Hey friends!

I got a message from this universe this past weekend when I got sick (for the third weekend since school/work started again), and it was, “SLOW DOWN AND SLEEP 13+ HOURS”. So I did. And hello! I feel like a person again!

So if you are also finding yourself spread in 67 different directions and injecting espresso into your veins, (ok, it wasn’t that bad, but I was relying on a steady stream of caffeine to exist), then I urge you to take some time for yourself this week.

Maybe just an hour, maybe a whole day. But I feel like in our culture that rewards and encourages busyness and perpetual motion, (for more on the glorification of busyness, check out this article and this one) sometimes it’s awesome to do absolutely nothing.

And I can help you with that! Here are some of my favorite budget products to indulge in when I want to take some time to pamper myself.

Step 1: Take a Bath

This is my favorite indulgent thing to do. (Aside from buying all of the makeup.) Baths are pretty much the only time I stay in one place for longer than 30 minutes, and it’s so relaxing.

When I’m sore my favorite bath product is Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salts ($4-7), I personally prefer the Sleep and Relax scents.

And like a small child, I also adore bubble bath and my favorite is Deep Steep’s Organic Bubble Bath. I get mine on Amazon for about $8. This is kind of on the pricey side for bubble bath, but the bubbles last a long time and the scents are great. My favorite is Lavender Chamomile and Rosemary Mint.

Bonus: Get yourself a bath pillow on Amazon or at Target, they are usually around $10-$30. Seriously. No shame.

 

Step 2: Use a Face Mask

When I’m really getting fancy with my pampering day, I love using a face mask. The Freeman’s line of masks all cost about $4, and I can really use my imagination to pretend I’m having a spa day, instead of hanging out in my guest bathroom. The Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask is my favorite for getting glowing smooth skin, but I really like them all. (With the exception of the Peel Off Cucumber Mask, because on principle that creeps me out. Just being honest.)

 

Step 3: Use a Hair Mask

I am usually pretty rude to my hair. I straighten it daily and often pull it into a ponytail. On my pampering days, I like to try to be nice to it with a hair mask. I have actually been using a sample of this Eva-NYC Hair Mask from an Ipsy bag, but it’s taking me forever to get through it. It makes my fine hair soft and frizz-less, so I think the full size for $15 would last awhile, and be worth the price.

If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, I also like the Neutrogena Deep Recovery Hair Mask for $7-$9. I do have to be careful that I only apply this one to my ends, as my hair is very fine and gets oily easily.

 

Step 4: Moisturize

After spending hours in the bath, give your skin back some moisture and smell delicious. This always make me feel and smell better.

You guys know I’m on an indie cosmetics kick, (evidenced here, here, and here), and my current favorite lotion is Fortune Cookie Soap’s Whipped Cream in “Green is the New Black”. I got a sample in my $20 quarterly box, (which you can read about here) and it smells like pumpkin pie and whipped cream heaven. The full size is about $11 and it might make you want to eat your hands, so be warned.

If you’re not feeling the indies or that price tag, I also like the Burt’s Bees Milk and Honey Body Lotion for about $8. They don’t test on animals, the lotion smells nice, and it’s non-greasy, so I’m a fan.

 

Step 5: Give Yourself a Mani-Pedi

I’m not the biggest fan of cheap nail polish, because I apparently bang my hands into everything and it chips off very easily. But I’m not going to tell you how to live your life, grab the glitteriest Sinful Colors for $2 you can find and go to town on your mani.

I also like to make sure I treat my cuticles when I give myself a manicure. If you are anything like me, you attack them regularly, and a pampering day is a good day to let them recover. I try to keep Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream, ($6) around for cuticle emergencies. It’s creamy, smells nice, and makes my cuticles happy.

Rainbow Honey also has easy to use Cuticle Balm, $5. I love that it’s in stick form, smells nice, and is super moisturizing. I have 3 now from my Mystery Bag, and I don’t complain because I keep one at work, one in my purse, and one by my bed. (My cuticles typically make manicurists cringe.)

 

Step 6: Get your favorite beverage

Whether it’s coffee, tea, wine, or my personal favorite pictured above, indulge in sipping your favorite beverage and doing something you really like. Maybe reading a book, watching a movie, wood working, or weaving baskets. Whatever floats your boat.

So take some time and take care of yourself, friends. And I even give you permission to indulge a little and maybe get something NOT on a beer budget. Sometimes we all need to be spoiled.

Love,

Rebs!