How to Create a DIY Spa Experience
A DIY spa day is the perfect way to unwind and rejuvenate from the comfort of your own home. Creating your own spa experience at home is easier and less expensive than you think and can be just as relaxing and restorative.
Not only is the at-home spa experience more convenient and less expensive than going out to a spa, it can be done on your own terms according to your skin, hair, and body’s specific needs. So, when life gets busy, remember that a little self-care can go a long way, according to Glamour. Here are six ways to recreate the spa experience from the comfort of your own bedroom.
Set the Scene
The Natural Spa Factory website urges people who want to DIY their spa experience to begin by setting the mood. Make a vegetable or fruit infused water and some herbal tea. Dim the lights, light some scented candles, and find soft, relaxing music to play in the background. Start with meditation or deep breathing to start the spa day in a serene mood.
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Pamper Yourself With a Mani-Pedi
Indulge in a DIY mani-pedi. Turn on the warm water and soak, exfoliate, and moisturize the hands and feet, according to the Independent. Then, trim, file and paint the nails. if you really want to treat yourself, you can indulge in an at-home gel manicure kit for a shiny and long-lasting polish.
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Relax in the Tub
Fill your tub with water, essential oils, and lavender and give yourself a relaxing soak. Hopping in a bath is a great way to recharge both physically and mentally. according to the Cleveland Clinic , the hot water in the bathtub opens up pores in the skin, allowing for a deeper clean.
“Bathing cleans your skin, helping you avoid irritation, inflammation and sores caused by dead skin cell accumulation,” family medicine provider Dr. Amy Zack tells the Cleveland Clinic. “It can also help you clear away the bacterial and fungal load from contact in your environment. As that accumulates, it increases your risk of infection.”
Bathing has additional physical benefits, like alleviating aches and sore muscles and helping wounds heal quickly. Taking a dip is also soothing and can reduce stress.
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DIY Facial
The tub is also the perfect setting for an at-home facial, Allure suggests. Start by washing your face thoroughly both with an oil-based cleanser and a foam or cream cleanser. Next use an exfoliant to clean out your pores. The type depends on your skin.
“People with oilier complexions have larger sebaceous glands, which makes their skin thicker and better able to tolerate more abrasive particles,” Goldfaden, Gary Goldfaden, a board-certified dermatologist, tells Allure. “Those with drier, sensitive skin should use products with smaller granules, which are less likely to irritate, cut, or rub your skin.”
After you exfoliate, the next step is to use a face mask. The type of mask depends on your skincare needs. For example, someone with oily skin will benefit from a clay mask, whereas someone with dry skin should find a hydrating mask.
While masking, use steam to hydrate the face and improve circulation. You can use an at home steamer or go low tech with a bowl of warm water. “Fill a bowl [with] hot water and position your face over the bowl with a towel over your head to let your skin ‘open up’ while masking. A good old-fashioned bowl with slices of oranges will do a fantastic job of softening the skin and opening the pores,” aesthetician Georgia Louise, says.
The final step in the facial is to massage your face with soothing, hydrating, or restorative cream. Start at the chin and move upwards using circular movements. The massage should be about 5-10 minutes long, and you can use your fingers or another tool, like a jade roller or gua sha tool.
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Make a hair mask
Masks aren’t just for the skin. Natural Spa Factory suggests making a restorative hair mask by mixing olive oil, honey, and an egg. Apply the mask to your hair and leave it in for a half hour before washing it out thoroughly.
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DIY Hair Removal
Independent suggests several high-tech methods of reducing unwanted body hair that can be done in your own bathroom. Intense pulsed light technology (IPL) devices retail for a few hundred dollars and use light waves to destroy hair roots, not only removing unwanted hair but also prevents it from growing back.
Waxing is another option for smooth, hairless skin and can also be done from home with a waxing kit. A third option for hair removal is a hair removal cream, which can be purchased from any pharmacy and contains chemicals that break down the protein structure of hair, allowing it to be wiped away painlessly.
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