Spa Day at Home for a Healthy Self

I am very picky about how I spend my money.  Some may call me frugal, but I am okay with that.  Afterall, it is my money and I work hard to earn it.  And let me tell ya something; paying someone in an overpriced salon to put chemicals on my skin is not my idea of a dollar well spent. 

However, I am a fan of pampering and skin and hair that glows with health!  So where do I find my common ground?  With these DIY home spa recipes.....

Avacado Carrot Cream Mask This mask combines avocados, which are rich in Vitamin E, with carrots, which are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants, and cream, which is high in calcium and protein. These ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots. 1 avocado, mashed 1 carrot, cooked and mashed 1/2 cup heavy cream* 1 egg, beaten 3 tablespoons honey Combine all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Spread gently over your face and neck, and leave in place 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and follow with your favorite toner. *it is rare that I have heavy cream on hand, so I improvise with plain organic yogurt* Deep Conditioner Blend up this simple recipe for a deep hair conditioning treatment that will leave your hair soft and silky. The fats in the avocado and heavy cream are rich in emollients that quickly penetrate the hair, while the honey keeps your scalp's moisture level at an optimum balance -- not too dry or too oily -- and acts as a natural antibacterial agent. 1 avocado, peeled and cut into chunks 2 tablespoons heavy cream 1 tablespoon honey Mix ingredients in a blender. Comb mixture through freshly washed hair. Wrap head in plastic (a grocery bag will do), and cover with a towel. Let sit for 15 minutes, and rinse well. Banana Facial Recipe: 1 small ripe banana 1 small ripe avocado 2 Tbl. plain natural yogurt 2 drops vitamin E oil (slice open the vitamin and squeeze out contents) Mash the banana and avocado together to form a thick lime green-colored paste. Add the yogurt and vitamin E oil; mix well. Cleanse and gently steam your face over a bowl of boiling water, covering your head with a towel. Massage the mixture into your face and leave on for 15 minutes; then rinse. This mask can be left on for up to 25 minutes, though for sensitive skin, 10 minutes is enough. Beauty Benefit: The potassium and natural oils in the banana and the high fat and protein (plus vitamins A, D, and E) in avocado moisturizes and refreshes dry or sun-damaged skin. If you have a favorite DIY recipe you would like to share with the rest of us, please email me at aleishamartin@gmail.com! XOXO Aleisha