Guest Blog - Lisa Stokes. Make-up, beauty and skincare specialist.
An expert in make-up, skincare and beauty, with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Lisa Stokes is a regular contributor to the beauty pages of various high-profile magazines and is a regular on The Huffington Post, and The Guardian. She has a passion for scented candles and home fragrance so we asked Lisa to pick her favourites from the ranges available at Heal’s:
Diptyque started it. I remember the first time I smelt Tuberose. The intense, comforting smell of fresh rose petals. It took me back to my younger days, making rose water in the garden. That was my first experience of a luxury, scented candle. Now, I’m hooked. I’m an out and out scented candle addict. For me they not only change the whole ambience of a room, they can actually change my mood, lift my spirits. Often, if I’m working with an anxious actor or celebrity, I’ll burn a mini relaxing candle in the dressing room just before they go on set. It works. It creates an aromatherapy air of calm. When I travel I take them with me, they remind me of home.
I choose different scents for different rooms and seasons. For winter I love the cosy scents of cinnamon, cloves and figs. In spring, I go floral, rose and bergamot. Neroli takes me to the fresh Mediterranean scents of summer. Year round my bathroom alternates between relaxing lavender and uplifting jasmine. My downstairs loo... anything. A scented candle can turn a loo from cold and functional to, actually quite a nice place to be.
Scented candles are my gift of choice this Christmas. Ditch the bubble bath gift set and instead opt for the tasteful affordable luxury of a scented candle. Here are 10 of my favourites available from Heal's.
1. Neom Organics, Scented Candle Pampering Trio, £40.00
Top notes of lavender and jasmine, ginger and Moroccan rose. 20 hours burning time.
2. Molton Brown, Verve Piccolo Candela Set, £42.00
Four uplifting scents containing a combination of essential oils, set in hand blown green and yellow glass cases. 20 hours burning time.
3. Heal's Botanical Rose Scented Candle Range, from £14.00
Strong scent of fresh rose, hand poured with embedded dried rose petals.
4. Cowshed Wild Cow Invigorating Room Candle, £30.00
Top notes of lemongrass, ginger and rosemary. Vegan. 60 hours burning.
5. Neom Christmas Candle, £40.00
Christmasy scents of Cinnamon, Ginger and Tonka Bean. 55 hours burning time.
6. Diptyque, Tuberose, £38.00
Intense natural rose, 50-60 hours burning time.
7. Heal's Botanical Lavender and Vanilla, from £14.00
Fresh relaxing lavender and sweet vanilla, hand poured with embedded dried lavender pods.
8. Acqua di Parma Colonia, £47.00
Fresh Sicilian citrus notes, with undertones of sandalwood and cedar.
9. Miller Harris Citron from £10.00
Fresh orange and Jamaican Lime.
10. Orla Kiely, Fig Tree Candle, £24.00
Fig, citrus and lavender, set in an Orla Kiely Spot Stem print glass jar.
Over the past decade Lisa Stokes has established herself as one of the UK’s leading make up artists, working with celebrities including Kate Moss, Gemma Arterton, Juliette Lewis, and Daniel Craig. Her editorial and fashion clients include In Style, Grazia, Guardian Weekend, Marie Claire, and Elle. Lisa has also created looks at London Fashion Week and red carpet events such as Elle Style, Glamour, The Brit Awards and The Baftas.
