While the shower regularly serves as an incubator for our million dollar ideas, it doesn’t receive the same praise that baths do. I would know. I even went the extra mile to become a “bath person.” And when that experiment failed, I crawled back to my shower the way one crawls back to their ex after breaking up in order to “find yourself.”
But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your shower experience the crème de la crème. With a few minor additions, your shower can go from a mundane routine task to something that brings you great joy.
Here is everything you need to elevate your shower time:
Shower Head
Have you paid attention to your shower head recently? The hard, unfiltered water coming from your standard shower head is likely the culprit for most of your hair and skin woes. “Hard water is water with a high mineral content, including calcium, magnesium, and traces of other minerals,” says Jade Simmons, director of brand and product marketing at T3 Micro. “The minerals in hard water can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, and can potentially exacerbate dryness from eczema, psoriasis, dry skin or dryness caused by the use of acne medications,” adds Hadley King, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. I personally love the T3 showerhead, because it works to remove free chlorine from shower water and results in smoother, shinier hair.
Decor
In my humble opinion, I have the singing voice of an angel — in the shower at least, when the water is there to drown out any tone deafness. All the world’s a stage, might as well have the right equipment. Might I suggest a wine glass holder or shower speaker?
And one does not need a large bathroom with marble flooring and designer wallpaper to have a beautiful space. You can spruce up a room with items as simple as a patterned shower curtain, trendy bath rug or sleek trash can.
Scalp Scrub
Let us get to the root of the problem. You are not cleansing your scalp when using shampoo and conditioner and it is crying out for help. Add a scalp scrub to your hair routine to remove buildup, excess oil and dandruff. I like Christophe Robin’s cleansing purifying scrub with sea salt because of the price point ($30) and how quick and effective it is. I replace my shampoo with it once a week and am left with hair that feels clean.
Hair Towel
Wet hair is incredibly vulnerable to breakage, frizz and damage, which is why it is important to use a microfiber hair towel created specifically for wet hair. Ditch the body towel and cotton t-shirts ASAP. Microfiber hair towel help with quicker absorption and cuts down drying time. My curls are now more defined, softer and frizz free. The Edit team is now at a consensus that the Kitsch microfiber hair towel is the best bang for your buck, and we cannot rave about it enough. But there are plenty of other great options out there if you know where to look.
Wet Brush
I dreaded my curly tangled hair as a child. That is, until someone introduced me to the Wet Brush. Wet brushes are specially designed for wet hair, which gives them a post-shower edge. They are painless, and I can now brush my hair for hours on end like Rapunzel in Tangled without crying.
Body Towel
Does anyone else laze around in their bath towel for hours on end? I love cocooning myself into a soft luxurious towel and contemplating my existence. Standard towels can cause friction on the skin, so we suggest swapping them out for some of the softer options.
Dry Brush
Body brushing is an ancient healing practice that stimulates the lymphatic system. “It is a network of tissues and organs that play an integral part in the body’s immune system, assists in removing toxins, waste and other unwanted materials from the body,” says Kimberlee Geng, director of education for Aromatherapy Associates. Dry brushing also works to improve the appearance of the skin by exfoliating dead skin cells and uncovering fresh new cells below. Brush in upward motions toward the heart in the morning before showering to wake up your body.
Body Wash
Considering you use body wash daily, it is important to invest in one that is made up of clean ingredients — no more body washes that are drying or create buildup. Personally, I love investing in a luxury body wash with strong notes that linger post-shower. While it may seem indulgent, think of it as a gift to everyone around you. When I am feeling fancy, I go for the Oribe Cote d’Azur replenishing body wash because of its jasmine and sandalwood notes. And for when I want a less potent option, I go for the Necessaire gel-oil cleanser that gently cleanses the body without stripping the skin (great for wintertime). The sandalwood notes are so muted that it is almost as if a ghost whispered sandalwood in your ear and then disappeared.
Exfoliators
How is it that we have 10-step skincare routines, but when it comes to our shower routine, we call it a day at body wash and lotion? The only thing between you and baby soft skin is a good body exfoliator. According to Geng, “Exfoliation removes the barrier of dead skin cells clogging the skin and uncovers fresh new cells below. This allows products applied afterwards to penetrate more deeply into the skin, which makes them more effective. A regular exfoliating routine will leave your skin looking fresh and healthy.” It is best to purchase an exfoliator that gently buffs away dead skin and dry flakes while also hydrating through the use of ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil or milk thistle extract.
Lotion
There was a good period in which I refused to apply lotion and the dryness on my legs had turned into full-blown dragon scales. Now that I am older and semi-wiser, lotion is a post-shower necessity. Sol De Janeiro’s Acai Body Power Cream is TBOY (the best one yet) with its strong açai berry scent and the conditioning power of coconut oil. On top of that, it contains mica flecks that leave you glimmering in the sun afterwards. Down below are some other great formulas that provide a hydrating full body glow.
Razor
I have yet to meet anyone who enjoys shaving regularly. Another chore on a never-ending to-do list. However, the experience is much better when you are not bleeding in a corner regretting the day you decided to remove your hair. Let the dull dollar store razors go and invest in a quality razor, like Billie or Flamingo that guarantees a clean smooth shave every time.
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