A Fairmont Spa Director shares her expert tips.
Whether you can’t make it in for your regular spa visit or you’re merely in need of a dose of self-care, there has never been a better time for a DIY spa day.
“This is a critical time to remember self-care, to nurture our minds and bodies during one of the most stressful periods many of us have endured in our lifetime,” says Stacey Parks Director, Spa Operations, Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel. “Pampering yourself at the spa or home improves your well-being and elevates your mood and outlook, which in turn supports a healthy immune system and resilience.”
We asked Stacey to share her insider advice on creating the ultimate DIY spa day at home.
Set the Mood
Start by planning your restorative at-home spa day during a time when you won’t be disturbed and can turn off your cell phone and television. Take a moment to replace the blue light of screens with the soft sounds of your favorite playlist, or listen to apps like CALM for a spa-worthy soundscape. Filling your aromatherapy diffuser with zen-like scents such as eucalyptus and using soft lighting will help trigger the process of unwinding.
Incorporate Luxe Fabrics
An essential element of any DIY spa experience is choosing a comfortable, relaxing, and calming location. Focus on decluttering your space (and mind) by removing unnecessary items such as papers, laundry, etc. and upgrade tired materials with soft, textured fabrics for a luxurious feel. Wrap yourself in warmth and comfort with Fairmont’s 100% cotton bath towels and the Waffle Robe. Or take your at-home spa experience next level with the same linens used in Fairmont spas. The Comphy Spa bedding collection is a 600 thread count set made of soft microfiber material with a buttery texture that is downright heavenly.
Facial Like a Pro
All Fairmont spas custom design skincare regimens to keep in mind each client’s particular goals and needs. New products have come a long way in bridging the gap between the at-home and spa experience, but the ideal way to incorporate new skincare products is to try one product at a time and build from there. Where to start? Kerstin Florian’s latest collection, ANDA, Swedish for “breath,” is easy to understand and has wonderfully simple but effective organic ingredients that are perfect for developing a skincare routine on your own. The ANDA Enzyme Serum-Masque’s blend of pomegranate, red raspberry and Tasmanian pepper berry superfruit enzymes gently exfoliates the skin while enhancing texture, smoothness, and radiance. Pro tip: Incorporate the use of a jade facial roller and gua sha tool to support the absorption of products into the skin, enhance firmness, minimize puffiness, and combat aging.
Bask in Your Bath
If you feel sluggish, have difficulty concentrating, are experiencing congestion, bloating, or need a brief reprieve from chilly fall temperatures, a good soak can do wonders. What you put into the bath is key to enhancing the healing benefits of your tub. Fairmont favorite Kerstin Florian Mineral Wellness Soak is food grade and hand-harvested with 60 minerals and trace elements to make the water feel silky and soften your skin. Hot water draws the toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and while the water cools, it pulls toxins from the skin. Salts augment this detoxification process by causing you to sweat, while minerals nourish your skin during absorption. Add five-ten drops of your favorite essential oil to transform your bath into a luxury experience.
Remember that incorporating even the smallest self-care or relaxation ritual can help reduce stress and anxiety. Right now, more than ever, a little pampering goes a very long way.
