A Day at the Spa at Home!

I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to the spa.  I do know that it was over one year ago and that is pretty sad.  So pampering myself is clearly not a priority.  But, when a friend started a new business selling eco-friendly products and posted a picture of her little girl in a mud mask, I jumped at the chance to create a similar memory for my children.  Little did I know, it would prove to be much more than that!

Celadon Road’s goal is to promote “greener, healthier and more socially responsible living” through the sale of a variety of products to meet our everyday needs.  I liked the idea of “healthier” and RJ couldn’t wait to try the mud mask. So, we got started!

Unscented Mineral Mud Mask with All-Room Cleanser and Body Butter

When I took out the sample of the Mud Mask it looked like the equivalent of a half teaspoon.  I wasn’t sure that it would really be enough for myself and both of the children.  But to my surprise, it was not only enough for us but for my mother too, with LEFTOVERS!

You start by using the All-Room Cleanser ($14) to wash your face.  It has a powdery consistency so I just dipped a wash cloth in it to gather enough for our faces.  There was a little tingle as I applied it to my face.  RJ has sensitive skin so I wondered how it would affect him.  He loved the tingle and his skin had no reactions.  Whew!  It didn’t lather but I quickly noticed that my white wash cloth was showing signs of a DIRTY face so it definitely works!  I then rinsed it away with cool water and we were ready to apply the mask.

I put a tiny bit of the Unscented Mud Mask ($40 per container) on the tip of my finger and applied it over each of our faces, paying special attention the the “T” area as my friend, Colleen, recommended.  I let the children apply it themselves as well.  There was a little grittiness (like fine sand) in the mask which you can feel as you apply it.  I’m guessing that, along with its other ingredients, is what makes this product great for exfoliating, drawing toxins out, cleaning your pores, and tightening your skin.  We rubbed it in well and let it dry.  RJ thought it was going to be so hard he wouldn’t be able to talk but it doesn’t dry THAT hard!

He mentioned that it itched a teeny bit right in the beginning and I would agree.  This is coming from a family whose facial cleansing regimen is relegated to water and (sometimes) soap!  So we just aren’t used to anything on our faces.  After about 15-20 minutes we rinsed it off with cold water.  I thought it was going to take some scrubbing and rubbing but the removal process was quick and easy.  You just wipe!  This was perfect for our 1.5 year old who wouldn’t be able to submerge her face in water or keep her eyes closed for any period of time.  When I felt our faces and saw the little shine I was amazed! Colleen promised me baby-bottom soft and she wasn’t exaggerating!  I’d always thought that facials were a waste of money but there was a noticeable difference after using this product.  The kicker?  Applying the Body Butter lotion ($26) on our faces afterward.  I told my mom that I was placing my order for these products that same day (and I did!)

Pedicures with Peppermint Shower Gel and Sweet Orange and Cardamom Sugar Scrub

Our next “service” were pedicures all around.  I grabbed a couple of bowls and the children’s beach chairs and placed them in the middle of our living room.  Colleen suggested that I just use a quarter-sized drop of the Shower Gel ($15) for great results.  I loved the peppermint smell permeating from the warm water as we were soaking our feet.  There are also essential oils in the gel that give the water and your feet an added softness.  And all of this is before you scrub!

By the time I grabbed the Sugar Scrub ($30) our feet already felt softer than before.  When I did finally start rubbing the scrub on the children’s feet, they laughed and laughed because it tickled so much.  Rielle actually decided she wanted to do it herself and did a great job paying special attention to her toes and heels.

The scrub was so dense that there is no need to use a pumice stone or any supplemental equipment.  Between the sugar and oats, you get enough friction to remove any dry skin, and, again, the essential oils in the Scrub added to the softness and wonderful smell.  What else did I love?  We didn’t have to soak our feet for hours to get a result!  And, one tablespoon was enough for myself, both kids, AND my mom with some to spare.

Once we were done, I dried our feet and used the Body Butter to finish off the process.  Again, it didn’t disappoint. I think my favorite quality in the Butter is that we could still feel its presence on our faces and feet several hours after application.  It didn’t soak into our skin, never to be felt again!  I kept commenting to my mom throughout the rest of the day that “it was still there!”

Lavender Laundry Detergent

While we were having our spa party, I was also washing Rielles cloth diapers using one tablespoon of their Lavender Laundry Detergent.  I have been a stickler about what I use on her diapers so I shot a quick note to Colleen through her Celedon Road Facebook page to ask if it was okay.  Of course it was .  When I pulled the diapers out of the washer they had no smell (that’s a great thing) and were beautifully cleaned (as in back to white!).  I thought they were going to have a lavender smell and was happy that they didn’t as fragrances and cloth diapers generally do not mix well.

After drying the diapers I gave them another sniff test which they passed with flying colors. But, the real test was whether there would be any evidence of soap build-up, i.e. the smell of ammonia.  That would take several uses and washes to determine.  So, after using them again, washing them again, using them again and washing them for the third time, I was paying particular attention to evidence of build-up.  I’m happy to report that there has been none!  Yay!!!  I then proceeded to use the detergent on our clothing and, again, one tablespoon per load in our front washer did the trick!  So long to different detergents for our cloth diapers and clothes (and more expensive Free and Clear products!)  I’m getting a canister of this ($10) which cleans 64 loads of laundry!

Other Interesting Tidbits

* One teaspoon of the All Room Cleanser can also clean a load of dishes in the dishwasher, scrub your cooktop or stainless steel sink, and even brush your teeth!  I was too chicken to try that

* I was surprised at how little of the product you need to use for great results.  Each canister goes a long way!

* I am a stickler for good customer service and will even pay a little extra for it (hence my love for Target vs Walmart).  Well, luckily in this case you get great service without the added expense!  Whenever I had a question, I received a response within a few hours and her home number and email address are right on the front page of her website! Love it!

So, I’m a convert!  My initial motivation to create a fun memory for the children has turned into a love for these products!  And, while I’m still not the “host a party” type, between Celadon Road and Scentsy (my other new fav product), I may be convinced to make an exception for these smiling faces!

Disclaimer: Colleen is a friend of mine from the amazing Mommies Network, North Metro DC Chapter.  The opinions in this post are my own (and the kids)!  She sent the samples to me free of charge but I paid for any purchases made after the samples were used. She has graciously offered a discount to those who place an order and letting her know you were sent by Our Life Memories!  Just email her at cocopitz@gmail.com to order.

Tags: Celadon Road, Colleen Opitz, ecofriendly, green, mud masks with children, pedicures with children, review, reviews, spa with children
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