IT’S Valentine’s Day on Thursday and Neal’s Yard Remedies have come up with a romantic beauty treat. Their Message in a Bottle limited edition gift box includes vanilla and vetiver massage oil, so you and your loved one can enjoy a sensual massage as part of your Valentine’s celebrations. And the set contains a unique way to send your own romantic love message . . . each box comes with an empty 30ml bottle, so you can write a personalised love message and pop it inside. Customers can handwrite messages in-store — there’s a Neal’s Yard store in Newcastle’s Windows arcade and the range is also sold in selected department stores around the region — so they can be rolled into a scroll and placed into the bottle before the box is packed in its sleeve. The aromatic, sweet and spicy scent of vanilla and vetiver has been blended with spicy pink pepper, beautiful rose, exotic ylang ylang and uplifting geranium. To add to the romantic mood, the box contains an exotic vetiver candle, known for its woody scent and balancing and restorative qualities. Neal’s Yard is also offering a naturally aphrodisiac herbal formula. According to the company’s leading herbalists, top tips for a passionate Valentine’s Day include taking Damiana and Wolfberry Formula, for its stimulating effect on the libido. This combination of tonics, including damiana, ginseng, shizandra and wolfberry, is a natural remedy that is claimed to help increase libido and retain stamina and sexual vitality, and is suitable for men and women. Simply add to a small glass of water and drink. Damiana & Wolfberry Formula is priced at £6 for 100ml, but is not suitable to take during pregnancy. Order online at www.nealsyardremedies.com or telephone 0845-262 3145 for mail order. INSOMNIACS everywhere will be interested in Soap & Glory’s new “Trick and Treatment”, £8.99 and available from Boots. We asked our tester Caroline Smith, a serial light sleeper, to try it out. She said: “Reading the blurb for this product, I thought all my prayers had been answered . . . a double action under-eye concealer, which also promises to tackle the causes of dark circles and claims to be clinically proven in reducing said circles. “As someone with shadows so dark I occasionally look like I am sporting two shiners, I was more than keen to get my mitts on one of these miracle workers. “As a concealer, it serves its purpose. The yellowy-tinged creamy formula did tone down my panda eyes but, as for zapping them completely, my quest continues. Then again, I have only been using it a week, so perhaps it just needs a little longer to work.” CAROLINE also tested Nailene’s Hard & Healthy French Tip Pen Kit, £3.99, consisting of a base colour, white tip pen and gloss polish and tip guides . . . and promising to deliver professional salon results. She said: “I did find the pen easier to use than a traditional polish, which made for a neater overall look. I dispensed with the tip guides as they proved more of a hindrance than a help. “If you’re a fan of the natural look, this kit isn’t for you . . . the pen creates Tippex-style bright white tips, but it was hard-wearing and stayed put without chipping for a good few days.” | 
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