My Bath Time Ritual

This past week I was busy preparing for and completing 2 separate photo shoots with two amazing photographers and friends, Chloe Aftel and Casey Curry.

One was shot in the beautiful desert, and some interesting outskirts along the way, which weren't all very warm spots.  The other was in L.A., on a sunny but very windy and not very hot day.  By the end of the second shoot, I was chilled to the bone from the temperatures*, wind, and lack of warm clothes.

So I decided to treat myself to a very long, hot bath.  One of my new favorite, restorative things to do.  Here's what's involved:

First I clean the tub with a chemical free mixture of baking soda and non-toxic dish soap.

Then I fill the tub with hot water, and bath salts from Rain Africa.  They have my all-time very favorite bath and body deli.

Two of my fave salts:  Passion and Rock Mint

Before I jump in, I set the mood.  I light a candle, dim the lights, have the latest issue of W Magazine or Vogue bath-side (with a hand towel for drying my hands when I reach for the mags), a tall glass of Alkaline water (good for hydrating the skin), and play my Bath Time Mix, which consists of:

Hui Ohana

Devendra Banhart

Debussy

Tinariwen

Iron & Wine

Juana Molina

Father John Misty

Labi Siffre

... to name a few

Once inside the bath, I drop one of Rain Africa's delicious earth eggs inside, which release essential oils, cocoa butter, and whatever herbs, petals, or seeds may be on the outside.  My all time favorite is the Marula Rooibos egg, with cocoa butter and cedarwood oil.  It is a sedative, antiseptic, astringent, hair tonic, and skin softener.  What more could you want??

Here is a set of 6 different Earth Eggs.

So cute in this little egg carton, no?

After an hour or so, I exfoliate and shower off.  I end the experience with a relaxing 10 minute face mask by Shiseido.

I always feel like I'm glowing the next day after doing this mask.  

Although I will warn you, the mask is literally horrifying when you put it on.  It looks like a creepy, white ski mask.  But totally worth it!  ;)

Afterwards, I feel completely mellowed out, detoxed, refreshed, and ready to take on the world again.

Do you have any Bath Time / Relaxation rituals?

Love,
p. a.

*  By low temps, I mean low 60's.  I know -- I'm a big baby when it comes to even a hint of cool air!