Archive for Uncategorized
01.24.11
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:17 pm by esmith
source:flickr by:ToOb
Wouldn’t it be nice to have the time and resources to schedule a regular facial? It’s no secret that hitting the day spa for some intense pampering and complexion TLC is a great way to get clear, glowing skin. But, armed with the right plan and the right products, you can duplicate the experience and results of a professional facial in the comfort of your own home. Here’s a step-by-step guide designed to help you achieve complexion perfection!
1. Create your atmosphere. A professional facial is such a wonderful experience not only for the clear pores and refreshed glow you’re left with, but for the relaxation it allows. Perform your home facial during bona fide “me” time … no kids, no television, no ringing phones, no distractions! Put on some soothing music and maybe a light a candle or two. Slip into some comfortable clothes and pull your hair back into a ponytail, using a headband to get bangs out of the way, if need be. Have a cup of green tea, or perhaps a glass of water with fresh lemon wedges, on hand to quench thirst in a healthy way. For what’s to come in step 3, put a pot of filtered water on the stove to boil.
2. Cleanse your skin. Remove your eye makeup, if you’re wearing any, and get a clean face with your favorite cleanser, washing twice if you’re wearing makeup. Make sure the water is no more than lukewarm (cold water is also fine) and rinse thoroughly before gently patting dry with a clean towel.
3. Steam your skin. Here’s where the pot of boiling water comes into play. As with any task involving a stove and hot water, exercise caution. DO NOT put your face in front of the water while it’s on the stove. Instead, remove the pot from heat once the water is boiling, and, using a potholder, set it down on your kitchen or dining table. Sit down and close your eyes, then position your face so that it’s at least 8-10 inches away from the pot. Let the steam seep into your pores, and enjoy its calming effects for 2-3 minutes.
4. Exfoliate. Using your favorite scrub—one that’s meant specifically for your delicate facial skin(Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is fantastic) get rid of dulling surface-level dead skin. Even if you don’t get around to your home facial as often as you’d like to, exfoliating is something you should make a part of your regular routine, at least 3 times a week. Don’t forget to rinse thoroughly.
5. Treatment time! Now that you’re cleansed and exfoliated, and hopefully relaxed, your skin and your spirit are ready for the final phase of the home facial, which is a masque of your choosing. A clay masque is great for those with oily or acneic skin, but if your skin is tight and dry, reach for something nourishing moisturizing—even a mashed up avocado works!
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01.13.11
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:38 pm by esmith
source:flickr by:Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort
Tips on Getting the Perfect Bath for the Ultimate At Home Spa Experience
How many times a year would you say you’ve treated yourself to a hot, candle-lit, soothing bath? We so easily get caught up in the daily grind that we forget the very thought of such a simple indulgence. And once you do remember, you wonder how you let yourself go for so long without it. After all, it’s such an easy and affordable reward after a hard day’s work or for taking care of the family.
Here are some tips on getting the perfect bath for the ultimate at home spa experience:
1. Make sure to set aside some time to clean the tub, the tiles and whatever possible grime you don’t want to be fixated on while you’re enjoying your bath. After all, a clean, tidy bathroom enhances your at home spa experience and helps lift your mood and calm your senses. Allow some time for the cleaning solvents to air out, and light a few scented candles to help speed up the process.
2. Next, create a playlist or bring out your favorite CDs to listen to for the perfect spa-like ambience. Some people prefer the recorded sounds of nature (running stream, waves crashing, birds chirping, etc.), while others like to listen to chill personal faves (whether it’s ambient electronic, indie rock or some soothing reggae or island beats). A laptop is the best way to listen to both your digital music and your CDs, and it’s obviously easier to transport into the bathroom. And if silence is a rarity, you may want to relish the sounds of nothingness instead.
3. Bring out your best towels, bath slippers and bath robe (if you have them). Enveloping yourself in them after a long, hot bath is like icing on the cake. It enhances your at home spa experience by adding a touch of elegance and luxury–making you feel like you’re actually away on vacation at some remote resort (remember, the key to these at home spa treatments is to remove yourself from the ordinary using your imagination).
4. And if you’re the type to get restless if you’re not doing anything, grab a book or a magazine to keep you busy as you sit and stew.
5. Fill the tub with water hot enough that you can tolerate, and slowly pour in bath crystals (like lavender for its soothing aroma, chamomile to calm and de-stress) and aromatherapy essential oils like rosemary and peppermint for their stimulating and invigorating effects, or vanilla for its anti-anxiety and sedative properties for a sound slumber. And finally, nothing tops off a bath like bubbles–and lots of them! To get a bath filled with bubblies, add liquid glycerin soap–a natural humectant that attracts moisture, which is a better alternative to commercial soaps that can dry out your skin.
6. Now you’re ready to slip into a hot bath and steep in it for however long it takes to calm the nerves, the senses and dissolve your worries until you can no longer stand wrinkled, pruny skin.
So there you have it. You don’t need to break the bank to spoil yourself with a spa day. After all, your home is your sanctuary, your personal space. It’s only right that you should be able to relax and unwind more ways than one in the comfort of your own home.
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06.25.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:34 am by admin
Having the ability to give yourself a mini spa session in the privacy of your own home at your leisure is one of the best kept secrets of our time. Learn how to prepare your own home spa ritual complete with facial masque, aromatherapy bath and complete body moisturizing from head to toe.
A home spa ritual that you can engage in once or more per week is ideal for the average woman who is already too short on time to even consider visiting a spa for a lengthy treatment. And, although you may not have time for a professional spa session it’s probably obvious that you would love to experience the relaxation and reenergizing that comes with such treatments. For this reason establishing your own in home spa rituals can be relaxing, easy to do and oh, so fun!
This Home spa resource web site is brought to you by Glow.com as an information resource because we believe that information is key to your skin’s health and beauty.
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