After yesterdays write up of my lovely Guinot facial experience, it got me thinking about how you could take some time out and pamper yourself pretty at home. I can't say that this style of pampering would come out any cheaper than grabbing yourself a salon session, but there are a lot of pros to doing things this way. For example: you can take your time, you don't have to feel judged by a salon worker - however, i personally have never felt this way, and this way you can do things head to toe. Here, i've prepared the products i chose to use for an at home spa experience.
Candles | For me, candles are one of the most relaxing things about a spa day. Whether it's the scent that you love or just the calming atmosphere of the flames, they're a great addition to help you relax. These two are my current favourite scents that i've been burning in the evenings, to help me wind down. I've always been an avid Yankee Candle collector, they're probably my favourite and go to candle supplier but they can be a little pricey. I actually bought this large two wick tumbler in a sale, and this is one of my all time favourite scents from the brand. It's actually new this year, and perfect for the Spring and Summer months. Wild Passion Fruit is deliciously fruity, my favourite kind of scent, but it's not heavy. The Pink Grapefruit & Lime is from the TU line at Sainsburys. This is a delicious scent, i love pink grapefruit but the lime really cuts through and makes it citrusy and light. I love candles even in the Summer months; i don't think there's anything as lovely as having your windows open, looking out at the beautiful Summer sky while having your candles flicker in a dim room.
The Body Shop Body Butter in Cranberry Joy | These body butters are not new to me by any means but i've just recently gotten back into them, and i'm not sure how i lasted so long without them. They are deliciously thick and hydrating, perfect for day to day moisturising but my favourite way to use them is after shaving my legs as they finish off my shaving routine nicely leaving my legs feeling silky smooth. They come in a variety of scents, and honestly my favourite Body Shop is Satsuma, which you will later see, but this Cranberry butter caught my eye in their sale. It's supposed to be a Christmas scent but it's not at all like a usual Christmas smell, it's not at all spicy which i was worried it would be but with a sniff in the store i fell in love with it's divinely fruity aroma. It's not at all sickly or heavy but actually very light and fresh.
Soap & Glory No Clogs Allowed! Deep Pore Detox Mask, Simple Deep Cleansing Face Mask, Superdrug Mud Therapy Aloe Vera Deep Cleansing Mud Mask and Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Peel Off Face Mask | Now, i don't know about you but my favourite part of having a pamper evening is the face mask. I would probably do my usual skincare routine, featuring my Good Things Cleanser, St. Ives Scrub and Boots Treatment Wash but i won't go into that as you'll be hearing about that next week, and then let me skin settle down a little while i'm doing something else, and then apply a mask. These are my favourites, but the Soap & Glory No Clogs Allowed! is actually a new one for me that i'm indifferent about so far. If i get any great opinions on it, i'll be sure to review it but for now i'm not too sure. The Simple Deep Cleansing Mask is lovely and light but i have to admit that it's my favourite type of mask, as it doesn't dry. It stays wet and i'm sure it does hydrate my skin but the main reason i like to use masks is to improve my acne prone skin, which is why i plump for drying, usually clay, masks. That's why this Superdrug Mud Mask is my favourite of the lot. Despite it being a drying, clay mask it's so soothing and you can really feel the Aloe Vera getting to work from when you apply it. Sometimes clay masks can really dry out my skin but with the added Aloe in this one, my skin just comes away feeling equally refreshed and treated. As for the Peel Off, although this is a really easy option and when you want a quick fix to treat your misbehaving skin this doesn't do enough for me if i'm really taking the time to pamper myself.
The Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel | Sometimes, if i'm not in the mood for taking a bath and i'd rather just go all out in the skincare stakes then i'll just go for a warm, relaxing shower. This is my shower gel of choice, it's lovely, rich and lathers nicely. As for the smell, it's just delicious. It's so potent and fills the entire bathroom with a gorgeous, fruity, Satsuma scent. It just feels so luxurious!
Philosophy Holly Berry Bubbly | If, however, i am feeling like a bath then these are my bubbles of choice. Philosophy is well out of my price range, because lets me honest - who wants to spend £15 on bubble bath? So, i hit it up when it's having a sale. My all time favourite scent from them is Holly Berry. In the Winter i have everything from Holly Berry reed diffusers, to candles, to room sprays because i just cannot get enough of the scent. I use this all year round because i love it so much, i just love how fresh it is, it's not heavy but it really does fill the room.
Essie Buy Me a Cameo, Splash of Grenadine & Fear or Desire | Something that i love to do when i've got down time is paint my nails. Usually, i would just take my old polish off and re-paint but if i'm really taking my time i like to do it right with anti bacterial, hand cream and cuticle oil. These three are some of my favourite colours for this time of year. It's nice to paint, let them dry and finish with a good hand cream. Luxury.
Soap & Glory Heel Genius | This really is a luxurious product for me because i don't do this very often, mainly because i never remember. Heel Genius is a gorgeously thick, minty cream that you massage into your feet just before you go to bed. Once applied put on some socks and let it work it's magic. I don't have particularly problem feet but i always notice a difference when i use this product.
Soap & Glory Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream | This is my chosen hand cream, and i really love this one. It's thick and takes a few minutes to really soak in so i usually use this just before bed or after nail painting when it's got time to really work it's magic. It has the classic, fruity, fresh Soap & Glory scent which i particularly love.
Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion | If i really am going all out, then i'll plump for my most luxurious moisturiser for post mask moisturising. That would happen to be this Benefit Facial Emulsion that i won at a Debenhams beauty event. I'd never tried any Benefit skincare but this really suited me, especially as it's oil free. It's applies so smoothly and is a very silky product, it really feels luxurious on the skin which is perfect to complete a pamper evening.
L'Oreal Paris Ever Riche Nourishing Intense Mask Pot | If my hair feels like it needs a pick me up and i really have set aside all evening to pamper myself, then i'll take the time to use my favourite hair mask. This instructs you to leave it on for about five minutes but if i'm really going for it, i'll get out the shower and leave it on for about fifteen minutes. That really does treat my hair and leaves it feeling ultra smooth and soft, but you already heard me lark on about this one last week, didn't you?
K|xo
Who says you can't have a relaxing and pampering spa day at home? Of course you can! Select a day for yourself and set the candles (yes, scented candles are essential for the overall effect). Use the products you love and trust. Start from your hair, your face, your body, down to your nails. But this is, if you're the type to do this on your own. There are those that feel much more relaxed and pampered when they have more skillful hands doing it for them. Whatever you prefer, you should give yourself a day of pure relaxation.
ReplyDeleteLilia @ LaFleur de Beaute