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This post is all about the 10 bath essentials you need for the perfect evening bath routine.
Sometimes we all just need a good pampering session; an opportunity to step away from the brisk pace of day-to-day life to prioritize our overall well-being. What better way to accomplish this than to create your own little haven in your very own bathroom, and indulging in a luxurious bubble bath?
Unlike the pure functionality of taking a shower, slipping into a warm bath is really as much about relaxation as about maintaining a clean body. Dim the lights for ambiance, light a scented candle, grab your favorite bath accessories and voilá, the tone is set for a cosy evening of self-care and self-love.
We truly believe that, with the right bath essentials, you can easily enjoy a decadent 15 minute spa experience from home. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of our favorite bath essentials worth trying for the ultimate relaxing experience.
- Before the Bath Essentials…
- 1. Prep Your Bubble Bath with Essential Oils
- 2. Add Your Favorite Bubble Bath Product
- 3. Reap the Benefits of Bath Bombs
- 4. Invest in Candles for the Bathroom
- 5. Elevate your Bubble Bath with Rose Petals
- 6. Take Relaxing Books In The Tub With You
- 7. Add a Bath Rack
- 8. Indulge in a Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub
- 9. Nourish Your Skin With a Whipped Body Butter
- 10. Slip Into a Luxury Dressing Gown
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Before the Bath Essentials…
Needless to say, before grabbing all of your preferred chosen bath essentials, get into the right mood of rest and relaxation. Put on some relaxing music, maybe even pour yourself a glass of wine or brew a tea, and feel any tension in your body slowly start to dissipate. Don’t forget to leave your phone or any other gadgets in another room to be able to completely switch off!
Of course, gather any bath towels or bath mats that you’ll need for when you get out of the bath, and begin to slowly fill the tub at your preferred temperature. Once the bath is full and you’re ready to go, here are some of our favorite things to do:
Editor’s Note: remember not all of the bath essentials need to be used at the same time! Simply choose your preferred indulgence depending on how you feel that day.
1. Prep Your Bubble Bath with Essential Oils
Adding a few drops of essential oil to your luscious bubble bath can make all the difference. Scent has the power to relax your mind and sooth your aching muscles as much as the warmth of the bath water and the comfort of the dim lighting. As oil does not dissolve in water, it is important to follow a few simple steps to ensure that the oil does not irritate your skin.
- Choose the right essential oils. Some oils will irritate your skin even if you’re cautious! Whilst lavender, chamomile and rose oil are amongst the recommended bath time oils, others such as black pepper, peppermint, wintergreen and cinnamon should be avoided.
- Blend essential oils with carrier oil before putting them in the bath. Combining a maximum of 12 drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil – such as jojoba, coconut, olive or sunflower oil – dilutes the essential oil for a safe and aromatic bath.
- Drop the oil in at the end. Add the oils after you turn off the water tap, otherwise the scent is likely to be carried off with the vapour and scent the room, rather than your bath.
It’s important to remember that putting oil in the bath may result in the bath tub becoming slightly slippery – do be careful when stepping out!
2. Add Your Favorite Bubble Bath Product
The right bubble bath product will add a delicious scent to your bath, helping to relax the body and mind. Like your typical body wash, bubble bath products keep your skin nourished and hydrated but also add that foaming effect we love for our luscious bubble baths.
Unlike your essential oils, bubble bath products should be added to the bath whilst the water is still running. The friction with the water will help to create those much adored bubbles, and provide the ultimate bath experience.
3. Reap the Benefits of Bath Bombs
Bath bombs add color and light-hearted fun to your bathing experience. Watch them dissolve in your bath with a satisfying fizz. Each bath bomb is designed to have its own unique scent, which furnishes your bath with the benefits of aromatherapy for the ultimate relaxing experience.
After you drop your choice of bath bomb in your bath, feast your eyes on the colorful effect it leaves upon your bath water. Of course, these may not be for everyone, and it’s simply a matter of personal preference whether you prefer bath bombs over bath salts and bubble baths.
4. Invest in Candles for the Bathroom
A set of candles have the ability to transform your bathroom into a tranquil, luxury spa.
In contrast with the customary brightness of electrical lighting, the warm, dim flicker of a candle can be incredibly soothing upon the eyes. As we allow our vision to adjust to the soft lustre of candle lighting, our thoughts typically settle to the present moment and our body responds in kind to the calming atmosphere of the room.
Most candles are also lightly scented, targeting our olfactory senses as well as the visual. We can’t recommend candles enough, they are the ultimate ingredient to a truly relaxing experience in the bath.
5. Elevate your Bubble Bath with Rose Petals
A bath can easily be turned into a romantic affair. The relaxing atmosphere of a luxurious bubble bath within a softly lit, and well-scented room carries sufficient mystique and an alluring ambiance, but add a few rose petals to your warm water and the perfect bath scene is truly set!
The scattering rose petals is a classic gesture for a reason. Apart from being synonymous with love, studies show that the smell of roses soothes the mind, whilst the oils from the petals also keep your skin soft and hydrated.
Whilst you can shop organic dried rose petals on Amazon, there’s no doubt that fresh rose petals from your local florist would be the best option.
6. Take Relaxing Books In The Tub With You
There’s nothing like losing yourself in a good book, but team this up with a soothing bath and you’ve got a winning combination!
Many of us lead busy lives, which is why it can be a struggle to find time to just sit, read and relax. Bath time can be the perfect opportunity. Engrossing yourself in a gripping romance novel or a light adventure story can be just what you need to sooth your mind as well as your body. Here are our top picks for relaxing bath-time reads.
7. Add a Bath Rack
Some of us like to enjoy a glass of wine or a light read as we soak the daily tensions away in the tub and having a convenient space to place these items is key. A bath rack (also referred to as a bath caddy or a bath tray) provides just that!
This popular bath accessory allows you to place a number of items within arms reach as you relax in the bath. When you’re not using it, most bath racks conveniently double up as a storage item for your soaps and shampoos.
8. Indulge in a Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub
Exfoliating is a crucial step of any skincare routine and we just love the way our skin feels after using pink Himalayan salt scrubs. Apart from scraping away the dead skin cells, which is essential to unclogging the pores and keep impurities at bay, this type of body scrub leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft and more receptive to other skincare products you may use.
9. Nourish Your Skin With a Whipped Body Butter
Using body butter after a relaxing bath completes the experience of sumptuous self care. On the scale of thickness, body lotions are usually of the thinnest consistency as they contain most water. Given that these are easily absorbed by the skin, they are best used daily after showering.
On the other hand, when it comes to having an indulgent and decadent bath, consider swapping your body lotion to body butter – or better yet, whipped body butter! These are perfect for readers with dry skin.
If you need further info on whether body lotions, body creams or body butters are right for you, be sure to check out our detailed article on Lotion vs Cream. It’s also worth checking out our ultimate guide on the perfect Skincare Routine for the Body.
If you have the time and are feeling adventurous, there are some great recipes online for making your own whipped body butter at home, including this homemade whipped body butter with lavender and frankincense essential oils and this all-natural luxurious homemade whipped body butter (great for sensitive skin too!).
10. Slip Into a Luxury Dressing Gown
After you’ve thoroughly enjoyed your bath and dried yourself off with a large and fuzzy towel, what could feel better than slipping into a luxury dressing gown? Whether you’re spending a romantic evening in with your loved one or are eager to snuggle up with a warm cup of herbal tea, wearing a flowy dressing gown is both empowering and comforting. Draping it over your body is bound to make any woman feel glamorous and beautiful, whilst the softness of the material feels soothing against the skin.
If you’re looking for a gift for a friend or family member that loves a good bath in the evening, be sure to check out the Dukes Avenue recommended gifts for bath lovers!
LAST UPDATED ON:
03/23/2023
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Christine is a woman with an eclectic range of artistic tastes. As a professional soprano with a Bachelor's Degree in Music, she carries over 15 years of experience in the classical music scene, both locally and abroad. Her passion for music is equalled by her love for literature and, more recently, Christine graduated for a second time with a BA in English.
