Last Saturday morning I woke up in bad humour. I couldn’t explain it, but my body felt sluggish, I was cranky, and I found myself facing into a much-needed day off without any of the enthusiasm it deserved. I moped about the house for the morning before going out for some groceries, when I found myself not just walking past my local, family-run nail salon, but going in. You know the sort of place – local, very affordable and always bustling. In a fit of what felt like sheer madness after a year and a half in the house, I asked them if they had any time for a pedicure and manicure. I walked out on baby soft feet (with baby blue toenails) an hour and a half later, and I felt utterly reborn.
I am guilty of neglecting care and maintenance of more or less everything south of my neck, though I have got much better about it this last year. You don’t have to visit professionals or focus specifically on the hands and feet to engage in a bit of easy, high-reward body care as we enter the autumn season.
An IPL hair removal device is the single best beauty investment I've ever made. This Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL Device (€350 at Boots) is light, easy to use and highly effective. You will need to devote time to using it, and it is expensive, but you'll never have to pay for waxing again and if body hair bothers you, this will render it something you barely ever have to think about.
As someone who has never seen a grooming corner I don't want to cut, I apply body oil to clean, wet skin in the shower. I do this because it cuts down on time and mess, increases absorption, doesn't leave you slimy or risk your clothes, and ensures I will actually use body oil. Keyes Soulcare Sacred Body Oil with Marula Oil (€27 at keyessoulcare.com) is from singer Alicia Keys's beauty brand. It is a softening blend of oils and manuka honey, leaving you with bouncy, glowing skin.
Exfoliation is essential for soft, bouncy, healthy-looking skin on your body. I prefer to avoid gritty scrubs (they're messy) and opt for a gentle acid exfoliant instead. Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment 8 pack (€67 at cultbeauty.com) is so easy – just massage the pre-soaked wipe all over the skin to promote cell turnover and reduce the chance of blocked pores in congestion-prone areas, such as the chest and back, and flakiness on legs and feet. I like to use this before bed, then follow up with your moisturiser. If that is more effort than you'd like, try Drunk Elephant TLC Glycolic Body Lotion (€24 at cultbeauty.com and Space NK), which incorporates your exfoliant into your body cream for bright, softened skin without any powdery or dull patches.
Product of the Week
The Laundress x Aromatherapy Associates Signature Detergent in Deep Relax (€48 at net-a-porter.com)
