We know that the hustle and bustle of the holidays eventually catches up to you in a not so very pleasant way. Having spent most of your time thinking of others, there was hardly ever a minute to spare to give to yourself! How exhausting!
But the holidays are over now, and it’s time to start focusing on one very important person who’s felt neglected over the past several months—no, not your Aunt May, silly, YOU!
Don’t freak out and think you have to refinance your apartment and invest in a full day at the spa. While that is always nice, there are cheaper alternatives to premium day spa treatments that you can do in the comfort of your own home to show yourself some love!
How do you practice self-love?
Face Masks
Ah yes, the cliché go-to for when your skin needs a good pick-me-up in the dead middle of winter. They do so much for the body—and the soul—we don’t even care it’s a cliché!
Nothing beats the winter blues like a good purifying mask to clear out all the dirt and free radicals that have no doubt be doing their damage over the festive weeks of the season.
This pore-purifying mask by Vichy utilizes two types of clay, Kaolin and Bentonite, to remove impurities and excess sebum from the face without stripping the skin of essential oils! Enriched with extracts of Aloe Vera and Allantonin, this smooth formula also helps to reduce redness and irritation. Remineralizing Thermal Water works to rebalance the skin’s optimum moisture levels and enhance skin’s natural protective barrier.
Just because the holidays are over, doesn’t mean that everything quite dies down completely. We know you’re busy. Don’t think you have time for some derma-licious TLC? Think again!
This mask is almost literally out-of-this-world! Using a gel-texture inspired by NASA memory foam, this hydrating mask works into your skin overnight to replenish moisture where your skin needs it the most!
Fortified with 24-hour smart hydrators, a blend of Prickly Pear, Green Ginger, and Mugwort extracts work to attract water in even the most difficult of circumstances—where else do you think the cactus gets its green in the middle of the desert?
Advanced with fatty acids, this mask helps to neutralize free radicals and boost skin’s natural defensive capabilities. Wake up with skin that is so soft and radiant, it may feel a bit extraterrestrial.
Body BrushingHold on a minute, this isn’t a crazy invitation to take your hairbrush and scale it all up and down your body—I know it sounds a little eccentric, but seriously.
If that’s what you thought of, you’re not too far off, but there is a difference. Unlike your hairbrush, your body brush is going to have short, stiff, natural hair bristles. Body brushing has many benefits. Just to name a few, body brushing:
- Exfoliates dead skin cells
- Helps reduce cellulite
- Stimulates your lymphatic system to rid the body of toxins
- Unclogs pores and decongests skin
To start, change into your birthday suit, and hop in the shower—those dead skin cells have to go somewhere—better the bottom of your tub than anywhere else. I’m sure you’ll agree if you already found out the hard way.
Simply brush in long strokes all over your body, ALWAYS stroking toward the heart. Be careful as you brush over sensitive parts of the body. The more you dry brush, the more you’ll adjust to the bristles, promise.
For best results, practice dry brushing every day!
Whether dawning on the season of love, or the middle of July, self-love is important and essential to keep our bodies happy and healthy. Take some time to show yourself a little tender, loving care this month. Find your new favorite way to spend your weekends—flying solo, may just be the only wingman you need this year. Who knows!
Related Articles
