As a full-time working mum of two absolute delights, it's only fair I get a pamper every now and then, right? Truth be told though, I'd rather spend any spare cash I had on the kids or buying one of the many badly-needed essentials for the house. It's called getting old ha! So what's a woman to do in order to feel treated, pampered and refreshed - without dreading the credit card bill?
Starting from the top (aha!), yes, I'm talking about hair. If it's mega shine and bounce you're after I recommend scouring the web for home-made hair conditioning recipes. A great post I come across was at Slick Wellness and, well, who knew that fresh aloe vera gel would work so beautifully when applied to the ends of my hair? This wonder-plant cost me about £3 last year and despite it already living in the bathroom, I have literally only just 'found' it thanks to doing my research online.
Fresh Aloe Vera gel works wonders on hair and skin |
My second major YES, is the Babyliss Big Hair Styler - a rotating air-drying styler. If you want volume, bounce and serious shine then I recommend you get your hands on one of these bad boys. I had the original and loved it and now there's the titanium version for additional ionic frizz control for a super sleek and smooth look. Don't just take my word for it, all reviews I've seen online are positive, and the price tag really ain't something to sniff at averaging around £60 each. There are various ways to keep cost down on this too. Remember, use loyalty cards to earn, or even spend points such as with Boots and Superdrug, or, to locate where it's on sale at any given time use the likes of LoveTheSales to maximise your money saving where possible.
Big hair, don't care! |
I only blogged about this La Roche-Posay Effaclar skincare recently actually but I seriously cannot believe the different it's made to the touch and feel of my skin. The compliments are coming thick and fast and it is the first full 'system' I have ever been 100% happy with. Whilst the original cost is £26, you only need to use it sparingly making it really good value for money. You can see my full and detailed review here.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar 3 Step System |
Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub was gifted to me by my lovely mother-in-law. What a find! A rather thick consistency, there's no question that a little goes a long way. Full of beads of pain (so you know it's working, of course!) this scrub both exfoliates and conditions so after detoxifying and refining those tired or toughened areas, the skin beneath is also soothed and softened. It's like heaven in a bottle, I've even got a thing with touching my knees because they feel so very different to that of the last 20 years! This is around £25 per bottle but again, the number of uses and the satisfaction level each and every time, it justifies the cost. Another way to potentially save is to look out for gift sets that contain the product you're after plus a couple of new things to try - especially if the price is not much different to buying it individually, and usually it isn't.
Seriously indulgent bodycare in Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub For Smooth Skin |
What better way to pamper than a nice hot, relaxing bubble bath? I love a good scented bath oil but I often feel a bit icky when I get out. Recently I won these bath bombs from AromaWorks over on twitter and my whole house smelt divine for 2 days, never mind just my skin after I used one of these. Upon opening the box, it hits you, and I guess that's why they call themselves Scent Bombs. Truly stunning, I lay in the bath for an entire 45 minutes, even ignoring a charity worker knocking on my front door - and I'm not even ashamed! I'm revitalised! At £25 for the Quad Box, you're getting four soaks for the price of less than one treatment in a spa. Cha-ching.
AromaWorks Bomb Quad is bound to give you a bang for your buck! (see what I did there?!) |
So there are my top 5 beauty finds for beauty at home pampering. Nothing to break the bank but everything to make you feel a million quid.
What have you discovered lately?
I'm forever on the hunt for more so please do let me know the winners and the losers below!