DIY Spa Day

With spring rolling around, I thought it was the perfect time to treat myself with a DIY spa day. Something about the fresh breeze coming through the windows and the sound of wind chimes and the warmth of the sun gets me in the mood for a good pampering session. (Also, prom is coming up this Saturday, so I thought it'd be fun to use a few DIY tricks to get ready!) For this spa day, I went all out! Hair mask, infused water, face mask, foot soak, the whole shebang.



Below are the recipes that I used. Follow along to have your very own DIY spa day!

Coconut Oil Hair Mask

You will need:

• 1 tbsp of coconut oil

(Note: Don't go too overboard with this one! It was really hard to remove from my hair, so I would recommend applying just a little to the ends only, especially if you have oily hair.)

Place the coconut oil in a small dish. Fill up a separate bowl with hot water (make sure it's really hot!), then place the dish of coconut oil inside the bowl so that it's floating in the water. This is the best way to heat up the coconut oil, which is solid at room temperature. According to livestrong.com, warming coconut oil in the microwave or heating it on the stove degrades the quality of the oil and takes away some of its beneficial properties. Once it's mostly melted, use a spoon to stir it around. Then, using your hands, smooth the melted coconut oil onto your hair. (See note above!)

Don't worry about using it all up--there are lots of other uses for coconut oil, including moisturizer for dry skin. Once you're done, comb your hair with your fingers, tie it up tightly in a bun, and leave it for a half hour to an hour. You can use a disposable shower cap if you're afraid of it getting on your clothes, but I chose not to since my bun kept it secure and off my shoulders.

When you're ready to rinse it out, hop in the shower and use plenty of shampoo!

The Science: Since coconut oil is rich in fatty acids, it's perfect for nourishing your hair and preventing split ends. It's also great if your hair is dry or frizzy.

Lemon and Mint Infused Water

You will need:

• one lemon
• 5-10 fresh spearmint leaves

No spa day is complete without some infused water. I used lemon slices and spearmint leaves, but feel free to search the Internet for any combination you'd like! Or just check your fridge and garden to see what you have available and just toss it into a jug of water. Add some ice and leave it in the refrigerator for an hour or more (overnight would be best!).

The Science: Water, infused or not, has many many benefits. It is great for your skin, provides alertness and energy, and flushes out toxins. But I think we can all agree that infused water is way prettier and tastes better than plain water!

Cinnamon and Honey Face Mask

You will need:

• 2 tsp of honey
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Time to prepare your face mask! In a small bowl, add two teaspoons of honey and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix well until it forms a smooth paste. All that's left to do is to rub it all over your face, avoiding your eyes, and leave it there for about 15 minutes. This is the perfect time to sit back and relax with a book. (And avoid anyone who might see you because you'll look like a monster!) Afterward, rinse with warm water.

The Science: Honey is naturally antibacterial. It inhibits the growth of bacteria, so it is particularly helpful for curing acne. It is also nourishing and moisturizing, unlike many acne medicines that dry out your skin.

Sea Salt and Lavender Foot Soak

You will need:

• 1/8 cup sea salt
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 2-3 drops of essential oil (optional)

Combine in a bowl the sea salt, baking soda, and, if using, essential oil (I chose lavender!). Fill a bucket with hot water, then pour your salt mixture into the water, swishing the water around until the salt dissolves. Stick your feet in and relax, perhaps with some infused water!

The Science: The salt in the water will reduce swelling and soften feet while the baking soda exfoliates and removes odors.