Create Your Own Home Spa

Use natural ingredients from your own kitchen to create a home spa.

Facial Treatments

What better way to relax than with a soothing, chemical-free facial? Everything you need can be found in your kitchen. Use these natural ingredients to create the facial to solve your skin problems.

Soothing

To moisturize gently spread whole-egg mayonnaise over your face and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wipe clean and with cool water. Your face will feel clean and smooth.

Stimulating

Pat on mild yellow mustard for a facial that will soothe and stimulate your skin. Try it on a small test patch first to make sure it will not cause irritation to sensitive skin.

Cleansing

Here’s a sure-fire way to dislodge unsightly blackheads. Mix one teaspoon of Epsom salt and three drops of iodine into ½ cup of boiling water. When the mixture is lukewarm, apply to the problem areas using a cotton ball.  Repeat three to four times, reheating the solution if necessary. Gently remove the blackheads and then dab the area with an alcohol-based astringent.

Revitalizing

Teabags are one of the oldest trick in the book to revitalize eyes.  Soak two tea bags in warm water and place them over closed eyes for 20 minutes. The tannins in the tea act to reduce puffiness and soothe tired eyes. Estheticians have been using this trick for years to relieve tired, achy or puffy eyes.

Hair Treatments

In addition to your facial, you’ll also want to spruce up your hair using one of these easy home remedies.

Control Dandruff

Amazingly, vinegar can be used to both reduce and control dandruff and condition dry hair. For dandruff relief, rinse your hair with two cups of apple cider vinegar mixed with two cups of cold water following a shampoo. You can also fight dandruff by massaging three tablespoons of vinegar into your scalp before shampooing. Wait a few minutes, rinse and wash as usual.

If you suffer from dry hair, you can create an excellent conditioner by combining one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with two tablespoons of olive oil and three egg whites. Rub the mixture into you hair and cover for 30 minutes using plastic wrap or a shower cap. Shampoo and rinse as usual.

Cover Grey Hairs

Chemical hair dyes can be hard on your health not to mention your wallet. Make your own natural dye using brewed tea and herbs. Steep three tea bags in one cup of boiling water. Add one tablespoon each of rosemary and sage (either fresh or dried) and let it stand over night before straining. To use, shampoo as usual, then pour or spray the mixture into your hair, making sure to saturate it thoroughly. Take care not to stain clothes. Blot with a towel and do not rinse. It may take several goes to achieve the desired results.

Tea can also condition hair as well! To give a natural shine to dry hair, brew a litre of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly brewed from a teabag) and use it as a final rinse after your regular shampoo.

Conditioning

For shiny and healthy looking hair, massage mayo into your scalp just as you would any other fine conditioner. Cover your head with a shower cap, wait several minutes and then shampoo. The mayo will moisturize your hair and scalp and provide a lustrous sheen.

Add Moisture

Put the moisture back into dry hair by heating ½ cup of olive oil (don’t boil it!), and applying liberally to your scalp. Cover your head with a plastic grocery bag and then wrap it in a towel. Let it set for around 45 minutes, then shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

Pedicure

No spa day is complete without a pedicure. Make your feet flip-flop ready by using these helpful tips.

Soothe Calluses

Soothe aching feet and make calluses disappear with the same chest rub mom used to treat your colds and chest congestion. Apply a generous coat to your feet before bed and slip on a pair of cotton sock before bed. In the morning your feet will be soft and rejuvinated. If calluses are a problem, apply the rub to the specific area, cover overnight with a bandaid and repeat the procedure until the callus disappears.

Soften Skin

Should you dislike the smell of chest rub, butter can be used as an excellent alternative to achieve soft feet. Simply massage your feet with butter, wrap in a damp, hot towel, sit back and relax for about 10minutes. Your feet will feel revitalized and smell a bit like popcorn too!

Manicure

Make your hands look as nice as your feet with the following ingredients found around the house.

Condition Cuticles

Pamper your nails without the help of a manicurist. Add the juice of ½ lemon to one cup of warm water and soak your fingertips in the mixture for five minutes. After pushing back cuticles, rub some lemon peel back and forth against the nails to achieve a white and fresh look.

Protect Your Skin

Petroleum jelly is an excellent barrier to keep any polish off your skin. Just rub a small amount around your nail beds before applying the polish. This will also moisturize your fingers.

Shine Nail

To add some oomph to fingernails, plunge them into a bowl of mayo for about five minutes. Wash thoroughly with warm water and then buff your nails to bring out their shine.

Skin treatments

Last but not least, healthy looking skin is one of the best benefits of your spa day.

Clean and Exfoliate

Lemons are a wonderfully cleansing for the skin. Squeeze several lemons until you have a good amount of fresh lemon juice. Apply to problem areas and dry spots such as elbows. Let it soak into the skin, rinse and then dry. You’ll notice your skin looks  bright and fresh.

Soothing

Aloe vera is an excellent skin treatment for everything from simple dry skin to minor burns and even psoriasis. For rejuvinated looking skin, simply purchase an aloe plant, cut a couple of leaves lengthwise and remove the inner gel using your fingers. Apply the aloe vera to the problem skin, letting it soak in and soothe.

Lightening

Blend honey and yogourt together to create a natural bleach that can lighten age spots. Mix one teaspoon of plain yogourt with one teaspoon of honey. Apply, let dry for 30 minutes, then rinse. This is most effective when done several days in a row.

Marilyn’s Secret

Petroleum jelly can be used as an excellent moisturizer after cleansing your face. Rumored to be Marilyn Monroe’s secret to beautiful skin, petroleum jelly has been used for many years as an inexpensive and very effective moisturizer.