GET GORGEOUS AT HOME FOR LESS

At-home hydrotherapy

Many spa treatments start, end with or incorporate some kind of hydrotherapy. Usually this involves starting off in a warm (or almost hot) pool and then plunging into a frigid one to boost circulation. This is either a treatment in and of itself or part of a body scrub or wrap. You’re left feeling relaxed yet energized but you don’t have to hit the spa to make it happen. All you need to do is hit the showers. We suggest starting your day with a bit of at-home hydrotherapy.

Start with a hot shower (not scalding but pleasantly warm) for one minute. Now switch to cold water (yes, completely cold) for 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat for three to five minutes. Emerge feeling ready to face the day!

Make it a mask

Treatment masks, whether purchased from a beauty supply store or applied at a spa, can be pricey, but you don’t need to dip into your wallet to treat your skin. What’s in your fridge can be a simple and affordable way to get gorgeous. The most common skin care concerns are a complexion that’s a) too oily or b) too dry. Check out these two quick and effective fixes that don’t cost anything more than what you spent at the grocery store.

• Clarify your skin and bust excess oil with a strawberry mask. Crush four to five berries, add two tablespoons of full-fat, organic yogurt and the juice from one quarter of a lemon. Mix well and apply to clean, dry skin. Leave on for five to 10 minutes and rinse well.
• For a quick and cheap dry skin solution, mash half an avocado and add one tablespoon of yogurt. Mix well, apply and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse well and apply your regular moisturizer (add a serum first if your skin is particularly dry).

Say yes to a scrub

No time or budget for a 90-minute body scrub? Before you lament over your lack of soft, pre-summer skin, go DIY. You can easily make an at-home body scrub to slough off the last of winter’s dull skin. Do yourself a favor and get ready to bare some skin when the weather warms up -- without breaking the bank.

Choose either sugar or salt (sugar will be slightly gentler on skin) and an oil of choice. We love olive oil for its richness but you can also use other varieties.

Mix one part oil to two parts salt or sugar in a container with a tight-fitting lid. The contents will separate, which is totally normal. Add three to five drops of your essential oil of choice. We love lavender or grapefruit. Now you have a totally simple but divine body scrub to enhance your next shower.

Learn more at: http://tinyurl.com/7ggu8wd

Steam and tone skin

Rather than shelling out hard-earned money on products and gadgets meant to get your skin glowing, do it all on your own. First things first; steam you skin (no, you don’t need to buy a steamer) to open the pores and enhance circulation.
Simply add hot (not boiling) water to a glass bowl. Add crushed mint leaves for freshness and sit with your face over the bowl and your head covered in a large towel to keep the steam in. Five to 10 minutes should do the trick.
Next, it’s time to tone, but you don’t need to hit the beauty aisle. Simply brew green tea or chamomile, let it cool in the fridge, add to spray bottle and voila -- cooling, refreshing toner for the cost of a tea bag.