Take a Stay-cation

No Trip, No worries. We’ve got your covered.

by Becca Gregg

This year many jet-setters-at-heart were regrettably home for the holidays. And while we’re by no means saying that a tropical trip wouldn’t be nice, you don’t have to hop on a plane to take a vacation this winter (although the pasty-skinned among us here at The Beauty Bean wouldn’t mind a little sea breeze right now). So forgo flight hassles, keep on budget, and take a stay-cation right in your very own home. Set up a chase lounge in your living room, add a few dozen gallons of sand, and voila! (Ok, just kidding about the sand part). What we’re not kidding about, though, is the fact that you really can take a trip without ever leaving your home (and no, we’re not recommending any mind-altering substances). So breathe a sigh of relief ladies, we’ve got your reservation in hand for a sensational stay-cation that will bring you all the perks of a perfect getaway to paradise (like beachy scents and oceany hair waves) minus the jet-lag and sunburn (and who really wants those anyway).

Set the scene with scents: Turn your bathroom into an island oasis with fragrances that take you back to the lazy days of summer. Jo Malone’s Lime Basil & Mandarin Scented Candle gives us the feeling of a Caribbean sea breeze sweeping us off our feet. Or light Yankee Candle’s Dune Grass for a fresh scent reminiscent of a morning beach stroll.

Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Scented Candle, $50, JoMalone.com

Yankee Candle Dune Grass, $21.99, YankeeCandle.com

Settle in with summer sounds: Whether you prefer jamming to a beachy beat or relaxing to the sounds of the shore, the right tunes are essential for your setting the mood. Check out One Love: The Very Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers or, for a calming effect, A Day on Cape Cod: Early Cape Morning.

One Love: The Very Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers, $64, BestBuy.com

A Day on Cape Cod: Early Cape Morning, $9.99, BarnesandNoble.com

Get soft summer skin: Don’t you just love how your skin feels after a few days at the beach? Smooth, free of blemishes. Yeah, we do too. To mimic the effect, try REN Mayblossom and Blue Cypress Balancing Facial Cleansing Gel for a flawless face and Adovia Dead Sea Salt Scrub in Coconut and Vanilla for soft-as-sand body.

REN Mayblossom and Blue Cypress Balancing Facial Cleansing Gel, $32, RENSkincare.com

Adovia Dead Sea Salt Scrub in Coconut and Vanilla, $19.99, AdoviaSpa.com

Fake a sun-kissed glow: After exfoliating, get a beautiful summer glow, sans the sun damage, pricey airfare, and exorbitant hotel rate with the Antidote Summer Glow System. It includes self-tanning lotion, scrub, gloves, and an instructional DVD – everything you need for natural, gorgeous color. If, however, you’re a self-tan skeptic (like, ahem, our founder and Editor in Chief, Alexis Wolfer!), try Soap and Glory Glow Getter Sun Powder Spray for an instant glow that’s sure to wash off at the end of the night.

Antidote Summer Glow System, $47, AntidoteSkinCare.com

Soap and Glory Glow Getter Sun Powder Spray, $12.99, Target.com

Get sexy strands: Beachy waves are not only sufer-chic, but also effortlessly easy (even if your stay-cation leaves you land-locked and bathroom-bound). Our pick: David Babaii For WildAid Bohemian Beach Spray (we particularly love that it’s cruelty free and all natural).

David Babaii For WildAid Bohemian Beach Spray, $9.95, DB4WildAid.com