DIY Spa Day at Home
If you’re looking for something fun to do while you’re at home self isolating, we have just the thing! The girls and I have put our heads together to come up with a recipe for the perfect at home spa day and we’re excited to share it with you! Below are some tips and recipes to get you started.
How to set the mood
Light some candles and put a couple drops of your favourite scent into your defuser to set the mood! If you have lavender or jasmine scents, these are perfect. Next you’ll want to continue to create a calming environment, by silencing your phone, turning off the tv and dimming the lights. Put on a spa mix tape from Spotify (we like Peaceful Retreat) and take some deep breaths. It’s also important to set an intention for the time and space you are carving out for yourself.
Throw on a Face Mask
If you didn’t stock up on face masks before the quarantine, you can make yourself a face mask with ingredients in your kitchen.
For Brighter Skin mix 2 tbsp of milk mixed with 1 tbsp tomato paste
Make an Anti-Aging Mask with 2 tbsp aloe vera mixed with 1 tsp egg
Deep Clean Your Pores with 2 tbsp yogurt and 1 tbsp oatmeal
Clear Acne with 2 tbsp honey and 1 tsp of cinnamon
Tighten and Firm with 2 tsp coffee grounds and 2 tsp honey
Clear Black Heads with 1 egg and 1 tsp of lemon juice
For Glowing Skin mix 2 tbsp of yogurt with 2 tsp of lemon juice
Dry Brush and take an Epsom Salt Bath
Dry brushing stimulates healthy lymph drainage, blood circulation and helps shed dead skin cells, resulting in smoother skin. Be sure to choose a body brush with firm bristles. We like this brush, with a long hand to get hard-to-reach places like your back.
Step 1: Starting at the soles of your feet and brush up the legs and towards the heart. Brush each section of skin 9 times. In Chinese medicine, the number 9 is a lucky number (pronounced as Jiu (久) in Chinese means everlasting, longevity and eternality).
Step 2: Repeat the same process with the arms, starting with the palms of the hands and brushing up the arm toward the heart.
Step 3: Run a warm bath and add some epsom salts and maybe a few drops of lavender essential oils.
Pro Tip: Avoid brushing too hard—a healthy pink/rosy glow is normal, but your skin shouldn’t be red!
Other Recipes to make at home
Body Scrub
Step 1: Choose a carrier/mixing oil. (Coconut oil, apricot oil, jojoba oil, and/or avocado oil are all wonderful choices.)
Step 2: Slowly mix a small amount of oil with ½ cup of sugar in a bowl and mix until creamy. You might be wondering, “Why sugar?” We recommend sugar because it’s less abrasive than salt, and better for people with sensitive or easily-irritated skin.
Step 3: Add your favourite essential oil and continue to stir. We love this set by Anjou on Amazon! There’s lots of choices in that bundle. You can use Lavender to calm irritated skin and melt away stress, orange to stimulate and awaken the senses or peppermint to invigorate the lungs.
Pro Tip: You can store the extra scrub in a cool dry place. Use it 1-2 times per week and your skin will be softer and healthier in no time!
Hair Oil Treatment
Step 1: Apply coconut oil to the ends of your hair and gently work it through your hair up to your scalp.
Step 2: Continue to massage your scalp for a few minutes, then wrap your hair up into a shower cap or mircofiber towel and let the oil do its thing for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Finish by shampooing and conditioning as usual for silky smooth strands.
Pro Tip: A mircofiber towel is great for keeping your hair static free and smooth! You can use one all year round—it’s not just for hair treatments!
Treat Yourself to a healthy Snack
Put together a simple charcuterie board with cheese, fruit, nuts and fresh cut veggies for a delicious and nutritious spa day snack. You can also include some chocolate covered strawberries if you’re feeling a bit indulgent. It’s also important to stay hydrated. We love mixing sliced cucumber, lemon, strawberries and mint with our water for extra flavour. You can also make yourself a tea with lemon and mint, if you like something warm.
Have fun and Enjoy time to yourself
As a mom, I know how important it is to take some time for myself. But even if you’re not a mom, it’s SO important to create time and space to let go of all your other responsibilities and solely focus on yourself from time to time. Since we’ve all been home for the last few weeks, we think now is as good a time as any to take this time for ourselves. This allows us to replenish our well-spring so that we can return to the world as our best selves.
