by Heather Moreland

Created on: January 09, 2009   Last Updated: February 14, 2011

Divas don't need to wait until Valentine's Day for an excuse to be pampered! Pampering yourself throughout the year is key to being the glam gal for Old Saint Val.

Manicures, pedicures, facial masks, and other spa-like treatments are essential to keeping your spirit and your body rejuvenated. Make no mistake, gals, personal pampering can go a long way in lifting you out of the blah of winter.

Our skin is not the only thing that can become lacluster during this time of year. Lack of sun, outdoor activity, stress of the holidays, and indoor heating will dry out our hair and skin in no time. But, did you ever stop to wonder how all these changes affect your emotional well-being?

Almost all of us have been subject to the "winter blues" at least once in our life. Women have relied upon spa-like treatments for centuries as an instant pick-me-up.

So why not lock yourself in the bathroom, play some soothing music, dim the lights, and treat yourself like the Glam-Diva you know you are?

Here's some suggestions to get you started:

Choose the bath that best meets your needs and desires:

• For dry skin, pour a gallon of milk in lukewarm bath water. Dry milk can be substituted. Soak for 15-20 minutes.

• For an enery boost, run warm bath water over tea bags, preferably green tea if you have them. Slice an orange into thin slices and scatter throughout bath water. Soak 15-20 minutes.

• For a relaxing bath, drop rose petals and lavendar stems in lukewarm bath water. Soak 15-20 minutes.

Try a homemade body scrub and exfoliate yourself into seventh heaven:

• Pour 1/2 cup of olive oil into a bowl, mix in 1/4 cup of coarse salt or sugar, sqeeze in a few drops of lemon.

• Pour 1/2 cup of scented massage oil into a bowl, mix in 1/4 cup of coarse salt or sugar, squeeze in a little mango pulp.

Try a homemade facial mask to reveal younger, clearer skin:

• Brush 2 egg whites all over face and neck. Leave on for 10 minutes or until dry. Gently wash off with warm water.

• Squeeze the juice of a grapefruit into 1/4 cup of very fine sea salt or sugar. Gently scrub in circles over face and neck.

Forget your hectic lifestyle, daydream like you did when you were a child, and soak away your stress. Feel good about taking care of yourself and you'll be better at taking care of others.

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