Celebrate Valentine's Day With These Self-Love Rituals
You can treat your special someone and your favorite gals on Valentine's Day, but there's another very important person you can't forget this year: you! Why not celebrate love with a well-deserved self-care day at home.
Love Your Skin: Enjoy A Mini-Facial at Home
A self-care day calls for pampering your skin. If you love facials, try creating your own mini facial session. Create the ambiance by sporting your most comfortable robe, slippers, and facial band. Here’s how to create your own mini facial session:
Oil-Based Cleanser: Use this style of cleanser to remove oil-based impurities such as makeup, sunscreen, sebum, and pollutants – the tough grime in the skin. Opt for the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm which can be used as a hydrating mask (for 10 minutes) prior to washing off.
Exfoliate: Once your skin is clean, it’s time to reveal your radiant skin with an exfoliator to slough away dead skin cells. You can opt for a buff or mask.
Goal-Oriented Mask: Once your skin is cleansed and exfoliated, select a mask for a skin concern you want to tackle. If you notice your skin has been dull, opt for a radiance-boosting mask. If you notice more lines and wrinkles, opt for an anti-aging mask to plump and lift the skin. If your skin has been dry, opt for a mask that locks in moisture.
Toner: Set the stage for your products by applying a pH-balancing face toner that nourishes and replenishes the skin.
Targeted Serum or Facial Oil: Apply a serum and/or facial oil are meant to add extra nourishment to your skin based on your skin concerns. Not only do they add an extra layer of hydration, but they also add an extra layer of protection.
Moisturizer: Add an extra infusion of hydration to your skin and anti-aging protection with your favorite moisturizer – topping off your mini facial.
Love Your Body: Enjoy A Bath & Massage Ritual Fit for A Queen
Pampering yourself on Valentine's Day also means taking care of your body. Show your temple some love by doing your favorite workout, going for an afternoon stroll, trying meditation, eating nourishing meals, prioritizing quality sleep, and establishing routines to maintain positive habits beyond Valentine's Day.
But the ultimate way to enjoy a body pampering ritual fit for a queen. This enviable ritual includes drawing a warm bath and adding a nourishing milk bath or mineral salts. Add a candle and take your favorite book or simply play your favorite relaxing playlist. Soak your body and replenish it while also relaxing the mind. Take as long as you need.
Post-bath, apply a hydrating body oil onto your limbs – massaging it into your limbs and any areas you may feel sore. The next step is to relax and put on your favorite movie or simply lounge and read your favorite book.
Love Your Locks: Indulge In a Nourishing Hair Mask
Whether your hair is healthy (or not so healthy), your hair is part of how you express yourself and part of you – therefore it deserves just as much love as the rest of your body. We love our locks, so we show them love.
And how do we begin our healthy hair ritual? At the top, of course. Apply nourishing hair oil to your fingertips (a spa guest favorite is the Frangipani Monoi Body Oil which can also be used for your hair). Use your fingertips to gently massage the oil into your scalp and roots in circular motions starting from the top of your scalp and working it into the nape of your neck. Take your time and enjoy this step. It’s quite relaxing.
Next, cover your hair with a warm towel and relax for 15 minutes. Later, shampoo and rinse off the oil.
For a boost of nourishment, after rinsing off the first treatment apply your preferred hair mask and leave it on prior to rinsing off and drying your hair.
Love Your Spaces: Add Positive Energy to Your Home
Your home should be a sanctuary – or at least parts of it. Living and working in messy spaces can negatively impact your mood, even if it's subconscious. Show love to your sanctuary by decluttering and organizing. Create piles of clothes, books, office supplies, furniture, and other items that you're ready to part with. To show love for your community, instead of throwing them away, drop them off at your local donation center.
Once your space is clean and tidy, there are a few simple ways to bring positive energy into your home such as lighting scented candles, adding plants, or a bouquet of your favorite flowers, among other options found here.
Love Your Sweet Tooth: Enjoy Valentine’s Day Treats
Indulge in the typical Valentine’s Day treats such as chocolates and candies, but opt for some dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Why? It is sweet and packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Love Your Mind: Create A Meditation Area
If there is anything that will help remind you to take care of your mind and spirit, it is having a physical space (no matter how big or small) that is created for you to meditate, reflect, or simply find peace in your day.
Find a space in your home (indoors or outdoors) that will serve as a designated spot where you will relax and meditate. Add a comfortable pillow or chair, maybe a comforting blanket. Add a few items that inspire you and bring joy. Bring your favorite essential oils to the space or images that take you to relaxing memory. It is your space – your world. Make it a place that is a sanctuary for your mind.
And if you prefer to not meditate in this space, consider creating an area where you can journal or read your favorite books. The purpose of this space is to bring peace and inspiration– whatever that may mean for you.
Reminder: Love Yourself Each Day
Remember, you deserve more than just one day to care for yourself. Dedicate some time every week to recharge and revamp your mind, body, and spirit. Your self-care rituals can be as simple as going to sleep an hour earlier each night or taking a re-energizing bath once a week. Alternatively, you may want to start practicing meditation on a regular basis or trying your hand at a new creative endeavor.
Here's to you on Valentine's Day and every day!
