After a long week, everything shower is my chance to slow down, reset, and leave the bathroom feeling like the best version of myself.
My Everything Shower typically includes hair washing, a nourishing hair mask, exfoliation, shaving, cleansing, and plenty of hydration. Here’s my step-by-step routine.
Step 1: Set the Mood
The Everything Shower isn’t just about beauty—it’s about creating an experience.
Before I even turn on the water, I light a candle and put on music. One of my favorites is the Diptyque Roses Candle, which perfectly captures the scent of a freshly picked bouquet. Then I connect my speaker and queue up “A Couple Minutes” by Olivia Dean to ease into the routine.
Creating a calming atmosphere instantly makes the shower feel less like a chore and more like dedicated time for myself.
Step 2: Wash & Treat Your Hair
I’ll admit it—I love a hot shower. While I know lukewarm water is technically better for your hair and skin, nothing beats stepping into steaming water after a long day. I always begin with my hair.
My routine includes three rounds of shampoo. The first cleanse is with a detoxifying shampoo to remove buildup, while the second and third washes are tailored to whatever my hair needs most at the moment—whether that’s extra moisture, shine, or smoothing.
Once my scalp feels thoroughly clean, I apply a hair mask and let it sit for about 10 minutes while I move on to the rest of my routine. Some of my current favorites include:
- Color Wow Money Masque
- Dove Intensive Repair Mask
- Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask
Step 3: Exfoliate, Shave & Cleanse
While my hair mask works its magic, I focus on body care.
I start by exfoliating to remove dead skin and create the smoothest possible canvas before shaving. When it comes to shaving, I prefer a shaving oil over traditional shaving cream or gel. I find that it gives a closer shave, leaves my skin softer, and creates less mess. The Tree Hut and EOS shaving oils are two affordable favorites that consistently deliver great results.
One of my favorite beauty tips is fragrance layering. Rather than mixing lots of different scents, I like to use products from the same fragrance family—from scrub to body wash to lotion and body mist—for a longer-lasting, more cohesive scent. Brands like Sol de Janeiro, Ouai, EOS, and Naturium make this especially easy by offering complete body care collections.
For cleansing, I always double-cleanse my body. I start with a Dove Beauty Bar to thoroughly remove sweat, sunscreen, and product buildup before following with a scented body wash.
Once the rest of my body is clean, I wash my face using a gentle exfoliating cleanser followed by a hydrating face wash to leave my skin feeling fresh and glowing.
Step 4: Finish with a Cool Rinse
Remember when I said I love hot showers? Well…this is where I make an exception.
I finish by rinsing my hair with cool water to help smooth the hair cuticle and enhance shine. While cold water won’t literally “close” your pores, it can feel refreshing on the skin and helps balance out all that heat from the shower. Once I’m done, I gently pat my skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing. It’s a small habit, but being gentle with your skin helps minimize unnecessary irritation.
Step 5: Lock in Moisture
The final step is all about hydration. While my skin is still slightly damp, I layer on body lotion followed by a body oil to seal in moisture. Then I finish everything off with a coordinating body mist so the scent lasts all day.
There’s nothing better than ending an Everything Shower by slipping into freshly washed pajamas, climbing into clean sheets, brewing a cup of peppermint tea, and putting on a hydrating face mask. After all, the Everything Shower isn’t just about looking good—it’s about giving yourself permission to slow down, recharge, and start the week feeling refreshed from head to toe.
