DIY Summer Spa Day

I feel kind of gross. Between the sweating, the excess oil, the greasy, limp summer hair – I really need some TLC, and fast.

If I was a millionaire, I’d spend the day in some luxurious spa with fountains and tiny sandwiches and fluffy robes. Unfortunately, my money tree hasn’t bloomed yet, so the spa experience will have to be limited to my house and what I can DIY. This isn’t bad news, though! Some quiet music, a few candles, maybe a rainstorm, and the perfect spa day is absolutely within my grasp.

I like to DIY my own skin and hair care products. I always get a little sad when I look at product labels and see a thousand ingredients, 80% of which I can’t pronounce. Healthy products that are great for skin and hair are just a few pantry ingredients and a few minutes away.

So without further ado, here is a summer spa treatment plan, to help you cool down and refresh your body and mind.

Refreshing Lemon-Lime Water

You’ll want to make this before you start your DIY spa experience. I like to let the lemons and limes sit in the water for awhile, infusing it with tart, cooling citrus. Drink lots of it while you spa, as it will help you detox your body and make you skin glow!

Pitcher of cold water, with lots of ice

A few lemons and limes, cut up and added to the water.

Let sit for a little while, preferably in the fridge so it stays nice and cold.

 

 

 

Epsom Salts Foot Soak

I tend to walk a LOT in the summer. Between exploring new towns, going on vacation, and hiking, my feet start to get pretty cranky. Oh, and of course, let’s not forget the dirt. Ew!  This simple foot soak is customizable and perfect for those grungy summer feet. I have a big metal bowl that I put hot stones in, and it retains the water temperature well. Also, if you don’t own Epsom salts, GET SOME. They are cheap and great for a wide range of purposes.

Large bowl of hot water (or fill the bathtub up)

2 cups of Epsom Salts

You can add in scented flowers, herbs, essential oils – whatever you are the mood for!

Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes, until water starts to cool down.

 

 

Lime and Sugar Foot and Leg Scrub

After your foot soak, go ahead and take a nice shower. And, of course, shave! Because your legs are going to be insanely smooth once you use this scrub. I actually have a little trick for super-duper silky legs: I shave once, exfoliate, shave AGAIN, and exfoliate again. I do this when I’m going out on a special date, or right before I go to the beach and want my legs and feet at their best.

1/2 cup of sugar (I prefer brown sugar, I just love the way it smells)

1 tbsp of olive oil

2 tbsp of fresh-squeezed lime juice

Rub all over feet and legs in a circular motion, rinse off. It makes the shower floor slippery, so be careful!

 

 

 

Lemon-Lime Sea Salt Scrub

This scrub is so very, very useful for a common issue come summertime: the dreaded “bacne”, or back acne. You get sweaty and oily, and it tends to build up back there, and then it breaks out.

Sea salt is a magical ingredient for breakouts – it dries them out and kills the bacteria. Use this on your arms and back for glowy, healthy skin.

1 cup sea salt

1/4 cup oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil are good choices)

1/2 tsp lime juice and some zest

1/2 tsp lemon juice and some zest

Mix it together, and scrub it gently on problem areas. Rinse off.

 

 

Pedicure

Clip the nails – use a smaller clipper, not a large toenail clipper. Cutting the whole nail in one clip will leave you with a weird shape, and sharp edges on the sides. Clip once across, and once on each side for a rounded shape.

Using a bit of oil, rub the cuticles back.

Moisturize the feet well. Use a swipe of nail polish remover to get off any remaining oils/lotions on each nail.

Paint! One base coat, 2 coats of color, and one topcoat. Make sure to wear open shoes for the next two hours, as they will take a bit of time to dry.

 

 

Cooling Cucumber Yogurt Face Mask

While you are waiting for your tootsies to dry, how about trying this mask?

Half cucumber, chopped roughly

One tbsp plain yogurt (no additives/sugary yogurt, please)

 

Add these to a blender, and whip them until they are completely blended.

Put into the fridge and let it chill for 10-15 minutes.

Pat all over face, let sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off.

 

When you are done?

Put one cup of coconut oil into a mixer. Whip, whip, whip on high speed for 6-7 minutes until it is light and fluffy. Put it in a jar that can be sealed. Voila! Coconut body butter that will last forever. I like to mix a bit in with my regular body moisturizer – it adds such a nice healthy glow!