Fortnightly manicures and pedicures. A weekly massage and facial. Fresh blowdry twice a week. Yeah, if only.
While it’s lovely, you don’t need fancy salon bookings in order to indulge and get great results. Doing treatments in the comfort of your own home (and PJs) can be just as effective with the right products. We asked the Mamamia team to share the at-home treatment they swear by – starting at just $9.
1. 1000 Hour Eyelash & Brow Dye Kit – Dark Brown, $18.99.
“This product is LIFE CHANGING. Prior to discovering this, I was spending at least $20 a month on getting my eyebrows tinted, every three or so weeks. A friend told me about it a few years ago, and I made sure to hunt it down,” says Jessie, Site Producer.
“I have very fair eyebrows naturally which can make me look really washed out. I just mix the colour in with the oil, and apply with the brush. I make sure to put Vaseline on around my eyebrows, so it doesn’t dye my actual face. I then wash it off after about 20 minutes. That one box for less than $20 has lasted me over two years.”
2. Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer, $105 (for 35 pouches).
"Like tie-dye T-shirts and butterfly clips, gone are the days where using a coarse scrub as an exfoliator is best practice. It’s time to let alpha (and beta) hydroxy acids do the hard work for us now," says Edwina, Health, Beauty and Style editor.
"After tearing open the little packet (there are 35 of them in a tin that’ll look lovely in your bathroom) you’ll find a small pouch laden with ingredients that fits over your finger. Containing exfoliating and cell renewal encouraging ingredients like AHAs and BHAs, salicylic acid, apple fruit extracts and more, you simply swipe the product over your skin in circular motions - no need to rub, the ingredients do the work here.
Image: Dermalogica
"I use this at night twice a week and tend to stick to my problem areas (forehead, chin, jawline and nose) as elsewhere I can be a bit sensitive. It sloughs away dead skin and helps my skin feel brighter and less congested." (Watch: The cheap DIY face mask you need to try. Post continues after video.)
3. Scholl Velvet Smooth Essential Moisture Cream, $14.95.
"Particularly now winter has arrived, my feet are in desperate need of some TLC. Dry, cracked and rocking the odd blister thanks to attempting to break in a new pair of boots, I swear by this cream to keep them soft," says Brittany, Health, Beauty and Style producer.
"Every other night after gently exfoliating after the shower, I'll lather up my feet in the cream, pop some fluffy socks on, then go to sleep. When I wake up, my feet feel softer and smoother. It's fast-absorbing, seriously hydrating and works while I'm dead to the world. What more do you want?"
Image: Priceline
4. Palmer's Purifying Enzyme Mask, $9.99
"I love this mask - it takes just 10 minutes, so it fits into my life easily and doesn't feel particularly indulgent, but my skin seems to love it. I'll usually put this on in the bath just before I get out and let it set while I'm fussing around with teeth brushing, etc," says Kahla, Health, Beauty and Style producer.
Image: Priceline
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The Glow's top mask picks.
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask Sephora Lotus Mask Sephora Pomegranate Mask The Body Shop Aloe Protective Mask The Body Shop Drops of Youth Mask The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask Montagne Jeunesse Blemish Mud Mask Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Mask Dermalogica Multivitamin Mask Freeman's Facial Clay Mask
5. Schwarzkopf Nordic Blonde Toner, $8.99.
"So often my hair doesn't actually need a colour and a toner is good enough - so this saves me a trip to the hairdressers and like a lot of money. It's less than $10 and so good," says Clare, Site producer.
6. Olaplex, available from salons.
"For mascara’s sake, get your hands on some of this miracle working stuff. Olaplex, is a hair treatment that can actually repair damaged hair and prevent it from breaking in the first place," says Edwina.
"I use it every week (okay, now that my hairdresser’s not listening, I actually use it every three to four weeks or when I remember). Pop a 20 cent coin-sized dollop on damp, washed hair - I stick to the mid to lower lengths because I have naturally greasy hair - and leave it on for 20 mins to two hours.
"Rinse it out thoroughly and just SEE how soft and easy to manage your hair is afterwards."
Image: Olaplex
7. Glam Glow Thirsty Mud Mask, from $28.
Image: Mecca
8. Sukin Detoxifying Clay Masque, $15.95
"When I look for a pampering treatment, I want something that feels nice, is easy to-do and gives immediate visible results. Not much, hey? But seriously, this clay masque ticks all the boxes for me. I apply all over my face, cover my eyes with cucumber so I can pretend I'm in some fancy spa, then lie down and relax/watch Netflix for 15 minutes," says Brittany.
"I then wipe it off with a warm flannel and my skin instantly feels deeply clean without feeling tight or dry. I'll usually follow up with a hydrating cream or oil before I go to sleep. You definitely get your money's worth for under $20 - a little goes a long way!"
9. Moroccan Oil Original Treatment, $49.50 (100ml)
"I dye my hair once every few months, and it really dries it out. I can't afford expensive treatments, so I just use Moroccan oil. It makes such a difference," says Jessie.
"I use about two pumps, and lather my hair in it. I usually leave it on for a few hours before washing. Sometimes I even sleep with it in overnight. It feels soooo well conditioned. Hot tip - It doesn't need to go anywhere near your roots. Just midway down, and the ends. No one wants greasy hair."
10. Yes to coconut body polishing scrub, $17.50.
"When I was on holiday in Thailand several years ago, I had a whole-body sugar scrub at a beauty salon. It was heavenly, but not exactly something I could justify forking out for in my regular, non-tropical holiday life. Thankfully, there is this delightful scrub from Yes To," says Kahla.
"Not only does it smell like fresh coconut (i.e. good enough to eat), the almond oil base leaves your skin so smooth and happy that you don't really need to slather on moisturiser afterwards. If you're the type who loves a bath, this is the perfect way to finish off."
Image: Priceline/RY.com.
What's your favourite at-home treatment to pamper yourself with?