The “Everything Shower” Will Leave You Feeling Cleaner Than Ever, But It's Not For The Faint of Heart
Lather, rinse, repeat? Not with this shower routine! An “Everything Shower” is not for the faint of heart but is sure to leave you feeling cleaner than ever before.
If you're into self-care and pampering, you might've come across the “Everything Shower,” an elaborate grooming routine that has been trending on TikTok as of late. This self-care regimen goes far beyond the usual shower routine that lasts less than 10 minutes on average and combines various wellness practices, grooming methods, and skincare steps into one lengthy routine to leave your skin squeaky clean and refreshed. Consisting of over 10 steps, the routine includes everything from deep cleansing to exfoliating and moisturizing every part of your body.
If you've been wanting to upgrade your self-care routine, this might be just what you're looking for. But be warned – an Everything Shower isn't for the weak and can take a lot of time from your day (not to mention, the cost of the items needed can add up quickly). So, clear up some space in your schedule, and let's dive deep into the world of self-care.
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How To Take an Everything Shower
The Everything Shower can be broken up into steps that will allow you to take breaks in between, and many TikTok users recommend you make the most out of it by setting the scene with relaxing music, lighting cozy candles, or putting your favorite show on, all while treating yourself to a tall glass of your favorite beverage.
After setting the mood, and before you even hit the shower, here are some preparations you need to do:
Before You Step into the Shower
The Everything Shower actually begins even before you turn on the water. You start with your hair – apply a hair-strengthening oil, such as the Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil ($11), and massage your scalp with a scalp massager, such as the Clarifying Scalp Massage Brush, to deposit the treatment evenly and stimulate circulation to promote hair growth and density. After massaging your scalp for 5-10 minutes, you should wrap it up with a shower cap to let the hair treatment penetrate deeper and leave it anywhere from 10-30 minutes.
While the hair treatment is softening your hair and working on your scalp, you can continue your Everything Shower routine with dry brushing with a comfortable to hold brush such as the EcoTools Exfoliating & Smoothing Dry Body Brush ($6) to boost circulation and remove the dead skin cells accumulated on the skin's surface. This will reveal a brighter, smoother, and more uniform complexion while improving the function of your lymphatic system and spurring the removal of toxins through your lymph nodes.
Once your skin is smooth and polished, apply a nourishing or targeted face mask that will sit on your skin for anywhere from 10-20 minutes. Caudalie's Vinosource-Hydra Moisturizing Mask ($42) is a fantastic option for skin that's on the dry side and needs intense plumping and nourishing, while their Pore Minimizing Instant Detox Mask ($42) is the perfect choice for anyone looking to clear and refine enlarged pores and eliminate shine.
In the Shower
Now that your treatments have been sitting on your hair and face long enough, it's time to hop in the shower for the main portion of your long Everything Shower routine.
First of all, you want to remove your face mask and cleanse your face with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser such as the ExfoliKate Daily Foaming Wash ($44), which will get rid of any leftover impurities and leave your skin looking fresh and feeling plump.
Once that's done, move on to removing the oil treatment in your hair with an exfoliating shampoo, such as the Briogeo Scalp Revival Exfoliating Shampoo ($42), to gently scrub the scalp and remove residue and buildup of dead skin cells, bacteria, and even yeast that live on the scalp and feed on our natural oil.
After thoroughly cleansing your scalp and hair, you want to make sure your strands are not left stripped and dry, which is why applying a generous amount of an ultra-nourishing conditioner, such as the cult favorite No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner ($30) by Olaplex is a must. This will help replenish your hair and keep the moisture inside the cuticle for hair that's stronger, softer, smoother, and bouncier.
While your hair is drinking up the hydration from the hair conditioner, take the time to exfoliate your body by using a heavy-duty scrub, such as the Exfoliating Crush Scrub ($39) by Kopari, which contains exfoliating particles derived from crushed Tahitian coconut shells that will leave your skin the smoothest its ever been while also smelling like a tropical paradise.
If you need to shave, after a thorough scrub is an ideal time to do it, as your skin is softer and your hair is easier to cut. This will make shaving a breeze and leave your skin feeling smooth rather than becoming irritated and breaking out into strawberry-like bumps.
After this step, you can actually move on to the showering part, which should involve a gentle and pH-balanced body wash that's not overly fragranced to avoid irritating the freshly exfoliated and shaved skin. The Eczema Honey Soothing Body Wash ($14) is an excellent option for skin that's prone to eczema, dryness, and irritation, as it has honey in its formula that will keep your skin hydrated, soft, and nourished, and contains no irritating fragrance or drying alcohol.
After You Shower
Now that you have the main portion of your Everything Shower out of the way, it's time to wrap things up with some post-shower practices.
The first one is towel drying your body and hair to avoid bacteria and buildup that can result from dampness, and an easy way to do this is by using a microfiber towel such as the Coco & Eve Microfibre Towel Wrap ($25) for your hair, as it will dry your strands without damaging them in the process, and a soft cotton towel for your body to get rid of any remaining dampness and bacteria.
Then apply a body lotion or oil while your skin is still damp to help lock in the moisture and keep it hydrated and soft for longer. The Kopari Ultra Restore Body Butter ($36) is an excellent option as it will provide intense hydration without feeling heavy on the skin.
Once you're done with body care, apply a leave-in conditioner or a hair mask that will soften your strands and make things easier for brushing and styling while also preventing heat damage, such as Pureology's Multi-Tasking Leave-In Conditioner ($34).
Secure your hair in a loose braid to avoid breakage before moving on to one of the most important steps of your grooming routine – your teeth. Using an electric toothbrush with a whitening mode will help reduce plaque and bacteria buildup while keeping your pearly whites looking bright and shiny. But don't stop there! After brushing your teeth, remember to scrape your tongue and remove the buildup of bacteria responsible for 80% of bad breath.
Finish off with a refreshing mouthwash, or commit to 5-10 minutes of oil pulling by using organic coconut oil to help draw out toxins and bacteria from your gum pockets and coat your teeth in a protective layer that will prevent cavities and bad breath.
Finally, we’re down to your skincare routine, which should consist of several steps to ensure you get the most out of your products. The first step is a refreshing toner such as the Beauty Elixir Prep Mist ($49) by Caudalie that will hydrate and prep your skin to better absorb the following skincare products. Next, a hydrating serum, such as the Vichy Mineral 89 Serum ($30), that will plump up your complexion and make your skin look hydrated and bouncy. Lastly, wrap up with an ultra-nourishing moisturizer, such as the Ultra Repair Cream ($38) by First Aid Beauty, which will help lock in all the hydration and nourishment your skin has received from the previous steps.
How Often Should I Take an Everything Shower?
While you may see many TikTok videos where the creators are advising an Everything Shower to be done once a week, this actually might not be the best for your skin health.
According to Dr. Cameron Rokshar, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of New York Cosmetic, Skin and Laser Surgery Center, showering for long periods of time can severely dry out the skin. Pair this with the excessive removal of dead skin cells, which are technically components that are part of our natural moisturizing factors and have developed with the ability to hold onto moisture, and you have a recipe for skin that is much more prone to dryness, irritation, and even breakouts.
Additionally, the use of overly fragranced oils, lotions, and conditioners, while they might smell delightful, can be irritating to the skin with an already compromised barrier and should not be used excessively to limit the risk of developing permanent conditions such as contact dermatitis.
So, when it comes to how often you should take an Everything Shower, it really all depends on your personal needs and preferences. Doing it once a month or every couple of weeks is more than enough for most people, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed with the idea of this routine, then it might be better to consider breaking down the process into smaller steps that can be done every week or on alternating days of the week. This will help you feel fresh and indulge in a self-care ritual without overdoing it and putting your skin's health at risk.
At the end of the day, taking an Everything Shower should be an experience that caters to your idea of self-care and not something you feel you have to do every week to keep up.
Closing Thoughts
Taking an Everything Shower is the perfect way to get your skin and body feeling clean, fresh, and revitalized. However, indulging in this lengthy self-care routine too frequently might not be the healthiest for your skin, and considering the time and energy it takes, it's certainly not something that everyone can do on a regular basis. So, while an Everything Shower will definitely make you feel like you're in heaven afterward, it's undoubtedly a regimen that's not for the faint of heart!
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