It’s not simply the powders, creams and lotions which we slather on that improve us, our senses need nurturing from all manner of lovely things, especially those which delight the eye, and make our every-day a little bit more special.
A place for all things and everything in its place? This enchanting little trinket dish is the perfect receptacle for studs, huggies and rings. From La di Da – an online haven of must-buys. Bee Trinket Dish £4.50 ladida-andover.com
The sheer romance of a dusting powder is enduring and plays to our fantasies of the boudoir. Heritage British brand, Woods of Windsor has created this parabens-free talc with a soft scent of jasmine and ylang ylang to ramp up the femininity factor. At just £9.99 – we’d pay that for the fluffy powder-puff alone! woodsofwindsor.co.uk
As one enters the bedchamber, all senses should be seduced. Flickering candlelight flatters, and delectable fragrance to invoke a personal haven. There is an abundance of choice out there, but two of our special favourites from independent brands both use hand-poured natural waxes to carry their fragrant fumes. Delilah Chloe’s AfterHours scent blends sweet tobacco and smoky oak to evoke a decadent, late-night mood. £15 delilahchloe.com
For a more overtly seasonal take, Kindred Fires offer a personalisation service on their range of festive candles, each housed in an opaque class jar with clear engraving for the light to shine through. The Tranquillity blend is a light, calming blend reminiscent of the very best spas. £24 kindredfires.com
This ‘magic’ mushroom-shaped tool – designed to roll easily across the face – helps define contours and boost circulation. Rose Quartz, renowned for its connection to the heart makes this a true gift of love. Rose Quartz Facial Tool by Rosalena Skincare at seekology.co, an absolute gem of a website, stuffed with the very best in independent beauty and wellness. £24
Not quite for the dressing table, but to be slipped into to create the right ambiance for restoration, beautification and seduction. Satin, floral print dressing gown from the Rosie range at M&S. £35 marksandspencer.com
Jessica Russell Flint makes the sort of silk accessories that we dream about. Her sleep mask in Hot Cheetah marries glamour and luxury with its bold, statement-making print, also available as a face mask, thus you will be giving delight day to night £36/£22. jessicarussellflint.co.uk
If taste levels lean more toward scandi-chic, Skandinavisk’s Nordic offerings will score points with niche fragrance addicts, eager to discover the next new under-the-radar label to love. The Kapitel (or chapter) unisex collection charts three stages from the founders’ journey: island, freedom to roam and remote refrain. The packaging is streamlined and stylishly minimalist and the scents are fresh yet pleasingly complex and encapsulate the energy and lightness of touch we associate with the Scandinavian aesthetic. £45 skandinavisk.com
Vanilla has been proven over and again to be one of the most unilaterally popular notes in the fragrances we love. Modern British vegan perfumers, Floral Street, have taken this classic scent and knocked back the sweetness with cashmeron and ambroxan – two synthetic notes which bring an intriguing warm, powdery quality to the familiar fragrance. Added to which, you have green freshness from the undertone of bamboo. Yes, we are influenced by the beauty of the bottle, but the scent is the real winner. From £60 floralstreet.com
Heritage French glassmakers Lalique have been synonymous with fragrance since Rene Lalique collaborated with perfumers, Francois Coty at the start of the 20th Century creating exquisite, collectable bottles for Coty’s iconic fragrances. Lalique’s own subsequent range of scents have become just as covetable and latest to launch is Soleil de Lalique, a joyful burst of sunshine in a display-worthy crystal flacon. Top notes include the soft sweetness of mandarin dancing over a warm palette of coffees and musk. The scent equivalent of a SAD lamp, and also look out the just-launched complementary Hair Mist. £105 lalique.com
