Relax and revitalize with this monthly at-home regimen. All you really need is a one-night stand with yourself once a month (and yes, a few low-cost products) for a deep treat and restore your self-love. Here's how.
1. Stage the evening
This is your “me” time so no significant other, dog or cat interruptions. First, clear out the clutter. Light candles or at least dim the lights, get a playlist of soothing music going. Grab your coziest robe, softest towels and some clean washcloths. Have a pitcher of cold water spiked with lemon slices and mint or cucumber to sip. You're an hour or two away from serenity and a beauty reboot.
2. Do it your way
Personalize each "spa" session. If you're a bath lover, apply face and hair masks before that dreamy soak and maybe end with a clear water rinse under the bath faucet. Prefer showers? Do your masks and let them work while you read a book, write in a journal or daydream before spray-time. Adapt the schedule, agenda and products to suit your needs of the moment.
3. Slather on a hair mask (aka deep conditioner) ASAP
Use a wide-tooth comb to gently distribute the mask or oil evenly. Then let it "bake" under a plastic-wrap turban or shower cap.
4. Go face-first into a sheet mask
Infused with do-good ingredients, and with cutouts for eyes, nose and mouth, sheets are a mess-free affordable solution. Apply to a makeup-free, freshly cleansed face.
5. Apply a disposable eye mask
If your eyes are puffy, red, darkly circled or fatigued, a mask with caffeine, cucumber, licorice root revives them. You can wear these under your face mask or even sleep in them! These are more potent than grandma's teabag-and-cucumber-slice remedies and you can keep your eyes open while they work.
6. Give hands a TLC makeover
Before jumping in the tub or shower, file and shape your fingernails dry — once wet they're more apt to break or split. File in one direction (no sawing!) on one side to the center, then the other side, and do tips last. At the end of the evening, massage hands and cuticles with a rich hand cream that contains shea butter and botanical oils to seal in moisture.
7. Thank your feet with bootie masks
Each achy, crusty, calloused foot has 26 bones plus muscles, tendons and ligaments. Since toenails are thick, they're easier to trim and file when softened first in bath or shower, so save this step for later. Follow grooming with a foot massage. Use your thumbs in circular movements to press arches, big toes, small toes, balls of feet and heels. Slip on sock masks infused with shea butter and an exfoliating acid like apple extract.
8. Relax in a steamy (but not too hot) tub
Just add two cups of mineral salts such as Epsom Soothing Lavender Bath Salt for Soaking. Rich in magnesium, bath salts help reduce water retention that bloats breasts, tummy or ankles while it soothes achy muscles.
9. Rinse or shower off and moisturize
Shampoo and condition last to remove excess mask residue. Apply a body moisturizer while skin is still damp. A rich but fast-absorbing cream sinks in with no sticky after-feel. Don't forget to trim and file toenails now, while they're soft.
10. Stay blissful for a good night's sleep
Turn off your mobile, your laptop and face away from the glow of your digital alarm. Try some meditation to get yourself centered, keep the bedroom cool — and be sure to blow out all those calming candles!
Story adapted from aarp.org
