When the chaos and stress of everyday life begins to feel overwhelming, take a few hours to yourself and enjoy some pampering. While a visit to a local spa and salon might be too much for your budget or schedule, an afternoon alone at home can be just as refreshing and relaxing. Chances are, you will have most of what you need around the house. Send your spouse and children off to lunch and a matinee, turn off your computer and cell phone, and have a spa experience at home.
Step 1
Relax in a soothing bubble bath. Fill the tub with warm water and your favorite bubble bath, bath salts or aromatic oils. After a soak in the tub, use a loofah or bath brush to gently exfoliate your skin. Rub a scented lotion into your skin while you are still damp, then wrap yourself in a plush bathrobe.
Step 2
Apply a facial mask. Purchase a commercial mask designed for your skin type, or make a homemade mask. Glamour.com recommends mixing cold cream, yogurt, honey, aloe vera gel and avocado in a blender. Smooth on and let dry for about 20 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. This combination will moisturize and freshen your skin.
Step 3
Rub your heels with a damp pumice stone to remove dead, flaky skin. Rub moisturizer into your feet, massaging the toes and heels. Cut your nails straight across with nail clippers. Dip a cotton ball into nail polish remover and remove any old polish or traces of moisturizer from your toenails. Separate your toes with more cotton balls and apply two coats of brightly colored nail polish, followed by a topcoat.
Step 4
Give yourself a manicure. Cut your nails straight across, and use an emery board to smooth the edges and file into a rounded shape, if desired. Apply two coats of nail polish that matches or enhances the shade you chose for your toes, then apply one coat of topcoat.
Step 5
Turn off the lights, turn on some soothing music and lie down. Close your eyes and concentrate on relaxing every part of your body, one part at a time, from your toes to the top of your head. Allow the strain and stress of the day to disappear.
Tips and Warnings
- If you would like to light a candle to help you relax while you lie down, do so before applying nail polish to avoid smudges. Some scents that are soothing, according to Discovery Health, include lavender and chamomile. Rejuvenating scents include peppermint, eucalyptus and basil. Keep these suggestions in mind for choosing scented bath products, lotions and candles.
Things You'll Need
- Bubble bath, bath salts or oils
- Loofah or bath brush
- Body lotion
- Facial mask
- Pumice stone
- Moisturizer
- Nail clippers
- Cotton balls
- Nail polish remover
- Nail polish
- Topcoat
- Emery board
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