There’s no right way to enjoy some much needed “me time” to help you relax and rejuvenate. But if you’re missing spa days as much as we are, then why not try a personalized, at-home spa day experience where all you need is some free time and your DIY skills. We’ve put together a few recipes that are easy to create with ingredients you can get at any grocery store. Since you’re doing it at home, it’s easy on the pocket too!
Refreshing Flavored Water:
A day at the spa is all about the experience. Refreshing flavored water is one of the things that will make you feel like your spa day has officially begun. We suggest this delicious blend that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
Ingredients:
For a pitcher (3 – 4 glasses)
- ½ green cucumber
- ½ a lemon in slices
- 4-5 mint leaves
Directions:
- Fill pitcher with ice cold water.
- Add fresh fruits and herbs. Herbs have a very strong flavor so a little goes a long way.
- Let chill and infuse for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Lemons and cucumbers will last for 2-3 days.
- Enjoy it ice cold.
Exfoliating Body Scrub:
Whether it’s to replenish your skin from the cold winter air or simply to keep it looking healthy, regular exfoliation is important. Exfoliation helps remove dead cells which can accumulate on the skin’s surface. Some great benefits include smoother skin, improved circulation, and unclogged pores, giving you a smoother, more even complexion. We’ve selected our favorite all natural honey sugar scrub that takes a total of five minutes to make.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 tbsp honey
Directions:
- Add brown sugar, coconut oil, and honey to a mixing bowl.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly, and add more coconut oil if it’s too crumbly.
- Once you’ve reached the desired consistency, spoon your scrub into a container and refrigerate the extra if needed.
Flipp Tipps:
- Since you’ll be using all natural ingredients it is less likely this scrub will cause skin problems but it’s best to do a small patch test on your skin to be sure.
- When applying, remember to use gentle movements to moderate pressure to prevent irritation.
- Use this scrub with a brush or loofah to help boost the benefits.
Moisturizing Hand Scrub:
If you’re going to sport beautiful nails, the rest of your hands need to keep up appearances, too. This lemon-sugar hand scrub is easy to make, seals in moisture and smells amazing.
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup olive oil (or oil of choice)
- ⅔ cup sugar
- Juice of ½ a lemon (about 1.5 tbsp)
- Pinch of lemon zest
Directions:
- Using a small jar or container, stir together the oil, sugar, lemon juice, and zest.
- Store in the refrigerator with a lid for maximum freshness.
- Feel free to use this scrub on your hands, feet, elbows, and knees whenever they need a burst of moisture and shiny glow.
Flipp Tipp:
- The finer the sugar you use, the smoother your scrub will be.
DIY Bath Bombs:
The best at-home spa sessions involve a long, hot soak – whether you choose to dive into it with a good book or simply lie still and be submerged for a while. A good bath bomb can take your bath from ordinary to exceptional.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup citric acid
- ½ cup epsom salt
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¾ tsp water
- 2 tsp essential oil (lavender, eucalyptus, rose are all popular for the bath)
- 2 tsp oil (jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, olive, or even baby oil)
- A few drops of food coloring
- A mold of your choice, such as regular or mini-muffin tins, candy pans, or round plastic molds specifically for bath bombs
- Dried flowers or sugar cake decorations, like flowers or stars (optional)
Directions:
- With the exception of the citric acid, mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour all of the liquid ingredients except for the water in a jar with a lid. Close the jar and shake it vigorously.
- Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients, and use your hands to combine and meld together. At this point, add the citric acid. You’ll probably notice a slight fizzing reaction because of the citric acid.
- Mash the mixture into your chosen molds very tightly. You may slightly overfill the molds and use a spoon or glass to press the mixture in as tightly as possible. Immediately loosen the bombs from their molds onto wax paper and let them dry overnight.
- Give the bath bombs a day or two to completely dry before using them.
For an extra dose of fanciness, you can sprinkle in a few rose petals in your bath along with these.
Hair Mask:
Your hair can get damaged for a variety of reasons like styling tools, the environment (hello, pollution!), hair dye and more. The good news is that it can be fixed. This avocado-based mask will not only help rejuvenate and moisturize the scalp but also help make your hair stronger.
Ingredients:
Directions:
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Apply to wet hair with your fingertips, starting at the bottom and working your way up.
- Wrapping your hair into a bun covering it with a shower cap.To help activate the ingredients, blow dry your shower cap-covered hair for 10 minutes.
- Then let it sit for another 20 minutes and wash out in the shower.
Facial Mask:
A proper at-home facial will likely form the centerpiece of your spa session. Want to step up your face mask game? Mix it with oats. This humble ingredient is used by the biggest beauty brands in most of their facial masks because it’s a natural, gentle exfoliator, also well known for its soothing powers.
Ingredients:
Directions:
- Grind the raw oats in a mixer till it’s made a smooth powder.
- Mash up the ripe banana with the oats to form a paste and add in the honey which gives it some grip.
- Let the mixture stand for about 5 minutes before applying.
- After application leave the mask on for 15 mins before rinsing with water.
Flipp Tipp:
- For another DIY mask with raw oats, check out our post featuring skincare professional and owner of The FIX with MC, Maria Cristina Bruno
Once you’ve pulled together all the products you need to make your spa day or night happen, just light some candles and pick out your favourite calming music to de-grit, deep treat, and restore your self-love.
