Charcoal Hydrogel Under Eye Masks by e.l.f. Thursday January 21, 2021 (Michael Cavazos/ News-Journal Photo)

It is hard to believe we are entering year two of a global pandemic. All the catchy PSAs — like “Alone Together” — do not make me feel better about the situation. You know what WOULD make me feel better? A spa day.

Now I know that going to a spa to be in close contact with a bevy of massage therapists and aestheticians might make one nervous in today’s environment, but I am here to help. You can put together your very own spa day — in your own home — without making contact with anyone. All of the retailers referenced below offer curbside pickup, or in the case of Amazon, home delivery.

First of all, your surroundings. It’s easy to add a few touches to make your bathroom a little bit “zen.” I received the InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser for Christmas this year ($15.99, Amazon.com). It’s compact, modern design is a fun addition to my home spa routine, and it has a groovy mood light that changes color. I also received the Pursonic 100% Pure Essential Oils Gift Set Six Pack ($9.99, Amazon.com) to go along with my diffuser. The lavender-scented essential oil takes me to an authentic spa setting in my mind.

Another mood-enhancing accessory is candles. Inexpensive votives lighted as a group can provide soothing ambiance in any space. Even better are candles in a favorite scent. I especially love Tyler Candle Co. candles. My favorite is French Market; their 3 oz. candles are an affordable luxury and boast a 20-25 hour burn time when enjoyed in 1-2 hour increments ($7, Louis Morgan No. 4).

Once your surroundings are “zen,” start your at-home relaxation routine with a soak in the tub. I found Winston and Waits Salt Soak in Himalayan Citrus to be divine, and I love the single use packets that are both budget-friendly and convenient ($3.99, Barron’s). Give yourself a good scrub with Baudelaire Loofa Mint Soap ($5, Louis Morgan No. 4). This soap contains bits of French seaweed which exfoliates your skin.

After you’ve relaxed your bod, it’s time to focus on hands and face. Now I would love nothing more than to spend the ENTIRE day lolling in my homemade spa, but I have four school age children and a mountain of laundry beckoning to me at all times. Good news — many of my recommendations can be done simultaneously if you are short on time.

I found two facial treatments that are effective AND look cool. First, I tried the e.l.f Charcoal Hydrogel Under Eye Masks ($8 for three sets, Target). These gel eye patches claim to detox, plump and soothe the under eye area with soybean seed, green tea and lavender extracts. I found them soothing, and my boys thought the shiny black patches made me look like a football player. I do think they helped reduce my crows feet, which is always welcome. Apply and leave them on for 30 minutes while doing other treatments (or laundry).

I also tried the e.l.f. Pore Clearing Glitter Peel-Off Mask ($8.00, Target). Try this one for the cool factor, not the online reviews, which are mixed. This is a charcoal mask, so it is black and shiny — and also embedded with iridescent glitter – really shimmery and pretty for spa selfies. The charcoal, witch hazel and lavender elements are meant to be pore refining. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then peel off. Like other peel off masks I have tried, this one does not peel off completely or cleanly, so plan to wash your face afterward.

If peel off masks are not your thing, I am absolutely in love with the Farmhouse Fresh Quick Recovery Face Mask Sampler ($25, Ellie Bee’s). This sampler offers three small jars of their popular masks: Guac Star Avocado Mask for hydration, Splendid Dirt Organic Pumpkin Mud Mask for radiance and Pudding Apeel Tapioca Glycolic Mask for exfoliation. The jars are small, but I can easily get 3 uses out of each one. These masks are oh-so-smooth to apply; they feel luxurious. Be warned, though, the pumpkin tingles; if you have sensitive skin you might want to test first before applying to your whole face.

A final mask recommendation if you are truly pressed for time but want to squeeze a little pampering into your life — try the Julep Night Shift Deep Sleep Facial Mask ($16, Target). I had never used a night mask before trying this one, but boy have I been missing out. This cream mask is meant to be applied after your normal nighttime moisturization routine — it locks in moisture while you are sawing logs — then rinsed off in the morning. My skin feels velvety-smooth after using, not at all greasy. This mask is a winner for me.

You can focus on your fingers while masked up. Assuming you treated your hands to a good soak while in the tub, start with Beekman 1802 Hand Salve in Honeyed Grapefruit ($20, Barron’s). This salve has a thick and creamy texture that’s not greasy and smells heavenly. Next condition your cuticles and nails with Beekman 1802 Pure Goat Milk Cuticle Serum ($20, Barron’s). The doe foot cushion applicator makes the oil easy to apply. Let the product soak in gradually, or massage in with your fingertips. Pro tip: Barron’s offers a Beekman 1802 package that includes the hand salve and cuticle serum as well as a tube of Beekman 1802 Hand Cream in Honeyed Grapefruit for $30 vs. the retail value of $55 if purchased individually.

For a clean, polished look try CND Vinylux Weekly Polish in Negligee ($10.50, Ulta) — a tinted, sheer blush hue that looks great on all skin tones. This polish truly lasts a week when paired with the CND Stickey Base Coat and CND Top Coat ($8.50, Ulta). I polished my nails after the cuticle serum soaked in, without using any alcohol or polish remover in between, and the polish still lasted like a champ; a miracle considering how hard I am on my fingernails.

I hope you are able to try a few of these ideas to relax, refresh and keep you going as we continue to navigate our unusual circumstances; I know we could all use a break! Fingers crossed we see improvement in our pandemic lifestyle when we meet again!