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Packing can be difficult at the best of times, but assembling your hospital bag ahead of your due date is perhaps even more daunting. The task of balancing essentials with must-have home comforts and your baby's first necessities is difficult, especially if it's your first. How many changes of underwear will you need? How many towels? And just how long will you be staying? All absolute unknowns.
So, for Grazia's first Motherhood Beauty Awards, we dedicated a category to the ultimate hospital bag must-have, and who better to task with selecting the winner than esteemed judge Millie Mackintosh. Millie was quick to hit on her standout victor, and it's no ordinary buy.
The Neom Wellbeing Mini Pod Diffuser, £50, works to ease stress, help with sleep and lift your mood, all at the touch of a button. The device envelopes your room with soothing aromatherapy scents, choose from essential oil blends like Neom's The Scent to Calm and Relax - a floral blend of ylang ylang, frankincense and patchouli - or The Scent to De-Stress - heady wild rose and neroli - for a moment of serenity.
'Pour some water and a few drops of your chosen oil into this diffuser and it fills the room with scent. I used this during both births to help me relax.'
It was such a hit with Millie that she used the diffuser during the births of both daughters Sienna and Aurelia. 'Pour some water and a few drops of your chosen oil into this diffuser,' says Millie, 'and it fills the room with scent. I used this during both births to help me relax'.
READ MORE: The Best Bathtime Products For Kids That Are Gentle And Nourishing
To see and shop the rest of the Motherhood Award winners as chosen by Grazia's panel of judges Candice Brathwaite, Sarah Tarleton, Anna Whitehouse AKA Mother Pukka, Grazia's Acting Senior Editor Maria Lally, and of course Millie herself, scroll on down:
Main Image Credit: Instagram @milliemackintosh
These Are The Winners Of Grazia's Motherhood Beauty Awards 2022
BROWSE: Grazia's Motherhood Beauty Awards 2022 Winners
1 of 13Votary Radiance Reveal Mask, £55
Category: Does-It-All Face Mask****Judge: Candice Brathwaite'Votary comes out on top because it's thick, feels luxurious and leaves my skin looking plump and hydrated. It also washes off easily, which is a plus.'
2 of 13Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer, £25
Category: Exhaustion Cancelling Conealer****Judge: Sarah Tarleton'Medium coverage and comfortably lightweight, I love how easy this is to use, and a little goes a long way. On good skin days, I'd use this in lieu of foundation.'
3 of 13Charlotte Mensah Manketti Hair Oil,
Category: Easy Hair Styler****Judge: Maria Lally 'My hair is thick, wavy and prone to frizz (times that by 10 if it's rainy or humid). This oil, full of hair-nourishing goodies, tamed the frizz and left my hair soft and shiny.'
4 of 13Dr Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum, £110
Category: The Glow Giver****Judge: Candice Brathwaite'Unlike other serums, this isn't tacky or too thick, so it sits well under make-up - which is important, as often it can lead to rolling build-up, which just isn't cute.'
5 of 13Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation, £51
Category: Best Base****Judge: Anna Whitehouse'This glides on like a dream, is lightweight, doesn't gather in wrinkles and leaves you looking dewy. I love a quick make-up routine and this was ideal for popping on for the school run or date night.'
6 of 13MAC Magic Extensions Mascara, £20
Category: Budge-Proof Mascara****Judge: Sarah Tarleton'Length, volume, clump-free - it's my new favourite mascara. This delivers all the benefits, without the need for multiple coats.'
7 of 13Glossier Ultralip, £14
Category: Make-up Multitasker****Judge: Candice Brathwaite'As a Black woman, I like to outline my lips in a slightly darker shade then fill them with a rich pop of colour. Ultralip in Fête and Coupe are brilliantly bright but low-maintenance and glossy but not tacky.'
8 of 13Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, £44
Category: Body Hero Judge: Sarah Tarleton'Disclaimer: this has been one of my hero products for years! The smell of Sol products instantly transports me to somewhere sunny and exotic. It makes my skin feel silky smooth and look more radiant too.'
9 of 13L'Oréal Paris Magic Retouch Root Concealer Spray, £8.99
Category: Root Eraser****Judge: Maria Lally'Like a trip to my colourist in a can. The smattering of greys along my parting were given an even, well-blended coverage that set in just one minute.'
10 of 13NIOXIN Recharging Complex Supplements, £44.60
Category: Supplement Saviour****Judge: Anna Whitehouse'I've always been sceptical of supplements offering magical transformations but, after three weeks of these, my postpartum hair really was stronger and glossier. And the glow wasn't a superficial radiance - people were telling me, 'You look well.'
11 of 13This Works Baby Sleep Bedtime Ritual, £25
Category: Most Beloved Baby Range****Judge: Millie Mackintosh 'I love every product in the range. Bottom Balm is a great size for your out-and-about changing bag, while the Massage Oil is perfect for bedtime - so soothing for both baby and mama.'
12 of 13NEOM The Wellbeing Pod Mini Diffuser, £50
Category: Hospital Bag Must-Have****Judge: Millie Mackintosh'Pour some water and a few drops of your chosen oil into this diffuser and it fills the room with scent. I used this during both births to help me relax.'
13 of 13Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm, £12
Category: Nipple Balm BFF****Judge: Millie Mackintosh'I used this way before I was a mama as a lip balm. But it's so brilliant to use while breastfeeding, to soothe and nourish chapped, dry and sensitive nipples. An absolute must for my handbag.'
READ MORE: How To Sleep Better When You're An Anxious Parent