Affordable DIY home spa treatments

With the scare of the COVID-19 and the “lockdown” put in place in Denmark, most of us are housebound, but of course, we still want to feel beautiful without breaking the bank. So I have come up with some great ways to create your own D.I.Y experience from the luxury of your own home. I have some easy and inexpensive ideas which are ideal for both men and women to try out.

Photographs: Unsplash.com

Text: Barbara Mensah

1. Simple and sweet body scrub recipe

• Once a week a good scrub of the body is essential to leave the skin glowing and nourished.

• One small cup of sugar of your choice (brown sugar works best for me) and add oil of your choice while mixing (olive oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond to name a few).

• Usually, 3-5 table-spoons gets the consistency right. It should be more gritty than runny.

• Finally add half a fresh lemon, mix and voila, ready to exfoliate that body.

2. Even out skin with Lemons

This easy and straightforward routine will soften rough spots and naturally lighten any dark spots on the body from the natural acid from the lemon. Simply take a freshly cut lemon and rub gently on areas such as the elbows and knees.

3. De-stress from the day

How about starting and ending your day with the soothing flickers of sweet-smelling candles lit around a shower or bath. Find your favourite scented candle and relax while having a warm shower or bath. There are so many to choose from, but my personal favourite is the Yankee Candle, vanilla cupcake flavour.

4. Deep hair conditioning with coconut oil

Coconut oil has so many uses, including the usage in hair as a conditioner. Find yourself raw organic coconut oil and massage it into your hair after your usual shampoo. Leave it on overnight or steam/heat cap if time is of the essence. It will leave hair feeling healthier, stronger and visibly shinier.

5. Warm melted organic Shea butter massage

This is my little secret pleasure. Just before getting into the shower. Take two large tablespoons of shea butter into a small cup and simply melt in the microwave or in a cup on top of hot water. Once you’re are out the shower, and the shea butter has melted into a rich oil, simply massage all over the body. Shea butter moisturises dry skin, reduces stretch marks and restores the elasticity of the skin. The moisturising fatty acid of the shea butter can provide relief to conditions like psoriasis, eczema and rosacea.

6. Blend yourself a facial mask in seconds!

All you need is a blender, honey, cream, yoghurt, aloe vera gel and avocado. Put all ingredients into a blender. Use a clean foundation brush to paint everything on and leave on for 20-30 mins and rinse off thoroughly. Taa daaaaa! Your skin will feel refreshed and nourished.

7. Milk Body soak

If Cleopatra did this, then we are worthy of it too. All you need is a bathtub, milk or buttermilk, honey and lavender essential oil. Fill up the tub with warm water, add small amounts of lavender oil, add honey and 5 cups of water. Sit back and relax. Let the lactic acid in the milk gently remove dead skin cells while the delicious aromas of the honey and lavender oil fill the room.