It's that taxing in-between time of the semester again: papers & projects're coming due & finals're looming ahead. It's clear that students're stressed right now & with that stress comes the need for relaxation. And what better way to unwind than by pampering yourself & indulging in some me-time?
Of course, as students, we can't all afford to shell out for a trip to a high-end spa. So how do you get all the benefits of a spa treatment without the hefty cost?? Easy. Raid your kitchen!! Here're 5 of my favorite do-it-yourself beauty treatments that're easy to whip together in your room or apartment.
1. Citrus Skin Glow Body Scrub
I ♥ spring, it's my favorite season. After a long, sleepy & miserably cold winter, there's hope that warm, sunny days lie ahead. I ♥ the blossoms & the woodsy smell of new life. Spring is the perfect time to shed the dead, dry layer of skin cells that has accumulated over the harsh winter months. This citrus skin glow scrub, with its refreshing scent & bright color, will sweep away the old, allowing fresh, smooth skin to emerge.
Cut 1 small lime in half & squeeze the juice from both halves into a bowl. Set aside the halves. Add 1 cup granulated sugar & 2 tbsp. honey to the bowl. Saturate the mixture with 1/8 cup sweet almond & 1/8 cup jojoba oils. Blend the mixture with a small spoon or spatula until smooth, adding a little more of the oils if needed. Add 7-10 drops essential oil of lemon grass & 3-6 drops essential oil of sweet orange & mix well. Use a small grater to zest the peel of the lime halves over the mixture & stir. Store in a clean plastic, glass or tin container.
To use, apply a small amount of the mixture to wet skin in a warm shower. Scrub gently in circular motions. Rinse. Lightly pat the skin dry & follow with your favorite moisturizer to enhance the benefits.
2. Firming Coffee Body Scrub
Renowned as an anti-cellulite agent, coffee detoxifies & tightens the skin. The ground beans can also exfoliate, reduce fine lines & fend off acne. I use sugar & coconut in the following coffee-based body scrub for extra scouring power, along with olive oil for deep hydration & a rejuvenating essential oil to help wake up the senses. The scrub is gentle enough for everyday use & leaves skin silky smooth.
Mix 1½ cups cane sugar, ¼ cup ground coffee beans, ¼ cup shredded coconut & ¾ cup olive oil in a bowl until fully combined. Add 1 tsp. honey followed by 3-5 drops essential oil of choice. Transfer the mixture to a plastic container with a lid for 1-2 weeks sealed at room temperature. Rub a generous scoop of the scrub over your arms, legs, stomach, chest & bottom, scrubbing medium to hard depending on your sensitivity. Rinse off in the shower under warm to hot water, ensuring the sugar crystals disintegrate completely. Pat dry to allow the oils to soak into your soft, glowing skin.
Those with very sensitive skin may wish to use pure cane sugar because it is less abrasive than raw.
3. Green Tea Toner
Plenty of people leave toner out of their beauty routine, but many estheticians swear by its ability to balance the pH of the skin & remove residue left by cleansers. Looking for an easy, affordable way to try it out?? I suggest this refreshing 2-ingredient version made with one of nature's best antioxidants: green tea. Simply apply it in the morning after cleansing & before moisturizing & then reapply throughout the day for a pick-me-up. The tea's polyphenols help fight free radicals & inflammation & studies have shown that when applied to the skin, green tea helps protect against sun damage.
Steep 3 grams of loose-leaf green tea in 200 ml. of hot water for 3 minutes. Cool completely & pour into a small glass spritzer bottle. Spray lightly on the face or apply with a cotton ball.
Toner will keep for about 5 days if refrigerated. Shake bottle before each use.
4. Rejuvenating Foot Scrub
Everyday activities-from working out to running errands-can take a toll on our fragile feet. Here's an easy-to-make, at-home exfoliating scrub that mixes cleansing salts with moisturizing jojoba oil, antiseptic citrus & therapeutic essential oils to soften skin, pamper tired toes & restore vitality from the ground up.
Crush 1 cup Dead Sea or Epsom salts using a mortar & pestle. Mix juice of 1 lemon & 1/2 cup jojoba oil & 3 drops essential oil together in a small dish. Add wet ingredients to the salts in a large bowl. With your hands, apply the scrub to feet & ankles using firm pressure on rough places, such as the heels & a light touch on sensitive spots like the soles.
5. Homemade Facial Mask for Tightening & Brightening Skin
Ripe with enzymes & vitamin A, peaches help tighten pores. Cucumbers, meanwhile, nourish connective tissue & rejuvenate the skin thanks to their abundance of silica. Plus, their ascorbic & caffeic acids prevent water retention, making them popular for reducing puffiness.
Puree 1/2 peach & 1/2 cucumber in a blender until smooth, apply mixture to face & leave on for 20 minutes.
What do you think of DIY beauty treatments??? Do you've a particular recipe that's your favorite?? What have you tried??? Does DIY save you money??