7 Relaxing Spa Treatments You Can Do At Home

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DIY Spa Ideas

If a weekend away at the spa is a little bit out of your budget this month, why not bring the spa to you? We’ve rounded up some cool DIY treatments and recipes, as well as the latest spa-inspired beauty products.

Facial Massage

Is there anything more relaxing than a facial massage? Facial massages are also one of the keys to beating fine lines and boosting circulation as you age. Foreo’s new Iris Illuminating Eye Massager makes stimulating your delicate eye area a breeze with its antibacterial silicone exterior and built-in timer (its Luna facial brush is also one of our favourites). Gentle sonic vibrations smooth away under-eye lines and dark circles and help your eye serum and cream absorb better for faster, more effective results.

FOREO Iris Illuminating Eye Massager, $159 at sephora.ca and thebay.com 

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DIY Orange Body Scrub

This DIY body scrub recipe was created by Stillwater Spa Toronto and is inspired by one of the treatments they offer.

Ingredients

1 cup raw sugar
¼ cup organic honey
¼ cup fresh squeezed  orange juice
Finish with an orange scented lotion

Instructions

1. The first step is to choose the sugar you think best suits your skin type. Raw sugar is best for all skin types but especially for more sensitive skin. If your skin is very dry and can handle a more aggressive scrub you can substitute demerara sugar.
2. Simply mix 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of organic honey and 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed Navel orange juice. You’ll notice that that the orange juice will melt a bit of the sugar. That’s perfectly normal and you will still have plenty of scrub to exfoliate with.
3. To complete your at-home body exfoliation, use a dry brush or loofah. Stand in the shower and exfoliate with the dry brush or loofah before turning the water on. Once you’ve completed this, start running the shower. You’ll want it to be as warm as you can handle to help open your pores. Stand away from the water and scrub your body with the mixture. Rub each area that you would like to exfoliate for approximately 30 seconds in a circular motion. Once complete, rinse it off in the shower. Be sure to stand in the shower for a few extra minutes. Any remains of the mixture will simply wash away.
4. Step out of the shower. Dry yourself completely and moisturize with a heavy cream. Your skin will be left feeling silky smooth.

Hot Salt Scrub

If a DIY body scrub sounds too messy for you, there are plenty of in-store options. This gel scrub from Bliss is self-heating and boasts spa-strength skin softening powers. The warmth helps to loosen knots and muscles, while eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender essential oils contribute to the ambience.

Bliss Hot Salt Scrub, $44 at sephora.com.

Sheet Masks

Sheet masks are an amazing innovation out of Korea, where they’ve been used in some form or the other for the last 20 years. They’re relatively new to North America though. To use, first thoroughly cleanse and dry your face. Open the packet and carefully unfold the mask and apply it to your face. Smooth it out to ensure good contact with skin and then sit back and relax for 20-30 minutes. To remove the mask, peel it off slowly from the edges.

Masque Bar By Look Beauty Brightening Sheet Mask, $10 at Shopper’s Drug Mart.

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DIY Mango Face Mask

Some of the simplest spa ingredients can be found in your kitchen. For example, mangoes help to clean and tighten your skin’s pores. Here’s how to make your own mango face mask: After cleansing skin, peel a mango and mash it until it’s soft. Massage it into the skin and leave on for about five minutes before rinsing. Follow with your usual moisturizer.

Customizable Detox Skin Kits

The Healthy Skin Care Detox Kit from Consonant Skincare consists of 100 percent natural products making it a true detox experience.  The face kit includes full sizes of the brand’s famous Natural Foaming Face Wash, it’s Organic Lip Conditioner, as well as your choice of eye cream and face cream. (Choose from firming or moisturizing and regular or dry skin.)

Consonant Skincare Healthy Skin Care Detox Kit for face, $99 at consonantskincare.com.

Massage With Body Oil

Enlist your partner for this treatment and take turns giving each other a back or hand massage. The calming aroma has 25 pure flower and plant essences and a nourishing blend of certified organic sunflower and meadowfoam oils. Another option is to put a few drops in your bath for a relaxing pre-bed ritual.

Aveda Shampure Composition Calming Aromatic Oil for Body, Bath and Scalp, $36 at aveda.ca.