Sometimes, life is about making mundane everyday things feel special, whether that is learning how to make frothy lattes at home or drinking sparkling water out of a wine glass. It’s all about romanticizing your usual routines, and currently the most popular way to do that is with the “Everything Shower.”
What Is an “Everything Shower?”
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An everything shower is a social media trend that romanticizes showers as a self-care extravaganza that stands out against your typical rinse-and-repeat. It is a multi-step process, usually undertaken before the weekend or an event, that completely refreshes you from head to toe.
A bit of extra work is required—hair masks, razors, and more—and it takes longer than usual; but that’s the whole point. It is supposed to be savored and enjoyed, not rushed. Adding a good attitude and fun ambiance makes an “everything shower” feel relaxing rather than a chore. It’s even become so ritualized and cathartic that social media users cite preferring to stay in on a Friday night for an “everything shower” followed by takeout and a movie rather than going out. Finally, something we can get behind!
Why “Everything Showers” Aren’t Actually New
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Our Southern mothers and grandmothers, who are no strangers to the time and effort required for a beauty routine, have been undergoing their own versions of weekly “everything showers” for decades, though they certainly didn’t call it that.
Weekly “wash days” were once favored over washing hair multiple times a week, and it would entail quite the full-service home shower (sometimes with a hot oil treatment before hair masks were popular) to prep for rollers and hair spray. They’d grab a baby pink razor while their curls “set” and have a beauty night at the bathroom counter, Pond’s Cream and all.
Not to mention, we all know a grand dame of a Southern woman who would routinely go to the hair salon to have their hair washed and styled, which was then preserved like fine china until their next weekly appointment.
The “Everything Shower” Check List
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If you’re looking to get in on the trend and romanticize your showers, follow the below steps that many deem necessary to emerge reborn—not just clean—from the steam and suds.
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Hair Masks: Sometimes, an “everything shower” starts well before the actual shower. Applying a deep-conditioning or reparative hair mask or oil treatment before your shower helps the product work its magic. Or a hair mask can be applied while going through the rest of the motions in the shower.
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Exfoliating: This is the time to really get into the nitty-gritty with exfoliating your body and following up with a fresh shave.
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Skin-Care: If you’re committed to taking your time, applying a face mask before or after an “everything shower” is crucial to pampering yourself and your skin.
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Moisturizing: From your head to your toes and across all surfaces, moisturizing is key after all those precious steps. For hair, leave-in conditioner. For face, a rich cream. For body, your most smell-good oil or lotion.
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Optional ambiance extras: If you still fear you won’t be able to let go and enjoy the experience, it’s time to up the ambiance. Put on some music, light a candle, listen to a book, and follow up with your coziest matching pajama set. An “everything shower” night is yours to customize!
Read the original article on Southern Living
