Lift your spirits and save some dirhams with a spa day at home

As cliché as it sounds, a day at the spa continues to top the list for most tired and busy people out there, but, as we all know, that can also come with a hefty price tag.

Cleansers, masks, scrubs are easy-peasy to whip up, many using every day ingredients you might already have in the kitchen cupboards. So why not follow these easy steps and create the perfect at-home spa for you, your family and friends?

Get in the mood

Turn off all electronics and unplug the phone. Close the curtains, slip into bath robes and dig your favourite relaxing tunes on Spotify. It sounds so cheesy to light some candles but it really can change the mood in your own living room.

Make some herbal tea and just lay down for 10 minutes. If you really want to push the boat out, make a carafe of cold water infused with lemon, orange or cucumber.

A facial steam

A simple pot of hot water, with essential oils or fresh herbs, is the perfect way to start your spa day. It will relax you, open your pores, and prepare you for your next treatments. Steam for 10 minutes with a towel over your head and bowl and breathe deeply.

We love lavender to sooth and calm the skin, calendula, especially helpful for those with eczema and psoriasis, and chamomile, which is good for dry, irritated skin.

Whip up a mask

There are so many recipes that use household ingredients. Eyes puffy? Put the classic cucumber slices on tired eyes. Dry lips and skin? Make a sugar scrub. Whatever it is that you are suffering from, there is a cure for that right in your kitchen.

Whip up your own Lemon Glow Yoghurt Mask, it's easier than you might first think.

1. Squeeze a teaspoon of juice from a fresh, ripe lemon.
2. Mix a large spoonful of any plain organic yoghurt with a ¼ teaspoon of the lemon juice.
3. Slather over your entire face, making sure to avoid your eyes and mouth (although it does taste good).
4. Leave on your face for 10 mins.
5. Rinse with warm water to remove.

Scrub scrub

Exfoliating after a steam is a great way to get rid of dead skin. Try mixing sugar with coconut oil and rub all over. Use a body brush to really work the sugar across the skin.

Alternatively, there are plenty of affordable and effective options on the shelves at Choithrams.com. We love the St'Ives Avocado + Honey Scrub for soft skin. It's 100 per cent natural and will have your skin glowing in seconds.

Men need to exfoliate too and if you're planning a couple's spa we suggest the Nivea for Men Deep Scrub. The bottle is black so manly vibes can be retained here!

Hair mask

Massage coconut or macadamia oil into your scalp and put your hair up in a bun for the remainder of the spa. Add a plastic shower cap to really get things moving.

Bath time

Run a warm bath and add a can of coconut milk, a tablespoon of almond oil, and 20 drops of your favourite essential oil. Your skin will absorb moisture and nutrients from whatever ingredients you choose.

Pick up a good book or magazine and relax. Bath time is really important if you truly want to find your zen, especially as most of us don't have a steam room nestled in the upstairs bathroom.

Rinse

Clarifying shampoo is the best option if you used oil on your hair and a repairing conditioner as the hair follicles are now wide open.

Happy feet

Head to the couch and layer on the foot cream or homemade treatment to the feet and put plastic wrap around them. Wrap your feet in a hot towel and leave on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse.

The hot towel

To really get that spa grab a wet hand towel, ring out excess water, and pop in the microwave for one minute. Remove and place across your shoulders as you close your eyes and take it all in.

Final touches

Don’t forget your usual night moisturiser, eye cream and body lotion to keep things hydrated. We love the Palmers Skin Therapy Face Oil to really replace some serious moisture.

Have a large glass of water and hit the hay.