Photograph \You can live luxuriously while saving money!  Here at Secrets For Money http://www.SecretsForMoney.info we are always giving you the secrets to making money and saving money because we want you to have a rich life and lifestyle—full of all the wealth currencies—money, time, health, and love!
If you are a man or woman that frequents spas, but recently find yourself pulling back a little, or a lot on your treatments to save money, here are some do it yourself spa treatments—mini recipes and easy instructions using readily-available ingredients—that you can enjoy at home. Please note if you have any food allergies then certainly do not use a treatment that contains that food item.

Have fun being pampered!

For your face:

(1) Chocolate Facial Mask

This decadent mask is actually an excellent moisturizer—it leaves your skin baby soft. Recommended for normal skin.

1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 tbsp. heavy cream
2 tsp. cottage cheese
¼ cup honey
3 tsp. oatmeal

Mix all ingredients together (a bullet blender is ideal) and smooth onto face. Relax for ten 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

(2) Quick Cucumber Parsley Facial

The next time you make a salad, set aside just 3 tablespoons of basic ingredients, and you’ve got yourself a quick facial, to be enjoyed while soaking in the tub before bed.  You cannot get any easier, or quicker, than this.
1 Tbsp. Plain yogurt
1 Tbsp. Cucumber
1 Tbsp. Parsley
Puree (or use your handy rotating chopper — you know you bought one) the cucumber and parsley finely and mix with the yogurt until smooth. Cover your face with this creamy mask. This will rejuvenate your skin as it moistens. Leave the mask on for approximately 15-20 minutes for best results. Rinse with water. Use immediately; Do not store this mixture.

(3) Spa Index Papaya Pumpkin Facial

If you have visited spas and resorts in exotic locales such as the Pacific Rim, Bali, Hawaii, and Tahiti, you’ve probably seen an esthetician select and mash fresh fruit in front of you for a fresh-on-the spot enzyme mask. It’s easy to recreate this mask at home — we’ve found a Balinese mask for you which will leave your face fresh and glowing.

2/3 cup fresh papaya, mashed
15 oz. can pure pumpkin
1 egg, beaten

1. Prepare the mask. Cut the papaya in half and scoop out the seeds. Scoop out the papaya fruit and mash it well to eliminate lumps in the mask. Beat the egg until it is frothy. Combine that with the papaya. Add the pumpkin to the egg/papaya mixture and whip together. You can also mix the ingredients in the blender or a food processor for an extra smooth mask.

2. Prepare your face. Wash with your daily cleanser and remove all residual makeup on your skin. Rinse with warm water. It’s very important to have clean skin to ensure you get maximum benefits from the facial.

3. Apply the Mask. Cover your entire face, being careful to avoid the immediate eye area. If you have sensitive skin, test the mixture on your hand before spreading it on your face. You’ll feel some tingling as the enzymes in the pumpkin go to work immediately — gently exfoliating your top layer of skin. It works like a scrub without being abrasive to your skin. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes.

4. Rinse Off Mask. After you’ve relaxed for ten minutes it’s time to rinse. The mask is fairly thick—do so over the kitchen sink.

5. Apply a Toner & Moisturizer.

For your body:

(4) Chamomile Milk Bath

A skin-softening treat for dry, winter skin
4 cups powdered milk
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup dried chamomile or 5 chamomile tea bags

Steep chamomile in water for 20 minutes Strain liquid. Mix liquid with powdered milk and add to running bath water.

(5) Chocolate Bubble Bath 1

1 cup of unscented bubble bath
1/3 cup of unsweetened soy milk
3 oz. of grated or powdered dark chocolate

Heat the soy milk and add in the grated or powdered chocolate. Stir well until melted and blended, but do not boil. Allow to cool completely.  Mix well again just before adding to your bath.

(6) Chocolate Bubble Bath 2

1 cup of unscented bubble bath
1/2 cup of dried milk powder or soy milk
3 oz. of powdered unsweetened chocolate

Mix the powdered milk and chocolate well, until blended.  Stir into bubble bath until well mixed. Add to your bath in the amount desired.

The Homemade spa treatments, beauty treatments, cosmetics and more mentioned in this article are courtesy of http://www.SpaIndex.com: Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas (http://www.SpaIndex.com). The web’s most comprehensive resource for Spa Enthusiasts.

Photo Credit: Photograph “DSC08300, Le Sport, The Body Holiday, St. Lucia, Oasis Spa, St. Lucia” by Lyng883.  To see more of this Photographer’s work visit http://flickr.com/photos/lyng883/

Copyright 2009 By Mara Rogers of Secrets for Money http://www.SecretsForMoney.info

For more articles on making money and saving money go to the Archives at http://www.SecretsForMoney.info
pfblogs.org logo

This article is now featured at The Festival of Frugality at http://www.moneyning.com