Beauty

words by > Christina Kallery

Just because you’re no mansion-dwelling heiress doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a little decadent relaxation. Laura Cabot, founder and president of the delightfully quirky bath and beauty line Not Soap Radio, shared some of her favorite tips for whipping up your very own spa experience on the cheap.

Six Tips for a Spa-at-Home

1) “Spas are all about ambiance, so make sure you set the mood,” says Cabot. “Dim the lights, light some scented candles and put on a soft, sumptuous robe so that your mind and body start to unwind.”

2) “Treat yourself with some great luxurious products,” she advises. “And they don’t need to be expensive to be good.” Pick bath oil, salts or bubbles in calming scents, like lavender, or products that smell like delectable desserts.

3) “Next, start the bath water running—a little steam is a good thing.” Why? Steam helps open pores and primes them for facial treatments, like masks.

4) Either before or during your bath, apply an exfoliator to banish dry, flaky skin. Then relax your mind and enjoy a good soak—about fifteen minutes.

5) After bathing, but before skin has dried completely, slather on a luxurious body lotion to seal in moisture. If you’ve applied a facial mask, rinse it off and finish with a skincare treatment, like vitamin C serum.

6) Finally, make sure you take some time to relax afterward, even if it’s only for half an hour. Lie down and listen to music. For soothing and de-puffing tired eyes, apply a cool compress.