Coconut Body Scrub and Clay Body Mask

Sadly, I was feeling a little down this week, partially due to this horrible cold/wet summer we've been having. Clearly, it was time for me to do something for myself that wasn't going to cost me a fortune. (I know some people shop or drink a lot when feeling down and that costs money!) I was browsing spa menus online and came across a coconut body scrub that cost $90 at the Spa. I thought to myself "Ok, I can do this myself for pennies!"

Granted, my bathroom doesn't look like a fancy schmancy spa but I tried my best to make it look that way. I lit a beeswax candle! I prepared the following concoctions in my kitchen, which are very easy to do:

Coconut Body Scrub

• 1 cup sea salt (regular will do if that's all you have)
• 1 Tbsp organic coconut oil (this can be substituted for any oil or even butter (like shea)
• Enough coconut milk to make the salts a little wet.

I didn't measure the coconut milk but poured a couple of tablespoons or so into the mix. You'll get a nice wet-ish consistency. Set aside.

Coconut Clay Body Mask

• 1 cup kaolin clay (this is the best for sensitive skin but you can use green clay too)
• 1 tsp. glycerin
• Enough coconut milk to make a nice thick paste.

Preparation:

Bring both bowls into your bathroom. Since my bathroom is cold (weather isn't good right now), I brought in a small heater to heat it. Make sure the bathroom is really warm before you start. Stand in your tub and wet your body. Turn the shower off, then use the scrub on your body using a circular motion, avoiding cuts/scrapes or freshly shaved areas. Do not use this on your face. Rinse, then pat dry.

Spread the clay mask all over your body. This can be used on your face but I didn't do that. Sit in your dry tub for about 20 minutes until the mask starts to dry. I found that the parts where I was sitting, the mask didn't dry as well. If you have someone who can help, wrap yourself in a dollar-store clear shower curtain, then with warm towels and lay down. I just sat in the tub as is.

Rinse the mask off, then pat dry. Apply a nice lotion. I used some self tanning lotion that I had bought at the dollarstore. It has a nice coconut smell and was perfect for this coconut spa theme!

After everything was finished, Put on my cozy pants and tank and made myself a nice cup of herbal tea.

Source: Posting from my own blog:

• http://thefrugalvegan.wordpress.com

By Lisa from Halifax, NS