It’s not always practical, or possible, to visit an actual spa. However, us mums definitely need to make time for "me-time". The problem is that sometimes when we have a miraculous couple of hours to ourselves, we’re so excited that we can’t make up our minds what to do.
Here are some indulgent DIY spa day ideas that you can action the minute your other half takes the reins:
Set the scene
Prepare a bath that makes you feel like you’ve escaped to paradise. Think luxurious bath oil; your favourite candles; a relaxing playlist courtesy of Spotify (check out ‘Bath Music’); and a cup (or glass) of your favourite beverage. Bath trays are perfect if you like to bring in a book and will prevent you from having to reach out of the suds every time you want to skip a track or take a sip of your drink.
Treat your skin
If you’d like to turn your soak into a treatment, why not follow up with an exfoliating body scrub. Your skin will thank you for it and you’ll feel even more revitalised and refreshed afterwards. After drying off, finish up your spa day experience by slathering on your most expensive body moisturiser (we all have one we save for special occasions).
Give yourself a manicure
If you’re anything like me, you’ll occasionally apply a quick coat of varnish to your nails. However, if you booked a manicure in a spa you’d be sorely disappointed with this lacklustre attempt. Instead, take the time to give your hands and nails some love and undo some of the tolls that all that washing up takes on them. First up, clean your nails with a polish remover, file, buff and gently push back your cuticles. Don’t forget to exfoliate and moisturise your hands too. Lastly, apply a base coat, two coats of a gorgeous colour, and a top coat. Your jewellery will finally look at home alongside your new manicure.
And finish off with a pedicure
Now you’ve got your nails sorted, what about your feet? No doubt you’re running around on them all day so they definitely deserve to be looked after. As with your nails, cleaning and filing are steps one and two, but your feet will also benefit from being soaked in warm water. Grab your favourite magazine and enjoy reading a few articles before moving on to scrubbing away any dead skin. While nothing beats having your feet massaged by your partner, you’ll still appreciate the sensation of applying an ultra-hydrating lotion to your own toes. If you want to look like you’ve just walked out of a salon, apply the same colour (as well as the base and top coat) that you used for your fingers. You’ll feel just as confident (minus the price tag!) from your DIY spa day.
