While we adore beauty treatments and trips to the spa, busy lifestyles and other obligations often mean we don't have as much time as we'd like to treat ourselves.
But the good news is, if you don't have a pamper session booked in any time soon, it's totally possible to recreate some of our best-loved spa treatments and experiences from the comfort of our own home.
It's essentially all about setting the scene and taking a little extra time in the evening to truly pamper yourself, so we've teamed up with Cowshed to show you how. Light a scented candle, dim the lights, put on some calming music and give yourself a little TLC...
Start with a facial To give your skin the type of deep cleanse worthy of a facialist, set aside some time to really pay your face some attention. Apply Cowshed's Lavender Gentle Cleanser, £19, to your face and remove using cotton wool to lift away any impurities and remove any makeup you're wearing. Then, as cleansing is by far the most important step of your skincare routine, once you've removed your makeup it's time to give your face a second cleanse to ensure your skin is cleaned deep down, leaving it balanced and comfortable (otherwise known as double cleansing). For this you can use the same cleanser again, or turn to a balm formula. Apply a little to the palm of your hand and spend a few minutes massaging it into your face using upwards motions.
Once you've finished cleansing, gently buff your skin using Cowshed Calendula Refining Facial Scrub, £22, to remove any dead skin and help empty pores. Rinse off using lukewarm water and apply a face mask - we love Cowshed's Palmarosa Revitalising Face Mask, £24. The oil-absorbing clay draws out any imbedded impurities, while working to tone and revitalise the skin. Apply a few drops of face serum then using circular motions apply Cowshed's Rose Replenishing Night Cream, £36. Finish up by delicately dabbing Cowshed Jasmine Toning Eye Balm, £25, around the eye area.
Move on to a body treatmentWhile a body wrap could prove a little tricky, there are a few things you can do to from the comfort of your home to replicate similar results to in-spa body treatments. If you have bath, run one and pour in some of Cowshed's Sleepy Cow Calming Bath Salts, £16. They'll help to totally relax your mind and body, helping to relieve any tension or stress. Cowshed's Knackered Cow Relaxing Bath & Body Oil, £22.50, is great for helping you unwind, at the same time as giving your body a little extra nourishment. Massage a few drops into wet skin to seal in moisture and leave your skin silken and smooth. Once that's soaked in, squeeze a decent dose of Cowshed Gorgeous Cow Blissful Body Lotion, £20, into your hands and apply in circular motions all over your body.
Finish up with a manicureFill a big glass bowl with lukewarm water and using Cowshed Mucky Cow Exfoliating Hand Wash, £16, give your hands a light exfoliation to remove any dead skin. Then rinse and dry. Apply two pumps of Cowshed Cow Herb Restoring Hand Cream, £8, and work into your hands, paying particular attention to any dry areas. File your nails into the preferred shape and apply a little Cowshed Apricot Nourishing Cuticle Oil, £8, taking some time to massage it into the skin around your nails.
Apply a slick of Cheeky Chat Me Up First Base, £7, to prep the nail, then once dry apply a colour of your choice and lock it in place for longer with a glossy finish, via a coating of Cheeky Top Me Up Nail Paint, £4.50.
