Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, so you know what that means...time to start breaking out those razors, shaving those legs and getting gussied up!  :rofl:  Okay ladies, all kidding aside...around Valentine's Day is usually the time of year where we like to pamper ourselves and add a few extra steps into our beauty regimen so as to feel even more gorgeous.  Erika Katz, author of Bonding Over Beauty, offers several luxurious ways to look and feel great without breaking the bank.  Check out the following do-it-yourself beauty gift ideas for Valentine's Day:

Bubble Bath

• 1 /4 cup liquid Castile Soap (you can find this at the drugstore)
• 2 drops Red food coloring
• 10 drops rose oil or your favorite essential oil
• Rose petals

To make:

Mix the castile soap, food coloring, and rose oil.  If this is a gift, pour it into a pretty bottle and attach a fresh rose.  If you are using it right away, add your mixture to running bath water and sprinkle your bath with rose petals.  Soak for as long as you like.

Strawberry Peppermint Foot Scrub

• 2 pureed strawberries
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and
• 2 tablespoons of granulated white sugar
• 4 drops peppermint essential oil

To Make:

Mix all the ingredients well and put into a pretty jar.

I like to use strawberries in this recipe because they are rich in salicylic acid which helps dead skin shed more easily. The sugar granules also help to exfoliate skin but are super gentle on delicate skin.  You can keep this in the fridge for up to a week.  To use your scrub, simply rub your feet gently in circular motions and rinse with warm water.

Exfoliating Lip Gloss

• 2 tablespoons Crisco solid vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon cherry or strawberry flavored powdered drink mix
• lip balm container or clean contact lens container

To Make:

Heat the Crisco in the microwave for 30 seconds or until it looks like a liquid.  While it is still hot, mix in the powdered drink mix.  Then, pour the mixture into the lip balm container.  Let it cool for 10 minutes.

Luxurious Muscle Soak

• 1 cup Epsom salts
• 1/4 cup sea salt
• 5 drops pink food coloring
• 10 drops of your of your favorite aromatic essence (I like jasmine and peppermint for this soak)

To Make:

Mix the salts and then add the food coloring.  Using a fork, mix well so the food coloring is distributed evenly.  Add the aromatic essence and stir well.  Put it in a pretty jar to give as a gift or add it to your bath and soak.

I love Valentine’s Day because you can show your love an appreciation for anyone in your life.  Making something special lets people know you were thinking of them.  So, try these easy recipes and make it a Valentine’s Day to remember.

For more tips like these, please pick up a copy of Erika Katz's book Bonding Over Beauty, available at bookstores nationwide.