Delightful as spa treatments are, not everyone has the time/money/inclination to indulge regularly. I have therefore taken on the mission of finding the top products to pamper yourself from head to toe and create the perfect home spa! What excellent reading for a Sunday evening, no? There are a host of brands previously exclusive to spas that have launched brilliant home spa ranges, as well as some old faithfuls everyone should have in their bathroom. Yes some of them may be a tad pricey, but I'm not necessarily suggesting you buy everything all at once...
Starting with the face, nothing beats a good scrub to unblock pores and leave skin glowing. Korres Pomegranate Scrub (£16, www.houseoffraser.co.uk) naturally derived ground Olive stones as exfoliating grains, refining the pores, reducing black spots and remove excess sebum, leaving skin radiant. Pomegranate extract, rich in tannins, reduces pore size and rejuvenates the skin. Follow with a good cleanse - I am a long-standing fan of Clarins Cleansing Milk with Apline Herbs and Toning Lotion with Camomile (£17 each, www.clarins.co.uk). Finally The Sanctuary 30 Day Youth Revolution is a two-step facial-in-a-box consisting of a skin renewal glycolic peel mask and anti-wrinkle activation serum. The mask gently helps lift away the build-up of dead skin cells and unblocks pores to re-establish a healthy cycle of cell renewal. The daily serum produces an instant smoothing effect on expression lines, fine lines and wrinkles to minimise their appearance over time. (£22.50, available from www.boots.com )
For a unique bathing experience, try the new gelSPA Luxury Bath Soak (£9.99, available from Boots), a miraculous product that turns bath water into an indulgent gel infused with aromatherapy oils. Add the 'Step 1' sachet to running water and it transforms into a thick, creamy gel that retains its temperature for up to four times longer, allowing you to relax in an indulgent hot bath. 'Step 2' then returns the water to normal to drain. Available in three variations, Revive infused with rosemary to awaken the senses, Sooth infused with juniper to relieve muscles and calm aches and pains, and Relax infused with lavender, jasmine and bergamot to calm mind and body. The Radox Spa range is a fantastic budget bathtime treat. The Soothe Bath Soak with fig and neroli oil and Enrich Shower Gel with frangipani, hibiscus and coconut oil (£2.15 each, available from Boots) are both delicately scented and deliciously moisturising. The brilliant Sp@ Home range from Elemis is great for seriously indulging, using the most exquisite ingredients from around the world and restoring daily equilibrium. The Tranquil Touch Body Polish (£20, www.timetospa.co.uk is a smoothing body scrub containing a natural rice exfoliator to gently sweep away impurities and soften the skin. Cupuacu butter smoothes and conditions, whilst essential oils of patchouli, mandarin and ginger help enhance your mood. Follow with Champneys Spa Indulgence Thai Royale Body Cream (£12, available from Boots). A rich moisturiser containing kukui nut oil, lime seed oil, extract of aromatic basil and extract of cocoa butter, it literally smells good enough to eat.
If your a fan of a massage, look no further than Decléor Aromessence Relax Intense (£43, www.decleor.co.uk) is a dry oil with a fine and silky texture that immediately creates a sensation of deep relaxation. Composed of Essential Oils of Tonka Bean, Ylang Ylang, Vetiver and Vanilla extract, this oil is specially formulated to relax the body. Jojoba and Camellia Plant Oils, selected for their affinity with the skin, deliver nutrition and ensure a dry finish. This 100% pure and natural oil envelops the body in a deep soothing sensation, softening the skin and helping relieve tension by diffusing the olfactory benefits of its essences.
And finally, not forgetting the hands. Champneys Softening Hand Scrub (£6, available from Boots) gently exfoliates and instantly smoothes the hands, whilst conditioning nails and cuticles. I have a lot of grat hand creams, but one of my favourites to follow this is Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Hand Cream (£14, www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk) an amazingly skin-pampering glycerine and shea butter formula. Bliss.
P.S. One last thing, ultimate relaxation requires the perfect chillout soundtrack. I'm currently loving Hed Kandi's Winter Chill, a fabulously soothing collection of laid-back tracks perfect for unwinding to!
Love Laurel x
