With over 269 million views on TikTok (and counting), the #everythingshower trend is continuing to dominate the #beautytok world. People are taking to the social media platform to share their all-encompassing, mega-detailed and seriously lengthy shower routines, which can sometimes take four hours. No, this isn’t your regular face wash, shampoo and swipe of a razor, we’re talking an indulgent self-care ritual that covers everything from setting the mood to cherry-picking the perfect products to use before, during and after. It’s not called the everything shower for nothing.
So yes, the everything shower is no ordinary cleansing routine; it’s an immersive experience that transports individuals to a realm of pure bliss. This opulent trend elevates the average shower to a multi-sensory extravaganza that indulges not just the body but also the mind and soul. Think of it as a rejuvenating spa treatment within the comfort of your own bathroom, offering a moment of respite from the bustling world outside. And whilst no everything shower routine is the same, we’ve compiled what we think is the perfect pampering experience. Sorry in advance, DEWA bill.
PRE-SHOWER
Set The Scene:
It’s no good labouring over the perfect everything shower if the mood’s all wrong, which is why everything from lighting to ambience plays a key part. First things first, and that’s turn those lights down. No one has ever felt relaxed under a full-voltage glare. If your bathroom lights are on a dimmer, happy days, turn them down to a level that feels good for you. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a candle or two (or 10) dotted around the bathroom. Candles also help set the mood and create that instant spa-like vibe, but many boast calming, relaxing scents to help you further into a state of zoned-out bliss. Add a chilled-out playlist, and you’re good to go.
Pop On A Pre-Shower Hair Mask:
Next up, it’s time to pop on a pre-shower mask for your hair and scalp. We love the Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil, which is packed with Ayurvedic herbs and actives to strengthen the scalp and roots whilst soothing and nourishing. Massage a dropper full onto your scalp before moving on to your treatment for your tresses. The Restless Circle from Davines works wonders on stressed-out strands and helps protect hair from damage caused by clips and hairbands. Boasting anti-breakage and volumising action, it goes on clear and works in minutes to protect and boost hair elasticity.
Dry Body Brush:
Sorry, but “I just don’t have time” is not an excuse that works when it comes to the everything shower. So yes, it means you do have time to dry body brush, and you absolutely should be. An amazing way to boost circulation, even skin tone and tackle cellulite, brushing towards your heart boosts lymphatic drainage and breaks down orange-peel skin. It also has the added bonus of helping eliminate dry flakes, so you’ll step into your shower with a better base to apply your next-stop products on to. Win-win.
Pre-Cleanse Your Face:
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know all about double cleansing, and the everything shower is the perfect place to do it. Now’s the time to pick up your cleansing balm or oil and massage it into your skin to melt away any makeup, impurities and daily dirt and grime.
IN THE SHOWER
Scrub Up:
Now you’re in the shower, it’s time for a good ol’ deep-down clean, starting with a body scrub. Ideally something with both chemical and physical exfoliants for maximum results, like Kopari’s Body Bumps Be Gone. Doing just as its name suggests, it helps reduce the appearance of rough, dry skin, uneven texture and those pesky tiny bumps (aka keratosis pilaris) thanks to its hardworking double-whammy formula. With 10% AHAs to chemically exfoliate, and pumice, volcanic sand and ground coconut shells for a physical scrub, it’s ideal for buffing away impurities and imperfections.
Shampoo:
Back to your hair. This step is pretty self-explanatory, and whilst you can use any shampoo you fancy, we recommend a purifying formula to effectively remove your pre-shower treatments and treat your head to a thorough cleanse. The Virtue Purifying Shampoo is just the ticket.
Add A Mask:
Now’s when you’d usually apply your conditioner, right? And whilst you can absolutely still do that, why not opt for a mask instead? This is an everything shower, after all, and allowing yourself to luxuriate in anything extra pampering is what it’s all about. Plus, while your mask is working its magic, it’s a great time to grab your razor and shave, too.
Wash Your Face:
As your hair mask marinates, grab your second face cleanser for the second step in your double-cleanse ritual. A gentle gel formula is perfect, as you’ve already used your richer, oil-based one in your pre-shower step, or go for a nice scrub if your face needs something a bit more decongesting. Again, take the time to really enjoy massaging it into your skin. It feels good not to rush it, right?
Add Another Mask:
This time, for your face. Remember, each of these steps is optional, but if you want to maximise on your everything shower, pop on your favourite face mask. Because your skin is already squeaky clean, and thanks to the steam of the shower opening up your pores, applying a mask right about now will ensure it works even more effectively.
Cleanse Your Body:
Once you’ve washed off your various masks, it’s time for the last step – washing your body. This should always be done last to ensure any other products that might have run down your limbs have been rinsed away. There’s no shortage of gorgeously scented bougie body washes, but if you want one that’s good for skin and your Insta feed, it doesn’t get much better than Necessaire’s offerings. Loved by all the cool-girls (and team GRAZIA, of course), they’re packed with nourishing botanicals, vitamins and fatty acids to nourish and soothe even the most sensitive of skins. The eucalyptus one literally brings the spa straight to your shower.
POST-SHOWER
Slather On A Serum:
We’re not just talking a face serum, we’re talking a body serum. High impact but lightweight, they’re perfect to use alone or under your body lotion and can tackle everything from ageing to firmness to dehydration. Our pick? Dr. Barbara Sturm’s. A potent blend of anti-ageing ingredients and antioxidants, it protects and prevents visible signs of ageing while deeply hydrating, improving elasticity and texture and imparting an instant glow. Top tip: apply your body care to slightly damp skin as it’s 10x more permeable than dry skin, meaning quicker and enhanced absorption.
And A Body Lotion:
Just like you seal in your facial skincare with a hydrating moisturiser, so too should you lock in your body serum with a body hydrator, be it an oil or a lotion. Again, which you go for is a matter of personal preference, but if we had to choose for you, we’d go for Sol de Janeiro’s legendary Bum Bum Cream. Hailing from Brazil, it’s packed with Amazonian fruits and coconut oil to provide intense hydration for baby-soft skin. And it will leave you smelling like a tropical vacay from top to toe.
Add A Leave-In Treatment:
If you’ve never used a leave-in conditioner or hair treatment, now’s the time to start. The perfect way to wrap up the hair side of your everything shower, they do everything from sealing in moisture to helping detangle, enhance shine and protect against damage, in turn leading to less split ends, frizz and flyaways. Yes, please. Gisou’s heavy honey-infused leave-in conditioner comes in a nifty spray bottle, so you can spritz through strands for effortless hair hydration.
Apply Your Skincare:
Last, but by no means least, is applying your usual skincare. You’ll be pleased to know (after all the above…) that 10 steps really aren’t necessary. Instead, invest in a decent serum, moisturiser and SPF, and you’re good to go.
This story originally appeared on GRAZIA International.