How I Turned My Shower Into My Sanctuary
When you live in a studio apartment during a global pandemic, finding unique places to bring you joy is like a scavenger hunt on crack.
I’ve been doing a lot of self work to see where the moments I feel the happiest are. Where do I feel the most like myself? Where am I when I ignore all of my worries? How can I harness that feeling? Low and behold, my most carefree self is in the bathroom.
Picture this. You’re fresh out a warm shower, your favorite album has been playing out your JBL Speaker, the scent of the incense you were burning wafts in when you open the bathroom door to let the steam out … whew, I’m getting a lady boner just thinking about it. Aromatherapy is real to me. Smelling good, feeling clean and soft, all things that help make days indoors a little less shitty. Here are some bath time items I’ve been loving that helps keep my skin soft and smooth, and my bath time experience my favorite part of my day. Items starred (**) can be found on my Amazon Storefront.
LA Beautyologist #ShowerChic Set ($70 USD) - As seen in this article’s header picture, this bath set is the bomb. It comes with a hair bow headband, wrap towel, and hair towel. This set is made of super soft, great quality, velvet microfiber and it comes in gorgeous shades of cream, pink, and grey. Microfiber is great to dry your hair with because it takes the perfect amount of water out without over-drying your hair while reducing frizz and breakage. The bow is perfect for when I’m doing my skincare routine with my fro out. It keeps my hair out my face and allows me to wash my hairline properly (Which you should be doing! Those products can clog your pores hence forehead and temple acne). The wrap me up towel stretches wide, suitable for all body shapes and sizes, with a convenient velvet latch to keep your goodies in a bundle. When I hop out the shower, I put on my wrap my up towel and hair bow to do my body care routine while my skin is still damp (Lotion goes on DAMP, not dry!, skin - humectants need water to bond to in order to deliver that hydration to your skin). Overall, the set is super cute and it really makes you feel like you’re at the spa when you’re doing your face and body care routines all dolled up.
Exfoliating Body Gloves (12 pack) ($11.99 USD) ** - Now THIS, is a game changer! If you suffer with rough skin (feet included), ingrown hairs on your body, or just wanna have baby soft skin - get this now. I use it as a wash cloth and it has done wonders for my legs. Exfoliating body gloves allow you to safely slough away dead skin as you wash your body. It’s especially great in your crotch/bikini area to help exfoliate and prevent ingrown hairs from forming while helping to get rid of dark, dead, skin in the area. If you shave your legs, or any other part of your body, it’s best used prior to shaving.
Dry Brush ($9.95 USD) ** - Another body exfoliating tool, but used prior to showering. Dry brushes help boost circulation and remove dead skin cells on the surface of your skin before you hop in the shower. I brush myself 2-3 times a week, on completely dry skin. It’s a very interesting sensation - tingly, but not in a bad way. When you hop in the shower afterwards the combination of your increased blood circulation and the water hitting your skin puts me in a much better mood than before I hopped in the shower.
Glossier Body Hero Daily Oil Wash ($18 USD) - WHEW. HAVE YOU EVER DRY BRUSHED YOUR SKIN AND THEN OIL CLEANSED YOUR BODY?? BABYYYYY *Pop Smoke voice*, what a vibe! This body wash is not your average body wash. It’s an oil cleanser made with superstars like grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil (Rich in linoleic acid, which acne prone skin is deficient in - aka body acne sufferers, you might like this!) , and an orange blossom neroli blend that makes it smell to DIE for. The body wash comes out as an oil but it lathers and emulsifies beautifully when it comes in contact with water. Oil cleansing your body helps remove excess sebum that can cause pore clogging ingrown hairs and body acne. It also aids in smoothing your skin, which is great for evening skin tone and baby soft skin.
Nubian Heritage Goat’s Milk & Chai Body Wash ($12.46 USD) - This body wash takes me to seventh heaven. I love warm, cozy, scents and fragrances and they hit the hammer on the head with this one. The aloe leaf juice and green tea leaf extract help calm and moisturize the skin so well. Your skin won’t feel dry or stripped despite the fragrance in it. The goat’s milk is the real star of the ingredient show. Goat’s milk is amazing for body acne, calming inflammation, smoothing skin, moisturization, etc etc etc! My skin feels so soft and hydrated after using this body wash, which you typically can’t say for most mass body washes.
Overall, I’ve been making my bath time experience as enjoyable as I can. I love letting music play and incense or my oil diffuser burn when I shower to get the full spa look and feel. As silly as it sounds … I take showering seriously. It’s a ritual of self love, to me. It’s when I wash away the day’s emotions, when I thank my body for carrying me alive and well while living in some of the most unprecedented of times I might ever face in this lifetime. Finding joy in doing mundane things makes sheltering in the same place feel less irritating as it absolutely is.
Cheers,
Kahina