Take a Better Shower: Make the Most of Your Time

Video - Your Look - MSN Lifestyle or Beauty 101: Take better showers

Wow! Really! I didn't think I could learn too much from a video with that title. I'm like okay, everyone knows how to take a shower. After I watched this I was like I need to go get somethings and I can save a ton of time in the shower and still look good.




1. Prepare

• Run warm water not hot
• If staying longer than 5-10 minutes coat your body, not your feet in body oil to seal in moisture. I want to try this!
• It's important not to stay longer than 10-15 minutes.

2. Shampoo

• Use Quarter size amount of shampoo. The amount of shampoo you use is just enough for the scalp, it is not necessary to use all over. When rinsing out it is enough to clean to the ends of your hair. (Unless you did something crazy with your hair and use lots of product. Use a clarifying shampoo.)
• Products you use affect your mood in the shower. I like energizing scents in the morning to keep that just clean-flowery smell, which according to Cosmo, guys love! They like the clean scent, btw. My guy likes my scent, hehe. 
• Start at the scalp and massage with fingertips. This is important, don't use nails because it scratches your scalp. The fingertips are just enough to loosen dirt and debris. 
• Rinse very well.
• Also, after working for Aveda, one thing is key. DO NOT WASH EVERYDAY! 
• Dime size of conditioner massaged in mid-shaft to the roots. I wondered why they say mid-shaft, but I guess I really do know. After your hair is dry it's nice to go in with a brush that has nice knob-like ends to the bristles to be able to massage your scalp for relief of tension, but also to bring back natural oils. 
• 5 minutes is enough for conditioner, unless you have more time or are doing a special treatment. For the best conditioning use a shower cap. 

3. Scrub

• Once a week.
• Body scrub or Textured washcloth. The Body Shop has the best scrubs and that washcloth your looking for. Victoria Beckham (love her) uses The Body Shop's Bath Gloves. 
• Pay extra attention to rough areas like: knees, elbows, ankles, do your heels last. 
• Don't exfoliate legs if your going to shave. 
• Exfoliate a little more than once a week if your oily, less if your dry. 

4. Shave

• Use moisturizing gel or cream.
• Use upward strokes.
• Use a sharp razor to prevent nicks, cuts and irritation. 
• Turn off faucet. It saves 10 gallons of water! 
• It says to do it at the end, which is accurate if you're taking a quick shower, because your hairs are soft. I read somewhere else that 3-5 minutes into the shower because the hair is soft enough, but your legs aren't too plumped ensuring the closest shave. 

5. Wash

• Cleanse hands, feet, and private parts. It's not necessary to wash the rest if you're not especially dirty, bathing more than once a day can dry out your skin. 
• Use a creamy body wash or soap-free bar infused with moisturizers. I love the Caribbean Therapy Bath Bar! Leaves my skin moisturized, non-irritated, and the smell is to die for. 

Moisturize right after you get out of the shower. Pat your skin dry and leave it a little damp that way you receive optimum moisture. It is true, a wet sponge picks up more than a dry one!