Spa on a Budget: Tips and At-Home Treatments

From blowouts to pedicures, the allure of a little TLC is hard to escape. However, running to a professional for each spa reprieve is not always an option. Luckily there are plenty of DIY solutions that can satisfy practically any spa craving and help maintain financial responsibility. Guarded with a few tips, tricks and at-home regimens your skin, hair and lips (yes your lips need love too!) can stay healthy and hydrated at a more affordable price tag.

Tips and Tricks

• Even though you may not be sporting the hottest swimwear at the moment, don’t forget to protect skin and hair from the sun. Keep any visible skin (don’t forget those ears) lathered with sunscreen and hair covered in a moisturizing, leave-in conditioner to prevent skin damage and split ends.
• Winter blues are quickly cured with a nice hot tub dip, but keep skin from drying out by using the best spa chemicals in your bubbly retreat and lather with a rich body cream after.
• Keep teeth white and bright by sipping enamel-staining drinks (like coffee, tea and soda) through a straw.

At-Home Treats

Avocado Hair Mask
Put the life back in your dull dry hair with this fortified concoction courtesy of Allure.
Ingredients:

• ½ avocado
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 ounces water

Directions: Blend all ingredients together. Evenly comb the mask through wet hair. Sit under a hooded dryer (or cover masked hair with a plastic bag and use a blow dryer to apply heat) for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water and apply a hydrating conditioner and rinse again.

Photo by chadmiller via Flickr


Luscious Lip Scrub
Are your lips not as kissably soft as they once were? Give them a little lift with this tasty sugar scrub from Beautylish.
Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon Vaseline
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Flavor of choice (Get creative! Add a dash of caramel, strawberry, maple syrup, mint, or anything your heart desires to give your scrub a tasty boost.)

Directions: Combine ingredients in a small, resealable container. Apply a small amount to lips and massage for 1 to 3 minutes. Rinse and apply your favorite lip balm.


Photo by maduhsaurus via flickr


Salty Citrus Body Scrub
Slough away dry skin with this refreshing salt scrub from The Beauty Department. This citrus skin booster will transform you and give you a bright and shiny transformation from head (well shoulder) to toe.
Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons sea salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lemon

Directions: Combine sea salt and olive in a small mixing bowl. Once sea salt is completely coated in olive oil, cut lemon in half and squeeze juice over salt and oil mixture. Mix and mash ingredients to your preferred consistency. Apply liberally to rough skin and rinse thoroughly.


Photo by 1lenore via flickr


Peppermint Foot Cream
Cure rough, dry and cracking feet with this minty fresh foot cream from Robyn’s View. If the heavenly scent alone doesn't get you immediately hooked, the creamy results surely will.
Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon firmly packed cocoa butter
• ¼ cup firmly packed shea butter
• 2 tablespoons firmly packed coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• ¼ teaspoon tea tree essential oil
• ¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil
• 1-2 teaspoons peppermint extract (optional)

Directions: Melt butters, coconut oil and avocado oil in a double boiler. Mix well before removing from heat. Let cool (in refrigerator or freezer for faster results) until cream begins to set. Once cream has cooled, add remaining ingredients. Hand whip mixture and generously apply to skin.


Photo by Zanspa1 via Flickr

Kristen Watson is writing a cookbook with sustainable and environmentally friendly ingredients and recipes.

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