Bathroom Spa.

When I'm not making a big batch of cinnamon rolls (and thus reducing myself to licking the frosting bowl clean), or feeding my daughter popcorn and candy at the 'movie feater,' I like to be as natural as possible.  And by that I mean eat foods as close to their natural state as I can and using products that are made from such (when I'm not using a few of my favorite~ahem~non-natural products).  So, today, I bring you some of my own favorite natural tips that trick people into thinking I'm a semi-presentable woman.

Baths:
Detox Bath
I love Epsom salt baths to pull toxins from the skin, revive muscles and to leave skin cleansed and soft.  While in the bath, I use an exfoliating mitt to stimulate the skin. (I like the 'Italy towels' that are used at Korean bath-houses, you can find them at some Asian or health food stores, I order mine on Ebay.  And if you ever have the chance to go to a Korean bath-house, it will definitely cure you of Gymnophobia!)

Nourishing Bath

When I feel dry, I love hopping into an oatmeal bath.  Just blend or grind 1 cup of oatmeal until almost powdery and add it to a warm bath as a perfect way to moisturize and calm skin and to soothe nerves.

Moisturizer 

After the bath (or shower), I slather my skin with extra virgin organic coconut oil... it's sold in jars at health food or some grocery stores and literally melts on your skin.  Plus, it actually has a very mild scent if you're not into coconut, although I would love if it left a strong scent. {grin}

Body Scrubs:
Coffee Scrub
Mix 3 tbls olive oil, 1/2 cup Turbinado sugar and 2 cups coarsely ground coffee. Rub into skin in warm bath or hot shower to soften and cleanse pores.

Tropical Sugar Scrub
Mix 1 cup sugar, 2 tbsp orange juice and 1 cup coconut oil. Rub into skin to gently remove dead skin cells and rinse well.


Hair:
At-Home Hair Mask

If you've got a day off and want to do an intense treatment on your hair, some oils from your kitchen can do the trick.  Especially in these upcoming summer months, when hair can become dry and unmanageable, these treatments help your locks look their best.  I recommend using 1/4-1/2 cup olive or coconut oil and work it through dry hair, pull back into a bun and leave in for at least an hour.  Heat helps the oil penetrate, so if you're going to be spending your day outside in the summer, put the oil on in the morning and leave it until night.  Just make sure not to over-shampoo in the evening.  One or two washes is plenty.  Your hair will thank you.

Conditioning: Vinegar is a great hair conditioner and can improve cleanliness and shine. For simple conditioning, just add 1 tablespoon vinegar to your hair as you rinse it.

Dandruff: Massage full-strength vinegar into your scalp several times a week before shampooing. This can help create healthy hair and control dandruff.


Other Treatments:
Chapped Skin: Mix equal parts vinegar and hand cream to help chapped hands.

Nail Polish: Make your nail polish last longer on your fingers by soaking fingertips for 1 minute in 2 teaspoons vinegar mixed with 1/2 cup warm water before applying the polish.  Or just apply vinegar to cotton ball and swipe finger nails before painting.

Puffy Eyes: To cool your eyes, make eye pads using thick slices of cucumber or use cotton pads soaked in cold milk.  Lie down and place them on your closed eyes and relax.  (Or just walk around holding on one eye while you chase your toddler around the house, and switch).  If  you don't have any of these products, just cool a spoon in the freezer for a few minutes to place on your eyes.

Are you ready for my favorite foot treatment?  I don't make this one myself.

To keep my feet ready for sandal weather, Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream is the best.  And since I'm so thoroughly enjoying this summer weather teaser we've been having, I want to send a tube to one of you!

You know the drill here, just leave any old comment at all on this post, and at random sometime next week, I'll pick a winner.  

Oh and don't worry, just because you're leaving any old comment, doesn't mean I'm going to send this old, worn-out tube... you'll get a shiny, new one.

Good luck and enjoy turning your bathroom into an all-natural spa!

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Contest has ended, thank you.