Beauty therapy
Sep 16 2008 by Hannah Davies, The Journal
WE all love the occasional spa indulgence – a facial to brighten a lacklustre complexion, a soothing massage to ease out aches and pains, or a manicure to make nails gleam again.
But the credit crunch may mean that the only beauty attention your body’s getting these days is the occasional half-hearted foot-rub from your partner.
Sainsbury’s have dubbed our cost-saving DIY efforts the ‘beauty salon to bathroom’ phenomenon.
If your body’s screaming out for some beauty attention, claim some treat time with your own DIY spa. With National Spa Week beginning on September 20, we reveal how to recreate the most popular spa treatments in your own home – at a fraction of the cost.
BODY BLAST
Cellulite is most women’s worst body enemy. Give the dreaded dimple effect the heave-ho with regular body treatments to wake-up lazy skin cells.
DIY: Bag Urban Retreat’s Body Detox 10 Day Anti-Cellulite Plan, £29.50 (www.boots.com). Boasting similar effects to the spa’s Body Blitz, this two-part treatment combines a rich potent seaweed-based mud and cooling treatment cream.
FACIAL FABULOUS
Complexion flagging? A facial treatment can be an instant skin reviver. If you can’t find the time or cash for a facial, an at-home mask is the next best thing to give your skin a luxurious boost.
DIY: If you’re stressing over the merest hint of a wrinkle or crows’ feet, a mask that lifts, hydrates and tones works wonders for brightening a tired face. For a twice-weekly treat, pamper your skin with Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Mask, £45. For a cheaper alternative, use Dr Nick Lowe Lift & Hydrate Mask, £12.95 (Boots nationwide). Check out a how-to book like The Face Lift Massage (£7.49 at www.amazon.co.uk) for hints.
MANICURE MISSION
There’s no point investing in A/W’s glossy dark nail polishes if your hands are letting you down. Add a DIY manicure to your weekly beautifying to-do list.
DIY: Don’t skip on the manicure basics. Boots Salon Nails Manicure Set, £18.99, has 10 attachments for getting your nails into tip-top condition. Follow up your buffing and filing by rubbing a thick layer of luxurious hand cream into hands and arms, like Soap & Glory’s Endless Glove Dry Hand Cream, £4.50 (Boots nationwide).
National Spa Week takes place from September 20-28. Visit www.spaweek.co.uk
