How to create an at-home spa experience

Turn your home into a luxury spa and treat yourself to some self-care.

When you're tense, stressed and want to unwind - don't turn to a vice that will leave you feeling worse (doom scrolling) - treat yourself to some real relaxation and let your body de-stress.

Jump to:

Gather tools and supplies
Create ambience
How to give yourself a facial
Hot oil hair mask
Aromatherapy Bath or Shower
Full body scrub
Mani / Pedi

Gather tools and supplies

I will go through what products (or DIY alternatives) you will need for each treatment below but here are some of the essentials:

Towels
Robe and slippers
Essential oils
Carrier oils
Candles or soft lighting
Bowls (for steaming)
Music player
NO distractions! (Phone off)

Create ambience

Creating the perfect ambience is key to crafting an immersive at-home spa vibe, transforming it from an everyday routine to a luxurious experience.

Begin by curating a playlist of soothing music, whether gentle instrumental melodies, nature sounds, or your favourite calming tunes. Youtube has tons of options.

Next, pay careful attention to lighting. Opt for soft, diffused lighting with candles or dimmed lamps to create a cosy and tranquil atmosphere.

Embrace the power of aroma by using essential oils, scented candles, or incense. Scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and chamomile can evoke a spa-like feel, enhancing relaxation and mindfulness.

Lastly, make sure the temperature is just right. If it's Wintertime - put the heating on for a while to make sure you're warm enough.

How to give yourself a facial

Here is an easy facial routine using face cleanser or oil, a gentle chemical exfoliation, a bowl of hot water, towels, a face mask or sheet, cucumber slices, toner, serum and a moisturiser.

Cleanse: Begin by gently removing makeup using cleansing lotion or oil. Follow up with a suitable facial cleanser based on your skin type.
Gentle Exfoliation: Opt for enzyme or chemical exfoliators like glycolic acid, leaving them on for the indicated time. Avoid harsh scrubs to prevent skin scratching. Brightening peels are also great for smooth skin and open pores.
Steam: Open up your pores by steaming your face. Use a facial steamer tool or create steam by placing your face over a bowl of slightly cooled boiled water. Cover your head with a towel and breathe in the steam for about five minutes. You could also combine this step with a bath or shower.
Face Mask: With open pores, apply your chosen face mask or sheet. Work the mask into your skin gently or place the sheet mask on your face, according to instructions.
Cucumber! Place two slices of cucumber over your eyes, lie back, relax and let the face mask do its work. Remove the mask before it dries out so it doesn't dehydrate your skin.
Tone: Apply toner using a cotton pad, cotton ball, or spritzer. This will rebalance your skin's natural pH.
Hydrate: Apply a hydrating serum tailored to your skin's needs. Choose from anti-ageing, vitamin C, or brightening serums. Night serums with hyaluronic acid work well for bedtime routines.
Lock in Moisture: Complete the facial by applying a nourishing moisturizer. Enhance the experience with a facial massage to boost circulation and aid moisturizer absorption.

My personal favourites:

Hot oil hair mask

You'll need:

An oil blend of choice (e.g. olive, avocado or coconut oil)
Heatproof bowl or jug
Larger bowl
Wide-tooth comb
Plastic shower cap
Shampoo and conditioner

Follow these steps for a rejuvenating hot oil hair treatment:

Prepare the Oil: Scoop approx 60ml (1/4 cup) of your chosen oil blend into a heat-safe bowl or jug. Place the smaller bowl into a larger bowl filled with hot water, allowing it to partially submerge for a few minutes and reach a comfortable temperature.
Test and Apply: Check the oil's temperature on your wrist to ensure it's not too hot. Then, apply the warm oil from your fingertips to the ends of your hair, starting with a scalp massage in gentle circles.
Spread and Comb: Distribute the oil throughout your scalp and hair by combing with a wide-tooth comb, guiding the product to the ends.
Cover and Wait: Put on a plastic shower cap to retain heat and leave the oil in your hair for 15 to 30 minutes. This allows for deep penetration.
Rinse and Condition: Wash and shampoo your hair to remove the oil. Finish with conditioner for added nourishment if desired.

Aromatherapy Bath or Shower

How to safely use essential oils.

Essential oils aren't water soluble, so simply adding a few drops to your bath will make the droplets float on top of the water and could irritate your skin. Make sure you combine your essential oils with a carrier oil first.

You should also choose your essential oils wisely. Avoid oils that are harsh to the skin such as; cinnamon, clove, oregano, spearmint and thyme in the bath. The best for your skin are lavender, rose, geranium and chamomile.

Luxurious bath

Mix a tablespoon of carrier oil (such as coconut, olive or jojoba) and 10-12 drops of your chosen essential oil(s) in a small bowl.

You want to choose a blend that complements each other (such as rose and geranium) or stick to a single essential oil.

Once your bath is full and at a comfortable temperature, gently pour in the oil blend and swirl it around to disperse.

Relax, unwind and breathe in those wonderful aromas.

Soothing shower

No bath? No problem. The easiest way to add a luxurious aromatherapy element to your shower is to add a few drops of essential oils to a clean cloth and place it at the bottom corner of your shower. The steam will circulate the oil's aromas as you shower.

Other options include shower steamers and sprays. You can make your own too!

Full body scrub

There are a couple of options when it comes to exfoliation, depending on what you prefer, how sensitive your skin is and how much dead skin you have to remove.

Using an Italy Towel or scrubbing it - these are great for removing lots of dead skin but can be a little harsh on sensitive skin.
Dry skin brushing - do this before your bath or shower. It's gentle and great for boosting circulation.
Storebought exfoliating scrub - a more gentle approach.
Make your own scrub - see how below.

Easy DIY Brown sugar scrub: Simply mix equal parts brown sugar and a carrier oil, such as coconut, jojoba, olive, almond, or grapeseed.

Incorporate your scrub into your bath or shower so your skin is nice and soft first.
Pay attention to areas of your skin that feel dry and avoid any cuts or tender areas. Start from your chest, down to the tops of your feet.
Rinse thoroughly to remove any excess dead skin cells.
Dry yourself with a towel and apply moisturiser. Enjoy your baby-soft skin.

Mani / Pedi

Treat your hands and feet to a luxurious spa-like experience right at home, without the need for expensive equipment or harsh chemicals.

You just need a tub of warm water, a towel, exfoliating scrub, pumice stone, nail file and clippers, moisturiser and optional oil or varnish to finish.

Prepare Soothing Soak: Fill two bowls with warm water and soak your hands and feet for about 10 minutes to soften the skin.
Gentle Exfoliation: Create a homemade scrub by mixing sugar or salt with olive oil or honey. Gently massage the scrub onto your hands and feet to remove dead skin cells and reveal smoother skin. For your feet, I recommend a pumice stone for the harder skin around your heels.
Nail Care: Trim and file your nails to your desired shape. Push back your cuticles gently with a cuticle pusher or your fingertips.
Moisturize: Massage a rich moisturizer onto your hands and feet to lock in hydration. Use circular motions to improve circulation.
Relax and Dry: Allow your nails to dry naturally while you relax. Put on a cosy pair of socks and gloves to keep the moisturizer locked in.
Finishing Touch: Once your nails are dry, you can either just apply cuticle oil for added hydration and shine or you can paint your nails for a more glamorous finish.