Create your own at home spa

You know how it is, you work like a dog, and look forward to the ever glorified weekend for some much needed chill! You wish like heck that you could get in a much needed spa day or perhpaps that you can even afford one in many cases, but time or finances just simply won't allow so you so you let yet another long weekend go by running around, waiting on kids or a husband or just trying to get things done for yourself. Before you know it, you've completely forgotten to do any kind of self care and the alarm is going off at 6am Monday.

This, my girls, is a big NO NO! Carrie Underwoood said it best in an interview recently stating that "she has had to learn to be a little selfish" despite having a husband, 2 kids and a thriving music career not to mention a fitness clothing line. Selfish, you say? YES SELFISH!

I don't mean the kind of selfishness that makes a narcissist look angelic, I am talking about the kind of selfishness that allows you to take care of you so that you may be the BEST version of yourself for those that you love. Think about it, if you don't feel great about yourself, chances are you will be stressed out and you won't be very happy. How then, can you be a great wife, mother, daughter or friend? The answer is you really can't!

Taking care of yourself doesn't have to be complicated and having even a simple hour or two during the week of "self care" or as I like to call it, an "at home spa experience" is the perfect solution to getting that much needed pampering that we all crave in our hectic worlds. Below are my suggestions for some affordable at home self care products and suggestions on how to spa at home from yours truly. Please note that these are only suggestions and you may choose to use whichever products you would like!

*Please note that I am not a brand ambassador for any of the below products and these are only MY suggestions for what works for me.

1) Sheet Masks: Ladies, if you have been living under a rock and don't know about these amazing inventions, please crawl out from under there and get with the program! Sheet masks are EVERYTHING! They deliver intenese results and are a great way to stimulate the pores, create a healthy glow, and to reinvigorate the skin and quite frankly I am OBSESSED. Typically, sheet masks can be found at your local drug store and cost around $3.99 ultabeauty.com

2) Wrights Apothecary Jade Roller: This is literally the BEST product! A Jade or Rose quartz roller is said to do everything from increase circulation in the face and neck to help tone and firm the skin, reduce puffiness, create a glow, and help skincare products to penetrate better. I use mine every morning and evening and I swear by it. Put on your sheet mask and use the jade roller to help the product penetrate better. Jade rollers can be found at your local drug store, Target, or Wal-Mart, Kohls as well as Ulta Beauty and costs between $10-$20. kohls.com

3) Pure Gold Hydrogel Eye Mask: These are amazing and work in much the same way as the sheet mask but with more intensity for the under eye area. Meant to be used after washing the face, these soft mushy gel patches feel so good on your face and you will love them. The patches should stay on for about 20 minutes and work wonders for making the eyes look brighter, reducing dark circles, fine lines and puffiness and only cost around $3-$5 and can be found at CVS, Target, and Ulta Beauty. masque.bar

4) Dove Exfoliating Body Polish: Use this in the shower to completely exfoliate dead skin for amazingly soft fresh skin. I have tried many many skin polishes that were much more expensive than this product and guess what? They dont work nearly as well. This stuff is the real deal and is now one of my favorite picks and the best part is that it only costs about $8.99 and can be found at your local drugstore, grocery store,Target and Wal-Mart. dove.com

5) Cuccio YOGAhhh! Calm + Clean Epson Salt Hand and Body Wash: This refreshing product has lavender oil and smells so fresh as if you are breathing in a field of flowers.It also contains epsom salt which has been known to help sore muscles and if that weren't enough,it also contains vitamins B-5 and Shea Butter. I love knowing that my shower will be extra invigorating with this great product and it literally smells like the spa!This product is a little pricey in my opinion but is worth the splurge! It retails for $39.95 and can be found at cucciosomatology.com

6) Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion: This creamy amazingly wonderful product took my legs from dry and flaky to silky and smooth. It contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) which exfoliate and restore skin to help make the skin appear smoother and more toned. This product is recommended by dermatologists. Don't be alarmed by how thick it is when you first use it. It takes about 10 minutes to completely absorb into the skin and won't leave the skin sticky or tacky but rather leaves the skin so smooth and soft. Please wear sunscreen because the AHA's in it can cause you to burn easily in the sun! The cost is about $11.99 and it lasts about 3 months. I absolutely LOVE this product! eucerinUS.com

7) Neutrogena Bright Boost: This product is alcohol free and oil free and contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids which work great to help gently exfoliate skin. I just started using this product after years of using Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel which Ialso really love. I found that it instantly brightens your skin and almost gives you a flushed look, which to me is so cool! This is the last product you should put on after you apply toner and moisturizer. The product can be found at CVS, Walgreens, Target, Wal-Mart and Ulta Beauty and costs around $23.99. neutrogena.com

To sum it all up, here's my suggested protocol for your self-care/home spa day!

Start your at home spa day with a refreshing shower (use a shower cap if you don't want to wash your hair). Cleanse your skin and shave those legs! Use your favorite body wash and body polish to feel completely smooth and refreshed! It's amazing how a refreshing shower can make you feel clean and soft.

After your shower, use the Eucerin or your favorite moisturizer and give yourself a bath in the luxurious feel of the lotion! Now your body should feel smooth, soft and refreshed instead of prickly, dry and deprived!

Now it's time to get your sheet mask and Jade Roller (optional but can be used alone or over the mask), find a quiet comfortable spot and close the door! Make the space as peaceful and comfortable as possible. Open a window and let the gentle breeze glide in, or perhaps light a scented candle, or burn some incense, grab a cup of chammomile tea, and "Alexa, play spa music"and enjoy at least 20 minutes of peace and quiet.

Once you're done with the sheet mask, use your eye gel masks for another 20 minutes. Now notice how your face looks completely rested, moisturized and refreshed and your eyes look amazing!

Now use your Neutrogena Bright Boost or your favorite brightening gel or lotion and VOILA! You've successfully completed some much needed self care in your very own home! At home spa day complete!

#athomespaday #spa #selfcare