DIY SPA BATH

After this your bathroom will be your new favourite at-home destination

Ambience is everything: The difference between an everyday bath and spa bathing is the mood. Create an environment that is conducive to relaxation. Stimulate all your senses — pop in your favourite tunes, burn fragranced candles and prepare a glass of wine or cup of tea. Make sure that you have everything you need — books, facial tools, headphones and so on — close at hand.

Use a hand scrub: Give your hands a little extra attention, especially after all that handwashing and sanitising you’ve been doing. Mix half a cup of sugar (brown sugar has a more granular texture than white), 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 10-15 drops of an essential oil of your choice, or lemon juice. Massage the mixture onto hands in gentle circular motions while in the bath, and rinse off with warm water.

Create a natural mask: This twoingredient mask with lactic acid and vitamin C will hydrate, soften and brighten skin. Mix 2 tablespoons of plain yoghurt (double cream will have a creamier texture) with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Apply mixture to the face using a clean flat foundation brush for an even spread and leave on until the mask dries. Rinse off with warm water.

All about the motion: Changing the texture of the products you use can greatly improve the quality of your bath experience. Swap out body wash gels for bath oils or scrubs that will give a different feel on the skin. Make sure to massage products in with long, circular motions to fully enjoy every texture.

Make your own bath salts: Enjoy a soak in homemade bath salts that will fill the room with an aromatic scent and ease tired muscles. Take any small glass jar and fill it, about two-thirds full, with coarse salt. Shave a few pieces of a scented soap bar, enough to fill about a third, and add to the jar. If you have essential oils, like lavender or lemongrass, add about 10 drops to the mixture. Screw on the lid, shake up to mix and sprinkle into your tub.