The Power of A Shower

 

Self-care is a big buzzword these days. And it's important! And good! But let's be honest: As a mom (and, really, as a human, working woman who has to #GSD), I don't always have time to carve out hours for a lengthy bath, a face-mask session, and a Netflix marathon. But a shower? Treating myself to a really, really good shower? That I can manage.

Good showers have become my self-care. And I make the most of them. Today I've partnered with BJ's Wholesale Club (which offers your favorite beauty brands at a great value and in bulk so you never run out) to show you how to make the most of your shower. Here's how I do it.

-Set the scene. I like to dim the lights in my bathroom, which somehow instantly makes any shower seem way more relaxing. You could even light a candle with a soothing scent and leave it burning on your counter.  I also love to listen to music or a favorite podcast through a shower speaker. (Now, obviously you're not going to do these things every single time you shower--sometimes you just need to get in and out quickly--but when you have an extra few minutes, these little things do make a difference!)

-Suds up with a great body wash. There are many amazing high-end ones, but really, your body wash doesn't need to be fancy. For instance, Dove is one of my all-time favorites. It smells clean and fresh, it leaves my skin soft, and it's cheap. Case in point: I picked up three ginormous bottles of Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash at BJ's for $15.49. (In other words, I'll be self-care showering with these for many, many months to come!)

-Turn your shampoo into a spa treatment. A good shampoo is nice; a good shampoo that smells spa-like is even better. I love Love Beauty and Planet Smooth Serene Shampoo and Conditioner. (Have you guys heard of this new line, BTW? I got a sneak peek at it last year and I'm really loving it!) Anyway, the shampoo and conditioner are moisturizing, frizz-smoothing, and they smell like lavender, which is always an instant stress-reliever for me. I leave the conditioner on as a mini mask for a few minutes, while I wash my body, shave my legs, etc., then rinse just before I get out. 

-Sneak in a scrub. Even though I've been a beauty editor for the last ten-plus years, I'm the worst when it comes to exfoliating. I can never remember to do it! (And when I do remember, it's pretty much the last thing I feel like doing.) That's why I've started storing my face scrubs in the shower. For some reason that makes the whole thing feel like much less of a chore. (It's also much less messy!) Right now I'm using a classic: Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub, which is gentle, dermatologist-recommended, and just about $15 for a three-pack at BJ's.

-Finish strong. I'm so guilty of skipping body lotion, but my skin is so much happier (and softer!) when I take the extra ten seconds to use it. One of my favorite dermatologist tips: Apply it literally right after you step out of the shower, when your skin is still damp. This way, you'll lock in all that moisture and your skin will be so much silkier and more hydrated. Two of my go-tos that come in value packs at BJ's: Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe and Jergens Ultra Healing.

Thank you to BJ's for partnering with me on this post. Are you a BJ's member? If not, here's a cool deal: You can get a $25 gift card just for signing up! Click here for more info.