75-Minute Beauty Rituals
Five at-home, DIY spa treatments to refresh, renew, and revitalize winter skin and hair.
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Dry air, cold weather, and indoor heating add wear and tear to skin and hair, so right now, most of us need some intensive (read: time-consuming) care. Want a speedy solution? Do what the spas do: try these short-cut rituals that can undo winter damage in just a little over an hour.
1 Bikini-ready skin smoother. Perfect if a winter trip to the tropics (or a visit to an indoor pool) is on your list.
How-to: Soak in a bath laced with detoxing herbs and oils (think sea buckthorn, birch, and seaweed) for 30 minutes, then exfoliate with an invigorating scrub and slather on a firming lotion.
Add-ons: Abra Therapeutics Cellular Detox Bath; Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil; The Seaweed Bath Co. Wildly Natural Seaweed Body Cream.
2 Lustrous locks food mask. Pamper your tresses with ingredients you can find in your fridge.
How-to: Start with damp hair, then apply one of the following: yogurt to restore luster, coconut oil to stop breakage, lemon juice and olive oil to fight itchy scalp, or honey for extra moisture. Pile hair on top of head, wrap in a towel, and relax for 45 minutes. Shampoo out, gently towel dry, and detangle with a wide-tooth comb.
Add-ons: Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil; Spectrum Organic Coconut Oil; The Seaweed Bath Co. Wildly Natural Seaweed Argan Conditioner.
3 Face first anti-aging facial.Ward off wrinkles with this easy 75-minute mini facial.
How-to: Steam face over a pot of water infused with a few drops of oil (try rose or lavender). Use a gentle exfoliant, then slather on a moisturizing mask. Cover your eyes with cucumber slices,. After 30 minutes, rinse and apply toner and moisturizer.
Add-ons: Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea Facial Mask with Açai & Goji Berry; S.W. Basics Exfoliant; Lily Organics Organic Rose Facial Toner.
4 Relax and recharge. Cold weather and short days can zap your zip, but a 75-minute soak-and-sit can help.
How-to: Light candles, turn on soft music, and fill a bath with your favorite bath oil. Add a stress-busting beverage, a spritz of relaxing herbs, and a good book. Then towel off and slather on lotion and oils. Finish with a 15-minute meditation.
Add-ons:Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia Soy Candles; Aubrey Organics Relax-R-Bath; Beauty Foods Chocolate Bliss Beauty Blend; 1Hour Break 100% Natural Sedative.
5 Men’s room soak and spa. Guys need pampering, too!
How-to: Start with a relaxing bath. Try sandalwood or sage oils, and use Epsom salts to soak away muscle tension. Add a for-men facial scrub and shaving cream, and don’t forget the pedicure and manicure-guys do have nails, you know.
Add-ons:Oshadhi Professional Aromatherapy Wild Sandalwood Oil; Avalon Organics Moisturizing Cream.Shave Unscented; Aubrey Organics Men’s Stock Face Scrub Exfoliant.
It’s our 75th birthday!
Follow along with us this year as we celebrate all things 75 each month. To learn more about how Better Nutrition started (in 1938) and our plans for a special commemorative issue, visit Celebrating 75th.
Lisa Turner is a certified food psychology coach, nutritional healer, intuitive eating consultant, and author. She has written five books on food and nutrition and developed the Inspired Eats iPhone app. Visit her online at inspiredeating.com.