Lavender mice

Hedgerow Herbals ZZZZ Can't Sleep? Relax bath and body oil

THE EXPERT SECRET BUYING ORGANIC BEAUTY

It gets busier and more confusing by the day, but it is possible to find genuine products in the organic beauty sector. As a basic guide, buy products made with natural (ideally Fairtrade), organically grown ingredients (no parabens, phthalates, synthetic preservatives, petrochemicals and SLSs) which do not harm the environment or the body, and have recyclable packaging. These contain certified organic ingredients:

Jo Wood Organics Amka eau de toilette A steadfast organic supporter, Wood’s beautiful scent is made with sustainably sourced organic oils of rose otto, green mandarin, jasmine and neroli. £35.24, jowoodorganics.com.

Hedgerow Herbals ZZZZ Can’t Sleep? Relax bath and body oil A mix of organic lavender, vetiver and camomile oils from a range for sensitive skins that ticks the organic boxes. £10, hedgerowherbals.com.

THE SCENT Diptyque L’Eau de Tarocco

The perfect summer scent, Diptyque’s latest is a rather fruity cologne. A tantalising mix of grapefruit and Florida oranges with tarocco essence, a sprinkling of cinnamon, rose, saffron and Somali frankincense, this has a lot more depth than most colognes. Try at Diptyque’s new boutique at 37 Brook Street, London W1. £75, 020-7495 8464.

THE WEBSITE THEBRIDALARTISTS.CO.UK

A good resource for brides (and their mothers), this site has a search engine of make-up artists, so you can locate your nearest professional without having to trawl through the Yellow Pages. You can also email the site founders with questions on bridal make-up – they are practising artists and will happily recommend cosmetics.

THE COMEBACK ALOE VERA

Remember when aloe vera was touted as a cure for everything from coughs to sunburn? Well, it is a versatile healer, with cleansing and digestion balance properties; but it went out of fashion because it is not usually palatable. This one, by Pukka Herbs, is appetising because it is made only with gel from the inner leaf, not the bitter outer rind. £14.96, pukkaherbs.com.

THE NOVELTY LAVENDER MICE

Knitted by Laura Long, these mice are stuffed with English lavender and sit happily in a sock or knicker drawer. If you find lavender a little bit elderly, you can order the mice with a different stuffing (ask for uplifting lemon verbena or mint), and when the scent fades drop aromatherapy oil on them to perk it up. £10, lauralong.co.uk.