At home "spa" products?

[#1]

Hi! I am trying to get together a list of products/things to do for an at-home spa night with my sister. She is going to get married soon and I wanted to throw something really special for her. Neither of us have ever done anything beyond basic facial cleansing, so I would like to do something like a peel or mask, etc. Thank you!

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Hi!  I wasn't sure if you want homemade recipes or Sephora "spa" products, so I'll list both.

Here's a link to some of Sephora's "spa" treatment products so you can take a look at them:  http://www.sephora.com/search/search_results.jhtml?%2Fcom%2Fsephora%2Fsearch%2Fendeca%2Fui%2FEndecaS...

Here's a list of some homemade recipes that I have accumulated over the years, in case that's the route you're wanting to take:

Mixture to Brighten Skin & Reduce Bloating

I read an article in InStyle magazine which described an all natural way to enhance the vibrancy of your skin and to reduce bloating at the same time.  It takes about a week to begin working, so keep that in mind if you have a special event planned.  A week before your event, add 32 ounces a day of green fruit and vegetable juices (pears, spinach, celery, etc.) to your diet.  Focus on eating a plant-based diet, including lots of low-sugar fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, avocado and tomatoes.  At the end of the week your skin your have an enhanced radiance and any bloating that you may have had should have been reduced. 

Mixture to Boost Skin Glow & Boost Energy Level

I read an article in InStyle magazine which gave some advice on how to “naturally” boost your own natural glow as well as your energy level.  The article recommended adding coconut water (which you can purchase at a health food store) to your everyday diet.  It is super-hydrating, has no added sugar and is full of electrolytes.


Yogurt Mask to Brighten & Smooth Skin
You can treat yourself to a very inexpensive, all natural facial easily at home.  All you have to do is spread three teaspoons of Greek yogurt around your face and let it work for five minutes before rinsing it off.  The lactose in the yogurt leaves your skin polished and smooth.

All natural at home hair conditioner mixture

I went through some of my books and found a natural hair conditioner made mostly of honey that will give you a sleek and healthy-looking finish.  (It's taken me a while to try it so that's why it's taken me so long to reply to your post.)  Anyway, here is the mixture:

Honey Conditioner

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 egg yolk.

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in small bowl.  Massage on hair in small sections.   Wrap head with shower cap for 30 minutes.   Rinse and shampoo.  (The warmer the water you rinse in, the easier the mixture comes out of your hair.)

Here’s a recipe I found and really like called the “Oatmeal & Cinnamon Milk Soak”.  First of all I like it so well because it’s easy to whip up and secondly because it’s really relaxing.  Make sure that the oatmeal is added first and ground finely (using a food processor, if possible) to keep the bath from being clumpy.  Also, once you’ve mixed all the ingredients together (I like to use a mason jar), be sure to put a lid on the container and shake well before putting in your bath. 

Below are the ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered milk
- 3/4 cup baking soda
- 3/4 cup oatmeal (finely grind it first)
- 3 TBS cornstarch
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 2 tsp cinnamon

Below are some facial masks that you can make at home.  I hope this helps you:

  Cucumber Face Mask
Make a paste by mixing one small cucumber and one cup of oatmeal.  Mix one teaspoon of this paste with one teaspoon of yogurt (for oily skin) or milk malai (for dry skin) and leave for 30 minutes and then rinse.

  Turmeric Facial Mask
This is the traditional mask, also used for a bride, seven days in advance of marriage.  Take in a cup half a cup of besan (gram flour), 2 tsp of turmeric powder, 2 tsp of sandal wood powder, 2 tsp of ghee or almond oil, add some water to make a paste.  Apply to face and whole body and leave for 5-10 minutes.  Rub with pressure with both palms and fingers to remove all the paste.

  Honey Facial Mask
Rinse your face with warm water to open up the pores.  Apply honey and leave for half an hour.  Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.  Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.

  Oily Skin Mask
Mix 1 tsp. brewers yeast with plain yogurt to make a thin mixture.  Apply it thoroughly into all the oily areas and leave for 15 - 20 minutes.  Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.

  Dry Skin Mask
Mix 1 tsp of butter in 1 tsp of water.  Apply it thoroughly into all the dry areas and leave for 15-20 minutes.  Rinse with cold water,

  Banana Mask for wrinkles
Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy and apply on face and leave for 15-20 minutes.  Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.

  Avocado Facial Mask
Mash the meat of the avocado into a creamy texture.  Apply it thoroughly on face and leave for 15-20 minutes.  Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.

  Oatmeal Facial Mask
Take 2 tsp oatmeal and 1 tsp baking soda and add water to make paste.  Apply to face and all over the skin and rub gently.

  Facial Mask
Squeeze half a lemon and mix the juice with one beaten egg white.  Apply on your face and leave on overnight.  In the morning, wash your face with warm water.

  Clay Facial
Choose the right clay for your skin type.  Add plain water or floral waters or try wetting agents such as fruit purees.  Make a thick paste of the clay.  Apply the mask to your skin and let it dry for 20 minutes.  Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.  Repeat weekly.

  Multani (Gypsum) Mitti Body Mask
Make a paste of multani mitti adding water to the mitti powder.  Apply to whole body and hair.  Take bath after half an hour.

  Grape Cleanser
Split 2-3 grapes and rub the flesh over face and neck.  Rinse with cool water.

  Banana Face Pack for Dry Skin
Mash half a cup of natural yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1/4 ripe banana.  Apply this pack on face and neck, leave for 10 minutes and then rinse off.

  Cucumber Face Pack to get Smooth Skin
Mash a whole cucumber, strain water, add 1 tablespoon of sugar and mix well.  Put in a container, keep refrigerated and take out whenever you want to use it.  Apply on your face and leave for 10 minutes, then wash with cold water and enjoy the smoothness of your skin.

I hope this helps you and have fun!

[#3]

Whole Foods also has essential oils you can buy so you can put them in a foot soak or bath soak.