doesn’t everything, nowa-days?), potent antioxidants and a host of vitamins and minerals; but it also adds a skin-softening proteins and repairing Argan Oil.

It's the perfect antidote for sun-sensitised skin – this one’ll be making the cut onto our ever-growing holiday packing list. 

Holiday essentials

As promised, darlings, here are my holiday must-haves. Efficient, hard-working, and pleasingly all 100ml or under, so carry-on friendly.. Vichy After Sun SOS Balm - the perfect antidote for over-indulgence in the sun. Apply to localised areas or all over for a seriously cooling experience. Or maybe enlists Mr C's massage techniques? Lancaster Multi Protection Easy On Gel - the perfect partner for an active holiday (even if that activity is limited to occasional cocktail-supping). Glides on easily and is completely sans that oh-so-vulgar commercial sun lotion smell. St Tropez Everyday Body Moisturiser - we all know we should fake it not bake it - top up your tan each night with a go on this for a guaranteed glow come home-time Label. M ProteinSpray - you wouldn't go out without SPF on your body, right? So why do it to your hair? Protect condition, colour and strength with a few spritz's of this lightweight spray and reap the benefits later. LAB Series BB Tinted Moisturiser - this may be strictly for the Mr C's, but it's the best BB I've found. Truly un-detectable, this is the only way to cheat flawless on your hols without risking a face melt-off. MAC Fix+ - A divine little Multi-tasker, this mini-spray will stop your make-up sliding south of an evening, and is also a handy refresher on the beach. Don't hit the heat without it. Treatment - The holy grail of haircare. Use as a serum, UV protection, treatment mask... Basically, leave this at home at your peril. And this mini 10ml bottle will keep you sitting pretty for a week

What's in my beach bag?

I have arrived in sunny Spain darlings, and the weather is fabulous. But with a stonking 30 degrees of heat from 10am (phew!), I've been searching for the creme de la creme of sunscreen. Thus far, top of my list is Clarins Sun Control Stick SPF30, which is super handy and won't wreak havoc at the airport in your hand luggage. I'm also loving (read: slathering on) Ultrasun once-a-day SPF30. It's the easiest ever to apply, and re-application is VERY infrequent. And finally, for when I fancy a gentle jog with Mr C, I'm reaching for my Lancaster sweat, water and generally any nasties-resistant SPF20. The tan is progression nicely, sans burn. Stay tuned for other holiday must-haves...

Clarins Eau Dynamisante 25th anniversary

Legendary super-scent (read: fragrance that doubles as a body treatment – genius) Clarins Eau Dynamisante is 25 years young this year. 

And what better way to celebrate her quarter-centurian than with a bit of sparkle?

The signature blend of 14 derm-friendly aromatic essential oils is now available in limited edition 100ml sparkle bottle, £29.  

The multi-tasking scent inspired Clarins' original Most Dynamisante Woman of the Year Wards, which recognises exceptional British women who work with underprivilidged children around the world. 

Wholesome and sparkly? Now that’s our kind of anniversary. 

Mazel tov, Clarins!

Jamela Skin Care 24k gold breast masks

It is an excrutiating experience, known by women the world over - the pang of desperation when you realise: "oh, hell - saggy sideboob!" This season, boobs are taking centre stage (the world’s biggest ever strapless bra has just be created – a whopping 42K), and we're getting our t**s out all over the place - just look at bare-all stars like Rihanna, Jessica Biel and Lauren Conrad. 

So it was only natural that skincare would follow.

Mineral collagen experts Jamela Skin Care has extended its uber-luxe 24k gold line to include masks specifically for boobs (sorry, breasts), £42.50 for 5.  The masks contain pure mineral gold infused with high-strength natural plant collagen and anti-oxidants including Vitamin E and rose essence which helps stimulate the skin’s own collagen production, which means production increased skin thickness, elasticity and smoothness. So everything you’d want from a breast, really.   

Plus, the brand’s unique combination of active gold and plant collagen helps to increase cellular metabolism and tighten the skin, resulting in the supporting skin of the breasts feeling smooth and firmer.

When the slightly torturous-looking (but terrifically comfy, I can assure you) masks are applied to the skin, the ingredients perform like a liquid pillow in the tiny layers between skin cells and produce a continuous non-surgical skin augmentation.   

Saggy sideboob, be gone! Welcome to the next generation of skin tightening. It can take a gold star...