If you don't have the time or don't want to drop the cash required to lounge at a swanky spa all day, you can always recreate the spa experience in the comfort of your own home. Kick back and pamper yourself before your baby's big arrival by turning your home into a day spa.
Facial
For an easy at-home facial, begin by washing your face well with a gentle cleanser, then recline on your sofa while you lay a wet, warm towel on your face to open up pores. Follow up with an exfoliating enzyme mask made of 2/3 cup fresh, mashed papaya, a 15 oz. can pure pumpkin and 1 beaten egg. Mix ingredients together in a blender, apply to face and allow to absorb for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water and finishing up with a cold water splash to close your pores. Don't forget to apply a good moisturizer afterwards, using gentle upward strokes. For more great at-home facials, check out www.SpaIndex.com.
Pedi
File your toenails straight across to the desired length, then whip up a refreshing foot soak to rejuvenate your tired, swollen feet. Mix 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tsp. aloe vera, 1 teaspoon wheat germ oil, 20 drops of peppermint essential oil, and 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Add mixture to a basin of warm water and soak feet for 15 minutes. Dry feet, then gently push your cuticles back with an orangewood stick and use a pumice stone to remove dead skin and calluses from your heels. Use a sugar scrub to polish your skin and rinse with cool water, finishing up with a rich lotion. Use a non-acetone polish remover to clean nails, and then re-apply polish in the color of your choice. Foot soak recipe courtesy of www.SpaIndex.com.
Mani
Exfoliate dry skin from your hands using a granular scrub, then rinse and dry. File your nails and then let them soak in a bowl of water to which you've added several drops of lavender oil. Use an orangewood stick to push back your cuticles and massage a thick lotion onto your hands, concentrating on your cuticles, then slip on a pair of cotton gloves for 10 minutes to let the moisture absorb. Clean nails with a non-acetone polish remover and then re-paint with the color of your choice.
Body Scrub
Step into the shower, but before turning on the water, apply a sea salt scrub all over your dry skin, concentrating on tough areas such as your elbows, knees, and heels. Then rinse off in a warm shower and apply a rich shea-butter cream to your damp skin.
Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment
To repair damage from heat and styling, you need to restore your hair's moisture with a penetrating conditioning treatment. Begin by using a moisturizing shampoo and follow with a deep conditioner. Before rinsing off, cover your hair with a plastic shower cap and wrap your head in a hot, wet towel for 5 minutes.
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