[Updated 14 February 2021]
Every now and then, we love treating ourselves to a relaxing day at the spa. The moment we step into a calming atmosphere with soothing ambient music, it's our little 'me-time' to escape from our everyday stresses while pausing ourselves from thinking about work.
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Now that we're staying safe at home, a trip to the spa is best saved for a later time. Don't worry, that doesn't mean the spa can't come to you! There are many easy ways to have a spa session at home. Whether you're in need of a facial or body scrub, you can do it all in the comfort of your home.
1. Set the mood
The first step to feeling like you're relaxing in a spa is to set the mood. Choose a quiet room that brings the most relaxation to you - the bedroom is a good start! Then, light up your favourite scented candle (place it on a clear table or bookshelf and away from your cat's reach), dim or turn off the lights and play some soothing ambient music. If you can't decide on the songs you like, Spotify has a playlist dedicated to Spa & Massage. Prepare to doze off while listening to it.
2. Enjoy a warm shower and body scrub
Nothing gets the body ready like a relaxing shower, and it doesn't matter you if like it warm or cold (everyone has their preference). Taking a shower is more than just a daily routine. It keeps your mind and body at ease, awakens you with a boost of energy, helps to increase alertness and keeps your stress level to a minimum. If you have extra hotel shampoo and shower gel from your last trip, it's time to use it because there's no point in saving it. This time, focus on being present and enjoy every drop of rejuvenation. Take it a step further by treating yourself to a body scrub. It helps to remove dead skin cells and impurities as well as keeping your body nice and smooth.
3. Nourish your scalp
You don't need a trip to the spa or hair salon to enjoy a scalp massage. In fact, you can do it on your own! One of the perks of maintaining a healthy scalp is the benefit of having beautiful and luscious hair. You need to eat your daily source of protein to get great hair, of course, but a little effort and TLC won't hurt anyone. Nourishing your scalp can be done easily at home and we have some natural home remedies to share below:
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- For dry scalp: Apply coconut oil directly on the scalp and comb through
- For oily scalp: Mix 2-3 whole eggs with a few drops of lemon juice
- For dandruff and itchy scalp: Mix green tea, a few drops of peppermint oil and white vinegar
4. Put on a facial mask
Someone wise once said that 'you are what you eat'. If you want to get moist and supple skin, you need to eat anything nutritious such as fruits and vegetables as well as your daily dose of Vitamin C. To take it up a notch on your special spa day, bring out your facial masks. When it comes to facial masks, every type has its purpose, so here's a simple way to identify the right type of facial mask that will suit your skincare goal.
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Three main types of facial masks:
- Sheet masks - Affordable and convenient, each fibre or gel sheet mask is soaked with a nutrient-rich and moisturising serum.
- Clay masks - Easy to rinse off, the mineral-rich clay draws out impurities, controls shine and unclogs pores.
- Sleeping masks - Made for overnight hydration, it replenishes the moisture of your skin and seals in your serums and facial oils.
The general rule for facial mask is to leave it on for 15-20 minutes as the mask will absorb moisture from your face when it's dry. Since it varies according to different products, be sure to read the product packaging for the mask's optimal time.
5. Soak your feet
Next, give your feet and little toes some well-deserved pampering. Yes, get ready for a relaxing foot soak! It's very simple to do and you don't need special ingredients for this one. Browse online and you'll find many DIY foot soaks and each has its own benefits too.
DIY foot soaks you can try at home (recommended by Healthline):
- For moisture: Add one cup of honey and coconut milk in a bowl of hot water. Then, pour it into a large foot tub and adjust the water temperature accordingly
- For sore feet remedy: Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt and 5 drops of essential oils into the foot tub
- For relaxation: Add 2 cups of Epsom salt, 5 drops of essential oils and 1/4 cup of dried flowers (rose, lavender or chamomile) into the foot tub.
Be sure to check the water temperature before soaking your feet into the tub (we don't want you to burn yourself!), and skip this step if your feet have open cuts and ulcers.
6. Go over your skincare routine
If you do it every day, there's no reason to skip your skincare routine this time. Wipe off your make-up and let your pores breathe as you slather on your favourite moisturiser. Keeping your skin healthy is essential, and it only takes three basic steps to achieve it!
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- Step 1: Cleanse
- Step 2: Tone
- Step 3: Moisturise
That's pretty much it! Depending on your skincare needs, you can also apply eye cream and spot treatment before you moisturise. Most importantly, if you're stepping out to shop for groceries, remember to put on some sunscreen with at least SPF30 on your face and neck.
7. Hydrate your lips
No one likes having dry and chapped lips! The old school trick of getting a pair of soft lips is to moisturise with Vaseline or lip balm. But don't stop there! You can exfoliate your lips using two simple ingredients: honey and sugar. Just stir a teaspoon of honey and two teaspoons of sugar in a bowl to create your very own lip scrub! If you don't have any of these ingredients at home, you can put on a thick layer of lip balm and scrub your lips gently using a soft toothbrush.
8. Moisturise your body
Now that you're done with your face and lips, it's time to shift your focus on moisturising your body. Instead of rushing to get it done, take your time and really enjoy the process of doing so. Start with your arms and work your way down to your body and legs. Let's not forget those dry elbows, knees and heels too.
Creating your own body lotion can be done using four main ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of almond oil
- 1/4 cup of coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of beeswax
- 1 teaspoon of Vitamin E oil
On top of a pan of simmering water, place a glass bowl and slowly stir all the ingredients until it melts. Once you're done, pour it into a glass jar and use it once it's cool. This will take a while, so we recommend preparing this before you begin your spa day.
9. Make yourself a cup of tea
What better way to top off your spa session at home than a cup of tea? Whether you prefer it with a slice of lemon or a teaspoon of sugar, teas have a wonderful way to keep us calm and relax, and it has many health benefits too. To combat stress and anxiety, opt for relaxing teas such as chamomile, green tea or peppermint tea.
If you're not a fan of teas, enjoy a glass of fruit-infused water instead, and it's very easy to make! For the ultimate body detox, just slice up a quarter of a cucumber and half a lemon. Then, soak it in a bottle of water for 2 hours to unleash its full flavour and nutrients. It also adds a hint of flavour to your plain ol' water. Be experimental and try another citrus combination that includes a quarter of a grapefruit, half a lemon, and half a lime. Be sure to prepare this drink in advance too!
10. Time for your beauty sleep
When all is said and done, you deserve some beauty sleep because it's a great way to recharge your mind, body and soul. Besides that, everyone looks healthier and fresher after a good sleep. There are many benefits that come from a well-rested mind like having brighter eyes, healthier hair, and glowing complexion. Just close the curtains to keep your room dark, turn off your phone and drift to sleep.
Just because you can't go the spa right now, it doesn't mean you can't reap the benefits of a spa day at home. All you need to do is to choose a quiet day, make some preparations, and you're off to having a well-deserved 'me-time'. You deserve it!