Sunday, March 2, 2014

At Home Spa Day


It just seems like it never stops snowingggg (in Maryland at least)! If you're feeling under the weather like I am, take yourself away to paradise without having to walk out in this treacherous weather. Sundays seem to be the only day I get to relax because I work Monday-Saturday, so I treat myself to this routine quite often!

This is my "feeling under the weather face"

DIY Milk Bath

Mix:

1-2 cups of whole milk (organic preferred) OR coconut milk
½ cup of honey

Pour mixture into bath and swirl around water so it disperses evenly.

Have any old panty hose? Cut the foot off the panty hose so it is a "sock." Fill with 1/2 cup of oatmeal. Tie and throw in bath squeezing in water to release nutrients. You can then scrub your body with the sock to reap the exfoliating benefits.
Why I Love It: The lactic acid in milk is a natural exfoliant, and the honey moisturizes and softens skin. Oatmeal is just packed with so many benefits. Dry skin has a higher pH balance, and oatmeal is known is regulate the skins pH balance, thus reducing dry and itchiness (perfect for winter!) Oatmeal also contains Saponins, a cleansing agent found in many facial cleansers and shampoos. 


DIY Body Scrub



This is by far my favorite body scrub known to man-kind.


Mix:

1/4 cup Brown Sugar
Dash Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Honey
Olive oil


Start with brown sugar and gradually add in lemon and honey. Mix. Start adding in olive oil until sugar mix becomes damp. You don't want this to be runny... it will look like a bowl of lard. 

Tip: If you keep your honey refridgerated, throw in the microwave a few seconds.


Why I Love It: Brown sugar is an awesome exfoliater, if you weren't already aware. Also, the citric acid in lemon juice will gently peel away dead skin. And, the honey and olive oil will moisturize your skin
Facial Steaming

lol... looks ridiculous right? Totally worth it.
If the bath wasn't enough, I like to give my face a little "sauna" session. Buy facial sauna HERE. Fill pot with water and wait until it starts steaming. Rest face on bowl and slowly breath in and out for about 10-15 minutes.

If you are into essential oils, you can add them to the pot as well.

Why I Love It: Facial steaming helps release any dead skin cells, wastes and toxins, and dirt/bacteria that may be trapped in your skin. It also opens pores, which allows better absorption of any product you use after the steaming (why I like doing this first!). The process also stimulates blood circulation in your face, resulting in a soft, youthful glow!

DIY Facial Steamer: Throw on a pot of boiling water, reduce to simmer and remove from heat. Hold face about 12inches away from pot and drape a towel over your head and around the pot to keep the heat in.

DIY Facial Masks

Depending on your skin type and concerns, the perfect facial mask for you will vary. I like using the one for oily skin with tomatoes and lime! Click HERE for a full list of recipes.

Or, if you already have a go-to mask, you can use that! I am obsessed with "Love Lettuce" from LUSH (perfect for combination skin).

While you're at it, throw some cucumbers on your eyes. While this routine is debated as a "beauty legend" arguing cucumbers do nothing to reduce puffiness around the eyes, it makes me feel in full force spa mood!

Micro Dermabrasion

Why I Love It: We, as humans shed millions of dead skin cells a day. Can you imagine putting your face under a microscope & seeing all those dead cells just sitting & layering on your skin (gross!!). The scrub is made of tiny rough grains that removes dead skin from the outer layer of the skin. You can truly tell after one application how much softer and healthier your skin feels and looks. 



Some people pay big bucks to have a Microderm performed, but you can have it for $50 HERE!!! 

If you don't have your own Microdermabrasion set, here's a quick easy DIY recommended by fashionista Lauren Conrad.

3 parts Baking Soda
1 part water

Work together until a good paste is formed. Test on back of hand for texture.

OR.......Have a Clearisonic? Use it to exfoliate instead.


DIY Facial Scrub


Don't want to mess with Microdermabrasion? Use the same body scrub recipe above on your face. Lemon is known to act as skin brightener as well as an exfoliant. OR, you can do it College Style as I like to call it. Cut a lemon in half, dip cut side in sugar, white or brown, (reminds you lemon drop shots right?) and apply this directly on skin. I also like using this on my ashy elbows!


And there you have it! Your very own spa day. Dim the lights, add some candles, put on some Enya, kick back, relax and pretend you're somewhere sunny and 75!.... don't forget the vino :) 



What are your favorite spa day products?

12 comments:

  1. i used the origins microderm scrub i love it and it smells so good

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    1. I love everything I have tried so far by Origins! I will have to give this one a try too :)

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  2. i really like the exfoliator from dermologica. it's soo good!

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    1. Me too Elle!! I got it as a sample from Ulta one time & it ran out very quickly :)

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  3. Aaaaahhhh... this post makes me want to just stop everything I am doing and pamper myself. I love Trader Joe's Lavender Salt Scrub. It's cheap and it's my favorite scent. :)

    Marie
    candidlymarie.com

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    1. You deserve to be pampered!! It's crazy how we can do all this with simple things from our pantry & Lavender is the perfect scent for a relaxing pampering day!!

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  4. I could seriously do with one of these at home spa days. A day at a spa would be ever so nice though!

    Lindsey. x
    www.elegant-chaos.blogspot.com

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    1. Don't you wish we could afford it haha!! :)

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  5. great post! I want to try facial steaming. thanks for the tips! i'm your new follower, can't wait to read more of your posts!

    http://makeupmajesty.blogspot.com/

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  6. Thanks for checking out my blog, dear:)
    I am your follower on GFC(21)
    Kisses
    http://fashionsecrets-oksana.blogspot.com

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  7. Totally know what you mean..in VA it's no different..raina and snow over and over...I always like to treat myself with fresh nail polish so I can at least pretend it's already spring ;)

    http://jezzdallasmakeup.blogspot.com/

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  8. I love those DIYs! Aside from the fact that they’re truly healthy for our body, their ingredients are easy to find too. Who would’ve thought a homemade spa session can be this easy and affordable? Thank you for sharing the procedures, Becky!

    Marshall Copeland @ Baja Medi Spa

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