“ It's not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself & to make your happiness a priority. It's necessary. ”

~ Mandy Hale

A Well-Deserved Break: Embrace Self-Care and Pamper Yourself

When I started my skincare business in 1992, I was used to the European way of the importance of skincare. French and Italian women (and the Dutch of course) would never go to bed with makeup on their faces or skip their monthly facial treatment. No way!

I was not used to the local ladies telling me that they didn’t take care much of their skin or did not have a skincare routine. In fact, in those days, a lot of my clients did not know anyone could (or should) come in for facial treatments even if they did not have any skin issues like acne or extremely dry skin.

There I was… informing, explaining, and educating the local women about self-care. I still smile when I think of the husband of a client of mine, who had said that “I give her 6 months!” when I first opened my doors. (30+ years in the biz and still going!)

Taking care of oneself, our skin and our body is not a luxury. Life can be chaotic, and it's easy to get caught up in the daily hustle and forget to take care of ourselves.

Me-time allows balance, it makes you feel better, improves your mood, and helps your skin! Yes, you can have someone in the spa treat you to a massage, a facial, or a pedicure. It is an awesome experience.

You can also take some time at home and plan for some me-time! It's time to indulge in a little self-care and pamper yourself.

Below, I'll guide you through the steps of creating an at-home pamper night, where you can unwind, relax, and give yourself the love and attention you truly deserve.

A Well Deserved Break:

Step 1: Set the Mood First things first, let's create a soothing atmosphere. Dim the lights, light some scented candles, and play your favorite relaxing tunes. I love some Chris Stapleton or French Cafe music.

Step 2: Cleanse and Exfoliate Start your pamper night by giving your skin some extra TLC. Begin with a gentle cleanser, such as a safe sulfate-free Foaming Cleanser or a Cleansing Oil. Even if you don’t wear any makeup, you will want to remove the build-up of the day’s dirt and peanut butter. I love taking time to massage the cleanser into my skin and enjoying the soft scent. Follow up with an exfoliating scrub (my fav: Reflect Effect AHA Mask) to remove dead skin cells, leaving your face feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Remember to choose products suitable for your skin type and stay away from ingredients that can harm your health with continued use. Check the EWG.org website for your product’s safety!

Step 3: Face Mask Magic Now, it’s time to treat your skin with a luxurious face mask. Whether you opt for a hydrating, brightening, or detoxifying mask, take this opportunity to relax while the mask works its magic. You can walk around or opt to lie down and close your eyes, take deep breaths, and let your worries melt away.

Step 4: Soak and Soothe Prepare a warm bath with your favorite bath salts, essential oils, or just plain Epsom salt. Sink into the warm water and let the tension melt away. You can even bring a book or play some soft music to make the experience even more enjoyable. Take this time to embrace self-reflection or simply escape into a world of pure relaxation. If you do not have access to a bathtub, block the shower drain and let some essential oils penetrate.

Step 5: Nourish Your Body After your soothing bath, it's time to nourish your body. Apply a rich body lotion or body oil to moisturize and hydrate your skin, start at your ankles, and move upwards to help with lymphatic flow. Give yourself a gentle massage to release any remaining tension and promote blood circulation. Remember, self-care extends beyond just your face, so give your entire body the attention it deserves.

Step 6: Indulge in Self-Expression Enhance your pamper night by adding a touch of self-expression. Paint your nails in your favorite shade, experiment with a new makeup look, or try out a hairstyle you've been eyeing. This is your time to unleash your creativity and embrace your unique beauty.

Step 7: Rest and Relaxation As your pamper night comes to an end, find a cozy spot to wind down and relax. Wrap yourself in a fluffy robe or comfortable pajamas and enjoy a cup of herbal tea or a glass of your favorite wine. Read an inspiring book or listen to a meditation. Take this moment to appreciate the effort you put into taking care of yourself and reflect on the positive aspects of your day.

(I have given some links to skin care suggestions and if I can help you with your personal skin questions, just reach out. Reply to this email or set up a time to chat. I have learned a thing or two about safer choices in skin care and would love to help you with your skin)

Believe me, it's time to prioritize self-care and embrace the beauty of pampering yourself. An at-home pamper night is a wonderful way to unwind, recharge, and reconnect with yourself. Remember, you are worth the time and effort it takes to take care of yourself. So go ahead, schedule that pamper night, and relax. You deserve it!

x

PS. What if you could step out for a weekend and spend time on yourself? A MeTreat may just be what you are yearning for, to bring balance to your busy life.

During your first night you will use the video message where I guide you through a Spa Night with the selection of Beautycounter skin care samples that you received in your Welcome Box, plus a beautiful rose quartz GuaSha tool to help soothe tense facial muscles and help with the flow of lymph for a healthy complexion. You sure will unwind and relax!

These couple of nights away by yourself is an experience for an introspective solo retreat, where you will rediscover what it is that you want to pursue, find what is truly important to you and make some changes based on what your soul is telling you. Me-Time at its best!

Go check it out here, change begins at the end of your comfort zone!