How To Create The Ultimate Spa Day At Home
It’s never been easier than before to pamper yourself from the comfort of your above. Bazaar shares a few helpful tips and tricks within our easy-to-follow at-home guide
As any self-care enthusiast could verify, ‘ambience’ is the golden word when it comes to recreating the ultimate spa experience. While you may not have all the typical spa essentials, there are still ways to evoke the senses from the comfort from your home.
“It can be more difficult [to] achieve the inner peace we seek in our private homes, but infusing your at-home spa with fragrance is important; we believe well-being can be enhanced by moments of sensory indulgence through the power of scent,” said Dominic Phillips, founder of luxury spa brand Lola’s Apothecary.
“The most important element of a truly remarkable spa experience, in any setting, is being guided to a place of peace within one’s mind and being allowed to rest there” explains Phillips.
Luckily, a lot of our favourite spa ranges (found in spa resorts and hotels) sell their products online, so it’s never been easier to order your favourite scrub or moisture mask to your home for a day of pampering.
Read on for all of Bazaar’s tips and tricks on creating the perfect spa day at home.
Set The Mood…
The smell that wafts in and consumes you within seconds upon entering a spa gives a sigh of relief as you realize you’re on your way to a world of calm. Lavender and jasmine scents are amongst the most relaxing, with properties to the flowers that promote a sense of serenity and alleviate you of any stress and anxiety. Other scents such as eucalyptus, lemon and cedar wood are more uplifting, and offer a refreshing vibe to your ‘spa’.
…And The Tunes
Whenever you walk into a spa, you may feel an immediate and acute feeling of relaxation that’s enhanced by something more than just smell. It’s not just a placebo for knowing exactly where you are; music and sound are key players in creating this sensation of calmness. It’s all about preference, so take a moment to understand what works for you; it could be ambient chimes or gong noise, tranquil water sounds or maybe a zen playlist curated for your spa day.
You Can Never Go Wrong With A Face Mask
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Elemis has a unique range of face masks that are all designed to nourish, purify and revitalise. If your skin is feeling a little dull, use the velvety mousse-textured Peptide4 Thousand Flower Mask or if you need a hydrating and moisturising fix to your skin, try the green goodness smoothie-in-a-mask Superfood Vital Veggie Mask.
Candles Are Everything
There’s always mood lighting contributing to the relaxing atmosphere in a spa. Get out your favourite candles and light them to provide that low light that will allow you to drift off into a zen space. Look up your favourite spa and beauty brands online as the chances are they have their own candle range. Add incense if you’re looking to really take things up a notch.
It All Starts With A Good Soak…
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Complete with foamy bubbles and your favourite essentials oils, this bath should whisper ‘relaxation’ like no other. According to luxury spa brand Lola’s Apothecary, essential oils have long been considered to have significant wellness benefits, improving emotional wellbeing and boosting your mood. If you’re comfortable sitting in your bath for a long time, bring along your favourite book and some cucumber water to add to the ambience and let yourself drift off into another world.
Dont’ Skip The Bath Oil…
Add your favourite scented bath and shower oil to your tub for an aromatherapy shower you won’t forget. Tranquil Isle has our vote as its the deep relaxation range from Lola’s Apothecary, with lavender and cedar wood both contributing to an infusion of calm, while the chamomile in there being a natural sedative which makes it perfect for unwinding and relaxing.
…Or A Body Scrub
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Lola’s Apothecary’s Breath of Clarity Body Polish is designed as a gentle yet effective exfoliant and can be easily wiped off with mitts or in the shower. It contains eucalyptus, rosemary, sweet marjoram, peppermint and lemon which, in addition to leaving your skin texture finer and more radiant, are excellent for aching muscles.
Elemis’ Sea Lavender and Samphire Salt Scrub exfoliates, smoothes and softens the skin all in one. Its base is zeolite which results in a warming sensation when it is applied to the skin before it foams and buffs away the dead skin. The sea salt acts a natural exfoliant and the samphire helps to both soothe and hydrate the skin.
It’s All About The Little Things
Go all the way with treating yourself, from having your fluffy bath robe and comfortable slippers ready to slip into. Also cut up slices of cucumber or potato the night before and soak them in green tea overnight. The caffeine in the green tea will banish any dark circles lurking about, while the enzymes and natural starch in the potato slices will nourish the skin. Cucumbers will help hydrate your skin and under-eye area too.
Be Sure To Pamper Yourself From Head To Toe
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Have your favourite nail varnish at hand to give your nails a mood-boosting pop of colour; brands like OPI and Essie are used in lots of spas and have a wide range of shades too.
Keeping your nails in good condition is not only a colourful treat for your tips, but it can also reduce the possibilities of bacteria lingering. Use Elegant Touch’s Professional Cuticle Pusher & Nail Cleaner to push back cuticles clean under your nails. Finish up with Essie’s Cuticle Oil Apricot Treatment to strengthen and nourish the designated area.
Lola’s Apothecary’s selection of Body Soufflés are deeply nourishing and moisturise the skin, making them perfect for softening the skin around your finger and toe nails as part of your manicure and pedicure treatment.
Switch Off That Mobile
Try to dedicate this day to yourself only. Turn off your phone (or at least put it on airplane mode). Taking some time away from technology will do your body and mind more wonders than you may realise. If you don’t want to be totally-technology free, choose your favourite movie to tune into when you’re ending your spa day.
Tea, Coffee and Fruit
When you’re finally done with the day’s routine, put your feet up and continue relaxing into the night with a pot of your favourite coffee or tea; jasmine or chamomile will help maintain this feeling of calm – and tuck into some tasty yet healthy snacks such as dried or fresh fruit and nuts.
Lead Image courtesy of Sha Wellness Clinic, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia January 2020 issue.