Pamper Yourself this Easter Weekend

The weather's a washout, so why not spa like a star in the comfort of your own home? We share with you our top tips to help you give yourself the ultimate pampering, without the hefty price tag of a spa.

As with all experiences to indulge the mind and senses, ambiance is key. There are a few simple steps to creating the perfect spa at home experience, which will rival even the most premium salon, and all in the comfort of your own home: 

• Take time to make a relaxing environment in your own home. If you're taking a bath, try scattering rose petals or small flowers in it, and light some scented candles.
• If you're having a face mask, or perhaps you're lucky enough to have someone to massage you, make your bed comfortable, cover with a deluxe towel, spray with room and linen spray, and again light those candles! 
• You may also wish to use an essential oil burner to intensify the fragrance. 
• Always make sure your home is warm enough, as you know there’s nothing worse than a cold treatment room. 
• A large, comfortable organic cotton towelling robe and a pair of slippers are the finishing touches, and perhaps a glass of wine

The Ultimate Spa at Home Facial

Think about what makes a facial in the salon special and so effective. It's the stages, the time taken over massaging products into and leaving products on the skin, plus the luxurious feeling (and smelling!) products. For us, Antipodes is our go-to brand for at home facials, and is also favoured by an increasing number of spas and salons for a natural and organic treatment.

Here is our guide to the ultimate at-home facial with Antipodes products - 

[1] A good facial always starts with a great cleanser. 

Be sure to choose the right product for your skin; here’s a quick guide to the cleansers from Antipodes- 

Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser - a creamy cleanser, suited to most skin conditions. 

Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser -  another creamy cleanser, suited to most skin conditions, fragrance-free and dermatologically approved for sensitive skin. 

Grapeseed Butter Cleanser - a buttery cleansing balm, suited to most skin conditions, especially ultra-dry with a pure plant fragrance of lavender.

Juliet Brightening Gel Cleanser, ideal for normal, oily or dull skin, with a delicious apple and cardamom fragrance. 

[2] Next, exfoliate their skin with Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator. 

Reincarnation has a thick, rich and creamy texture and smells like a Terry’s Chocolate Orange; good enough to eat! The exfoliating action comes from jojoba beads, which have soft edges that are gentle on the skin, and won’t aggravate sensitive or damaged skin like rough scrub ingredients, such as sugar, salt, nuts or kernels, can. There’s also healing calendula oil, and brightening carrot seed extract and apricot oil to give skin “the glow”.

[3] The next step, choose your mask!

Dependent upon how your skin is feeling, you can opt for a deep hydration and moderate cleansing action, or you can choose a deep, deep detoxification treatment with a skin brightening action.

The latest launch from Antipodes is Halo Skin-Brightening Facial Mud Mask. Designed to deeply deliver skin-brightening extracts for instant light and lift. Antioxidant compound Vinanza® Grape & Kiwi helps to improve your skin’s appearance. Prized peony also contributes to a bright and luminous visage by addressing uneven tone, while jojoba esters help shift deadened cells. Detox your skin with mineral-blessed volcanic mud from geothermal New Zealand, revered for its regenerative brilliance.  

If your skin is drier and needs a moisture injection, try Aura Manuka Honey Mask. Manuka honey's antibacterial properties offer a deep cleansing action coupled with Antipodes' hero ingredient avocado oil. Avocado oil is a wonderful anti-ageing ingredient which has a really positive effect on collagen production in the skin and is rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant which is often referred to as the anti-ageing vitamin. Another delicious, good enough to eat fragrance of vanilla and mandarin. 

Whilst the mask is setting, it's time for you to layback and relax. Ideally on your bed, with a bath sheet underneath you and another to place over the top of you. If you are naturally a cold person, perhaps an electric heated blanket over you is a nice touch. Close your eyes, perhaps placing cotton pads soaked in Antipodes Ananda Gentle Toner over them. Be sure to have your face cloth and a bowl of hot water next to you for when it’s time to remove the mask, for minimum interruption to your relaxed vibes! Boil the water and cover the bowl to prevent heat from escaping. By the time 15 minutes is up the water will be just the right temperature to use.

[4] Time for your skin's ultra care. 

After 15 minutes, remove the mask with a hot face cloth, before selecting the daily ultra-care and moisturise product most suited to your skin. Take your time and indulge in a facial massage, perhaps utilising a jade roller. You may find you need to change your Antipodes serum depending on your skin’s needs at different times of the year. Here’s a quick guide to the serums and oils available from Antipodes:

Worship Skin Defence Antioxidant Serum - suited to most skin conditions, good for younger skin and packed with New Zealand grown superfruits.

Apostle Skin Brightening Serum - a water-based serum made with Waiwera Artesian Water. Suited to most skin conditions, good for sun-damage and dermatologically approved for sensitive skin.  

Hosanna H2O Intensive Plumping Serum - rose and cardamon scent with antioxidant-rich Vinanza Grape and Mamaku Black Fern. Suited to most skin conditions and ultra-dry skin. 

Divine Face Oil - suited to most skin conditions, good for younger skin, as well as dry and combination, with organic Avocado and Rosehip Oil.

Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum - an overnight oil-based serum with a delicious Wild Blackcurrant fragrance. Suited to normal, dry and mature skin conditions. 

[5] Finish your treatment with your choice of eye cream and moisturiser. 

Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream - Suited to most skin conditions for powerful anti-ageing in the eye area. 

Dull skin will love the new Manuka Honey Skin Brightening Eye Cream and Day Cream, whilst skin more concerned with anti-ageing should opt for Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream and Vanilla Pod Day Cream.

If your treatment is at night try Cara Delevingne's favourite, Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream. 

When applying eye cream, always do so with your ring finger as this one has the gentlest touch. Tap gently working from the inside to the outside and repeat until the product is absorbed. When applying face creams, start at the bottom of the neck and apply in upward semi-circular motions.