Indulge in spa spoils … at home

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We’ve put together a few home spa remedies that won’t break the bank and are super easy to make – even the kids can get involved!

Not only do they soothe and pamper from head to toe, but they make the perfect gift for that friend who really needs a pick-me-up.

Bath bomb

Whisk together 100 grams bicarbonate of soda, 50 grams citric acid, 25 grams cornflour and 25 grams Epsom salt. In a separate bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of sunflower or canola oil with a few drops of essential oil and a few drops of liquid food colouring. Stir well. Slowly add the oil into the dry mixture, whisking constantly. As soon as all the oil is in, add a few drops of water and whisk. It will fizz a bit, so stir quickly. The mixture must clump together when held in your hand, and not be too wet. Add a sprinkling of dried lavender or rose petals to the bottom of the mould (optional). Pack your mixture into a mould – you can use empty dessert or yoghurt cups, Easter egg packaging, silicone ice trays, cupcake bases, biscuit cutters and so on. Leave to dry in the mould for about 4 hours, and carefully remove, ready to drop into a heavenly hot bath.

Rosemary hair rinse

From the glorious shores of the Mediterranean, rosemary is a versatile herb that is especially beneficial for creating healthy, shiny hair. It helps to prevent thinning, stimulates hair follicles, rinses out hair product residue, relieves an itchy, dry scalp and, used regularly, helps to blend in greys. To make a luxurious rosemary hair rinse, bring 2 cups of water to the boil, reduce the heat and add two generous sprigs of rosemary. Simmer for 10 minutes with the lid on, turn off the heat and leave to cool. Remove the sprigs. Pour over washed and rinsed hair, massaging into the scalp and through to the ends.

Aromatic room spritzer

Pour one cup of distilled water into a spray bottle, and add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (lavender and vanilla are lovely), 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of base spirit such as vodka. Put the lid on and shake well to mix. This aromatic spritzer will bring a fresh and lovely scent to any room, but remember to shake the bottle well before each use to ensure the components are thoroughly blended.

Foot scrub

Mix 1½ cups of fine sea salt, ¼ cup of Epsom salt and ¼ cup of bicarb with 6 tablespoons of coconut oil and 2 tablespoons of avocado oil. Add 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 5 drops of peppermint or citrus essential oil and mix well. Scoop into a jar and seal until your next foot scrub. This recipe works like a charm on dead skin and is especially good for cracked heels.

Body moisturiser

To make a creamy, moisturising lotion, all you need is a base cream (we used aqueous) and oil, base oil and essential oils. Add ½ cup of aqueous cream into a glass jar and stir in 1 tablespoon each of apricot and avocado oil, then add 10 to 15 drops of essential oils of your choice (citrus, peppermint, lavender and chamomile all work well and smell heavenly), mixing well until the oil and cream are well blended. Seal the jar and use within 2 weeks.

* Text: Melissa Bushby

 

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