The first step to enjoying a 'Spa at Home' is creating a blissful spa-like oasis. If you missed these ideas, read this blog here. The second (and of course the most exciting) is treating your skin to rejuvenating and softening spa-like treatments in the comfort of your own home.  

The most important thing you can do is plan ahead. You wouldn't want to start the perfect at-home facial and realize you've run out of cotton wool so make a list and shop beforehand. If you're planning a whole day pamper – remember a few treats like healthy snacks and of course a glass of bubble to make it feel a lot more spa-like.

Top Tips for an enjoyable at home spa day:

• Try easy treatments which you can do yourself
• Logically order treatments. You wouldn't want to smudge your perfectly manicured nails with a body scrub
• Remember to add items to create a serene spa-like environment, for instance, slippers, fluffy towels, scented candles and your spa playlist
• Re-hydrate while you spa – it'll help achieve that healthy glow
•  Allocate time to relax – put down your laptop and smartphone and allow yourself to completly escape and distress

Here's a few of our favourite treatments which you can easily try at home with ingredients you most likely already have in your grocery cupboard.

Facial

A DIY Facial is much more do-able than it seems. Start by cleansing your skin. We promised grocery cupboard items so if you are daring to give this a go, all you need is cotton wool and a little olive oil to remove makeup and dirt effortlessly.

Next you'll need to exfoliate. You'll need 2 tbsp sea salt, ½ tsp coconut oil or olive oil and Â½ tsp of contents of a green tea bag. Mix all the ingredients together and gently rub on your face in circular motions avoiding the sensitive eye area. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

Purify pores by steaming your skin. Hold your face over a bowl of steamy water for 10 minutes to open pores and encourage impurities to surface. Follow this with a nourishing face mask. Mix ½ tbsp honey, ½ tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp lemon juice in a bowl. Gently rub onto skin and lips in a circular motion. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing off with cool water. This mask is hydrating, rich in antioxidants, antibacterial, exfoliates and brightens the skin.

End your facial and get your natural glow back by applying a generous amount of your favourite moisturiser and gently massaging into your skin.

Manicure and Pedicure

Did you know that your feet contain vital nerves that aid the functioning of the entire body? Caring for your feet just became an essential daily routine.

There is nothing quite as heavenly as a pampering manicure or pedicure and we're here to explain the easy steps you can follow at home. It may not be quite the same as getting this done professionally at The Retreat Pedi Lounge - who doesn't love the rainbow of nail polishes to choose from?

But if you're still after a DIY at-home manicure or pedicure, you'll need the following items:

acetone, cotton wool, pumice stone (pedicure), loofah, nail file, cuticle pusher, moisturising cream, nail clipper, soap, lemon slices, a tub of hot water, honey, towels, nail varnish and for that extra zing, some fresh flowers.

• Clean your nails with acetone, cut and shape them to your preferred length
• Massage a little cream or honey on the nails and soak in your tub of hot soapy water (add the lemon slices and flowers – you'll feel like a queen!)
• Once your nails and skin have softened, clean the nails using the nail brush (dislodge dead skin on your heels with the pumice stone if doing a pedicure)
• Pat hands or feet dry and clean nails gently with a cuticle pusher
• Use the loofah to smooth away any dead skin
• Mix 2 tsp of honey and moisturising cream and massage well into the skin
• Wipe gently with a hot towel and varnish in a colour of your choice

Body Scrub

Exfoliation is a great way to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing. Not only does it remove the layer of dead skin cells that robs us of looking radiant, it also improves the efficiency of topical treatments where moisturisers will penetrate more deeply instead of sitting on the skins surface.

A body scrub is the best way to achieve this exfoliation and we've got a few recipes to try with ingredients you already have in your pantry.

It is generally safe to exfoliate 2 – 3 times a week as too often will leave your skin dry, sensitive and irritated.

• Coffee Scrub. To help diminish the appearance of cellulite. Mix ½ cup coffee grounds, 2 tbsp hot water and 1 tbsp warmed coconut oil.
• Green Tea Brown Sugar Scrub. Brown Sugar is an ideal ingredient for sensitive skin as it is gentler than Sea Salt and Epsom Salt. Green Tea is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Add 2 teabags green tea to ½ cup hot water and steep until the water has completely cooled. Add 1 cup brown sugar, ¼​ cup coconut oil to the green tea
• Sea Salt Scrub. Has antibacterial properties that can be helpful for some skin conditions. Mix ½ cup ground sea salt (coarse sea salt can be too harsh on your skin), ½ cup coconut oil and essential oils (optional)
• Honey Sugar Scrub. Research shows that honey has antibacterial properties. Honey also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that may help a variety of skin conditions. Mix ½ cup brown sugar, ¼​ cup heated coconut oil and 2 tbsp honey

DIY Bath Fizzies

Matsimela Fizzballs are of the most popular items sold at the Mowana Retail Store as it's the ideal take-home item to effortlessly create a spa experience at home. We just love the range of scents available and how luxurious they make bath time. If you've never tried them, we highly recommend them, as they're a great way to relax in the tub after a long day.

Well, you may by now be out of stock so here's an easy recipe to make these at-home – we can't promise the same effect as the Matismela range but they'll do just fine to see you through until we reopen for sales.

• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cup citric acid
• ½ cup sea salt or epsom salt
• ¾ cup cornstarch
• 2 tbsp oil of choice (olive oil, coconut oil)
• 2 tsp witch hazel (or water) plus a little more if needed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or more water)
• 30-40 drops of essential oils or powdered dried herbs

Mix oil and essential oils into baking soda and stir well. Add all other dry ingredients and mix well. Spritz the witch hazel and vanilla extract over the mixture slowly and mix well with hands. Do this until mixture will just hold together when squeezed without crumbling. Press mixture firmly into a mold or container of your choice. Leave at least 24 hours or until hardened (mixture will expand a little during this time and you can press it down into the molds while it is drying to keep it from expanding too much). When dry, remove and store in airtight container or bag. Use within 2 weeks.