Beauty and pampering tips from Anantara Hotels

Life under lockdown does not have to mean a complete pause. After all, it’s the simple things, like a soothing face mask or fragrant bath, that can help us through the day.

As part of Anantara Hotels’ ongoing efforts to share healthy living recommendations, the group consulted with their pool of experts at Anantara Spas, who are also staying home for the greater good, to share their favorite skin, hair, and body boosters that can be crafted into your routine at leisure.

Skincare

Tomato facemask

Tips from Garcia Al Corta, Spa Manager at Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort, Spain

This brightening mask breathes life back into dull skin and reduces the appearance of blemishes. Tomato helps brighten skin tone, cools and freshens the skin, while honey has beneficial moisturizing properties.

Ingredients:

• Ripe tomato (1/2)
• Honey (1 tbsp)

Directions:

Blend tomato with honey until it becomes a paste. Gently apply the paste to face avoiding the eye area and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water and pat skin dry with a clean towel.

Cooling cucumber and yogurt facemask

Tips from Lucia McCallion, Director of Spa and Recreation at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, Thailand

The combination of cucumber and yogurt has a soothing effect on the skin. The natural ingredients of cucumber moisturize, soften, smooth, and reduce puffiness, while yogurt refreshes tired skin.

Ingredients:

• Cucumber (1/2, grated)
• Plain natural yogurt (3 tbsp)

Directions:

Whip up a quick mask by mixing yogurt and grated cucumber. Apply to face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes; then wash it off using cool water. Use this mask three times a week for fresh-faced results.

Coffee and honey face scrub 

Tips from Galina Antoniuk, Spa Director at Anantara the Palm Dubai Resort, United Arab Emirates.

Don’t throw away your coffee after you’ve ground it for your morning brew. Coffee is rich in anti-aging properties and honey keeps your skin moisturized.

Ingredients:

• Coffee grounds (1 tbsp)
• Honey (3 tbsp)

Directions:

Take a spoonful of the powder and mix it with honey. The sticky cream-like texture makes for a good scrub as well as a face wash. If you have dry skin, you can also add a few drops of coconut oil. If using as a scrub, keep on for 15 minutes before washing off.

Eye depuffer 

Tips from Kanatcha Buntongkaew, Spa Manager Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Thailand

A soothing, easy treat for the eyes. Parsley has active properties that can diminish dark circles and reduce puffiness under the eyes. The frozen ice cube works to reduce the puffiness when rubbed under the eyes.

Ingredients:

• Distilled Water
• Chopped parsley

Directions:

Fill an ice cube tray with fresh water and add a pinch of parsley to each cube. Place in the freezer. Rub frozen cubes gently under the eyes to get rid of under-eye bags and fine lines around the eyes.

Luscious lips mask and scrub 

Tips from Vina Teodoro, Spa Manager at Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort, Portugal

Quite often lips are overlooked and only tended to in cold dry weather when they become cracked and chapped. A lip scrub is a great way to exfoliate and buff away dry skin. Make sure to hydrate with this next-level moisturizer to keep those lips luscious!

Ingredients:

• Brown sugar (1 tbsp)
• Lime juice (1 tsp)
• Honey (2 tbsp: one for the scrub, one for the moisturizer)
• Olive oil (1 tbsp)

Directions:

For the scrub, blend brown sugar, lime and honey together with a spoon until the mixture is consistent. Add a drop of flavored extract (vanilla or mint is good) to the mix (optional).

Using a soft toothbrush, apply the scrub to the lips and spread with light movements. Wash with warm water after 10 minutes.

The next step is to create a simple softening lip moisturizer with honey and olive oil. Add the two ingredients in a bowl and mix until completely blended. Apply the mix directly to the lips using fingers like a lip balm after the lip scrub and allow the lips to absorb the mixture.

Hair care

Staying indoors with air conditioning or central heating on full blast can play havoc with your hair. Follow these home remedies to show your hair some TLC.

Frizz-reducing hair mask

Ingredients:

• Avocado (1 piece)
• Olive Oil (1/4 cup)
• 1 Lemon (juiced)

Mix all ingredients with an eggbeater until well blended. Comb mixture through damp hair and let it set for 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Benefits of the ingredients:

• Avocado: great source of vitamin E and good for treating dry hair
• Olive oil: strengthens hair, may tame frizz and reduce breakage

Mask for damaged hair

Ingredients:

• Yogurt (1/4 cup)
• Eggs (2)
• Coconut oil (1/4 cup)
• Banana (1)
• Honey (1 Tbsp)

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and well-blended. Apply on the hair and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Benefits of the ingredients:

• Egg: adds protein, the main component of hair
• Coconut oil: conditions hair
• Banana: promotes hair growth

Body care

Body brushing

Tips from Bodina Qureshi, Spa Director at Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort.

A full-body exfoliation is the perfect booster treatment to combat dry and dull skin, leaving a beautiful glow.

A combination of grated coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg and a sprinkle of salt makes for a beautiful body scrub with the perfect texture and an incredible scent. If you have some coconut oil hiding in your cupboard, add for extra moisture, but a little water will also create the perfect consistency.

Nutmeg has long been used in herbal medicine as a treatment to sustain and promote skin appearance. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, decreasing the likelihood of infections and helping control sebum production.

Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties and is a great addition to any combination with its bold flavor and scent.

Luxurious vanilla bath bombs

Tips from Vina Teodoro, Spa Manager at Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort, Portugal

 Ingredients:

• Baking soda (8 oz)
• Citric acid (4 oz)
• Cornstarch (4 oz)
• Epsom salt (4 oz)
• Coconut oil (2 tbsp)
• Water (3/4 tbsp)
• Vanilla extract (2 tbsp)
• Purple color bar of soap (for color). White soap shavings can also be used.

Directions:

• Mix the baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and Epsom salt with an eggbeater.
• In a separate bowl, mix the coconut oil, water, vanilla extract, and purple soap shavings with an eggbeater.
• When the two mixes are ready, add the second one to the first mix slowly and always mixing with a spoon.
• Place the mix in cupcake molds.
• Chill in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Take a finished mold and add to your bath water for a soothing soak.

As we continue to practice social distancing, let us also remember the importance of self-care.

READ ALSO: Anantara is one of the featured best wellness travel destinations in Asia. Read the details here.

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