Chin Deep

Here’s one of my favorite summertime spa treatments. This one was published in my first book, “Chin Deep in Bubbles” on page 58.

An exfoliating, smoothing treatment for your feet:

Combine 1/2 cup beach sand (or play sand), 1 Tablespoon sea salt, and 1/2 cup olive oil in a big basin. Put your feet in the basin and massage the sand mixture all over your feet. Rinse feet in a seperate basin full of cool water. Pat feet dry with a towel.

“Teach me to hear the mermaids singing.” ~John Donne

It doesn’t get much easier than this! Just sprinkle fresh rose petals into your bath water before you bathe. Light some candles and listen to relaxing music while looking at your favorite magazines. Instant spa!

“This is la vie en rose…” ~ Edith Piaf

Fresh coconut gently exfoliates, and brown sugar gives your skin an even deeper exfoliating treatment without being too harsh or abrasive.

Combine:

1 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup grated coconut

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted OR 1/4 cup creme de coconut

1 Tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

10 drops coconut perfume oil

3 drops sandalwood essential oil

3 drops vanilla or almond essential oil

Standing on a towel, rub mixture all over your body. Allow to penetrate for 5 minutes. Rub mixture off with a damp hand towel. Soak in the tub or take a shower to rinse off remaining mixture.

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”

~Lucille Ball

This is one of my favorite quick spa “fixes” that is a piece of cake to prepare at home.

Just before you get in the shower or bath tub, combine a couple tablespoons of your favorite shower gel with a teaspoon of dry cornmeal. Pour on a loofah or exfoliating scrunchie sponge. Shower as usual. The cornmeal is a great, natural exfoliant that will leave your skin silky smooth.

This lotion is great for foot massages! Mix the following ingredients together and indulge in the scent of peppermint pinwheel candy

1/4 cup unscented, good quality lotion

10 drops peppermint essential oil

1 teaspoon aloe vera gel

yield :2 treatments

This recipe was originally published in my second book, “Welcome Home” on page 77. Renew your skin for spring!

Avocados are rich in natural fats and emollients that will leave your face soft and dewy fresh…

Combine:

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup mashed sweet potato

1 whole mashed avocado

3 Tablespoons honey

Massage mixture gently onto face and neck. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water. This recipe makes enough for three people, so have a spa party and invite me!

“The loveliest faces are to be seen by moonlight, when one sees half with the eye and half with the fancy.” -Persian Proverb

“I went to Maui to stay a week and remained five. I have never spent so pleasant a month before, or bade any place goodbye so regretfully. I have not once thought of business, or care or human toil or trouble or sorrow or weariness and the memory of it will remain with me always.”

-Mark Twain

I guess this week I’ll be focusing on a bit of a Hawaiian theme. Perfect for springtime and renewal. In my second book, “Welcome Home : Simple Tips for Turning Your House into a Luxurious Retreat,” on page 78, there’s a recipe for a wonderful at-home spa treatment called “Hawaiian Pina Colada Mask.”

Bromelain is a naturally occuring enzyme found in fresh pineapple. This enzyme gently exfoliates dead skin cells, and the acids in pineapple balance the pH in your skin. Coconut milk smells heavenly and naturally moisturizes your face without making it greasy. Be prepared to glow!

Combine:

1/4 cup crushed, FRESH pineapple

2 Tablespoons coconut milk

Rub mixture onto face. Leave on for five minutes. Rinse with warm water. Pat dry with a soft towel. Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

And, something to sip while you indulge in this mask…

While we were visiting beautiful Maui, we visited the world renowned Grand Wailea Hotel and Spa. While we were there we were given this glorious spa water to sip. Now you can enjoy this beverage guilt free in the comfort of your very own home-spa.

Simply fill a half gallon glass jug with purified water. Add two slices fresh cucumber, and two slices fresh lemon. Cover and allow to chill in refrigerator for 12 hours before serving.

Spring Spa Tip from Melissa Placzek’s book “Chin Deep in Bubbles” Copyright 2001-FairWinds Press

Well, it seems that spring is almost here (I’m trying to ignore all of the snow that recently got dumped on us.) Time to bring your hair and skin out of hibernation.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that your hair and skin are much different during the winter months. All winter I have to diligently moisturize or I turn into an albino raisin. Many shampoos and conditioners that do a good job moisturizing have tiny particles of wax in them. When I was writing my first book and found this out I was kind of surprised that any company (Even some of the more expensive salon brands) would put wax in their hair products on purpose. More research revealed that the wax serves a purpose. It “seals in” the beneficial moisturizing oils in your hair, and actually protects your hair from breakage and sunlight.

All of this is well and good, but after using these products all winter you may notice your hair is sort of wilted and flat. There is a great, all natural and inexpensive hair treatment that you can do about once a month to keep this from ever happening again. YAY! Simply pour 8-10 ounces white vinegar into a glass measuring cup, wet your hair with warm water, and carefully pour the vinegar all over your hair (taking extra care not to get any in your eyes because it stings.) Work the vinegar throughout your hair like you would a conditioner. Rinse the vinegar out and continue washing and conditioning as you usually would. The vinegar breaks down the waxes, leaves your hair super shiny, and returns your scalp to it’s perfect pH. And all of this costs about a nickel.

And, no, it won’t leave you smelling like a pickle.