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Preparation
– Get it all together
Bring
everything into the bathroom that you’ll want or need. For example:
- Music
– a small radio, cassettes or a portable compact disc player
- Lights
– Candles – preferably aromatic.
- Scent
– incense, aromatherapy oils, scented bath oils. Perfume or Cologne
Spray
- Flowers
- Towels
- Washcloths
or sponges
- Bath Pillow
- Loofah,
pouf and or body brushes
- Assorted
soaps and face and body cleansing formulas
- Exfoliators
– one for your face, one for your body
- Facial
Masque
- Pre-Soaked
Eye Pads (or fresh-cut cucumber slices)
- Body Creme
or Lotion
- Eye Care
Crème or Gel
- Lip Balm
- Dusting
Powder
- Bubble
Bath or Bath Salts
- Shampoo
and Conditioner
- Sesame
or Coconut Oil for Scalp Massage
- Pumice
Stone
Make sure
the room is comfortably warm – or cool – as you prefer.
Light your
candles and incense, play your music and get ready for a totally relaxing
interlude for the next 45 minutes or more.
 Step
One: Scalp massage
Gently massaging
your neck and shoulders for a few minutes to help your body relax and
drain away the stress of the day.
Pour 1-3
tablespoons of oil in a bowl, depending on your hair’s length and
thickness.
Wet your
fingertips with oil and gently begin to massage oil into your scalp and
the roots of the hair. Start at the crown of the head and work downwards.
Dip fingers back into the bowl as needed to pick up more oil. Finish by
gently working a little oil into the ends of your hair. Wrap your hair
in a towel or shower cap. The warmth will help oil penetrate the hair
shaft.
Step
Two: Dry body massage
Try this
ancient Ayurvedic technique to improve circulation and relax every inch
of your skin: Take a soft body brush or dry loofah and gently stroke
over the entire body, once or twice. Although you can’t see them, with
every stroke you’re removing invisible dead skin cells, leaving fresher,
rosier skin on the surface.
Step
Three: Face and body exfoliation
Wet a washcloth
or sponge well and stroke over the body and face to dampen skin.
Apply your
body exfoliator formula. Massage over knees, elbows, feet and heels,
shoulders, chest area and your back. Apply your facial exfoliator;
massaging over the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Add water as needed
to keep exfoliators moist and avoid irritating the skin.
 Step
Four: Shower off
Remove the
towel from your hair. Step into the shower and rinse off the oil from
your hair and the exfoliators from your face and body. Afterwards, wrap
yourself in a fluffy, oversized towel.
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Step
Five: Draw your bath
Fill your
bath with bath salts, bath oil or bubble bath. The
water should be warm but not so hot that it stimulates rather than relaxes.
A too-hot bath can also damage capillaries.
Set your
bath products nearby – your cleansers, haircare, washcloth --
and aromatic or aromatherapy oils, if you wish to add them to the
water later later -- or inhale as you soak. Aromatic oils are a
wonderful, soothing addition to your bath. Add a few drops of lavender,
patchoui, sandalwood or other oil.
Dim or turn
off lights at this point, to bathe in candlelight.
Step
Six: Relax for 10 minutes
Soak in the
bath for at least 10 minutes. If you can, put your feet up slightly
higher and let your head rest on a bath pillow. Shut your eyes and totally
relax.
Enjoy
the music, the candles, the aromatic fragrances wafting from the bath
and all around you. Lie back and quiet your thoughts.
 Step
Seven: Cleansing
After your
10-minute deep relaxation, wash your body and face with your preferred
soaps and cleansers. Now is also the time to gently pumice calloused areas
on your feet and elbows. Go slowly, and savor every moment of the attention
you’re giving your body.
Step
Eight: Shampoo and conditioner
When you’re
done, let the bath water drain. Turn the shower on to shampoo your
hair thoroughly, removing the last traces of oil. Follow with your favorite
conditioner.
After your
shower, wrap your hair and body in fresh, dry towels. Standing on your
mat, gently blot your skin until only a little moisture remains. Body
creme or lotion – your next step -- will help seal in the moisture to
hydrate skin even more.
Step
Nine: Moisturize your body, hands and feet
Apply the
creme or lotion all over your body paying special attention to
dry areas,
the small
of your back, your thighs and feet. When you’re done, take a minute to
work a little lotion or creme into your cuticles. If you like dusting
powder, now is the time to smooth it on, while your hydrating treatment
is still fresh. Slip into your robe.
Step
Ten: Facial masque, lip and eye treatment
Apply your
facial mask as directed. Add eye creme or gel around
your eyes and lip balm to your lips.
Bring your
pre-soaked eye pads (or cucumber slices) with you and go
into your bedroom. Before you lie down on your bed, make sure your bedroom
is as peaceful as your bath. Light a candle or two. Dim other lights.
Close the curtains if needed. Lie down on your back. Place the pre-soaked
eye pads (or cucumbers) over your lids. Relax for another 10 minutes,
again quieting your mind as much as possible.
After 10
minutes, remove and discard eye pads or cucumbers. Go rinse off your
masque.
Step
Eleven: Moisturize your face
Follow with
your usual night or daytime facial moisturizer or treatment.
Step
Twelve: Dry your hair
Remove the
towel from your hair. Blot excess water out. Either blow it dry or air
dry as you prefer. Relaxed, clean, smooth and glowing, your spa experience
is complete.
Help
your spa experience linger . . .
The tranquility
of your 30-minute spa experience doesn’t have to end. Follow it with more
peaceful, nurturing activities – enjoy a light meal of salad or fruit,
have a refreshing healthy beverage like herbal tea or mineral water, fill
your mind with the positive thoughts of your favorite inspirational writer.
Take a walk. Do yoga. Write in your journal. Go to sleep –you’ll have
beautiful dreams!
Cade Pemberton has worked for leading cosmetic companies including
Revlon, Calvin Klein, Yves St. Laurent, Shiseido and many others. Her
personal idea of Nirvana is a hot bubble bath and a good book.
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