Home Spa Day with KA Beauty

There is nothing better than having a spa day or a day at your favourite salon. A day for you to be treated and pampered like the goddess (or god) that you are. A day where you aren’t rushing around thinking of everyone else. And, most importantly, easing those tired, achy feet and overwhelmed mind.

We don’t always get our spa days or that little sense of indulgence and respite when we really need it. So, I decided to compile this step-by-step guide to creating a spa-like experience from the comfort of your own home. You should have most of the ingredients. If not, they are easy enough to get hold of. Now go grab your dressing gown and let’s get this spa-day started!

First things first… Let’s set the mood

Find yourself some candles or some dim lamps. Dot them around the room and turn off the main lights. Don’t worry if your candles aren’t scented as the products you’re about to make are going to smell amazing! If you have your phone or tv nearby, put some yoga music on YouTube or maybe some waterfall sounds. I often play similar tracks in my beauty salon. They will help you to relax and also distract you from things around you.

Getting your room set up is really going to make such a difference with your “home spa day”. Take a little extra time to give yourself the most relaxing environment, you’ll be thankful you did!

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.“

Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris

To the good bit… Pamper time!

Your first treatment will be to exfoliate your skin. You can use what products you have already. Or if you want to try a home-made scrub, I recommend the coffee scrub on my DIY beauty blog! It’s incredibly hydrating and makes your skin feel renewed after.

Once you’ve washed this off, you’re going to follow with a mask. Again, you can use your own, but I highly recommend this avocado and chocolate face mask. It’s packed full of nutrients to keep your skin soft, supple and nourished. Plus, I am known for being a tad avocado mad!

1. Mash ¼ of an avocado in a small bowl
2. Stir in one tablespoon of cocoa powder and one tablespoon of honey. Make sure it’s smooth and mixed through
3. Apply the mask to dry skin and leave for 10-15 minutes
4. Wash off with warm water, then tone and moisturize as per usual

While you have your face mask on, you’re going to do some dry body brushing. If you don’t have a body brush, you can miss this step.

Starting at your feet, use your brush to make long sweeps moving up towards the heart. Focus on areas of cellulite a little more. This will only take 5 minutes, but it can have some amazing effects on your body. Dry brushing will help to give your skin radiance, an even tone and texture. It will reduce cellulite, help to drain toxins and stimulate your lymphatic drainage system.

After dry brushing, you will have loosened and removed dead skin cells. So have a quick shower to wash them all away (and your face mask).

Now you’re going to apply a luxurious oil or indulgent body cream before getting into your finest dressing gown. Coconut or olive oil with a few drops of your favourite essential oil make a great natural body oil. (Lavender and frankincense are divine). And you get the added benefit of the essential oils! Make sure you do your usual skincare routine now. But leave the eye area as I have a lovely eye mask recipe to come!

By now you should be starting to feel like your unwinding and to be honest… feeling pretty good.

Let’s boost those eyes

Before we soak our feet, we want to get our eye mask on. This mask is perfect for reducing any puffiness and dark circles and will hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes.

Mix together 1tsp of honey and some very finely ground coffee and apply it to the under-eye area. It’s that simple. Leave this on while you relax and soak your feet. Coffee works wonders on dark circles and honey is a humectant (grabs moisture from the air). If you’re vegan or just not a fan of honey, add some boiling water to some camomile tea bags. Remove them from the water and let them cool. These can then be applied to the eyes while your feet are having a soak.

Let’s give those feet some love

Now I don’t know many people who don’t love a foot pamper when you have tired achy feet. Giving them a good foot soak can make you feel like a new person! It’s also the part of the body we neglect most. So, it’s about time to introduce some simple but indulgent foot care routines!

For this you need a washing up bowl (or worst-case a medium bucket).

Add in:

• ½ a cup of Epsom salts
• ½ a tablespoon of coconut oil
• 4 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

Fill up your bowl with lovely warm water to about ankle deep and then soak your feet for 10 minutes. This will help you relax, soften the skin and relieve any foot aches. You’re getting the double pamper here with your lovely eye mask on too. After 10-15 minutes, wipe away your eye mask with warm water. Next, we are going to exfoliate your feet.

For this you will need:

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil
• 3-4 drops peppermint oil

All you have to do is mix the ingredients together and then massage into your feet. Don’t rush this step. Massaging it in will relieve tension and improve circulation. Peppermint oil is fantastic for relieving aches and pains. When you’re finished, apply some foot cream or a little coconut oil with a drop of peppermint essential oil in.