INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — A few weeks ago, I wrote about at home spa treatments that were easy to prepare and do yourself and back by popular demand, I have a few more recipes to share that are perfect for any conditions that ail you this time of year, especially as we transition from winter to spring.

All natural hair conditioner mask

---

---

Blend up this simple recipe for a deep hair conditioning treatment that will leave your hair soft and silky. The fats in the avocado and heavy cream are rich in emollients that quickly penetrate the hair, while the honey keeps your scalp’s moisture level at an optimum balance — not too dry or too oily and acts as a natural antibacterial agent.

You will need the following:

---

---

1 avocado, peeled and cut into chunks

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 tablespoon honey

Mix ingredients in a blender to make a nice whip. Comb mixture through freshly washed wet hair. For best results apply immediately after a shower, so your hair cuticle is open and will absorb the product most efficiently.

Wrap head in a shower cap and cover with a towel. Let sit for 15 minutes, and rinse well. Masking your hair weekly is ideal, especially if you color treat your hair, or use hair dryer/curling flat iron on it regularly. This will help maintain your most important accessory.

Sugar Scrub and Honey Hand Wrap

Especially in this dry climate, our hands take a beating and also show the first signs of aging. To soothe itchy, dry, winter-chapped hands try this richly emollient hand wrap.

To make you will need the following:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup honey

Mix olive oil and sugar to form a paste. Massage over hands to lightly exfoliate; then rinse with warm water. Warm honey in microwave and apply to hands (be careful — don’t let it get too hot).

Wrap hands with plastic wrap, and relax for 30 minutes. Remove with warm water and be sure to hydrate with hand lotion.

Spa Treatment Shower Therapy

Is a long, hot bath your dreamy way to relax and unwind … but what if your self-pampering time is limited, or, horror of horrors, you live in a house without a tub? Enter the aromatherapy shower, a simple technique that comes to the rescue.

To try it yourself, take an extra washcloth, wet it, and scent with four or five droplets of your favorite essential oil. Tuck the washcloth into a corner on your shower floor, and let the water run hot for minute or two to steam up the room and disperse the scent.

Then step out of your clothes and into a cloud of scented steam. Breathe deeply, exhilarating in the blissful smell. Some tips on choosing oils: Citrus scents — lemon, lime, grapefruit, tangerine and orange — are wonderful mood lifters, as are essential oils of bergamot, rosemary, and cardamom.

If you’re more in need of mellowing out try the soothing scents like lavender, clay sage, sandalwood, chamomile or pine.

Are you interested in reading about more “at home” spa tips? Email me your requests or any questions you may have.

Erica Korpi is director of Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. She can be reached at Erica.Korpi@hyatt.com.