4 No-Buy Ways To Create An At-Home Spa Day

Hack your skincare routine and turn it into a DIY spa day, worthy of your relaxation.

annkrisha

Mar. 24

Cherie is an online community of beauty lovers sharing their stories, whether that's their favorite products, makeup tutorials, or skincare routines. Download the app today to be a part of #BeautyWithoutBarriers and show the world what beauty means to you! When I think about how the last few weeks have unfolded around the world in regards to COVID-19, it was all eerily fast. One week I was at a restaurant talking to a friend about how crazy the Corona Virus seems to be getting, and the next we could only exchange those words over the phone. In the wake of today, I believe that cultivating your well-being is more important than ever—in fact, staying at home, away from social gatherings, and creating your sanctuary is the surest way we can help stop the spread of this virus. In the spirit of turning our homes into, well, everything these days, I wanted to share some fun ways I've been turning my bathroom into a luxurious, private spa. These no-buy tips and tricks take what you already have in your vanity (and home) to amp up your regular degular skincare routine into a spa-like experience. Plus, it's just a fun and healthy way to take care of yourself during this time. 1. Theme Your RoutineBefore the days of social distancing, I did the same routine, morning and night. It was easy, on-the-go, and what I had time for! With more time at home, take a look at your top shelfie and create fun themes around your regimen; you can go by ingredient like rose-based products only, by solution like hydration, or by function like an exfoliating routine! Another fun theme is simply going by color, and choosing products that are just aesthetically pleasing.

2. Get SteamyIf you haven't added a steam to your skincare routine, now is the time. While there are gizmos and gadgets that mimic facial steamers you'd find at an aestheticians office, I prefer the easy, old- fashioned way; face over a bowl of hot water. If you have an electric kettle, this process is as fast as a personal facial steamer! When you heat your water for this, be careful not to make it too hot; I like to bring mine close to a boil, though sometimes I can't always stand the heat😄

3. Double MaskTwo is definitely better than one when you double mask! Whenever I do this, I always feel like I'm indulging myself to a well-deserved treat. It also just feels so right for your skin—to detoxify it with a clay mask and then re-hydrate it with a sheet mask. Choose your favorite products here; the key is to reach for a mask that draws out impurities first (like a clay-based mask or a peel-off mask) then regenerate with a hydrating mask (like a sheet mask or a cream mask a la Summer Friday's Jet Lag Mask).

4. Massage It outSo, facial massage is a key element to any good facial, and it's also the cherry on top of your at-home spa day. The benefits of facial include improved blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, better absorption of your beauty products, and, most importantly, relaxation. Note that while you give yourself a facial massage, apply the pressure that feels most comfortable to you, and always finish with an outward motion, as if you were draining everything out from your face.

1: "Scrape" Outwards - Make an L-shape with your palms together and tuck your face between your thumbs and index fingers - With a scraping motion, move outwards from the inner part of your face to your ears - Repeat 3x 2: Push Upwards - In an alternating fashion, move your fingers upwards from your chin to your eyes - Repeat 3x, and on other side 3: Figure 3 - Just like you would put bronzer on, massage from your forehead, to your cheekbones, to your chin - Repeat 3x 4: Pinch Across Eyebrows - Lightly pinch across your eyebrows to relieve fatigued eyes - Repeat 3x 5: Gently Pat - Gently pat your skin, as if you were applying toner, to give it a final boost of energy