As the days get longer and temperatures climb and we gleefully shrug off all those jerseys, jackets and boots, there’s no reason to believe that your skin needs less pampering, according to the Granny Mouse Spa.

In fact, with the higher temperatures, harsh sunlight and perspiration, skin probably needs just as much if not more pampering during the summer than during the winter.

During the hotter months, it’s often difficult to balance the needs of your skin and the extra time spent in the heat and the sun. Without even realizing it, you are probably even more exposed to the elements, leaving your skin dry and under nourished.

Facials are definitely a must to-do in the summer and can be customized to treat your skin’s specific needs.

In the summertime, facials can focus on repairing and protecting your skin from increased sun exposure and a more active lifestyle. They can help repair damage done during weekends at the beach or beside the pool and help deal with both the immediate and long term effects of sunburn.

Not only do facials help repair summer skin damage, they can also help prevent other summer-related skin issues such as clogged pores and even dry and irritated skin caused by long periods spent in air conditioned offices and homes.

“Summertime facials usually focus on repair and nourishment and infusing your skin with antioxidants so that it can be in the best condition for all the fun summer has to offer,” says Granny Mouse General Manager, Sean Granger.

The amazing summer facials offered at Granny Mouse Country House and Spa include:

Thalgo Micronized Marine Algae Facial – this 60 minute facial is an intense treatment for oily/combination skin. Deeply cleansing and purifying, it promotes cleaner skin with a tighter skin surface and less visible pores.

CSpa Aroma Facial – here you can opt for a 30-minute or 60 minute CSpa Hydrating Facial. This facial really lives up to its name and is a hydrating and balancing treatment for dehydrated skins. The essential oils hydrate, soften and rejuvenate the skin and have a soothing, healing and toning effect on your skin.

After you’ve had your facial, Lowe advises that you take extra special care of your skin for the next 48 hours, avoiding prolonged sun exposure. Use a moisturizer and make up with good sun protection factor’s (SPFs). In fact, this should be the rule for most of the year!

The best way to take care of your summer skin between facials is to continue your home beauty regime by cleansing, toning, and moisturizing twice daily, every day. You can add a facial steam with or without a mask about once weekly.

Then, head back to Granny Mouse for another pampering session!

References from”:

https://www.bustle.com/articles/171125-is-it-ok-to-get-a-facial-in-the-summer-heres-what-experts-want-you-to

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/spring-cleaning-how-to-pamper-your-skin#1

As we all know, Christmas is all about plants – holly, mistletoe and Christmas fir or pine trees just for starters.  We decided to drop in and chat to both our gardening and our events teams to gather some great (and more unusual) decorating tips that incorporate some natural vegetation and plants and flowers for your home and table this festive season.

1. Get creative with flowers from your garden: As we all know, at times like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, the prices of cut flowers rise because of the sudden increase in demand. Either choose flowers and foliage from your own garden or combine smaller bunches of bought flowers with greens and grasses from your garden and you’re sure to have table and home decorations that will create special memories.

2. Create a festive season garland or wreath: Make these to either hang on your front door to welcome guests or to lay flat in the centre of your Christmas table. Either tie together a loop of thick rope or buy a readymade twig garland. Then secure some ever greens to this using florist wire. Cover the whole wreath with greenery and then add pine cones that you may have collected or glass baubles, tinsel and ribbons. If you want your creation to last, you can buy green oasis from a florist supply centre, cut it into a ring and then push the greenery, twigs and decorations into this. Soak in a basin every now and then to keep your greenery well-watered.

3. Go twiggy: If you don’t like artificial trees and haven’t got space to replant a small sapling in your garden after Christmas, try collecting a bunch of small branches or twigs and then standing these upright in a pot or large vase using pebbles or gravel from your local garden centre. Depending on your colour scheme, you can either leave them as they are or spray them silver, gold or white before adding baubles and hanging decorations.

4. Branch out: Again, bunches of twigs, small logs or even driftwood can make the perfect base for memorable table decorations. Arrange these along the centre of the table and then add baubles and tinsel, small vases or jars with a few flowers or even tiny lights. If you are dining outside, you can even hang some branches with baubles and lights for a natural chandelier!

5. Leaf it this Christmas: Encourage your kids to gather different shaped dried leaves. When spray painted different colours, they make wonderful decorations either placed along the centre of your table or tied with cotton and hung on your Christmas or twig tree.

6. Create a Christmas float: Create a magical festive table decoration in a large shallow bowl by cutting away the stems of large flowers such as ranunculus or proteas and letting them bob in the water. Add floating candles and even baubles for extra sparkle.

7. Go festive with flowers: A beautiful decorative bowl is ideal for displaying a low arrangement of blooms in seasonal colours. A great choice is stalky amaryllis, which look dramatic when cut short and partnered with other vivid shades. Use some oasis from your florist supply store or some chicken wire moulded into the inside of the bowl to hold the flowers in place. You can also buy plants like bright potted chrysanthemums, orchids and poinsettias and slip them into festive containers and then position them on the dining table, side board or in the hallway to make a striking and low maintenance festive display.

8. Festive season succulents: You can use these fascinating plants to make table decorations, wreaths and even mini Christmas trees. Whether you are using succulents from your garden or buying some from your local garden centre, simply snip off the heads, leaving as long a stem as possible. (If you put the stalks and roots that are left behind in a sunny spot, they’ll probably shoot again over Christmas). Using floral wire or oasis, push the succulent “flowers” into place and add any additional decorations if you’d like a little more sparkle. You can use different succulents or a cluster of the same ones, depending on your décor and taste. To make a mini Christmas tree, shape chicken wire into a cone and fill with moss. Spray with water and then insert your succulents. The beauty of using succulents as ornaments is that you can pop these hardy little plants in pots afterwards and add water so they can root for use in container gardens. You can even place small succulents in individual pots at place settings with name tags and give these to your guests as gifts to take home.

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/interiors/news/a2723/decorate-home-greenery-christmas/