Fabulous ways to pamper yourself without taking out a second mortgage...

Drink white tea

White teas are said to contain up to 5 times more anti-oxidants than any other type of tea, including green tea and they have the most amazing health benefits – like radiant skin, weight loss and system cleansing and purifying! The taste is light and slightly sweet so they are a pleasure to drink too!

A cup of white tea every morning is a great way to start the day – and taking 5 minutes out for yourself before the day gets going is the type of pampering you should be enforcing on yourself everyday.

Splash out and get a fabulous facial:

Pampering is good for the mind, body and soul – I don’t care how frivolous it may seem, there is nothing more restoring than spending an hour lying in a spa whilst someone focuses all their attention on you – even if you just do it once a year. I love different facialists for different things – and for relaxation I go to Neelu at Tamara Spa, in Ponsonby, Auckland, for the signature treatment – the Chandana-Sandalwood Relaxing Facial.

If you want to go to India, but can’t actually make it there right now, I swear this is the closest thing too it – with the beautiful soft music, divine interiors of the Tamara Spa, and the gorgeously scented Ayurvedic products used, you can really transport yourself to the other side of the world quite easily.Throughout the facial the face, head and arms are massaged with almond oil to assist in relaxing muscles and increasing circulation. I left with beautiful, calm, soft skin and a sunnier disposition on life! $130.00 for 60 minutes. 16 Blake Street, Ponsonby, Auckland. (09) 358 2284.

Another facial I adore is a core treatment at Dermalogica's flagship store in Albany, Auckland. A facial from the lovely Michelle means I can go virtually makeup free and my skin is never in better condition when I leave. I arrived at my first Dermalogica facial with sever redness in my cheeks that I could not get rid of and I have not suffered from it since. $100.00 for a core treatment, tailored to your skin type and skin issues - check out the website here.

Or spend a little less:

If a full on facial is a little out of your price range, then give the Dermalogica MicroZone treatment a go. For $40.00 you can experience a 20-minute zone targeted treatment MicroZoneSM is not for those looking to relax. With a focus on spot treatments, flash exfoliation, extractions and eyes, these treatments are ideal to prepare for a special event or that niggling skin concern. I sent beauty assistant Gracie along to give one a go - here's what she said:

"I ended up having a hydro treatment to restore moisture and combat pigmentation from sun damage. Apparently I have quite a bit of sun damage which was a real surprise to me; they gave me a sample of their super sensitive faceblock spf30 which I will now be applying liberally every morning!
During my treatment, Holly, my technician told me everything she was doing, what products she was using and when to expect some tingling.

Afterwards my skin looked so healthy and glowing, it was amazing. We then went through my results and what products she would recommend me trying. I am now booked in for another treatment in two weeks time, I think these treatments may just become my new indulgent ‘me’ time! "

Take Milk Thistle

Taking herbal supplements may not seem like a way to pamper you, but for the last 2 months I have been taking it every day, and the difference it has made to my health and well being means I will never be without a bottle of these magic little pills again – so I therefore class them as a pampering tool.

Milk thistle supports the livers ability to regenerate and cleanse itself. The efficiency of your liver can affect your sleep, your weight, your digestion and many other aspects of your health – which is why you should be supporting it! Milk thistle is also idea for those times when you overindulge in excess food or alcohol – so you can bet your bottom dollar I shall be upping by dose come December!

Taking milk thistle has improved my sleep patterns, speed up my digestion, and helped me to find a healthy plateau with my weight – I really can’t harp on about it enough and I now have many of my friends and family taking it daily too. As always, with any medication (even herbal supplements) you should totally talk to your doctor first before taking it. My favourite brand? NFS Milk Thistle 30,000 Potent Liver Cleanse $39.00 for 60 capsules. From all good chemists and health stores.

Have a fake-tan-athon

The other day I found myself trying to justify the fact that fake tanning can definitely be considered a hobby. After all, I do it regularly, I enjoy it, and practice seems to make perfect!

I’m not talking full on fake orange skin staining or channeling Paris Hilton, I am simply suggesting that adding a golden glow to your skin once and a while can be a very nice treat that makes you feel wonderful - after all, there is no hiding the fact that adding colour to your skin makes you feel instantly thinner and healthier and is an excellent way to pamper yourself.

So grab a spray tan at a salon, or do a home application using either a full strength faux tanning product, or a gradual tanning product.

My favourite new tanning product is Celezome Inside Skin. It gives you a fabulous golden glow and it targets deep in to the skin so that it is safe from removal by daily exfoliation. And if you though things coul not get any better, it contains time-released ingredients that continually renew your golden glow! Check it out here at www.loveourskin.co.nz

For advice on perfect fake tan application, click here

Get your brows groomed

Great brows transform the face, so when you need a low cost pick-me-up, brow threading is the way to go. Ok so the process is not that pleasant, but the results give your whole face an overhaul – it really is the best makeover you can get for under $30.00!

Don’t even ask me how they actually do the threading. All I know is that they whisk a piece of twisted cotton across your brow area to remove the hairs and it feels similar to being pinged lightly with a rubber band (sometimes the therapist will even give you a quick brow and temple massage afterwards!). In my experience, threading leaves a nicer shape than waxing or plucking too. Brow threading with expert Debbie Delgado at OFF Wax and Brow Bar priced from $20.00