The Nicely Way

Boredom struck me. I found myself looking for something to do, and since it has been a week of stress and all work, I decided to make home an instant spa salon. I was just so glad that ingredients were at hand. Being imaginative and resourceful, here’s what I got.

Aloe Vera Fresh from the Pot

It is a good thing that we have a garden, where I can pick something useful whenever I need it. Aloe vera is a good hair treatment, for it helps remove dandruff, smoothens hair breakages, prevents split ends, and adds shine to our crowning glory. It also moisturizes the scalp, giving hair a more relaxed and light feel.

My MOO Facial Mask™

This is my original recipe of milk, oatmeal, and oil facial mask. Our kitchen is a treasure chest to me, because it gives me the wealth of beauty. Milk, known as a skin whitener and a source of vitamins and minerals, deeply penetrates the skin and effects noticeable radiance on the face. Oatmeal, on the other hand, is a perfect exfoliant, being both rough enough to wash off dead skin cells and gentle enough not to hurt the skin. It is also an astringent, as it draws oil and other impurities out of your pores. I also added a teaspoon of essential oil for moisturizing purposes.

Sugar in Honey and Oil Body Scrub

I always have a stock of pure honey at home. Whenever I go to the province (Romblon), I ask my relatives to get honey from the wilds for me. It is 100% pure honey for a cheaper price than that of the malls in the metro. This is my favorite body scrub. Honey has a moisturizing effect, and a therapeutic scent that relaxes the senses, while sugar exfoliates the skin and cleanses the pores. It does not hurt at all, you just have to massage it gently on the skin. Adding a tablespoon of oil also helps revitalize the glow of your skin.

Tomato Jalapeno Foot Scrub

I got the recipe from here, but since Swiss chard ends and basil stalks were unavailable, I made my own version of Tomato Jalapeno Foot Scrub. Instead, I used oregano leaves, which I harvested from our front yard. After chopping red tomatoes, oregano leaves, and long green pepper (siling haba), I put it in the blender to make it into a smooth paste. Then, I chose rock salts instead, just to differentiate it from the body scrub I made a while ago. Since it is for the feet, rock salts are better to scrub off the hardened dead skin cells and calluses.

Tomato, popular for its lycopene and vitamins A and C, significantly rejuvenates the skin and acts as a cooling treatment that soothes swollen feet. Jalapeno, with its icy hot effect, relieves muscle pain, enhances blood circulation, and removes toxins from the skin of the feet. It is also a good anti-bacterial treatment to eliminate bad odor and athlete’s foot.

I spent almost 2 hours in the bathroom with these whole thing. It was indeed a great spa experience at home. I think I am ready for next week’s dealing with tons of brainstorming paperworks.