Spa Week
If you can't get to your favorite spa, here's some hints, products and tips to give yourself a spa treatment at home.
At the introductory price of $50 per treatment, Spa Week is the perfect time to try out new treatments. But how do we choose which to splurge on and where we can save money with at home treatments?
I say go for the spa treatments that we would have difficulty giving ourselves like the Hot Stone Massage, Brazilian Bikini wax, or Botox injections.
Remember, keeping our skin in tip-top condition isn't a one-time quick fix. It takes a series of treatments and long-term care to keep our skin soft, and supple. Spa packages are available but are pricey. After that you'll still need maintenance. Here are a number of things you can do at home to either prolong the effects of the spa treatment or a do-it -yourself alternative.
Microdermabrasion is a popular treatment at the spa and can be expensive to keep our skin looking fresh. Here is an at-home modified version. Use the two part system, Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel system. It is an affordable Exfoliant that brightens and freshens the skin. The first treatment uses crystals to exfoliate the skin, the second treatment is a warming peel activator serum. $24.99 at drugstores.
Dealing with pigment lighter treatments like IPL, can be costly and tiresome at the esthetician or dermatologist office. To fade those pesky little age spots, acne scars and red areas, apply DDF Discoloration Reversal pods. Each dose targets exactly where you need to reduce discoloration. The sponge's massaging action also exfoliates dead skin as it brightens $70 for 28 pods For best results use daily or a few times per week.
A lot of celebrities rave about SK-11. This is a higher end product available at Saks. I love their Whitening Source Intensive Mask. It's nutrient filled mask that you lay over the skin. After about 5-10 minutes you'll see improved texture and instant hydration. A tip: after you remove the mask let the residual moisture absorb into the face.
Follow your treatments with Bieux Skin Bio Naturals Power Lift and repair system. $125 You only need one daily application to instantly lift and repair your skin . This is a new product developed by a Denver gal. Your skin really does become more radiant after use. Follow with their 24-hour treatment moisturizer. $97
Here is a way to pamper your hands and feet at home.
First give your hands a microdermabrasion treatment with the Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel System, rinse and dry them.
Then buff the heels and soles of your feet with the Microplane XL Pro foot file. I like the Microplane because it has a larger filing surface with 175 tiny bi--directional files and a curved handle to make buffing your heels and calluses easier. $21.99.
Put your tootsies in a home foot spa. $29.99 - $49.99. This one is from Homedics. For a therapeutic effect, add some Epsom Salt or sea salts. Your feet will luxuriate as the spa bubbles and heats the water as it releases all the stress of the day.
While your feet are de-stressing, dip your hands into warm paraffin wax 3 times, cover with a plastic bag or gloves and relax!
In a while you can slide the wax right off into the bag. Dry off your feet and slather yourself with body butter.
Here’s where you really save. Costco has 6 body butters right now for about $10. The specialty stores will sell you one body butter for $30-$40
If your body has dimples where you don’t want them, instead of being pummeled by a masseuse named Sven, or on the more expensive side, Herbal Wraped, you can smooth yours thighs, midriff and behind out with Spanx High Waisted Power Panty. It slims, smoothes and shapes the figure from the lower thighs up through the midriff and no kidding you see the results instantly. $36 at department stores.
For a listing of the Spas and treatments available during Spa Week, go to http://www.spaweek.org
