Gone are the days of dressing in unpractical clothing, heading to the busiest bar you can find and dancing until 3am. Fridays now mean only one thing: a chance to relax and unwind.
What’s the best thing after a long, stressful week? A bath, of course!
We’re here to help you on your road to relaxation, with our five simple steps on creating the most wonderful bath experience. So, pick your perfect book, pour yourself a glass of red, and let us do the rest.
Step 1: The Bath Products
Bath Salts
Bath salts are a favoured choice when preparing the perfect bath. They not only work as an exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin, but the aromas can deliver an overall sense of calm, relaxing cramped muscles and a stressed mind.
How to Use
Using bath salts is easy: we’d recommend sprinkling the desired amount into a warm, running bath, then simply allow to dissolve, and jump in!
Our Recommendations
Inspired by the crisp feel of the seashore, Bahoma London’s Ocean Spa Bath Salts offer a delicate mix of natural and fragrance oils, with a subtle ocean and fresh floral scent.
Their Lavender Veil mix holds a more aromatherapy-like feel, with a calming scent of lavender, rose and mimosa.
Bath Oils
High quality bath oils will have an intensely moisturising effect on the skin. Not only this, but their aromas will help to relax and destress, creating a calming atmosphere for you to relax and unwind after a long week.
How to Use
Like bath salts, you’ll want to pour the desired amount of bath oil into a warm bath while the water is still running. If necessary, give it a good mix, then hop in and enjoy.
Our Recommendations
Designed to relax a busy mind, ESPA’s Soothing Bath Oil is infused with restful properties like rose geranium and myrrh, whilst almond oil works to deeply nourish the skin.
Why not stock up your selection? This travel-friendly set from ESPA offers five of nature’s most effective and aromatic essential oils to relax, restore and balance the mind.
Bath Oil Collection – ESPA – £17
Step 2: The Skin & Haircare
Face Masks
Using a face mask while bathing is said to be even more beneficial for your skin. Your pores are open from the heat, so ready to absorb the benefits quickly and deeply. Which face mask you choose is your call: there’s an array of formulas out there that can help to minimise pores, boost moisture and improve skin texture.
How to Use
How to use a face mask depends entirely on the formula. Most will involve removal with warm water after a certain timeframe – just check the label to be sure.
Our Recommendations
The REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask works as an intense detoxifying treatment, helping to diminish oily patches, reduce the appearance of pores and banish blackheads. It’s a must-have product for oily skin.
Peptide4 Thousand Flower Mask 75ml – Elemis – £25
This mineral-infused face mask from Elemis is powered by flowers, aiming to instantly revitalise skin for a smoother, brighter, more-even skin tone and texture. Tired-looking skin, we’ve got you.
Shampoo & Conditioner
Let’s not leave your hair out of the loop – it needs just as much love! Providing you’re using clean water to rinse, there’s no reason why you can’t shampoo and condition your hair whilst relaxing in the bath. High-quality shampoos and conditioners not only work to cleanse dirt and oil, but they should leave hair feeling soft, smooth, bouncy and nourished.
How to Use
Nowadays, there’s a lot of controversy over what comes first – the shampoo or conditioner?! However, we’d just recommend following the label. The conditioner often needs to be left on a little longer before rinsing to really claim the benefits.
Our Recommendations
This two-product set from Philip Kingsley is the solution to all your moisture needs. Like its namesake, the formula has a tropical coconut scent, and works to deliver strength and hydration to fine, damaged hair.
Coconut Breeze Shampoo & Conditioner – Philip Kingsley – £75
Step 3: The Candles
Nothing beats the soft glow of candles when you’re trying to destress. Scents of lavender, chamomile, rose and eucalyptus (to name a few) have stress-relieving properties, so pick one, light up, and allow them to work their magic.
Our Recommendations
NEOM’s Perfect Piece Candle contains a harmonious blend of 25 essential oils that will leave you feeling calm, tension-free and ready for a blissful night’s sleep.
The Restorative Candle from ESPA is infused with lavender, orange and rose geranium, helping to soothe your mind and body whilst you bathe.
ESPA’s Positivity Candle delivers a spirit-lifting combination of jasmine, gardenia and rose geranium, as well as bergamot and orange. The fresher scents are said to bring an overall sense of calm, whilst the more vibrant work as a reminder to stay positive and joyful.
Step 4: The Music
Choosing the perfect music is crucial when creating a relaxing atmosphere. If heavy metal is your secret to tranquillity, listen away: however, we’d recommend something classical, calming and on a lower volume.
“But how do I listen to music in the bath?”, you ask? That’s easy – a Bluetooth speaker! We’ll be adding some fabulous Bluetooth speakers to our line-up very soon, so make sure you stay tuned.
Step 5: The Aftercare
Don’t spoil your relaxation efforts by returning to chaos. After you get out the bath, dry off in a soft, warm towel and slip into a cosy robe. You might also want to do some after-bath skincare, like moisturise – this will help lock in all your essential oils and keep your skin supple for longer.
Our Recommendations
Christy are the luxury towel experts, offering a range of sumptuously soft cotton towels in shades to suit every bathroom.
This bath robe from HUGO BOSS feels just as luxurious – just wrap it around you, grab a hot tea and allow the relaxation to continue.
Solid Shawl Collar Bath Robe – £69 – Hugo Boss
Strawberry Body Butter 200ml – £8 – The Body Shop
There’s nothing like a body butter from The Body Shop when it comes to after-bath moisturising. Our favourite has a delicious strawberry scent and will leave skin feeling super-soft and nourished. It’s perfect for normal-dry skin types.
So, there you have it: your perfect bath. Whilst you’re relaxing, why not check out some of our other bath and shower must-haves.
Words by Hannah Wright
