DIY Spa Day at Home

I really love spa days. There is something so relaxing about getting pampered, and after a couple of hours, you really feel like a whole new person. But, as much as I love days at the spa ... my bank account doesn't! Services can get very expensive, which is why I really only get there while I'm on vacation, when it is a splurge.

Still, I like feeling pampered and I have found that you can replicate some spa services at home.

Pour yourself some champagne, make a pitcher of cucumber water and turn on some soothing music while you try these DIY spa treatments:

Microdermabrasion - I have used quite a few DIY microdermabrasion kits with great success. The at home kits run from $30-$75 for multiple uses versus $100+ at the spa. My skin always comes out glowing and baby soft! Microdermabrasion is great for removing layers of dead skin to keep your face looking younger. It's recommended to do the service at least 4 times a year, so there is quite a savings when you do it yourself. Here's a selection of microdermabrasion at home products from ShopNBC.

Mani/Pedi - I agree, manicures and pedicures never look quite as good when they are done at home. But, selecting the right brands of polish and a little practice can really save you a ton of money when you compare getting your nails done every two weeks. If you really want that spa experience when doing a pedicure at home, there is nothing better than starting out with a foot bath. These baths are relatively inexpensive and are very soothing -- add a little oil and your feet will come out super soft. When applying polish to either your hands or feet, you need to start out with a little cuticle oil and then a base coat. This is a must if you want salon worthy fingers/toes. Next, apply two coats of a salon-quality polish. My favorites are OPI and Zoya. Finally, apply a top coat. The brands of the base and top coat are just as important as the nail color; find these and other discount beauty supplies at Image Beauty.

Body scrub - I once had a Vichy shower scrub at a spa that cost almost $200! While the experience was nice, I won't be repeating the service again because my skin felt no smoother than something I could replica at home for pennies. You can buy pre-made body scrubs --in sugar or salt-- at stores like Sephora, but a more economical option (and better for your skin) would be to make one at home using equal parts brown sugar, raw oatmeal and olive oil. Apply the mixture to dry skin in the shower and then rinse with warm water. Your skin will thank you!

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