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My good friend Emilio is forever flying the flag for his native Greece. The closest I’ve been to exploring the Greek isles is dining at Cyprianis Restaurant in South Croydon, but with Emilio’s persistent patriotic devotion and promotion of all things Greek, I’ve always been curious to explore the Greek culture for myself. With Croydon’s Greek offering tantalising my tastebuds, Emilio’s dishy Grecian looks acting as eye candy, and a picturesque postcard of the Kefalonian beaches from my godmother sitting on our mantelpiece, its only natural that I experience Greece in the way I know best: beauty.

Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, is becoming an all too familiar mention on Trend Life, but the gal really does wave her magic wand for me and grant me with some superb gems. Aphrodite and Emilio were born for careers in PR; and as a duo, their consistent plugs of Greece have well and truly won me over.

And with that, I bypassed check-in, baggage control and duty free, and forfeited a holiday to the promised lands, and instead logged on to  www.paparuna.com who offer a range of gorgeously Greek natural olive oil cosmetics from Macrovita and Olivelia. Indeed, the cosmetic properties of olive oil are on the wishlist of girls across the globe as inclusive of intensive cell stimulating, anti-inflamamatory and antibacterial, olive oil also has a moisturizing effect on the human skin.

Macrovita Body Butter is simply divine and applying it after each shower has left my skin luxuriously soft and scented, hydrated, nourished and revitalised. Mummy is in on the Greek act too, as she’s been using the Olivelia Time Repair Cream, a moisturising balm suitable for all skin types which tightens and uplifts her skin, reinforcing defence against ageing. In fact, some say that since DBL’s use of the cream, we look more like sisters. Upon using the Macrovita Active Formula 24 hours face cream, I sided with our beauty critics as its regenerative and anti-wrinkle properties of rice and rice proteins combine with the hydrating properties of cupuaçù oil, sugars, aloe and glycerine, nourishing avocado and revitalising beer yeast to firm slack skin and eliminate thin lines and skin blemishes.

Tired from Emilio running through my mind, the Macrovita Extra Strength Cream helps to fight my signs of exhaustion, whilst also improving skin elasticity and hydrating and nourishing my skin.

All in all my latest Greek acquisition smells and looks absolutely gorgeous, and no Giorgos, I’m not talking about you.

www.paparuna.com

In 1966, The Temptations had a hit single with ‘Beauty Is Only Skin Deep.’ Unfortunately, I was 24 years too late to bust a groove to this funky number but their message that beauty comes from within continues to be fitting as centuries pass. Indeed, I blub during Utterly Butterly adverts, my heart melts when I see a dad give his son a high five, and the little old ladies at the zebra crossing get me every time; I am, it seems, a sensitive soul. I therefore channel my innermost being to my outer beauty regime, by using Senzimi’s range of natural skin and haircare products formulated for sensitive, irritable skin.

Morning and night, I am religious about cleansing my skin using gentle products so as not to disrupt my skin’s balance. Senzimi’s Sensitive Cleanser is thus the perfect product to wipe away surface dirt and impurities without stripping skin of its natural oils. Its Jojoba Oil unclogs pores and helps restore the skin’s pH balance, leaving it soft plump and supple, while the hydrating aloe vera and soothing chamomile calms inflamed skin. In using this facial formula, my skin feels caressed, cleansed and confident.

Moisturising is of course, a fundamental procedure when you’re a sensitive sista like me. Senzimi’s Sensitive Moisturiser is both light and easily absorbed, and contains aloe vera, cucumber, rosehip, oat extract and argan oil to protect and refine. Its soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-irritating herbal extracts encourage skin-rehydration.

My mane is made up of strands of sensitivity; Senzimi’s Sensitive Shampoo and Conditioner therefore tend to my tresses and soothe my sensitive scalp. Enriched with vitamin B12 and wheat protein, both help repair dry and damaged hair, whilst natural active ingredients derived from meadowfoam oil improves sheen and the feel of hair, leaving it untangled and smooth.  Neem oil is active in helping heal various dry skin conditions.

In 1968, The Temptations had another hit single with ‘Cloud Nine’. Unfortunately, I was 22 years too late to bop to this anthem, but, I regularly join the Emperors of Soul on said cloud, because that’s where I am transported to everytime I use Senzimi.

Sensitive Cleanser - £13.99

Sensitive Moisturiser - £15.99

Sensitive Shampoo - £11.99

Sensitive Conditioner - £11.99

www.senzimi-skincare.com

A die-hard devotee and long time fan of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion, my loyalties will forever lay with what I perceive to be the best moisturiser on the market. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter softens, smoothes and relieves dry skin whilst also smoothing and blending marks to create a toned appearance. I find the fragrance simply divine as its cocoa scent does wonders for my chocolate cravings but there is also a fragrance free formula available if the smell is not to your taste. With such a substantial and inexpensive range to cater for hand and body, pregnancy, lips, scars, facial and hair care, Palmer’s really does answer our beauty prayers.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion and the rest of their range are available nationwide in stores including Boots, Superdrug, Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Ocado.

£3.77

uk.palmers.com/

If you’re dreaming of that holiday feeling but not able to jet away this summer, then the Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt by Elemis with its frangipani scent will invoke holidays in the South Pacific.

A deeply hydrating hair and body moisturising oil that is proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles by 19% and increase hydration levels by 10% after only fifteen days of use.

£29.00

www.cultbeauty.co.uk

Simple face wipes are one of my beauty must haves.

They’re gentle and moisturising on my sensitive skin but there is a lot more to the range than ‘simply’ their skin wipes.

The new Kind to Skin Sun-kissed Moisture Cream is a blend of vitamin goodness and gentle tanning agents which provide daily moisture and gradually build a light, natural tan. It's perfect for even sensitive skin.

Price: £4.99

Available from Boots, Superdrug and other supermarket retailers

There’s nothing more frustrating than shaving your legs ready for those summer shorts only to not have them feel as silky smooth by the end of the day. Veet’s new Hair Minimising Body Moisturiser helps to slow down the hair growth retaining the smooth, just shaved feel for longer.

The unique ProMinimise™ formulation contains natural botanical extracts that are known to inhibit hair follicle activity and noticeably slow down the appearance of hair re-growth. This means that silky smooth feeling is prolonged and you can remove hair less often.

£4.99 for 250ml

Available from Boots stores nationwide

One of my favourites beauty buys is Palmers Moisturiser. It’s highly moisturising and has a gorgeous rich scent.

They now have two new products that have launched for summer. The first, the Palmers Swivel Stick is like a very large lip balm that can be used not only for dry lips but also to moisturise any dry patches on the face, hands or elbows and is perfect for popping in your bag when you go on your holidays.

The second is their Natural Bronze, a light gradual tanner that is highly moisturising and when used every day builds up a natural and even looking tan. Perfect for when you have a sunny spell and want to don those denim shorts but your pins are a little too pasty.

Palmer’s Swivel Stick - £2.49

Palmer’s Gradual Tanner - £4.88

Available from Boots, Superdrug and independent chemists

Egyptian Magic skin cream is a brand new must have product that has celebrity fans in Kate Hudson, Selma Blair and Brooke Shields.

A brilliant multi-purpose beauty balm that can be used to improve your complexion, heal scars and bruises and relieve chapped skin. It contains olive oil, bees wax and honey which not only helps to speed up healing but also softens and moisturises the skin.

Simply warm a small amount between your palms as it turns into an oil and watch as it melts into your skin leaving your skin moisturised and glowing.

If the celeb fan base is anything to go by, then it won’t be long before Egyptian Magic will be top of everyone’s beauty list.

Price: £32.99 for 118mls

Available from Revital stores nationwide, www.revital.co.uk or call Vital Life direct on 0207 720 1441

When packing toiletries for the summer vacation, the biggest problem I find is downsizing all my products, moisturisers and make-up removers, which is why I was excited to find that British Classic ASTRAL is actually a brilliant multi-tasking product.

ASTRAL is practically an institution in beauty terms. Launched in 1950 and loved by celebrities like Joanna Lumley and Twiggy, it’s brilliant at moisturising traditionally dry areas like elbows, nails and heels. It’s also excellent at multi-tasking as an after sun lotion, cleanser and make-up remover.

With a ‘handbag’ sized pot of 50ml, ASTRAL is perfect for taking away with you on holiday or to a festival and will take up no space at all.

Astral is available in Superdrug, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Boots, Tesco and all good chemists

50ml - £1.49 / 200ml - £4.19 / 500ml - £7.99

www.superdrug.com

Sudocrem, the original baby’s nappy cream has become a celeb skincare ‘must-have’ for its gentle and soothing properties.

Loved by celebs like Cheryl Cole and Kimberley Walsh, Sudocrem’s Antiseptic Healing Cream is brilliant for soothing irritations and keeping moisture in.

However, the familiar grey and red tub is inconvenient and unsightly for use on the go which is why the newly launched 30g sized Sudocrem Skincare Cream tube is the perfect size for keeping in your handbag.

It now comes in a convenient chic white tube, with all the same healing properties as the original but just easier to use on the go.

Sudocrem Skin Care Cream - £2.11 for a 30g tube

Available from pharmacies and major retailers nationwide