Whew, what a busy summer it has been! And now with back-to-school on our heels, making time for self-care between chasing after littles, preparing lunches, and slathering on sunscreen can seem like an overbearing chore. Even if you can’t make it to an actual spa, turn your home into a relaxation oasis with these quick and easy late summer-themed home spa hacks!
3 DIY Summer Home Spa Ideas
1. Rice Face Mask
I decided to take this summer off from wearing concealer in an effort to clear up my skin, and it has been 100% worth it. I’ll save my results for another article, however for this one, I was looking for a way to bring back that unmistakable glow of freshly pampered and hydrated skin. Like many of us sun-loving mamas, I spend a lot of time outside, so my skin can appear a little fried at times. I’ve heard about rice masks before so I thought I’d give it a try at home.
The use of rice water and rice masks in skin and hair treatments is common, especially in Japan and Korea. Since rice is not only a staple but practically its own food group in the Lowcountry, I thought it would be fun to play around with a DIY home spa rice water mask and hopefully get that fresh-faced glow I was looking for.
Several variations of how to make rice water exist. Some recipes use the rice water from cooked rice, whereas others call for soaking the rice, yet others call for fermented rice water. I took the simpler method: soaking rice in water and adding that to my base of cooked rice until I came up with a consistency I liked.
**NOTE: You should always do a small test on your skin first before applying a whole batch of your homemade skin care solution to your face.
Recipe:
Cooked white rice; water from soaked white rice. (Variations on this mask include the addition of aloe vera, raw honey, or coconut milk, among other ingredients, but I went with just the rice and starchy rice water.)
Directions:
- Cook the white rice and let stand for a couple of hours until it comes to room temperature. Meanwhile, prepare rice water by soaking uncooked rice grains in a bowl separately (or you can add any water that is left over from the cooked rice).
- Once the cooked rice is cool enough to work with, add to a mixing bowl with some spoonfuls of the rice water (no grains) and add honey (or any other ingredients) if you’d like. Mix all of the ingredients together and then blend into a paste in your blender. Add more rice water to adjust the consistency.
- Massage the paste onto your clean face and neck if you choose, allowing the paste to harden. You can leave the mask on for about 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the mask with a wet soft cloth or wetted paper towels and wash your face with your regular cleanser.
- Pat dry and bask in your newfound glow.
The Verdict: Okay, I’m sold on this one. I will admit that it was a little slimy putting a chunky paste on my face. But as soon as I applied it, I could feel a cooling sensation. The removal process was also a bit messy, but the aftereffect was worth it. I did notice a brightness to my skin and will definitely be adding this mask to my monthly beauty routine (although you may want to use it more frequently). I’m also interested in experimenting with different ingredients next time.
2. Coconut Oil Massage
I am huge a fan of coconut oil – it literally works on everything, y’all. You can use it as a natural shaving cream, put it in your morning coffee to jumpstart your metabolism, add it to your homemade deodorant, or lather it into your hair for an easy coconut oil hair mask. Prevention Magazine has a great list of 25 ways you can use coconut oil on hair and skin. Did you know that it can also be used on squeaky hinges in place of WD-40, or to remove rust from knives, or to polish jewelry and furniture?
One more great use of coconut oil is, of course, a luxurious home spa massage. I learned about the great benefits of coconut oil when I once used it to heal and moisturize newly tattooed skin after doing a little research on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. In addition to its beautiful smell and silky texture, it’s no wonder that coconut oil is used by professionals as a massage oil and is found in many skin and hair products. Treat yourself to a coconut oil massage the next time your skin feels dry or could use a little pick-me-up.
Recipe:
To use coconut oil as a massage oil, select unrefined virgin (or extra-virgin), organic coconut oil straight from the jar. I found La Tourangelle 100% organic virgin coconut oil to be of very high quality, but use whatever brand makes sense for you.
Directions:
- From its solid form, coconut oil will melt easily into a liquid in the palm of your hand. Simply scoop out the congealed oil from the jar with your hands or a spoon, and rub it with your hands until it starts to liquefy.
- Massage the oil directly into your skin.
- Allow to air dry and the coconut oil will continue to work its moisturizing magic. Just be mindful not to put on your nicest silk blouse afterward. There will be some residual oil left on the skin until it fully absorbs, which is normal.
The Verdict: Always a big fan of coconut oil! This is, in my opinion, the best “lotion” nature provides and makes for the perfect at-home spa massage oil.
3. Homemade Citrus Water
Okay, so not a home spa treatment per se, but homemade citrus water definitely adds to the home spa vibes. There are so many recipes to choose from out there, but it doesn’t take much to make your own homemade citrus water and soon you’ll be sippin’ spa bliss.
It’s essentially an infusion of cut citrus fruits and perhaps cucumber slices if the spirit moves you. I’ve included an even simpler summer-inspired recipe that’s only two ingredients below. If you’re going to make homemade citrus water, why not make it sparkling?
Recipe:
Lemonade (homemade or the powdered version); La Croix Pamplemousse (or substitute Tangerine, Key Lime, Passionfruit, or any of the other citrusy flavors that you like).
Directions:
- Make lemonade according to the package instructions or make your own from scratch. Chill to allow the flavor to settle.
- Add ice cubes to a large glass.
- Simultaneously pour the lemonade and the La Croix flavored water into the glass to incorporate the flavors.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint and a watermelon slice and enjoy.
The Verdict: This refreshing beverage has day-at-the-spa written all over it. Bring the spa vibes home and enjoy this refreshing drink any time of year — but it does fare especially well during the warmer months.
