Look Good

How to create a spa-esque vibe at home

The need-to-know tips and tricks from top skincare experts on achieving an indulgent spa experience at home.

Written by High Life North
Published 22.05.2020

By Jenny Brownlees

If you’re craving some bliss RN it is possible to create a peaceful sanctuary within your home, all without leaving your bathroom. With a little makeshift magic, you can indulge in a pampering session that’ll leave you with a radiant glow, and mean you won’t be lamenting those missed beauty appointments as much. We’re sharing with you the most innovative products and tops tips from skincare experts to treat your hair, skin and body, so you can achieve spa-worthy results.

Setting the scene

Part of the wonder on entering a spa is the zen-like atmosphere and soothing aromas. To help you create this at home, these are our favourite buys.

ESPA Diffuser

ESPA know a thing or two about creating a relaxing retreat-like ambience, since ESPA experts perform treatments all over the world, with their products used in some of the most luxurious spas and skincare salons around. For a decadent treat at home, their fragrance diffusers disperse elegant, rich scents that instil a sense of calm to set the mood for a chilled-out pampering session.

OSKIA Massage Candle

Not only is this decadent soybean and coconut oil candle beautifully fragrant, but it also doubles as a vitamin-rich, skin-smoothing oil. As the candle melts, pour the still-warm oil onto the skin where nourishing minerals and essential fatty acids will work to soften and hydrate. The aroma of sweet May Rose creates a soothing ambience to help ease stress and promote calm. You could easily be fooled into thinking you’d been transported to a faraway spa resort.

Danielle Creations Hair Turban 

While you indulge yourself in an at-home beautifying session, sweep your hair away into this super-soft microfiber turban from Danielle Creations. Not only will it keep hair off the face, but it’s also infused with hydrating coconut oil that will encourage hair growth, strengthen and improve moisture retention. Using regularly will mean not only is hair left shiny and soft but over time less blow-drying is required. Your hair will thank you for this luxurious treat.

Creating the perfect at home facial

See this time indoors as an opportunity to indulge your skin in a deluxe facial. However, if you do feel you need an expert’s opinion in this time of lockdown, Clinical Aesthetician and cofounder of bespoke skin clinic Mortar & Milk, Pamela Marshall, is offering consultations online. You can ask her opinion in a virtual consultation, for either thirty minutes or an hour. Pam’s specialities are bespoke skin treatments, blemishes, skincare acids and more.

Book a consultation here. 

REN Clean Skincare Twin Cloth Pack 

These clever little cloths are the perfect partner for any cleanser or mask. They’re made from unbleached cotton, meaning they’re ultra-gentle and they’ll help maximise the skin-rejuvenating benefits of your cleanser. Muslin is naturally exfoliating, meaning as you use the cloths, the fabric will help brighten dulled complexions by loosening dead skin cells and encouraging blood flow. To use, place the cloth in warm water, ring out then place over the face for a few moments to the open pores. Next, use it to lightly polish off your chosen cleanser, rinsing the face afterwards with cool water. Apart from in your cleansing routine, you can pair these cloths with micellar water for sustainable makeup removal or use them to effortlessly remove face masks. Your skin will be loving all this extra attention.

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm 

Just because you’re locked down at home, doesn’t mean you can skip cleansing. It’s a vital step to remove impurities on the skin and sets the scene for the next steps in your facial. We’ve been so impressed by affordable brand The Inkey List’s products, and their just-launched Oat Cleansing Balm fully lives up to its hype. The super-cleaner is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin, yet dutifully hardworking. The balm’s oat kernel oil works to maintain skins moisture levels as well as smoothing and reducing blackheads, while oat powder helps to reduce redness and irritation. Massage a 5p sized amount onto damp skin, rubbing in circular motions and using the REN muslin cloth to remove.

Boots Glow Tonic

Not wearing as much make-up day-to-day will be giving skin a great rest and a chance to breathe. To give it a next-level glow, we suggest using Boots tonic after cleansing. This affordable offering is from Boots own relaunched and streamlined skincare line, (think The Ordinary style) which works to clarify the complexion and give skin a dewy finish. Post-cleansing, dispense a small amount onto a cotton pad and sweep across the face, working in upward motions.

Boots Glow Tonic – £4.00

OSKIA Renaissance Mask

Formulated to increase cell turnover and boost radiance, this resurfacing mask from OSKIA is like no other. Initially pink, the prebiotic-packed mask turns white once its potent ingredients are massaged into the skin. Packing some seriously dull-fighting elements, Alpha Hydroxy Acids from passion fruit, lemon and pineapple work to gently exfoliate by unbinding dead skin cells to reveal brighter, healthier skin. Swiss Garden Cress Liposomes help reduce melanin production by up to 67%, leaving the complexion balanced and even, while Lactic Acid reduces the appearance of fine lines by increasing cell turnover. It’s probably not surprising to hear this illuminating mask is used on set for close up shots at Pinewood Studios, due to its ability to immediately brighten, lift and firm the complexion. Apply this mask after cleansing and toning, leaving on for 10-15 minutes, rinsing off with warm water. Consider this your at-home cheat to achieving that just-left-the-spa glow.

Nurse Jamie Skin Perfecting Silicone Mask 

If you want to take your masking experience to the next level, spa-style – Nurse Jamie has come up with an innovative way to supercharge skincare hydration. Inspired by silicone scar treatment technology, this non-adhesive mask cradles the contours of the face, creating an intensely hydrating climate that locks in moisture. It can be used with any brand’s mask, to be worn for twenty minutes. After just one use skin will appear smoother and glow with youthful radiance. The FaceWrap can be used up to twenty times and washed with mild soap and water. You’ll never know you skipped those facial appointments with this in your beauty repertoire.

Dr. Levy Switzerland Radical3 Reboot Pro Peel

If you want truly spa-esque skincare results at home, trust Dr. Levy products to deliver. Harnessing a Nobel Prize-winning discovery that ageing is reversible – Dr. Levy’s skin care is proven to revitalise the dermal stem cells that create essential collagen for smoother, firmer, stronger skin. Don’t be put off by the word peel, either – many conjure up images of a chemical peel in their mind but this won’t cause the skin to literally peel, rather it rejuvenates the skin from within. The Reboot peel is results-driven but gentle enough to be used three times a week. Apply to dry skin, massaging in energetically for a few minutes, (or five for a deep peel) before rinsing with warm water. This will grant a new lease of life to tired skin cells and kick-start the production of collagen thanks to a blend of acids derived from fruits and flowers. These work to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells and lift detritus, to promote an even texture and reveal soft-to-the-touch skin.

Lumene Nordic Hydra Intense Hydration Moisturiser 

Feed the skin with this light-weight yet ultra-hydrating moisturiser containing Pure Arctic Spring Water. Beauty-boosting ingredients like replenishing Organic Nordic Birch Sap work deep in the skin’s layers to promote a healthy-looking complexion and support continuous hydration for an intense moisture boost.

Step Six – Facial Massage

OSKIA founder Georgie Cleeve has shared the following guide to help HLN readers achieve spa-worthy results at home: “First, using your fingertips, rub in circular motions over your forehead. Do three rotations starting at the centre, then above your brows and gradually moving outwards towards the temple. Do this three times and then repeat on the cheeks and jawline, always starting centre and moving outwards towards the ears.  Using the flat area between your knuckles, circle the jawline moving outwards starting from your chin to your jaw bone focussing particularly on this area as it holds a lot of tension from stress and chewing. Repeat three circular movements moving outwards three times on the jawline, followed by the cheeks and forehead. Drain using thumbs over forehead starting by the hairline working down the forehead towards the brow bone always starting at the centre of the face and moving outwards towards the temples repeating this three times.  Finally, using your fingertips, gently tap the skin from the centre of the face out towards your ears draining over the cheeks three times then repeating over the jawline always moving outwards to drain any toxins from the face and encourage lymphatic drainage. Remove the product with a warm damp cloth in long, gliding movements.”

The Body Shop Facial Stimulator

If you’d prefer to use a massager rather than your fingers, this handy beauty tool is affordable but effective. The gentle massager will work in your moisturiser and boost the complexion by stimulating blood flow to the face. Just because you can’t get to the spa right now doesn’t mean you have to miss out on seriously glowing skin.

Medik8 Retinol Eye Serum

Don’t skip the eyes when it comes to indulging your skin, folks. To treat and revive tired eyes we love professional-grade skincare brand Medik8. Their Retinol Eye TR Serum works through the night to tackle signs of ageing around the delicate eye area. Free from artificial fragrance, parabens, palm oil, synthetic colours and phthalates this clever serum offers maximum results without irritating the skin.

Paula’s Choice Body Treatment 2% BHA 

For a fully comprehensive trip to the “spa” don’t omit the skin on your body to a nourishing treat. This renewing treatment from Paula’s Choice will ensure every skin type is left smooth and refreshed. It’s expertly formulated to be left on the skin after cleansing, using BHA acid to give skin an illuminated glow. Use a small amount, rubbing all over the body to remove dead skin cells and promote a silky, radiant skin tone. The serum works to soften and minimise the appearance of clogged pores, while antioxidants help protect against environmental damage.

The Body Shop Thai Makrut Lime Firming Oil

The Body Shop’s Spa of the World™ range has long been our go-to for indulgent treatments at home. This oil is infused with zingy makrut lime, praised for its stimulating and uplifting scent. It’s quickly absorbed into the skin and after just four weeks 85% of testers agreed their skin looked and felt firmer.

Sarah Chapman The Bodylift

If you’re looking for a satisfying way to reinvigorate the body, using this tool post-oil or moisturiser will enliven skin, helping break down fatty deposits to sculpt, smooth, tone and define. Using 12 unique rolling heads and 72 massaging nodules on a wishbone handle, The Bodylift not only eases muscle tension but stimulates lymphatic drainage – especially on the arms, thighs, buttocks and calves. Whilst it may look a little perplexing, using the tool takes no effort at all. Simply push the wishbone handle at 90 degrees and the heads separate, rolling easily along the skin. Mimic an invigorating, body-toning massage at home with this expert pampering tool.

Rituals The Ritual of Jing Soothing Foot Balm 

Tired, dry feet will love the soothing nourishment of this balm from Rituals. For silky-soft skin, massage in for a few minutes, concentrating on pressure points for a relaxing treat. The tranquil fragrance of Sacred Wood and Lavender will calm the senses as the cream works to hydrate.

Sarah Chapman Overnight Hand and Nail Treatment 

From Victoria Beckham’s facialist, Sarah Chapman comes this supercharged night therapy for hands, nails and cuticles. Hands are often the first to show signs of ageing, yet we don’t indulge them as we do our skincare for the face and body. This treatment will target age spots, loss of volume and dehydration, as well as nourishing brittle nails with omega-rich conditioning oils.

Other stories by High Life North
Laura Kingston editor High Life North autumn style staples
12.09.2023

The autumn staples our editor is buying right now

High Life North
The Watcher Naomi Watts fashion style
22.10.2022

The Watcher: Shop the style of Naomi Watts as Nora Brannock

High Life North
07.09.2022

How flowers are being used to tell stories of inspirational women and Durham’s history

High Life North
09.08.2022

Touch the rainbow, wear the rainbow! Colourful outfits perfect for holidays

High Life North
25.07.2022

Looking for summer nails ideas? Check out these six Newcastle nail salons (and beyond) for some inspo

High Life North
20.07.2022

The real gem inside the new H Beauty is the Dior concession – check it out with us

High Life North