Setting up the Spa Evening
Finish all the things you had planned for the day that were essential for you to do. If you have something on your mind that's bothering you, it will be hard to relax and enjoy yourself. At the very least, make a list of the things to be dealt with later, so that you don't need to worry about forgetting.
Tell everybody you live with (if you don't live alone) not to bother you. Ask that they don't use the bathroom you've chosen for the duration of your spa evening.
Turn off cellphones, pagers, phones, messenger, computers,etc. You don't want to be interrupted during your evening.
Gather your supplies. If you enjoy music, you may like to create a relaxing playlist of music to listen to. Light some scented tea lights. Prepare your towels and pajamas. This will prevent running around to find a clean pair of jammies after relaxing. If you want wine, chocolates or anything else while in the bath, organize these too.
Getting Clean First
Take a shower. Wash your hair, face and shave if you wish. By getting these basics out of the way, you're free to relax rather than focusing on cleaning yourself.
Start your bath. Adjust the temperature to your liking. Add bath salts and essential oils and maybe even bubble bath. Get a bath pillow or a rolled-up towel and prop your head on it. The bath is not meant to cleanse, but mostly to relieve tension, so if you need to wash your hair, shave, etc. It's better to do this before you begin. If you don't, you may feel stressed throughout the spa. Put on a face mask. If you want, put some teabags or cucumber slices on your eyes to reduce under-eye swelling. Put on lip balm. Get a deep-conditioning hair mask and let it sit for the remainder of the bath.
Turn on that relaxing music and light the candles. Lie back and read a book, have a glass of wine and some chocolate, or simply relax. It's all about relaxation. Candles for the bath are much more relaxing and better than having a bright light in your eyes.
Stay in your bath for as long as you want.(Dipping your head underwater is optional)
After the Bath
Rinse out the hair mask and wash off the face mask, if used.
Pat yourself dry and apply moisturizer. Smooth on some sweet smelling body lotion. Put on your soft, clean jammies or other comfy clothing.
Beauty treatments, as required
Pull your hair back into a ponytail, if the length allows, or simply push back with a headband. This is optional.
Wash your face with a good cleanser, exfoliate, tone and put on a great face mask. Search on wikiHow or Google for some great face mask recipes. Leave on for about 15 to 20 minutes. Read a book or magazine while you wait. Wash off with warm water and apply some moisturizer. Use your toner and moisturizer on your face.
Pluck your eyebrows if you want to. The steam from the shower and bath have loosened your hair follicles, so if you wish to, pluck your eyebrows and any other areas that need plucking.
Prepare a small bowl and a large bowl with warm, sudsy water. Remove all nail polish from fingers and toes. Soak your nails for a few minutes.
Rub essential oil into your nails. Carefully push back and nip your cuticles.
Apply a base coat. Paint two coats of polish to nails, allowing dry time between coats. Do nail art if you wish.
Apply a top coat. Allow to dry.
Extending the relaxation
Rent a good chick flick (or any other movie you enjoy). Make some popcorn or other snacks, curl up with a blanket and enjoy. You may want to give yourself the manicure or pedicure while you enjoy the movie.
After the movie is over, make sure you have a warm, clean bed to go to. Grab a book and turn on some nice music. Make sure you turn off the music before you fall asleep though.
When you turn out the light, do some relaxing breathing exercises. A very relaxing one is to count the seconds each breath takes, or imagine a light dimming with each breath you take.
Sleep!
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