Braving the elements day after day can beat you down so it's time for some beauty R&R. Here are 5 ways to warm-up, de-stress and alleviate the winter blahs.

1. After months of shoveling and shivering, not to mention stressing out from driving your kids to and from school and hockey practice through ice storms, you deserve one of the new ultra-luxurious massages being featured on day-spa menus across the country. The Crystal Rub Down, a specialty of the Estée Lauder Spa at Holt Renfrew in Toronto, is one treat that will gently work out the kinks and melt away the knots. Manager Marina Bogner says, "sugar crystals are massaged into the skin to smooth and stimulate. That's followed by a heated body wrap, which is topped off with a 90-minute body massage." Sigh.

2. Who says pedicures are just for summer? Trudging through the slush in boots can wreak havoc on feet. Another popular spa treatment, the hot-rock pedicure, available at spas across the country, seems made for winter. This little slice of heaven involves rubbing warm smooth rocks along the soles of your feet, in between your toes and up and down your calves to relax tired muscles and improves circulation. When all is said and done skin is softened, callouses buffed and toenails polished, not to mention your spirits lifted.

3. Bronzing makeup isn't just for summer, either, according to beauty trendsetters. Use it in winter to look like you just came back from vacation. Among our favourite glow-getters: Chanel's Silky Bronzing Powder or Lancôme's Poudre Soleil. If powder isn't for you, try Clinique's Colour Rub Allover Lustre Bronze Glow, a sheer liquid or Cover Girl's CG Smoother, a tinted moisturizer with SPF 15.

4. Hydrating your skin is key at this time of year. Curel's Extreme Care Moisture Therapy Lotion with natural oatmeal and soothing eucalyptus extracts also relieves itch problems from dry skin and protects against chapping, cracking and roughness.

5. When I'm feeling like winter will never end, this is the bath I draw to soothe my senses. One capful of Johnson and Johnson's Soothing Vapor Baby Bath with rosemary, eucalyptus and menthol followed by a few drops of the essential oils ylang ylang (calms) and lavender (eases stress and tension) from The Body Shop.


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