Pampering

Everyone enjoys the extra time off work they gain when a bank holiday weekend comes along. However, while it is nice not to need to set the alarm and face the morning commute if you have nothing to do, it can feel like the long weekend is going to waste. The good news is that you do not need to have grand plans or spend a fortune to enjoy your long weekend. Instead, why not plan some fun activities to keep you occupied while relaxing at home? Here are some ideas to help you make the most of the long weekend and ensure you head back to work feeling rested and relaxed:

• Enjoy a Spa Day at Home

If you have been left feeling frazzled and stressed out after a busy week at work, the long weekend is the perfect chance for you to recharge your batteries. Having the time for some self-care is often hard to manage when your schedule is packed, and you have many commitments. So, making the most of this opportunity to relax, unwind and show yourself plenty of self-care is a must. Creating a spa day at home is an inexpensive and fun way to dedicate some time to your needs. Running a bath, popping on a face mask, and indulging in some at-home spa treatments should help you feel much better while showing yourself some extra care and attention.

• Plan a Games Night

If you fancy something a little different than another weekend sitting on the sofa watching the TV, how about putting your competitive side into action? Planning a games night is an excellent way to spend an evening over the long weekend. Grabbing some games and gathering your chess pieces is a fun opportunity to put your skills to the test. Challenging a friend or family member with a game or two of chess also provides the perfect chance to spend quality time together away from the usual distractions of televisions and phones.

• Get Out Into the Garden

Spending some time outside is known as being an excellent way to reduce stress levels and give your mood a boost. Many people find time spent in the fresh air instantly helps them feel relaxed. Choosing to potter around in the garden, pull out the outdoor furniture, read a book, or simply sit quietly and watch the wildlife at work is guaranteed to help you feel more relaxed over the long weekend.

• Cook Up a Storm in the Kitchen

Being creative in the kitchen is something many people love to do in their spare time, but there is not always enough time to do this. Working on creating something delicious in the kitchen is time well-spent for most people, and of course, being able to enjoy eating your creation makes it even better. A leisurely day in the kitchen cooking for no other reason than for pleasure is sure to be an enjoyable way to spend some time on your long weekend of relaxation.

I’m always keen to try out new beauty products and give my skin a pamper.  So I jumped at the chance to try out the Gentle Solitude Rich Face Oil from Tea & Tonic.

Tea & Tonic are a 100% natural skincare and wellness brand that aims to help you to discover the secrets to your brightest skin and self. Their luxury wellness products work to holistically balance dry, oily or sensitive skin. All of the products sold at Tea & Tonic are hand blended, sustainably sourced, vegan and cruelty free.

I liked the simple, elegant packaging in a sage green, almost grey, palette.There’s a quality feel to both the bottle (the top unscrews easily and there’s a good quality glass pipette) and the box it comes in. Tea &Tonic also allow you to opt for an aluminium cap, which is a recyclable alternative to their pipettes.

It’s a fragrance free oil, so there isn’t a strong scent, but there is a faint, pleasant, plant aroma when you use the product.   It doesn’t linger and as I say, it’s very mild.  It’s certainly pleasant and easy to use, plus a few drops goes a long way so a bottle will last for ages.

The Gentle Solitude Rich Face Oil from Tea & Tonic is formulated to soothe and provide comfort for your skin, aiming to leave you with smooth, supple, comforted skin. It slides onto your face easily and doesn’t feel heavy or greasy or weigh your skin down.  It does still have a richness though, as the name suggests, and my face feels well moisturised through the night and into the morning when I use it.  I’ve only used the product at night, although I think you could easily use it during the day.  It leaves my skin feeling nourished, soft and supple, but without overwhelming it.  I feel that my skin can breath when I’m using it, which isn’t always how I feel when I use face oils.

From the technical side of things, it’s good to know that the Gentle Solitude Rich Face Oil is high in nutrients and antioxidants.  These include vitamins C and E, plus omega fatty acids, notably gamma linolenic acid: the elixir for elasticity. Tea & Tonic source with sustainability in mind from quality, freshness and mileage to the environmental production methods required. This natural skincare product contains over 80% seed oils sourced from UK farms. Ingredients used include Borage (Starflower) oil; Crambe Abyssinian and cold-pressed Camelina Oil which are all grown as part of the Bee Friendly project: RHS Plants for Pollinators which helps local ecosystems by supporting a healthy bee population. I do like using Borage oil products, but I think the other oils are new to me.

I’ve enjoyed using Gentle Solitude Rich Face Oil and my skin seems to like it too.  It feels gentle on the skin and I think it would be good for those who have sensitive skin.  It’s a product I have confidence in and I’d happily use it again in the future.

Following a good skincare routine can only be good as the used product. A good skincare routine and product can help your skin relax and look good now and in the future. Treating your skin well will ensure you have a healthy look both inside and outside. Pampering treatment is another way of relaxing and minimising stress. Below are some of the 5 best pampering treatments for your skin.

1. Overnight sleep mask

A facial mask is one of the best ways of pampering your skin. Despite the fact that moisturisers and lotions nourish and moisturise your skin, a mask will provide better rejuvenating skin benefits. Its skin benefits make it number one recommendation from most prominent dermatologists. It is important to use a facial mask that is high-quality and made with top notch ingredients, like the Blue Lagoon skincare products for example.

2. Eye patches

Most people forget about their eyes when carrying out a skincare routine. The area around your eyes is delicate; hence requires special and extra attention. Eye masks or patches can leave the skin refreshing, hydrated, less puffy, and revitalising. Eye patches are infused with hydrating and calming ingredients like hyaluronic acid and cucumber. Use them under your eyes for about 30 minutes and de-puff them in the refrigerator.

3. Massage with a facial roller

Massaging skincare products will positively impact the overall appearance and quality of your skin. To have a luxurious experience when applying massaging skincare products, use a facial roller as a substitute for your fingers. You can start at the centre of your face and roll it horizontally toward the ends of your face. Put the roller under the eye and roll it toward the temple to treat the sensitive part of the eye.

4. Sugar body scrub

Ensure you pamper your skin with a nice body scrub to make your skin glow. Sugar is one of the best natural scrub particles you can use to exfoliate away flak, dully dead skin cells present on the skin surface. The sugar body scrub will hydrate your skin and maintain its suppleness. Always remember to pamper your lips too. Before applying a lip conditioner, use a gentle scrub for exfoliation.

5. Soak in bath with salts and essential oils

Nothing is as beneficial as dipping yourself in a relaxing bath. Infusing your relaxing bath with natural elements like salts and essential oils will simultaneously bring a balancing effect and nourish your skin.

Above are some of the top 5 pampering treatments for your skin to look stunning. You can choose to do them individually. However, you can try it all in your home if you have time to get an amazing at-spa home experience.