HOME SPA FOR BEAUTY AND RELAXATION

TURN A ROOM INTO A HOME SPA FOR BEAUTY AND RELAXATION

Clean the clutter, make sure it's a place that invites relaxation. Surround yourself with lush green plants, hang them from the ceiling, place them on tables and shelves, create the feel of a cozy vacation resort or a spa vacation in a rain forest. Purchase some items, that will add to a luxurious spa feeling for example, thick terry cloth towels and robes, loofah sponges and scrub brushes, make sure you have enough space and/or shelves to display these items.
Add items to pamper yourself such as aroma therapy oils, body and facial scrubs, facial masks and lotions. Hang mirrors with beautiful designs, purchasing a thermometer for your home bath spa will be a great investment for your safety. In fact, you may want to see how different temperatures works for you and how you feel after each of your at home spa treatment.

IN THIS ECONOMY WE MAY NOT WANT TO SPLURGE ON SPA TREATMENTS, SO HERE ARE SOME RECIPES SO YOU CAN CREATE YOUR OWN HOMEMADE FACIALS, SCRUBS, TEETH WHITENERS AND OTHER BODY TREATMENTS THAT IS JUST AS LUXURIOUS AND EFFECTIVE  AS THOSE EXPENSIVE AND LUXURIOUS SPAS OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS THAT YOU COULD MAKE AT HOME.
NOTE: Although these treatments are all made from basic and natural home ingredients, if you have severe skin issues, you should discuss this with a dermatologist before using.
I have used these treatments myself, some of them I have gotten from family members over the years and some of them I have gotten doing research for this blog. ENJOY!!!

Give Yourself a Dry Brush Exfoliation

A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to DETOX. Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you'll need a soft, natural bristle brush.
What is a Dry Brush Exfoliation?
A dry brush exfoliation involves the use of a soft, dry brush to gently brush the skin. It is recommended by holistic practitioners to remove dead skin cells, improve the circulation of blood and lymph, and enhance detoxification through skin. The gentle pressure is also thought to have a calming effect.
How is Dry Brush Exfoliation Done?
The only tool needed is a soft, dry, skin brush, preferably with natural bristles.
Step 1
Stand in the shower with the water off.
Step 2
Starting at your feet, start brushing in small circles towards your heart. Apply very light pressure, avoiding broken skin, skin rashes, or areas where the skin is thin, such as the face or inner thighs.
Step 3
After you've finished both legs, move on to your arms. Brush from your fingertips, again towards your heart.
Step 4
Reach around and brush from your back towards your stomach.
Step 5
When you are finished, begin showering.

Face Lifts
Starting off with a basic natural face lift would be impossible without mentioning EGGS. Eggs are rich in protein albumin, rich in amino acids that tone the skin and smooth out the fine lines.
How to Prepare it.
Ingredients
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon of sugar
Preparation
Whisk the egg yolks until the mass is firm and consistent
Add sugar gradually and mix well to combine the two
Apply on the face and leave on for 25 minutes
Wash off with warm water using a wash cloth
The use of albumin is well known among major cosmetics companies.

Lemon Face Lift

The next facial lift consists of lemon, which is known to help oily skin whether it is used fresh or as an essential oil. It closes the dilated pores, serves as an excellent antiseptic, and finally, contains huge amounts of Vitamin C that increases the collagen production and regenerates the top layers of the skin.

Ingredients
1 lemon peel
1 tablespoon of water (approx)

Preparation
Using a food processor or blender, combine the lemon peel with a bit of water
The mixture should resemble puree
Apply the mix on the face and leave on for a few minutes
Rinse off with warm water using cotton balls or wash cloth
Pat dry

Cherry (Natural) Lace lift
Cherries can be used as a very efficient mask that firms the skin's top layer and diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and lines. Its red pigment is also a powerful antioxidant.
Ingredients
30 ripe cherries (remove the pits)
2 tablespoons of honey
Preparation
Blend the cherries in a blender or mash them if they are ripe enough
Add honey and combine the two
One more tip since I am talking about cherries.
If your skin is very dry, cut the cherry in half and rub it over your face. Rinse off with warm water. It is a great way to restore natural glow and moisture.

Kiwi Skin Firmer
Kiwi is very similar to lemon in that it contains Vitamin C. It improves the overall look of the skin and makes it elastic.
Honey is an ingredients commonly used in preparation of hydrating facial masks, Retinol rich facial masks, problem skin type masks and much more.
Ingredients
1 ripe kiwi (peeled)
1 teaspoon of honey
Preparation
Mix the kiwi in a blender or mash with a fork if it is soft
Strain the excess liquid (juice) and add he teaspoon of honey
Apply the mass on the face and leave on for 20 minutes
Rinse off with warm water

Egg and honey hydrating facial mask
1 egg
1/4 cup of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of honey
You will also need a small, plastic cup with a lid.
Mix the egg and gradually add honey and coconut oil. The mass should look like mayonnaise. If it is too thick, add more coconut oil. If it is too runny, add a bit more honey.
Pour the mass into a plastic cup, close the cup tightly, and leave in the fridge overnight.
This mask is ready to be applied the next day. Scoop up some of the mask and freely apply all over the face. Leave it to rest for 10 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
Keep the rest of the mask in the freezer and use any time your dried and tired face needs a moisture boost.
Why is Retinol (Vitamin A) good for your skin?

When it comes to skin care, Retinol as a molecule is very small and capable of penetrating the skin's outer layer and regenerating the deeper layers that contain collagen and elastin. When it penetrates the skin, it stimulates the production of elastin and collagen resulting is smoother and more elastic skin. Importance of Retinol has been long known about in a form of homemade facial masks. Carrot is an excellent source of Retinol.
A medium size carrot has 1015 mg RAE of Vitamin A (Retinol) in it. It is also a good source of Coenzyme Q 10 which helps reduce the visibility of crow's feet.

Carrot Facial Mask (Retinol Rich)
Ingredients:
2-3 large carrots
4 1/2 tablespoons honey
Preparation:
1) Cook carrots, then mash.
2) Mix with honey.
3) Apply gently to the skin and wait 10 minutes.
4) Rinse off with cool water

Cream Cheese and Carrot Face Mask
Ingredients:
1 medium size carrot
2 tablespoons of cream cheese
Preparation
1) Mash a carrot
2) Use 2 tablespoons of it
3) Mix with a tablespoon of cream cheese
4) Apply to face and neck
5) After 15 min rinse the face off water.

Anti-aging Carrot Face Mask
Use carrot juice either store bought or by extracting it yourself.
Add one egg yolk and a few drops of olive oil.
Mix it all and apply to face and neck.
Rinse off after 20-25min using warm water.

Carrot/Honey Facial Mask
Mix a tea spoon of honey, a spoon of grated carrot and a bit of olive oil. Mix all ingredients and put on your face for 15.min. like a facial mask. Rinse with water. This facial mask is good for wrinkled and dry skin. Enjoy it.
Wrinkle Removal Recipe
Banana is wonderful as an anti-wrinkle treatment.
Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cold.
Gently pat dry.
Facial scrub
Olive oil
Sugar

Mix about two teaspoon of each ingredient in a bowl, cover you face and neck with the mixture, massage your facial and neck areas, do not forget your neck/chest/ cleavage area pay attention to your forehead and corners of your nose, massage for about three minutes, wash and rinse with warm water and facial soap. Your skin is now soft and glowing.

Wrinkle Removal Recipe

Banana is wonderful as an anti-wrinkle treatment.

Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed with a splash of cold.
Gently pat dry.

Aspirin Mask
For skin discoloration, blackheads and acne, try this do it yourself recipe:
Take six regular aspirin (not coated, and not Tylenol or Ibuprofen), and grind or crumble them as fine as you can. Add just enough water until you have a thin paste. Apply to clean, dry skin, but avoid getting too close to your eyes or nostrils. Leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes, and rinse off with warm water.

Astringent I
3 tsp. lemon extract
Juice of one lime
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to a jar and shake well. Store in the refrigerator. Tightens your pores, refreshes your skin, and helps remove oils from skin.


WHITEN YOUR TEETH AT HOME


Mix about two teaspoons of baking soda into a little bowl or cup, add three to five drops of hydrogen peroxide to the baking soda, enough to  make a paste. Be sure it is the same consistency as toothpaste. If you wish, you can add a bit of mint flavoring or even a small dollop of toothpaste.

Brush your teeth with your mixture, being sure to leave it on your teeth for at least two minutes. Do NOT swallow this paste! The taste is not the best. To make the paste taste better, add the mint flavoring.

After you have finished brushing with this paste, rinse out your mouth and brush again with regular toothpaste to rid your mouth of the taste as well as the peroxide solution. You will be amazed at just how white and bright your teeth will be.