The word "spa" is traced back to 17th century Belgium, where the word meant "the watering place." Spas were originally centered around healing mineral springs, promoting the ideals of health, beauty and relaxation. Though a spa no longer has to have mineral waters to operate, the ideals which spas embody are much the same. Performing a spa day at home allows you to relax, pamper yourself and concentrate on your health and beauty without compromising the health of your wallet.
Step 1
Schedule some time off. Allow for two to three hours of uninterrupted relaxation time to perform day spa activities at home. Turn off your phone, avoid your computer and let family members know that you're taking some time for yourself and not to interrupt you unless there is an emergency. Creating a spa-like atmosphere of relaxation is a key part of performing a day spa at home.
Step 2
Decorate your space in a way that pleases you and promotes relaxation. Drape your table with fresh linens to promote the feeling of relaxation and to allow for easy clean-up when you're done. Add a vase with flowers and put on some calming music to kick off your pampering event.
Step 3
Take a warm bath in water containing scented bath salts or oils. Give yourself permission to soak and luxuriate for as long as you can, letting the scented oils lull you into a sense of peace. Cleanse your body and hair.
Step 4
Start from the ground up with a pedicure. Fill a small bucket or tub with room-temperature water and bath salts. Soak your feet for at least 15 minutes. After soaking, scrub away dead skin with a pumice stone or loofah. Cleanse and dry your feet. Beauty experts Manine Rosa Golden and Marsha Burns suggest applying a moisturizer to promote soft, smooth skin in their book "Home Spa." Paint your toe nails for an added "pick-me-up."
Step 5
Create a facial mask suited to your skin type using household fruits. Strawberries are suited for oily, acne-prone skin and avocados work for normal and dry skin. A base of honey works to give the mask a paste-like consistency. Pull your hair back and apply the facial mask. Use the time you have the face mask on to relax. Apply toner and moisturizer after rinsing away your facial mask.
Step 6
Treat your hair. For dry hair, apply a hot oil-treatment and rinse to restore luster, sheen and body to your locks. If you have oily hair, use an astringent clarifying treatment such as a rinse made by boiling chamomile tea.
Step 7
Wash your hands thoroughly and care for your finger nails. Beauty expert Jo Glanville-Blackburn suggests applying lotion to soothe dry, tired skin and pushing back cuticles as needed in her book "Spa Bliss: Heavenly Ideas for Chilling Out." File nails and apply a peppy nail polish for an at-home manicure.
References
- Merriam-Webster's Online Dictonary: Spa
- "Secrets of the Spas: Pamper and Vitalize Yourself at Home"; Catherine Bardey; 1999
- "Weekend Home Spas"; Linda Bird; 2001
- "Home Spa: Recipes and Techniques to Restore and Refresh"; Manine Rosa Golden, Marsha Burns; 1997
- "Spa Bliss: Heavenly Ideas for Chilling Out"; Jo Glanville-Blackburn; 2008
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