Change of Season Spa Day. Photo Credit: Flashpop. Tranquility Time: Goodbye Summer Spa Day. Alwaysuttori.com

Tranquility Time: Goodbye Summer Spa Day

Summer 2017 seemed to go by in the blink of an eye, but even though the shorter, cooler days of autumn are rapidly approaching, there’s still a few weeks of summer left.  Before getting too busy with all of the responsibilities that come with the change in seasons, set aside a day to repair and prepare. Repair from the damage caused by all the fun in the sun, and prepare for cooler weather. Although it may not be obvious, seasonal damage can be hard on your skin. That’s why Always Uttori has put together this Tranquility Time: Goodbye Summer Spa Day, a guided spa experience tailored for healing the body after time spent in the summer heat and sun. Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself and your body. Follow all six steps, or pick and choose the spa day that best fits your needs. If you decide to do the steps in order, plan ahead and make the treatments before settling down to enjoy the spa. Now is also a good time to select a good book, or great movie to enjoy while performing your beauty rituals.

Step 1: Refresh and Hydrate

Start off your spa day with a pitcher of fruit-infused water. Keep the pitcher to refresh and hydrate throughout your spa treatments.

Summer Spa Drink Recipe

Filtered water

Ice

Sliced lemon

Sliced cucumber

Strawberries

Fresh Mint leaf

Directions

Fill a pitcher with ice. Add sliced lemon, sliced cucumber, whole strawberries (washed and de-stemmed) and fresh mint leaves. Fill to the top with filtered water and allow the fruit to infuse the water for at least 10 minutes before drinking. If you like a little sweetness to your drinking water, use maple water (available on Amazon) instead of plain, filtered water. Enjoy

Step 2: Green Eggs and Hair Mask

We all know just how important it is to place sunscreen on our skin when we’re out in the sun. However, UV rays can also damage and dry out hair.  That’s why we start this spa experience with a hair repair mask to help refresh dry and damaged hair. If you only do this mask once a season, be sure to do it at the end of the season, though you can do it more often, especially if you spend a lot of time in the pool. Your hair will appreciate it.

Summer Sun Hair Repair Mask

This base of this hydrating mask is cucumber and egg, perfect for dry summer hair. Cucumber is rich in vitamin A, C, and silica, all of which help to promote hair growth. Eggs are full of biotin, a b-vitamin that is essential for protein production for hair, skin, and nails. The protein in eggs also attaches to damaged hair, temporarily strengthening it. Olive oil is a great moisturizer and restores shine to dry and damaged hair. It should be noted that some hair types do not respond well to protein. Those with super porous hair may have issues with protein causing even more dryness.  The only way to test whether or not your hair is resistant to protein treatments is to do the hair mask. If you hair is not softer and silkier, then replace the egg with 1 1/2 tablespoons of raw, organic honey.

¼ c cucumber

1 egg (or 1 1/2 tablespoons raw organic honey)

2 tbsp olive oil (If using honey, replace with 1/4 cup olive oil)

Place ingredients in blender and blend until mostly combined. Strain into a small bowl to make sure any cucumber that didn’t get blended won’t get stuck in your hair, especially important if you have curly hair. The mask will be watery so you may wish to use a brush to apply to dry hair. Massage into your scalp for a few minutes before putting a shower cap on. For added benefit, you may wish to place a knit hat or small towel around your head for added greenhouse effect (ensuring the mask more easily penetrates the hair). If completing the spa day sequence leave on until step 6. If doing it as a standalone, leave on for 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing with warm water.

Step 3: Let’s Face It, Summer Repair Facial

Now that the hair mask is on, it’s time to do some double-duty. While steaming the face, your body’s temperature will also rise, creating a steam environment under your shower cap that makes for better penetration of the hair mask. Of course, steaming the face is also great for opening up facial pores, allowing for trapped dirt and impurities to be released. It also increases circulation to the face, which helps skin cells to repair faster. After steaming, skin can better absorb products and masks.

Steaming facial

Large bowl

Water

Towel

2 drops of lavender oil, if desired.

Heat enough water to fill your bowl about half way. Water should be hot enough to produce steam, you can just boil water in an electric kettle or bring water to just boiling on the stove top or microwave. Once water has heated, lean over the bowl and place the towel over your head and the bowl. Steam for 10-15 minutes.

After steaming, pat your face dry, it’s time for the face mask.

3.5 Turmeric face mask

This turmeric face mask is great for restoring the ravages of summer because turmeric is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial. Turmeric also helps to repair premature aging caused by damage from the sun. Milk proteins soften skin and gently exfoliate away dead skin cells. It also helps to shrink the appearance of pores. Finally, honey moisturizes and evens out skin discoloration.

¼ tsp turmeric powder

1 teaspoon milk

1 teaspoon honey

In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients. Turmeric can stain your nails and clothes, so be sure to wear a shirt you won’t mind getting dirty.  Wear gloves or use a brush to apply the mask. Apply mask evenly to face, avoiding eyes and mouth. Let the mask sit until step 6, or let sit until dry, about 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water, pat face dry and follow up with your favorite facial moisturizer.

Step 4: These Feet Were Made for Long Walks on the Beach

During the summer, your feet can take on a lot of wear and tear as we tend to wear less protective footwear, and also may do more walking during vacations and sightseeing. This foot soak is perfect for tired summer soles.

Summer sandal feet repair foot soak

When Epsom salt dissolves in water, it transforms into magnesium and sulfate, which is then absorbed into the skin, alleviating soreness and fatigue. Soaking in water also helps to soften skin so that it’s easier to remove dead skin. Add some baking soda for exfoliation and you’re on your way to happy feet.

¼ c Epsom salt

¼ c sea salt

1/2 cups baking soda

10 drops of Essential oil of choice (for scent)

Combine ingredients in a bowl. Fill the bowl with enough warm water to cover feet. Soak feet for 20 min. Use a pumice stone to slough off dead skin. If doing the foot soak as a stand alone, finish with a foot cream or heavy lotion and cover with socks to lock in moisture.

Step 5: This Body Scrub Will Fix a Latte

It’s time to finish off the spa day with a coffee body scrub sure to revitalize and get your full body glowing.

Summer repair coffee body scrub

Coffee is rich in antioxidants that protect against free radicals, which can cause damage to the skin. The caffeine in coffee also works to promotes blood flow, creating cell turnover. Even better, it increases the production of collagen and elastin, which can give your skin a healthy, soft appearance. Finally, caffeine minimizes fine lines and protects against loss of moisture. Coffee can also help to reverse UV damage, so it’s the MVP of too much fun in the sun.

½ c coconut oil

½ c ground coffee beans

Mix ingredients in a medium bowl. With the water off, apply the mixture the shower ( as this can get messy). The scrub should be applied in small, circular motions. Leave on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Congratulations! You’ve taken a bit of time for self-care. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you for it. Now It’s time to see the refreshed you.

If you haven’t already, you may wish to rinse the face mask off with cool water; alternatively, you may wish to wash everything off in the shower all at once.  If that’s the case, jump in the shower. Start with rinsing out your hair, then follow with your typical hair-care routine. Next, gently rinse off the face mask and then the body scrub.

It’s important to moisturize once you get out of the shower. Apply a face moisturizer to your face, and body lotion to your body. You may also wish to apply a leave in conditioner to your hair.

This self-care routine is a good one to do at the end of each season. If  you like, and you have essential oils available, you can tailor the experience to the season by using essential oils that hint at the coming season, or remind you of the end of the season. A good summer reminder is the citrus smell of lemon and orange mixed with relaxing lavender. If you prefer to focus on the coming fall, apple or cinnamon mixed with a hint of vanilla can create a warm, relaxed atmosphere.

If you try the spa day, let me know. I’d love to hear how it went. Enjoy.

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