Top Ten Tips for Spa Quality Relaxation at Home

Hi lovelies,

It's the start of not only a new week but a new Month, Happy March Monday everyone!

Hope your day hasn't been too stressful? Monday's always seem to be the worst don't they! My life is insanely busy at the moment.. I'm doing a part-time self-funded Masters whilst working full time. I have an essay deadline next Monday. I have no money because I'm paying for it myself and I have no weekends because I'm still working full-time so my lectures are Saturday and Sunday full day.

It's one of those things you just have to suck up and get on with I guess, but when the cracking people at Utopia Group sent me this gorgeous luxury hamper filled with Champneys, Baylis and Harding and Spa goodies to inspire me to relax a little I actually took note!

Utopia Group are all about luxurious relaxation. They specialise in setting the perfect scene for spa-like bliss with their bathroom ranges.  They're a UK company (you know I love supporting UK business!) with over 25 years experience too so they're pretty much the experts!

My top tips for spa quality home relaxation now live at luckypretty.blogspot.co.uk #RelaxMondays @Utopia_Furniture @UtopiaBathrooms #bbloggers #lbloggers

A photo posted by Beauty & Lifestyle Blogger (@laura_claire88) on Mar 2, 2015 at 5:10am PST

If I've had a hard stress-filled day I tend to do one of two things:

Stick in my earphones, play some happy tunes and go for a long run. The exercise gets my endorphins going whilst the happy music calms me. I always feel ten times better after a good long run!

Or...

I do the complete opposite and remain near stationary as I wallow in a hot deep-filled bath mixed with sumptuous smells whilst I apply copious lotions and potions to myself.

I'm a bath kinda girl you see. Even if it's a quick 'wash before bed' it's always got to be a bath for me. I just love having half hour to myself to ease away the aches of the day whilst the heat sleepifies me for bed.. gosh I'm feeling more relaxed just thinking about it!

It's always been the same ever since I was young. If ever I was in need of a de-stress I would run or I would wallow! That action plan has got me through some tough times I'll tell you. It's been tried and tested! hehe

So here's my Ten Top Tips for Spa quality relaxation 

in the comfort of your own home: 

1. Don't skimp on the ambiance. 

We're talking all of your senses here. Turn off that ceiling light and enjoy the soft warm glow that only candles can provide. My favourites are Yankee Candles in any of your favourite scents. They'll do a double duty too.. their gorgeous scent will also please your nose and, if you choose lavender, Jasmine or Rose it's likely to ease you into relaxation mode all the sooner.


2. Lotions and Potions and something Indulgent.

Raid your bathroom cabinets for the facemask, body scrub, bath oils and any other of your favourite bathtime potions. Make sure you strategically place them close at hand... you don't want any reason to have to get out of the tub once you're in!

I'd also recommend having something that's a little more indulgent. I love Neom bath oils and also keep a bottle in the cabinet to make my home-spa relaxation time just that bit more luxurious.


3. Towel Please.

Get those towels out of the hall-way cupboard right now! you don't want to be doing the run for them later on... and pop them on the radiator too so they're nice and warm for later. Don't forget your bathrobe too if you've one.





4. No phones allowed. 

Just like a spa treatment you've got to imagine this time as 'me-time'. Lavish yourself with your own company... you don't need to look on Instagram... you just don't!







5. Find the perfect temperature for you. 

If you look online it says that warm water is the best for relaxation... around 92 degree Fahrenheit. Firstly... who is going to bother to measure the water temperature.. pppftt! And secondly, I think it depends on you.. I like my baths scolding! Just make sure, whatever you're preference, you take some time to get it just perfect.



6. Be you're own beautician. 

Aching shoulders? Give them a massage. Blemishes on your face? Do your own mini facial. Dull looking skin? brighten it up with exfoliation gloves. Don't forget the scalp massage whilst you're washing your hair! It's important to take some time to pamper yourself... even if it is you whose doing the hard work.. the effects are still the same.

Check out this article from the Daily Mail on how to give yourself a relaxing head, neck and shoulder massage.


7. Just breathe. 



So, I don't know much about meditation or 'emptying your mind' but I do like to focus on my breathing every so often to help me unwind. Close your eyes and consciously focus on breathing in all those delicious fragrances - immediate relaxation!








8. Leave it as it is. 

You've wallowed long enough and it's time to come out. But the bath needs cleaning now? oh and I should really just clean the sink whilst I'm at it too, perhaps whilst I should just give the lounge a quick hoover? No, no, no. Leave it until tomorrow, it can wait... and bed is calling...



9. Bath then... 

It's something that reminds me of my childhood. Bath then bed was a common phrase in our household. But bed is just as important as bath. Don't ruin your bliss-like state with an unmade bed and harsh ceiling lights! Candles and even some soothing music will keep you chilled out ready for a deep refreshing sleep.

Try this YouTube link for 3 hours of relaxing spa-quality music


10. Keep scents in mind for a perfect slumber. 

Camomile and Ylang-Ylang are just two of the fragrances that will help you drift off quicker and having a lovely fragrance in your room will add a bit of luxury to your night-time ritual. I recommend pillow sprays just like this one from This Works which contains Camomile, Lavender and Vertivert which comes from the root of an Indian Grass.





Now I'm going to spend this evening doing just that with my lovely hamper!

Love

LauraClaire

Salon Review: The Beauty Lounge Ewell Epsom

Hi Lovelies, 

So, I rushed out of work mid-week to indulge in a much needed bit of pampering at The Beauty Lounge in Ewell Epsom. It’s not a salon I’d been to before so was looking forward to a new experience.

I’d booked  a package treatment; an hour Elemis facial with head massage, leg and foot massage and an OPI manicure… Bliss!

Salons in Ewell Epsom - The Beauty Lounge 

Enjoying my final cup of tea for the evening whilst I stare happily at my OPI polished nails... Who needs TV!

I’d darted out of the office and dodged the traffic but was running tight for time so the choice of on street parking spots and the ‘2 hours free parking’ sign picked up my spirits before I entered the salon. The reception and nails area was clean and  minimalist in white. The gorgeous staff were all very friendly too which makes a huge difference.

Within a few minutes I was led to my treatment room. I was so impressed with the ambiance of the room. They’d obviously taken the atmospherics into consideration; the room was spacious and filled with tea light candles giving a lovely low light, the decoration was modern and slick, relaxation music was already playing and the faint scent of delicious Elemis products permeated the air!  The second I got onto the bed and under the warm cover I felt the stress of the day melt away and the treatment hadn’t even begun yet (easily pleased I know!).

My facial was divine and for the next two days I noticed a really improvement to my skin.. I’d been having some mild blemishes cropping up and I just couldn’t seem to ban them however much I tried. The head, leg and foot massages were equally luxurious and topped off with a cup of tea and a OPI polish were perfect. I literally floated out of the salon with my new Vanilla colour OPI polished nails!

The Beauty Lounge is a haven of serenity and luxury tucked in between the bustle and busyness of Ewell. Well worth a visit and first class treatments. My beautician Chloe was fantastic. Thank you Beauty Lounge <3

Love 

LC

Indeed Labs Set of 3 Sampler Kit Review

Happy February lovelies,

We can all relax now… January blues are finally over! And, with a new February skip in my step I thought I’d try out a few new products for you. The product in the spotlight today is Indeed Labs Set of 3 Sampler Kit. It contains 5ml size tubes of some of the top products; Nanoblur, Snoxin and Hydraluron. RRP £12.99

The packaging is appealing. I like its minimalist, sleek and clean branding with just a pop of bubblegum cute colour on each product. However, It’s also a little wasteful… The packaging in way larger than the three little samples inside it. A lot of buffering has been done to make this sample kit look bigger and of more value that it probably it. Of course you’re paying for the luxury of testing three items here but the packaging could probably squeeze in all three full sized items too.

So what does each product do?
‘Nanoblur is an advanced optical diffusing cream that instantly minimises the appearance of wrinkles, crow's feet and enlarged pores.’ You can apply nanoblur as the last step in your skin care regime or ideally apply after Liquid foundation or before Powder foundation in a "patting" motion, do not rub. Each application lasts until the product is rinsed off so it is similar to a primer.

‘Snoxin is a multi-peptide anti-ageing wonder serum.’ Apply a small amount twice per day as the first treatment after cleansing and toning. This serum does not offer surface hydration. Follow with Hydraluron and a moisturiser.

‘Hydraluron is a superb hydrating serum that gives your skin the moisture boost it needs from below the surface. Created to plump up the skins texture and increase elasticity and firmness.’ Apply a small amount over the entire face before applying other moisturising creams. This serum provides below the surface moisturising creams.

My Review of Indeedlabs Sampler Kit

Indeed Labs Sampler Kit review #luckypretty #bblogger #blogpost

A photo posted by Beauty & Lifestyle Blogger (@laura_claire88) on Feb 5, 2015 at 12:17pm PST

I bought this kit so that, as well as trying out a few new products, I had some little mini skincare products to take away with me on a long weekend away with hubby. For this purpose they were perfect as they complimented each other well and gave me added space for hair straighteners! (always important). Each morning I applied Snoxin serum followed by Hydraluron to give my skin a moisture boost before finally applying Nanoblur just before my foundation, which worked like a primer although they comment that it is NOT a primer hehe.

There are mixed reviews on Boots online for this kit but most revolved around the small amount of product rather than the products themselves. I would have to agree with this.. I would have liked at least 10ml as by the end of the weekend my samples were all but gone! The full size products are 30ml so 5ml really is a tiny test.

My final word… the kit is overpriced for such a small amount of product but a good way to test all three and perhaps find a new favourite.

Love
LauraClaire

p.s. So lusting after the new The Canon PowerShot N2! Perfect for a #selfie