Practice self-care at home with team BC’s beauty recommendations

Whether you are now working from home, find yourself in isolation with extra time on your hands or are currently channelling your inner teacher while working a full-time job (who doesn’t love a bit of multi-tasking – EEK), practicing self-care is, and will continue to be imperative in these unsettling times.

From DIY facials and mini makeovers to pampering baths and eyebrow maintenance, we take you through some of our team’s must-try recommendations on how to keep both your skin and wellbeing in check….all you need is a little effort and the right tools!

 

Give yourself a DIY facial

While we can’t visit our faithful salon or spa for a while, we can practice self-care at home with a pampering DIY facial. A facial is perfect for nurturing both the skin and psych and is very simple to do. For a detailed account of how to achieve a salon-style facial click here.

Indulge in a therapeutic bath

Little instantly reduces stress quite like taking a relaxing remineralizing bath. Ahhhhhh. Begin by creating a spa-like atmosphere so your entire body is relaxed – we are talking soothing music, burning essential oils, lighting your favourite candle, whatever it takes to set the mood. Next, fill the bath with a de-stressing bath foam or detoxifying salts. After having the luxury of trying many a bath product, I have to say Phytomer’s Oligomer Well Being Sensation Essential Minerals Relaxing Bath really does create an unparalleled stress-relief experience. This amazing lightly foaming product is enriched with Oligomer – a partially sodium-reduced seawater concentrate that contains all of the remineralizing properties of seawater –to strengthen and restore the skin and release all pent-up tension.

Try your hand at a mani/pedi

While having my nails done professionally is something I love to treat myself to once a month, it is totally achievable to do a little DIY mani and pedi at home, and something fun you can do with your kids if you have them at home with you too! You can opt to do a simple mani/pedi which just includes a little nail clipping or filing, followed by a hand soak and then polish application (the best method for me to follow when my 4 year old demands ‘mani/pedi time!’ or for a salon-style DIY experience follow these simple tips;

1. Start by soaking your hands or feet in warm water for a few minutes, you can add some reinvigorating bath salts to the water too!
2. Next exfoliate your hands and feet to promote blood circulation and slough and file your nails to your desired shape.
3. Now do the same process on your feet, but remember to file your soles with a foot file or pumice stone.
4. Next it’s polish application time! Try ELES Cosmetics range of healthy nail polishes.

 

Give yourself a sun-kissed glow

Let’s face it, we may be stuck inside for longer than we ever anticipated, but that doesn’t mean we have to forsake that golden, sun-kissed glow, after all who doesn’t feel better with a tan! I personally love the Phytomer Sun Radiance Self-Tanning Cream, it is so light in texture, leaves no streaks and delivers a very natural, luminous, long-lasting tan. Bonus since we won’t be sunning ourselves on the beach anytime soon!

Do an at-home peel

Something I love to do every few weeks is treat myself to an at-home peel. The combination of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (like glycolic and lactic acid), Beta Hydroxy Acids (like the acne-fighting salicylic acid) and gentle exfoliants like fruit enzymes dissolve the so-called glue that holds your dead skin cells together, revealing healthier and more radiant looking skin in as little as ten minutes. There are even options with skin-soothing ingredients so they’re safe for sensitive and reactive skin.

One of my absolute favourites is the Pevonia Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream which combines natural fruit pineapple and papaya enzymes to eliminate impurities, blackheads, dead cells and toxins and in turn reveal smooth, soft and glowing skin.

Try your hand at massage

Give yourself or get a family member to give you a massage! And don’t underestimate your kids if you have them at home, sometimes my 6 year old is better at massages than my hubby!

I’m talking anything from a relaxing hand, arm or foot massage, to a back and shoulder massage to elevate aches and pains, or a good head massage to reduce tension headaches. And no it’s not going to be anything like indulging in the hands of the professionals at your favourite salon or spa, but it will reduce stress and enable you to decompress, all the same.

Before starting the massage you need to choose a massage cream, gel or oil. Your choice can hugely impact the effect of the massage as particular scents can evoke relaxation while certain ingredients will alleviate aches and pains. For an indulgent hand and arm massage I adore the Phytomer Oleocreme Ultra-Nourishing Hand Cream followed by an all over arm spritz of best-selling Pevonia Dry Oil Body Moisturiser. It revitalizes and deeply nourishes every inch of skin with squalene, lavender and chamomile. Bliss.

If your legs and feet are feeling heavy and fatigued, both the Pevonia’s Tension Relief Gel and Phytomer Cryotonic Soothing Leg Gel are a must. Both products are anti-inflammatory, cooling and uplifting gel formulations for tired aching muscles and sore feet.

For a therapeutic back and shoulder massage to alleviate aches and pains at the hands of stress, I would highly recommend using the Pevonia Micro Emulsion Massage Oil Anti-Stress. With its gorgeous aroma and nourishing ingredients, it immediately releases pent up tension. For more focused areas of muscle tension, the Pevonia Marine Magnesium is amazing. This de-stressing treatment oil works quickly to relieve fatigue, muscle cramps, and muscular inflammation while nourishing your body and spirit with remineralizing and wellness induced benefits.

Now take your product, rub between your hands and place hands on the chosen area for massage. Set tone and rhythm of massage translating comfort and relaxation,

Give yourself a mini makeover

While you might be currently donning the ‘makeup free look’ since you are self-isolating at home, a mini makeover can provide a creative and fun outlet for self-expression that can lift you up during tough times.  I definitely find it helps me conquer any anxiety I might be feeling! At the moment, my mind is constantly preoccupied or engaged in worry, but those ten minutes of putting on makeup for fun is a time where I get away from that, after all, it’s pretty difficult to focus on all that is happening in the world when I’m playing with my amazing array of ELES makeup shades! So do yourself a favour and use this time to enjoy your makeup while it’s no longer a must-do daily task!

Do some eyebrow maintenance

For those of us who rely on having our brows maintained by an amazing brow specialist, the next few months will be tough! While you need to be very careful not to undo the amazing work your beautician has crafted, it will likely be necessary to remove a few growing strays yourself in order to maintain your brows’ shape! After all perfect, natural-looking eyebrows can completely transform your face and make you look and feel 10 years younger! Who doesn’t need that in their life right now?

For expert tips on how to create perfect brows at home click here.