The Luxe List

Despite the fact that my arms and legs won’t be seeing sunlight until at least 2021, I’ve been looking for a body moisturiser which will combat the effects of winter skin. I’m not sure about you, but the moment the central heating gets popped on, my skin feels like it dries right out. As a rule I don’t like anything too goopy, and I love when lotions smell incredible – and TempleSpa’s Peace Be Still Calming Skin Balm has quickly become my nightly go-to.

I’ve been loving smoothing on the Peace Be Still lotion every evening after my bath or shower, and not only does it leave skin feel silky soft after using it, but it helps me sleep too! That’s thanks to the calming essential oils in the formula designed to help you relax and unwind. I’m in love with out beautiful the fragrance is – notes of coriander, lemon, and nutmeg all leave me feeling like I’ve spent the evening in a spa, and despite being called a balm, the moisturiser feels more like a lotion, so it sinks easily into skin. It’s been an absolute life saver at this time of year, and it’s made short work of dry elbows and knees – leaving them perfectly hydrated.

Peace be Still Calming Skin Balm is priced at £19 and is available here

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A few years back, if you had said that CBD would be one of my favourite ingredients in everything from supplements to skincare, I’m not sure I would have believed you. Taken from the hemp family of plants, CBD products won’t leave you feeling any sort of chemical high, but I’ve found that they do solve a whole host of issues from anxiety to dry skin. Finding the ways in which the ingredient works best for you can be down to trial and error, but I’ve found a variety of ways to incorporate it into my daily routine.

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to incorporate CBD into my day is in the form of drops or edibles. In the morning, while I’m doing my makeup, I use the dropper to pop a few mls of the CBD oil under my tongue. The difference it makes, particularly on busy or stressful days is incredible – and the trick with using it is consistency – the more regularly you use it, the better the results will be. Not only this, but always make sure you’re treating yourself to the highest quality you can. The purer and higher quality the CBD you use, the better the results you’re going to enjoy. Obviously, it can be a pricy product, so don’t go mad, but don’t cheap out either!

You can also take CBD in capsule form – one or two with a glass of water couldn’t be easier to take each morning. Just having it before any breakfast or smoothie you might have each morning, means the rest of the day is prepped to flow as smoothly as possible. Make sure to keep your capsules in a cool, dark cupboard, so they last as long as possible.

You can also take CBD in capsule form – one or two with a glass of water couldn’t be easier to take each morning. Just having it before any breakfast or smoothie you might have each morning, means the rest of the day is prepped to flow as smoothly as possible. Make sure to keep your capsules in a cool, dark cupboard, so they last as long as possible.

CBD for skincare is another favourite way I incorporate it into my day. From soothing balms to fizzing bath bombs, they’re amazing at treating irritated and helping me to relax. When it comes to skincare, I need to be careful about the ingredients I use. Anything too harsh or powerful can leave my skin looking and feeling red-raw, and honestly, who needs that?! On the other side of things, I can’t stand it when a new product feels like it’s not doing anything either – told you I’m picky! I’ve tried everything from face creams to body oils, and I’ve found them perfect for leaving skin soft and smooth. When I get stressed, which has been a bit more often than normal at the moment (a pandemic will do that to you), I’ve found that my hands flare up with a little bit of eczema. It’s as annoying as it is uncomfortable, not to mention unsightly, so I’ve been through a carousel of products in hopes of healing everything up, and one of the most effective ingredients I’ve tried has been CBD. Smoothing on a balm every few hours has been heaven-sent. The skin which has felt dry and irritated is immediately calmer and softer, and with continued use, it’s almost entirely gone. 

I’m a big believer in scents being one of the best ways to remember, so a recent trip down to The Cotswolds was the perfect opportunity to enjoy my newest perfume – Lancome’s Idôle Eau de Parfum. It’s a habit I latched on to years ago – I’d scour duty free for an indulgent scent before hopping on a plane, and then using it for the duration of the trip. The result is a wardrobe of scents which transport me around the globe with a single sniff, and I love how special each and every fragrance becomes.

We might not be off anywhere exotic this year, but a few days spent soaking up the sunshine in the Gloucestershire countryside was exactly what I needed. It was a great excuse to dig out cosy scarves and sweaters, and enjoy the absolute joy which is Lancome’s newest scent Idôle. Coming packaged in a beautiful rose gold, refillable metallic bottle, it’s like no other bottle on my shelf thanks to its chic flask-like design. Designed to reflect a future without limits, it’s exactly the positive message we’re all in need of at the moment, and if you’re looking for a new winter perfume, Idôle shouldn’t be missed.

It’s a modernised floral scent, which opens with a stunning blast of freshness thanks to top notes of Bergamot, Juicy Pear and Pink Peppercorn. It’s a fruity, almost spicy mix which is lovely and refreshing – especially when applied on cold and dark mornings. As the fragrance settles, the heart notes of Rose and Jasmine become more apparent, subtly shifting the scent, and transforming it into a modern floral. I love the mix of notes, and completely different from any other perfume in my collection.

As the perfumes wears, the base notes of White Musk, Vanilla, Patchouli and Cedarwood come into play. They are so warm and comforting, and when I use the perfume whilst wearing all my favourite knits, it’s these notes I can still smell on my scarf the next day. It’s such a gorgeous, cosy fragrance, and now it’s completely my scent for The Cotswolds, which is super special! I’m going to be wearing it all winter long and pretending I’m back down in one of my favourite places!

Lancome Idôle is priced from £49.50 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

If there is one small, teeny, tiny benefit to the nights getting darker and colder, it’s the fact that getting cosy is pretty much expected from now until March. There’s nothing better than snuggling up with a great book, and forgetting all about a bulging email inbox for an evening, and one of the most important parts is lighting the perfect candle.

I’m pretty picky when it comes to scents – I can’t handle anything too strong or overpowering, and during the evenings, I don’t want anything which feels too energising. Basically, if it smells like a spa, I’m here for it. It was love at first sniff when I unboxed this beauty from TempleSpa last week – not only does it look beautiful (I’m obsessed with the minimal white jar) but is smells absolutely heavenly.

The scent is perfection – warm and almost soapy, I’m obsessed with the mix of lavender, petitgrain, geranium, frankincense, chamomile, myrrh, black pepper, dill and patchouli oils. Once I’m finished with work for the evening, I get everything all tidied up, and light the candle whilst I get ready for bed. As it warms up, the whole top floor fills with the beautiful creamy scent. As the evening continues, you get regular wafts of the fragrance, and it feels so indulgent to enjoy. I’ve been enjoying the candle for a few hours each evening, and it burns cleanly and evenly, leaving the whole house smelling incredible.

TempleSpa Siesta Forever Candle is priced at £25 and is available here