Self-Care Tips for Stressful Times
It’s day 53 of our sheltering in place chapter and I finally polished my toenails. Is this a positive sign? I hope so! At least my toes are looking more cheerful. Overall, we are feeling more positive with May on the horizon. For now, we continue to stay home and stay safe.
It’s day 53 of our sheltering in place chapter and I finally polished my toenails. Is this a positive sign? I hope so! At least my toes are looking more vibrant. Overall, a bit of the mental fog is lifting and we are feeling more optimistic with May on the horizon. For now, we will continue to stay home and stay safe.
How are you doing during this stressful time? Now that you have likely had much more time at home are you changing up your self-care routines? As we already know, deep-breathing, exercise, healthy eating and proper rest are essential for self-care and stress reduction. I've also found that spa time at home is important for wellbeing.
Though there is less need to dress up on days like these, it doesn’t mean self-care should take a back seat. I’ll admit, I have had a few days where a shower felt like too much trouble, but I find I definitely feel better (physically and emotionally) when I take the time to care for my skin, hair, and nails.
I’m digging in my drawers for facial scrubs, masks, and serums that are half-used or forgotten. By the way, doesn’t it feel good to go through the items that have not been frontline and either use or dump them? It’s cost-effective, green and, honestly, my drawers have never looked better. Now that we have the luxury of time, I want to share a few of my must-haves for a spa day at home.
My necessities for a self-care home spa experience:
*Plush bamboo towels (2 matching sets in white for easy care laundering)
*A comfy, absorbent spa robe
*A fragrant candle like Jo Malone’s Basil and Neroli
*Facial Masque-Caudalie is a favorite that I picked up in Paris
*Body wash - Le Labo - Bergamote 22
*Skin serums and moisturizers from Peter Thomas Roth
*My Clarisonic Mia (a lifechanger for my skin)
*My DIY beauty elixir (see below)
*Cucumber and lemon water in a carafe
*Soothing, calming music (Spa channel on Satellite or anything 'Chill or downtemp' on spotify)
I’m planning to purchase this BeautyFIX box on sale that does not require a subscription right now. $24.99 for products worth over $100.00 and should come in handy since I’m no longer shopping in stores.
It’s nice to let our skin breathe (sans makeup except for business zooms) but moisture is key. I’ve recently renewed my appreciation for a household product that is a miracle in a jar. Read this post on My DIY Beauty Elixir for Thirsty Skin that I wrote a couple of years back.
I found these great tips for Self-Care from Virtuoso:
How to have the ultimate Self-Care Day
In need of some wanderlust?
Favorite Travel Spa Experiences from the Curated Travel Blog
My DIY Beauty Elixir for Thirsty Skin
It's that time of year when my skin starts to feel more dried out than the Sahara desert. With summer temps above 100 degrees, lots of pool time here in California, as well as a sun-filled getaway to Riviera Maya, my skin is thirsty for a powerful moisturizer. It's also important to me that what I put on my skin is good for my skin and the rest of my body.
It's that time of year when my skin starts to feel more dried out than the Sahara desert. With summer temps above 100 degrees, lots of pool time here in California, as well as a sun-filled getaway to Riviera Maya, my skin is thirsty for a powerful moisturizer. It's also important to me that what I put on my skin is good for my skin and the rest of my body.
Earlier this summer I noticed a comment on a blog about using coconut oil as a skin moisturizer. I did some research and found some enthusiastic articles like this on Prevention Magazine. Soon after, I spotted organic coconut oil on the shelf at Target. I already had a collection of essential oils at home and had yet to find much use for them. I grabbed the organic coconut oil, and I knew my DIY beauty elixir was in the works.
These are a few of my favorite essential oils. I love the freshness of the citrus, herby infusion of lavender and the added layer of spicy floral blossoms with the bergamot. When I read about the benefits of using bergamot oil--treating skin conditions, as a natural insecticide, aromatherapy and stress reduction--I was impressed. I have uneven skin tone on my arms as I've gotten older, so I wanted to bathe in the stuff.
These are my simple steps for creating your DIY Beauty Elixir
*Purchase organic coconut oil (for more on the benefits of coconut oil read Health Effects of Coconut Oil)
*Select your favorite essential oil fragrances
*Add your essential oils--drop by drop--into the coconut oil
*Mix with a fork and sniff the elixir with each new addition to find the right balance of scent
*When you've found your favorite scent, give your elixir a final stir and seal the jar with a lid
I've always enjoyed the idea of blending my own perfumes, as I did in San Francisco at Le Labo. Creating the unique fragrance in such a luxurious coconut oil base just adds to the allure of my DIY beauty elixir for me.
I recycled a simple lidded jar and now my DIY beauty elixir lives proudly next to my Clarins, Nuxe, and Antica Farmacista products on my dressing table.
Along with being incredibly cost-effective, the best benefit of the elixir is soft, silky skin with a touch of sheen to it. I even applied some to my husband's arm today. He actually liked the subtle unisex fragrance, and he was impressed with how his skin looked and felt. The jury is out on whether he is an elixir fan but, I'm guessing I could create an irresistible scent for him.
Tips for Creating a Home Spa Experience
There are some weeks when there is nothing like a little time to yourself to help rejuvenate and restore. Taking an hour or so of quiet time, paired with a soothing at-home spa experience, is one of my favorite ways to refresh.
My home spa
There are some weeks when there is nothing like a little time to yourself to help rejuvenate and restore. Taking an hour or so of quiet time, paired with a soothing at-home spa experience, is one of my favorite ways to refresh.
I have a few 'home spa' musts~
*Luxurious, plush white cotton towels
*A comfy, absorbent robe like this from Barefoot Dreams
*A cozy wrap for staying cozy between treatments
*A fragrant candle (like my Dayna Decker here)
*Soothing, calming music (Spa channel on Satellite or anything 'Chill' on spotify)
*Facial Masque-Caudalie is a favorite that I picked up in Paris
*Clean scented soap that lathers like this from Peter Thomas Roth
*Body sugar scrub and body wash (MOR is my current favorite)
*Richly moisturizing body cream from Peter Thomas Roth
*Dry oil for body from Nuxe
*Mia by Clairsonic for face-it's changed my skin!
Kai Glow body oil spray-like a mini vacation on a tropical island
A favorite scent such as Kai.
To find the perfect Day Spa, yoga or pilates spa I use Spa Finder:
It's the perfect way to send the most luxurious and nurturing gift card to someone you love.
Another must have for spa time is a splash of spa water. I slice lemons and cucumbers and place in a pitcher with cool water. It's refreshing and has detoxifying and diuretic properties.
I've had these for 10 years and I am still enchanted by these vintage perfume bottle prints.
Now if you'll excuse me, there is somewhere I need to be.........
creating-home-spa-experience
Are you like me? A little soak and a little spa therapy makes a new woman out of me.
Ambient, candlelit and luxurious............
