Discover these at-home beauty treatments for skin, hair, and nails that are affordable and easy to DIY.
As much as we love a full blowout or a professional spa pedicure, there are plenty of ways to pamper yourself without paying salon prices. Whether you want to upgrade your skincare game or trim your nail budget, use these 6 tips to create a salon-worthy regimen at home.
To keep your hair healthy, it's ideal to get a professional cut or color at least a few times a year. But you can stretch the time between appointments — and your dollars — with the right maintenance at home. If you dye your hair, always use color-safe shampoo and conditioner. Keep hair hydrated with weekly conditioning masks. You can even DIY a budget-friendly hair mask at home with pantry ingredients like coconut oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, and avocado. Keeping your hair in tip-top shape between appointments cuts down maintenance costs in the long run!
If you love going to the nail salon with your friends, why not host a pedicure party at home? Invite some girlfriends over and indulge in a DIY nail night. Order takeout, pour a glass of wine, and put on your favorite guilty-pleasure movie to make it an evening to remember. After you soak your feet and remove the old polish, use a foot file or pumice stone to get rid of the dead skin. You can find these budget-friendly tools at just about any pharmacy and even many grocery stores. After exfoliating, moisturize your feet, trim your toenails, and massage in some cuticle oil. Have your BFF apply the polish to cut back on smudging, and return the favor. You'll both have perfect at-home pedis without spending a penny.
DIY face masks are one of the easiest ways to bring the spa experience home. There are so many to choose from: single-use sheet masks, overnight masks, clay masks, and glow-up scrubs. Shop for one that targets your skin type and goals. Maybe you're looking for something super hydrating for dry skin. Or ultra cleansing for your acne-prone skin. If you want to create your own face mask at home, reach for ingredients like yogurt, avocado, honey, or oats, and add your favorite essential oil for a soothing, fragrant finish. Once you've applied your mask, put on some zen music, shut your eyes, and get ready to relax.
Skip the expensive spray tan and get your glow on without leaving the house. There are so many self-tanners on the market right now at big-box stores, pharmacies, and grocery stores. Our best advice for getting the best tan at home is to prep your skin completely by exfoliating and moisturizing your skin. (And if you're planning to shave or wax, do that *before* you apply the self-tanner.) Use a mitt to apply the tanner for streak-free, even results, and don't rush the process! Some self-tanning lotions set in just a few minutes, while others can take a few hours to completely develop and dry. Once your tan has set, moisturize again to lock it in.
One of the best reasons to go to a fancy salon or spa is because they have professional equipment. Luckily, there are a lot of user-friendly beauty tools readily available that can help you bring some spa sensibility to your own house. Whether it's an LED light, a Gua Sha tool, a micro-current massager, a jade roller, or a cleansing brush, adding a skincare tool that *feels* fancy is a great way to elevate your skincare routine. Do your research and choose one that's best for your skincare concerns and skin type. Then, incorporate the technique into your weekly regimen for some bonus moments of relaxation.
When you visit a day spa, you're often signing up for a few hours of total tranquility ... something you probably don't often find at home. So, as you create an at-home beauty regimen that works for your lifestyle, don't forget to prioritize the actual spa experience. Instead of slapping on a sheet mask before you vacuum the house, use the treatment time to kick back on the couch and listen to your favorite Spotify playlist. Massaging in a hair mask? Why not soak in the tub while the mask works its magic? Light a scented candle, add a bath bomb, and get ready for a relaxing experience that's (almost) as good as going to a real spa.
Your at-home spa space is also a great place to store your treatment supplies. Hang an extra fluffy robe on the door, splurge on some super soft towels, and organize your beauty materials in a way that will make you excited about starting (and sticking to) your new self-care routine.
