Self-care is all the rage these days, and why shouldn’t it be? There is no shame in wanting to take better care of yourself! While a lot of self-care practices focus on your inner state and mentality, pairing them with some indulgent pampering of your outer self is also important for overall well-being.
You don’t have to fork over a ton of money to effectively treat yo’ self, as small purchases over time paired with items you already have stocked in your beauty repertoire can elevate a regular Sunday afternoon into a luxurious experience.
Here, I’m sharing five ways to take your at-home pampering game to the next level.
Source: Design Love Fest
1. Set Up Your Home Spa
- Set the mood with relaxing music. Spotify has several spa-inspired playlists for you to find something that’s your style. It could be ambient, classical, or something really meditative like Tibetan singing bowls.
- Clean your entire home. I know, pampering yourself shouldn’t require work, but if you truly want to feel relaxed, you should make a point to completely clear your “spa” of clutter and grime. Take it a step further by cleaning out a couple drawers or your closet — you’ll feel lighter and more relaxed instantly.
- Cleanse from the inside. Make a batch of fruit-infused detox water and make a point to finish it over the course of your day. Pick up a gallon of alkaline water from the store along with lemons, cucumbers, and watermelon, and keep a pitcher in your refrigerator. Have some healthy snacks like hummus and veggies or the makings for avocado toast on hand.
- Dress the part. It’s not going to feel like a truly pampering experience without the essential spa outfit, but it doesn’t have to be expensive to feel indulgent! A simple long robe, a pair of slippers, and a head wrap are all you need to feel like you’ve stepped out of your regular routine and into a space of self-care.
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2. Soak in a Luxurious Bath
Start your pampering process by relaxing in a hot bath. Rather than reaching for an expensive bath bomb, consider soaking in epsom salt instead. Epsom salt promotes blood circulation and helps alleviate muscle tension and inflammation. After a long soak, give yourself a good scrub using some Korean body mitts for deep exfoliation. Follow your bath up with a long massage, using either a lightweight moisturizing oil or one with an essential oil blend.
Source: Pink Peonies
3. Give Yourself an Esthetician-Style Facial
Beauty bloggers take skincare very seriously, and with good reason. They know that healthy skin is the foundation for every makeup look. Even if you can’t spring for the $100+ facial from a licensed esthetician every month, there are ways to achieve spa-quality results at home. Invest in a few products and follow these steps for an effective at-home facial.
- Remove all of your makeup with a gentle cleanser like Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser.
- Follow with a low pH cleanser, massaging in circular motions on your face and neck for up to a minute. Allow the cleanser to sit as a mask for another two minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat skin dry with a clean towel.
- Steam your skin for up to 10 minutes to open and cleanse pores. You can boil water on the stove, but an easier and safer way is to invest in a facial steaming device, as steam coming from stovetop water can be irritating for some skin types. There are plenty of affordable options on Amazon that you can use once or twice a week for improved skin tone and texture — and not just on your designated spa days.
- After your pores have been steamed open, now it’s time for some chemical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation is a gentler and more potent method of removing dead skin rather than physical exfoliants like scrubs, which can tear the skin’s surface. The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% is a perfect formula for beginners in acid exfoliation and is only $7.20 USD!
- Follow up your chemical exfoliation with a moisturizing and calming face mask. Either a cream or gel based mask or sheet mask will do the trick.
- Rinse your skin with cold water and apply your regular moisturizer, lip balm, and eye cream. Consider purchasing a hyaluronic acid serum to plump your skin and keep it looking spa-fresh longer.
Source: Olive & June
4. Tend to Your Nails
Regular mani/pedis can get pricey quick, but they are an essential component to always looking put-together. Practice your pampering techniques often, and you’ll soon have salon-quality nails with a one-time investment into tools and products. You most likely have several products already on hand, but here’s a checklist to get you started.
- A basic nail tool kit with clippers and cuticle blades
- Nail polish remover
- Cuticle oil/remover
- Cotton pads
- Nail polish and clear gel top coat
- Nail files
- Nail buffer
- LED drying lamp (optional)
READ: 7 Steps to a DIY Manicure & Pedicure at Home
Source: Ashley Moore
5. Learn How to Give Yourself a Blowout
One day, we’ll all have standing weekly appointments at DryBar like actual beauty bloggers, and we won’t bat an eye at dropping $45 for the perfect blowout. Until then, we can take the “fake it ‘til you make it” approach and start practicing our round brushing skills. Read how to nail the at-home blowout here and get your personal blowout bar setup with these necessary tools and products.
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