SOL5...Face Masks

Relaxation Sunday... on a Monday

     Every Sunday I try to put a few hours aside for myself, a few hours to just relax and prep myself for the work week. I've noticed since starting this routine that my Mondays are much less stressful, I'm more prepared for them. Now, this week I am lucky enough to be off work on Monday, so my relaxation day is today instead. 

     On the agenda for tonight is a foot soak and face mask. I have several masks laid out on the bathroom counter, deciding which I want to use tonight. One is a heat mask, one is a mud mask, another a peel mask. I decided fairly quickly I didn't want to use the peel mask. They're fun, but a little more painful than I'm in the mood to deal with tonight. The heating one is relaxing, maybe that one? It doesn't dry though, which meant I'd be walking around with a sticky face the whole time. Not so appealing. The mud mask was my favorite. I picked it up, the bottle was light, almost empty. It had enough left it in for at least a few more masks though, so that was reassuring. 

     I walked over to the tub and felt the water. It was just hot enough that I could only keep my fingers under it for a few seconds, perfect. I filled up a container about halfway with water and turned the tub off. I dumped in a handful of eucalyptus bath salts and a drop of honey milk. I mixed the concoction and let it sit for a minute while I applied my mask. 

     This was my favorite part. I don't know what it was about covering my face with mud that was so inviting, but I loved it. I squeezed a large blob into my left hand and mixed it up lightly with my right index finger. Even just squishing the mud into my hands felt good. I smiled at Charlie, who was watching curiously from the doorway. 

"Are you ready for this?" I asked him excitedly. In true Charlie fashion, he simply tilted his head to the left and continued staring. "I know you are, don't try to fool me."

     I began smoothing the mud slowly across my face, starting with my forehead working my way down to my neck. I tried to continue in a circular motion as I applied, but the more mud applied, the harder it was to keep up. It went on cold and my skin tingled as it began drying. I smoothed the last of it over my neck and rinsed my hands off. I could already feel my skin tightening as the mud dried. 

     I grabbed the container full of warm water and went out into the living room. I set it on the floor in front of the couch. I got my book, my phone, and a towel ready and set them on the couch next to me. Charlie came over and sniffed the water as I slowly dipped my feet in. He sneezed and backed away. I laughed as I watched him back away toward his blanket. "That's fine, it's for me, not you. You relax there and I'll relax here." 

     The water was still hot, so I was slow to fully submerge my feet. One inch at a time slowly, very slowly, I let my feet slide into the water. Once my feet were fully submerged, the warmth encompassed me and I sat back, closed my eyes, and took several deep breaths, inhaling the eucalyptus. This moment was nirvana, the perfect way to end my night.