| Written by Paula Provenzano, on 27-08-2007 10:42 |
Spa Sisters: Sharing the Spa Experience at Home
Use our expert’s recipes, advice and techniques to treat you and your best gal pal to a five-star home spa experience.
As someone who has worked for more than a decade in the spa industry, I
have a number of very good friends with similar technical skills, but
my best “spa sister” is my friend, Cheryl. Whenever we get together for
a few days of female bonding, (which we try to do at least once a
year), we always end up working on each other. I know that our husbands
harbor some kinky fantasies about mud masks and hot oil and pillow
fights, but it really isn’t kinky at all. Since we both have solid
technique, we are actually showing off for each other, with the prize
going to whoever gets the other to fall asleep in the shortest amount
of time.
The truth, though, is that you don’t have to have extensive training to
give your best gal pal a perfectly lovely spa treatment. We are girls,
are we not? So, most of us have a fair amount of experience in the art
of home beauty rituals and that talent can easily be put to work in
creating a tandem beauty session that will have both you and your “spa
sister“ looking and feeling like you’ve each indulged in a day of
beauty. Now, after reading the remainder of this article, you may find
the spa-at-home concept more trouble than it’s worth, and that’s okay
too. Almost every spa is set up for side by side spa-goers; but if
you’re ready to spa at home, read on.
The spa agenda I am going to suggest can easily take place at home
using what ever features (jetted tub, shower, etc.) that you may have
on-site. The only challenge can be the massage table. While the
treatments can be done on a traditional bed or on the floor,
the angle in which the person (who is doing the treatment) has to work
is always a bit awkward and hard on the back. So, if you must do it
this way, limit what you are doing to short sessions and be mindful of
straining your back. Another alternative, if you have one handy, is a
6-foot-long conference table or even a dining table. I have used these
for demonstrations a number of times. When properly padded with
blankets, pillows or a foam pad, they can be quite suitable.
One of the other tricky parts is figuring out who is doing what to whom
and in what order. It’s no fun to get completely relaxed and then have
to give a treatment. So, the best way is to stagger the progression.
Below I propose a spa agenda for you and a friend as well as some
variations that you can choose from. So, review the agenda together and
select the options that are the best for the two of you. Then pick a
theme, such as tropical retreat, lots of lavender or seaside serenity
and gather treatment products, candles and music that fit the theme.
Most of the things you will need can be obtained from your local spa,
salon, drugstore, specialty boutique or health food store. I have
included a list of a few Web sites where you can find multiple items
and some great spa gifts too.
Supplies List
(See resource list for recommendations.)
Non-foaming body scrub/exfoliant OR scrub gloves
• Both can be found at a spa or drugstore
• Make sure the scrub is more of a body polish and not a shower gel
type of scrub or make your own (see Beautiful Body Scrub recipe below)
Super Soaker Body Masque (see recipe below)
• Body Moisturizer
• Moisturizing Masque
• Massage Oil
• Essential Oil (optional)
Plastic sheet
• use one per treatment
• painting drop cloths from the hardware store will work or...
• mylar blankets (also called micronized foil) the kind you see
marathoners wrapped in after a race—which can be found with camping
supplies, work well and are inexpensive.
• Last resort...cheap (new) shower curtain
Etc.
• 2-3 large bath towels, bath sheets or beach towels (per treatment)
• 2-3 hand towels (per treatment)
• Eye Pillow
• Scented candles
• Relaxing music
• Spa Snacks (such as: fruit, nuts, hummus and pita chips, veggies and
dip, truffles, sparkling mineral water, herbal tea, fruit juice,
mimosas, etc,)
• Large bowl for foot soak (the jumbo salad bowls from restaurant or
party supply stores are good, cheap and more charming than a bucket)
• Small bowls for masque and hand soak
Body Beautiful Scrub
(Mix the following together for each person.)
This simple, sea salt based scrub is rich in minerals and moisture.
Simply move the product around on the skin with light, long massage
strokes and be sure to check on your pressure as you scrub your partner
as this formula can be very abrasive.
Sea Salt
4-6 Tbsp. Sea salt is better than regular table salt because the natural minerals actually nourish the skin.
Massage Oil
4-6 Tbsp. Use a plain, natural oil such as: Apricot or Almond.
Essential Oils
5-6 drops. This is optional.
Super Soaker Body Masque Recipe
(Mix the following together for each person.)
Body Masks are generally not available to the public because
self-application is impractical. But a moisturizing masque for the body
is essentially a thicker version of a moisturizer with a combination of
ingredients that allow sustained penetration of the moisturizers during
the relaxation phase of treatment. To make your own, simply combine the
following individual products together.
Body Moisturizer
6-8 Tbsp. Only use a water based formula, the more natural the better and unscented is best. Do not use a body butter.
Moisturizing Mask
3-4 Tbsp. An inexpensive clay-based facial masque is best.
Massage Oil
3-4 Tbsp. Use a plain, natural oil such as
Apricot or Almond. Do not use a warming massage formula or baby oil.
Essential Oils
5-6 drops This is optional.
In a glass bowl, blend the product together using a small whisk or new
2” paintbrush. The paint brush can be used to apply the product as well
or you can simply apply it with one hand. You may need to balance the
ratio of products depending on the consistency and the amount needed.
(FYI: A petite female will need about _ cup to get medium-thick
coverage.)
Here is the easiest way to carry out the application:
1. After blending products together, warm them in the microwave or
place the glass bowl in a larger bowl (or sink) of hot water. Test
temperature before applying.
2. Have the person who is receiving, lie face up on the plastic sheet and cover up with a large towel.
3. Have them sit up and using either the brush or your dominant hand, apply the product to their entire back.
4. Have them lie down again.
5. Move to their right side and have them lift up their leg and place
their foot down so that their leg is on angle. This will give you
access to the underside of the leg. They can also roll over slightly
which will allow you to apply product to the gluteal area on that side.
6. Have them place the right leg down and apply the product to the front side of the leg.
7. While on that same side, apply the product to the right arm and hand and then wrap the plastic around that side of the body.
8. Repeat the same procedure on the opposite side.
9. Before closing up the other side you can either remove the towel
they are covered with or reach under it to apply the product to the
abdomen and décolleté. (FYI: Better penetration occurs when the plastic
makes contact with the skin so, they can opt to remove the towel when
you leave the room.)
10. After wrapping them up in the plastic sheet, cover them with
another towel (in case there is product on the outside of the plastic)
and a heavy blanket or comforter
11. Have them lift up their legs slightly and slide a pillow under their knees.
12. If they are comfortable being left alone, you may simply let them
relax, or to make the treatment even better, place and eye pillow over
their eyes and massage their scalp or gently brush their hair.
13. After 15-20 minutes, remove the blanket or comforter and help the
“receiver” sit up. Offer them a towel to drape with and open up the
plastic. They may either massage in any remaining product or remove the
excess with a towel.
Spa Sipper
This natural lemon tonic can be served hot or cool and is thought to be
an effective and flavorful way to detoxify the liver, especially when
used as part of a “juice fast”.
2-3 Tbsp. Fresh organic lemon juice with pulp
1-2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup—do not use honey
1 pinch Cayenne pepper
8 oz. Spring or filtered water
Resources
Mani & Pedi Supplies
www.footcandy.com
This Web site has fun products, spa pedi-party kits and oodles of recipes for fun foot treatments.
www.gildentree.com
Spa Tea
www.indigo-tea.com
Selections include: Peppermint Spa Tea and French Lavender
www.teaology.com
More spa-inspired beverages than you can imagine
www.harney.com
They have a lovely pre-made spa gift set with bath salts and soap
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