It’s the end of a crazy workday and you’ve found some precious time for yourself to relax, escape and take a breather. “Me time” is precious, and a little pampering goes a long way. So, instead of rushing through your usual beauty routine, take a moment to indulge in some proper self-care. Think luscious scents, a comforting bath, a soothing massage and more! Try these five ways to relax, and we promise you’ll feel at peace and rejuvenated.
Transform your home into a spa
Walk into a spa and you instantly feel stress and anxiety melting off your shoulders. A combination of calming music, relaxing smells, and warm lights work their magic, transporting you into paradise island. You too can recreate this spa-like atmosphere at home!
One of the fastest ways to find your zen is to start listening to a soothing playlist such as “Lo-Fi Beats”, “Zen Garden”, or your favourite jazz mix on Spotify. Slow tempo music has an incredible ability to quiet your mind and relax your muscles.
Next, dim the lights and add a few drops of calming essential oils such as the Rose Absolute in Jojoba Oil by Mt. Sapola into a diffuser or humidifier. Rose oil is the perfect after-work remedy, as it not only has anxiety and stress-reducing benefits, it can also boost self-esteem and mental strength!
Relax and wash your troubles away
For many, nothing is more relaxing than a long, hot shower or soothing soak in the tub. Even better, indulge yourself by using high-quality soaps and scrubs that exude delightful scents. We love the handmade Mangosteen Soap by Mt. Sapola because of how gentle it is on the skin. This 100 per cent organic product is packed with nutrients that help improve the quality of your hair and skin. The mangosteen extract in the soap also has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that can help reduce skin irritation and body odour.
After soaping, enjoy a feel-good exfoliating scrub! Body scrubs promote efficient circulation and skin cell turnover, leaving you with softer skin. They also help draw out impurities and clear congested pores. Our favourite scrub of the moment is the Lemongrass Body Rice Butter Scrub by Mt. Sapola as it’s super creamy, and leaves your entire body feeling revitalised. Simply apply in a circular motion over your body to help remove dead skin cells, especially over rough areas like the knees and elbows.
Pamper your skin and keep it hydrated
Moisturising after a warm bath is absolutely key because hot water strips moisture out of your skin leaving it dehydrated, and stressed-out skin often leads to flare-ups and acne. This is why post-shower self-care is just as important, and can be equally enjoyable.
We recommend the VitaLift A+ Brillage Mask by Estetica Beauty, which was named “Best Anti-Ageing Mask" in The Singapore Women’s Weekly Best Beauty Buy 2021 list. This cooling mask promises instant and longer-lasting lifting and firming effects. It is enhanced with micro-encapsulated Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E for faster and deeper penetration into the skin, giving you an instant boost of hydration. Anti-ageing peptides also stimulate the production of collagen, improving your skin’s texture for a smoother and dewy-looking complexion.
For the rest of your body, apply body lotion while your skin is still damp to seal in the moisture. We recommend the Authentic Signature Body Lotion by Mt. Sapola for its gentle formula, that’s designed to boost skin hydration and elasticity. It absorbs quickly and has a heavenly scent that can promote a great night’s sleep!
Treat yourself to a D.I.Y. massage
Self-massages are an effective and convenient way to destress and ease aches and pains. You can easily massage your head, neck and feet to get yourself into a state of tranquillity. For the best scalp massage, we recommend the Vedure LED Hair Regrowth Scalp Activator by Estetica Beauty. This high-tech hair brush features a total of 28 massage points that are designed to deliver 6,000 therapeutic sonic vibrations per minute! It’s even got LED light therapy to awaken sleeping hair follicles, treat oily scalp and restore hair growth. Use this useful little gadget to relieve stress and boost blood circulation, create voluminous hair and stimulate hair growth all at the same time! For more about this beauty tool and other useful innovations, read “6 Must-Have Beauty Gadgets”.
For the rest of your body, start by rubbing a little bit of massage oil between your hands. Try the Lavender Chamomile Massage Oil by Mt. Sapola, which is made with 100 per cent organic and natural plant ingredients, and designed to soothe both mind and muscle while balancing the body’s energy.
To massage your neck, begin by lowering your shoulders and straightening your neck. Then locate painful areas and press firmly with fingers. Move your fingers in a circular motion, and repeat in the opposite direction for up to five minutes. As for your feet, use your knuckles or fingers to massage and stroke along your sole, instep and around the heel for a few minutes. Then gently roll, squeeze and stretch each toe to release tension.
Mix it up with drinks and entertainment
Did you know that an occasional glass of red can bring several benefits including stress relief? In fact, scientists have found that red wine contains a plant compound called resveratrol, which helps relieve stress in the brain. Wind down with a glass of South Australian Merlot such as the Cleanskin No. 49 Soft Merlot 2020 from Bottles & Bottles. This soft and luscious merlot has a lovely nose of berries and dried fruit, making it an easy-to-drink fruity red wine.
Finally, instead of turning on your TV for entertainment, read Take Care: Inspired Activities for Reflection from Times Bookstore. With themes like “Mindfulness”, “Calm”, “Reflection” and “Gratitude”, explore the book’s relaxing puzzles — including spot the difference, finish the drawing and crosswords — as well as inspirational words, to start feeling more at peace.
Now that you know the basics of pampering yourself at home, have fun personalising your experience according to what makes you feel best! Pick your favourite essential oils and music, soaps and scrubs, books and wine, and escape into a paradise of your dreams. To get you started, check out these self-care essentials from Frasers eStore