Spa Comforts at Home: Create Your Relaxing Place

Pat yourself on the back – you’ve survived the harsh Minnesota month of January! Now we only need to worry about the rest of winter (however long the cold and snow decides to rage on)… Groan!

If you are like me, you may be feeling complacent about this time of year with the lack of warm sunshine and the Vitamin D it brings to the soul. But be patient and be gentle with yourself and Mother Nature, as “this too shall pass”.

In the meantime, we can explore ways to give a boost to your feel-good vibes. With the following Spa tips, we can encourage others to enjoy a blissful evening in the comfort of your own home (or bathtub!).

The inspiration for this post appeared to me the night of the snowstorm a couple weeks ago. Just For Me Spa, and many other businesses around the Twin Cities, shut their doors early to assist clients and co-workers to arrive home safe. I thought, “How nice would it be to have a Spa night at home?” Now you can!

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Set The Mood

Turn the lights down low, turn up the heater, set up a few scented Aveda Shampure™  Soy candles or a Himalayan Salt lamp and brew some Aveda Comforting Tea. The calming aroma of the candle with the soothing herbal infusion of licorice and peppermint of the organic tea will instantly make you say “Aahhhhh…”

Essential Oils & Towel Treatment

Take the signature Just For Me Spa treatment home with you and utilize aromatherapy and hot towels as often as possible! There are many ways to incorporate the Aveda Singular Notes at home. Here are a few favorite ways to use the Aveda aromas:

1. Place a few drops of your chosen essential oil into the palms of your hands, rub together and place your palms over your face (avoid the eye area). Close your eyes and deeply inhale and exhale at least three times. You can then dab the oil onto your wrists, your shoulders, onto the back of your neck or on the bottoms of your feet.
2. Put a few drops directly on a hot towel and drape around your neck or wrap your tired feet for a peaceful aromatic journey. To make a hot towel: Wet a folded hand towel with warm water, roll into a “log” and squeeze the excess water. Place in the microwave for about 2 minutes – careful as you remove the towel, it will be HOT! Unroll and place on desired area when at a comfortable temperature.
3. You can also use a cool towel to drape over the eyes or forehead for stressed eyes and headache relief. Wet a small towel with cool water, fold, add a couple drops of essential oil, lay back and place over the eyes or forehead. Breathe deep as you relax.
4. Put 5-10 drops near the drain in your steam shower or under running water in your bath and enjoy the added sensory experience.

The Singular Notes that are available at Just For Me Spa are Lavender Fleurs, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Bergamot, Rose Absolut, Tangerine and Vanilla. Each essential oil is carefully extracted from the flowers, leaves, stalks, peels or beans of the specific species of plant and carries its own balancing and nourishing property.

Soak Your Tootsies

There’s nothing like a warm foot soak to end your day. Fill a large bowl or plastic bin with hot water, add a small amount of Himalayan Crystal Bath Salts to the water and dip your feet in to soak up the yummy minerals found in the bath salts.

BONUS: Give yourself a quick pedicure by adding a fresh coat of your favorite OPI polish to your toenails and a foot massage with Aveda Foot Relief™.

Buff Up

Use the Aveda Beautifying Radiance Polish for luminous skin with an uplifting aroma before or during your shower or bath. Scrub dull, dry areas such as arms, elbows, legs and knees to reveal the radiance beneath. We recommend scrubbing the feet while you are immersed in your tub or during your foot soak so as not to slip.

Follow with Aveda Stress-fix™ Body Crème to lock in moisture and soothe your senses.

Mix A Masque

Deeply restore your hair or skin with a masque while you are relaxing in your bathtub. Our stylist, Ashley recommends the Intense Hydrating Mask from MoroccanOil – apply to damp hair for 5-7 minutes then rinse for shiny, conditioned locks.

While the hair mask is processing, apply Charcoal Rescue Masque from Dermalogica to your face – wet skin, apply a pea-sized amount to your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin and gently massage to your skin in small circles. Rinse masque after 5-7 minutes for clean, refreshed pores.

Follow with MoroccanOil Treatment Oil for your hair and your skin professional-recommended moisturizer for your face.

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Create your own relaxing place in the comfort of your home. The products listed in this post can be found at Just For Me Spa. 110 South Greeley Street in Stillwater, Minnesota. 651-439-4662. www.justformespa.com

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