Maximise your full body chill-out next time you take a bath.
You might not have a hunky masseur on hand or a view of the Swiss Alps out of your bathroom window, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on an enjoyable me-time spa experience at home.
Getting the little details right
White towels are not necessarily the most practical in a family home with muddy boys and girls who like to leave felt tip pens everywhere, but for that luxury hotel feeling you can’t beat a huge soft fluffy towel, so treat yourself to a couple that you keep back just for you. After all, the kids probably have ones with football teams or TV stars on them so why shouldn’t mum have her own favourite?
Make sure you pick a bath mat that’s clean and dry. We’ve all been there with a soggy mat beneath our feet after the rest of the family have attacked the bathroom, and it’s no fun to get out of a bath feeling refreshed only to step onto a boggy mush.
Fresh air and fragrances
Even in winter your bathroom is going to get stuffy so open the window just a little. Fresh air mixing with the hot bathroom steaminess creates a great atmosphere and makes bathtime more refreshing – just imagine you’re taking an open-air Jacuzzi in a ski resort!
Whether you prefer a morning or evening bathtime, candles are a great way of slowing the world down. Try to get candles with a gentle but soothing scent like lavender or ginger, and dot a few around the sink and bath. If it’s daylight outside, the scent will still waft pleasingly around you, and by night the reflection of the candles on the tiles is magical. (It also means it’ll be too dimly lit for you to spot any places in your bathroom that need a clean – you’re here to relax, don’t forget!)
With candles always make sure you store them (and matches) out of children’s reach, and when they are burning don’t leave them unattended or placed items like the shower curtain or towels.
Bath or shower?
This is about relaxing, stopping the world and soothing your muscles and bones with a good long soak, so opting for a bath is preferable. A bath takes longer to prepare, but this is all part of the greatest indulgence of all – a bit of time devoted to what YOU want to do.
Bubbles and scents
A nice idea we’ve picked up from posh hotels – little sprigs of herbs by the bath to run under the tap while you’re filling the bath. This is a lovely alternative to bath oils – just tie a sprig of thyme or lavender together and then tie it to the hot water tap.
Choose a soap and any bath foam or oils scented to your own taste. We almost all have a bottle of something lovely we were given for Christmas but have never had time to try, but if not, spend just a little more than you usually would on day to day bath treats and enjoy indulging yourself for a few extra pennies.
Hair and body beautiful
Even if you don’t have time for the full on hair regime day to day and usually use a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, this is no time to skimp on the pleasure of conditioning! Try the Relaxed and Natural range of Pantene conditioners or really go to town with the Pantene Rinse-Off Mask – you leave it in for five minutes to strengthen hair against damage.
Gently exfoliate your skin with Olay Body Wash Plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons or use an Olay Body Wash for a change from regular soap. Using the special puff you can apply the Body Wash to your whole body leaving you feeling clean, moisturised and pampered.
Even if you’re having a shower there’s no reason a wash has to be humdrum – treat yourself with Olay Age Defying In-Shower Body Lotion.
To finish off
Retire to the bedroom after drying down. Don’t rush to get dressed and throw yourself back into daily life; instead read a magazine while you cool down in your favourite dressing gown or nightie.
Then enjoy a good ten minute rub down with a gorgeous cream on arms, legs, shoulders and elbows. Try the Olay Classic Beauty Fluid for something light after your bath. Don’t forget to rub into toes and heels too, to leave your whole body feeling well and truly treated.