Drawing the Perfect Bath

Fact: you don`t have to spend a lot of money to add some luxury to your bath time ritual. Many of the lesser expensive ingredients like pure almond, olive or sunflower oil, Epsom salts or non-fragranced body moisturizers are better for your skin anyway. These types of substances don`t have fragrant elements that can be irritating to sensitive parts of your skin. If you are a scent junkie, opt for a great smelling candle instead. Here the rest of the steps to creating the perfect, relaxing bath:

• Silence! First things first; let it be known to kids, roommates, husband, etcetera, that you will be bathing and will need 30-60 minutes of quiet time. That`s a non-negotiable. Then either enjoy the simple sound of nothing, or bring in a stereo to play your favorite tunes.
• Treat yourself to a soothing beverage whether it be wine or a steaming latte; or maybe a really good treat like ice cream or chocolate.
• Place your candles around the bathroom and light.
• Begin running bath water that is slightly hotter than normal (too hot is tough on the skin).
• For normal to oily skin, add 1-2 teaspoons of almond, olive or sunflower oil to the water; for oily skin, use a gentle bubble bath instead (if you are out, dish soap works in a pinch - and a pinch is all you really need too!).
• If you haven`t already, add bubble bath to your water, ideally avoiding fragrance-free varieties.
• Hit the lights!
• Grab a soft towel to place behind your head.
• Slowly enter the tub, trying not to disturb the bubbles.
• Use a washcloth or gentle loofa to buff your skin.
• Use a body cleanser or body wash (as opposed to soap, which can be drying).
• Wait until the end of your bath to shave your legs; they will be perfectly soaked and primed, and that way you won`t be sitting in a tub full of shaving cream.
• If you typically have sensitive skin, you may want to shower off after your bath to avoid any irritation.
• Dry off with a clean towel by softly patting your skin.
• Apply moisturizer - skin is most receptive to lotion post shower or bath.
• Finally, slip into soft cotton or silk pajamas and enjoy a great night`s sleep!

Though baths are great for the mind and soul, if you soak too long, too often, it can be a little stressful on the skin. If you bathe regularly, keep them to a 5-10 minute soak; if your baths are a little fewer and farther between, you should be fine with a longer one. Now, go on - gather your bath essentials now so you will be able to relax in the tub right when the mood strikes you!

Source: carefair.com