Luxury as a noun means the state of great comfort and extravagant living. Now I know everyone’s definition of extravagant may vary. However, I believe that everyone should have access to great comfort in their lives. I am a person who relishes in the small things, things that awaken my senses and bring me joy. It could be as small as the sheer curtain sweeping over my window to let in the slightest bit of sunlight. Or it could be something as major as getting a massage from a top-rated spa in the city. But because the latter is only occasional maintenance for me, I create ways at home to give myself the same type of comfort + care the spa trip permits.
Read below the break to learn more about easy and affordable ways to add luxury to your everyday life.
10 EASY WAYS TO ADD LUXURY TO YOUR LIFE
1. CREATE AN AT-HOME MANICURE + PEDICURE EXPERIENCE | My very first idea of luxury came in middle school around the first time I got my hair + nails professionally done. Just like you couldn't tell me nothing when I got out of Rico's salon chair with the most pristine finger waves, I was nearly unbearable donning my very first fresh French Manicure from Foxy Nails. And because those two forms of scheduled personal care made me feel so powerful at a young age, I found myself trying to perform that magic at home ever since. While I'm no stranger to salon visits and nail appointments, the beauty enthusiast in me loves being able to maintain these personal care practices at home. It feels amazing settling your feet into a warm, eucalyptus scented basin while watching your favorite shows. You can really take your time trying your hand at new designs for your weekly manicures. And even if you prefer to leave your manicures and pedicures to the professionals, there's no shame in making sure to give your hands and feet the best care in between trips to the salon. Your soft heels will definitely thank you for it!
2. TREAT YOUR SKIN TO SCRUBS, CREAMS, & BUBBLES GALORE | There's something quite luxurious about silky smooth skin. The best way to "feel" the luxury next to your skin is by using products that exfoliate, moisturize, and treat the skin, making it feel as soft and supple as possible. I do this by sticking to a daily skin care + body care regimen using various cleansers, moisturizers, scrubs, and serums. And the icing on the cake? Relaxing in a nice, warm bubble bath a few times throughout the week to alleviate tense muscles and bask in the bubbles, honey! Now, if you are not able to do the bubble baths, you can always use skin nourishing body care items in the shower. As long as you're pampering your skin, you're doing it right!
3. DRAPE YOURSELF IN THREADS THAT FEEL GOOD ON YOUR SKIN | While we're on the topic of caring for your skin, adding a layer of feel-good fabrics to pampered skin is a small, yet very underrated comfort. Perhaps you're like me and enjoy the feel of lace on your skin after a nice, warm bath. And you relish in the feel of sliding your feet into those soft, fuzzy slippers at the foot of your bed when you wake up. These things may seem simple and often go unnoticed as you move about your day. But savoring these experiences are a great way to be intentional about allowing room for comfort in your life.
4. ADORN YOURSELF IN ACCESSORIES + BAUBLES THAT SPEAK TO YOUR PERSONALITY | I like to purchase accessories that make me feel like my eclectic, funky, fresh self each time I wear them. Accessories are an important part of the wardrobe and in most cases, can make or break an outfit. Wearing certain accessories with an otherwise ordinary outfit is a subtle way to let your personality shine through your outer appearance. And being able to use baubles as conversation pieces that speak your personality for you gives you a nice confidence boost like no other!
5. USE FRAGRANCES THAT SMELL LIKE HEAVEN ON YOUR SKIN + IN YOUR SPACE | I'm pretty sure I don't have to tell you how transformative the scent of a beautiful fragrance can be. Bonus points if these beautiful fragrances also come in equally beautiful bottles that can double as décor on your shelves or vanity. I love to wear gourmand and spicy scents on my skin and I like to liven up my living space with jasmine and patchouli oil (especially between my sheets). These scents always put me in a good mood and make me feel like I'm living my best pampered life.
6. ENJOY BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE DAY | If you've been here for a while, you know I add soundtrack music to everything. One surefire way to feel like you're the main character in your life's story is to listen to music that makes you feel luxurious-- music that makes you feel like royalty when you listen to it. Sometimes jazz does this for me, and other times it's neo-soul. Find your favorite music streaming app (or if you're like me, pull out that lovely vinyl) and fill your environment with some rich, melodic tunes.
7. DISPLAY CHARMING, AESTHETIC ARTWORK IN YOUR SPACE | Visualizing luxury in charming, aesthetic artwork really makes your personal space come alive. It brings a level of luxe to your space when you surround yourself with beautiful things that bring you joy in viewing them. These things can exist in the form of wall art, mugs, stationery, album covers, or anything that displays your creative tastes. As long as it gives you a feeling of comfort, self-expression, and warmth, it works for me!
8. GRAZE ON THOSE DECADENT SNACKS IN THE PANTRY | Keeping your favorite decadent snacks in stock is a nice way to indulge your sense of taste. For example, I love Pirouettes. But I try not to eat them too often. I keep a canister of them on deck for days that I want to give myself a special treat. Indulging your taste buds with something delicious + reserved for special occasions makes you feel like you're treating yourself to a celebratory experience; whether it's something you do at the end of the day with a rich glass of wine, or something you enjoy on Saturday mornings as you start your weekend. Treat yourself, love!
9. READ FOR HEALTH + HEALING | As much as I love reading good fiction and romance reads, nothing beats reading books that pour into me spiritually. Drinking from a good book that discusses self-love, healing, grooming, and or beauty always reminds me to live my best, most fulfilling life from the inside out! Beautylicious by Jenyne M. Raines is my go-to guide for beauty and grooming, especially for us brown girls. I like to keep a beautiful poetry collection on deck as well, like Bloom by Brittany Traveste. Basically, anything that reminds you to take care and be gentle with yourself is the type of book you want to keep on your nightstand.
10. INDULGE IN CLASSIC FILMS | There's something about watching classic movies like Carmen Jones, Mahogany, or The Seven Year Itch that gives me the most luxurious escape. Something about these movies make me feel like I'm having a luxurious experience just watching these women work their magic in front of the lens. The women on screen radiate such beauty and confidence, I feel as though I am pulled into that very space with them. Watch these films and pay close attention to the mannerisms. Watch the poise. Listen to how these women speak. And look at the way everyone else in the film reacts to their presence. And if you can't "find" yourself in a penthouse suite with the man downstairs vying for your attention, you can at least pretend he is for the hour & a half you're watching one fawn over Marilyn Monroe. Better yet, imagine entrancing everyone each time you walk into a room like this!
Everyone deserves a level of luxury and comfort in their lives. How you define luxury and incorporate it into your everyday life is up to you. Just be sure to stimulate the five senses while doing so. Surround yourself with things that make you feel beautiful, powerful, and magnetic. Fill yourself with experiences that make you feel like the main character from the comfort of your home. Allow these things to fill your cup, so that you walk out into the world feeling like the most pampered, luxurious version of yourself, whether you've spent a fortune trying to do so or not. You deserve!
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU ADD LUXURY TO YOUR LIFE?
IF YOU AREN'T YET, WHAT WAYS DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO TRYING?
Photo by Johnathan Kaufman on Unsplash
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