When you're busy and stressed out but don't have time or money for a vacation, try a few of these do-it-yourself spa ideas on your weekend… a pick-me-up when you need one most! You can make luxurious treatments for yourself, as well as presents for friends, in just one afternoon or evening. Turn your phone ringer off, put on some music you love, and just relax.
Massage Oil
This one's easy! Blend 8 ounces of sweet almond oil with the essential oils of your choice.
For an invigorating massage, try 15 drops of peppermint and 5 drops of rosemary.
For a relaxing massage, try 15 drops of lavender and 5 drops of rosemary.
If no one's around to give you the massage of your dreams, just apply a few drops of the blend to your wrists, temples, and neck. Instant peace.
Steam Treatment
Place 1 Tbsp. each of dried lavender, chamomile, and thyme in a large bowl. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over them. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl to inhale the steam, taking a break every few minutes. This is very clearing and soothing for your skin and your lungs.
Fresh Facial
Just mash half a ripe papaya with a tablespoon of honey. Smooth it over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. This leaves your skin smooth and happy! You can finish the treatment by applying a tablespoon of plain honey to your face and rinsing it away after a minute or two, which leaves your face glowing!
Remember to keep treatments with perishable ingredients in the refrigerator if you don't use them all in one sitting.
Face Masks
The simplest one of all! Cook 1/4 cup of oatmeal in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes, or until it's soft. Let it cool to room temperature and drain away the extra water. Smooth it over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes, rinsing well with warm water.
For normal or oily skin, mix 1 Tbsp. powdered or 2 Tbsp. fresh milk with 2 Tbsp. honey and apply it for 15 minutes, rinsing well with warm water.
For dry skin, mash a ripe banana with (you guessed it) a little plain honey and leave it on for 15 minutes, rinsing well with warm water.
Exfoliators
Here are two great face scrubs, a whole-body exfoliator, and even something for your feet!
-Mix 1/4 cup of cornmeal with 1 Tbsp. fresh pineapple juice. Gently massage it all over your face, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with warm water.
-Take equal parts dry oatmeal and raw almonds and grind them finely in a coffee grinder (if it's one you use for coffee, clean it well first!). To use, make a paste of warm water and the oatmeal-almond mixture in the palm of your hand. Gently massage it all over your face, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with warm water.
For a bath or shower exfoliator, knit up a washcloth! ()
You'll need bulky hemp cord or cotton yarn and large needles, a size 10 or higher. Just cast on 15 stitches and knit in garter stitch. After 15 rows or so, you're done. Cast off and you've made the perfect scrubber for winter skin!
For tired feet, try a beach sand scrub. Mix 3 Tbsp. of sand and 3 Tbsp. of sweet almond or sesame oil, and add 5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Massage into the soles of your feet.
Soothing Salves
You'll need 3 parts olive oil to one part beeswax. Place a saucepan of boiling water on the stove. Put the beeswax and olive oil in a Pyrex measuring cup in the pan and melt them together. When the mixture is liquid, add equal parts rosemary, lavender, and chamomile essential oils, about 15 drops per cup of salve. Pour the salve into baby-food jars and let cool. This is great for protecting winter skin, especially after exfoliating!
For a pick-me-up salve, use different combinations of essential oils, like peppermint and rosemary, or cinnamon and vanilla.
Eye Pillows
Another fun project is making eye pillows, which are lovely presents. You'll need 2 cups of flax seeds and 1/2 cup of dried lavender flowers. Mix the dry ingredients together and scent with 15 drops of lavender essential oil.
Now for the sewing! Cut two pieces of fabric, each approximately 3-4" by 10". Silky cottons or soft flannels are best, in colors that look good together. Sew the pieces together, right sides facing in, and leave a 1.5" space or so on one end open. Turn it right side out and fill the pillow with lavender and flax-enough to give it some weight when it's lying flat, but don't overfill! Stitch up the opening, tucking the raw edges inside.
