Whether it's due to social distancing or ballin' on a budget, we all could use some more DIY at home activity ideas which is why I'm thrilled to share 11 cheap and easy at home spa hacks you'll want to try asap! You can do these during the day or at night. Feel free to mix them up to do with your kids, with your husband, with your girlfriends, or alone! These are my tried and true tips for turning your bathroom and bedroom into a spa like wellness retreat. Even better? They are all cost effective and easyyy! Seriously, they are way cheaper than going to your favorite upscale spa!
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11 Cheap & Easy At Home Spa Hacks To Try Tonight:
Soak it in.
Nothing says relaxation like soaking in a relaxing bath! Make your bath even more spa like by adding flower petals, cut citruses, coconut oil, or even a few drops of your favorite essential oil. This is my favorite bath salt which also has some essential oils already in it!
To make the room really feel like a spa set the mood! Dim the lights or just use candles. Use a fluffy robe. Lay out a white towel or white bath mat. Roll up a towel to go behind your neck. Set out a pitcher of cucumber water or even a vase of eucalyptus! Whatever allows you to really feel tranquil. Ohhh and let's not forget some spa music!!
Rejuvenate your face.
A face mask doesn't need to be expensive! In fact, you can whip up a rejuvenating face mask with ingredients from your kitchen! Look at the ingredients you have on hand and search for a face mask. Some of my favorite ones include ground oats (just through them in a blender to make them a fine power), honey, a little lemon juice, and some tea tree oil!
Chances are your fridge and pantry are stocked with the perfect DIY face mask ingredients full of enriching vitamins, minerals, and moisturizers! Wayyy better for you than chemical filled store bought masks!
Bomb it!
Many of us enjoy a good bath and will spend a lot of money on finding the best bath bombs to enhance this experience. Thankfully, we can create our own fizzing baths with ingredients found around the house or the local pharmacy. If you have access to epsom salts, baking soda, cornstarch, and citric acid (for the fizz) you can be crafting the ultimate bathing experience in no time.
Get “egg”cited!
Eggs aren’t just for breakfast anymore! Egg whites can be used to treat oily skin or create a toner. You can use the yolks mixed with a little olive oil to create a deep conditioning hair treatment which you can leave on for 20 minutes (*ahem* perfect leave-in during your bathtime soak!?).
No manicure? No problem.
Manicures take time, you're around a lot of people and fumes, and it's just not always realistic to get to the salon. If you're skipping the formal mani, opt to soak your hands for five minutes in warm water, moisturize with your favorite lotion or skin polish, use this kit to push down and trim those cuticles, and then slap on a coat of clear nail polish, and your hands will look as if you just spent two hours at the nail salon.
Buff your skin.
This is a two-for one at home spa hack: stock up on pumice stones and dry brushes.
Not only will they automatically set the tone of your bathroom as the perfect spa-like decor. But they also have amazing benefits for your skin! Dry brushing in circular motions boosts blood flow, removes toxins, and can even reduce the appearance of cellulite!
Pumice stones are great for after your bath (or any foot soak) to get the dry hard skin off. Our skin is our largest organ, so let's show it some TLC!
Add a little heat.
After your dry brushing and bath, it's time to moisturize! A fun tip is to warm your moisturizer or use a warm oil to really up ooze relaxation into every pore! Rub your moisturizer between your hands, or let the jar soak in warm water before applying.
Get steamy!
This is a great at home spa hack you can do any night of the week! Just run your shower as hot as possible (with all the doors closed) for a few extra minutes before getting in to create a steam room effect. This works best in small bathrooms.
If you want to uplevel this, you could tie a bouquet of eucalyptus around your shower head to really bring in the natural spa energy. Or you can soak a hand towel in water, spray it with lavender, and chill it in the fridge beforehand. Once you're ready to go into your faux-steam room, grab your chilled towel and place it over your face while you relax in the steam!
Use tennis balls for a DIY massage.
Kinks and sore muscles can dampen our moods and ruin our days. If your back or shoulders are screaming and making a racket, try laying down on your back and rolling out the knots by using tennis balls. Simply place the balls in target locations on your back, prop your head up with a pillow, and work out those painful areas by rolling over the balls. You will score some relief and love the way you feel afterwards.
Don't forget your eyes.
We strain our eyes daily and they need a little TLC every now and then. You can pamper your peepers with a traditional slice of cucumber, soaked green tea bags, or slices of potatoes. The tea’s caffeine will help constrict the appearance of blood vessels and the antioxidants will reduce inflammation. Potatoes and cucumbers are also a natural way to reduce puffiness and swelling.
Declutter & cleanse
Okay this is more of an at home spa tip rather than a hack; but make sure your space is clean!
One reason we breathe a sigh of relief when we walk into a spa is due to the fact that everything is calm. Take some time to regularly keep your bathroom decluttered. Set up matching towels. Install calming lights. By having this foundation in place, you have all of the makings for a fantastic spa night at home!
What is one way you relax or pamper yourself at home?
Want more self care? Download TCM's guide to positive self talk
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SAVE FOR LATER:
Originally published 4/21/17: updated 03/19/2020
What fun tips! I always try to treat myself a few times a week to a spa-like experience. So relaxing!
Love these tips! I pamper myself at home with giving myself manicures!
I took epsom baths regularly while I was pregnant but I’ve gotten out of the habit.
I love at home spa days1 Bath bombs are my favorite.
These are great ideas! I will have to treat myself to some pampering!
Need to put my pumice in the shower to use on my feet at the end of my shower…great idea
Love the bath bombs! I was just thinking I needed one of these tonight.
I love these ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Love these tips!! I always remember to get the eyes because eyes, more than any other body part, needs serious TLC!
These are great ideas. Think I will take some me time in the bathroom this weekend.
These are such great ideas! I would have never thought of them and I need some spa pampering at home haha!
Great tips! I love to use aromatherapy to spa-up my shower time!
Love these ideas! Now its just finding, no dedicating the time to take better care of ourselves. 🙂
I LOVE using eggs for hair treatments. I do it nearly every week! I will need to try all the others – thanks for sharing!
I made bath bombs at christmas for gifts and they turned out so good! I need to make more but for me this time!
I keep reading things about DIY bath bombs. I might have to give them a try!
I am so doing this today! Tea bags – my favourite trick! I also like dry brushing to properly exfoliate my body 😉
Just use Vitamins a,b,c,d,and e on my face…all from GNC.
I’ll definitely be trying your manicure hack this week!
I’ve never thought about putting lavender on a washcloth, but I might try that tonight. Thanks for the idea.