TAKE A SPA-CATION

Don't have the funds for a fancy day at the spa? No worriesfor a quarter of the price, you can create your own spa in the privacy of your bathroom. You'll need a few beauty tools, some scented candles, ingredients from the fridge, and voila, welcome to the relaxation zone. So take a lazy Saturday or summer Friday, and make an appointment with just yourself or ask a girlfriend to come over. Then, follow this easy plan to pamper the day away. Go ahead, just say ohmmmm!

SCRUB-A-DUB:
An exfoliating wrap in a day spa can set you back about $100. You can do the same treatment at home for under $20. Invest in spa kit that includes a body scrub, lotion and gel cleanser like this Cucumber Organic Spa Set. Start up your shower, wash with the gel, then turn off the shower and do the scrub slowly, zeroing in on rough patches like elbows and knees. Rinse, towel off, and slather on the lotion all over. Wrap yourself in a towel, sit back and relax a few minutes to let the moisturizer sink in.

SOOTHE AWAY STRESS:
A massage is the ultimate in feeling relaxed. For your spa day, enlist your significant other or a good friend to give you a rub-down if you can. Solo? You can still reap the benefits of a massage with a personal massage tool, like the Panasonic Easy Point Percussion Massager Or if you want to feel the rub every time you sit in a chair, a portable back massager, like the DeStress Vibrator Back Massager with Heat will ease your tightness and stress like a pampering treatment.

MAKE MINE A MASK:
A face mask will clean out your pores, improve your skin tone and leave your skin looking fresh and vibrant. First, open your pores with either a portable facial steamer or a sink filled with steaming hot water ( you can boil it and pour it in the sink). Put a towel over your head and lean over the sink, staying there for about five minutes. Allow your face to cool off, then slather on a face mask, like Borghese Fango Brillante Brightening Mud Mask.  Or try mashing half of an avocado then mix it with two teaspoons of milk (great for dry skin). Wet a washcloth, wring out the water and keep it twisted. Then lie back, close your eyes, and put the washcloth on over your lids. Keep it on for ten to twenty minutes, and then rinse off the mask with cold water.

PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD:
End the day by giving your feet a much needed retreat from daily wear and tear. Fill a tub with water (enough to cover your ankles), or try a footbath, like HoMedics Pedicure Spa Salon Footbath which has massagers built in. Add a tablespoon of olive oil, a few drops of essential oil like tea tree oil (known for its antiseptic properties). Sit in a chair, dip your toes in, and relax for about 10 minutes, or until your skin turns pruney. You can also use a pumice to slough off dead and rough skin. After, apply a thick creamy balm, like Desert Essence Organics Pistachio Foot Repair Cream Then, pull on a comfy pair of socks to lock in moisture. Fall asleep with the socks on, for smooth and soft skin in the morning.