Not only are they romantic (and a perfect Valentine’s Day gift), but scented candles can be good for mood, stress levels, overall mental health, and even depression.
Today I look at therapeutic candles and our Beauty Editor puts red lipsticks to the test.
Cheers to Jane Atkinson
NOISE EFFECTS – Subluceo candles are free of paraffin, plastic, and other hidden nasties that can be harmful to your health and the health of the planet.
The rose, sandalwood, and musk are packed with essential oils, but what I love is the crackling wooden wick, which makes a warm and inviting sound when burned.
Perfect for winding down as sandalwood induces relaxation and calm and promotes positive thinking and clarity, and is combined with aromatic musk. £20 for 180ml, burns for 30-35 hours, subluceo.com/store.
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REJUVENATING – Holistic Impact has a range of CBD and essential oil products formulated by osteopath Kemmy Gichaba following her personal journey with anxiety and panic attacks.
The rejuvenating citronella and eucalyptus candle also contains calming wild vetivert.
One study found that participants exposed to lemongrass essential oil had an immediate reduction in anxiety and tension and recovered quickly. It is made with organic coconut wax. The smell lasts for years. £25 for 170ml, burns for about 45 hours, impactholistic.co.uk/.
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PAIN RELIEVING – This candle from wellness pioneer Neal’s Yard Remedies contains essential oils, rose which can relax and even calm the heartbeat and geranium, which has been used to treat health conditions for centuries.
There is scientific data indicating that geranium oil may be beneficial for a number of conditions, including anxiety and depression.
This is very subtle but it lasts for years and the floral scent of roses is stunning. £35 for 190g, burns for around 36 hours, nealsyardremedies.com/.
Beauty with Tara Ledden
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BUDGET – NYX Professional Makeup Shout Loud Satin Lipstick in Red Haute, (£8, lookfantastic.com): I was pleasantly surprised at the color payoff given that it costs less than ten pounds. One swipe gave me full, bold coverage.
The formula was more matte than I expected, but it didn’t settle into cracks or further dehydrate my dry lips thanks to the conditioning ingredients.
But it never completely dried on my lips, so everything they touched ended up with a red imprint. It has a fairly strong fragrance, so if you have sensitive skin, you may find it irritating.
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MEDIUM – Vieve Modern Matte Lipstick in Muse (£19, cultbeauty.co.uk): If anyone knows how to do a good lipstick, it’s makeup artist-turned-influencer Jamie Genevieve.
Her cosmetics line is full of heavy hitters and the signature red lipstick is no different. The Muse shade is a true red so she will suit everyone. The matte finish is long-wearing, if slightly drying, but nothing a good lip balm can’t fix.
It stayed on through lunch and dinner and doesn’t bleed onto the lip in fine lines and wrinkles.
The brand has a matching lip liner, which takes the guesswork out of choosing one with the same shades and made my lips look much more polished.
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LUXURY – Hourglass Confession Ultra-Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick in Red 0 (£35, cultbeauty.co.uk): The ultra-slim stick makes it easy to stay within the lip line and means no lip liner needed – Perfect for nights out when bag space is limited.
It has a satin finish that feels moisturizing and stays put under the mask. The slightly bluish hue makes your teeth look whiter, always an added bonus.
I love that it’s also refillable, so when you hit rock bottom you just need to buy a new insert, instead of replacing the batch.
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