You don't have to be stranded on a desert island to take full advantage of coconuts. They've fast become one of the most popular ingredients in beauty, buoyed by endorsements from supermodels like Gisele and Miranda Kerr, who swear by the tropical treasure's benefits.

Whether enjoyed as food or used on the skin or hair, coconut has multifunctional beauty perks, according to Alex Thompson, nutritionist at Holland & Barrett. "The small molecular structure of coconut oil allows for easy absorption," Thompson says. "This makes it an ideal ointment for the relief of dry skin, or conditioning hair, but equally it can be eaten on salads or used as cooking oil."

From skincare to scents, coconut fever is in full force. Tempted to get involved? Get cracking and shell out on some of these top picks...

THE SUMMER SCENT

Relive the scent of your vacation in less exotic places, with The Library of Fragrance's Fresh Coconut, £15 (thelibraryoffragrance.com). The cologne has that just-picked-off-the-beach freshness. Just try not to eat it...

THE WONDER OIL

Cold pressed isn't just for green juices. It's the process used to bottle Liha's Idan Oil, from £16 (lihabeauty.co.uk). Infused with a tuberose flower, this divine smelling coconut oil is a multi-use potion you can use from top-to-toe.

THE HAIR TONIC

Post-holiday hair needs some TLC. Treat dry, damaged ends to The Body Shop's Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil, £7 (thebodyshop.co.uk), which can be used to massage your scalp pre-wash, or left on as an overnight treatment.

THE RAW BEAUTY

Enjoy coconut in its purest form (other than straight out of the shell), with Neal's Yard Remedies Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, £9 (nealsyardremedies.com). Raw, unrefined and unbleached, warm between your palms and apply directly to skin for instant nourishment.

THE MIRACLE MILK

Let parched summer hair drink up the OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk range, from £4.50 each (Boots.com). The creamy collection of shampoo, conditioner, serum and oil includes coconut milk to nourish and whipped egg white proteins to help give locks strength and elasticity.

THE EXOTIC ESCAPE

Transport yourself to the Caribbean and envelop skin with the warm, sweet smell of Lavera's Exotic Dream Body Lotion, £8.45 (naturisimo.com). Boost the feel-good factor by using the matching Body Wash first, to layer up the coconut and vanilla scent.

THE FARAWAY SCRUB

Missing the feel of sand on your skin? Get your exfoliation fix in the shower, with Treaclemoon's My Coconut Island Body Scrub, currently reduced to £2.49 from £2.99 (Tesco.com). It even comes complete with inspirational message on the bottle for some bathroom escapism.

THE SKIN SAVIOUR

If your complexion rather resembles the exterior of a coconut, adopt an intensive treatment into your skincare regime, with Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Hydrating Radiance Elixir, £12.99 (hollandandbarrett.com). Apply to the face and neck before moisturising for a replenishing hit of virgin coconut oil and extract.

THE RECOVERY MASQUE

Say goodbye to post-beach bad hair days with Superdrug's Coconut Water & Coconut Oil Masque, currently reduced to £2.66 from £3.99 (Superdrug.com). Substitute your conditioner and leave this to work for two-three minutes before rinsing. To up the intensity, wrap hair up in a warm towel and wait for 10 minutes.

THE COCONUT NUT

First there were carrots, then cucumbers, tomatoes, blueberries and grapefruit, but current flavour of the month is the Yes To Coconut range, with items from £5.99 (Boots.com). Think head-to-toe coconut oil hydration, with lotions and potions to relieve dry skin and restore damaged hair.

TRIED & TESTED

:: Sarah Marshall restores her post-holiday skin with a bespoke facial

"Every time I walk into a department store or turn the pages of a glossy magazine, I'm bombarded with seductive-sounding beauty products. The choice - and pressure to spend - is endless, so I'm relieved when Biologique Recherge facialist Aime Biller promises to give my skin a bespoke workout.

"She picks out products suited to my specific needs, rather than sticking to a one-size-fits-all approach. It's the central ethos behind the French brand, which despite being 35 years old, has only recently launched in the UK. Products containing a high concentration of botanical and marine extracts (and no nasties) are mixed on the spot, turning the spa into more of a science laboratory. Aimee works on half my face at a time (using a very effective skin-pinching exfoliation technique), to illustrate before and after differences with gasp-inducing effect: one side is plumper, fresher and remarkably less sallow after treatment.

"I'm recommended products to use at home - 70% of good skincare is what you do in-between facials, Aimee tells me - and I happily follow up on her advice. I haven't been given the hard sell and, after 90 minutes of custom pampering, my skin has never looked better."

:: Biologique Recherche facials cost from around £100 for 90 minutes. Visit biologiquerechercheuk.co.uk for spa stockists nationwide

BUY IT NOW

If you're ready to pack away your summer bronzers, look to YSL's fall collection. The limited edition 'Pretty Metal' make-up includes Couture Metal Manicure (£25) and Metal Clash Couture Palette Collector (£42.50). Available now at www.yslbeauty.co.uk

BEAUTY BULLETIN

:: NET GAINS

Hold on to your hats, hair nets are back. House of Bath has experienced a sales increase of 43% in the last year, with hair nets ranking in their top 10 bestselling products. The surge has been pointed at a new army of younger hair net fans, who wear them over rollers to perfect their curls. Almost two-thirds (64%) of all deliveries have been made to the Liverpool region, aka the city of big rollers.

:: STEAL OF THE WEEK

Yet to find a beach bag for that holiday? Buy any Calvin Klein Euphoria women's fragrance, from £38, at The Perfume Shop and get a free CK white and metallic tote, while stocks last (www.theperfumeshop.com).