How to create the ultimate spa experience at home to start 2021 right

Pre-pandemic, I was something of a spa enthusiast. All it would take was for me to step into one of those gently scented, dimly lit, lightly soundtracked rooms, switch my shoes for slippers, and hear the sotto voce instruction of the staff to switch my phone on silent and kick back to trigger a sense of zen that defied my hectic London life. 

I can trace my thing about spas back to a single visit in my teens. I was spotty. Really very spotty. Said spots made me feel quite self-conscious, so when I saw an article in a newspaper which suggested that the Eve Lom facial at the now-closed Spa NK was superlative for ridding skin of them, I promptly pooled a year’s worth of pocket money and booked in.

Reader, I’m sad to say my skin woes weren’t magically cured. In fact, I would grapple with acne throughout my adult life and even now at 36 I still suffer on occasion. But that trip ignited a passion for spas that I could never shake, and no birthday or Christmas went by where I didn’t ask for a voucher that would allow me to step once more into a world where the environment was perfectly catered to encourage superior relaxation, and where I could pay someone to massage away my aches or make my nails look kempt while silencing the endless chatter in my head for an hour or so.

When the outbreak of Covid hit and spas shut, I was initially rather dismissive of the impact not being able to depart my life for an hour or two might have. Like many, I focused on measures to keep myself and those around me safe while doing the things that would keep me ticking over and fill the time. 

Sometime after the first lockdown, though, the urge to step into a more rarefied existence for an hour or two to returned to me, and I found myself wishing my rather shabby bathroom smelt of essential oils rather than the intense mould-removal spray/the mould I was trying to remove, and that perhaps my sore shoulders could do with being kneaded by someone who knew how to target the areas of tension.

I embarked on a drive to recreate a spa experience at home every now and then and, after a few attempts, became rather good at nailing the components that worked for me. And while what chimes for me may not do it for you, here are some ideas of how you can get that spa feeling without setting a foot outside your front door.

Set the mood

First things first: switch your phone into flight mode; there is no calm to be had when it’s beeping and lighting up and reminding you that the outside world wants things from you. Put it away, and if you need entertainment during your “spa” time, reach for a magazine or book.

Next, tackle lighting. Crucially, turn off spotlights and reach for candles instead. Not only will they scent the room, but the flicker of a candle flame can in and of itself be quite mesmerising. Some that are eternally pleasing? Diptyque Baies (£47 at Liberty), Prismologie Oud Massage Candle (£49 at Prismologie, which handily doubles up as a body oil once blown out), and Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Scented Home Candle (£49 at Net a Porter – if you like clean sheets and fresh flowers, this is the one for you).

While plinky plonky spa music isn’t for everyone, something mellow in the background is always a good idea. I’m partial to some jaunty Fred Astaire while I pamper, but if you want something that’ll send you into a more relaxed state, try searching for any natural sounds on YouTube. Rain falling and the ocean waves cresting on the shore are popular for their transportive effect.

Start with skin

Now your spa situation is set up, give your skin some attention. The traditional order of play for face masks is to start with an exfoliating mask, followed by a clay, followed by a moisturising mask, but cater your routine to suit your skin, or apply in zones (eg, a clay on your T-zone, moisturising mask on your cheeks) if that works better for yours.

It’s also worth noting that you shouldn’t massage any physical exfoliant you use (ie, any scrub with scrub particles in it rather than one that relies on acids to break bonds between dead skin cells, thus allowing them to be washed away) into skin. Doing so can cause micro-tears and compromise the skin barrier. As always, gentle and on a regular basis is a better way to go when treating skin.

Some masks of note to try: Exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish (£50.94 at Face The Future – smooth on and let it do its thing for a few minutes, then remove with a damp flannel), Clarins SOS Pure Rebalancing Clay Mask (£30 at Clarins.co.uk), and Skimono Advanced Moisturisation Biocellulose Face Mask (£15 at skimono.com). To target the area around eyes, try Sisley Eye Contour Mask (£78.50 at Selfridges), or Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask (£38 at lookfantastic.com).

While you’re at it, give your body skin some TLC too. The most effective, affordable, and sustainable way to exfoliate your body is by dry brushing. Start from the ankles and gently work your way up in small, firm strokes, then do the same from wrists to shoulders, before gently brushing in little circles on your torso. If you prefer a scrubby paste, get your hands on one of Ila’s Body Scrubs (£47 at ila-spa.com) - the texture and scents are stellar. Always chase with a moisturiser once washed off. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion (£5.99 at Boots) is a faithful classic, or for something more decadent, try Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum (£42 at Selfridges).

Relax into a bath

This is where you can really get creative with scent. Like something herbal and uplifting? Lace your bath with Olverum Bath Oil (£65 at Space NK). Prefer a perfume vibe? Opt for Diptyque’s Precious Oils for Body and Bath (£46 at Net a Porter). 

If you don’t have a bath but want to bring a spa feel to your shower, try Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oils (£49 at Aromatherapy Associates), which come in a variety of excellent scents (Deep Relax is my perennial favourite). Equally, if bubbles are more you thing, DeoDoc Gentle Bubble Bath (£29 at Cult Beauty) is a beauty.

While you’re in there, it’s well worth popping on a hair mask to tend to the health of hair. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (£34 at Net a Porter) is a classic for good reason, or try Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Mask (£34.75 at Beauty Bay) to restore softness and sheen.

Finishing touches

If a good spa trip for you is contingent on emerging looking glossy, recreate that bit at home by giving yourself a manicure and pedicure (top tip: have nail polish remover along with a thrifty thin eyeliner brush to dip in it to remove messy edges), blow dry your hair – the Babyliss Big Hair styler (£40 at John Lewis) is much-loved for bouncy lengths – and apply some hand and foot cream (Margaret Dabbs is your go-to for all things hand and feet).