The most popular spa treatments can rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit and make you look and feel like a whole new you. "BUT, what if regular spa visits don't fit into my schedule and budget?" you ask. To that I say: "NO PROBLEM!" We're running down 5 of the HOTTEST spa treatments, and showing you how to achieve spa-quality results in your very own home. ARE YOU WITH ME?
The Treatment: Spa Manicure/Pedicure
Photo Courtesy of Freespiritskincare.com
The Basics: A spa mani/pedi is the cornerstone to any good beauty routine. Research has shown that one of the first things people notice about you is your hands! The professional treatment includes a warm soapy soak for hands and feet, exfoliation, nail and cuticle grooming, skin conditioning and polish, of course!
Do it at home: If you're a penny-saving gal on the go (like the rest of us) you can get salon results at home! Simply soak feet and hands in a warm soapy bath and use an exfoliating foot scrub (very gently on hands, more vigorously on feet) to remove dull, dry skin. While hands and feet are still damp, gently push back cuticles (don't clip them!) and apply a rich conditioning cream like Madeleine Mono Hand and Cuticle Repair Cream to both feet and hands. File nails to your desired shape with a nail file. Before polishing, be sure to use either rubbing alcohol or polish remover with a cotton pad to clean nails (if you don't, polish will peel sooner). Follow with the nail polish of your choice. I like Jean-Michelle Laque Luisant Nail Enamel because it dries to a brilliant shine and comes in so many awesome colors!
The Treatment: Anti-Aging Facial
Photo Courtesy of Godonyc.com
The Basics: A professional anti-aging facial typically includes a mild exfoliation, deep hydration and a firming treatment for face and eyes.
Get it at home: Murad Resurgence Renewal Home Facial Kit includes everything you need to begin your journey towards younger-looking skin! Advanced collagen building technology boosts elasticity and resilience to reduce the appearance of medium to deep wrinkles while gentle exfoliators clear skin of dullness and stimulate cellular turnover. Luxurious, lasting hydration helps to restore suppleness, texture and tone. This do-it-yourself miracle-in-a-box also comes with Murad's Firming and Hydrating Eye Gel Mask to lift and plump your delicate eye area while reducing signs of under-eye damage. Begin with well-cleansed skin. Click here to view our fabulous selection of cleansers! I also like to follow this restorative treatment with a rich moisturizer to help lock in all that fabulous hydration!
Photo Courtesy of Hawaiianexperiencespa.com
The Basics: This ultra-relaxing spa treat typically includes a nice, warm shower followed by an ultra-hydrating cream or oil applied to the body. Once applied, the spa technician/esthetician will wrap the client in a cellophane or plastic wrap to lock in the hydrating effects. Once "wrapped," you will lay down and relax in a warm steamy room while the moisture penetrates skin with the help of the wrap and steam. Afterwards, they have you take a quick rinse in a cool shower and send you on your way!
Get it at home: Before you begin... Grab an extra large garbage bag (the lawn and garden ones are best because they're HUGE), and cut the seam off of the bottom. Next, cut up one side so you are left with a large, flat plastic sheet. Bring this into the bathroom with you along with a large cushy blanket or comforter. Now, jump into a warm shower for about 5 minutes. Be sure to keep your bathroom door closed to create a spa-like "steam room." While skin is still damp, liberally apply a rich, hydrating body cream like Garden Botanika Pomegranate Wine Body Butter, to your entire body - don't forget hands and feet, ladies! After laying your blanket or comforter on the floor for warmth and comfort, center your pre-cut plastic sheet over the blanket. Now, lay down in the middle and wrap the plastic sheet over your body AVOIDING YOUR FACE AND NECK! Pull the blanket up around you, too, over the plastic sheet. Relax in your little "cocoon" for 20 minutes. When done, gently unwrap yourself and take a quick rinse in a cool shower, patting - not rubbing yourself dry. Et Voila! You are a beautiful, glowing butterfly!
The Treatment: Exfoliating Body Glow
Photo Courtesy of Evaspa.com
The Basics: A quick warm shower is followed by an exfoliating body scrub applied to your entire body. The spa professional will then massage the scrub over your entire body to remove dull skin. This treatment is usually followed by a quick, cool shower. You will see fresher, newer skin exposed immediately! Even better results can be achieved by getting this done regularly.
Get it at home: Hop into a warm shower and wet your entire body. Turn off the shower, but stay in there! Apply a generous amount of an exfoliating body scrub like Garden Botanika Fresh Mint Whipped Body Buffer to every inch of skin - avoiding face and neck. I especially like this scrub because of it's natural exfoliants (Colloidal Oatmeal and Walnut Shell Powder), and its invigorating, minty scent. Bonus? This stuff DOES NOT leave an oily film on your skin OR in your shower! Massage your entire body using light to medium pressure and circular motions. You should do this for 5-10 minutes. If you have sensitive skin, use very gentle pressure and shorten the duration of your massage. Now that you're a big, scrubby mess, turn the shower on (use lukewarm to cool water as it's better for your skin), and rinse the scrub thoroughly. Follow your exfoliation by gently patting yourself dry with a towel. Finish by applying your favorite body lotion!
The Treatment: Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment
Photo Courtesy of Wellsphere.com
The Basics: A salon professional will wet hair and apply a deep conditioning treatment root to tip. They then wrap the hair with cellophane and apply light heat to help the conditioning treatment penetrate the hair shaft. Now, you sit for 10-15 minutes. When done, the professional will thoroughly rinse the hair and send you packing!
Get it at home: Wet hair throughly in your shower or sink. GENTLY, wring any excess moisture from the hair and blot with a bath towel. Now, apply a rich conditioner like H20 Plus Marine Collagen Conditioner which contains marine botanicals and amino acids to increase volume, luster and manageability, from roots to tips. Gather hair on top of your head and cover with cellophane, avoiding your face, then wrap with a towel. Use your blow dryer on low to warm the whole thing up a bit. Relax for 15, then rinse completely and enjoy your shiny, lustrous locks!
There they are folks - with fool-proof, DIY instructions. Get relaxed and glowing just in time for spring with a little help from your friends at Cosmetique. Enjoy!
