7 Ways You Can Pamper Yourself on a Home Spa Day

Those of us dealing with cabin fever after countless days in quarantine are desperate for some Me-Time, and some good old-fashioned TLC.

In the midst of the current health crisis, we can't walk out and go to our favorite spa for the day and have all that tension and stress soaked and pummeled out of our bodies.

At the time when we most need the comfort of being pampered and be made to feel extra beautiful, and soft and feminine, that essential therapy is out of our reach -- or is it?

If your hair has lost its luster, restore your crowning glory with a rich avocado hair mask

We've put together a list of 7 of our favorite recipes for pampering ourselves that you can indulge in at home, and transform your bathroom into the most luxurious of spas.

And every single product is homemade in your own kitchen...

It's time to revitalize yourself, body, and soul.

#1 -- SILKY SENSUAL CHOCOLATE FACE MASK

Chocolate isn't just one of the most delicious things on earth, it is also one of the best moisturizers, containing vitamins A, B1, C, D and E. It is also rich antioxidants which protect your skin from the damage caused by free-radicals, and flavonoids, which help to filter dangerous UV rays.

INGREDIENTS

(for 3 face masks)

2-3 Tablespoons Greek yogurt

1 tsp. cocoa powder

1 tsp. buttermilk

¼-1/2 of a banana, mashed

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. lemon juice

PREPARATION:

Mix the ingredients in a blender. The resulting mixture should be sufficiently consistent so it does not run down the face.

APPLICATION:

Apply a layer of the chocolate mask to the face, and rest for 20-30 minutes. Rinse off with cool water, then apply cold water to your face to close the pores.

NOTE:

If your skin is dry, eliminate the lemon juice from the recipe and substitute the same amount of honey. If your skin is oily, reduce the amount of honey, and increase the lemon commensurately. Before applying to the face, test the mask on a small portion of the skin in case of an allergic reaction.

#2 -- REFRESHING ROSEWATER TONIC

From time immemorial women have used rose water to freshen their skins, to achieve that silky petal-soft complexion, and this tonic distilled from rosebuds will revitalize your skin.

INGREDIENTS:

2-3 rosebuds

distilled pure water boiled

UTENSILS:

strainer and funnel

spray bottle

PREPARATION:

Infuse the rose buds with boiling water in a covered teapot for 2 hours. Strain the tonic and pour it into a spray bottle. Store in the fridge for up to one week.

APPLICATION:

Spray onto the face as a refreshing, soothing tonic after cleansing or exfoliating.

NOTE:

Before applying it to the face, test the tonic on a small portion of the skin in case of an allergic reaction.

#3 -- GREEN TEA EXFOLIATOR

Green tea isn't just good for your insides, it has plenty of benefits for your skin. Green tea is packed with antioxidants, and rich in caffeine, which stimulates the skin, and reduces puffiness. As a bonus, green tea is also a super moisturizer.

INGREDIENTS

2-4 Green Tea teabags depending

1 cup organic white sugar or brown sugar

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 Tablespoons of honey

PREPARATION

Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Since this recipe produces enough exfoliating scrub to exfoliate the body and face up to three times, store in an airtight container away from direct sunlight in between uses.

APPLICATION:

Scoop up a tablespoon of the exfoliator and gently massage your face and body for approximately 30 seconds. Rinse the exfoliator from your skin with water and wipe any residue off with a washcloth. Use is recommended every two weeks.

Note:

Before applying it to your face and body, test the tonic on a small portion of the skin in case of an allergic reaction.

#4 -- AVOCADO HAIR MASK

If your hair has lost its luster, restore your crowning glory with a rich avocado hair mask. Avocados are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and natural oils that will restore damaged hair, especially if it tends to be dry and brittle.

INGREDIENTS:

(if your hair is short, halve the quantities)

1 ripe avocado pitted, peeled and mashed

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp. lemon juice

UTENSILS

disposable shower cap

wire whisk

PREPARATION

Place the mashed avocado in a bowl, and which in the olive oil and lemon juice until it is thoroughly incorporated. Apply the resulting mixture to damp (not wet) hair, cover with the shower cap, and rest for 20 minutes.

Rinse off the avocado hair mask, gently massaging the scalp. Follow with your usual shampoo.

NOTE:

Before applying it to your hair and scalp, test the hair mask on a small portion of the skin in case of an allergic reaction.

#5 -- HONEY BATH

There is a lot more to honey than just the sweetness. This miraculous natural substance has antibacterial properties that help prevent infection and prevent skin aging. Honey is also full of antioxidants and is an effective moisturizer; while the bath's other component, baking soda, is a natural exfoliant.

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tbsps of raw honey

5 Tbsps of baking soda

PREPARATION

Add the honey to a running warm bath, and soak for 15 minutes, then add the baking soda to the bathwater and soak a further 15 minutes.

NOTE:

Before soaking in the bath, test the honey and baking soda on a small portion of the skin in case of an allergic reaction.

#6 -- GRAPEFRUIT AND ROSEMARY FOOT SCRUB

Like Cinderella, we've probably been neglecting out feet., but why not pamper them, and put on our glass slippers, even if it's just to prance around the house. Restore your feet with a refreshing and aromatic grapefruit and rosemary scrub.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup Kosher salt

1 tbsp table salt

4 tsp grapefruit juice

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp dried rosemary

PREPARATION

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. If the scrub is too dry, add a little more olive oil, it it is too soggy, add a little more salt.

APPLICATION

Scrub your feet with a handful of the mixture, paying special attention to the heels and soles. Rinse thoroughly, and apply a moisturizer.

NOTE:

Before using the scrub, test the mixture on a small portion of the skin in case of an allergic reaction.

#7 -- MILK AND HONEY HAND SCRUB

There was a reason Cleopatra took milk baths. Lactic acid is a natural antioxidant, evens out skin pigmentation, and is a marvelous natural moisturizer. Combined with the virtues of honey, and the rich natural oil of almonds, it makes for a wonderful scrub that removes dead skin and softens and restores your hand's silky smoothness.

INGREDIENTS

A handful of almonds

1/2 teaspoon of honey

Milk as required

PREPARATION

Grind the almonds to a fine powder, adding the honey, and enough milk to make a smooth paste. Scrub your hands with this mixture for 2 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Repeat 3 times a week. Store excess scrub in the fridge since the milk may sour.

NOTE:

Before using, test the hand scrub on a small portion of the skin in case of an allergic reaction.

Pamper yourself, remember, a healthy mind needs a healthy, well-cared-for body.

Stay safe, and keep smiling.