24 People Describe Their Ideal 'Everything Showers'
"All-in-all, 4 hours. It's called an 'Everything Shower' for a reason."
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They’re called “shower thoughts” for a reason. Of course, we could have “driving thoughts” but most of mine are filled with me mentally cursing people out who are in the right turn lane even though they’re going straight.
But shower thoughts. Those little tiny seeds of knowledge that get planted and watered while you have no phone to scroll and no television to watch. Instead, it’s just the warm water, the brown noise-esque sound, and your thoughts. And I don’t think it’s a mistake that so many of us have profound (or, you know, half-baked) thoughts while getting clean.
The term “Everything Shower” has been popping up more and more over the last few weeks — and it’s made me hyper-aware of these small bathroom-centric moments that I used to breeze over. CNN described them as “taking an indulgent approach [to a shower] and incorporates any and every skin, hair and self-care treatment you want to add to the mix.”
This week on Retail Therapy, we discussed everything, well, Everything Showers which you watch or listen to here:
But amidst all the discussion surrounding them, I began to wonder: What do other people’s everything showers look like? Their habits, their serums, their intricacies. And luckily for me, the Sunday Scaries audience was more than willing to divulge.
Rachel, 28
An everything shower is an event. It’s meant to be enjoyed. An everything shower isn’t a “ugh i need a shower” type shower. It’s something to look forward to. So here’s mine.
It starts by washing my favorite pink robe and having it in the dryer when i’m ready to shower. Then I light a candle. I only turn on the small light in my bathroom, it’s more relaxing that way. I get in, and just stand for a bit and warm up. I start the activities by shampooing my hair once with regular shampoo, then putting in my purple shampoo to sit for a few minutes. After rinsing out the purple shamp, next comes a hair mask. I leave the hair mask in while I exfoliate and shave (generally from head to toe). After rinsing the hair mask, I comb my hair in the shower. Then, I wash my face (x2) and body — it’s important to do this after rinsing conditioning treatments so your pores don’t get clogged!
Then I get out, dry off, and pop on my warm robe from the dryer. Put my hair in a microfiber towel, lotion up every inch of my skin, and put on my facial skincare. Fin!
Mads, 27
It starts with warming the shower up and placing a shower bomb next to the drain (shower version of a bath bomb) to get the steamy aromas going. During this time, I typically wash my face with the Youth to the People kale and spinach facial cleanser followed by an exfoliating face mask of some kind that I will wash off once I’m in the shower. I then proceed to place and fresh white towel and my name embroidered LL Bean extra plush bathrobe in the dryer so it will be warm once I exit the shower.
From there the shower will consist of a hair mask treatment, Olaplex shampoo and conditioner. I also will use a more luxe body wash than usual (my brand of choice is Salt and Stone: Bergamot & Hinoki).
Following the shower I cuddle up in my bathrobe in bed and scroll TikTok while my last face mask (Dr. Jart cryo rubber firming collagen mask) sinks all of the goodness into my skin.
Truly the ideal Sunday shower after a weekend bender if you ask me.
Holly, 29
Every step must be in this order. Caudalie clay face mask for 10mins pre-shower. Shower, Murad cleanser, shampoo hair twice, condition hair. While hair is conditioning, exfoliate body. Then shave, then wash body with Molton Brown wash. Rinse conditioner out and leave shower. Splash face three times with cold water then use The Ordinary Niaciminade serum and seed oil on face. Moisturise body. Pluck and trim eyebrows. Clip nails and push cuticles back and ideally use cuticle oil. Put socks and comfies on. Feel human again.
Cara, 22
I LOVE an everything shower. Typically I do these the night before/morning of a big night out/event. It starts for me with a pre-shower face and hair mask. I get my “happy” or “sing along” playlist queued up, and start the water. Once I’m in, it’s a full on Eras tour performance of body, mind, and soul. First the shaving (duh), and I mean EVERYWHERE (hence the everything shower). Next is hair, washing out the mask and doing an American Psycho level of scrubbing on my scalp. Last is my face and body cleanser. If I’m feeling up to it, I’ll do an exfoliating cleanser followed by a more gentle cream cleanser. Last is simply standing under the water, taking a deep breath, and making sure I feel clean and refreshed. But the ritual is far from over. After an everything shower, I like to use a deep moisturizer like Cerave on my legs, arms and chest, followed by my facial moisturizer and avocado eye cream (works. wonders.) I’ll spray some keratin post-shower spray into my hair, throw it into a claw clip, and hang out in my towel until I’ve watched enough TikTok’s to saturate my brain space.
Claire, 34
The everything shower is truly the everything shower - and it doesn’t just take place in the shower! It starts with the perfect playlist (did somebody say Ipanema?), a scented candle, a stack of clean towels, and your favorite robe on deck. A glass of wine or pen of the weed variety enhances the experience. Remove all makeup, clothing, and proceed with dry brushing.
Once in the *slightly too hot* water (this counts as cardio) we are going top to bottom baby. Shampoo > Conditioner > Hair Mask. Overall soaping and rinsing off leads to a body scrub (big fan of the Mario Badescu coconut scrub, not too harsh and lasts forever), then we are shaving all the things that need shaving using shaving cream. None of that run the razor over your legs and go about your day- we are actually trying here.
Last step in the shower before you rinse the hair mask is a gentle face cleanse + exfoliation (also digging the Mario Badescu for this one). Longggggg rinse then we are of the shower in those fresh ass towels. Apply a face mask and proceed with robust oiling of the hair and body. Let your slippery self chill in your luxurious robe while your face mask sucks all the bad decisions of the week out of your pores. You’re gonna be juuuust fine.
Brittany, 31
First, music or podcast goes on. Water temperature: high. Steam: aplenty. Aside from the typical lather, rinse, repeat I’ll also go for a hair mask which I’ll leave in for up to 10 minutes. I’ll use face wash or possibly a gentle facial scrub. I’ll finish with a full-body scrub to exfoliate. Post-shower I’ll use a facial mud mask and use my favorite scented body lotion. *bliss*
Trevor, 28
I’m sure this pertains primarily to women, but I’ll submit a response as well because men need self care too.
Before I do anything. I make sure i have a full cup of coffee or glass of bourbon - depending on time of day - with a few drops of CBD oil so I’m ready to go. I then start off by doing a full beard trim where I line the edges with a straight razor. This is then followed with eyebrow plucking, nose hair trim, and a face serum intended to reduce razor burn and irritation. This is then followed by a full body hair trim - I have a lot of tattoos and long body hair doesn’t look great over ink. I then have a full shower with shampoo that contains collagen and biotin and conditioner that contains keratin. I use two face washes, one that exfoliates and one that moisturizes. I use a salt scrub for my body in a steam shower, which I then switch to ice cold to prevent over exposure in my pores. Once I get out, I break out a robe and apply the following products: face moisturizer, Moroccan hair oil, beard balm, eye drops, and any spot treatment if needed for random breakouts. I use a full body moisturizer as well as a specific moisturizer for my nether regions which helps to avoid chafing. I top off with my favorite cologne (Louis Vuitton Nouveau Monde), and some after shave. I then blow dry my hair and beard on low - shouts to the Dyson hair wrap - and throw on some shorts and a hoodie.
I’m sure this isn’t as luxurious as other people, but it makes me feel good and is definitely worth the hour or so commitment every two or three weeks. I try to schedule it around a haircut so I can really feel my best.
Rachel, 29
The first step is ensuring the vibe is set for an everything shower. No big lights. Only candles or the light from windows or other rooms. Shower should be piping hot. While you wait for the shower to warm up to a near excruciating heat, do a clay face mask. Enter shower and start with exfoliating the scalp then shampooing / washing off face mask. with conditioner in, use a scrub to exfoliate everything. Then shave pits all the way down to big toe. Wash and exfoliate face. At this point, I take a sit in the shower, wash out the conditioner and contemplate life. After just sitting for a solid 5-10 I get out of the shower and semi dry off, brush out my hair and apply an air dry cream then wrap it up on a microfiber towel. Then I use a body oil. Pluck eyebrows. Then go through the full face skins care routine - pluck eyebrows, serums, oils, gua sha, moisturizer. And the most important step to the everything shower is taking a well deserved naked nap in bed afterward.
Amanda, 35
Part I: Dry brushing, a hair mask, removal of any nail polish that may be chipping or faded, and (last part of the pre-water rituals so I can sit on the shower bench and not slip, fall, and die) callous remover on my feet with a quick pumice.
Part II: Actual water bathing! Rinse out hair mask, wash the face with a gentle cleanser, body wash as a baseline process, shave entire body from the eyebrows down, double cleanse my hair with a scalp scrub followed by a moisturizing shampoo, and condition the ends only. Wrap it all up with in-shower body lotion.
Part III: Dry off, duh. Re-lotion with out-of-shower body lotion and apply various facial skin care potions and snake oils. Follow with sunless tanner application. It’s bronze girl summer, but it’s also undamaged girl summer. Wrap in fluffy robe while tanner dries completely, repaint nails, kick back and watch shows until tan is set (if you’re not using express tanner, what are you actually doing?), then a quick rinse shower and more lotion. All in, four hours. Sue me, it’s called an everything shower for a reason.
Erin, 31
Without getting season-specific (summer everything showers are longer, obvs), my everything shower is —
Pre-shower: Dry brushing, hair brushing, scalp massage, get the water temp right, drip eucalyptus and/or tea tree oil in for aromatherapy (depending on the day in skin cycling, a resurfacing face mask).
Shower: shampoo (with scalp massager), rinse shampoo, apply deep conditioning hair mask, scrub body (I use Spongelle exfoliator sponges), apply shaving cream, shave legs and arms and armpits, rinse hair mask, wash face, gua sha (with just the shower steam).
Post-shower: wrap hair in satin hair wrap, light lotion all over body, comb hair, lightly apply hair oil, twist hair up off neck, apply tanner all over body (with mitt, we aren’t heathens here), toner and essence on face, apply sheet mask, apply cuticle cream, remove sheet mask (after 20 min), finish face routine. 4-8 hours later, rinse tanner.
Average time: 2-3 hours (not including tanner set)
Rachel, 28
Pre shower:
•scalp treatment
•scalp massage brush
•if it’s time I’ll dermaplane faceLong Shower:
•double shampoo
•conditioner
• exfoliate
•hair mask
•shave EVERYTHING
•wash face and dry it
•apply AHA face mask
•body wash with *good* body washPost Shower:
•easy 3 step skin care
•leave in conditioner/ comb out hair
•moisturize with body butter
•eye gels
Liza, 26
I feel that everyone is going to have a roughly similar structure, but I felt compelled to ensure that the most important part of the everything shower was not left out: the post-everything shower robe time. This moment of solace is brought to you by a fluffy, cozy, oversized a la hotel robe and maybe even a cheeky towel in the hair and newly clean sheets. Robe time welcomes “accidental” naps, scrolling on guilty pleasure apps, and/or a bit of online shopping. No everything shower is complete without it.
Maggie, 33
Pre shower: coconut oil hair mask, crest white strips, Nuface and/or iceroll for 10-15 minutes. Right before the shower, dry brush for 5-10 minutes.
During shower: Shampoo/condition hair first time with blue shampoo (blondes understand), shampoo/condition second time with Oribe shampoo and leave conditioner on for the rest of the shower. Exfoliate with scrub then body wash. Must use some type of expensive/luxurious bath products that has a smell that LINGERS. I use anything coconut smelling. After that, shave entire body and then apply in shower body oil (also with a smell that lingers). I use a citrus/ylang ylang body oil I found in the city. Wash out conditioner and use a towel fresh out of the dryer and fluffy robe.
After shower: take off white strips and brush teeth. Apply face mask for 10-20 minutes while hair is air/towel drying. Rinse off mask, apply hair products (the ouai hair oil, oribe heat protectant, color wow dream coat) and brush everything through. Whip out the dyson air wrap, switch to a lighter silk robe (my “getting ready” robe), and onto the next step after the everything shower: getting ready.
I usually do this Saturday evenings so I’m fresh and amazing for a night out on the town. Never do it Sunday because freshly washed hair goes to waste since I work remotely. I adjust it based on what events are going on that week but having good freshly blown out hair for an event/date/etc is PRIORITY!
Alaine, 29
The most important components of the everything shower regardless of what is accomplished in said shower: A good workout beforehand, an edible taken at least 20 minutes before the shower and a waterproof speaker with the music of your choosing. House or techno music for me, so my everything shower is hair washing / shaving / shower dance party / just vibes etc. Perfection every time.
Sidrah, 32
My everything shower is usually on a Friday or weekend morning. I start with a dry brush (Barbara Sturm - Body Brush, Medium) then prep my face before getting in the shower. I tone with Biologique Recherche P50 1970 (twice) and complete a ZIIP treatment (usually Sculpt & Lift + Instant Gratification). I then jump in the shower and take off the ZIIP gel with a face towel.
In shower hair routine consists of Christophe Robin’s purifying scalp scrub and then a good conditioning (Oribe - Conditioner for Brilliance & Shine). I then clip my hair up to let that sit and use an exfoliating shower glove + bar soap (Le Labo’s Santal 33 body bar is a great neutral base or otherwise I’ll go with Malin & Goetz rum bar soap). I’ll then rinse that off and finish with a shower gel (currently Byredo - La Tulipe or Jo Malone - Wood Sage & Sea Salt but I keep 4-5 on rotation so it depends) and do a final rinse off.
Immediately after getting out of the shower I use the Biologique Recherche Sérum Matriciel Body serum (alternatively Lord Jones Body serum which I also love) and matching body cream or lotion to whatever shower gel I used. I’ll then finish with a body oil (Le Labo - Another 13 for a more neutral scent or LIHA Idan Oil for a stronger presence). I’ll then wash the oily hands (very important!) and do a cream face mask (Valmont’s Prime Renewing Pack) and a cryo stick routine while sipping on some chilled Harmless Harvest coconut water with a dash of cardamom powder (trust me on this one). I keep the cryo sticks in the freezer overnight so it’s a great wake up routine. I’ll then take off the cream mask with a wash cloth and finish my skincare routine (Biologique Recherche aka BR amniotique sérum, Liposmose eye serum, lightweight moisturizer, finishing serum (currently BR silk plus), face spray, and sunscreen by Elta MD 46 SPF).
Finally, I’ll spritz my scent of the day (Byredo’s Super Cedar or La Tulipe or otherwise Diptyque Papier) and hair perfume (Byredo’s Mojave Ghost) and marinate in this insanity of an olfactory experience before makeup and heading out for the day lol
Eddie, 33
Starts midday brewing a window sill tea - Rishi chamomile lavender x Celestial sleepy time. After 4hrs, pour over ice in a large tumbler. A hair mask, foot mask, and Draw It All Out plum face mask
Eucalyptus shower steam pod. Dual shower heads on. Peel masks in shower. Shampoo & condition. Manscape. Exfoliate. High lather soap. Rinse conditioner. Rinse all.
Dry off using fresh towel freshly washed in Tyler’s Glamorous soap. Sunday Scaries pod. Kiehl’s face and body lotion. Tea tree beard oil and a strong beard brushing. Trader Joe’s Head to Toe Balm in hair. Gutchies, robe, slides (in that order). Refill tea.
Lalli, 24
My everything shower has been impeccably fine-tuned over the course of a decade since I figured out what an everything shower was. Pre-shower, it’s scalp oils/hair masques after massages with my paddle brush (I’m too broke for a scalp brush right now), I brush my teeth, put on clay masks on my face.
Once I’m in the shower, it’s just water at first and then the body scrub comes in. I prefer a medium-grain scrub preferably with salt rather than sugar, and I rub that bad boy in. It feels like my own budget version of a lymphatic drainage in my own house, it’s bliss. Wash that off, and let the residual moisturising factor of the scrub serve as my shaving cream? Incredible shave, barely any nicks, my skin is butter.
Halfway through shaving, I wash the clay mask and hair masque off, shampoo and conditioner comes in. Rinse out, pin my hair up, continue shaving the rest. After I look like a freshly-beached sea lion, I use the little exfoliators (?bath flowers? I genuinely don’t know what you call it in the US), dump body wash onto it until it’s drenched and slowly rub my body clean (under the feet and in between the toes too obviously).
Towel dry, let my hair air dry, heavy moisturizer + retinol + eye cream on the face immediately. Clean my helix piercings, clean my ears and bellybutton, and slather on the heaviest body butter I own. I feel reborn once I feel pyjamas touch my skin; you will never find me outside my room once it’s over.
Laura, 43
A shower cocktail, most likely Reyka with club soda and a large wedge of lemon. DS&Durga candles, very loud Rolling Stones. Olaplex, exfoliant, shaving, bar soap AND liquid soap, Peter Thomas Roth gel face peel. Post: dry oil spray, dermoplaning, LYMA lasering, and another cocktail.
Ru, 20
This kind of shower is intentionally slowwww and deeply relaxing. I splurge and bring out all of the best luxury products, do every possible grooming routine (scalp mask, under eye patches, ice rolling, dry brushing, etc), make sure it smells like HEAVEN with an expensive candle burning, put on a Turkish cotton robe when I get out of the shower, and drench myself in moisturizers after. Of course, one must also bring a snack for such a long feat— I have a tall glass of mint lemon ice water and a bowl of fresh fruit.
Madeleine, 27
The everything shower for me starts the night before. I either apply a hair mask or rosemary oil to my scalp and hair and slick it up in a tight bun. The next morning, the first thing I do is dry brush. Then I head to a sweaty workout. Something that makes you drip in sweat. (Hot yoga, spin, boxing, etc. key is dripping sweat.) Then I get in the shower. I wash my hair and use a scalp scrubber. Then apply conditioner.
While my conditioner is conditioning my hair, I use my shower brush and body wash and essentially wash/brush my entire body again. Then I shave everything. Won’t go into details, but my entire body is being shaved. After I rinse out my conditioner I’ll wash my face. (This is to avoid breakouts from the conditioner just potentially getting on my face.) For extra bonus points I’ll finish with a few minutes of cold water. (1-3 minutes. I usually challenge myself to finish a song if I’m playing music with my shower.) Getting out of the shower, I wrap my hair in an old t-shirt (never a towel!) and towel dry my body before I apply oil and use my lymphatic paddle and essentially give myself a full body lymphatic massage. I finish Gua sha-ing my face.
Depending on the season will determine if I blow dry my hair, but nothing is better than combing it and letting it air dry after I change into a clean t shirt and athletic shorts to work from home for the rest of the day. Squeaky clean.
Maddy, 27
Everything shower takes place every Thursday night to prepare for the weekend. Starts with rosemary oil on scalp, massaged in and some on the ends of my dry, unwashed hair. Let sit for 2 hours. Get in shower. Clarifying shampoo to get rid of buildup. Rinse. Normal shampoo to nourish. Rinse. Normal conditioner on ends for 3 minutes. Rinse. Deep conditioning hair mask for 30 minutes from root to tip. While this sit, exfoliate entire body and shave entire body. Wash with normal body wash on loofah. Rinse. Rinse out deep conditioner. Out of shower, do night time face routine and also add in a face mask. Rinse and put on moisturizer and fake tan. Put lotion on body and fake tan. Let hair air dry 90% then style. And fin.
Amanda, 29
I call mine the low maintenance everything shower, which seems like an oxymoron perhaps. It has to be at night. Sugar scrub to exfoliate everywhere, scalp scrub, shampoo, conditioner, and conditioning mask. I use a silicone scalp scrubber when shampooing, it's like a scalp massage.. Shave wherever I need to. Body wash. If doing a clay mask, I do it in the shower so the steam helps open my pores but I don't get too dried out, which my skin is wont to do. Foot scrub with pumice stone is a lifesaver.
I use an in-shower rinse off self tanner (St Tropez). Hair goes in a microfiber towel and if I didn't clay mask in the shower, now I do a mask or under eye patches. I like to tone with witch hazel quickly followed by a hydrating moisturizer. I follow up with body lotion because I loathe the smell of self tanner. Neosporin if I shave my bikini line and anything in that region - no red bumps or itchiness growing in. I add some serum drops to my face before my nightly face lotion. A robe is a must.
Roll my hair in whatever band/foam/headband I'm attempting for heatless waves at the moment and silk bonnet over to prevent frizz. Do my nails, if needed. Big fan of Glamnetics press on nails. I hate salons and damaging my nail beds too often. Drink chamomile tea and go to bed!
Christine, 33
Eucalyptus bundle in the shower, essential oils to steam, dry brushing, shaving, shampoo, conditioner, scalp scrub with silicon scrubber, rinse, after shower kitsch hair towel wrap, body oil, Esker body plane, for face: toner, moisturizer, serum; then peppermint balm on feet and slipper socks, matouk robe, and then red light mask for 15 mins.
Michele, 40
I start out by putting relaxing music on over the Bluetooth speakers, and promptly pull out a joint to smoke while I gather all of my goodies. I exfoliate my body (including my feet - tweezerman has a great set for this) and use an electric razor on my legs to get the hair shorter before the real shave.
I bring in an R+Co hair mask and comb it through, after using whichever R+Co shampoo compliments best. Clip my hair up while I exfoliate my entire body (Jack Black still the best, my husband thinks I buy it for him, but it’s really for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) Shave with a fresh disposable razor (oop). Follow up with a seasonal LUSH body wash.
Hop out, get a hair towel on while I dry off with a beach towel - they’re so fluffy and fun looking! Skincare is Origins Dr. Weil toner, Saint Jane CBD Serum or Flora+Bast CBD serum. No face moisturizer because I’m a rebel + sometimes it makes my skin angry. Moisturize body with Davines body oil, cbd serum or First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (depends on the skin sitch). Toss on my Dodo Bar Orr robe + Bombas socks while I do my hair (R+Co slut here, use their leave-in, curl cream & mousse) + let it air dry while I go + make an espresso!
Alyssa, 30
If I remember, I start by lighting a stick of incense in the next room (typically sandalwood or nag champa). I then lay out my towel situation - one for hair, one for body, both freshly cleaned. Robe hanging nearby. If this is THE everything shower, it will happen in two parts. Part one: a simple rinse and shampoo, ended with a post-shower hair mask (Olaplex or, lately, I love Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!). Part two: back under the water to rinse out the mask and shave/exfoliate all the things.
You may be wondering, Alyssa, what do you do between showers one and two? And how long is the break? To that, I say, it is what you make of it. Depending on the mask, my intermission is typically 20 mins to one hour. As soon as I’m done with part one, I towel off, throw on my robe and slick my hair back into a bun. Towels immediately go into the dryer. There’s still another shower to go, and nothing - and I mean nothing - is less satisfying than re-using damp towels. In the interim I may read, catch an episode of Vanderpump or do some light cleaning, but I try my absolute best to stay off of my phone. Once the timer is up, I grab my warm towels from the dryer and do step #2.
Post-second shower I’m going one of two ways - moisturize until I’m glowing like an SI swimsuit model, or fake bake with a self-tanning mousse. Women (and maybe some men!) know we don’t get to do both. But either feels like a luxury on Everything Shower day.
Feeling refreshed? Good, me too. Still about to go take way-too-long of a shower, though.