A Pinch of This, A Dash of That: Luxury Spas Share DIY Recipes

From tropical beaches to lush rainforests and beyond, the globe is chock full of inspiring spa locales to indulge the hedonist in all of us, more often than not leaving us to wish we could bring these experiences home. With the right ingredients and mindset, it’s possible to create a spa experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated wherever you call home.

“When you think about a spa, the most common elements are candlelight, soft music, plush robes and slippers, and aromatherapy. If you have access to these items at home, it will be a great way to set the tone,” says Christina Stephens, spa director at Wymara Resort & Villas. 

From chocolate facials to circulation boosting scrubs, read on for ways to indulge in a little self-care and bring the spa to you. 

Pampering a la Grace Bay Beach

Synonymous with relaxation, Grace Bay Beach’s Wymara Resort & Villas draws in guests with its powder white sands and electric blue waters. Beyond the open-air lobby and among the trellis of softly cascading colorful flowers, guests will find The Spa at Wymara, where Stephens welcomes guests to a transformative experience inspired by the tropics. 

“An easy way to bring the spa experience home is to make a scrub with items you are likely to already have on hand. A few examples are sugar, coconut oil, and olive oil, and if you have essential oils, you can add a few drops,” says Stephens.

Cinnamon Vanilla Latte Scrub

*Boosts circulation

Ingredients:

• 1 cup natural raw sugar cane
• 1 cup coffee grinds 
• 1 cup unrefined extra virgin coconut oil or almond oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Dash of cinnamon
• A few drops of vitamin e oil 

Directions:

• Mix together.
• Apply in a circular motion.
• (Optional) – Combine 1 cup of coffee grinds & ½ cup of olive oil. It works equally as well for those who want a basic scrub with the same benefits!

A chocolate facial recipe too good to pass up

Anyone who’s been to Jade Mountain knows that getting the royal treatment is really the ‘sweet’ life! The luxe property known for its stunning guest ‘sanctuaries’ that feature touches like en-suite infinity pools and private butler service is home to more than 1,000 cacao trees, produces signature chocolate in an on-site Chocolate Lab, offers tree-to-bar organic farm tour where guests can learn how the cacao is harvested, and incorporates chocolate heavily into their spa programming. Now folks at home can hop a virtual flight to tropical St. Lucia with Jade’s DIY chocolate facial recipe. 

Jade’s Chocolate Facial

Ingredients: 

• 1 tbsp of cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp of aloe vera gel
• Sugar
• Coconut Oil

Directions:

• Mix cocoa powder and aloe vera gel.
• Cleanse the skin with cocoa and aloe mix.
• In a separate bowl, combine sugar, cocoa, and coconut oil.
• Apply to face and scrub away dead skin cells.
• Separately, mix cocoa powder and honey to make the face mask. 
• Apply liberally to the skin. 
• After 15 minutes, rinse with warm water
• Repeat as desired.

A Relaxing Rosemary Herbal Bath fit for a Mayan Queen

Overlooking the stunning shoreline of the Mexican Caribbean is the recently renovated JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa. Leaving no corner untouched, the fresh interiors in all 447 guest rooms were inspired by ancient Yucatan elements including hummingbirds four-petal flowers, snail fossils and amate bark paintings derived from Mexican folk art. Guests’ favorite feature, however, is the free-standing soaking tubs that sit beneath marbled, aerial-view images designed so travelers feel as though they’re floating beneath one of Mexico’s magical cenotes.

For those looking to relax and escape, Minerva Toquero, the JW Marriott Cancun Spa Director, shares a few tips for recreating the resort’s bath time experience.

Rosemary Herbal Bath

*Reduces stress, promotes relaxation, stimulates circulation

Ingredients: 

• Rosemary

Directions:

• Start by filling your bathtub with warm water.
• Add several dashes of rosemary. 
• You should start to feel the benefits right away. You can also complement your herbal bath with a green juice to detox. 

“To take it a step further, add bubbles or rose petals which evokes introspection and calibrates the mind, body & soul,” she says.

Easy On, Easy Off: A One Ingredient Fix

Picture yourself with your significant other at the adults only all-inclusive Couples Tower Isle in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, enjoying the portfolio of luxe beachfront amenities, especially when booking the Oasis Spa Villas, that include unlimited spa treatments. Personal plunge pools, private sun terraces and additional endless amenities are also in store. Until we can make this relaxing dream a reality, Couples Resorts group spa manager Denise Morrison is providing tips to create an egg white mask, which firms and shrinks pores and tones skin and helps bring a piece of paradise while at home. “Beat two to three egg whites until firm, and leave on your face for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with cold water and moisturize,” says Morrison.