MOTHER’S DAY
Spa recipes for stay-at-home pampering.
May 10 is Mother’s Day. While the usual celebrations might not be in the cards this year, Mom likely needs this day more than ever. Practicing self-care is essential right now, and short of being able to take a trip to the spa, there are other ways to bring pampering and relaxation into the home. Professionals from four Houston spas share recipes for face masks, body scrubs and more that can easily be made at home.
Face mask
No, not that kind of face mask — the fun kind. Covering our faces with cloth or N95s, while necessary for our health and safety, is probably not great for our skin. Here are several DIY recipes that can help.
Hydrating Honey Mask
1⁄2 avocado 1 tablespoon of honey 1⁄2 cup of oats
Instructions: Mix ingredients together and apply evenly to face and hands. Leave on for 15 minutes for smooth, hydrated skin. From Tina Hay, spa director at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston
Hello Summer Mask
3 tablespoons of orange juice
1⁄4 cup of honey
Instructions: To give skin a boost, brighten your skin with this honeycitrus mask. Combine the two ingredients. Rub the mixture over your face and turn on your favorite playlist while masking for 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow with your favorite moisturizer. From Solaya Spa & Salon by The Houstonian Hotel
Saturday Morning Mask
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon of honey 1 tablespoon of olive oil 1⁄2 cup of oatmeal
Instructions: Combine all ingredients. Stir well, then apply to your face for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and then moisturize. We suggest rinsing in the kitchen sink, which is more drainfriendly for rinsing oatmeal! From Solaya Spa & Salon by The Houstonian Hotel
The Sweet Treat Mask
1 tablespoon of raw cacao
powder
1 tablespoon of fine coffee
grounds
11⁄2 tablespoons coconut milk
yogurt
2 drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions: Set aside a few ingredients you might have on hand while on your next baking extravaganza and treat your skin to the softening and brightening effects of this chocolate-coffee mask. Combine all ingredients. Apply to the face and allow the mask to harden for 15-20 minutes. Wash gently with warm water and remove any excess with a washcloth. Apply your favorite moisturizer to finish. From Solaya Spa & Salon by The Houstonian Hotel
Body, bits and extremities Gentle Body Scrub
1 cup of olive oil 1⁄2 cup of sea salt
Instructions: Mix a 2-to-1 ratio of olive oil and sea salt to make a quick and effective body scrub. This helps get rid of dead skin cells and creates softer, more glowing skin. From ZaSpa at Hotel ZaZa
Himalayan Foot Scrub
1 cup pink Himalayan salt 2 tablespoons olive oil 1⁄2 cup coconut oil 1⁄2 teaspoon lavender oil
Instructions: Mix ingredients and apply in circular motions to exfoliate skin. After exfoliation, rinse and massage warmed coconut oil to seal in moisture. From Tina Hay, spa director at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston
Lip Scrub
2 tablespoons of brown sugar 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil 1⁄2 teaspoon of vanilla extract 3 tablespoons of coconut oil
Instructions: Using a lip scrub helps remove dead skin cells, keeping lips smooth. Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and mix well. Rub gently on lips and rinse. Transfer to airtight containers and store for up to 6 months. From Nicole Burke, esthetician at Milk + Honey River Oaks Something to nourish from within
Serenity Smoothie
1⁄2 cup coconut water 1 teaspoon of dried lavender 1 tablespoon of coconut oil 1 tablespoon of honey 1 banana
1⁄2 apple
2 cups fresh blueberries 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
1⁄2 cup ice Instructions: Add all ingredients into blender and mix until smooth. From Tina Hay, spa director at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston
Extra tips
“One of my favorite things about a spa day is the scents throughout the spa,” says Nicole Burke, aesthetician at Milk + Honey River Oaks. “Aromatherapy has amazing benefits, such as easing anxiety, reducing stress, and fighting bacteria.”
To re-create this ambiance at home, Burke suggests making your own aromatherapy room spray. Fill a spray bottle a quarter of the way with either rubbing alcohol or witch hazel, then the rest with water. Add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil, whatever you like best (and you can mix and match). “I like lavender, lemongrass, orange, cinnamon, or peppermint,” she says. Then shake well and spray as needed.
The team at ZaSpa also swears by cucumbers and aloe vera. Cucumbers can help with dull skin, congestion and puffy eyes, thanks to its antioxidants, vitamin C and beta-carotene. Aloe vera has antibacterial properties, which is good for preventing acne and redness, as well as retaining moisture in dry skin.