TROPICAL SPA: HOME EDITION

In need of some TLC? Make the most of time spent at home and treat yourself to a well earned homemade spa day. The locals on The Islands of Tahiti have shared some of the easy ways you can transform your bathroom into your very own Tahitian-inspired home spa, so you can feel like you're an ocean away without having to leave your own home! Relax, unwind and transport yourself to a tropical island while sitting in the comfort of your own tub.

Made with local ingredients (which you'll probably already have in your kitchen cupboards - SCORE!), we've got two recipes and a how-to guide to give you the ultimate at-home tropical spa treatment you didn't know you were missing but won't be able to live without.

Immerse yourself in your very own homemade Tahitian spa experience without having to walk out the front door by checking out these simple steps below:

Set the mood

Candles are the perfect way to create a relaxing (and well scented) environment - so set the tone of your spa day with your favourite smelling scent. We'd recommend a Taha'a scented candle for the full Tahitian experience, but whatever you have already in your living room will work just as well! Taha'a is one of the 118 islands located in Tahiti, and is locally known as the Vanilla Island due to the huge amount of vanilla plantations (and gorgeous natural smell) surrounding the area. Used in Tahitian spas, this scent will have you feeling like you're on an island far, far away.

Play some soothing music

What better way to create a relaxed atmosphere than with some music? Put on your favourite chilled playlist and find your zen while you indulge into this totally immersive spa experience.

Create your scrub

Tahitian Coconut

All you'll need is...

• Grated flesh of half a coconut (or half a cup of coconut flour)

• 3 tablespoons of Monoi oil (or virgin coconut oil)

Step by step...

1. Mix the coconut flesh or flour with the oil in a bowl. If you use coconut flour, you will need more oil. Add your flour to the bowl and gradually add in the oil until the flour is completely covered. Leave to rest for 15 minutes.

2. Starting with your upper body, massage the exfoliator into your skin in circular motions. Gradually move down your body to your lower half. The scrub is gentle on your skin, but be careful not to rub too vigorously, particularly if you used coconut flour, as this can be slightly rougher.

3. Leave for a few minutes and then step into a warm shower and gently massage the scrub off your body. Be careful not to let too much of the mixture go down the drain, aim to collect as much of the mixture and place it in the bin.

In Tahitian spas, customers lie on a massage table while a vichy shower rinses them. While not readily available for most of us, the vanilla and coconut scents and relaxing music will transport you into true tranquillity nonetheless.

Monoi Body Exfoliator

If your feet are also in need of some TLC, why not try a foot scrub for an all-round spa experience?

All you'll need is...

• Quarter cup of Monoi Oil

• 1 tablespoon of honey

• 1 tablespoon of salt

Step by step...

1. Combine all of the ingredients into a small mixing bowl

2. Gently exfoliate each foot with the scrub for 3 minutes

3. Rinse and pat them dry

4. Rub in your favourite moisturiser and your feet will thank you!

If you can't go to the spa, why not bring it to you? Check out more about how to create your ultimate Tahitian spa day here.

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WORDS | Brittany Ross

IMAGERY | Tahiti TourisMe