7 Steps for Creating a DIY Spa At Home

Think of the last time you treated yourself to a massage or facial. Now think of how good you felt afterward. If you can’t remember when that was or the feeling, do yourself a favor and schedule some “me-time” for a DIY spa at home, stat. 

After the last two years we’ve had — and with certain protocols still in place for many — setting a day for your self-care routine is a must for your physical and mental wellbeing for several reasons. For starters, who doesn’t love a pampering session? Let’s face it, few things feel as glorious as showing your hair, skin and body some TLC. Secondly, you’ll feel like a brand new person after taking part in simple spa treatments, such as laying in the bathtub, exfoliating your skin or lathering your tresses with a nourishing hair mask. And finally (and for most obvious reasons), you always deserve a spa day or spa night. 

So if you’re ready to find your zen, here’s how to create a DIY spa at home for your self-care routine. It may be so relaxing that you never go back to your go-to luxury spot.

1. Set the Mood

Turning your bathroom into a relaxing oasis and creating the right ambiance are crucial steps in your self-care routine. You can achieve that by dimming the lights, making a playlist of soothing music, incorporating elements of nature into the decor (think: plants and crystals) and adding calming essential oil scents — such as lavender and eucalyptus — into a diffuser. You can’t go wrong whichever way you choose to design your zen environment.

Editor’s tip: Be sure to line up all the skin and hair care products you plan to use to keep your DIY spa organized.

2. Light A Candle

You can’t have a spa day at home without a lit candle. Grab your favorite scented (or unscented) candle, place it in a safe spot in your bathroom and watch it flicker. It’s a great way to lift your mood and bring joy to your overall spa experience. 

3. Draw A Bath

Once you’ve set your scene, it’s time to get your bath started. While you might be tempted to set the water temperature to inferno levels, laying in piping hot water can dry out your skin. Choose a lukewarm-to-warm temperature instead to reap all the stress-reducing benefits. You can even add aromatherapeutic bath salts or a beautiful bath bomb into the tub to upgrade your spa experience. 

4. Apply A Face Mask

Make the most of your bath time by multitasking with a face treatment. Reach for a face scrub, nourishing sheet mask or face mask — such as the L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask. Like a facial in a jar, this face mask is formulated with red algae extract, potent pure clays and volcanic rock to exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog and minimize the look of pores and refine your skin. Apply it to your face for 10 minutes for a smooth and glowing complexion.

5. Use A Lip Scrub

Afterward, you can pamper your pout with a lip scrub. While the L'Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub is a great option for exfoliating facial skin, it also works wonders at gently buffing away any dead skin cells or flakes on dry lips. 

Apply the sugar scrub to damp or wet lips and gently scrub for a minute. Then, wet a soft cloth with lukewarm water and wipe the lip scrub away. Follow with a nourishing lip balm to add and lock in moisture to your pout.

6. Get Your Glow On

If you’re craving the same glowy results you’d get post-facial at a spa, pat the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Midnight Serum onto your skin after using a face mask. Formulated with a powerful blend of Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and a patented antioxidant, this ultra-luxe serum helps replenish your skin’s barrier, locks in moisture and smooths wrinkles, leaving you with a firmer and radiant complexion. Basically, the anti-aging formula is the skin care must-have you never knew you needed in your life.

Follow with the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Day Moisturizer SPF 25 or L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Night Moisturizer depending on what time of day you’re having your at-home spa.

7. Do A Hair Treatment

Your hair deserves just as much love as your skin does. And if you’re going to add any extra step into your self-care routine, it should be caring for your hair with L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing In Shower Acidic Glaze. With the help of an acidic pH technology and argan oil, this superhero treatment goes the extra mile to intensify shine and add moisture to your color-treated or chemically processed strands.

After cleansing your hair with L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced, spray the glossing treatment throughout your damp strands and let it sit for one to three minutes. Don’t rinse. Then layer on the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced onto your mane. Leave on between one to three minutes and rinse to achieve salon-style tresses at home.

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Written and photographed by: Sophie Dweck