Why A Bubble Bath?
We get it. Some people just aren’t bubble bathers. But, even if you prefer a quick, hot shower to a mellow soak, you should consider filling up the tub every now and then. There are many proven benefits to taking a bubble bath. As simple as it may seem, many mental health experts recommend a good bath as a self-care routine, as it allows you to sit back for a while and focus on your thoughts without distraction.
Adding a junk load of smellies to your bath can also be beneficial to your well being. However, there is a science to drawing the perfect bath. Too much of one product can throw the whole tub out of balance. Here are some suggested ways to draw yourself the perfect, relaxing bath to soothe your worries and de-stress while under lockdown:
Set The Mood
Sometimes, you have to set the scene to get in the mood for a relaxing dip in the tub. Whether it’s scented candles, chilled out music or rubber duckies you need to de-stress, there is always merit in putting in extra effort for yourself. Need to cheer up your spirits? Check out our awesome 'quarantune' playlist on Spotify. How about a good classic read to take your mind off of the news and other stressors? It's all about you, so personalise your bubble bath setting to whatever gets you in touch with your inner zen.
Just The Right Temperature
One of the most vital elements to creating the perfect bubble bath is the temperature of the water. Not too hot and not too cold. Ideally, you should aim for somewhere between just above normal body temperature - 37.5 °C. If you don’t have a temperature gauge on hand, simply stick your pinky finger into the water. If it scorches your skin, it’s too hot. However, the rule of thumb is to generally start out too hot and to cool the water just before diving in.
Please also remember that we do live in a water scarce country. As much as you may want to fill the bathtub to the brim, we recommend a quarter-filled bath to save this precious resource. Use your leftover bathwater to water your garden if you can, too.
Keep Hydrated
It’s important to remember that a bath can quickly dehydrate you. Keep an ice-cold glass of water or cold compress nearby to help you cool down. If you are lucky enough to still have champagne or wine on hand, pour yourself a chilled glass to enjoy as well. Alternatively, you can whip up a tasty mocktail to keep you refreshed and relaxed. Remember that ideally you should soak for 20 to 30 minutes to reap all the benefits of bathing, so make sure that you have enough refreshment to stay well hydrated for that amount of time.
Now For The Science!
This is where things start to get tricky. However, if you follow a few basic rules you should be well on your way to drawing the ideal, foaming bath in no time. Always remember that bubbles and fizz don’t mix well together, so avoid putting both bubble bath and bath bombs into your tub at once. The effervescent bath bomb will destroy your pretty, shiny bubbles.
Expert bath baristas (yes, that’s an actual job) also recommend using bath salts over bubbles. However, if your heart is set on soaking in a sudsy wonderland, why not try your hand at making your own bubble bath? All you need is liquid hand or body soap, one egg white and one tablespoon of honey!
Mixing your own bath salts and oils is also a lot easier than it seems. You will need:
- Two parts Epsom salt
- Two parts kosher salt
- One part baking soda to a few drops of your favourite essential oils (lavender oil is great for reducing stress and stimulating the sleep hormone melatonin, but it’s totally up to your discretion.)
Not a fan of DIY? No problem. You can still get all your favourite bath and body goodies from a number of stores while under lockdown, including Dis-Chem, Clicks and Netflorist! Once you have all you need, why not treat yourself to a full spa day at home? There is no better time than now to indulge yourself.
Stay healthy and happy, everyone!
There is nothing more personal than something that is handmade and crafted, it just gives it that sentimental touch and an even more personal touch when you add it to a gift whether it's something you are getting for yourself or a special someone.
Swap Ordinary For Extraordinary
These days we see the not so conventional soaps becoming an in thing, plus the culture of organic really motivates people to try soaps that are made with raw ingredients, soaps that are made with organic ingredients, soaps that are made for luxury purposes.
Most of these soaps are the kinds that you would see in stores and that have actual berries in them, honey in them or even made with some forms of Shea butter or milk and many other ingredients that encourage some sort of fragrant.
So before you go looking for a gift to a luxury spa, why not consider buying something that you can use in the comfort of your own home while enjoying a good slice of pizza in the tub (not the most ideal scenario for the everyday person however the tub and the good pizza is the best combination, LOL!)
Just a little suggestion, if you get this as a gift, it makes for a good combination with a bath bomb or even bath salt.
Finding Your Soap, Friend!
Lush
Lush is just a world of amazing products, filled with so many different kinds of soaps made with raw ingredients and have amazing textures and rough cuts - it really leaves you with an imaginative thought of how the bath experience of using the soaps will be like
Each and every soap has its unique fragrant and is purely from the natural substances i.e. The honeycomb one, literally has raw honey and a layer of honeycomb. May I add, they have bath bombs that are to-die-for - definitely a good pair as a gift buy.
Still Pure
Still Pure is just exactly what the name implies, they have the most amazing soaps you'll ever find; with pure ingredients that just allow for that luxurious feel that you want to have when you have just gotten home and just want to lay back and enjoy a good bath.
They have a variety of options available; you probably won't even know where to touch, let alone the ache to buy them all because the variety will have you confused.
Aurora Soaps
Tucked away in the North West of Joburg is Aurora Glycerine Soaps, a slice of what heaven probably feels like. They live of being inventive.
Their generous offering is enough to leave anyone confused, they have little plain luxuries that feel amazing and rough textures that are creative.
Who knew that soap could move from just being a block of something to being a luxury piece of art and give you an amazing feeling that awakens all of your senses.
Check these places out Jozi, you will not be disappointed!
{Featured Picture By Lush}