Well, it’s about time we all enjoyed a little bit of a pamper, isn’t it – especially as we begin to emerge back into the world from our lockdown cocoons. If there’s something we have all really missed during lockdown, it’s probably the little luxuries we afforded ourselves in our regular self-care – and this has been a real lesson in appreciation, hasn’t it?
For those who maybe aren’t quite ready to return to ‘normal’ or can’t afford visits to holistic or beauty therapists, or for those who will be enjoying a ‘staycation’ this Summer, we thought now would be the perfect time to share a few tips on ‘top-to-toe home pampering’, so that you can enjoy some self-care in the comfort of your own space.
One positive of the pandemic is that it’s offered us the opportunity to really see the benefits of self-nurture; not just a ‘luxury’, but as a much-needed necessity. And that’s the bonus of self-pampering; it’s an accessible and affordable option that we can all benefit from and enjoy.
So read on, for our spa-inspired home pamper ideas to support your wellbeing!
Aromatherapy pampering for mind, body and soul
Of course, there are many ways you can nurture yourselves with self-care – whether that be from journaling, reading a good book, or watching a favourite film – but the way we are interested in nourishing ourselves involve essential oils. There’s a reason for this; not only do essential oils offer our physical bodies properties to rejuvenate and nourish, they also offer our minds a boost too.
Our tips will therefore focus on practical ways to indulge that will support the total rejuvenation of our mind, body, and soul – not just one aspect. Pampering with aromatherapy after all, is a ‘holistic’ way of nourishing ourselves – much in the same way as we’d get in the salon.
Top-to-toe pamper treatments
Of course, you’re probably wondering what’s on the home treatment menu? Here’s what we’ve got in store for you:
- Hydrating hair mask – with scalp massage
- Personalised mini home facial
- Relaxing aromatherapy spa bath
- Detoxifying body scrub
- Aromatherapy body massage
We’ll give you all the instructions and guidance on how to give yourself this gift of self-care at home. You can cherry pick the treatments that appeal to you or go for the whole lot and pamper yourself from top-to-toe!
Hydrating Hair Mask & Scalp Massage
There’s nothing like a lovely length of shiny, beautiful hair. Many of us have been stuck without our hairdresser visits during lockdown and may even still be struggling to get an appointment now they are slowly re-opening! So, if your hair is feeling dry and lack-lustre, don’t fear – we have a gorgeous, beautifully relaxing hair mask for you to try!
Hair mask blend:
Mix 15ml Argan oil with 3 drops of Ylang Ylang, 2 drops of Geranium and 1 drop of Rose
Scalp massage:
Massage the oil into the hair and scalp and leave it on for several hours before washing as normal (apply shampoo to hair before wetting it to aid the removal of the oil).
If you have time and want to enjoy more of a pamper try the following scalp massage routine:
- Working around the hairline, make tiny little circles with your fingers as you move around your whole scalp
- Using your first finger and thumb as little pincers, gently grab at little bits of your hair with alternate hands, all around your scalp as if you were picking things off your head
- Using all your fingers to gently tap your scalp, raindrop your fingers across your head in all directions
- Moving across the entire scalp, make bigger circles with your fingers and thumbs, with both hands, to gently massaging your head. Use the most time for this one movement and make it as slow and gentle as you like
- Finally, using both palms, gently squeeze your whole head with just a few gentle compresses to end the massage
Personalised Mini Home Facial
If there’s one thing I’ve really missed, it’s a beautiful facial. Fortunately, there are some simple aromatherapy ingredients that can easily be used to enjoy a wonderful facial at home:
Firstly, gather everything you’ll need:
- Headband
- Mask brush (optional)
- Cotton pads
- Bowl of warm water
- Micellar Water
- Cleansing Lotion
- Hydrolat (we recommend Orange Flower or Rose for drier skin or Witch Hazel for oilier skin)
- Apricot Kernel Oil and choice of essential oils
- French Green Clay or Kaolin Clay
- Aloe Vera & Seaweed Gel
Mixing the blends:
Facial oil – mix 5ml of Apricot Kernel Oil with 1 drop of either Lavender essential oil for dry skin or Lemon for oily skin
Face mask – for normal/dry skin combine 3 tsp of Kaolin Clay and 6 tsp of Aloe Vera & Seaweed Gel (or adjust quantities to your preferred consistency) then add 1 drop of Rose essential oil and 1 drop of Sweet Orange. For oily skin use French Green Clay and 1 drop each of Lemon and Mandarin.
Facial routine:
- Get comfortable and relaxed, set the scene with music, candles or diffuser (see blend below)
- Pop your headband on to keep your hair away from the face and forehead
- Using the cotton pads, immerse them in the Micellar Water (or normal warm water) and use this to cleanse around your face to remove any surface dirt or make-up
- Using the Cleansing Lotion, apply to your skin with fingertips and make small circles across your face to massage into the skin. At this point you might also want to make ‘scissors’ with your fingers and delicately pinch around your skin in an upwards movement. When you’ve finished, soak fresh cotton pads in warm water and use them to wipe off the cleansing lotion
- Pat your face dry with a tissue, and then lightly spritz or sprinkle your choice of Hydrolat onto your face with your fingers, and pat the skin again until dry
- Apply the facial oil and use massage strokes for 10 minutes, circling gently around the skin in the direction from the inside to the outside of the face, moving around the eyes, making small circles and finishing with lightly tapping the skin using your fingertips. After 10 minutes, remove the oil with hydrolat-soaked cotton pads
- Use the mask brush (or your fingertips) to apply the clay face mask then sit back and relax for 10 minutes. At this point, you could use any remaining facial oil to give yourself a little hand massage, if you wish!
- After 10 minutes, remove the mask with hydrolat-soaked cotton pads and apply a very light layer of your normal moisturiser
- Lie back and enjoy the beautiful, cleansed, toned and moisturised feel of your skin and enjoy a little rest – you may wish to pop a diffuser blend on as you relax – I’d suggest 3 drops Ylang Ylang, 2 drops Lavender and 2 drops Sweet Orange
Relaxing Aromatherapy Spa Bath
Of course, we haven’t been able to go to a spa recently, either – so why not bring a little bit of ‘spa’ luxury to your home
Bath salt blend:
For a lovely relaxing soak, mix ½ cup of Dead Sea Salt or Himalayan Pink Salt with 5 drops of Rose Geranium, 2 drops of Sweet Marjoram and 1 drop of Chamomile.
Rest and relax:
Turn off your phone, close the bathroom door and windows and run a warm bath. Add in the bath salts and swirl around to dissolve. Lie back and relax, close your eyes and take long, deep breaths – inhaling the essential oil aromas as you relax and float in the water!
Detoxifying Body Scrub
If you’re feeling the need for a deeper, skin-boosting cleanse try our detoxifying body scrub to remove dead skin cells and prepare the skin for your moisturiser.
Body polish blend:
Mix half a cup of solid Extra Virgin Coconut Butter, half a cup of Dead Sea Salt (grind for a less coarse texture), 3 drops of Frankincense, 2 drops of Lavender and 1 drop of Juniperberry.
Scrub routine:
- Prepare the body and ensure the skin is clean by having a bath or shower (if you’ve enjoyed the Spa soak above use the scrub when you get out)
- Gently massage the scrub into the skin with a circular motion, paying attention to problem areas. Work in an upwards direction or towards the heart
- Rinse off with warm water, pat dry with a towel and follow with a moisturiser or body oil such as the massage blend below
Aromatherapy Body Massage
One of my favourite ways to pamper is with a little bit of self-massage.
Pampering massage blend:
To really immerse yourself into the massage treatment why not begin, as I always do with my clients, by selecting your oils via your senses, maybe while sipping a nice cup of herbal tea. If you have a collection of essential oils, start by selecting 10 oils that you like the sound of, opening up each bottle one by one and sniffing and sensing into which three you feel most drawn to. Our bodies are super clever and know what they need, and your sense of smell will not let you down as it intuits what is needed today. Once you have your three selected oils, simply blend 2 drops of each into 15ml of carrier oil.
Self-massage routine:
- When you’re ready, set up an area where you feel comfortable – perhaps with some soft cushions, music playing, a diffuser on (I’d recommend up to 7 drops of the same essential oils you selected for your massage blend), a towel over where you’ll be lying, and a blanket you don’t mind getting oily
- Pop a bit of the massage oil into your hands and, starting at the feet, apply in long strokes to the whole body – right up towards the head – always working in a direction towards the heart. Massage into your body as desired – perhaps in this order: Front – left thigh, left calf, right thigh, right calf, feet, left arm, right arm, stomach. Back – left thigh, left calf, right thigh, right calf, back, neck and shoulders, scalp
- The beautiful thing about Aromatherapy is that it’s actually the oils that do the work, so we don’t need a strong deep tissue massage; just applying the oil in light, long strokes is enough. If you can’t reach any areas, just apply the oil where you can – it’ll still work its magic throughout
- When you’re done, lie back, listen to your relaxing music, snuggle up in your blanket and drift off. You’ll feel as good as new when you wake up!
So often, the idea of nurturing ourselves might not occur to us when we are caught up in living our lives, but there are plenty of options for pampering ourselves at home – even when we can’t take ourselves out for pampering. If there’s one thing I’ve seen in this crazy time, it’s people slowly realising the importance of allowing time for themselves, and this is a beautiful thing to take-away, especially when we are feeling stressed. We can always be there for ourselves – and the above tips are a perfect reminder of that. Enjoy as you nurture yourself and continue it into your daily life!