Deep breath – if you’ve been feeling a little off kilter these days, you’re not alone. With the current news cycle spinning a million miles a minute, it’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious or simply stressed on a daily basis. As we navigate the new normal of staying at home and practicing social distancing, there’s never been a better time to relax, reset and pamper yourself with a well-deserved at-home spa day.
From lighting aromatic candles to establish a sense of zen, to nourishing your complexion with a potent new skincare product, there are endless ways to pamper yourself from head to toe. Here’s how to unwind without ever stepping foot outside of your home.
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Set the mood
Now that you’re undoubtedly spending more time at home than ever before, take a moment to evaluate the vibe. Excess clutter can create emotional chaos, which is exactly what we don’t want for an at-home spa day. Declutter, dim the lights and create an inviting and orderly space.
“When you think about a spa, the most common elements are candlelight, soft music, plush robes, slippers and aromatherapy. It’s a great way to set the tone,” says Christina Stephens, spa director of Wymara Resort & Villas in Turks and Caicos.
With that in mind, wrap yourself up in a cozy robe (like M.M. LaFleur’s cashmere style) or slip into a pair of luxe pajamas (try the silk set by Helena Quinn) and pour yourself some decadent hot tea, such as Ranavat’s Illuminate Organic Darjeeling Tea, which is packed with antioxidants.
For an added immunity boost with stress-relieving benefits, stir in a teaspoon or two of Natural Vitality Calm supplement powder to hot water and sip slowly. You’re well on your way to finding nirvana.
A spa-like vibe is easily enhanced with a soothing scent wafting throughout your house or apartment. The citrusy Capri Blue candles are a popular purchase among those in search of a little peace. Allow yourself a few precious moments to breathe deeply and let it all out.
“During high-stress times such as now, it is more important than ever for people to remain calm and find healthy ways to relieve stress and anxiety. Turn off the lights (and the news for a moment) and play calming music while focusing on your breath,” advises Pamela Maes, spa director at Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck in New York. “Take a couple of deep breaths and release them slowly. Do some simple stretches and listen to your body. ”
About face
An at-home spa day starts with radiant skin, so wash your face thoroughly with a cleanser that works for you. LUMOIR Green Tea & Aloe Vera Purifying Cleanser gently removes dirt, oil, makeup and other pollutants without drying your skin.
For a more invigorating wash, cleanse and exfoliate at the same time with Hanhoo Bubble Up Peeling Pads, a dual-sided cleansing pad packed with collagen and enzyme powder.
Next, apply a face mask of your choice, sit back and soak in these precious minutes of bliss.
“A fun way to elevate your at-home spa experience is to create a chilled cucumber burrito to depuff the eyes, alleviate allergies and slip into a state of total relaxation,” says Vance Soto, president and owner of Ole Henriksen Spa in Los Angeles. “Take a chilled cucumber and grate it generously into a paper towel. Roll it into a burrito and leave on for 10-15 minutes.”
As for face masks, consider JAFRA Mud Mask, a Dead Sea mineral mud mask loaded with vitamin E and antioxidants. This detoxifying power player unclogs pores and removes excess oils, impurities and dead skin cells.
Or for a hydrating fix, you can’t go wrong with Aceology Frosé Infusion Gel Mask, a serum-soaked mask enriched with rose petal extracts, sea buckthorn fruit, pomegranates and rosewater that nourishes, moisturizes and reduces redness in the skin. The pretty pink mask is bouncy to the touch. Pro tip: To level up your at-home facial, depuff, stimulate blood flow and lift the contours of your face with the Aceology Ice Globes Facial Massager.
Finish off your face time with a healthy application of Beuti Skincare's Beauty Sleep Elixir or lock it in with the Alpyn Beauty Calming Midnight Mask, a melatonin and dandelion-infused leave-on treatment that immerses skin in hydration and smells heavenly.
Lips don't lie
Repair dry, neglected lips in seconds flat. Take a dollop of lip scrub (like Kopari Coconut Lip Scrubby) and pair with Daily Concepts Daily Lip Scrubber to gently buff away dead skin cells. Rinse off and apply a healthy layer of Miage Skincare’s Bloom La Milpa Lip Treatment, a hydrating product that also leaves behind a prismatic shine.
All hands on deck
Your hands are likely dry and cracking from excessive hand washing, so you’ll want to nourish them back to health, too.
“Moisturize one to two times a day with a fragrance-free cream such as Cerave Cream or Aveeno Eczema Cream,” says Houston-based dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Mullans.
We also love Blissoma Loving Recovery Mask (packed with oat milk as well as reishi and maitake mushrooms) for an intense hand moisturizer that works wonders when it comes to softening, conditioning and fortifying the skin, while reducing redness and inflammation.
Get your hands on a set of ManiMe adhesive stick-on gels, which are tailor-made to fit your exact nail size and shape thanks to their 3D modeling technology. The stick-ons are available in chic colors and modern patterns.
Treat your feet
Try this quick two-step method to bring your feet back to life.
First, cleanse your feet thoroughly with Barefoot Scientist’s Clean Slate textured wipes, which are infused with essential oils, extracts and moisturizers to break down dirt, sweat and oil. Then, slip on a pair of Iroha Nature Argan moisturizing and nourishing foot mask socks. Kick your heels up and leave on for 15 minutes.
Rock your body
Slow down in the shower and buff your bod with an exfoliating body scrub like Manna Kadar Moisturizing Salt Scrub or Purely Elizabeth’s Lemon Lavender Coconut Sugar Body Scrub, while using Daily Concepts Exfoliating Gloves to achieve the smoothest skin possible.
Next, hydrate every inch of your skin with a nourishing cream, like Humble Flower’s organic, vegan and all-natural CBD-infused body lotion. Other favorites include Greenerways organic body oil (the De-Stress scent is a favorite) or Athena Club Dewy Body Lotion, an affordable powerhouse packed with vitamins C, E, B3 and B5, blueberry and spinach leaf extract, omegas and antioxidants.
Lastly, stretch your limbs and roll out any stress or tension with the help of the Rykr Roll. This small but mighty handheld stress buster is perfect for at-home use when tense muscles, poor circulation or bothersome aches and pains simply won’t disappear on their own.
The mane attraction
Finally, now’s the time to tackle your hair health head on. Your mane is a direct reflection of your stress level, so a little TLC can go a long way.
“When we’re stressed, it affects our circulation and creates an imbalance in the hair follicles, therefore leaving the roots of our hair starving for nutrition. Follicles start to weaken and lose vitality and elasticity, and hair will fall out sooner than it was intended,” explains Carla Gentile, co-founder of STEAM, an emerging Los Angeles-based beauty brand in the CBD space.
To combat this, apply a nourishing hair oil (like Haielle’s Active Botanical Concentrate) or a rich mask that targets your specific concerns before you hop in the shower to shampoo as usual.
For an all-natural approach, you can whip up a DIY hair mask at home, too.
New York hairstylist Tina Malholtra of Mia Wagner Salon in New York City recommends mixing together avocado, banana, honey and olive oil and letting it sit for 15-20 minutes.
“The avocado and banana have natural oils and fats that help repair the hair, and avocado contains vitamin B which helps with strength. Olive oil helps the consistency of the mask, while honey is packed with enzymes to improve shine,” she says.
To rinse clean, use STEAM’s Active Botanicals Shampoo and Rich Recharge Conditioner, which are infused with CBD and natural botanicals. This duo moisturizes strands from root to tip, while soothing dry scalp, reducing frizz and adding noticeable shine.
Make it a memorable shower by adding a few drops of essential oils (eucalyptus, lavender or Aura Cacia’s Clary Sage) to create a steamy spa-like experience.
“Turn on hot water and slather some essential oils on the opposite wall of the shower head. Relax, meditate and enjoy your own personal steam room,” suggests beauty brand founder Matthew Mileo, who turned his home into a personal spa, too.
Post shower, absorb excess moisture from your hair with the Volo Beauty Hero Quick Dry Towel, and then blow dry with the Sultra Bombshell Volumizing Hair Dryer, a lightweight and ergonomic tool.
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