"Spa" is a State-of-Mind

The spa doesn't have to be a destination... It can just be a state-of-mind! Whether a spa isn't available or you just don't have the time or money for a full-day of pampering yourself, it doesn't mean you can't still practice a bit of self care for yourself.

You can set some ambiance in the comfort of your own home... And one of the best ways to accomplish that is to fill your home with the soothing aroma of a scented candle. Depending on the candle, you could add a little bit of crackling wood to the atmosphere (wooden wicks), and the hypnotic, flickering light from its tiny flame.

It's good to get out of the house... But it's not a necessity. There's plenty of ways to turn your home into a relaxation station for the night. You just need to do a few things to set the mood!

1.) Get The Right Aroma

Trust us, we love a good gourmand-scented candle... There's nothing quite like walking into a house and smelling the sweet aromas of a warm apple pie or a cinnamon bun. But while those scents might be mouth-watering, cozy, or comforting, we're focused more on relaxation.

Here are some scents that you should focus on for that clean, zen scent you might experience as you walk into a spa:

1.) Lavender - the end-all-be-all relaxations scent. There's nothing quite like the smell of lavender to calm the mind and bring you to a place of serenity.

2.) Peppermint - this one can double-function as a holiday candle (think candy canes or peppermint bark), but peppermint actually works quite similarly to lavender for relaxing the mind.  

3.) Bergamot -actually any citrus scent will do, but the fresh zest of the spicy bergamot fruit is an amazing way to lift your spirits before really settling into a night of relaxation.

4.) Rose - a spritz of rose water toner can provide instant results when applied to your skin... The soothing aroma of this lovely flower can also bring you to your happy place.

5.) Vanilla - a tried-and-true scent for relaxing - often the base note for many candles, vanilla is a warm and understated scent that is good in almost any situation

2.) Strategically Place Your Scents 

Will you be spending all of your time in the bathroom soaking in the tub? Or does your spa night involve some low key Netflix on the couch. You can have both for sure, but before you do, take a second to think about the multiple spaces you'll be inhabiting for your spa night.

Rather than focus all of your aromatherapy in one room, think about strategically placing candles or diffusers throughout your living space to fill your home evenly. Scents can definitely be too strong, which is a surefire way to put a damper on your self care.

Light up your lavender candle in your bathroom and a peppermint candle in your living room. Or try bergamot in your living room to uplift you before moving onto a soothing vanilla-scented bathroom. The combinations are endless!

Be careful to place candles in an area where they won't flicker or be disturbed by air currents - A flickering candle flame can affect your candle more than it might seem!

3.) Bath Time

What good is spa night without a soak in the tub?

You've got your candles set up and you're ready to relax... Why not treat yourself to a sumptuous soak in a bath bomb's soothing oils and butters?

Think of it this way: dropping a bath bomb into the water is something to look forward to. It's an event. The peak of your relaxation! The ball starts to fizz and swirl, the water turns a beautiful color, and you get to enjoy the subtle sounds of the bomb as it bubbles. It will release its own fragrance... And when you step out of the tub, your skin will feel buttery-smooth. 

For some next-level coordination, try a bath bomb that's a complimentary scent to your candle.

4.) Finish With Some Skin Care

Don't skimp on the skin care - in fact, the light scent of high-quality skin care on your face can add the finishing touch to your new, spa-scented home.

A good rule of thumb is to apply skin care products from lightest to heaviest. Start with a rose water toner, followed by a light vitamin c serum, followed by your favorite lotion or moisturizer.

A heavily-fragranced lotion can throw off the vibe from your otherwise amazing evening, so opt for something light and airy with just a hint of fragrance... That little bit of added aroma can help carry the evening past your bath time and all the way into bedtime.