Well, it’s the new year, and many of us are in a lockdown situation. Consequently, we are at home more than ever before. My family just recently had one of our bathrooms renovated and it couldn’t have been better timing. I have found some great products to use when I am in the space too, and so now I truly feel like I’m at the spa without having to actually go anywhere. If you are needing to relax, unwind and make your bathroom feel like a spa, I completely understand. Let me help you!
Design
First off, let’s quickly talk a bit about design. Maybe you are considering renovating a bathroom soon? I won’t go into great detail about everything we chose for our recent renovation, as I am not an interior designer by any means, but I will share 2 of my favourite features that could inspire you.
I know I wanted a spa-like feel, so everything in our new bathroom is black and white, except for the floating vanity which is in a grey oak finish to break it up and prevent the space from looking sterile. The mosaic floor tile that we chose brings me to those fancy bathrooms on Pinterest and homes with charm in Europe all at once. We bought our specific tile from Preston Hardware, but Wayfair seems to have the same look that you can see here.
I continue to be obsessed with our shower system, which we ordered from Amazon. This shower system isn’t the exact one we have, I can’t seem to find it now, but it is similar for the most part. The big shower head is magnificent and the waterfall spout for the tub is also dreamy. I highly recommend black square finishes for a white space, I adore the sleek look of it. To feel relaxed, the tub has to be deep, so we made sure of that when we purchased ours. In a perfect world, I would have gotten a clawfoot tub instead, but we unfortunately don’t have the space, so we’ll stop talking about it.
Must-Have Items
Let’s move on to discuss the various must-have items, shall we? Everyone needs a bathtub tray. Seriously, I am not sure why I took such boring baths without one for as long as I did. I love the bamboo finish that it can add to the room. You can store a bar of soap, a glass of wine and even an iPad on it to watch Netflix. Place a book on it to read, or you can just lay down your phone if you want to close your eyes, chill and keep it simple. The possibilities are endless, and it can also make for a romantic Instagram picture on your feed, and even an excellent gift idea for someone in the future.
Further, if you want to have a chuckle when you’re in your bathroom, I suggest this bath mat. The phrase “sweet checks” is written across it and that makes me happy. Why not make things fun? Be forewarned, however, that it can get dirty fairly easily, so I only place it on the floor when I am taking a shower and then remove it from the room once finished.
I bet you’ve been thinking about it, so just buy the Aesop hand soap. Not only does it have a citrusy and woody smell that lasts on your hands for a long time, it also screams modern, clean and luxurious. I find that the size of the bottle lasts a long time too, so the price overall is justified. I don’t think I will ever look for another brand of hand soap again!
Now, you can’t have a spa day without your own bathrobe. My favourite one that I have ever had thus far is from Linen Chest. It is made from cotton and feels so cozy. I always look forward to getting into it. I suggest if you are looking into purchasing one that you size down. They are fairly oversized so be cautious of this. You can find it here.
Another must-have item is a bamboo headband. This helps keep your hair out of the way when you go to apply products onto your face. Maybe you will want to apply a face mask? My favourite face masks are from Summer Fridays. After you take a shower or bath, you may want to apply makeup and get ready, or remove the makeup with a cleanser for bedtime. The headband is super soft, and also cute because it resembles bunny ears. What is there not to like?
For quite some time, I was using random face-cloths to wash my face. I didn’t think much of it. This past summer, I bought The Original MakeUp Eraser. This has completely changed the game for me. No matter what I was using before, the other cloths are rough in comparison. I now use the eraser all the time to either apply my toner when getting ready, or to help remove my makeup. It feels so good against my skin and it is also very easy to throw into the washing machine. I will keep using this for years to come!
Next, have you ever heard of the dry-brushing technique? Add this to your cart. Not only does the brush add another wooden element to the space, but it also helps to exfoliate the skin and give a burst of energy. If your skin needs extra attention in the winter, this is a smart choice to combat that. It is recommended to dry-brush in the morning before a shower or bath. To learn how to properly do so, there are many reliable videos on Youtube.
Also, I was recently gifted a mini pink jade roller for Christmas. I store the roller in the fridge and always use it in the bathroom both morning and night. The cold stone pressed against your face when rolling is a relaxing feeling. It helps with lymphatic drainage and blood circulation. We love a product that helps with anti-aging! You can also find Youtube videos on how to roll it in the proper directions to ensure wonderful results.
Aromatherapy
Have you been feeling stressed? Don’t worry, it’s normal and we all have our moments. Finally, this Aromatherapy/Stress Relief collection is so soothing. I get very excited to use it. Normally, I wouldn’t shop at Bath & Body Works, as I find their products to smell cheap and overwhelming. I must say, I haven’t shopped there in years, but my friend convinced me to stop by during their holiday sale a month ago, so I found this line and decided to give it a try. The line has a eucalyptus scent, so exactly what you experience at a spa. I highly recommend it and will be purchasing more when I run out.
Well, that’s it from me. I am not one for candles on the edge of the bathtub, but I can see how they would add another layer of relaxation for many people, so I am throwing that idea out there too. Just remember, you’re doing your best and everyone deserves rest. Treat yourself when you can. It really doesn’t need to be extravagant. You can start with a couple items on this list if you are intrigued and then ultimately find a routine and set-up that is best for you and your needs.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this. I want to quickly wish you all the best for 2021 now that I have the chance. Enjoy your own spa days at home. Be in touch again soon. Cheers!