DIY: Spa Night

Hey ladies...

I'm pretty sure every girl loves a bit of old fashioned pampering?!

Even though going to a spa is a very stereotypical girly past-time, and actually having worked in a spa for 2 years, I've actually only gone myself once when a treatment was included in a bridesmaid package for my sister's wedding. It was gorgeous don't get me wrong, but being a poor student, I've always wondered why I should spend money on something I can easily recreate myself! 

So over the following weeks on The Beauty Boutique Blog, I will be introducing loads of different DIY spa treatments you can recreate in your very own spa, in the comfort of your own home, without breaking the bank!

Setting The Mood...

Spas are notoriously relaxing and soothing, so creating that atmosphere at your own home spa is the first step! 

Here are some simple tips for capturing that relaxed vibe in your own home:

1. Candles, candles, candles. Scatter a few simple tea lights around your bathroom or whatever room you are using. Use scented ones like lavender or vanilla for an extra relaxing effect. Turn off any bright lights and allow the candle's flicker to fill the room :)

2. Make some herbal tea and fresh fruit to nibble at, or if you're really treating yourself, maybe a chilled glass of wine ;) Remember to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated, as spa treatments can quickly drain you.

3. If you are doing a treatment that requires some waiting time, like painting your nails or leaving a hair mask in, set up some magazines or a relaxing DVD to watch while you wait.

4. Cut off all forms of contact whilst in your spa zone. Real spas don't usually allow you to bring your laptop into the treatment room, so neither should you. Lock away your laptop, mobile, and whatever else and just enjoy being un-contactable for a while. 

5. Create a "Spa Night" playlist on your iPod or pick a favourite relaxing CD and play it on a low volume throughout your spa treatment.

6. Heat any towels you will be using in the hot press/on the radiator so they'll be nice and toasty when you come out. (Oh, and slippers!)

 

 

DIY Spa Night Recipe - Brown Sugar & Honey Body Scrub

This body scrub is perfect for dry skin types, and is excellent to exfoliate particularly rough areas, such as elbows and knees before tan application.

What You'll Need:

• An Empty Jar
• Brown Sugar
• Sea Salt
• Honey
• Olive Oil
• Lemon Juice

For recipes like this I never pay much attention to measurements, depending on the size of container you are using, it can vary. You will be able to guess how much yourself will fit in the jar you are using.

Mix together some sugar, salt and olive oil. The sugar and salt grains act as the exfoliant. They will help gently buff away dead skin cells without being too harsh. The olive oil is bursting with moisture to re-introduce to that dry skin.

Melt the honey lightly in the microwave. Sometimes honey that has been left in the cupboard can get a little dried out. When it has cooled, mix the honey in with the rest of the ingredients. (If it is too hot it may melt the sugar and salt grains, which we need to stay hard as exfoliators!) Squeeze half a lemon into the rest of the ingredients and you're done!

I like to leave this jar in the shower, and use it every 2/3 days. It's important not to over-exfoliate! Lightly massage the mixture onto the skin, concentrating on typically dry areas like backs of your elbows, and then leave it to soak in for a few minutes. Rinse off as usual and be sure to moisturise afterwards.

If you're a fake tan junkie, repeating this every few days will really help avoid any streaks and dark patches by removing the dead skin that fake tan loves to cling to!