Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to spoil your mum, but with many of us tightening our belts, the usual gifts of bouquet of flower, designer chocolates, or a trip to the spa to spoil her, can seem out of reach for many of us during these cash-strapped times.
Skincare Expert Angela Langford and Masterchef finalist offers us two ways to spoil your mum on a budget this Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to spoil your mum, but with many of us tightening our belts, the usual gifts of bouquet of flower, designer chocolates, or a trip to the spa to spoil her, can seem out of reach for many of us during these cash-strapped times.
The great news is, that with a bit of extra thought, you can create a unique and beautiful experience for your mum which doesn’t cost a fortune. In fact, Mothers Day 2023 could be the most memorable one yet for all the right reasons – because you created something truly unique and different for her!
Turn her home into a spa for the day …
Instead of an expensive trip to the spa, why not treat your mum to a facial from the comfort of her own home?
You don’t have to be a qualified Therapist to deliver this deeply relaxing and pampering treat. Follow our step by step guide to pamper your mum with this gorgeous DIY facial at a fraction of the cost of a trip to a spa!
You will need the following items, most of which you may already have at home.
Electric blanket. (Optional):
Fluffy towels
Hairband
Scented candles or tea lights
Facial cleanser
Muslin or flannel
Facial exfoliator (optional)
A skin tonic / spritzer
Face Mask
Facial Oil
Aromatherapy Oils
If you can afford it, we would recommend this savvy tip to make the treat of Mothers Day last well after it is over! Invest in good quality, affordable products for her treatment. A rinse-off cleanser, a facial spritzer, a face mask and a facial oil are all you need for the treatment and you can give them to your mum when the treatment is over.
Setting The Scene…
To create the smell of an at home spa, you don’t need expensive diffusers. A Therapists’ trick is often to pop a relaxing essential oil blend on to the back of a cotton wool pad and then wipe that on the back of a warm or hot radiator – the heat then naturally diffuses the oils and fills the room with a heavenly scent. Lavender and neroli are uplifting yet relaxing and calming; but you can use any blend as long as you both love it.
Put your fluffy towels on the radiator at least half an hour before the treatment begins – there is nothing more cocooning than warm towels placed on the body at the start of this experience!
An electric blanket is also something many Therapists use during facials as they are so cosy. Lying down and not moving can make one feel cold, so ensuring you keep your mum warm and cosy during her treatment is essential.
We recommend laying a towel out and popping the products you are going to use on top, remembering to put a couple of bowls of warm water alongside, so you can use them to remove the products in between each stage of the facial. Apply a headband to keep her hair away from her face – then you are ready to begin.
Top tip…
Always apply your products in a gentle, upward motion …
Step One: Cleanse
Cleansing is key in order to create a great base for the treatment. The analogy I always use when talking about cleansing is that you wouldn’t eat your supper off a dirty plate it is the same when it comes to skincare. Cleansing is that vital step needed in order to prepare your skin for the treatment to come so that you get the best results from all of the efforts you are about to put in! Double cleansing is recommended if you mum already has makeup on. I always recommend using a wash-off cleanser rather than one you wipe off.
If you have combination, oily or congested skin, a non-foaming face wash works best. If your Mum is wearing eye make-up remove this with an oil based cleanser. Look out for one that contains jojoba and castor oil as these are mascara magnets.
For normal, dry, dull and mature skin a natural cleansing balm is lovely and adds a touch of luxury to the experience. The key with a cleansing balm is to only use a small amount, about the size of a pea. Massage it over your Mum’s face (and her neck and décolletage) and rinse it off with plenty of warm water and a flannel or muslin cloth. Keep rinsing until all traces of the balm have gone.
Step Two: Exfoliate
This step increases the brightness and clarity of the skin. Look out for exfoliations that contain natural ingredients like lemon, orange, bilberry and papaya, as they can often be tolerated by even the most sensitive of complexions. The exfoliation process removes dead, dull skin cells and promotes the renewal of the skin cells which in turn reveals fresher, brighter skin underneath.
All too often people use harsh exfoliators made from things like walnut shells or ground up apricot stones. These are very abrasive and can damage your skin. Look for gentler exfoliators – things like jojoba grains which are made from jojoba wax. These are softer and also totally spherical so they gently polish your skin. These are just as effective but much kinder to your skin.
Step Three: Apply A Face Mask
A mask is something most people only use in a salon or spa but they are lovely to use on a weekly basis and your skin will really thank you for it (or your Mum in this case).
You can find all sorts of different masks to treat different skin concerns but one option, which is very versatile and cost effective, is to mix your own mask. These kind of masks tend to be powders which you mix with other products to customise the treatment. So you don’t have to buy one mask to hydrate, another to brighten, another to clear congested skin and so on. Chose a powder mask with clay (for cleansing), vitamin C (for brightening) and fruit extracts to exfoliate.
When treating your lovely Mum, I recommend mixing the mask with some of the face oil you are going to be using and maybe some of the tonic or some toner.
Top Tip…
Whilst the face mask is working it’s magic, why not treat you mum to a lovely hand massage? You can use a massage oil but if you don’t have one, use some of the face oil – if it’s a good quality oil, you’ll find that you only need a couple of drops – a little goes a long way and it saves you having to buy another product.
Step Four: Facial Massage
Facial massage is the final stage if the treatment and can usually lasts around 10 to 15 minutes.
The benefits of facial massage are numerous, helping to rejuvenate skin that is dull and lacklustre. It can help to boost circulation and also assisting with lymphatic drainage, which aids in the removal of toxins from the skin. You would also be surprised at just how much tension and stress can be held in the face; especially the around jaw line. A great facial massage relaxes the facial muscles and also stimulates muscle tone (important because that is the scaffolding on which your face sits). It also promotes a sense of deep calm and relaxation which filters down throughout the entire body. The Koreans, Japanese and French are all fans of facial massage – the circulation boosting effects of which will complete the facial beautifully and give your mum’s skin a beautiful glow. This is such a treat – both for you and your Mum and an experience to really treasure.
Start with a quick neck and shoulder massage before moving to the face. Use a natural and organic facial oil for the massage. Start by warming a few drops in the palms of your hands. If you are using a product which contains essential oils, gently place your palms over her face – so she can inhale the wonderful aromas. There are numerous very reputable qualified Therapists on YouTube who provide step by step tutorials on facial massage. It’s best to find one you like and familiarise yourself with some of the techniques a few days beforehand. They are easy techniques and once you have learnt how, you can use the same techniques on yourself.
Why not read Angela Langford’s favourite lunch dish recipe here.
Top Picks
Bloom & Glow
Radiance restoring face oil, chia seed & sea buckthorn – 15ml Shop now at Angela Langford.
Freshen up
Hydrating & refreshing tonic rose, orange blossom & aloe vera – 100ml. Buy from Angela Langford
Look on the bright side
Brightening & clarifying face mask vitamin c, papaya & pineapple – 20g. Buy from Angela Langford
Angela Lanford
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