MY HOTTEST MASSAGE SECRET

To those who say the beauty industry is only skin deep, my response is always the same, that they are missing the therapeutic benefits of luxuriating in a tub laced with an oil that lifts your spirits, or the brain-chemical high that comes with ritualistically applying a luxurious face cream. Even more than that, once you’ve had a treatment at the hands of a great therapist - albeit often with a holistic bias - you will know what a profound effect it can have on how you feel.

I stumbled across the latest miracle worker to make it into my black book while undergoing Neal’s Yard Remedies’ new Vitality programme. Essentially an intro to the brand, it consists of a diet and lifestyle consultation with a nutritionist, and a subsequent prescription of the supplements, oils, skin salves and treatments most suited to your needs. While the zesty facial spritz is divine, and the energy-boosting remedies are pepping me up, the most magical part was my Thai massage with Michael Wong (from £55, at Fouberts Place Therapy Rooms; 020 7494 9862). Like most Thai massage therapists, he offers a dynamic, physical treatment, bending your body into yogic contortions to get the deepest stretch possible. But it is his firm touch and personal blend of techniques (he adds sports massage into the mix) that make it such a transformative experience.

He’s had some impressive results on bad backs caused by car accidents, and even claims to have ironed out curved spines. For me, he purged my shoulders of every last gristly knot - something that can rarely, if ever, be done. For more than a week, there was no shoulder twitching or furtive self-massaging of the afflicted zone at my desk, and feeling so corporeally light was, without a doubt, a true mood-enhancer.

TRY 3

MINI SCENTS

Even if you’ve worn a signature scent for decades, try something less cumbersome when travelling. These evoke the holiday mood in appearance and aroma.

A wardrobe of four 100% natural scents. Ilang Ilang is perfect for tropical climes. Tsi-La Natural Collection Eau de Parfum Mini Collection, £55; puresha.com

Dinky sticks of solid perfume - try Litchi Blossom, a kind of sweet-and-sour floral. Crazylibellule and the Poppies, £10; austique.co.uk

From a range of natural perfume oils, this Coral scent is as chic as painted toes peeping out of a pair of Pierre Hardy shoes. Sage Roll-on Oil, £25; hqhair.com

TRY RODIAL ALUMINIUM-FREE BODY DEODORANT (£19; RODIAL.CO.UK) - IT HAS AN INVIGORATING SCENT AND KEPT ALL OUR TESTERS DRY

I usually embark on summer holidays with a case full of unctions, longing for the ease of the return leg, when I’ll have emptied the tubs and tubes and can return several kilos lighter. Share the sentiment? The answer is Dr Bragi Face & Body Salvation. It’s a true saviour for light packers, thanks to the fact that its hydrating marine enzyme formula multitasks as a facial spritz, moisturiser and massage lotion. Its ability to assuage hot and irritated skin means you can leave the aftersun at home, too. £100; victoriahealth.com

Times recommends

• Jamie Oliver's boiling over
• Family homes for the 21st century
• What makes men commit?