Have a Nice Spa Day at Home
February is notoriously a cold dreary month. It can also cause the blues, especially during these trying times. Unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you are experiencing inclement weather that is very hostile to skin. And unless you are not victimized by the hostile economy, you can afford to go to a posh spa for a day of pampering. That’s definitely not me. So, why not create your own spa day?
Let’s start with the hair.
The best conditioner I’ve tried is used before shampoo. It softens and prevents split ends.
Place a third of a cup of olive oil, a third of a cup of vegetable oil and a third of a cup of honey in a small saucepan, set over a low heat until just boiling. Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small plastic spray bottle. Spray on hair and rub in thoroughly. Wet a towel with warm water and wrap around head for an hour. Shampoo to remove and then wash and style hair as usual.
For a shampoo enhancer for normal or dry hair, mix together 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons of a mild unscented shampoo. The egg is a great conditioner and the lemon juice or vinegar will make the hair shine.
For oily hair, mix 2 tablespoons of dried peppermint, 2 tablespoons of dried spearmint and 1 tablespoon of dried sage with 1 cup of water, a third of a cup of baby shampoo and (1 beaten egg and a third of a cup of milk-optional for conditioning). Place the first 4 ingredients in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes. Strain and discard the herbs. In a jar, mix the baby shampoo with a fourth of a cup of the herbal water. Shampoo as usual.
While your hair is wrapped in a towel, why not give yourself a facial?
If you have the herbs, then how about an herbal mask?
Mix 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers, crumbled, 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh mint into a small bowl. Apply the mixture to your face and neck. Let dry and rinse off with tepid water. Or for specific skin types, try one of these.
For dry and normal skin: Beat one egg in a small bowl and slowly add coconut oil and honey. Mix until the consistency is creamy like mayonnaise. Place an empty toilet paper roll upright in a bowl and pack the mask into it with a spoon. Freeze overnight. When ready to use the next day, peel away some of the cardboard and rub the frozen stick over your face. After 5 or 10 minutes, rinse off with warm water. Cover the exposed end of the stick with plastic wrap and return to the freezer for future use. Now, for an easy and quick facial for dry skin, mash a banana and add a tablespoon of honey in a bowl and then slather it all over your face and neck. Leave on until it is good and stiff-about 15 minutes.
For oily skin: Mix water and oatmeal together to create a paste. Apply the paste to your face and neck. Leave on until stiff.
For sensitive skin: Avoid facial masks, unless their ingredients include allantoin, petrolatum or zinc oxide. Never assume that products labeled “for sensitive skin” are necessarily safe for YOUR skin. Always do a test in a discreet area of skin to be sure that there is no adverse reaction.
With all of the above facials, remember to splash your face and neck with tepid water and pat dry with a clean hand towel. Of course, if this is truly a day at the spa, then include steaming your face and neck in these steps, while your hair is conditioning in a warm wrapped towel.
Wants some more? How about soaking in your tub? Create a soothing bath of 1 cup of sea salt, 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup your inexpensive shampoo. Fill your bathtub half full of warm water. Pour the ingredients into the tub, then add more water, swirling it around with your hand to spread out the bubbles.
Want to try a different moisturizer? How about mixing together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a small bowl. Mash 2 tablespoons of strawberries and stir them into the oil. For an additional option, add a couple of drops of vitamin E oil. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered jar. It is also gentle enough for makeup removal.
If you have the time, then I guarantee you will feel revitalized without leaving the comfort of your home or breaking your budget.
About the Author
I am 55 years young. 5 years ago, I took an early retirement flying for a major carrier. As a flight attendant, I became very savvy in maintaining my health and fitness. And because the elements of an airplane cabin were so hostile to skin, I developed habits that I use to this day that ensure clean, beautiful and youthful looking skin. None of which (especially during these economically challenged times) have meant injecting foreign matter into my body, \”getting under the knife\” or hurting my budget. All of my methods are based purely on common sense.
Coconut mask for your neck
