Can’t get to the spa? Bring the spa home to you!
With a little prep, an at-home spa is entirely achievable and, let’s face it, a whole lot less expensive than heading to your nearest resort or boutique day spa. The best part: Once you become familiar with the tips below, it’s easy as pie to recreate your spa experience again and again!
So grab your Short Table, escape to the bathroom, and indulge in a little self-care from the comfort of your own home.
- A day (or a few hours) before you’d like to indulge in your DIY spa, craft an infused water concoction in your kitchen to sip in the bathtub later. Our favorite is this recipe: 2 sliced lemons, a handful of mint leaves, ½ of a cucumber cut in slices, and 2 teaspoons of ginger in 3 quarts of water. Let the mixture of ingredients soak in the pitcher overnight and pour yourself a glass when spa time is here! This particular recipe helps relieve bloating discomfort. For more easy recipes that target different symptoms, check out this eHow article.
- Set the mood. Use a portable speaker put on whatever genre of music relaxes your mind and body most. You can also look up the playlist “Spa Treatment” on Spotify to find an already-compiled list of songs to Zen out to. Candles are a must, but why risk an accident when there are plenty of beautiful flameless ones you can enjoy? Bed Bath & Beyond has great assortment to choose from. You’ll want a handy table to set these things (not to mention your towel and a bottle of wine) on, and this is where Short Table adds to your makeshift spa experience. Pull us up right next to the bathtub before you sink in.
- Give your face a good steam! After removing any makeup, boil water and pour it in a large bowl. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Some quick tips, depending on your need: Lavender helps calm skin, and eucalyptus is a natural decongestant in case you suffer from seasonal allergies. Rosemary helps balance oily skin while rooibos tea offers anti-aging and antibacterial qualities. Remember, a few drops of any essential oil goes a long way, so no need to overdue it. Hold your face over your bowl with a towel draped over it to keep in the steam. Give yourself about 10-15 minutes of steam before you rinse with warm water and move on to a mask!
- Speaking of face masks, do you have a favorite brand? Feel free to share in the comments below! We happen to love the Que Bella brand of masks that you can find at Target for a couple bucks each. They’re affordable enough that you can stock up on a variety at once and have fun at home experimenting with which ones work best for you.
- While your face is reaping the benefits of a mask, give the rest of your body the spa treatment by enhancing your bath water. Being that it’s winter, we recommend soaking in an oatmeal bath, especially if you’re experiencing dry skin during this cold season. Aveeno offers a soothing, and incredibly affordable, pack of single-use packets that we love.
Post-bath, make sure you have your favorite robe and slippers handy to slide into. Don’t have time to do all 5 suggestions above? Even just one will leave you feeling more refreshed, calm and pampered than you did before. After your time spent devoted to yourself, slip under the covers and enjoy a good night’s sleep. It’s the perfect way to seal in the benefits of your DIY home spa!