Treat Yourself to a Detail

The keyword in treatment is TREAT. Our bodies are temples. The rituals we choose to reward and care for ourselves are actually a subtle form of worship, not just "self-care".

I knew a pastor who jokingly said during a sermon, "We're always on our mind". I find that statement to be both funny, true, and sad. We definitely are thinking about our feelings, our to-do lists. But our physical bodies get overlooked unless we feel ill or we're esthetically displeased by something. The thing is, we only get one. We're born, we live, we die in the same body; shouldn't we find ways to nurture this home we embody? If we got one car or one pair of shoes for the entirety of life on Earth, wouldn't we "detail" them regularly?

Since the pandemic's shelter-in-place orders (March 2020-ish?), I've had more time to prioritize my treatments. Prior to that I would just try to fit them in on a weekend or whenever I could remember (or felt gross enough, lol). They never fail to make me feel clean, feminine, refreshed, special, repaired, alive... like it's a new day. A second chance to do whatever needs to get done.

To reiterate - the keyword in treatment is treat. Treats come with a sense of anticipation. And in this context, the goal is to not be impulsive but intentional and exclusive to our body's needs(not just wants). I've simplified my me-time to 6 head-to-toe treats. Below are my go-to's each month for hair/skin/body:

Hair Treatments

> OLAPLEX (No.3)

I can't tell you how many stylists swear by this product and are adamant about using it on me during my appointments. I blew it off as just another one of the deep conditioning treatments out there but it's truly so much more. It repairs my split ends, helps me not have to get a hair cut as regularly, tames my frizz, and softens any rough patches in my strands. It's called the "Hair Perfector" for very real reasons.

I now do this treatment at home 1-3 times a month. You apply it to damp hair, then leave it on for 10 minutes (but I usually do 30 minutes if in the A.M. or leave it on overnight if in the P.M.), wash out, then shampoo, then use a conditioner as you normally would.

> SCALP DETOX CLEANSE

I use to get these amazing scalp treatments back on the West Coast but after relocating I've had to do them at-home (using their same secret sauce).

If you have a dry scalp, deal with itchiness or over-production of oil, this treatment will help balance all that out. Sometimes I'll do it at the same time as my Olaplex treatment, about 1-3 times a month. I part my hair from front to back in 2 inch sections, deeply massage the oil into the scalp, and leave it in for 10-30mins, then shampoo/condition as normal. It's a close second to a head-spa session and you will audibly hear your scalp exhale when you're done.

Skin Treatments

> PUMPKIN FACE PEEL

This at-home peel is even better when you keep it in the fridge and apply after a work out or a long day of errands. It gives me a tingling sensation that I personally love and, although I do get slightly flushed for 10-15mins after taking it off, I can visibly see a difference in my skin.

I do this peel 1-2 times a month. Afterwards my face feels and looks plump(in a good way), soft to the touch, pores are cleaned, dead/old cells get removed, lumps/bumps are 50-60% deflated, and discoloration is brightened. I am guilty of overuse and clumping it on in a thick chunky layer but really all you need is a tablespoon's worth to apply on the entire face. *This specific type of peel is not recommended for sensitive skin types or pale skin tones. / Honorable mention for extreme results: Hanacure

> PMD wand

This at-home, portable dermabrasion wand is a skin regimen staple for me. I've had mine now going on 5 years and it still works like a charm. The only thing I've had to replace are the heads but that's been just once. I'm addicted to exfoliation and this thing pacifies that addiction wonderfully.

They give you 2 different heads, one for your face and the other for your body. I tend to use the same head for both the face, neck, & chest. I use it on an as-needed basis. My estheticians beg me not to overdo it but the suction/scratching combination feel so good on days when my skin is just rough, dirty, or just plain unruly. This wand keeps my breakouts, texture, and "aging" in check.

Body Treatments

> VIRAL FOOT PEEL

This went viral on TikTok after a girl showed the kind of results it gave after just one try and apparently the company sold out within an hour of that video posting. I bought it as a gift for my mom at Christmas time and she basically had the same results that were shown in the original video.

If you've tried all the pumice stones, foot files, pedi-eggs or scraping tools out there with no result, I think this is the next (and potentially the last) stop on the train!

> LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

I recently started exploring Ayurveda, learning more about how important movement and the lymphatic system (a network of tissues/organs that help rid the body of toxins waste). The primary function is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body. Self-massage done with dosha oil is one of the most beneficial ways to help that process move along efficiently. I now do this as a pre-shower routine, you can find the steps here.

There's also a great quiz to take if you're interested in knowing what your Dosha constitution is. For example, just like the United States has a constitution - you, your cousin, my mom, my best friend's ex-boyfriend, your neighbor, my mail man - we all have an individual constitution. The "stuff" that makes us US. Once you know which Dosha (there are 3) you have more and less of, it will be easier to know how to get yourself balanced in more ways than just healthwise. Its pretty amazing stuff!

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