expert tips for creating a perfect at-home bath

did you know that immersing the body in water has been medically proven to be a very relaxing, therapeutic and a complement to a healthy lifestyle? you can find luxurious baths the Lapis Spa in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach where they offer water therapy in various ways and at varied temperatures; the deep muscle relaxation associated with a good hot bath helps to reduce cramps, tension headaches and improves muscle elasticity. this process is similar to a massage and beneficial for everyone, from athletes to those who sit at a desk all day. it has even been said that taking a bath takes you back to a time when you were in the womb, thus creating a comforting and relaxing environment.

with winter in the air and the stress of the holidays just around the corner, a bath is certainly something that will aid in relaxing. i admit, i don't remember the last time i took one, but since receiving the following tips i have to share with you, i'm thinking it's about time i take one soon…

many thanks to Josie Feria, director of Spa at Lapis {located at The Fontainebleau Miami Beach}, for  sharing these helpful tips to create the ultimate at-home soaking experience. take a look…

bath temperature 

a warm bath is best for relaxing the body with the ideal water temperature being 92 degrees fahrenheit. "test the water by using your wrist, not your hand, as it's a better gauge of how the water will feel once your entire body is submerged."

use scented bath oil 

Feria recommends floral scents like lavender, jasmine, iris and rose since they are associated with relaxation and can help to ease you into a relaxing state quicker. "adding oils to the tub {when the bath is halfway full} will help them disperse evenly throughout the water."

body scrub 

most people are used to being active all the time, so when they get in the tub their minds start racing and they become unable to relax. engage your mind by gently massaging your body with a sponge and body scrub; as the scrub buffs away dryness, your thoughts can move to something less stressful.

closing your eyes 

it's important to close your eyes during the bath to enter deep relaxation, so anything that forces you to keep your eyes closed is a great. "try cold cucumbers, an icy compress or eye pads which have been soaked in chilled chamomile tea."

bath salts

if you've had a tough workout, bath salts are like external muscle relaxants. soreness, pain or swelling are reduced, along with inflammation and stiffness, when using bath salts. they also help detoxify skin and increase circulation which helps to ease tension and revitalize the body.

candles

bright bathroom lights tell your body its go-time ~ not bath time. instead, light a few candles and place them around the room and on the edge of the tub.

cold water

if you’ve set your water temp right {somewhere between steamy and very warm}, you should be feeling quite toasty in the tub. a warm bath raises your body’s core temperature, so you’ll start sweating. Josie says, "before getting into the tub, set a bowl of ice water and a washcloth next to you and use it as a cold compress on your forehead or the nape of your neck to help keep you refreshed throughout the bath time. i also grab a tall bottle of San Pellegrino and force myself to drink the whole thing to hydrate."

bath robe/nice bath sheets
 "nothing jolts you out of a zen state like going from a warm, luxe bath to a measly, threadbare robe or old dingy towel. get a plush terry cloth robe or fluffy towels that allow you to feel warm and comfortable."

multitask
make the most of your bath by using the time to also give yourself a face and hair treatment. both the skin and hair respond very favorably to the moist environment created by a steamy bath. to cleanse your face, apply a clay mask to the skin avoiding the eyes, allow to remain on the skin for 7-10 minutes then remove gently with wet washcloth. to soften and hydrate your hair, apply conditioner or hair mask to wet hair then cover in plastic cap and hot towel and allow the conditioner or mask to remain on hair for duration of bath for 15- 20 minutes. wash and rinse thoroughly.

music
"play relaxing music to sooth your mood and aid in the process of relaxation. visualization is also a great tool to enhance relaxation in the bath," says Josie. complimented by music, visualization exercises can transport you to your own private nirvana…caribbean beaches anyone?

relax afterwards
leave the smart phone alone for an hour or so and just enjoy time for yourself. get a glass of tea and read or listen to music. want more coziness? "heat a towel in the microwave and wrap around your neck and take a deep and well-earned nap."

 thank you again to Josie Feria for these fabulous tips!

 if ever i'm in miami…

so, tell me ~ which of these suggested tips will you, {or maybe do you already} incorporate into your bath time? any fave products you include in your ritual? share in the comments!

info and images courtesy of pr representing Josie Feria of Spa at Lapis {located at The Fontainebleau Miami Beach}

beauty review: EYES by ToGoSpa {formerly Eyedews}

EYES by ToGoSpa {formerly known as Eyedews} have been pampering my eyes for the past couple of weeks and what treat they are! these at-home, spa-inspired gel treatment pads work by stimulating circulation and production of new, youthful skin cells. 

the pads, once applied, are activated by the body's temperature and are packed with a fabulous combination of natural, high-density marine collagen, enzymes, amino acids, natural marine minerals, trace elements, proteins and vitamins. all of these ingredients have worked quite well together, and leave my eyes looking more awake and youthful ~ love! 

other benefits i've noticed: the skin around my eyes look more relaxed, calm and moisturized; they also de-puff, reduce irritation, and leave my skin well-hydrated, so the appearance of dryness surrounding my eyes has been reduced {keeping fine lines away!}...

you'll also be happy to know that EYES can be used anytime and anywhere. they're a bit slippery coming out of the package, but they stay put once they've been applied. 

what else can i say about these other than you should definitely give them a try! they come in 3 "flavors": Soothe {ice water}, Lift {green tea} and Firm {pomegranate; not pictured}…

visit togospa.com for more info! 

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

Spa Trends for 2010

who knew going to the spa could be so fashionable? yes, beauties, the spa is a place to relax and get pampered, but it's also a fabulous way to stay healthy (hey, mental and emotional health are so very important, too, you know).

on Spa Week's daily blog, they came up with a list of 12 trending spa treatments, and i thought you'd be happy to know there are some great treatments on the list! take a look at a few that sound very pampering and very beneficial for your health...


to fight allergies:



ugh, i know all too well how annoying allergies can be, so something like this is right up my alley. these treatments off things like sinus massages, breathe-easy facials and cold & flu bath salts-- perfect to soothe those pesky seasonal allergies.



get better beauty sleep:




if you battle with insomnia, you're in desperate need of a good night's slumber. proper REM cycles are just as rejuvenating as a spa treatment, so one of the hottest trends emerging in the industry is a dream-worthy mix of the two to promote better sleeping patterns. scents such as rosewood, valmarosa and Vanilla are used to guide you off to never-never land while massage techniques make for a complete relaxation experience.


hot and cold stone massages:



always a favorite treatment, especially during Spa Week (because they are always amazing!), the hot stone massage offers the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate. to give it a new twist, this treatment can now also include the application of cold stones. what's the benefit, you ask? well, not only does it add multi-dimensional stimulation (by alternating the hot and cool stones), but this method helps every cell in the body receive more oxygen and nutrients, while also encouraging a more effective removal of toxins.



there are other amazing new treatments that you'll want tot learn more about to prepare yourself for Spa Week-- read the full list of top spa trends by visiting Spa Week's blog!



p.s., Spa Week's fall spa directory is up now for us west coasters, and will be available on september 13 for the rest of the country. there you'll be able to see which spas are offering which services. i plan to participate-- you should, too! try one, try all— Spa Week is the best time to indulge and experiment-- treatments will be available for just $50! visit spaweek.com for all the details.


xo
info and images courtesy of Spa Week