I love a good Spa Visit, don't get me wrong, and when I can I do go
But I can't go all the time like I want, so I create my own Spa Right at HOME
that's right and you can too, Take time to give yourself some much needed beauty and relaxation
YOU know YOU Need it!
Stop and smell the rose (water)
“To save some money, make your own rose-water toner, which has great astringent properties. Here’s my recipe: For every one firmly packed cup of rose petals, pour two cups of boiling water over the top. Cover and steep until the liquid is cool. Strain, squeeze out the liquid from the petals and refrigerate the rose water in a sterilized jar between use.” Lianne Farbes,
Befriend your blender
“When it’s really cold outside and my skin gets a bit chafed, I go home and head straight for the kitchen and dust off my blender. I make myself a hydrating facial mask by blending a little cold cream, yogurt, honey, aloe vera gel and avocado. Using a foundation brush to paint it on my face, I let the mask dry for about 15 to 20 minutes and rinse. Voila! My skin feels refresh and moisturized again.” India-Jewel Jackson, GlamBlush
Heat things up
“Before jumping into the shower, stash your daily body lotion on top of a radiator or heating vent so it’s warmed up when you rub it on. I tell you, there is nothing better than getting out of a hot shower and rubbing on the heated, soothing lotion. Just be aware that your lotion will get much more liquidy when it’s warm, so it might rush out of its container faster.” Petra Guglielmetti,The Girls in the Beauty Department
Deep-condition hair with coconut oil
“Women with especially curly and kinky hair, as well as relaxed hair (it’s great for protecting new growth), will love coconut oil as a hair conditioner and moisturizer. You can leave it in overnight or condition with a heat cap if you are pressed for time. Coconut oil also provides shine, and some studies even claim that it helps penetrate the hair to make it stronger.” Nichelle Gainer, 55 Secret Street and A Novelista
Exfoliate with a sugary scrub
“I have been making my own at-home body scrub since I was a little girl. My grandmother started me when I was only seven years old! Here’s what you need:Mix all the ingredients together and then apply on dry skin, using your hands. You want to perform slow circles—this treatment is to be enjoyed and not rushed. (The real key is standing over a plastic bag or towel to catch the remains.) After scrubbing gently all over, step into the shower and rinse off. Your skin will be like butter.”Julia Coney, All About the Pretty
Mix all the ingredients together and then apply on dry skin, using your hands. You want to perform slow circles—this treatment is to be enjoyed and not rushed. (The real key is standing over a plastic bag or towel to catch the remains.) After scrubbing gently all over, step into the shower and rinse off. Your skin will be like butter.”Julia Coney, All About the Pretty
Even out skin with a fruity solution
“Take a freshly cut lemon and rub gently on rough elbows and knees. The acid in the lemon will soften rough spots on skin and also lighten any dark areas.” Lianne Farbes, TheMakeUpGirl
Turn your shower into a sauna
“Just turn your shower on and run it at its hottest temperature for about 20 minutes. While the water is running and the steam is building, take a warm washcloth and spray with your favorite relaxing oil. (Lavender, vanilla or rosemary are all great de-stressing aromas.) When you step into your shower, put the washcloth up to your face and take a deep breath of your soothing, oil-scented steam. It’s a great way to unwind right before bed—and it also helps clear up sinuses.” Aly Walanksy,eBeauty Daily
De-stress even more by doing it in the dark
“Start—or end—the day in a wonderful, slow, quiet, calming, flickering way with a candlelit shower. Make sure the bathroom is dark (close the curtains, if you have them) and light a sweet-smelling candle. I promise, you will love it.” Joanna Goddard,Smitten
Soften hands (while watching TV!)
Combine a few spoonfuls of cold cream, two drops of tea tree oil, five drops of lavender oil, a spoonful of olive oil and a banana (for a fruity smell) in a blender. When the consistency is smooth, slather liberally all over hands and cuticles. Then slip hands into a pair of yellow rubber gloves—yes, the kind you use to scrub the tub with. For the softest hands ever, I like to sit down and watch TV with my lotioned and gloved hands underneath a heating pad so that the heat will help my homemade salve penetrate my skin that much more.” India-Jewel Jackson, GlamBlush
Take your vitamins
“The winter months can be brutal on the face. The key to super-soft and well-moisturized skin is a dime-size amount of vitamin E oil on your face under your moisturizer every night. Yes, you will feel a little greasy, but you are going to sleep, so you won’t notice for long. And trust me, your face will thank you in the morning.”Julia Coney, All About the Pretty
Oil up
“To repair and revitalize skin, apply a few teaspoons of 100 percent extra-virgin olive oil onto the dry, freshly cleansed face and neck in a circular motion before your night cream. (Just avoid the eye area.) Or, to help boost immune systems, take two teaspoons of it daily, after a meal. (You can add sugar for flavor if it’s too hard to handle.)” Sasha Manuel,Beauty Bento Box
Rethink your pantry staples
“Once a week I give my whole body a nourishing scrub. I mix one cup of granulated white sugar with enough vitamin E oil to make a thick paste. I take it with me as I head to the tub and scrub it in circular motions all over my body. This simple-to-use scrub helps rid my skin of dead cells while taking in the nourishment of the vitamin E oil. Simple and sweet!” Teri Cosenzi, Beautiful Makeup Search
