Taking time to pamper yourself is more important than ever during the busy holiday season. Whether you’re preparing for the biggest party of the year or just want to look good from your sofa, a pre-Christmas pamper should be an essential part of your December to-do list.
Run yourself a bath…
First things first, run yourself a bath. And fill that bath with luxurious bath salts that will ease the “I-still-haven’t-finished-my-Christmas-shopping” tension you’re holding in those muscles.
L’Objet Bath Salts, £158 ($170)
L’Objet’s luxury bath soak is created “to beautify the air, nourish the body, and lift the spirit,” with the aid of Europe’s finest artisans. It’s made with detoxifying Atlantic and Epsom salts.
Scrub Scrub Scrub…
There’s nothing better than feeling silky smooth all over and there’s more than one way to achieve this.
Seed to Skin The Awakening Algae Marine Salt Scrub, £115 ($145)
Marine Algae, Shea Butter, essential oils, and Sicilian Raw Sea Salt were used to create Seed to Skin’s ‘The Awakening,’ which buffs, polishes, and helps promote circulation.
SHAQUDA Suvé Body Brush, £170 ($210)
If you’re unfamiliar with dry brushing, it’s a body massage with a stiff-bristled brush that claims to help get rid of flaky skin, enhance circulation, cleanse, aid digestion, and even improve the look of cellulite. Despite the name, it can be done when the brush is wet or dry.
SHAQUDA’s body brush is handcrafted in Kumano, Japan, employing over 180-year-old traditional techniques. This brush uses a combination of silky-soft goat hair and synthetic bristles to gently wash and exfoliate the skin, leaving it smooth and invigorated.
Wash your face…
Whether you’re still in the bath or you’re out and drying off, let’s prep our faces for some skincare. We couldn’t think of a more luxurious way to remove your makeup than LA Prairie.
LA Prairie Foam Cleanser, £74 ($86)
Natural plant ingredients are at the core of this water-activated mousse face cleanser, making it suitable for all skin types. It purifies and soothes the skin, leaving it feeling rejuvenated, cleansed, and nourished while gently eliminating all traces of makeup and surface impurities.
Moisturise…
We’ll assume you know how to dry yourself off after a bath and skip to our favourite step – let’s get moisturised. We have product recommendations for both face and body so you’ll be truly radiant.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream, £195 ($260)
Thanks to a formula made up of pure Glacier Water, this lightweight cream instantly absorbs into the skin and floods it with long-lasting hydration. Extracts of Elderberry Blossom and White Almond work to tighten the skin, while anti-ageing powerhouse Purslane creates a protective barrier against daily damage and boosts the body’s natural antioxidant system.
Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Transformative Energy Crème, £285 ($325)
Your skin will be deeply nourished and delicately soothed from the first touch of Estée Lauder’s lavish Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Transformative Energy Crème. This thick crème is bursting with next-generation cellular longevity technology for skin that appears younger for longer, thanks to the rare power of the unique Black Diamond Truffle Extract (10,000 hours in the making). Apply this one after the next step.
Try a face mask…
It doesn’t truly feel like a pamper session until you’ve done a facemask, and here at DDW we do not skimp out on luxury so we have chosen the most extravagant face mask we could find for you this Christmas.
Angela Caglia Crystal Goddess Face Mask, £390 ($500)
Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Yes.
The ‘Goddess’ face mask by Angela Caglia is made up of approximately 500 rose quartz beads that have been cut and polished by hand. The naturally cooling stone improves lymphatic drainage, helps reduce inflammation, enhances blood flow, and is thought to promote self-love. Yes, please!
Add a serum…
Every skincare routine needs a serum, and that’s a rule so make sure not to skip this step in your pre-Christmas pamper either.
La Mer The Lifting Contour Serum, £295 ($340)
This silky serum is infused with sea-sourced sculpting power to make your skin look and feel more defined. Contours will be lifted, giving your skin a more youthful appearance.
Pop the kettle on…
Cradling a hot drink screams pamper session, right?
Fortnum’s Famous & Classic World Wooden Restaurant Box, £85 ($$119.07)
Fortnum & Mason invite you to lift the lid to see 60 silky pyramid teabags in this elegant wooden box. Choose from Royal Blend, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and Assam teas, all of which have been carefully selected to provide the ideal cup for any occasion. When the box is empty, simply refill it and begin again.
Light a candle…
Now you’re ready to get cosy and fully relax. Dim the lights and light a calming candle to help you unwind.
Fornasetti Atronomici Otto scented candle, £550 ($635)
Fornasetti employs nostalgic aromas in its Astronomici candle. Otto is a warm, smokey blend of Mediterranean herbs that flourished in the Fornasetti family’s gardens, mixed with orris, cedarwood, and birch — elements that Mr Fornasetti employed in his furniture and paintings. The hand-finished vessel has celestial emblems inspired by the zodiac.
Pamper complete.
But if this sounds like too much effort, then head to your closest luxury spa … we won’t tell.
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