Homemade Bath and Spa Products and Cheapie Buys

Raise your hand if you're addicted to bath goo. (Bath goo is my personal title for all things beautifying and usually used in the bathroom - shower gel, handmade soaps, cosmetics of all kinds, bubble bath, bath salts, and the like.) OK, lots of you out there. Now, raise your hand if you're sick of paying through your nose for that stuff. Great! Me, too!

I began making my own versions of pricey spa products a couple of years ago when I moved out on my own and watched my disposable income vanish into the gas bill, the water, bill, and the rent. I spent hours pouring over the ingredients of the various potions in departments stores, reading about herbs and oils, and reading up on what's good for your skin. I'm no dermatologist, but I read a lot about skin care (and I sure do get a lot of compliments on my skin).

I present to you now four homemade bath goodies for you to try plus a couple of cheapie products that do the job of their expensive cousins at a fraction of the cost.

1. Cream and Sugar Body Polish: Girl, you have not felt skin this smooth since you were wearing Huggies and chewing on your fingers! This is easy on sensitive skin, and you can add more cream or sugar depending on your preference. Sometimes I go ahead and whip the cream if I have time, which feels a little more indulgent.
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 cups brown sugar
½ Tbs grated ginger (optional)
Mix thoroughly in a plastic bowl, making sure to break up any lumps of brown sugar with a fork. In a hot, steamy shower, rub this stuff all over your body. Stand there for a few minutes and try not to lick it all off your arm. Rinse thoroughly. Store in fridge up to a week (but make sure you let it come to room temperature before you use it!). Moisturizing is not necessary here!

2. Salt scrub: Like the beach, only cheaper. This one isn't for sensitive skin, and you don't have to rub too hard to get the benefits of this invigorating scrub.
1 cup coarse Kosher salt
½ -3/4 cup whole milk
½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Mix thoroughly in a plastic bowl. Massage into skin during shower. Rinse well and follow with your favorite moisturizer.

3. Volcano Hair Treatment: Remember your 6th grade science fair project? Who knew it could help you get rid of product build-up and get silky soft tresses, too? Use it once a week for that super-soft feeling. I use it on my color-treated hair and it doesn't seem to fade it a bit.
½ - ¾ cup baking soda
1 ½ cups plain white or apple cider vinegar
Wet hair. Massage baking soda in thoroughly. Pour vinegar through hair. Rinse and shampoo as usual.

4. Milk bath: Ancient women used milk to soften and lighten their skin. It's not very helpful for lightening, but boy does it make your skin feel nice!
4 cups whole milk
½ cup honey
Pour into water as you draw a warm bath, swirling to mix honey. Relax into the water for 10-15 minutes.

5. Baby oil gel: OK, I don't have a baby, but I use this stuff all the time. Find this stuff nestled among the baby items at the drugstore. It's less juicy than plain baby oil, and you can get it with aloe, which is another nice ingredient. Just a few of my uses: Forget Kiehl's, my dear, this stuff moisturizes your lips like NOTHING else. Slather it on your kisser before bed and just try to keep your significant other from sneaking a smooch. (Your lipstick will go on smoother, too.) A little bit takes off eye makeup and moisturizes to boot. Goop up your feet and slip on your socks before a workout and voila - sandal-worthy peds. Add a little lipstick for color and you have instant moisturizing shiny gloss.

6. Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque: At under $5 at the drugstore, this stuff is da bomb. It has a luscious minty scent and you can positively feel the ick being pulled out of your pores. Queen Helene also has Egg Yolk, Mud, and Grape Seed masques if your skin is sensitive or the mint is too harsh.
There you have it ladies. Try this stuff. If it doesn't work, you're not out much money, and all these ingredients and products can find other uses than what I've listed here. Worst case scenario you can make some cookies and salt your driveway.