Pampering has by no means cured my depression, but it’s certainly helped me to regain a semblance of control and self-love.

I've been seeing a brilliant counsellor and, for now, this combination is working for me, though I'm aware that many people find antidepressants are the right choice for them. She has introduced me to mindfulness exercises, which I can also turn to when my mood dips, and tells me I have perfectionist tendencies – I beat myself up a lot and often feel like I don’t deserve nice things because I’m a bad person.

She regularly encourages me to be selfish and look after myself, so I will occasionally buy that Chanel lipstick and push myself into my overdraft; I will also occasionally lock my long-suffering boyfriend out of the bathroom for hours because I want to have a bath and then dye my hair and then slap on a face mask afterwards.

Without trying to sound like a self-help manual, when you feel you’ve lost yourself, it could help to remove yourself from the situation. Sometimes it could be as simple as painting your nails to perfection, slathering on the moisturiser or dousing yourself in a scent that takes you back to your childhood – whatever makes you feel ‘normal.’

If all else fails, I like to remember that a bottle of Radox costs £1 and you can always find 30 spare minutes in your day to have a bath. It’s not selfish or vacuous: for me, it’s essential.

Images: Grace Howard / iStock

“How beauty rituals help me manage my depression”