Self-care, self-love and anything that revolves around DIY wellness may have been thrown around a lot in the past year. That self-pampering includes treating yourself to a little spa indulgence. But if jostling for a slot after the easing of restrictions is giving you stress, Plan B is to recreate something as close as possible at home.
Ahead, we caught up with four beauty lovers who shared their favourite spa treatments and the routines they’ve adopted in place at home that you can use as a short-term hack.
Skin type: “Dry skin.”
Your main concerns: “Pigmentation and dullness.”
Spa treatment you can’t live without: “Brightening and hydrating facials at the spa.”
Your happy place: “Caring Skin.”
Why do you regularly opt for this spa treatment: “I love that it starts out by soothing your mind and body with calming essential oil before the treatment. The extraction wasn’t painful and the whole process is super gentle. Brightening and hydration is key to alleviating dry skin so, it’s important to keep skin supple and well-nourished with the right treatment.”
How to recreate that spa experience at home: “I’ve been massaging my products into my skin more often these days and end my night with an LED mask to boost the activity within my skin.”
Skin type: “Oily/combination.”
Your main concerns: “Hyperpigmentation, breakouts, melasma, and dryness around the mouth.”
Spa treatment you can’t live without: “Neck and shoulder massages.”
Your happy place: “Natureland.”
Why do you regularly opt for this spa treatment: “Neck and shoulder massages are so important for me especially as I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk and on my PC.”
How to recreate that spa experience at home: “I purchased a mat from Cultbeauty called ‘a bed of nails mat’ which I am absolutely loving. This helps me have a little mini spa moment at home. It is an acupressure mat which really helps me fall asleep in the evening.
Not forgetting, I also stick to a skincare routine that consists of hydration and moisturisation. I use my Sachi Skin Ursolic Acid and Retinaldehyde Overnight Reform for well ageing, followed by the Triphala Hyperpigmentation Corrector for hyperpigmentation. I also apply sunscreendaily and rotate between SkinMedica- SPF or EltaMD and use products from Kate Sommerville and Vortary too.”
Skin type: “Dry and dehydrated skin.”
Your main concerns: “Dry, dehydrated, mild eczema-prone skin that gets easily irritated coupled with hyperpigmentation from years of sun damage.”
Spa treatment you can’t live without: “Swedish Massage. I get muscles aches and tension really easily so a soothing massage is what my body needs 24/7.”
Your happy place: “Earth Spa in Siglap.”
Why do you regularly opt for this spa treatment: “I love full-body massages more than any other treatment available out there. A Swedish massage typically uses softer and longer strokes to alleviate tension built up over time from stress. I prefer this over harder pressured massages like deep tissue massage because I’d rather not bruise after a session.”
How to recreate that spa experience at home: “I use a foam roller from time to time to relieve my muscle aches. I also do home-based stretches to ensure that my muscles don’t tense up in the meantime. There’s no alternative to full-body massages at home, I’m afraid.
For my skincare routine, I’m quite particular as my skin is precious to me. To treat my skin concerns, I double-cleanse, tone my skin, apply serums, eye cream, moisturizer, and alternate sunscreen for the day and facial oils for nighttime daily. I also exfoliate and use a sheet mask twice a week. To end off the routine, I use a rose quartz roller and gua sha to tone my face.”
Skin Type: “Oily.”
Your main concerns: “Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and balancing my skin’s pH.”
Spa treatment you can’t live without: “Definitely any facials that help calm sensitive skin and I’m not gonna lie, I definitely have missed going for a full body massage too!”
Your happy place: “Aramsa The Garden Spa in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.”
Why do you regularly opt for this spa treatment: “There’s this treatment called ‘sensitive skin soother’ which I love that calms my skin and just overall makes my skin feel great!”
How to recreate that spa experience at home: “I use my acne care serum and regular gua sha as well to promote blood circulation. I finish off my routine with my favourite moisturiser from Yehwadam.”
Text: Margaux Levy/FEMALE