Here are some recipes you could use to turn your home into a mini spa. Most of the ingredients are really common, and you might already have them at home. I made all of these recipes and put them in mason jars as a Christmas present for a relative who requested spa items. They were a huge hit (and not just with the recipient) in case you need gift ideas for the ladies in your life. I didn't get a chance to try any of the finished products, so I might be making them again for me very soon. :) (mason jars not required!)
All of the recipes below involve ingredients that are not in danger of spoiling. When I was searching for recipes to make, I had to exclude all recipes that included fresh ingredients (meant to be used immediately) or those that required refrigeration because I made everything a few days ahead of time. If you plan to use an item right away, you wouldn't be limited by those factors. There are tons more recipes available online, so if there's a certain item you're looking for (face scrub, foot scrub, etc.) or a certain ingredient you want to use (strawberry, etc.), search for it by name.
Tea foot soak source
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup salt
4 Tbsp of loose tea* (or the contents of 4 tea bags)
Whisk ingredients in a bowl. Store in an airtight container.
To use: Add 2 Tbsp of mixture to a basin of warm water and soak feet in it.
*The original recipe called for peppermint tea. I used autumn tea because it smelled the nicest of the teas we had in the pantry.
Scented foot scrub source
3 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp body wash
1 Tbsp water
Mix ingredients in a bowl.
To use: After soaking feet, gently rub the mixture over your feet. Rinse well.
Face exfoliator source
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp honey
1/2 cup sugar (I used brown sugar)
Use this 1 to 3 times a week depending on how sensitive your skin is. It removes dead skin and rehydrates the skin.
Citrus salt body scrub source
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup sweet almond oil (I used olive oil)**
1/2 tsp lemon zest (I used zest from 2 lemons)
1/2 tsp orange zest (I used zest from 2 oranges)
**In my opinion, this was too much oil. Add it slowly as you mix it in. I'd probably use 1/4 cup or less. I also used about double the amount of zest that the recipe called for because I wanted a stronger citrus scent. You could use even more zest.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. (make sure the bowl is dry so no water touches the mixture) Store mixture in an airtight container. Makes about 2 servings.
To use: Just before showering, swirl ingredients together with your fingertips to mix. Clean body completely and just before exiting shower, apply this mixture to skin in a firm circular scrubbing motion with hands or a soft washcloth. Rinse off the mixture and pat body dry with a clean towel. It is an exfoliant and full-body moisturizer for use in the shower.
Lemon facial mask source
olive oil
lemon juice
Note: I used a ratio of 3 parts lemon juice to 1 part olive oil, so 1 Tbsp lemon juice to 1 tsp olive oil. (3 tsp in a Tbsp)
Mix ingredients in a small bowl.
To use: Apply the mixture to your face with a cotton ball.
Mocha body scrub source
1 cup sugar (I used brown sugar)
1 Tbsp ground coffee
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
generous pinch of nutmeg
generous pinch of ginger
1/4 to 1/2 cup almond oil (I used olive oil)
Whisk together the sugar, coffee, cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a bowl. Whisk in 1/4 cup oil until it is completely combined with the sugar mixture. Stir in the remaining oil by the tablespoonful until desired consistency is achieved. Store mixture in an airtight container with a wide mouth.
To use: Apply to clean, wet skin in a circular motion. Rinse well and pat skin dry.
Caution: Those with sensitive skin should consider doing a patch test before using.
Green tea body scrub source
1 cup of brewed green tea, lukewarm***
2 cups sugar (I used brown sugar)
3 Tbsp fresh, grated ginger
***this was way too much tea; spoon it in slowly until the mixture is a good, thick consistency; I scaled down the entire recipe and only made a third of a batch.
Mix ingredients in a bowl.
To use: Step into the shower and rinse body so skin is wet. Starting at your neck, work the scrub into skin by massaging in a circular motion. Once your body is completely exfoliated, rinse in warm water. Apply moisturizer to cleansed, scrubbed skin.
~*~
I hope you get to enjoy some of these recipes. Maybe light some candles, turn off the lights, poor a glass of your favorite beverage, and play some relaxing music. :)
I am headed to Mass soon and I will be praying especially for all of you who find tomorrow to be one of the most difficult days of the year.
Stay tuned here tomorrow for my annual attempt at getting you to smile a little on an otherwise tough day. :)
