Struggling to get up in the morning now it is getting darker? We find seven shower gels to wake you up
Apivita Ginger, Lime and Green Tea Energy Shower Gel
Sounds as if it would be great with your chicken and is in fact a refreshing gel that will certainly have you singing in the shower. With a strong scent, there are small bubbles inside the gel that burst as you work up a foam making it feel almost like a scrub.
Tones and enriches the skin with vitamins C and E. The scent lingers after a shower and if you want to keep awake throughout the day, you can make it stronger with a body milk or eau de toilette with the same fragrance.
Price: £6.25 for 250ml
Available from: selected pharmacies
Wake Up Imperial Leather Foamburst
I was expecting this to work something like a hair mousse so was a bit surprised by the green gel that came out. However, on applying to the body it works the same way as shaving foam, so all of a sudden you’re covered in refreshing, creamy white foam, which is easy to use. The packaging promises more than 40 washes and it is easy to make a little bit go a long way.
Lightly scented with lime and cucumber that gently wakes you up and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
Price: £1.99 for 200ml
Available from: supermarkets
Crabtree & Evelyn Pink Grapefruit and Cucumber Shower Mousse
Part of the brand’s new botanics range, this actually does come out like a hair mousse. You need quite a handful of this light foam for a decent wash. It is lightly scented and leaves the body feeling as if it has been buffed all day.
The luxurious feel of it helps to wake you up with style. Contains moisturising glycerine and skin-nourishing amino acids from apples and wheat proteins. The grapefruit and cucumber help to tone and detoxify. Great for a treat or present.
Price: £10 for 200ml
Available from: Crabtree & Evelyn, Tel: 25 370500
Radox Awaken Shower Gel
Points have got to be given to Radox for the new hook – a definite favourite with my husband as it does not drip when left upsidedown with the cap open.
With quite a strong aroma of citrus fruit, this is a little sharp but certainly does the job when you are feeling sleepy in the morning. The orange gel foams up easily. Incredibly, Radox has been around for 50 years and has come a long way since gaining renown for its relaxing bubble bath. This gel also offers skin conditioners, is pH balanced and dermatologically tested. A great bargain buy.
Price: £1.40 for 250ml
Available from: supermarkets
Body Farm Grapefruit Body Shower
I’m a sucker for anything grapefruit and this shower gel has the feeling that you are almost bursting out of one. A strong scent that leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth for the rest of the day. Sure enough, it is enriched with jojoba and aloe extracts. The fragrance lingers throughout the day too. One of my favourites and a sure way to wake you up in the morning. “It does it for me,” as the man in the shop said.
Price: £3.95 for 250ml
Available from: Bio Natural (Nicosia). Tel: 77777727
Nivea Energy Line Isotonic Care Shower
The packaging of this is definitely the most masculine and the gel itself is actually grey. But don’t let that put you off (even if you are a bloke). The gel is creamy and quickly works up into a rich foam with a pleasant, sharp smell that should jerk you out of your torpor.
It is also recommended for use after exercise. According to the packaging, Nivea Energy Line products will liven and freshen you up. Used repeatedly, this will also soften your skin. Provitamin B and lemon extracts protect the skin’s natural moisture.
Price: £ for 250ml
Available from supermarkets
Body Shop Uplifting Mandarin Body Wash
While all the shower gels we tested seem to have included extracts from one citrus fruit or another, there is no mistaking the mandarin in this. It will not only wake you up but also anyone using the bathroom after you. The bottle says the smell will clear the mind, and I would go along with that.
Although you do need a little bit more product that with other gels, it leaves your skin feeling fresh and smelling great. Perfect for when you get out of bed on the wrong side, the Body Shop says. Perhaps I’ll recommend my husband use it!
Price: £5 for 250ml
Available from: The Body Shop, Nicosia (Tel: 22) and Limassol (Tel: 25 747741)
