After a month of madness; parties, Christmas drinks, late nights, and busy days you’re probably feeling that festive fatigue. Not to mention a little bit of the back-to-work blues. What you need is to carve out an evening or an afternoon to lock the bathroom door and have a full on pamper session.

Light those candles

Diptyque Tubereuse Scented Candle; €50.00 at brownthomas.ie

Before you do anything, we need to get those bouji-bath vibes going. Light your candles, they don’t have to be Christmas scented but bonus points if they are. Also don’t save those fancy ones for ‘best’- use them just because you want to.

RELATED: Stop saving things ‘for good.’ Light that lovely candle tonight.

Run a bath

Lush Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb; £4.95 available in Lush Grafton Street

There is nothing more relaxing than a hot bath. Personally, it’s because I can’t use my phone so I have no distractions. Not flicking through Instagram or being bombarded with WhatsApp notifications means totally chilling out (unless you are more of a daredevil than me and have no fear of dropping your phone in hot water). Hopefully someone got you something nice for Christmas you can pop in here like a Lush Christmas bath bomb or a fancy bath oil.

Scrub off that tan

Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser; €21.59 at boots.ie

Chances are you’ve applied some fake tan over the past two weeks. More than one night out and rushing around has meant some hasty tan application and probably not much time to give it a good scrub. We love Isle of Paradise’s Over It Self-Tan Eraser to help slough off any difficult patches around knees, ankles and elbows. Spray on liberally and leave for at least five minutes (while the bath is running is best) then wash off with something that will help your tan be on its way, like a body brush or exfoliating glove.

Time to mask

Pixi Multi-Masking Travel Kit; £20.00 at cultbeauty.co.uk

Before hopping into your bath, cleanse your skin thoroughly and apply a face mask. The time spent soaking in the tub you can be working on your complexion too. What you decide to use here is all dependent on the current state of your skin. Dry and dehydrated from too much Baileys? You’ll need something to boost moisture. Breaking out from too many chocolate Kimberleys? Try a detoxifying clay mask. We love this trio of masks from Pixi as it will have you covered no matter what your skin throws at you over Christmas break.

Fresh PJs and Socks

Ribbed Cashmere Socks; €19 at cosstores.com

Now these you definitely got for Christmas and if there’s ever an evening to spend entirely in your PJs this is it. Top tip- for extra comfort, pop your dressing gown and comfy socks on the radiator before you get in the bath. Avoid the post-soak chills by wrapping yourself in pre-heated cosiness- thank me later.

A good book

There’s no time like the present to start that book you got for Christmas. Although I usually perch my laptop on a chair to watch Netflix in the bath, sometimes it’s good to properly switch off and not stare at a screen.

RELATED: 5 books that will brighten up gloomy winter evenings

Paint your nails

 Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Ultime: €25.00 at arnotts.ie

If you didn’t have time for pre-Christmas shellac or you just left it to late to book them, your nails may be in need of attention. After your bath treat yourself to an at-home manicure, pushing back cuticles is always easier after a good soak. We always keep our eyes peeled for Chanel’s Christmas nail polish each year, and this year they released two matte shades. our favourite is the incredibly festive Ultime, which is the perfect punchy red.

Hopefully, once you unlock that door and emerge from the bathroom, you’ll be feeling far more relaxed and prepped for back to work. Who cares about that Christmas bloat when you have a fresh manicure and your skin is looking ultra-hydrated? Trust us, spend an evening or an afternoon taking some time out and you’ll be skipping into 2019.

Header Image: jomalone.co.uk