Love Yourself this Valentine’s Day

We can get so caught up with the idea of love… The shops are filled with cards and gifts to give to your lover and it is very easy to get carried away. But why is it so rare that we stop and think about how to love ourselves. This can be seen as selfish at first, and you may straight away think ‘but what about the kids, other halves, parents?’ Yes of course you love them too, but I got told a long time ago if you don’t love yourself first then it’s actually very hard to give and receive love to and from anyone else.

Whether you are single or in a relationship why don’t you spend a whole evening creating a private pamper session just for you?

Fill the bath with warm water and add a few drops of Huile Prodigieuse Oil, this delicious smelling oil will help you relax and leave your skin feeling silky smooth. While you are waiting for the bath to fill up, start your pampering session with dry body brushing. This is great for removing dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking smoother and brighter. It is also great for detoxing as it breaks down unwanted toxins which is great for getting rid of cellulite. To dry body brush it is recommended you start at your feet and work upwards in circular movements towards the heart, this is following the same direction of the lymphatic system which is why it helps with detoxing. The only area different is your back where you start at the neck and brush downwards towards the base of your spine.

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Choose a candle especially for you… (I love Neom in Wimbledon Village) and use it whilst you are having your pampering session. At Neom, the candles have the highest level of essential oils possible, with true therapeutic benefits to relieve stress, calm and relax, aid sleep, boost your energy or lift your mood. As you inhale each essential oil blend, the scent travels to the hypothalmus. A gland in your brain responsible for releasing the hormones which control your basic instincts and emotions. At the hypothalmus, your body is most attracted to the essential oil blend that it needs – revealing whether you need to focus on sleep, stress relief, energy or happiness at that moment.

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Whilst relaxing in the bath why don’t you make yourself a herbal tea and read a book or magazine, even have some relaxing music on in the background. You can even add a face mask and a hair conditioning treatment (see previous blogs) to really go all out. Stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes (or until the water goes cold) to really allow yourself to relax. To end your pampering session, cover your body in a rich moisturiser like The Ritual of Sakura Body Cream – this will lock in all the goodness of the oils from the bath. Finally, put on some warm pyjama’s and get an early night. Your mind and body will thank you for it the next day!

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