How to Host a Hen's Pamper Party

How to Host a Hen’s Pamper Party

This month Katrina Lawrence, editor of www.beautyeditor.com.au, the fabulous site for all beauty loving girls, gives advice to hens and their friends on hosting a perfect pamper day.

If you’ve still got a hangover from the last hen’s party you went to (two months ago), it may be worth rethinking the next hen’s day you’re planning. Why not give it a beauty theme? You don’t have to splurge on an expensive salon to roll out some red-carpet beauty treatment. A pamper party can easily be done on the cheap. And you’re guaranteed to end up so much prettier than if you’d hit the other kind of bottle.

Set the mood. Offer healthy, skin-loving food and drinks. For example, white and green tea, or berry frappes, all rich in antioxidants. Or, canapés topped off with smoked salmon or avocado, which are great sources of essential fatty acids. Play movies full of iconic beauty moments – think Breakfast at Tiffany’s, How to Marry a Millionaire, or Grease (which stars its very own pamper party scene). Or, you could play music that gives a beauty salon feel – if Enya is your thing, that is.

Plan out your checklist and, if you can’t foot the bill yourself, allocate each guest several products to bring along. Ask guests to also bring along a robe and slippers – a simple way to slip into relaxation mode.

Set up a pedicure station in the bathroom. Fill the bath with frothy warm water and have towels on hand. Make sure everyone gets her own nail file and orange stick. Have a tub of lanolin cream or cuticle oil nearby for cuticle massage, as well as a foot cream. Leave an assortment of nail polishes on the bathroom bench, plus base and top coats, so guests can experiment with new nail looks.

A pamper party isn’t complete without some skin TLC in the form of a face mask. Nivea has a selection of great single-usage sachets for only $3.50 each – choose from Refreshing Moisture Mask, Pampering Honey Mask and Active Purifying Mask, or buy an assortment so guests can match their mask to their skin needs.

Have everyone bring along their favourite cosmetics – and ones that are languishing unloved in the bottom bathroom drawer. This is a perfect opportunity for a mini swap party – one girl’s what-was-I-thinking electric blue liner may work wonders on her friend. A communal makeup session is also a great way to learn new tricks and techniques.

Devote a corner to hair styling. A mirror, a hairspray, tongs and a straightening iron equal instant salon. Again, by doing each other’s hair, you can get new ideas and try out new looks.

Depending on your budget, you may want to book a professional to add a special extra something to the day. Speak to a freelance massage therapist to see if he or she is able to offer mini massages for ten or fifteen dollars each. If you’re holding your party on a Sunday, you may be able to hire your favourite therapist from your local salon to give various treatments - manicures and brow shaping are two that are best left to professionals. If you’re planing on going out afterwards, you could also consider booking a professional makeup artist or hair stylist to come along at the end and add the finishing glossy touch.

To find out more about beauty treatments, products, advice and tips go to www.beautyeditor.com.au.