Maintenance magic

Maintenance magic

18 Jun 2010 17:46 PM | Posted by Editor

The recent long weekend prompted us to make like a Griswold and head off on an environmentally friendly family adventure. A solar beach house with little more than a generator for a hot shower, no TV and even worse, no power point for my ghd! So I needed to be prepared. Flanked with an artillery of beauty products to prevent me from devouring enough cheese and crackers to sink a ship.

Why not do some much needed body maintenance since I was going to have something that is so rare to me these days, spare time. So, when my husband called out, “hurry up, you don’t need any make-up”, I ran frantically around stuffing my bag with as much as would fit. I play a little game with myself when in a high pressure situation of how much can I jam in, and which goodies to pack in order of importance!

On the first dark night, I looked exactly that sporting a clay mud mask. Alpha-H Purifying Clay Mask is my favourite. It smells so good and is great for breakout-prone skin. I don’t get pimples often but when I do we joke that I have grown a second head and this mask seems to prevent that from happening. It left my skin feeling smooth all weekend.

Nail polish remover and my newest polish, ORLY Nail Polish in Witches Blue, certainly had their place in the bag as my Havaiana’s were probably going to grace my feet for the very last time before boot season, and I just don’t do thongs without painted toes!

Not to forget my poor, frazzled ghd-less locks. Since I was feeling like a good girl and being kind to the environment I continued the theme by using Al’chemy’s Macadamia and Wheat Protein Conditioning Treatment. This treatment converted the silly notion in my head that believed a natural brand couldn’t work as well as other leading treatments. I hate this saying, but believe me – it is divine!!

Well beauties, I came away feeling rejuvenated and healthy and my skin and hair were certainly better for it, but please take note – mud masks and shower caps apparently equal passion killers!!

Aimee x
What body maintenance do you carry out when you have some spare time up your sleeve?

Member Comments (35)

Posted by: katshepsutt (Australia)

Rarely seem to have spare time these days, so I MAKE time for hair and face masks - love the Palmer's whitening face mask (although I look like a ghoul while it's setting) and the Long Term Relationship Split End Protector Mask that came in the Glosscars pack is my current love - smells fruitily divine, so an aromatherapy bonus comes along with it :-)

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 12:09pm)

Posted by: softness (Member since 2007, Australia)

Mmm I love the Clairol Long Term Relationship Split End Protector Mask too - it leaves my hair really healthy right to my tips. I also love to do my nails when I have a bit of spare time.

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 1:07pm)

Posted by: aliciaraul (Member since 2008, Australia)

If I had enough time and no interruptions I'd do the following for myself:
- a manicure
- a pedicure
- a mini facial
- a hair treatment

Prior to these I'd have a long hot bath and read a book.

I'm on holidays (at home) soon so I may take the time to do a few of these throughout. I just have to stop the kids interrupting!

Love the article Aimee. It's great to get back to basics.

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 1:51pm)

Posted by: JayeKaye (Australia)

Any spare time I have I do:

Masks - refining or hyrdating
Hair treatment
Mircodermabrasion
Or body exfoliation, sometimes with the mircodermabrasion system too :)

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 2:00pm)

Posted by: Katek1 (Australia)

Great article Aimee. I am about to semi-retire so I am looking forward to trying all of the suggestions above. We have owned a small business for many years and have been working 6 days a week so can't wait to do facials, pedicures,manicures etc.

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 2:13pm)

Posted by: DanniiBeauty (Australia)

I would love a facial - haven't had one before! I usually do the mask, hair treatment stuff, but I'd love to be pampered!

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 2:38pm)

Posted by: DeLaConTess (Australia)

When I have a few minutes to spare I usually tend to nails and put on a face mask.

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 2:39pm)

Posted by: Sun Kissed (Australia)

I can't wait till the 23rd, my last exam will be over and ill be able to give my feet a much much deserved polish and moisture, get myself waxed, wash my hair (instead of using dry shampoo) and use a nice face mask.

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 3:07pm)

Posted by: ILuvNailPolish (Australia)

i do the foot spa thing, with lemograss oil and burts peppermit body wash, then a good scrub with a pumicie stone and a pedicure, then i put some socks on with moistueriser and wake up with super soft feet.

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 4:15pm)

Posted by: Lilypilly (Australia)

I love rubbing a jojoba and rosehip oil blend all over the body when I have time.
it smoothes my scaly skin (especially on my legs and arms). I also like giving myself a facial and do a mud mask followed by a hydrating mask afterwards.

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 4:19pm)

Posted by: beautyqueen95♥ (Australia)

I make time on sundays or saturdays to do my toes, clear nails (because of work and school - no nail polish except clear), a hair mask, clay face mask (imputiry removing one) thanks to acne, full body moisturise and shave (I only shave once a week in winter - I wear trackies, long work pants and stockings - so shave for the only just covers my bum netball dress.)

I use:
The clariol long term relations hip hair mask
Either Clinique turnaround or akin express carbon mask
A bright pink Maybelline polish for my toes
A clear BYS polish
Palmers olive oil mooisturiser.

I make sure I make time because it is just my time out from the week where I can just pamaper myself and 'destress'

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 5:17pm)

Posted by: Stay C (Australia)

Hair colouring which I really, really need to do. Should do it tonight but probably won't bother as it's getting cold already and sitting around with wet hair just makes it worse. I also like to scrub my body with a sugar scrub and give myself a facial. At the end I feel all fresh and shiny but I think it's just going to be too cold tonight.

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 6:26pm)

Posted by: Addictedxx (Australia)

Whenever i have freetime, i love to give myself a mini facial:
cleanse, steam, exfoliate and mask.
i also give myself a manicure :D

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 6:26pm)

Posted by: Soozie67 (Australia)

I always have to make time to pamper myself even if it means I get up after everyone is asleep and hit the bathroom. I love running a nice warm bubble bath, putting on a facemask and a hair treatment mask and just relaxing in the bubbles while it all does its job, I finish with a nice body lotion and night cream and I sleep like a baby, and I wake up happy that I did something just for me.

Posted on: June 19, 2010 (Jun 19, 2010 9:04pm)

Posted by: melmeko (Member since 2007, Australia)

Definitely my nails, because they are so time consuming, I find myself maintaining them at every free moment. When you consider keeping them filed, buffed and properly treated with cuticle oil or balm, then there is the base coat, how ever many coats of polish and a top coat, plus drying time, all of which will only last about 2 - 3 days then it's time to remove the polish and start all over again. Thankfully it is something I really enjoy doing :)

Posted on: June 20, 2010 (Jun 20, 2010 12:03am)

Posted by: VivaliciousChic (Australia)

Haven't had any spare time to pamper myself since moving into the new house.but I always try to exfoliate andmask my face. I would love to have hair treatment mask,body scrub and wrap and facemask then body lotion and mosturise. Then manicure and pedicuire

Posted on: June 20, 2010 (Jun 20, 2010 12:05am)

Posted by: MrsBeautygeek (Member since 2008, Australia)

The main thing I do (generally on Sundays, so will probably do it today) is a hair mask, I leave it on for a good long time, to help my long hair keep in good shape. When I have a bit more spare $$ I also like to do a face mask :-)

Posted on: June 20, 2010 (Jun 20, 2010 10:09am)

Posted by: rang (Australia)

i have a relaxing bath with QV bath oil so that my body can be hydrated and I can soak in a warm quiet environment

Posted on: June 20, 2010 (Jun 20, 2010 10:45am)

Posted by: April99 (Australia)

When i have spare time i always paint my nail and put on some kind of a mask.
BUT the last time i put on a mask by skin reacted and when i took off my mask, my whole face was red lol!

Posted on: June 20, 2010 (Jun 20, 2010 11:49am)

Posted by: Jessica123 ()

My spare time i have i usually buff my nails relax or maybe even do a face mask

Posted on: June 20, 2010 (Jun 20, 2010 3:39pm)

Posted by: Jessica123 ()

my spare time is spent relaxing

Posted on: June 20, 2010 (Jun 20, 2010 3:41pm)

Posted by: jatz (Member since 2008, Australia)

Great article Aimee. When I get free time I love to do a mask also and try to tend to my nails.
But, why is it, when I find the time, and put the mask on the telephone will ring or the doorbell rings.

Posted on: June 20, 2010 (Jun 20, 2010 6:27pm)

Posted by: GoddessMagick (Member since 2007, Australia)

Spare time for me always= mini mani or pedi, they ake so long that you need the time out to do them. No point polishing nails if you don't have time for them to dry and the dishes are awaiting, lol. A face mask is my next fave :)

Posted on: June 20, 2010 (Jun 20, 2010 9:01pm)

Posted by: Nikkim (Australia)

Spare time - what is that, lol. On the rare occasion that I do, a mini facial, maybe paint my toenails, but in this cold weather a nice hot bubble bath is my fave.

Posted on: June 21, 2010 (Jun 21, 2010 7:58am)

Posted by: Edlie (Australia)

I try to make time for a weekly bath, or at least fortnightly. I de-hair, exfoliate, relax in bubbles, and do a face mask from Trilogy. Always look and feel amazing after.
I get too bored with hair masks, and all the hassle of getting in the shower, then out, ethn apply, then wait, then go back in - so i just do shower treatments.

Posted on: June 21, 2010 (Jun 21, 2010 9:59am)