RECIPE FOR A RELAXING SHOWER

If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning; having a shower experience you look forward to can be all the motivation you need. My philosophy is to find a way to thoroughly enjoy the things we do everyday.

Here are a few ways I like to elevate my shower experience to be a relaxing and energizing part of my day:

1. work out first: a shower after a great sweaty work-out is one of the best experiences there is. If you keep the water on the cooler side of warm it’s so energizing.

2. essential oils: keep a bottle of your favorite essential oil in the shower and scatter some drops across the floor while you’re showering for a refreshing, spa like aroma. I like to use sage’s refresh drops.

3. scalp massage: First off find a shampoo that works with your hair and that has a great scent. I alternate between Living Proof (perfect hair day), Olaplex and Briogeo (they have a great hair mask) and Aveda Rosemary Mint shampoo and conditoner. Take your time massaging your favorite shampoo and conditioner into your hair and scalp and leave yourself enough time in the morning or evening to allow the product to sit in your hair for a few minutes while you shave your legs or wash your body with your favorite body wash.

   1. A few notes about washing your hair:

      1. I am really trying to use as many ‘clean’ products as I can and luckily, I discovered a lot of the products I use are already clean (olaplaex and briogeo and both ‘clean’ products).

      2. What does ‘clean’ mean: It means you get the same results without ingredients that are harmful to you and the environment. A clean product is formulated without parabens, sulfates SLS and SLES, phthalates, mineral oils, formaldehyde (eek), and more. Also try to be conscious of the packaging, glass and metal packaging is best as it is easier to recycle.

      3. My hairstylist recently told me that the amount of times we should wash our hair/week changes as we age. When we are younger we can wash our hair more often, but as we get older we should be going longer between washes. As someone in her 20s I am striving to wash my hair 3x per week which has been an adjustment for me as I love to have fresh hair everyday. I will work on sharing how I navigate this as I learn more.

4. Body Scrubs: Personally, I like to switch the water off when I leave my conditioner in and on special occasions I use Ouai scalp and body scrub, I am in love with it. Make sure to kind of dab yourself off a bit so the scrub doesn’t just rinse off of you. If you want something a little more intense, I love Herbivore Rose Coconut Oil Body Polish.

5. Hair Masks: If you’ve really got time to kill or are in a ‘treat-yo-self’ kind of mood. It’s a great time to do a hair mask. usually they require you to leave them on for about 15 minutes. I have one that I do once a month from the brand Evo mane attention protein treatment that my hair dresser got me onto and it completely brought my hair back from the dead a few years ago when I was really struggling with dry and breaking hair. I buy it at Denise Elliot’s studio in North Van, I bought it a few years ago now and I still have tons left. I also use the one from briogeo that I mentioned above.

6. Face wash: Find a face wash that you really love. For me, I am obsessed with Origins Zero Oil Deep Cleanser. I don’t know what it is about it but it just really reacts well with my skin. Everyone is different so use the one that works for you.

7. Robe Life: When I get out of the shower, I love having a robe and fluffy socks to cozy into while I do my hair and make-up for the day.

image source: Jenni Kayne.

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