How to Host a Last-Minute Galentine’s Spa Day
Regardless if you have a special someone in your life this Valentine’s Day, it is important to take some time to treat yourself and to let your pals know how much you love them. And what better way to do that than with an at-home spa day? We’ve put together a super easy DIY Treat Yo’self Kit, filled with bath salts, body butter, a sugar scrub and a candle. We promise it will make the perfect Galentine’s gift for your BFFs… just don’t forget to make an extra kit for yourself!
Each of the elements in this kit make use of many of the same ingredients, so it’s easy and cheap to throw together. Most of the ingredients are even likely to be found in your kitchen. In our kit we included homemade detox bubbly bath salts, sugar body scrub, nourishing body butter and a relaxing lavender-scented candle. You can also always fill out the kit with a few store-bought items, like a loofah or nail polish.
BUBBLE BATH SALTS
These bath salts use epsom salt and baking soda, which both help to ease stress, relieve achy muscles and relax the body. They also work with the hot water of the bath to release toxins from your body.
Ingredients:
— 1 cup epsom salt
— ¼ cup baking soda
— 1 teaspoon coconut oil
— ¼ cup bath soap (any soap that foams well)
— 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil (we like to use lavender because it’s relaxing)
Start by mixing together the salt, baking soda and coconut oil. Next, add the soap and essential oil. Mix well.
Line a cookie sheet with foil or wax paper and spread the salt mixture out on the sheet in a thin layer. Leave the salt out for 24 hours or until it has fully dried out. Once the salt is dry, use a spoon to break it apart and put it in a jar or bag.
Add a quarter cup of the mixture to a hot bath and agitate the water to create bubbles.
SUGAR BODY SCRUB
Did you know that honey has antioxidants and other nutrients in it that are amazing for cleansing and nourishing your skin? Combine this with exfoliating sugar and smoothing oils, and you’ve got the scrub of your dreams.
Ingredients:
— ½ cup granulated sugar (brown or white works)
— 3 tablespoons sweet almond oil (or coconut oil)
— ¼ teaspoon vitamin E oil
— 1 tablespoon honey
— 5-10 drops of essential oil of your choice
First, mix the sugar with both oils. Once the sugar is coated, add the honey and essential oil. Mix well.
Place in a jar for gifting.
WHIPPED BODY BUTTER
Each of the oils in this body butter do much more than leave you with super-soft rejuvenated skin. They all work to reduce skin irritation, scars and stretch marks. It doesn’t hurt that they all smell like a dream too.
Ingredients:
— ½ cup coconut oil (This should be just soft enough to scoop out of the jar – not in oil form.)
— ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
— 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
— 5-10 drops of essential oil, depending on desired strength (We used jasmine. It goes nicely with the scent of the coconut and almond oils.)
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl using a hand mixer. Whip until the mixture is smooth. If you would like the body butter to have a thicker, creamier texture, try adding 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa or shea butter to the mixture.
Place the body butter in the jar of your choosing.
LAVENDER CANDLE
Lavender essential oil is widely known for being relaxing and helping to relieve stress. This candle is perfect to go alongside a long, hot bath.
Materials:
— bag of candle wax (soy wax or a mixture of soy and paraffin wax create a nice white candle that is best for adding color to)
— wick and metal wick tabs for the bottom
— glass jar
— 20-30 drops of lavender essential oil
— optional: food coloring
Tools:
— chopstick/pencil/skewer
— tape
— small pot
— glass jar or metal can to melt wax in
String the wick through the wick tab (if this isn’t already done for you). Put tape on the bottom of the wick tab to keep it on the bottom of the jar. Use a chopstick, pencil, pen or skewer to secure it on the bottom of the jar. Tie the top of the wick around the skewer, and lay the skewer across the top of the jar so it’s holding the wick up straight and in the middle of the jar. Set the jar aside.
Fill a small pot with water and heat on medium. Fill another glass jar or metal can with wax shavings and set it in the pot. As the wax melts, add more wax shavings to fill the jar. (The wax condenses as it melts.) Be sure to read the directions on the package for the type of wax you’re using, as directions may vary. Once the wax is melted, stir in the essential oil and, if you’d like, a few drops of food coloring.
Carefully remove the wax from the pot and pour it into your jar. Before allowing the wax to harden, make sure the wick is centered. If you’re using soy wax, results are often better if you allow the wax to cool slowly. To do this, turn your oven on to low heat while you melt the wax. Once you’ve poured the wax into the jar, turn the oven off and place the candle in the oven, where it will cool slowly. When the candle is fully cooled, remove the skewer and cut the wick to ½ inch.
Once everything is in a jar, create labels for each element of the kit. We put round stickers on the tops of the jars, but you could tie a tag to the jars with ribbon or wrap a craft paper sleeve around them.
Put everything together in a gift bag, basket or box with a sweet note. And you’re done!
Have you ever DIYed any beauty products before? Are there other items you would add to your kit? Tweet us @BritandCo.
