By Stephanie Darling
Stephanie Darling tracks down some seductive stocking stuff ers and has an all-encompassing Vichy Shower treatment.
Trend
Fragrant Finds All I want for Christmas is a new signature scent – and one for the men in my life. Do I opt for the delicate woody frolic from Mr Jacobs or the bespoke breezy scent from the loved-up couple at Altaia? And for the boys, I simply can't go past Gucci's supremely collectable lavender, lemon and cedar mix.
Perfumes are all the rage this Christmas.Credit: Jalag / Sunshine, David
Cult following
Guerlain has released a holiday version of its beloved Météorites – fragrant little pearl baubles that create a delicate all-over glow when dusted over your favourite foundation. Th e gold illuminates, the blue disguises pigment and the pink adds definition. Guerlain Holiday Collection Météorites Pearls, $84, davidjones.com.au. Lush.
Road test
This week we try ... Vichy Shower Treatment
Altaia Yu Son (EDP, 100ml), $277. Marc Jacobs Decadence One Eight K Edition (EDP, 100ml), $195. Gucci Guilty Pour Homme Platinum Edition (EDT 90ml), $125, 1800 651 146. Credit: Jennifer Soo
The lowdown I am making the pilgrimage to the Gillian Adams Salon & Spa in Turramurra, Sydney, and really looking forward to shutting out the world for a while in a watery bubble. Its signature Vichy Shower treatment combines water therapy with a supremely relaxing massage performed by my therapist, Ashleigh. First up, she exfoliates my body while the wonderfully relaxing roaming aqua jets drench me at different pressure points – the sensation of the perfectly regulated jets tracking over my body is out of this world. Once the water therapy finishes I am dried off , then Babor's hydrating Lifting Body Cream is massaged into my pliant skin.
Pleasure factor 10 out of 10.
Downtime Fifty minutes.
Results This treatment leaves me feeling completely zoned out and my skin feels silky smooth and wonderfully hydrated. Where to get it Sydney: Gillian Adams Salon & Spa, gillianadams.com.
Guerlain HolidayCollection Météorites Pearls, $84, davidjones.com.au.Credit: Jennifer Soo
Cost: $200. Melbourne: Duquessa Clinic & Spa, duquessa.com.au. Cost: $340 for 2½ hours. At home Try Babor Balancing Cashmere Wood Soothing Body Oil, a great sugar oil-based body exfoliant. It costs $70 for 200ml from au.babor.com.
Ask Stephanie
How do I pick the perfect red lipstick?
If you are fair-skinned, choose a cooler red with a blue base such as Nars Lipstick in Scarlett Empress ($40, mecca.com.au). If you're olive-skinned, go for orange-based reds like Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy in Daring ($52, esteelauder.com.au).
Send beauty questions to stephanie@darlingbeauty.com.au