AS good for your mood as they are for your body, baths can become addictive in winter, but that's no bad thing.
The four essential ingredients for a super soak?
You'll need a candle, soothing music or a podcast, wine (or tea if you're abstaining this month), and something delightfully fragranced to pour into the steaming tub.
Turn your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary with these bathing beauties...
ESSENTIAL OILS
The most luxurious way to scent your soak, bath oils dissipate in hot water, releasing the fragrance and creating a moisturising film that clings to your skin.
They may be more expensive, but you only need a splash, and the potent aroma of essential oils can be invigorating (citrus and ginger) or slumber-inducing (lavender works wonders before bed).
:: TempleSpa Drift Away Bathing and Massage Oil, £25 (www.templespa.com)
:: Neom Energy Burst Bath & Shower Drops, £40 (www.neomorganics.com)
:: This Works Deep Sleep Bath Oil, £80 (www.thisworks.com)
SPRINKLING OF SALT
If soothing aching limbs and cold symptoms is your top priority in the tub, bath salts are what you need.
A capful of the clever crystals in a hot bath will relieve muscle tension, plus the salt draws out moisture to reduce bloating (result!), while the vapours help clear airways.
:: Mandara Spa Oriental Retreat Bath Salts with Cedarwood and Sweet Orange, £8, Sainsbury's (www.sainsburys.co.uk)
:: Kneipp Eucalyptus Cold & Flu Mineral Bath Salt, £8.95 (FeelUnique.com)
:: Bloomtown Botanicals The Woods Pink Himalayan Bath Salts, £10 (Etsy.com)
WHEN IN FOAM...
For the ultimate in relaxation, a frothy bubble bath will make you feel like you're floating on a cloud.
Lavish, oil-infused bath foams offer skin-softening properties too - but if you're feeling the pinch this month, cheap-as-chips bubble bath will do the trick.
:: Lollia Dream White Tea & Honeysuckle Bubbling Bath, £59 (CuratedLiving.co.uk)
:: Humble Bath Honey Rose & Frankincense, £12, Waitrose (www.waitrose.com)
:: Little Soap Company Pure English Lavender Bubble Bath and Pure Rose Geranium Bubble Bath, £5.99 each (www.littlesoapcompany.co.uk)
MAGIC LOTIONS
Prolong that post-bath Zen by lathering up with a body lotion – particularly important if you're partial to a piping hot soak that can leave your skin dry.
Gourmand scents, like vanilla and tonka bean, are real mood-boosters, while ingredients like shea butter and argan oil will soften and restore moisture.
:: Gaia Awakening Body Cream, £38 (www.gaia-spa.co.uk)
:: Liz Earle Superskin Body Cream, £33 (www.lizearle.com)
:: Soaper Duper Shea Butter Body Butter with Tahiti Monoi, Macadamia Oil & Pressed Vanilla Pods, £10, Tesco (available February; www.tesco.com)
TRIED AND TESTED
:: This beauty-boosting supplement's been getting rave reviews. Laura Wurzel puts it to the test, to see if it lives up to the hype...
"The two months I took Beauty Beneath - a supplement containing 'an expert blend of phyto-nutrients' including Lycopene, vitamins C and E, plus Biotin, Marine Collagen and Omegas 3 and 6, which promises to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles - were the perfect testing conditions: First there was the gloomy weather, and I was going through two very stressful life changes – buying a new house and changing jobs. Usually, these things would really 'show' on my face, yet this time, they didn't seem to affect my skin. I took the two capsules a day, as instructed, and even after several sleepless nights, there were no new wrinkles around my eyes, and the ones I did have seemed to reduce in appearance. There was also a marked improvement in the fine lines around my face overall. My skin felt super-smooth and soft too, and apart from a few spots around my chin, my complexion was very clear. Compared to the results I've had with expensive face creams and serums, these pills are worth every penny."
:: Beauty Beneath, £39.99 for 60 capsules, Boots (www.boots.com)
BUY IT NOW
It's a match made in technicolour heaven: Clinique has teamed up with Crayola to bring you 10 lip balm Chubby Sticks in crayon-bright shades, like Mango Tango and Mauvelous. Available in full size, £17.50 each, or a box of eight adorable minis, £35, that evokes the childhood joy of opening a fresh pack of crayons.
:: Clinique Crayola Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Razzmatazz, £17.50 (www.clinique.co.uk)
BEAUTY BULLETIN
:: GWEN'S MADE UP WITH HER NEW ROLE
Revlon has announced its newest global brand ambassador is Gwen Stefani. The chart-topping singer, fashion designer and entrepreneur, who's rarely seen without her signature red lipstick, will feature in campaigns and spread the brand's 'Choose Love' message. Stefani commented: "I am passionate about make-up and how it can showcase your individuality and creativity. Partnering with an iconic beauty brand such as Revlon felt like a natural fit."
STEAL OF THE WEEK
The latest addition to Superdrug's affordable but effective Optimum family is PhytoFreeze, which harnesses Swiss Ice Wine to lift and firm the skin. Available as a Face & Neck Cream, £14.99, and Eye Cream, £12.99 – snap them both up in the buy-one-get-one-free offer running until February 7 (www.superdrug.com).
:: Superdrug Optimum PhytoFreeze Ice Wine Face And Neck Cream, £14.99, and Eye Cream, £12.99 (www.superdrug.com)
