How to Give the Perfect Spa at Home

Create a relaxing, at-home spa for a day of pampering.

Whether you're treating yourself or hosting a party for a spa day, chances are you'll need the proper tools to create the perfect spa at home. Creating a spa at home is a less expensive way to treat yourself to some pampering, without the price of a professional spa. You can customize at-home spa treatments and procedures in the comfort of your own home.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 Avocado
• 1-Tbsp plain yogurt
• 1-Cup brown sugar
• 3/4 -cup olive oil
• Two small mixing bowls
• Foot bath
• Rose petals
• Foot scrubber or pumice stone
• Lotion
• Nail polish
• Towel

1. Homemade facials are less abrasive than chemical facials. beauty-mask image by forca from Fotolia.com

   Give yourself a facial. Facials remove dead skin cells and help promote the regeneration of new ones. Dead skin cells on your face are the culprit of dull skin. While there are several different facials and masks available, go with the greener option and create your own. A simple recipe for a face mask is 1/4 of an avocado mashed mixed with 1-tbsp of plain yogurt. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off to reveal radiant skin.

2. You can purchase exfoliating products at your local drugstore. Scrubbing in yellow image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com

   Scrub yourself down with a body scrub. Also known as an exfoliator, a body scrub will remove any dead skin cells on the skin's surface, erasing dull and lifeless skin. Create a glow from the outside by mixing together your own version of a body scrub that smells good enough to eat. Combine 1 cup of brown sugar and a 1/2 cup of olive oil and scrub down your body. Use the scrub in the shower, or just on your hands and feet for softer and smoother skin. Do not use the body scrub on your face.

3. Soak your feet to help remove dead, rough skin. Foot bath image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com

   Give yourself a foot bath and pedicure. The two procedures go together to give you softer, smoother feet and pretty toenails. Fill your foot bath with warm water and add a few drops of olive oil, along with a handful of rose petals. The olive oil will soften your feet and the rose petals will make them smell rosy. Use the body scrub to soften any rough edges around your heels and toes. A foot scrubber or pumice stone will also work to remove any rough patches. Dry your feet off. Rub your feet with lotion to retain the moisture. Select a toenail polish and apply.

4. Use two coats of nail polish to deepen the shade and help prevent chipping. manicure image by 26kot from Fotolia.com

   Complete your spa with a manicure. Soak your hands in warm water with olive oil and roses. Dry your hands completely and apply lotion before painting your nails. Let your nails dry completely to prevent chipping or smudging.

Tips & Warnings

• Invite friends over to have a spa party.

• Hire a masseuse to treat yourself to a massage.

• Classical music and soft lighting will create the atmosphere of a spa.

References

• Planet Green: Get Gorgeous Summer Skin with Homemade Body Scrubs
• TheKnot.com: Your Nails:The At-Home Manicure