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Image / Beauty

How to have the most maximalist, extra shower


By Holly O'Neill
03rd Nov 2020
How to have the most maximalist, extra shower

New life, new shower essentials.


Self-isolating is very essential and important, but it does not make being stuck at home with family, children, parents, your partner, or just yourself any easier. My showers are getting increasingly longer as they’re the only guarantee of complete alone time and peace, while also feeling like a tiny self-care moment in the day. With so much time on your hands and so little quiet in the day, perfect the art of the incredibly extra shower, so that you can emerge the cleanest, warmest, calmest person in the office/kitchen.

@vibehealthbar 

Hang eucalyptus in the shower.

Yeah, you read that right. I told you this would be extra. Transport yourself to a forest by hanging eucalyptus off your shower head. Bash the leaves first with something heavy (a bottle of wine will do) to get the scent going, then it has to hang over the showerhead, so that when the steam from your shower reaches it, you get hit with lemon-pine essential oil freshness that completely clears your sinuses. You’re instantly landed in a jungle scene like a Herbal Essences ad. It’s like a spa day, every time you have a shower. If you’re really extra, try it with lavender or mint too.

Elemis Body Brush, €26.50

Get body brushing.

A busy life made me forget how good body brushing is, but now that normal life has been put on pause, I’ve started again. It’s powers lie in detoxification, increased circulation, but most importantly, exfoliation. The type of exfoliation where you will emerge post-brushing with skin like the skin on a puppy’s belly. Before you get in the shower, start at your feet and work your way up, in the direction of your heart. Every nerve is your body is stimulate and awakened. I have this one from Elemis (it’s €26.50 from McCauley’s Health & Beauty Pharmacy, so you can order it to be delivered), which hangs in my shower looking virtuous, and it has a detachable handle so you can get a good scrub on your back too.

Related: Everything to know about body brushing

Kérastase Fusio Scrub Energisant, €41.67

Invest in a scalp scrub.

The first beauty treatment I ever reviewed for IMAGE Magazine was a scalp scrub. I went in expecting a vigorous shampoo and left with a new head. Your scalp is just more of your face. It needs cleansing too. Using a scalp scrub once a week completely removes any product from your hair (it’s dreamy after day three of dry shampooing), leaves the hair shinier and lighter and makes you need to wash your hair much less. I use Kérastase Fusio Scrub Energisant, €41.67, once a week which has sea salt in it – after you use it, you can feel your scalp breathing.

Aquis Rapid Dry Lisse Turban €36.

Use a hair turban.