Inexpensive Tips for Pampering Your Loved One This Valentine’s Day.

Create a private evening for two at your own personal spa

This Valentine’s Day, forget the chocolate and flowers and go with something that’s less expensive and shows you really care: an at-home spa. It’s easy to do, all you need is some candles, soft music and Epsom salt.

With Epsom salt, you can create an at-home spa that’s perfect for the two of you. Some specific tips are below, but start by creating personalized bath salts and candles. Then run the bath water and begin the pampering. Grab your loved one’s favorite drink and see why beauty experts say Epsom salt can brighten the skin and, most importantly, make you and your loved one feel relaxed.

Epsom salt — actually magnesium sulfate — is easy to use and easy to find in your local pharmacy or supermarket, and it costs just a few dollars. Here are some tips:

Homemade Bath Crystals

  • Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. Add a few drops of food coloring or ½ TSP of glycerin if you like. Store in an air-tight container.

Glistening Candles

  • Using a foam brush, paint a candle with a light coat of glue. Spread Epsom salt on a cookie sheet or another flat surface, then roll the candle onto the Epsom salt. (You can also paint the top of the candle with Mod Podge and then pour Epsom salt on top, shaking off any excess before the candle dries, or you can coat the candle three-quarters of the way up with first glue and then Epsom salt.) Allow the candle to dry, standing straight up, for at least an hour before handling.

Stress Relieving Soak

  • Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.

Glowing Skin Exfoliating Treatment

  • Place Epsom salt in your hand, dampen it and massage it into your skin. You can also create a DIY Lavender Coconut Body Scrub, as seen in this video.

Microdermabrasion Facial

  • Mix ½ TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

Pedicure Perfection

  • Dissolve a half cup of Epsom Salt into two quarts of warm water. Pour the water into a container and soak your bare feet for 15 to 20 minutes. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent. Massage the entire foot with Epsom Salt concentrating on the heels and ankles to remove any dry, rough spots. Then, rinse your feet off with clean tap water and dry them thoroughly.

Natural Hair Volumizer

  • Combine equal parts warm conditioner and Epsom salt, work the mixture through your hair and leave for 20 minutes.

Note: For human use, the Epsom Salt Council recommends only Epsom salt with the USP designation.

Resources