A spa day gets your cuticles in order and your pores into shape, sure. But it’s also a fantastic way to relax “ possibly because it’s one of the few times in our lives that we’re actually meant to just sit there. When you can’t splash out the big bucks on a swanky spa, recreate some of the experience at home (eerily calm receptionists not included).
First, set the scene to help you get into the mood. Stock a clutter-free zone with fresh white towels, candles, and magazines. Turn off your phone, press play on your favourite relaxing music, and prepare a pitcher of ice-cold water with lemon. Then try any (or all) of these easy spa-worthy treatments:
The “My Shoes are Too High / My Bag is Too Heavy / My Posture is Terrible” Bath
A bath with epsom salts can work wonders on sore, overworked muscles. Unlike most scented bath salts, epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, which soothes muscles, relaxes the nervous system and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Just pour some into a running bath and add a couple of drops of a calming essential oil such as lavender, rose, or ylang ylang. Once you’re in, grab an extra handful of salts to use as a smoothing scrub on your feet or other rough patches.
The Pore-Shrinking, Super-Relaxing Facial
Start with a mild cleanser to remove your makeup and then use an exfoliator (look for one with alpha hydroxy acids or fruit enzymes to help digest dead skin cells). Then take a page from the real spas and use a hot towel to help open up your pores. Run a hand towel under hot water and squeeze it out.
Once you’ve taken a comfy seat, place the towel right on your face. Follow up with a mask and your favourite moisturizer. For extra spa-points, use cucumber slices on your eyes while you let your mask sit.
The “Your Hands Look Like a Million Bucks” Moisturizing Hand Treatment
Usually, we don’t condone using food when actual beauty products do just fine (I’m all for a bargain, but mayonnaise is for bread, not hair). However, soaking your digits in olive oil will make your hands amazingly soft (and no, you don’t need to use your super-expensive extra-virgin stuff for this, either).
Rub the oil into your nails and cuticles and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse off with hand soap mixed with an exfoliating scrub or some salt, and finish with your usual hand cream.
Have you ever enjoyed a spa day at home? What are some of your favourite treatments?
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