Want some great ideas for pampering yourself? The Mia Maids have all the secrets. Here is what they learned for their "At Home Spa Ideas":
exfoliate with a sugary scrub
“I have been making my own at-home body scrub since I was a little girl. Here’s what you need:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup raw oatmeal
- 1 cup olive oil
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
banana supreme facial
Mash bananas until paste like, add honey if desired (which will nourish skin) and smooth over skin.. Let sit for 10 minutes and rinse with cool water.
egg white mask (tightening for a lackluster complexion)
1 egg
Break open the egg and separate the white from the yolk. Beat the white for one minute by hand . Gently apply to the skin and let it harden. Wash off with warm water. The egg draws toxins from the skin’s surface and tightens the pores as it cleans.
befriend your blender facial mask
“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.”
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.”
lemon refresher (slightly astringent and tightening for the skin)
1 lemon or lime
½ tsp cold water
Mix the lemon or lime juice and the water in a bowl. Gently pat on to your face after any cleansing and refreshing facial. The lemon/lime’s acidity acts as a toner to tighten the skin and closes the pores after a facial. It smells great too!
When pampering yourself with some at-home spa time, play a cd you find relaxing and soothing.
Chocolate Facial Mask
This creamy mask is an excellent moisturizer, leaving your skin baby soft. Recommended for normal skin.
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 tbsp. heavy cream
2 tsp. cottage cheese
¼ cup honey
3 tsp. oatmeal
Mix all ingredients together (a bullet blender is ideal) and smooth onto face. Relax for ten 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.
deep hair conditioning
Wet your hair and massage a deep conditioning treatment ( you can make your own with one part honey and one part olive oil). Wrap your hair up in a shower cap or towel. Next is an indulgent soak in the tub. Turn down the lights, light the candles, and fill the tub with decadently warm water. Use your favorite bubble bath or bath oil, or create a deliciously scented chocolate milk bath by combining equal parts cocoa powder, powdered milk, and Epsom salts along with a spoonful or two of baking soda. Add to your tub as the water is running. Sink in and prop your head on a bath pillow or rolled up towel.
(search in internet for many different kinds of home-made hair treatments/conditioners such as fruity, avocado, etc. )
make your hands and feet feel fabulous
Fill a large metal basin with very warm water adding a capful of your favorite cleanser or bubble bath. Soak your feet or hands in the basin for about 15 minutes.
Remove and pat dry.
File and buff fingernails. For feet, exfoliate by using a pumice stone to slough off any rough skin. Cut toenails and file with an emery board.
Ease into cuticle care by applying good old olive oil to soften cuticles. Be gentle when pushing cuticles back- the skin is very tender.
To moisturize and lock in softness- massage a good, thick moisturizing cream onto feet and/or hands, wrap with saran wrap and put on some socks and/or mitts to seal in the benefits. After about ten minutes, remove the layers and rub in remaining lotion.
Do a final buff, apply polish (or for a natural nail shine- rub petroleum jelly onto nails) and you’re ready to go.
did you know?...
...that the best time to bathe is when the stomach is empty?
...that salted water will help alleviate light-headedness some people experience when soaking in hot water?
Buy a luxurious bathrobe or extra lush towel and save it to use for your home spa treatments
Light some yummy scented candles or spay
your favorite perfume in the air for an aromatic experience.
