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The Weekend Post #84: Pamper Essentials

Sunday’s here. Time to carve out an hour of your schedule, reserve it for some wholly indulgent ‘me’ time and banish yourself to the bathroom with a hefty magazine stack, JT (just the audio unfortunately) and your preening stocks. And if not then pencil yourself in for a double pamper slot next rest day. Now it may seem like there’s a whole toolbox of lotions, potions and implements that are required for such routines (and I will admit I’m attempting a two-deep presentation of gels and oils on the edges of my bathtub), but stripped back of the pomp I reckon just a handful of well-selected formulas will have you looking on your A-game for Monday. So I’ve broken it down to five easy to grab from your pre-existing stash products that will add some streamlined luxe to your weekend pamper.

A Fancy Schmansy Bathtime. Kick things off in the tub which is where I like to mix it up a bit. I’d love to see the appearance of some bubbles but hard London water makes that impossible so I stick to milks, oils and elixirs. Sud up and the good ones will have you smelling sweet hours later. My favourite at the moment? Boots Botantics Rejuvenating Bath Elixir in Rebalance, but if oils are more your thang you can’t go wrong with an Aromatherapy Associates offering.

Moisturise. Moisturise. Moisturise. A step I often miss in my post-tub haze, but one that when I complete feels awesome. What you want here is something that doses you up with a good hit of nourishment but without the grease, and will leave you limbs looking above-the-knee ready come Monday (let’s be weather optimistic here). Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Whipped Body Butter* is one that’s managed to hold my interest till it’s last scoop, but notable mentions go to Soap & Glory’s range and Neom’s Body Oils if you fancy something richer.

A ‘Get out the Gunk’ Face Mask. Sunday? Face Mask? Dur. Of course you’ve got to remember your mid-week skincare SOS sessions but at the weekend is where I really like to get down to it. A little scrub of whatever exfoliator you’ve got hanging around followed by 10 minutes sporting your favourite mask, done. I paint mine on immediately when I jump out the bath for ultimate cleansing conditions when my pores are gasping in the heat. Omorovicza’s Deep Cleansing Mask is a good all-rounder; others include the Una Brennan Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask and Aesop’s Parsely Seed one.

Slap on those Oils. A good quality oil will become the multitasking star of your Sunday. Apply post face-mask for a guaranteed glow on Monday, or run lightly through the ends of your hair, tend to battered cuticles or mix in with your body moisturiser to oomph it up. Even a few drops into your bath will ramp up its nourishing credentials. My go-to at the moment is Suti’s Rejuvenate Face Oil* (though it says it’s for the face I’ve utilised it in all the above situations and it’s lush). But other good’uns include Pai’s BioRegenerate Rosehip Oil* and Josie Maran’s 100% Pure Argan Oil.

A Polish for Pretty Pinkies. Because no pamper is complete without a mini mani right? Sunday is my designation for lacquering; I paint on and pray it stays put for the next seven days. Follow my DIY mani video if you’re planning to go the whole hog and colour-wise I’m digging Bourjois‘ selection right now, their So Lacquer Glossy Nail Polish in Prepp’Hibiscus will be making a scheduled appearance tonight.

Five products, 55 minutes + 5 extra minutes of tubtime to shrivel yourself into a prune-like fashion all with JT murmuring in the background.

*PR Sample

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