Having a spa day at home might not be your biggest concern at the moment, but it is also a perfectly acceptable response to seek comfort in the control of a beauty routine.
This is not to say you need to turn your bathroom into an elaborate wellness retreat, a spa day at home can be as simple as popping on a sheet mask or investing in a muscle-soothing soak to ease tightness from sitting at your makeshift desk or read-couch all day.
With these, here are some tips on how to create a spa day at your home:
Do A Dry Brushing Season:
Dry brushing increases blood flow and stimulates collagen production, which will help to strengthen your skin. It also dramatically increases elasticity, so it is great for lifting and toning.
So start at the tops of your feet and brushing upward toward the heart and also include the backs of your arms and your back. Do it right before you step into the shower, then proceed with your usual routine.
Load Up on Hot Towels:
Giving yourself a facial? Rather than running back and forth to the sink to wash your face between steps, load up on soft cotton towels. Soak them in hot water, then wiring them out until they are just slightly damp. Use these to clean your face and wipe off any product, just like the professionals do at the spa. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to the water, lavender or eucalyptus are both good options as you will be breathing and getting all of the aromatherapeutic benefits of the oil when applied to your face.
Set The Mood:
Set the mood with candles, soothing music, dim lighting, a cozy robe, a glass of cucumber water…it may sound simple, but these little add-ons are what make even the most mundane beauty rituals feel special and spa-like.
An interesting point about music selection: Pick instrumental songs, rather than tunes with words. The lyrics can trigger subconscious memories, upping your stress level, without you even realizing it.
Masking Your Skin:
There is no doubt that a good face mask is a quintessential skincare indulgence. A DIY version is especially ideal if you are dealing with pesky blemishes. Mix one tablespoon of turmeric, raw honey, and milk (the mixture should be thick, not too runny). Apply all over and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, honey is anti-bacterial, and the lactic acid in the milk gently exfoliates, leaving your complexion clear and glowing.
Showering In A Spa Way:
Even those few minutes you spend under the spray every day can become more like a full-body treatment, simply by changing the temperature of the water. Experiment by switching from hot to cold. This is good for the skin and helps improve blood flow. Think of this at the at-home version of all those spa plunge poo and always end with three-five minutes of neutral temperature water to bring your body temperature back to normal.
For more tips, check out everyday girl here.
Published on HOLR Magazine.