How to Have a Spa Day at Home
Spa day packages often include a variety of services in a full or half day package and usually offer add on services such as:
manicure
pedicure
facial
body scrub
body wrap
hydrotherapy soak
lunch
massage
So let’s say a full spa day at a nice location will have four services and lunch for around $500 before tip. If you’re willing to spend 10% of that (aka $50—math is hard sometimes) then WHEW you’re about to have a stellar spa day at home!
Manicure + Pedicure
Let’s start with the ones that are easy to do for yourself: manicure and pedicure. Personally, I like to prep everything for my mani-pedi and then paint once I’m in the tub. I know this sound chaotic and that’s because it is. That’s how I like it, ok? You probably have your standard nail file, nail clippers, and polish remover and polish if you’re going to paint up your digits. Get your nails extra prepped by softening your cuticles in soapy water, pushing them back where they came from, and then trimming them - bye bye! You can get all the tools you need for this more salon-level treatment here for $16 if you don’t already have them.
Facial, part 1
While you’re not likely to spend the full 60 minutes doing your own facial that the esthetician might in a spa setting, you can still do something multi-step and powerful! The essential steps are the same.
Cleanse - your regular cleanser is honestly fine for this! If you want to get fancy, bust out one that you use only occasionally.
Exfoliate - I love the Five Minute Facial by Beauty Pie for only $17. I always feel like I get a good scrub and slough off any dead skin cells while adding some well-vetted ingredients into the mix (glycolic and salicylic acids).
Steam - Ok, so like I was saying earlier about how I do my nail prep and then paint in the tub? Well, if you’re wild like me, you can do triple duty and use the bath tub moment as your facial steam as well. I’m sure some folks will frown on this, but we don’t got all day, baby!
Ok so if you’re with me so far, we have cleansed and exfoliated our face then prepped our nails (hands and feet) for our mid-bath mani-pedi. Next up…
Body Scrub
I like to do my body scrub in two parts, while standing in the tub (less mess). First, I start with my dry brush and brush my whole body to do an initial exfoliation. I know it sounds weird, but it feels amazing and has some good health benefits. A dry brush will run you about $10. Next, I use whatever body scrub I’m trying out at the moment. I don’t have a favorite and I like to try different ones. They tend to have the same essential qualities of some kind of sugar or salt granule to exfoliate and some kind of oil as a smoother. So now you’re lathered up in salty or sugary goodness and you’re ready for your…
Hydrotherapy Soak
AKA Bath
Hop in the tub, steam your face, relax your body, paint your nails, and sip a beverage of your choice while listening to some relaxing music (I truly just search “spa” on Spotify and roll with whatever comes up).
Facial, part 2
4. Extract - After you hop out of the tub, you’ll want to double wash your hands before touching your face (because just duh). But now is the perfect time to do some blackhead extractions and so on if you’ve got some buggers annoying your poor little pores. Just remember not to over do it. Less is more. You’re not a professional.
5. Mask - I also sometimes have tried this part in the tub, but given the steam factor, you can see why I’ve come to my senses and recommend that you do this outside the tub, after you’ve soaked and wrapped yourself in a cozy robe. Slather your face in your favorite mask. Mine is this charcoal detoxifying mask from Beauty Pie for $16 (you sensing a trend here?) If I’m feeling extra extra, then I’ll use a hydrating sheet mask after that; T. J. Maxx usually has some decent deals on a Dr. Jart mask!
Alright, alright, alright. You’re waiting for your mask to do its thing and make your face better. In the mean time, order yourself some food. That’s right. A spa offers a nice meal delivered right to you in your robe. But you know who else offers that? Postmates. This is where the rest of the cost of a home spa day comes in for me! After you’ve ordered, put your phone away and remove your mask and return to the rest of your facial routine:
Facial, part 3
6. Treat - Pay attention to what your own skin needs and treat accordingly. I usually spot treat for acne with some essential serums from the Ordinary because (again) powerful ingredients + value price = take Emma’s money, please.
7. Moisturize - Lock in those serums with a serious moisturizer. You’re not going anywhere this evening, right? So if it was me, I’d lather it on and pick something like the Overnight Skin Perfector 2.0 and just call it a day.
8. Massage - You can learn to massage your own face! This has been a game-changer for me as someone with TMD issues. Look up some YouTube videos and use a gua sha if you have it (if not, your hands will work just fine - God’s built-in massagers, as I call ‘em).
Usually all of this takes me about 3 hours. If I’m getting super fancy, I’ll book a $60 massage for myself at Donelson Massage before I begin the rest of my spa day and I’ll show up early to take advantage of their hot tea, massage chairs in the waiting area, and general relaxing atmosphere. Now, you’ve checked off everything on the list the Big Spa wants you to pay half a grand for!
Before you get going
If you’ve gotten this far, you might actually be taking me seriously (I mean, I do but I don’t expect you to). You might find it helpful to have a list of what to prepare before you get started on any of this:
Clean, dry towels for your body by your bath tub
Big, comfy robe with the tie (don’t leave the tie in the laundry! You’ll be sad)
One small hand towel by the tub for your hands while you’re in the tub (trust me)
Large water (iced is preferable) in a non-glass container with a lid (I have managed to spill into the tub before)
Fancy beverage of your choice (can of Ranch water, plastic cup of wine, as you will)
Your phone plugged in near enough that you can hear your spa music, but not so near that you’ll actually use it
A candle or two for ambiance (but make sure it’s away from walls and curtains)
Nail clippers, cuticle pushers, polish remover, cotton pads, new polish color
Facial cleanser
Facial exfoliant
Dry brush
Body exfoliant
Facial mask(s)
P.S. Want to be an extra nice partner? Set up a home spa day for your S.O. Make sure to include their favorite things Jackson gets eye patches since a sheet mask won’t stick to his beard, a beer of his preference, and the silliest “manly” smelling candle I can find.
