Spa Blog: Getaways, Features, Tips, Best Recipes, More

10 Summer Skin Care Tips

When Spring marches into Summer, you need protect your skin so it doesn’t pay the price for the brunt of the heat this season. These skin care tips will help keep your skin fresh and dewy, even when the mercury climbs high, and help you enjoy your summer!
June 5, 2018 |

Kiwi Astringent for Oily Skin

DIY Kiwi Astringent for Oily Skin Kiwi is very mildly acidic and acts as an astringent for oily skin without being as drying as others.   It also contains several skin-friendly nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E and antioxidants. These elements are terrific for boosting and rejuvenating skin health, and this recipe for Kiwi Astringent for Oily Skin is a breeze to make. Vodka is an excellent preservative for Spa DIY recipes. Kiwi is very mildly acidic and acts as an astringent for oily skin without being as drying as others.  
December 12, 2017 |

Grapefruit Sugar Scrub

Grapefruit Essential Oil This simple grapefruit sugar scrub takes advantage of commonly available table sugar as an exfoliant and the properties of Grapefruit Essential Oil (an astringent) and Jojoba Oil (skin conditioner). 
November 1, 2017 |

DIY Pumpkin Body Moisturizer

DIY Pumpkin Body Moisturizer This is a terrific and so-simple (3 ingredients!) DIY pumpkin body moisturizer recipe to calm and sooth wintery dry skin. This treatment keeps well in the refrigerator to get you through the dry winter skin phase.
October 29, 2017 |

DIY Silky Rose Dusting Powder

Rose Dusting Powder Roses are so commonly associated with Valentine’s Day, we are sharing this recipe to either get a head start on sweet smelling Valentine’s Day gifts for your BFFs, daughters, and mothers, or, for those of you lucky enough to receive a dozen roses from your beloved — a project using those wonderful rose petals after the blooms have faded.   This DIY  recipe for Silky Rose Dusting Powder relies on both rose petals and Rose Essential Oil. Around 1000 A.D., Avicenna, a physician is believed to have been the first person to incorporate the process known as distillation to distil the…
October 28, 2017 |

DIY Pumpkin Papaya Exfoliating Enzyme Mask

Pumpkin Papaya Mask If you have visited spas and resorts in exotic locales such as the Pacific Rim, Bali, Hawaii, and Tahiti, you’ve probably been lucky enough to have an aesthetician select and mash fresh fruit in front of you for a fresh-on-the spot enzyme mask. This is our DIY recipe for Pumpkin Papaya Mask with Exfoliating Enzymes.
October 13, 2017 |

DIY Apple Cider Witch Hazel Toner

Apple Cider Witch Hazel Toner on Spa Index Intended for slightly oily skins, we’re told by skincare experts this Apple Toner is an excellent substitute for rubbing alcohol (a real no-no for oily complexions, as it actually stimulates the oil glands to produce more oil). Witch hazel is a gentle astringent, apple cider vinegar will help restore your skin’s natural pH balance, and lavender soothes sensitive skin.
April 21, 2017 |

Plantain Cream for Bites and Stings

Plantain Weed Plantain (the botanical, not the  starchy fruit) is a common weed in your yards and garden — but did you know it also serves as an excellent medicinal remedy?  It’s a wonderful treatment for bug bites and stings, but also minor burns and abrasions, rashes, eczema, and psoriasis.     Make some of this healing plantain cream and keep it on hand this summer.   This natural cream help bites and stings.  
March 25, 2017 |

DIY Lemon Lavender Bath Melts Recipe

Lavender Bath Melts DIY Recipe These wonderfully moisturizing and aromatic Lemon Lavender Bath Melts are just the ticket for softening and soothing dry winter skin, which can be worsened with hot baths.   Now you can enjoy a warm bath and a moisturizer in one.  
February 25, 2017 |

Honey Oatmeal Facial for Oily Skin

Honey Oatmeal Facial Honey is a natural antiseptic and is used here to bind with the yogurt (or buttermilk). The oatmeal will absorb excess oil from acne-prone skin and serve as a gentle exfoliant.  Together, this Honey Oatmeal Facial is great for oily skin and easy to prepare. This Honey Oatmeal Facial is great for oily skin and easy to prepare.  
March 1, 2016 |

Kiwi Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

DIY Kiwi Astringent for Oily Skin Kiwi fruit is an anti-oxidant and enzyme rich fruit and an excellent source of Vitamins C,  A and E which contribute to toned and supple skin.  The honey is antimicrobial, and the yogurt contains lactic acid.  The almonds exfoliate.   Together, using this Kiwi Facial Cleanser will help exfoliate dry skin, tighten pores, moisten, calm, and nourish your complexion. Best for normal to dry complexions.   First published on Spa Index in February 2007; updated 2016
February 21, 2016 |

DIY Healing Herbal Wrap

ginger_healing_wrap Ginger tea is commonly recommended to relieve symptoms of colds.  Here, it’s being used as a Healing Herbal Wrap to help ease the symptoms of sore muscles and to reduce inflammation. 
July 19, 2015 |

Lavender Blister Dust

Lavender Blister Dust A simple remedy for treating blisters with lavender dust. Holiday Shopping is coming and Black Friday is bound to take a toll on your feet, and, you’ve got office gifts to swap with co-workers. Make this as a gift.
December 13, 2014 |

Kathy’s Peppermint Lip Scrub

Peppermint Lips Chapped lips are no fun, and the drier they become, the more you want to chew on them, worsening the problem. This handy peppermint lip scrub will help fix your chapped lips in a hurry, and was submitted by one of our readers. “I used to have a pot of mint lip scrub which I absolutely adored.  it was really good for my lips and I soon ran out. The scrub was made of sugar so I reckoned I could probably make it again myself at home, and this is what I came up with.” — Kathy S. Submitted by…
October 18, 2014 |

Lash Extensions … are they for you?

Lash Extensions With today’s hectic lifestyles, most women don’t have the time to apply fake eye lashes every morning, yet we still want those long, lush lashes that make our eyes pop! So, it’s no surprise that eyelash extensions have become the most recent beauty rage.  Eyelash extensions are enhancements applied to the natural eyelashes to increase volume and length in an effort to emphasize the eyes. Here are some things to keep in mind when exploring lash extensions. The lash extension application process takes about 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the look you want to achieve. The procedure is…
September 29, 2014 |

Beach Sand Scrub

Beach Sand Scrub for Feet and Body The next time you decide to spend the day at the beach, take advantage of the “on location foot treatment” with Beach Sand Scrub. Brazilians, particularly, are known for scrubbing their entire bodies, particularly the feet, deep into the sand while they relax on the beach.
July 31, 2014 |

Summer DIY Tips from Lake Austin Spa Resort, Texas

Peppermint Essential oils can help with many of the problems we encounter in summer months. Treating sunburn and insect bites, repelling insects and controlling fire ants are all possible with plant derived oils. Here are some recipes courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas to help you have a more fragrant and enjoyable summer season.
June 22, 2014 |

Guide to Essential Oils

Spa Index Essential Oils Guide For the benefit of our visitors who are considering a spa treatment which calls for ingredients in a mask or wrap which are unfamiliar, “read below before you go.” This Guide to Essential Oils provides some basic information, but it’s also helpful for selecting a new or different combination of oils based on a profile that piques your interest.
March 30, 2014 |

Zen Spaces

Meditation Tea House Our favorite zen spaces exude calm and rest for the mind body and spirit.  These are a collection of our favorite spaces, created by spas, landscape designers, businesses, home owners, and Mother Nature.
March 19, 2014 |

Gentle Thyme Fennel Cleanser

Thyme Fennel Cleanser Fennel has been used throughout history as an aid to digestion or as a slight diuretic. As an infusion, fennel seeds can be gently cleansing and toning for the skin, and they can help reduce puffiness and superficial irritation.
January 23, 2014 |

Parsley Cucumber Facial

parsley cucumber facial The next time you make a salad, set aside just 3 tablespoons of basic ingredients, and you’ve got yourself a quick parsley cucumber facial, to be enjoyed while soaking in the tub before bed. You cannot get any easier, or quicker, than this. The yogurt provides lactic acid for skin softening; the cucumber soothes and reduced inflammation, and the parsley contains vitamin B-9, which protects the skin.   Photo by Dapan, with permission
November 17, 2013 |

Pineapple Olive Oil Dry Skin Facial

Pineapple Olive Oil Facial This pineapple facial is an excellent exfoliant for dry skin. The citrus fruit contains bromeliad, a protein-digestive enzyme which helps rid the skin of dead cells and dirt. It also counteracts histamines, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is a mild astringent. Olive oil has excellent healing properties and is a good source of vitamin E, which restores the skin’s surface.
October 11, 2013 |

Quick Cucumber Eye Soother

Cucumber Eye Soother DIY Need to de puff your eyes in a hurry? You could purchase a $12.00 bottle of cucumber-lookalike eye pads infused with extract and then kicked up with a list of chemicals — or you can simply use a real cucumber.
October 2, 2013 |

End of Summer Almond Body Scrub

Almond Body Scrub - DIY As the end of the summer season approaches, many of us are sporting that attractive tell-tale sign of fun in the sun: Peeling skin. We have an excellent recipe for an Almond Body Scrub to gently and thoroughly exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells. Body scrubs feel wonderful and relieve the itch of flaking skin.
September 12, 2013 |

Belgian Hair Potion

orange segments “This hair potion is used on thick hair about once a week” says Beverly Hills stylist Kim Vo. “It helps reconstruct the hair and make it shiny while taking out excessive oils.”
August 23, 2013 |

Make Your Own DIY Hairspray

Sugar Making your own hairspray is a cinch if you’ve got the talent for boiling water, and, your sugar bowl is at hand. This recipe is particularly useful for people with skin sensitivities who would normally breakout from the sometimes harsh chemicals in over the counter hairsprays.
July 23, 2013 |

DIY Sunblock Recipe

DIY Sunblock Sunscreen Recipe - High SPF Our esthetician experts say “If you can see your shadow, you need sunblock.” However, did you know the active ingredients in sunblock often dissipate after the season? You should always use a sunblock, but, don’t purchase it in bulk or save that last little bit in the bottle for the next season. Buy it fresh every season, or, make your own if you don’t have access to your favorite brand.     Read a review and a great “tweak” for this recipe by BellaSugar — adding Essential Oil First publication on Spa Index April 10, 2005
June 10, 2013 |

Watermelon Toner

watermelon Our popular Watermelon Toner is made with the juice of this summer’s melon,  plus vodka and witch hazel. After your cookout this summer, save some of the juice which would otherwise be all over the table, and have fun with this refreshing face cocktail. Watermelon Juice is very hydrating for the skin, removes excess oil without drying skin, and is a natural moisturizer. Witch Hazel is a gentle astringent ad reduces puffiness. Vodka is a preservative. First published June 8, 2007
June 8, 2013 |

Chocolate Facial Mask DIY

DIY Chocolate Facial Mask Our popular Chocolate Facial Mask is made with cocoa powder and cottage cheese. It’s more than just fun and funky — it’s an excellent moisturizer (recommended for normal complexions) which leaves your skin baby soft.
May 11, 2013 |

Coffee Body Scrub

DIY Coffee Body Scrub This is a wonderful way to repurpose used coffee grounds from your coffee maker. We’ve tried this with both fresh ground and with used coffee grounds from our coffee maker and both worked equally well. After all, you’re after the exfoliating effect and the fact you’ve used the grounds to brew coffee doesn’t lessen this effect. In fact it makes the grounds a tad softer.  
April 12, 2013 |

Cranberry Savory Face Wash for Oily Skin

Savory Cranberry Face Wash Did you know the acidity in cranberries works as a mild astringent and toner? Did you know that the Greeks originally considered Savory to be an aphrodisiac? Cranberry and Savory posses antiseptic properties similar to those found in oregano and thyme, and help cleanse the skin of excess oils, making Cranberry Savory Face Was perfect for oily skin.   Cranberry and Savory posses antiseptic properties similar to those found in oregano and thyme, and help cleanse the skin of excess oils,
February 22, 2013 |

Vanilla Rose Bath Bombs

bath bomb If you don’t have sphere molds, fear not!  Mold these vanilla rose bath bombs in a muffin tin, ice cube tray, or with your hands and enjoy a nice warmly scented bath whenever you desire.  We prefer standard ice cube trays so that we can use smaller amounts, and even better — mix and match our scents for greater variety. Mold these vanilla rose bath bombs in a muffin tin, ice cube tray, or with your hands and enjoy a nice warmly scented bath whenever you desire. 
January 27, 2013 |

DIY Winter Hand Therapy Mask

Winter Hand Therapy Winter often means dry, cracked, chapped hands — a seasonal hazard. Our hands are first exposed to indoor dry heat and then exposed to harsh outdoor conditions. Often, your favorite or regular moisturizer seem less effective. Here are some tips to help your hands this Winter, and a recipe for a Winter Hand Therapy Mask.
January 16, 2013 |

Bathtub Tea Bags

Bath Tea Bags by Rad Megan Make your own bathtub tea bags for a relaxing spa treatment in your tub. Perfect for gift giving as well. We are fond of giving these to clients and customers rather than typical holiday fare. Everyone loves them.
November 27, 2012 |

DIY Bubble Bath Jelly Cubes

Bubble Bath Jelly Cubes DIY Bath Jelly Cubes and Bath Jams are a fun way to make soft, wiggly cubes of bubble bath, particularly appealing to children.  This recipe also makes for a fun craft activity for a group of moms, children, and friends.   This recipe also makes for a fun craft activity for a group of moms, children, and friends.
January 27, 2012 |

Cucumber Hair Drench

Sliced Cucumbers If you swim or soak in a chlorinated pool or Jacuzzi on a regular basis, the same damage you’ve noticed happening to your skin and bathing suit, is happening to your hair, as well. Drench your hair with some nutrients to get it in Olympic form.
April 17, 2009 |

Gentle Honey Cleanser

Gentle Honey Cleanser DIY This cleanser is simple and effective. The soap gently cleans, the glycerin prevents drying and the honey not only softens the skin, but its antimicrobial properties can help ward off breakouts. A touch of honey is all you need for healthy, glowing skin.
February 21, 2008 |

Avocado Dry Skin Mask

Avocado Dry Skin Mask This Avocado Dry Skin Mask should result in a marked improvement in skin texture, and all-around revitalizing of dry skin.  Avocado balances the skin with “good fats” and the egg yolk has minerals, vitamins and proteins.  
February 21, 2008 |

Fingernail Brightener

nail brightener One of our staff members said she regularly purchased a tiny container of “little round manicure soaking balls” at her local beauty supply store, designed to brighten her nails.  She asked if there was a DIY swap for that.  We took her into our office kitchen on our Spa Saturdays and made this version for her, at a fraction of the price.  
April 12, 2006 |

Beer Hair Rinse

Beer Hair Rinse Spa DIY Beer adds protein to make hair shiny and make it feel thicker, and the Essential Oils enhance shine and manageability.  Try the Beer Hair Rinse especially in summer months if you’ve been in swimming pools, which are notoriously hard on our hair.   Beer adds protein to make hair shiny and make it feel thicker, and the Essential Oils enhance shine and manageability.  
April 12, 2006 |

Cherry Vanilla Foaming Bath

Cherry Vanilla You’ll be surprised just how much aromatherapy can be had in a simple splash of your favorite extract in bath water.  This simple DIY recipe for Cherry Vanilla Foaming Bath really appeals to kids and teens.
February 21, 2006 |

Citrus Salt Glow

This DIY spa treatment Citrus Salt Glow was shared with us after it became a customer favorite during classes for home soap making and crafts, by “Between Friends Too” (now 1 Raw Plant). This DIY spa treatment Citrus Salt Glow was shared with us after it became a customer favorite during classes for home soap making and crafts, by "Between Friends Too" (now 1 Raw Plant). Photo:  Miriam Wickett
December 19, 2005 |

Roman Bath Soak

Roman Bath Soak DIY Recipe The origin of the name is curious. Ancient Romans most certainly didn’t use shampoos or foaming agents in their bathing rituals, but this is a good recipe by any name. This is an easy and indulgent soak ideal for winter dry skin or overly tanned and ocean-dried summer skin.
December 12, 2004 |

Oatmeal Blueberry Mask for Oily Skin

oatmeal blueberry mask DIY This easy Oatmeal Blueberry Mask, used once or twice monthly, will both cleanse and exfoliate your face. It’s particularly beneficial for oily skin, as it has a drying and pulling effect.   This easy Oatmeal Blueberry Mask, used once or twice monthly, will both cleanse and exfoliate your face. It's particularly beneficial for oily skin, as it has a drying and pulling effect.
December 12, 2004 |

Kelp Firming Face Mask

kelp This Kelp Firming Face Mask treatment will help to soften and firm your complexion at the same time.   It has at least 14 vitamins and 18 minerals, including folate, niacin, vitamin K, calcium, zinc, potassium and manganese.
April 4, 2004 |

Lavender Hand and Foot Wash

Lavender Oil for Blister Dust Use this  Lavender Hand and Foot Wash to relieve red and inflamed hands and feet. So refreshing in summer when your feet are hot, and in winter, when they’ve been cooped up in boots. This is a particularly wonderful treatment to use on a bedridden loved one. Wash their feet and hands with this and they’ll feel wonderful and grateful.   Use this Lavender Hand and Foot Wash to relieve red and inflamed hands and feet.
February 1, 2003 |

Reader Inquiry: Can we make our own deoderants and anti-perspirants?

aloe “I like your spa at home recipes — I make them with my Aunt once a month when we house sit together.  This may be a dumb question, but can you make your own deodorant/antiperspirant at home, too?  We were laughing that it’s the only body thing we have not made on our beauty weekend.” — Emily K.  Emily — I’m glad we are contributing to a fun way to spend a weekend.  You didn’t ask a dumb question at all, and yes, you can make your own hygiene care at home — however, let’s distinguish between the two products…
December 19, 2002 |

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