Wellbeing

Create a Home Spa

Spoil yourself with these pampering DIY tips from beauty expert Kate Bunyan.

There’s no doubt a visit to a plush spa is a fabulous way to spend a weekend, but it’s a luxury not all of us can afford. The good news is that creating a spa at home is simple and inexpensive. Taking time out for a personal pamper is not just an indulgence, it is a way of de-stressing which is important to your overall health and appearance. Kate Bunyan, an expert from Finders International explains: “Stress causes cortisol levels to rise, which triggers a variety of skin problems. And, when we are stressed, our mineral levels are depleted and our bodies do not function properly. Our digestion becomes sluggish and vital nutrients from the food we eat are not absorbed.”

Create your spa zone

It’s not just the treatments that make visiting a spa a tranquil experience; the atmosphere is just as important. To make the most of your session, schedule in some time when you won’t be interrupted. Turn off your phone and tell your loved ones you’re not to be disturbed.

Arrange all of the products you’re going to use next to the bath. You’ll need: a body brush, bath salts, body oil, moisturiser and toning spray. Place your towels on a radiator so they’re nice and warm for when you get out of the bath. Next, dim the lights, light scented candles and switch on some relaxing music for a calming, soothing spa ambiance. Pour your favourite bubble bath under warm running water and add a handful or two of bath salts, which will help relax your whole body and hydrate your skin.

Go with the flow

Once you’ve transformed your bathroom into a spa area, getting your mind to slow down and escape the day-to-day strains is vital. Kate advises: “Breathe really deeply for a few counts into your lungs. This will get the oxygen flowing around your body and allow you to relax.”

Then give yourself a dry skin brush as it’s one of the best ways to take care of your skin. This should be done before you get into the bath. Start at your feet and, using a body brush, sweep up your legs in long, light brisk movements. All skin brushing strokes should be towards the heart, to encourage blood and lymphatic flow. Pay particular attention to the cellulite-prone areas like your thighs. Brush your abdomen with a circular clockwise motion. Use an upward motion on your arms, moving towards the heart. The whole process should take two to five minutes.

Rejuvenate with a massage

Once you’re in the bath, give yourself a simple all-over body massage. You can use your favourite essential oil or sesame oil works well and is suitable for all skin types.

Start by massaging your feet. Place one leg up on the side of the bath and use your thumb to work into the ball of the foot and work out any areas of tension. Cover the whole of the foot and use your fist for more pressure. Pull out your toes and use your fingertips to stroke in between the digits on the front of the foot. Gently stroke up your calf muscle and, starting from the ankle, work upwards, massaging this muscle. Work around the knee joint with your fingers and thumbs. For your arms, start in the same way with your hands – work up the arm and around the elbow joint, then up and over biceps and the back of shoulder, squeezing the large trapezius muscle.

Face facts

No spa experience is complete without a facial. They’re best when the pores are open so after your bath is perfect. Kate advises: “The detox Chinese acupressure point is located behind your ears. If you place your fingertips level with the bottom of your earlobe – where your middle finger falls is the pressure point – this should feel slightly sensitive if you have got the right spot. Next cleanse your skin. Press your favourite cleanser with your fingertips around the bone structure of your eyes, lifting up and out and from the inner to outer brow. This will reduce the appearance of crow’s feet. Pay particular attention to areas of congestion e.g. the nose, forehead and chin. Then remove withdamp cotton wool or fresh warm water.”

Kate continues: “Next, balance the skin’s pH and promote a hydrated, healthy complexion by spritzing a toning spray directly over the face and neck area, or you can apply with it cotton wool. Finally, for skin that looks and feels radiant and deeply hydrated, massage your favourite moisturiser into your face and neck to nourish it.”

And relax…

Once you’ve completed your body-pampering, you may feel a bit sleepy, so make sure you schedule in some more ‘me-time’. Make yourself a hydrating herbal tea, wrap yourself in a fluffy robe and relax!

For more information on Kate Bunyan at Finders International visit www.findershealth.co.uk

Do-it-yourself

These homemade recipes are all you need to complete a spa experience

Breakfast yoghurt scrub

2 tsp plain yoghurt
2 tsp fine cereal
tsp brewer’s yeast
1 tsp Manuka honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Apply a thick layer to your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave them on for 10 to 12 minutes and then rinse off.
Apple and sea salt scalp purifying mask

1 cup of apple sauce
2 tbsp dry milk
1 tsp fine sea salt
10 drops tea tree essential oil

Apply to dry hair before shampooing.
Massage the mask well into the scalp and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off and follow with a mild shampoo as usual.

Calming chamomile bath infusion

2 cups of water
1 cup of dried chamomile flowers or 8 chamomile tea bags
Cup of dried birch leaves
Cup of nettle leaves or 4 nettle tea bags

1. Combine all ingredients in a non-metal bowl or a saucepan.

2. Pour boiling water on top and let it steep for 30 minutes. Alternatively, cover all the ingredients with cold water and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.

3. Let it cool down and strain through a cheese cloth. Add two cups of the infusion to the bath water.

Taken from the Green Beauty Recipes by Julie Gabriel (£10.24, Petite Marie Ltd).

Dr Mark Atkinson is a holistic medical doctor, author of Holistic Health Secrets for Women and consultant to Higher Nature. To take his free health and wellbeing assessment visit drmarkatkinson.com. Find out about his revolutionary human potential coach training programme at www.humanpotential.uk.com

The cheat’s kit

If you don’t have enough time to make your own, these goodies are just as good and come without the mess!

Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Masque, £36

This face mask smells of strawberries and will rejuvenate a tired complexion in 10 minutes.

Pukka Detox Tea, £2.09 for 20 sachets

Sipping this herbal tea while having a soak is the ultimate relaxation treat.

Comfort Zone Hydramemory Mask 24h 50ml, £20

Lie back and let this product do all the work. It contains trehalose, which is a plant known for its water retention abilities, making it particularly hydrating.

A’kin Sandalwood and Sweet Orange Invigorating Scrub, £11.90

This sweet-smelling body scrub from lucyrose.biz is as good as any product you’ll find in a spa and cheaper too!

Essentially Natural Frankincense Soy Candle, £7.50

Small but powerful. Light this candle and the aroma of frankincense will fill your whole bathroom.

Article by

Kate Bunyan

Beauty expert

Discover more

Article by

Kate Bunyan

Beauty expert

Discover more