A SPECIAL BATH
Really want to DIY your bath experience? Indie Lee, founder and CEO of her eponymous skincare collection, has created a DIY that includes her favorite seasonal ingredient: peppermint. Use it for your own bath or as a handmade gift for family and friends.
Peppermint Eucalyptus Bath Bomb
(makes 6-10 bath bombs depending on size)
Ingredients:
1 cup baking soda
1 1/2 cups citric acid
2 tablespoons jojoba oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
1 tablespoon witch hazel
Directions:
- Get a fun holiday mold or tin to shape the bombs. You could also use cookie cutters and parchment paper.
- Combine baking soda and citric acid in a large mixing bowl.
- Drizzle in jojoba oil, followed by essential oils. Mix well until you have a smooth mixture.
- Slowly drizzle witch hazel into the mixture, constantly stirring to stop the ingredients from fizzing.
- Once all the ingredients are moist enough to clump together, firmly press the mixture into your molds.
- Allow the bombs to dry for 3-4 hours before removing them from the molds.
- Store in an airtight container and use within 3 months.
- To use: Add 1-2 bath bombs to warm bath and enjoy.
Whether you’re trying to combat the ravages of winter or just unwind from holiday stress, a little hydrotherapy may be all you need.
Water therapy is an ancient ritual that can help you relax and support a healthy lifestyle, says Josie Feria, director of Spa Lapis, the spa at the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach. A hot bath can reduce cramps, ease tension headaches, improve muscle elasticity or provide an escape from a hectic day.
Feria says the perfect bath should be 15-20 minutes long. A warm bath is best and the ideal temperature is 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to test the water temperature on your wrist, not your hand, before jumping in the tub.
Adding a floral scented bath oil like lavender, jasmine, iris and rose can enhance relaxation and help you relax quicker, says Feria. Add the oils to the tub when the bath is halfway full, so they will disperse evenly throughout the water.
If you specifically want to relax sore muscles, use bath salts. Bath salts can help reduce inflammation and stiffness, detoxify skin and increase circulation, which helps ease tension and revitalize the body, Feria says.
While the bath is running, set the right mood for relaxation. Light a few candles and place them around the room and on the edge of the tub. Turn out bright bathroom lights, which can rev you up instead of help you to unwind. Select music to soothe your mind and turn it on to begin relaxing.
You want the water in the tub to feel toasty, but a warm bath will raise your body’s core temperature. Before getting into the tub, fill a bowl with ice water and place it nearby, along with a washcloth. Use it as a cold compress on your forehead or the nape of your neck to help keep you refreshed throughout bath time, says Feria, who forces herself to drink a bottle of water while bathing to stay hydrated. Also, place a plush bathrobe and fluffy towel within reach to welcome you when you exit the tub.
Make the most of your time in the bath by applying a face or hair treatment. Skin and hair respond favorably to the moist environment created by a steamy bath, Feria says. To cleanse your face, apply a clay mask to the skin, avoiding the eyes, and allow it to remain in place for seven to 10 minutes before gently removing it with a wet washcloth. Apply conditioner or hair mask to wet hair, then cover with a plastic cap and hot towel. Rinse out the conditioner or mask at the end of your bath.
Use a sponge and a body scrub to gently massage your skin as you soak. The motion will help engage your mind and keep it from drifting to other thoughts that may prevent you from relaxing, Feria says. The scrub will buff away dryness and leave your skin feeling supple.
After a scrub, close your eyes and relax. Anything that forces you to keep your eyes closed is great, such as cold cucumbers, an icy compress or eye pads soaked in chilled chamomile tea. Employ visualization exercises to keep your mind from racing, Feria says.
Finally, once you’ve finished your bath, avoid your smartphone or other screens for at least an hour. Instead, enjoy a cup of tea, read or listen to music. If you have the time, heat a towel in the microwave, wrap it around your neck and take a deep and well-earned nap.
