Spa-ring Around at Home

With everything that is going on in the world at the moment, it’s important to recognise that everyone is feeling a little blue. Waves of changing emotions seem to be constantly crashing on our shores, sometimes they take you up, and other times they let you fall, plummeting into rough and stormy waves. 

It’s easy to get lost in the storm, but there are calmer seas ahead. 

With blues to banish, I turn to some serious pampering. Some quality, unashamed, ‘retreating from the world, me-time’.

Seeing as we cannot get to the spa at the moment, or anywhere for that matter, I thought I would bring the spa to home, for those days when you need a little gentle pick-me-up and a beauty-cuddle. 

First things first, let’s set the mood. Soothing sounds and the warm, flickering flames dancing in the dark, from an overload of candles.

It’s facial time - home-style. 

Lets get started by cleansing the day away. I love cleansing balms for a more luxurious feel - but use whatever cleanser you have to hand.

Emma Hardie’s Morninga Cleansing Balm is divine, and Clinique's Take the Day Off Balm is a fab, while The Inkey List’s Oat Cleansing Balm is a wonderful budget-friendly option. 

Next up, it’s time to exfoliate. 

Not only does exfoliation get rid of dead skin cells and unclog pores, it also helps to prevent blemishes, boosts circulation and lymphatic drainage, but it also boosts the efficiency of your other skincare products, by allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin. 

I have been loving The Ordinary’s Peeling Solution, for an acidic exfoliation - I talk more 

about it in this post - it is amazing for getting your skin glowing. 

Lets get steamy!

If you are feeling a little extra, pour some hot water into a bowl and add a couple of drops of essential oils. Try Lavender oil to soothe and calm, or Tea Tree oil, to clear pores and relieve inflammation (especially good if you have a cold or are feeling a little stuffy). 

Cover with a towel to keep the steam in, then dive into your personal steam room, popping your head under the towel and breathe deep. This step helps to open up your pores, allowing any subsequent products to be absorbed more efficiently. 

Masking Around

I love a deep cleansing mask for times like this, one to pull out all the impurities, getting rid of any toxins and bacteria. Clay masks are great for this kind of job, for a couple of affordable options try - L’oreal’s Pure Clay Detox mask - the charcoal works wonders for some deep detoxifying. I have just started using The Inkey List Kaolin Clay Mask, so I will keep you posted

Sit back and relax - cucumber eyes are optional.

Once you have removed your mask grab a toner - if you use one, before moisturising. 

Saving the best till last, it’s time for a facial massage. Your fingers are as good as any tool when it comes to facial massage, but recently I have been loving using a facial roller. Mine is more affordable than some out there, but is fab and it’s a great way of trying out a facial roller, before committing to some of the slightly more expensive ones. 

Use your favourite facial oil (or night cream) and get rolling. A massage (and the roller) will help your skin absorb any serum, cream or oil you have used. 

You want to make sure you are massaging upwards - going against gravity. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil is my favourite for helping your skin’s natural recovery process overnight - I rave about it more here. 

Revolution’s Night Restore Oil is a great affordable alternative. 

Rounding everything off with my own makeshift hot-tub, complete with bubbles and bath oil - the works. 

I am loving switching off from the world, giving myself a couple of hours to unwind and to super-charge my chill-out time.

I would love to know if you have any tips for an at home spa - let me know in the comments! 

xoxo