Beauty Secrets: Create Your Own Spa Treatments at Home

4 At-Home Treatments

• Peppermint essential oil (available at health-food stores)
• Daily rinse-out conditioner

After rinsing out your shampoo, add 1 or 2 drops of peppermint oil to a dollop of conditioner. Coat your hair. Massage your scalp with your fingertips, making small circular motions -- start at the hairline, move toward the crown, cover both the right and left sides of your head, and finish at the neckline. Rinse with lukewarm water (the peppermint oil makes the temperature feel colder).

Inspired by the Scalp Craze, a 25-minute poolside head massage, $75, at Moorea Beach Club Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas

• Blender
• 1 cucumber
• Bunch of mint leaves
• Aloe vera gel (available at drugstores)
• Lavender and chamomile essential oils (available at health-food stores)
• Plastic wrap

Combine 1/4 cup shredded cucumber, 1/4 cup finely chopped mint leaves, 1/2 cup aloe, 5 drops lavender essential oil, and 3 drops chamomile essential oil in a blender and puree. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then spread on hot spots like your feet, neck, and legs. Cover skin with plastic wrap to help the hydrating mask soak in, relax for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Based on the cocoon-like Arizona Aloe Wrap, 50 minutes, $110, at the Miraval Resort Spa in Catalina, Arizona

• Large basin
• Salt body scrub
• Spearmint essential oil (available at health-food stores)
• 5 small, smooth-edged garden stones
• Body or foot lotion
• Nail-polish remover and cotton balls
• Tools (file, cuticle pusher, toenail clipper)
• Polish

Soak feet for 10 minutes in a basin filled with lukewarm water. Use a handful of salt scrub and 2 drops of spearmint oil to exfoliate feet and lower legs; rinse. Place stones in a bowl of ice for a few minutes, then gently massage your feet and lower legs with them. Add 1 or 2 drops of spearmint oil to lotion and rub over feet and legs. Wipe oil from toenails with a cotton ball soaked with nail-polish remover, file, gently push back cuticles, and paint nails.

Similar to the Reviving Pedicure, 65 minutes, $125, at the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental in Miami

• Cream face cleanser
• 1 green-tea bag
• Aloe vera gel (available at drugstores)
• Plain yogurt
• Honey
• 1 cucumber

Cleanse skin with face wash and cool water. Soak a cotton pad in chilled green tea, then gently pat onto skin. Gently apply pressure to facial acupressure points with fingertips -- eyebrows, inner corners of your eyes, below the lower lip, and under each cheekbone. Mix 1 cup aloe, 1/4 cup yogurt, and a few drops of honey in a bowl, then apply the mask with your fingers. Place two slices of chilled cucumber over your eyes; relax for 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Adapted from the Soothing Cold Stone Facial, 50 minutes, $150, at the Ritz-Carlton Spa, San Juan in San Juan, Puerto Rico

6 Super Summer Beauty Products

These icy treats are guaranteed to perk you up even on the doggiest dog days.

1. Paint Shop Beverly Hills 'Ritas & Rocks Cooling Leg Gel, $12, paintshopbeverlyhills.com. Revitalize tired feet with lime and menthol.
2. Vichy Oligo 25 Eyes Anti-Fatigue Cooling Effect Stick, $18, vichyusa.com. Quickly wake up tired eyes.
3. Supermodel by Victoria's Secret Scented Body Ice, $19, select Victoria's Secret stores. Freeze these ice cube-like gels infused with red-apple scent.
4. Mary Kay After-Sun Replenishing Gel, $12, marykay.com. This light humectant body gel relieves sunburn.
5. Avon Planet Spa Icelandic Mineral Waters Cooling Body Mist, $9.50, avon.com. Spritz this mineral-rich body spray from head to toe.
6. Lumene Arctic Touch Deep Cleansing Peat Mask, $10, cvs.com. Instantly clean and tighten pores with this clay-based mask.

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, July 2007.