Archive copy by Jenni Baden Howard

SMELLS LIKE SUMMER …

If, like me, you’re longing for summer and already have your linen skirts and flip-flops on standby, treating yourself to evocatively-scented bath and body goodies is a wonderful way to hit ‘fast forward’ and bring the new season into your bathroom. The latest addition to the fabulous Korres range from Greece, the Fig Shower Gel (£7) smells truly delicious - fresh but with an edge and not overtly fruity (for stockists and mail order, tel: 020 7581 6455 or visit www.korres.com). Meanwhile, Di Palomo’s beautiful-looking Wild Fig & Grape Sensuous Bath & Shower Gel (£8) is inspired by the scents of the Tuscan summer countryside (for stockists, tel: 01803 618804 or visit www.dipalomo.co.uk). But the perfect, instantly uplifting treat for beauty purists is Dr Hauschka’s new Lemon Body Wash (£8), with moisturising shea butter, jojoba and apricot kernel oils (for stockists and mail order, tel: 018386 792642 or visit www.drhauschka.co.uk).

CREAMS OF THE CROP

As with all the wonder creams, gels and sprays designed to diminish the dreaded ‘orange peel’ effect – along with the curious lump and bump-pummellng gadgets that accompany them – the jury is still out on the efficacy of products formulated to ward off stretch marks during pregnancy and “fade” existing ones. One thing is certain: the very act of regularly applying any richly nourishing cream or oil will have a beneficial effect by making skin more soft and supple, while the firming and toning ingredients in these specialist products will leave skin feeling pampered and revitalised, at the very least. Clarins’ new Stretch Mark Control (£30) is a non-greasy, fragrance-free cream with plant extracts, olive, coconut and palm oils to improve skin elasticity and “reinforce the skin’s resistance to over-stretching” (at counters nationwide from mid-March). Another new arrival, The Body Shop’s Stretch Mark Improver (£16), part of the Body Focus collection launching in April, contains rosehip and pumpkin seed oils and Community Trade, organically grown soya oil from Brazil. Meanwhile, in the all-natural, aromatherapy-based Cartrysse range, the Elasto-Fluid Breasts Preg./Breastfeeding (£29) is a soothing, hydrating cream that improves skin elasticity during nursing (visit www.cartrysse.co.uk).

AGELESS BEAUTY

Much more than just another glossy make-up manual, Living Beauty by Bobbi Brown (Headline/Springboard, £20) is a book you’ll want to get for every girl in your life who needs reminding that true beauty is ageless and a question of enhancing your looks and addressing the specific challenges that each decade presents. “Getting older should be seen as a process through which a woman can gain more vitality, strength, wisdom and a new sense of her beauty” says US celebrity make-up artist Bobbi, who supports her refreshingly positive philosophy with chapter after chapter of inspiration, information and real-life ‘testimonies’ from women, famous - Debra Winger, Kelly Klein and Susan Sarandon among them - and otherwise. Dip in, break out of a beauty rut and feel uplifted …

GOOD TO GLOW

A sneaky dose of a subtle self-tanner – rather than the turn-you-tangerine-overnight variety – is the fastest, most effective way to take the edge off pasty pins. For the most foolproof, seamless-looking results, err on the side of caution, intensity-wise, and build up the colour gradually over a few days. The desired effect can then be ‘topped up’ as needed. Aftersun formulations containing a dash of self-tanner – often billed as tan ‘maintainers’ or ‘prolongers’ - are a great way to enhance a golden glow, fake or otherwise. Along these lines, Johnson’s Holiday Skin (£4.99) is a great buy, combining moisturising ingredients with a self-tanning ingredient to give skin a hint of colour – enough to make all the difference when it comes to going bare-legged. To wake-up a washed-out complexion, the Holiday Skin Facial Moisturiser (£5.99) can be enhanced with bronzing make-up (which can be instantly corrected, unlike an over-enthusiastic session with the self-tanner). Look out for Clinique’s new Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator (£17.50), available in 4 shades, which can be worn alone or mixed with your usual make-up base or moisturiser, to sheer, flatteringly fresh effect.

SMALL WONDERS

Like mother, like son or daughter … Natural beauty buffs will love the new baby range from The Organic Pharmacy, which includes a Mother & Baby Massage Oil dreamily scented with rosehip and neroli, and the super-gentle Apricot & Chamomile Baby Shampoo and Conditioner (£12.95 each, visit www.theorganicpharmacy.com). Don’t miss, too, the cute (but not cutesy) Miamoo range, which features the bestselling, Frangipani-scented Baba Oil (£19.50) with sweet almond oil and other natural nourishers (visit www.miamoo.co.uk).