December 20, 2024
By: Self The Blog
The Everything Shower: A Ritual of Self-Care with, Self
In our fast-paced lives, self-care often feels like a luxury. But what if we made it a ritual? Enter the "everything shower," the ultimate act of pampering, indulgence, and me-time. For me, it’s more than just a shower—it’s a ceremony of cleansing both my body and mind. Here’s how I turn my everything shower into a true moment of self-love that make it oh-so-special.
My everything showers are mostly night showers. Are yours too?
1. Set the Mood
The first step to any great ritual is creating the right environment.
- Hair oiling: I apply the oil of the phase I’m in (right now it’s the Mielle Rosemary Oil) & massage it using my pink scalp massager (could be 2 hours prior or as little as 10 minutes prior) and tie my hair into a loose bun as I prepare for my shower.
- Lighting: Dim the lights or light a candle. The soft glow helps me transition from a busy day to a slower, more intentional pace.
- Scent: A spritz of lavender mist in the bathroom instantly creates a spa-like ambiance.
- Sound: Whether it’s my favorite playlist or just the sound of running water, I make sure the atmosphere feels inviting.
2. Hair Care & Body Care Simultaneously
I start with my hair because it takes the longest, and there’s no way I’m getting bacne/buttne ever again in my life. Exfoliating the body and face comes as the very last step before I step out of my shower.
Here’s what I do:
- Cleanse my hair: I use a hydrating shampoo that cleanses without stripping moisture.
- Scalp care: A quick scalp cleanser (either a raspberry vinegar or a mild scalp scrub) not only feels heavenly but also stimulates circulation, promoting healthy hair growth.
- Deep condition my hair: Once my hair is squeaky clean, I apply a rich mask (I’m currently using KUNDAL Treatment, which is a Korean brand, and I’m so hooked!) and cover it in my shower cap under the hot water. It helps lock in moisture post-shower and prevents frizz. I let it sit for about 15 minutes while I move on to other parts of my routine.
While my hair is still sitting in the shower cap, I go for what I call the “extra necessities”:
- Hair removal: I shave my lower arms, lower legs, and the stubborn hair in my bikini area under water using the only shaver that ever works for me (Venus with bar soaps). These are the only areas I shave because everywhere else I use other hair removal methods that are more long-lasting—but shaving these parts is a necessity every shower!
- Nasal spray: I skip it most days when I shouldn’t, but when it’s an everything shower, it feels so necessary because I literally want to wash up on the inside too!
- Teeth brushing: I brush my teeth and clean my earlobes and behind my ears as well.
- Body mask/scrub: I apply a body mask/scrub. Currently, it’s the ByeBye Blackhead remover on my chest and butt as it smooths so much, but normally, it’s just any layer for mild exfoliation.
- Vaginal care: I practice some vaginal care, mostly just inverting the shower head in between the lips and jetting the water, making sure everything is as squeaky clean as everything else. After every period, I use a drop of vaginal wash diluted in a bottle of water to get rid of any residual foul smells.
- I then take my shower cap off and wash my hair using colder water away from my body (acne freak).
Then, I move on to the actual body care:
- Exfoliation: I grab my exfoliating towel with a good-smelling + salicylic acid shower gel, which has been a game-changer in my routine. It sloughs away dead skin, leaving my body silky smooth and great-smelling!
- Rinse and repeat: If I feel like doubling down, I’ll exfoliate again on areas like elbows and knees for extra softness.
- Perfuming: I follow up with my gentle, cleansing, and soothing body oil that leaves my skin hydrated and heavenly scented.
3. Face Care– Glow from Within
Once my body is taken care of, I shift focus to my face:
- Cleanse: I start with a gentle cleanser to remove any leftover makeup or dirt.
- Exfoliate: I use a mild exfoliant to brighten my skin and remove impurities.
- Steam treatment: If time permits, I let the shower’s natural steam open my pores for
a deeper clean—it’s like giving myself a mini facial, and I take care of sealing it as soon as I’m out of the shower!
4. Post-Shower Pampering
The ritual doesn’t stop when the water turns off.
- I wrap my body in my bathrobe and my hair in my microfiber towel and stay in them for at least 10 minutes as I prepare my pajamas and clean my ears.
- I then brush my damp hair softly, re-wrap it in my microfiber towel, and wash my hands in case there’s any product residue to start looking after my face!
- I then follow with my facial routine, which is mostly an exfoliating product, then my rice toner, then a brightening serum, and under-eye care.
- I slip into a fresh, crisp, clean pajama and take off my microfiber hair towel (ensuring that my hair never touches my back in this entire process).
Of course, I spritz a light fragrance—each time depending on the mood and color palette.
5. A Final Touch
Whether it’s sipping tea with milk or watching my favorite chick flick, I like to end my everything shower with a small gesture that makes me feel centered and ready to take on the rest of the night.
6. Why It Matters
The everything shower isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling good. It’s a
chance to reconnect with yourself, recharge your energy, and treat your body with the love it deserves.