What is a Spa Day at Home?
An at-home spa day is just what it sounds like: pampering yourself with DIY spa treatments in the comfort of your own home. I love this easy and affordable way to indulge in self-care. These spa days have become a regular part of my beauty routine, and I hope, with the help of this guide, they become a fun indulgence for you as well.
What Are The Benefits of At-Home Spa Days?
The most obvious reason to enjoy an at-home spa day is to save money. But don’t let the cost-effective nature of it fool you into thinking it’s not glamorous. It’s what I like to call an affordable indulgence. Here's why:
Spa treatments benefit your health and beauty as well as your mental well-being. It’s a fun, relaxing way to practice self-care and show yourself some love. And you deserve all the love!
You also know yourself and your preferred products best. Have you ever gone to a spa and left disappointed because the treatment didn't work, the aromatics were too strong, or the products made your break out? By conjuring your own treatments at home you can customize your experience exactly how you like. Choose the products your skin responds to best, the music you love, and scents that calm you best.
The last reason I recommend an at-home spa day is that staying home is incredibly relaxing! You don’t have to drive anywhere, worry about the quality/price of the esthetician, or face the drive back home afterward. Personally, it's that drive back where I lose the calm glow I worked so hard to achieve at the spa.
If you've never tried an at home spa-day, keep reading our step-by-step guide to get ideas and have the best experience.
How to Create a Luxurious At-Home Spa Experience
Having mastered the art of the spa day, here are my top tips to ensure your experience is one of true luxury. All products recommended are ones I have tried myself and enjoyed.
1. Set the Mood
A spa day at home is all about the atmosphere. Setting the right mood beforehand will ensure a relaxing, luxurious experience.
This part isn’t glamorous, but it’s necessary. Tiddy up your house, if it needs it. Relaxing in a messy environment is hard. You don’t need to do a deep clean, but tidying up will help you focus on relaxation without the distraction of chores waiting to be done.
Once that's done, you can set up the fun part:
Aromatics: Most spas offer aromatherapy, which is based on the idea that certain scents can enhance psychological well-being. Whether scientifically proven or not, the right candle (here's my favorite) or essential oil can certainly create a soothing ambiance.
Here are some ideas for fragrences:
- Relaxation: Lavender, bergamot, jasmine
- Improved Sleep: Chamomile, lavender
- Uplifting: Sweet orange, lime, tangerine
- Energizing: Peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus
Sound Therapy
The right music or nature sounds can set a relaxed spa mood. Here are some suggestions:
- Your favorite chill albums (I like Cigarettes After Sex, Tame Impala, Beach House, Mazzy Star, and Lana Del Rey)
- Spa playlist
- Nature sounds
Lighting
Soft, low lighting enhances the relaxing atmosphere. Here are some options you can easily use in your house if you don't have dimmable lights:
- Salt lamps
- Candles (real or faux)
- String lights
2. Get Comfy
Have your comfiest clothes ready. This might be a luxe set of silk pajamas, your favorite worn-in tee, or a plush robe. Don’t forget fuzzy socks or slippers!
Prep your favorite drink and snacks. Here are some ideas:
Drink ideas:
- Tea (Chamomile is great for relaxation)
- Wine
- Cocktails
- Sparkling water with fresh fruits, lemon, and herbs
Snack ideas:
- Veggies and hummus
- A fruit platter
- Cheese and crackers
3. Treat Yourself
Now for the best part: pick your favorite at-home spa treatments to pamper yourself. Don’t try to do too many treatments in one day to avoid turning relaxation into a chore. I suggest picking two or three bath treatments, moisturizing, then either focusing on treatments for one area of the body, or picking two to four various treaments below.
Bath
Start with feeling clean. After setting the ambiance, draw yourself a hot bath and make it luxurious with:
- Milk and honey
- A bath bomb
- Bubble bath
- Bath salts
Relax with music, a book, or a glass of wine. If you choose to use your phone, ensure you’re consuming content that keeps you at peace.
If you don’t have a bathtub, a nice shower with shower steamers can be special. You can also soak your feet in a collapsible foot spa.
Bath Treatment Ideas:
- Dry brush before your bath
- Exfoliating scrubs
- Conditioning mask for your hair
- Teeth whitening strips
- A luxurious bath oil
- Scrub your feet with a pumice stone
Moisturize
This step is essential. Hot water, washing, and exfoliating can dry your skin. Revitalize it with a good moisturizer.
Face
- Steam your face (this opens pores before cleansing or applying a mask; add a drop of essential oil for aromatherapy. Use a bowl, boiled water, and a towel over your head. Be careful not to burn yourself).
- Microplaning (I like these razors)
- Tweeze your eyebrows
- A good face mask (I like this one for moisture and this one for clearing pores)
- Pore strips
- Skincare topicals (visit a dermatologist for recommendations)
- Apply lashify eyelashes
- A good moisturizer with vitamin E oil
- Exfoliate your lips and/or face with a damp, rough washcloth or exfoliator specifically designed for these areas
- Apply a lip mask
Body
- Use a Theragun
- Moisturize everywhere
- Apply tanning lotion (I like Bondi Sands with a soft application brush)
Nails
- Trim, file, and paint your nails
- Apply cuticle oil
- Moisturize your hands and seal it in by wearing manicure gloves to bed
Feet
- Use Babyfoot foot peels
- Apply Aquaphor on your feet, then cover with socks to lock in moisture
- Do your toenails
- Self foot massage or use a foot massage ball
Hair
- Gently dry your hair
- Apply a hair oil or leave-in conditioner
- Use detangling spray before combing it out
- Sleep with a silk bonnet to protect your hair
After Your Spa Treatments
Finishing your spa treatments doesn’t mean your spa day must come to an end. The true relaxation is just beginning. Wrap yourself in your favorite robe, pour a drink (tea, wine, a healthy juice, or a hydrating mocktail), and chill. Enjoy a girl dinner, read a great book, flip through Pinterest, watch reality TV, chat with a friend, listen to music, meditate, or do some light yoga stretches—whatever makes you happiest!
I hope this guide inspires you to create a luxurious at-home spa day for yourself! Sign up for our email newsletter for more self-care tips, feel-good vibes, and guides to everyday luxury.
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