7 Beauty Hacks for the Shower

Do you consider your shower a form of self-care?

What if instead of dreading the time spent every week shaving your legs, blowdrying your hair, and getting ready for the day, you actually looked forward to it with the same enthusiasm as putting on your glam 24 karat gold sheet mask?

Now I’m obviously speaking from experience when I say that I lived in the camp of “dread” for many years. When I had long hair down to my waist, I remember showering being the last thing I prioritized on my to-do list. All I have to say is thank God for dry shampoo and a relaxed office environment where I could get away with wearing a baseball cap 3 days in a row.

However, I have since come to accept that this an essential part of being a polished adult (even though I work from home now, I don’t want to become a gremlin of a wife for Sam’s sake). As a result, I decided to carve out some time to experiment with ways that I could flip the switch and make this ritual something that I actually enjoy.

After reading Kourtney Kardashian’s blog, Poosh, all about her beauty and lifestyle hacks, I tested out a few of her tried-and-true tricks and added in my own, creating my ideal shower scenario.

Some of the hacks below, like the hair mask, t-shirt, and post-shower prep, I’ve been doing for years. Other tips like dry brushing, coconut oil for shaving, and eucalyptus I have recently adopted (although I’ve stumbled across them time and time again).

Without further ado, here are my 7 Beauty Hacks for the Shower:

1. Dry brush while your shower is heating up

Dry brushing is said to energize the body, increase circulation and blood flow, stimulate drainage from the lymphatic system to smooth the skin's surface, sweep away flakes and dry patches, and even out lumps and bumps, including cellulite.

“Body brushing is one of the least rated beauty habits ever, yet it is also one of those incredibly simple things that bring huge benefits.” says Kate Shapland, founder of health brand Legology. “Just a couple of minutes a day will promote your lymph, helping your body metabolise toxins more efficiently, discourage fluid retention and cellulite (which are related to each other), and soften and tone your skin. The benefits are immediate and lasting.”

Brush in a wide, circular motion starting at your feet and moving upward. Quick movements rather than long slow, strokes are key. These should continue from your feet to your knees (don’t forget behind them - where the lymph nodes are), knees to hips, over your butt, and hands to shoulders. As well as your limbs, don’t forget your torso too. Brush your stomach and chest using clockwise sweeps and make sure you adjust the pressure of the brush to the different parts of your body, so it is comfortable yet stimulating enough to increase circulation.

This may take a few times to get the hang of, but once you get into the groove, it feels surprisingly relaxing. It is recommended to dry brush 1-2 times per week for maximum effects.

The dry brush that I snagged off of Amazon is linked here; it is $10 and I’m loving it so far (it also has nearly 500 reviews online). The nodules in the brush are a great buffer to prevent me from pressing the bristles too hard into my skin.

2. Set your lotion and skincare out before you hop in the shower so you can put them while your skin is still damp

Any lotion, facial oils, and/or serums should be set out on the counter so that you can maximize the effects of your steaming bathroom and lock in moisture for your skin before you dry off completely.

Experts say that the prime time for moisturizing your body is within five minutes of getting out of the shower. Pat yourself until you are lightly damp and then begin the process of slathering on moisturizer and your preferred skincare products.

This step also helps remind me not to skip my skincare if I’m in a rush or preoccupied with what’s next on my to-do list.

My favorite body lotion and post-shower skincare products are: Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion, Drunk Elephant NightBright Resurfacing Duo, Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, and Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Moisturizer.

3. Swap out shaving cream for coconut oil for deeply moisturized skin

I honestly can’t believe it has taken me this long to try this tip myself! I have never been a fan of shaving cream (I always thought it was an unnecessary extra step and expense), so I have always just shaved with a razor and water. But, let me tell you - adding coconut oil to my routine has been a major game-changer.

My legs are SO much softer and smoother post-shower! They glow even before adding body lotion, but not in a greasy pan-fried kind of way. Not only is this an all-natural alternative to shaving cream (and much cheaper), but coconut oil, when applied to the skin, acts as an antibacterial protectant, antioxidant, helps reduce inflammation, and repairs the skin barrier. Coconut oil also contains a number of free fatty acids that make it highly moisturizing.

Start with a small scoop of coconut oil and rub between your hands to melt before applying a thin coat to your legs to shave. Be careful not to add too much or your shower floor could get slippery.

4. Put a hair mask/deep conditioner on and let it soak in while shaving

For me, this has always been a no-brainer. My hair stylist in MD drilled this into me years ago when I had long, color-treated locks because it was necessary in order to keep my hair healthy, thick, and growing.

I use a hair mask 1-2 times per week and I let it soak in for as long as possible to keep my hair smooth and shiny post-shower.

If you don’t have a dedicated hair mask on hand, just slather your normal conditioner on your strands and let sit.

My favorite hair products are: Olaplex Hair Perfector No3, Joico Blonde Life Brightening Mask, Kendra Platinum Luxe Shine Conditioner, Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo No4, and Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner No5.

5. Wash your face after you condition your hair to avoid the thick product residue sinking into your skin

This is something that seems obvious, although I have somehow overlooked this important process for years. Since I started implementing this step, I swear I have had less breakouts around my forehead and hair line. If that’s all it takes to have better skin, count me in.

6. Tie a bundle of eucalyptus (and/or rosemary) around your shower head

This is a simple and affordable way to create a natural and relaxing spa-like experience at home.

I have seen the eucalyptus trick all over the internet, but I personally love the smell of rosemary. Since we have an enormous bush of it in our backyard, I decided to add some fresh sprigs of that to the eucalyptus as well.

Not only does this tip act as a relaxing addition to your self-care routine, but it can also help clear your sinuses or a stuffy nose by inhaling the steam as you shower.

Don’t be afraid to add lavender, rosemary, and any other fresh herb to your shower that you enjoy! Simply tie it with a string or rubber band to secure to your shower head.

It depends on how often you shower, but a bundle of eucalyptus and rosemary can last up to 3 weeks before it needs to be replaced. Make sure to shake off the leaves after every shower to avoid gnats or rotting. 

7. Before blow-drying or air drying, wrap your hair with a soft cotton t-shirt

Drying your hair with a towel can absorb too much moisture and rough up the cuticles, causing extra frizz. Instead, swap it out for a soft cotton t-shirt to help seal in the moisture of your strands to promote and enhance shiny, healthy hair.

Rather than wringing or rubbing your hair post-shower, gently squeeze the water out, then wrap your hair up and let a soft t-shirt absorb any additional water. This causes the least amount of friction and allows hair to dry quickly without damaging the cuticles.

For reference, I stole 1 soft cotton t-shirt from Sam for this and I wash it every week to keep it clean. I usually leave it on for 10-15 minutes while I’m putting on my body lotion and skincare to keep my hair clean and out of the products before I blow dry.

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Do you have any beauty hacks for the shower that I should try out? Comment on my latest Instagram post and tell me!

Want more beauty inspiration? Read 15 Nail Art Designs for Fall That Aren't Tacky and Every Beauty Product I Bought and Loved this Season.

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xo Anna Elizabeth