Instagram is full of hotel suites that are bigger than your whole house and shoes that cost more than your car and manicures worth more than your monthly income. It’s enough to make even the most grateful, hard-working woman a little jealous. It’s time we redefined our idea of luxury, so here are a few inexpensive ways to bring a little luxury to your life and boost your day in the process.
Take a tea bath
You know what’s way better than spending $9 on a sugar sprinkle cupcake bath bomb that’s probably going to make your skin itch? Put some black, white, green or herbal tea bags into your bath before you turn the water on and soak up all those antioxidants to tone and balance your skin, soothe dryness, reduce inflammation and protect against sun damage and aging.
Do a face mask
We all love sheet masks but, at $8 each, they’re more for special occasions than daily skincare. We think true luxury means being able to pamper yourself everyday, so look to your kitchen for a natural, nourishing face mask. Your skin will love pretty much any fruit you have in your fridge but bananas, avocados, coconut and oatmeal make some of the best face masks.
Do your nails
Don’t have $40 for a full manicure and pedicure? You can totally do your own at home. Soak your hands and feet, file and buff your nails and use a base coat, two coats of polish and a clear top coat. And if don’t have steady hands, choose a light nail polish like Lace Camisole from Moov Cosmetics.
Infuse your water
You have to drink water so you might as well make the most of it. Infusing your water (or, you know, white wine) with slices of cucumber, lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit, crushed strawberries, raspberries or blueberries and fresh mint or basil will not only make your water taste sweet and fresh but it also looks pretty enough to Instagram.
Decorate with flowers
A bouquet of roses can set you back, like, $50 but a small bunch of daisies, carnations or sunflowers from the farmers market will brighten up your bedroom for a lot less. You can even fill your bathroom with green plants in pretty pots to make it feel a little more lush. If you live in the Toronto area, spend an afternoon at the Toronto Flower Market and you’re sure to find some gorgeous blooms for your home.
Buy some loungewear
This might not be the cheapest way to bring luxury to your life but investing in a soft, silk robe or pyjama set will make literally everything you do feel 10 times more luxurious, whether you’re lounging in bed or doing laundry.
