Part I: Here’s How To Make At Home Spa Experience Absolutely Awesome!
By Alison Blackman
Your boss blamed you, but it wasn’t your fault!
You’re being transferred from customer service rep to customer service rep, and your issue still isn’t resolved.
Your mother called to nag you (for the 15th time) about bringing a date to your cousin’s wedding.
Everyone wants something from you, and they want it now!
The muscles in your neck feel like steel lumps!
But imagine how much better you’d be with an awesome at-home spa experience to look forward to!
Have a Relaxing Spa Experience At Home!
the Spa at LeBlanc Resort in Cancun is a luxury spa experience but you can experience a lot of the same relaxation, at home!
I can’t magically transport you to a luxury spa, but I can help you create a fabulous and relaxing spa experience at home.
Professional spas offer a huge variety of treatments but my version is based on easy treatments anyone can do anytine, at home.
This is PART I giving you the basics of an at-home spa experience, but do click through to Part II my copy & save review of essential spa products.
I’ve categorized these by luxury beauty, budget beauty, and organic/vegan beauty.
You don’t have to have a spa experience to use the products, but….beware.….at home spa experiences are habit-forming!
The Best Time To Spa Is?
I’d say that best time to spa is any time, but that’s unrealistic. The best time to schedule will be when you know you won’t be constantly disturbed.
Reduce stress by preparing in advance (maybe the night before, or the morning of) so you don’t run around looking for things you need.
Then you can start your spa experience immediately instead of when you’re too tired to follow through with it.
If you can’t get everyone out of the house and you only have one bathroom, tell everyone that you need an hour to yourself in there.
You’ll “owe” them for their understanding but you need this hour now. They should use the facilities now. Disturbances will be for emergencies only after that.
Hang a “do not disturb” sign on the door (to show you mean business).
You’ll need some of all of these:
votive or tea light candles
clean towels, washcloths, and/or wipes (if you use them)
a robe or lounge clothes
hair clip or elastics (I like Invisibobbles)
loofah scrubber or body brush
hair dryer and styling brushes (if you use them) *check our search box for hair dryer, styling tools
beverages and a light spa dinner
Optional: an inflatable pillow for the bath. A rolled-up towel work too.
Set A table and set a mood
You can’t relax if your stomach is growing. A light bite before your spa is a good idea.
Try nibbling a colorful cold salad. a fresh fruit plate with berries, cheese with fruit and nuts Bringing something from the gourmet shop can also be healthy and fun.
Relaxation involves treating all your senses, so ditch the take-out containers and focus on your mate and/or your plate.
Play some music, no watching TV! Focus on enjoying every bite of your delicious and healthy food.
I really don’t suggest wine (makes you too sleepy) but flavored sparkling club soda or mineral water with berries in it is nice.
If you’re bringing drinks into the bathroom, save the crystal for the table and use plastic unless you’re into the pain of pulling glass slivers out of your body
A nice, optional touch is or a vase with some fresh flowers to lift your spirits, help set the mood. and make this spa experience special.
Give Yourself PermissionTo Relax!
This sounds so obvious, but some people really need to allow themselves the luxury of “me” time. Don’t allow yourself to feel guilty!
The most luxe spa treatments in the world won’t relax you if you’re stress out thinking about all the things on your to-do list!”
Stalina Glot, Senior Esthetician at Haven Spa in New York agrees: “Tthe most important thing you can do when creating an at-home spa experience is… enjoy yourself This is personal time to relax, unwind, and find some inner peace. It can be different for everyone., There is value in taking time for yourself. Neglecting yourself diminishes your ability to be your best self.”
Stalina has probably seen a lot of stressed-out people, But I know about this too.As a reviewer, I’ve had the good fortune to experience amazing spa treatments, but no “inner peace.”
During the treatments instead of relaxing I stressed out thinking: “how am I going to write this up?” What opportunities I wasted! So I’ve learned to put my thoughts temporarily on hold.
You can put your thoughts and stresses on hold — at least for a little while, too.
I’m giving you permission to take time for yourself. unplug your phone/computer/tablet, etc. for this spa experience. Almost anything can wait for an hour.
Bring a cordless speaker into the bathroom, turn up some relaxing music. Turn down the lights and light a scented candle
*Suggestions for all the spa products you will need are in the next feature Part II my exclusive copy & save review of spa product essentials.
Hydrate! Drinking something keeps you from getting so sleepy you can’t finish spa-aahing!
Enjoy your chilled beverage of your choice as the warm (not hot) water fills your tub with lovely scented bath salts or a bath bomb.
*NOTE: Keep scented products in the same or complimentary range, otherwise you’ll feel like a giant fruit basket or florist shop!
If your skin is hot, irritated, sunburned, chafed, or just plain sticky, soaking in warm water will feel better, help you relax, and make you feel cooler than cold water will when you dry off.
Get in the tub or shower, inhale the scent of the candle and the bath products. Shut out the workaday world…. and…………R..E..L..X..A..X.
Think positive thoughts
Not everyone has a tub. If you do, lucky you!
While you’re soaking in the tub, think of a few good self-affirmations and repeat them to yourself a couple of times.
Consider at least three things you’re really grateful for.
Dream about something you’ve been looking forward to such as that romantic vacation; the dream house you would love to own; or some plans you’d like to make later on.
Don’t try to work out your problems in the tub. Keep the “inner” conversation light This is not the time to mentally plan the seating chart for your wedding, or plan your next presentation at work.
If you are showering think of the water massaging your skin as if you were under a waterfall. Consider positive thoughts as you breathe in aromatic bath products. Shut out the world for a short while. You can do it!
Cleanse, Exfoliate, Moisturize
If your skin has been exposed to water f for a while, it may be a bit more delicate than usual. Select gentle cleansers and exfoliating scrubs, followed by a great moisturizer.
Select gentle cleansers and exfoliating scrubs, followed by a great moisturizer.
Skin is actually most receptive to hydration when it is slightly damp. NOTE: To make the most of a body moisturizer (men, take note) apply liberally to your entire body focusing on the areas where your skin tends to be the driest (at elbows, knees and heels).
Shampooing your hair and conditioning it is a nice way to continue a spa experience. Stash the sale shampoo and try something a bit more elegant. That doesn’t mean it has to be expensive, however. Check our Fab Spa products articles for ideas.
Face, Fingers, Toes!
There is no reason to end your Spa experience with bathing and cleansing.
Try a facial mask during your bath soak, or afterward. Check our Fab Spa products articles for ideas.
ManiPedi’s are a classic part of luxury spa experiences.
If you want to include a DIY my suggestion is to remove your old polish before you soak, giving your nails a chance to get really clean.
Then do your manI and/or pedi (or both) while you’re doing that facial mask!
When The Spa Experience Is Over
It has been lovely, but for most people, unless you’re fortunate enough to have willing helpers or a “staff” there has to be some cleanup.
For example, if you’ve used bath oils in a tub, you can’t leave it with a residue or you’ll risk slipping in it the next day! There are spray cleaners that make short work of the tub issue.
Fortunately, there are spray cleaners that make short work of the tub issue that you can just spray now, rise off later after a short nap or the next morning.
For everything else, my advice is to leave whatever you can for the next day if it’s evening. If not, take a short nap, then stow the beauty products candles, and soiled towels.
If not, close the door. Nap for a while, Then stash the beauty products candles and soiled towels.
NOW GO TO Part II my exclusive copy & save review OF SPA PRODUCT ESSENTIALS FOR VEGAN/ORGANIC/NATURAL, LUXURY, AND BUDGET BEAUTY
*photos of LeBlanc Spa, Mount Airy Spa, and Paris Vegetables by Alison Blackman
