The Frugal Holistic
A Day at Your Favorite Spa: Your Own!
(Part 1 of 4 - Homemade Facials)
Most of us really need a day at the spa pampering ourselves. The everyday stresses that everyone feels can really get us down. But who can afford to spend that kind of money in this economy? So in this article, I propose to offer some suggestions on reducing stress in your life without the heavy price tag.
Why does a day at the spa cost so much? Most of what you are paying for is the designer products that they use. Did you know you can make your own spa products at home? Also, you are paying for the atmosphere which you can recreate right at home. Candlelight is soothing to the nerves and a soothing tape can take you far away in your dreams.
Facials
Facials are another place that spas charge the big bucks but with a few of my "fresh recipes" and a good friend to help you to apply, you can have a spa facial at a fraction of the cost. The first step to a great facial is to clean the skin well. You don't need expensive cleansers for this just a short trip to your local grocery store and you have all the ingredients for a natural skin cleanser.
Skin Cleanser (For all skin types)
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 Tbsp. sunflower oil
- 1 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Mix all ingredients together and place in a sealed container. Store in the refrigerator. Use 1 tsp. morning and night to cleanse face.
Facial Cleansing Gel (For all skin types)
Add 2 tsp. flax seeds to a saucepan containing 1 1/2 cups of distilled water or herbal infusion. Bring to a boil and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking. Remove from heat and cool. The mixture should thicken into a gel. Strain. To use, add enough finely ground oatmeal to the gel to make a smooth paste. Rub over the face and neck, leave a few minutes, then rinse with warm water (not hot!)
Steam Your Face
The next step is to steam the face. Pour hot boiling water into a bowl and tent your head over the bowl. Dry herbs like peppermint or lavender can be added to the bowl for the rejuvenating properties (peppermint) or calming effect (lavender). Your next step is a face mask. Again, no need for expensive products, just a trip to the local grocery.
Herbal Facial Mask (Cleans and tightens pores)
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp crumbled dried chamomile flowers
- 1 tsp finely chopped fresh mint
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply the mixture to your face and neck. Let dry (10-15 minutes) and rinse off with warm water.
Oatmeal Face Mask
- 1/2 cup of oatmeal
- 1 smashed avocado
- 1/3 cup of honey
In a bowl mix smashed avocado with the honey, then continuously add oatmeal. When all ingredients are mixed well apply to face and relax. After 10-15 minutes,wash off with warm water. Do this once a week or when you desire relaxation. You won't believe the difference!
Orange Yogurt Mask
- 1 tsp plain yogurt
- the juice of 1/4 of an orange
Stir to mix and then dip fingers into mixture and smooth onto face. The sensation is both cool and relaxing. Leave on for a five minutes and then rinse. If you are feeling sluggish, this is the perfect mask for you.
*Yogurt will cleanse and nourish
*The orange is full of Vitamin C and AHA's
Peel-Off Mask Recipe
This mask will peel off your blackheads and tighten your skin. It is very strong, so those with sensitive skin may want to rinse this off instead of peeling it off. Do not use if you have acne.
- 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of cold milk
- 1 egg white
- Vitamin E Oil (break open a capsule, or buy in a bottle)
In a small pan mix the unflavored gelatin and the cold milk. Stir until melted over a very low flame. Once melted, remove from heat and let the gelatin mixture cool slightly. Then add one egg white. Mix until smooth, and when cool enough to touch, apply evenly over face. Do not apply on, or directly under, your eyes or on your upper lip. Apply quickly before mixture hardens in pan. Apply enough to cover your skin but not too thickly. Lie on the couch and let it dry completely, about 30 minutes. Once dry, lift up a corner under your chin and peel off lightly in an upward motion. This will really tingle. Rinse face with lukewarm water and apply vitamin E.
Tip: The vitamin E is for moisture. If you prefer, you can use your favorite moisturizer on your face instead.
Prune Porridge
This mask sounds and looks disgusting but is very soothing and good for a face tormented by sore underground pimples.
Pour 1/2 cup boiling water over 2 dried prunes in a bowl and leave until soft. Mash prunes. Use any leftover prune water in cooking about 1/2 cup oatmeal. Mix oatmeal with mashed prunes and enough honey to make a sticky mash that will adhere to the face. Apply while still warm (but not hot), leave 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
Toner For Your Face
Your last step is to apply a toner to your face. Then you will have a clean palette to apply your special makeup. Here are some great recipes for them.
Astringent
- 3 tsp. lemon extract
- Juice of one lime
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to a jar and shake well. Store in the refrigerator. Tightens your pores, refreshes your skin, and helps remove oils from skin.
Citrus Astringent
- 1/2 thinly sliced lemon
- 1/2 thinly sliced orange
- 3/4 cup ethanol alcohol
Combine lemon, orange, and alcohol in a blender and mix until fruits are pulverized. Strain liquid into a jar using a small strainer or cheesecloth. Tightens your pores, refreshes your skin, and helps remove oils from skin. Will keep 6 months refrigerated. Yield, 3/4 cup.
Basic Toner
- 3 cups distilled water
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
Mix water and vinegar. Pour into a clean decanter and store in bathroom. Use daily after washing face by putting on a clean cotton ball or gauze and wiping face. BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET INTO EYES!
Chamomile Astringent
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint (or 2 tbsp dried)
- 2 tbsp dried chamomile flowers, crushed
- 4 cups water
Combine ingredients in a small saucepan. Boil for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Strain liquid into a jar, cover and refrigerate. Will keep 2 weeks refrigerated. Apply with cotton balls to skin. Especially good for very oily skin.
By Debra Frick from Colorado Springs, CO
Editors Note: This is a four part article. Check out the other sections here:
Homemade Manicures and Pedicures (Your Own Spa: Part 2 of 4)
Homemade Haircare (Your Own Spa: Part 3 of 4)
Homemade Body Scrubs and Wraps (Your Own Spa: Part 4 of 4)
