REFINED RITUAL | ANATOMY OF THE PERFECT BATH

REFINED RITUAL | ANATOMY OF THE PERFECT BATH

The art of bathing is one entrenched in history and feminine power. From the sexy slink of Cleopatra to the beautifying rose petal rituals of Indian princesses, bathing is synonymous with luxury, slow living, and female empowerment.

Baths aid in muscle relaxation, infusing your sinews with vital minerals. A proper bath will leave your skin hydrated and glowing, sloughing off dull skin cells. And a bath at night - is there a more wonderful way to fall asleep?

The bath may swiftly become an inherent part of your nightly routine once you learn the essentials of creating the perfect soak. To send you on your way to becoming the bathing goddess that you are, here is everything you need to know to help you achieve the most perfect, luxurious, detoxifying and cruelty-free bath.


Break

 

PART I: SET THE MOOD

 

Set the Mood with Candles

/ SPELL & THE GYPSY COLLECTIVE 

Dim the lights.

The usual bright & blue-toned overhead lighting of most bathrooms tend to strain the eyes. Opt instead for warm lighting such as twinkle lights, or better yet, no artificial lighting at all. Light a candle or two, cultivating a truly tranquil atmosphere.

Dimmed lighting allows the mind and body to relax into the circadian rhythm of the evening. Your body will automatically wind down as it realizes the end of the day is near. Pay attention to the flickering candlelight, breathe in the scents and enjoy their therapeutic properties as you pamper yourself. 

In search of a new non-toxic candle to bliss out to? Here are a few of our absolute favorites


Add sound.

Play some calming meditation music, or try a nature sounds app, like Rain, Rain. Whether you're the Silence is Golden type or your preference is light acoustic rhythms, do what elevates you and relish every bit of it. 


SHOP HOME FRAGRANCE


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PART II: LET THE WATER FLOW

 

Let the Water Flow

THE CHRISELLE FACTOR

​Set the temperature.

Though warm to hot water is usually ideal for a relaxing bath, cool baths have their perks too. Hot baths calm the mind and body while cool baths energize. Whichever you choose, take note of how it affects your mood and energy—You may be surprised!

Note: Baths should be no hotter than 100°F (38°C). Too-hot water can cause a drop in blood pressure and make you feel dizzy or sick, which most certainly won't help for relaxation.


Stay hydrated.

A bath will leech out toxins from your skin, and in return infuse it with minerals floating in the water. This process of osmosis may leave you feeling light-headed. An easy way to help your body along is to stay hydrated. Sip on water, coconut water, or caffeine-free tea as you soak. Restorative Rites Loose Leaf Herbal Infusion makes for a lovely concoction with its unique organic infusion and sensual aroma.

Need an insulated water bottle with a solid grip that won't slide around in your sudsy hands? Try BKR's silicone-sleeved bottles.


SHOP HYDRATION

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PART III: NOURISH YOUR SKIN

 

Nourish Your Skin

/ SCENE FROM ANNA FROM BROOKLYN

 

​Add a salt & a scent.

Detoxifying bath salts and moisturizing oils are essentials for the ultimate bathing experience. Salts re-mineralize your skin, muscle and tissue, while oils provide aromatherapy and hydration. Choose your scent wisely - fresh and uplifting scents such as mint and lemon are great for cool, invigorating baths, while heartier floral scents such as rose, chamomile, or patchouli are lovely for warm winding down soaks. 

Wait until your bath is halfway full before pouring your oil or salt into the tub under running water. This will ensure the minerals disperse evenly. 


Apply exfoliant.

Exfoliating leaves skin baby soft, glowing and perfectly polished. You can achieve this two ways - dry brush your body and then apply the bath oil directly to your skin before stepping into the water, OR, soak your skin for ten minutes before using a body scrub such as Kani Botanicals Body Polishes to slough away those pesky skin conditions.

Short on time? Meow Meow Tweet Bar Soaps are your all-in-one solution  with a range of scents and exfoliants. Massage into skin to stimulate circulation and relish the nourishing benefits of each pretty little bar.



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PART IV: FACE FORWARD

 

Face Masks

/ BOMBETTE

 

​Exfoliate your face.

Your body isn’t the only thing you should exfoliate while taking a bath. Konjac Sponge Co. Face Sponges are an effective yet gentle way to deep cleanse and remove impurities from your skin.


Nourish your skin.

Follow up with a clean, high-performance face mask. Browse the crème de la cruelty-free here and make sure to choose one for your skin type. 

Not sure what skin type you have? Here’s a quick guide  - it takes just a few minutes! 

SHOP MASKS & PEELS  

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PART V: SILK YOUR STRANDS

 

Apply Hair Mask

/ VSCO

 

Choose a treatment.

Once you've properly pampered your body and face, take the opportunity to multi-task & give your strands some much needed TLC.

For the dry and damaged mane, we recommend Graydon Clinical Luxury Hair Smoothie. It's incredibly nourishing, detangling fussy strands and leaving hair soft and smooth. Or, transport yourself to the beach with St. Tropica's Coconut Hair Mask.


Massage it in.

Simply apply your favorite mask or conditioner, massaging your scalp and hair from root to tip. Then gently tie up your hair into a loose bun. The steam from the hot bath will open up your hair follicles allowing the nourishing oils from the mask to sink in deep. 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOP HAIR TREATMENTS

Break

 

PART VI: PLAY FOR KEEPS

 

Get Rest

/ PEXELS

​Soak it up.

Soak for 20-30 minutes or until the water cools (or warms!). As the water begins to drain, use your shower head & warm water to rinse off your scrub, face mask, and hair conditioner. Rinse until clean, but without using harsh cleansers that would strip your hair and skin of the oils you just worked so hard to infuse into your body.


Lock it in. 

Once you're ready to step out and dry off, it's time to lock in all that TLC. Towel dry gently, without rubbing your hair or skin. Apply your favorite serum to still damp skin, allowing your skin to absorb as much of the rich oil as possible. When fully absorbed, apply moisturizer to your entire body and face, focusing on your feet, knees, elbows, and hands.


Get some rest.

After a hot bath, drink a good 16 oz of water or eat water-rich foods, and then get some shut-eye to help your body process all the nutrients. A solid 8 hours of sleep can help you glow from the inside out!


SHOP SERUMS & MOISTURIZERS


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Et Voila! You, bathing goddess that you are, now know the anatomy of the perfect bath - calming ambience, nourishing water, & deeply hydrating rituals.

Tell us your favorite bath rites in the comments below, or tag @petitvour with your soak setup. 

xx

​Header Photo courtesy of F L A I R.

Homepage Header courtesy of Spell & The Gypsy Collective

 

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