Pamper Yourself with the Perfect Bath

How do you relax at the end of a stressful day? Does the idea of slipping into a relaxing, foaming perfect bath and soaking all of your cares away sound appealing?

How to Follow a “Recipe” to Create the Ultimate Bath

With the following “recipe” of sight/sound/smell/touch/feel you can create the ultimate bath for YOU.  It’s nice to have something to look forward to when you have the perfect bath scenario waiting for you at the end of the day.

If you are like the woman in the Calgon commercial you just have to say “Calgon – Take me Away” and you are set. The rest of us have to work a little harder to achieve this state of bliss.

10 Secrets to the Perfect Bath

Here are some options for each to create the perfect bath for you.  These cover all of the elements of the perfect recipe listed above.

1. Mood Music (Sound)

My absolute favorite music for creating a spa-like atmosphere is Zen Garden.  You can purchase it on Amazon or it is included for free with your Amazon Prime membership.  There are also options for spa music on Spotify or Apple.

2. Candles (Sight)

Of any sort are very relaxing.  You can meditate from the bath on the flickering glow of the candle. The Woodwick Candles are nice because they also produce the sound of a crackling fire.  Most candles have some sort of fragrance as well.  So pick one that evokes good memories for you.

3. Water Temperature and Properties (Feel)

You want to find the perfect temperature, just like Goldilocks. Which means not a too hot bath (as it will make you feel drained after and dry out your skin) and not too cold (the opposite of relaxing!). Adding some Epsom Salt or real sea bath salts can help to make your sore muscles aches and pains go away.

4. Bubble Bath (Smell)

A bath without bubbles is a waste in my opinion.  The best kind of bubble baths are pretty and fragrant.  I recommend the following products:

L’Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath – One of the few that actually smell like real lavender – it is pricey, but a little goes a long way.

Lush Bath Bombs – Their products are heavenly – both pretty to look at and smell divine!

Lollia Relax Bubble Bath – The Margot Elena Lollia products are also a splurge, but they last a long time and make for an incredible bath.

5. Soaps (Touch and Smell)

Whether you choose a pampering body wash or a hand-milled soap, this is all part of the tactile experience of the bath.  Some favorites to try:

Neutrogena Rainbath – A classic – refreshing and leaves your skin feeling smooth.

L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil –  You can use this in the shower or in the bath.  This is great for shaving and will leave your skin very moisturized to the point where you don’t need lotion!

6. Scrubs (Touch)

A nice invigorating scrub will ensure you leave all that dead skin behind. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to skip this one.

Origins – Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub – This stuff is incredible!

Dr. Teals Softening Foot Scrub – Peppermint scented and makes your feet feel fabulous.

7. Soak (Feel)

Spend a good ten minutes just lying in the bath relaxing and noticing your breathing.  See if you can calm it down by making your exhales longer than your inhales during your bath time.

8. Dry Off (Touch)

Have a good quality, soft towel at your disposal and let the water drain your cares away, picture them going out with the bath water.

9. Lotion (Touch and Smell)

Apply a moisturizing lotion while you are still slightly damp.  Some to try:

Nivea – Essentially Enriched Moisturizing Lotion – this handles even my driest skin

Crabtree and Evelyn – La Source – Smells like the ocean air

10. Relax (Feel)

Put on a fluffy bathrobe and slippers and drink a tall, cool glass of water.

Ah, don’t you feel better now?

For extra credit, you could put on a face mask or a hair mask while you are in the tub too.  You can find a list of awesome self care products to try out in this article.    

How to Create Your Perfect Bath

All most all of us are looking for the best way to create a spa-like experience in our own home.  A great way to do that is to write down the ingredients for your recipe for the most luxurious bath you can think of.

What would make your list?  The ones listed below are largely a matter of personal preference.  So, use what appeals to you and leave the rest.  This is your perfect bath – not mine!  

Here are some ideas to think about adding in addition to the ones above:

Bath oils or drops of pure essential oils – lavender, citrus scents, or peppermint oils are options

Beverage of choice – Glass of wine, cup of coffee, lemon infused water

Bath pillow – My favorite one is the kind that suctions to the top of the tub so it doesn’t slide around on you and is also waterproof

Bath caddy – The ones that go across the top of your tub are nice and convenient for storing your bath things and to rest a book or journal on too

Good book – If you are going to be spending a lot of time in the tub, it can be nice to read something you enjoy 

Bluetooth speaker – If you would like to have music

Bath mat – A nice cushioned or fluffy bath rug to get out on can be heavenly at the end of a long bath

Something pretty to look at – While you are in your tub think about your surroundings – can you add a picture you like or a plant to look at?

Locked door – This goes without saying – if you have people who are going to try to interrupt you a locked door can be a nice thing to have.

With any luck you will be able to create a fabulous relaxing routine of a long soak at the end of a hard day. And maybe you too can be like the Calgon girl and watch all of your troubles go down the drain with the bath water.  

What are your favorite pampering bath products?  Please share in the comments below!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2017, but has been recently updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.