Bath Rituals
9 years ago by
I could spend my whole life in the bathtub, but since I don’t really have the time for that, I usually reserve baths for Sundays – and I won’t even tell you how big of a ritual it is for me.
Well, okay actually, you know how it goes : I am going to tell you.
Oh, I’m sorry to disappoint, but that’s not my bathtub in the photo. I am lucky to have a bathtub at home, but it’s more like size XS. I remember when I visited the apartment for the first time, I shrieked with joy when I saw the bathroom – totally unaware that sure, there was a bathtub, but as for the size, we were pretty much in dollhouse scale.
Then, when I drew my first bath, with bubbles and everything, I realized my legs were sticking out by about three feet, and my chest was pretty much completely out of the water.
Disappointment. Tears. Rage. Cold breasts.
And then I got used to it, actually.
But if you follow me on Instagram, you know how much I love to check out places with big bathtubs. Anyway – it’s one of my rituals.
In the photo, it’s our friend Caroline in the bathtub at Hotel on Rivington.
Okay, so, rituals.
1/ First of all – you have to have music. It’s super important. Jazz is good for bath – the Aretha Franklin station on Pandora, usually.
2/ Then you have to have a good selection of books and magazines. Nothing too precious okay? – they’re going to get humid and the pages will get puffy.
3/ Make sure you have a little towel next to the tub so you can dry your hands – otherwise your hands will be wet and you’ll ruin your magazines even more.
4/ Leave your phone in an other room. I know it’s hard. Put it on silent mode. Super hard.
5/ Time to run the water. If you decide to exfoliate with a Moroccan mitt (I’ll talk to you about that in a second), you shouldn’t put any bubble bath in the water, and make sure the water is very hot.
6/ Get in the bath. Read some magazines while you let your skin soften slowly.
7/ STORY OF MY LIFE (#TMI) : EXFOLIATING WITH A MOROCCAN MITT
You probably already know this since I talk about it all the time, but my grandmother was Moroccan. So she obviously had bath science and when I was little, she would put me in the bath and scrub me carefully with her naked hands until all of my dead skin came off in the bath. I know – it doesn’t sound too pretty, but it’s a really beautiful act of love, and I adored those baths with her, especially afterward when my skin was soft for days.
And then I grew up and left home and had to find something else to replace my grandmother‘s hands, so I discovered Moroccan exfoliating mitts.
So, I scrub myself all over – from my heels to behind my ears and down to my lower back (I have very chic techniques for doing this) until I get the same result as with my grandmother, which is bathwater that’s uhhhh, mmmmm, GROSS, and skin that’s absolutely divine. I don’t do this every week. It’s more of a once a month thing, but it’s really my favorite ritual.
8/ Next you have to drain the bath and fill it up again. Otherwise, it’s pretty disgusting, kids. Ew. I apologize to the environmentalists out there about the two baths in one session story, but I have a tiny bathtub so it doesn’t count! And you can’t do the Moroccan mitt at the end since you need a clean water to do it.
So second round is when I put in my bath salts and bubble bath. I tend to prefer bubble bath over bath salts. I love bubbles. I have a bubble party all by myself in the tub.
9/ Shampoo. As usual.
10/ Hair mask – leave it on as long as possible.
11/ While I wait, I exfoliate my face with Fresh Sugar Face Polish – it’s so soft and smells divine.
12/ Face mask.
13/ While you let everything sit, do all the unmentionables – shaving, singing Dido, etc.
14/ And now the water is gross again. It’s time to switch to the shower.
15/ Shoot, I still haven’t even had time to read a magazine!!!
16/ Yeah, but it’s okay – my fingers are all wrinkled now so I’m going to have to get out.
17/ Time to dry my hands, reach for my phone, and change the Pandora station to Missy Elliott because a shower’s not a shower unless you dance and sing.
18/ Yes, I know. I lied.
I never manage to leave my phone behind. It’s not my fault!!! It’s because of Pandora!!!
19/ After I dry off, I use ultra rich hydrating cream to moisturize to the max.
20/ And then I collapse. I’ve been polishing my body every which way for an hour – it’s exhausting. Time for a nap.
Voilà !!!!
It’s a lot of work, right?
And to think that my mother took the bathtub out of her house because she prefers showers. Pfffff.
Translated by Andrea Perdue
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Obsessed
Haha, je suis plutôt comme ta mère, j’ai en horreur les bains….
Ce sentiment de torpeur après un bain, c’est l’angoisse! Alors qu’une bonne douche, c’est parfait!!! ;-)
PS: trop belle cette baignoire qui n’est pas la tienne!!
Alixxx
http://alixdebeer.com
This program sounds terrific!!
XOX, Gap.
http://www.gaptoothedgirl.com
Don’t apologize to the environmentalists – apologize to the environment! But really, as we all know by now, buying a lot of brand new clothes is worse in terms of water usage than drawing a bath (or two), so maybe we should start there :)
J’adore prendre un bain de temps en temps, surtout en hiver, mais je trouve les baignoirs trop durs… pas vous?! Il serait quand même temps d’inventer quelque chose de plus doux pour s’y prélasser…! Wow (je suis partie surfer une peu), je viens de découvrir des baingoirs en bois sur le net, trop belles!
What a beautiful tub!! Who wouldnt want to spend their life in that?!
http://www.itsallbee.com
I love so much the Hammam ritual(heritage of the byzantine area..) ,in Paris you have a great place to have a real traditional ritual It’s the hammame of the big mosque in Paris 5 arrondissement..if you haven’t been there ..next time you are in Paris you have to go with friends it’s an amazing place…i did some great pictures over there.…
the other products which are a must try… are the product’s of “La sultan de Saba”-they have 3-4 spa in Paris and they are amazing…and the best is to travel to Marrakech…
xoxo
Yael Guetta
http://www.ftwwl.com
I totally agree on La Sultane de Saba. the best massage in town. I got the Japanese journey (ok not very morrocan but still oriental) after baby #2, the best “journey” ever ! you all should try this place out ! ask for Karina in Boissiere. she’s terrific ! Garance you made me want to take those 2 hours once a month to have this ritual ! le gant marocain est différent du gant de crin ou c’est la même chose ? BTW I love your stories.
Granace, as much as I like all your other contributors, the posts by you are the best. And I always know it’s you, even if I skipped the “by Garance” in the beginning!
I totally agree!
I agree too! Love your posts most, dont know why.. maybe it is maturity:)
Hello Garance,
utilises tu qqch avec ton gant marocain, comme du savon noir par exemple?
Merci,
Lucie
HUM c’est pas parce que la baignoire est petite que c’est écolo de prendre 2 bains + 1 douche tous les mois hein.
Je pense que les bains devraient etre réservés aux moments exceptionnels de crise (comme quand on a froid et mal au ventre parce qu’on a la gastro ou ses regles par exemple)
(ouai je suis un sale bobo bio)
That sounds like fun! I usually plan a long soak but I’m out in 20 minutes max- I get bored!
Ana
http://www.champagnegirlsabouttown.co.uk
Je culpabilisais de mon propre rituel bain du dimanche qui dure une éternité et qui n’est pas très écolo (enfin je culpabilise pendant 30 secondes, une fois en train de mariner dans mon bain bien chaud je ne pense pas vraiment à Cécile Duflot). Je ne suis pas SEULE. Merci Garance! (une fois de plus). Ton rituel est quasiment le même que le mien si ce n’est que je ne prends même pas la peine de lire. Ou je fais semblant. C’est bien trop épuisant de prendre un bain pour encore regarder des belles images et lire des bons mots.
Love this post! Baths are so luxurious, especially since it seems like no one has time to just lounge anymore. This breakdown of your simple, sunday night ritual is a great reminder that it is possible (and a must) to squeeze a pampering session in once in a while!
Mental note: must look into Morrocan mitt.
Emily.
zuzankosjournal.blogspot.ca
this seems amazing
http://hashtagliz.com
Quelle belle baignoire pour vapoter paisiblement, et en plus avec des produits Fresh qui subliment ce moment péché mignon !
http://www.therocamadour.fr
It sounds glorious. I used to do things like that before I had kids. But there will once again come a time when I, too, will be soft and smooth and smell delicious and take baths and naps. It will be DIVINE.
In the meantime, I will dream of that big bathtub up top (and of looking so gorgeous in it!).
Je suis plutot douche mais j’ai egalement un rituel au gant marocain qui debarrasse la peau de toutes les cellules mortes.
Resultat : une peau toute douce apres l’avoir enduite d’une bonne lotion.
Mmmum… tout pareil … ou presque ! Et en plus ma baignoire est devant une cheminée, alors même l’été je me fais un feu … Pour moi c’est ça le luxe … et quelle belle fille/photo/baignoire
Alors là Garance, tu viens de me donner l’eau à la bouche … vive les bains !!!!!!!
http://laureenlifestyleblog.blogspot.fr
“The bath has a place in our lives and our place is
Within it we have control of how much hot how much cold
What to pour in how long we want to stay when to
Return is inevitable because we need something
To define ourselves against even if we know that
Whenever we want we can pull the plug and get out”
from Matthea Harvey, “Pity the Bathtub Its Forced Embrace of the Human Form”
My best friend always treats me to what is called a Lular Bath when I visit her in San Fran at a wonderful place called Kabuki Springs and Spa. The lular bath apparently is a luxurious ritual that is lovingly given to brides in Bali before they get dressed for their marriage. The first time we did this was the day before she was married. There are the fragrances of frangipani and jasmine and you step into a deep tub of petals. After soaking you are treated to a fantastic massage with more jasmine and frangipani massage oil and body lotion. The brand is Jamu. Every holiday and birthday my friend sends me a new supply of the bath salts and body lotion. So for me when I take a bath, and like you, do not often have time to, I remember my friend and all the adventures and good times we have always had.
Accidental Icon
http://www.accidentalicon.com
Baths are the best! Do you ever use bath oil? I’m always tempted but haven’t yet. Heard Aveeno’s is good–almondy, moisturizing but non-greasy. Though if I’m honest, I’m really after the Jo Malone…
I studied for the bar in the bath–sure I’d have failed sans tub! Happily, after about 30 min you’ve reached “maximum prune,” at which point you might as well just add hot water and stay in another hour or two…
J ‘adore Le ritual des bains d ailleurs “Awakening Beauty the Dr. Hauschka Way: Susan West Kurz” en parle tres bien et comme to preconise de dedier un jour par semaine pour Le Bain. Le tien est tres long Mais Pourquoi pas en plus j ai tout dans ma salle de Bain Le gant Marocain, le Savon noir, les cremes …j ajoute des bougies une tisane camomille musique classique et ensuite j’ cerise dans mon journal ( aussi preconise dans Le livre ) … Et je dors comme un
Bèbè! Greetings from CA
Pas besoin de nous décrire comment tu prends un bain, on le sait (et on sait aussi comment les mecs font, woowooo!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6_ixATqWo
OMGosh im not the only one! i have a total bath routine too. since it IS so much work, I did it a lot more often when I was younger but now I only do it when I’m in the mood or I’ve had a really awful week and I need to revitalize myself. I gave up on reading in the tub because it feels like a balancing act. Plus I prefer to light candles to set the mood with the hot water and music. After the soak, scrub, clean, shave and lotion, I feel like a queen and sleep like a baby :)
Mais non Garance, on ne fait pas ça à la marocaine en salissant l’eau de son bain. On le fait à la japonaise, en se lavant avant, sous la douche. Ensuite on se glisse dans le bain et ensuite on fait le gommage avec un gant de toilette en sortant du bain quand la peau est à mi-chemin entre humide et sèche, c’est à ce moment là que ça s’exfolie le mieux. On peut encore rincer les peaux mortes.
Mais non on ne fait pas son gommage du visage dans le bain mais avant. Idem pour le masque. Le bain est fait pour se détendre
Quant à l’extase on l’obtient avec ce produit de bain:
http://modadiandrea.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-space-cake-by-lush.html?updated-min=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=50
Après être sortie du bain pour avoir une belle peau, ceci:
http://modadiandrea.blogspot.com/2014/09/mes-huiles-pour-le-corps.html?updated-min=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=50
PS: super photo
amazing
xxxx
http://www.dominiquecandido.com
J’aime aussi beaucoup les bains mais malheureusement je n’en ai pas dans mon nouvel appart !
Elisa
http://the-girly-world.blogspot.be
je veux son coloriste!! très naturel son balayage, malgré une base pas si claire…
:)).. ah la la…..ça me manque de temps en temps un petit bain…:)
Trop important de prendre un temps pour soi! Et quoi de plus relaxant qu´un bon bain?
http://www.leacari.cl
Love your ritual and I love taking baths!
http://www.FashionSnag.com
I love this, but those gloves make my skin red in no time! so I hate using them. But I loved doing hammams when I lived in France – that truly worked to remove dead skin and wasn’t too painful! However, I need to try this sometime soon… A tip? add a Lush bath bomb! :)
If I had that bathtub to lounge in, I would spend hours in it!!
Gorgeous photo.
Colleen
http://www.blushandbeyond.com/well-being/top-models-sha…orkout-secrets/
Lovely. I would add some other rules: dont take library books, that will get expensive. And I have a drugstore humidifier that steams up the room really well.
this makes me want to jump into a bath right now!
http://imyownmuse.blogspot.com
Rhoo ton texte m’a donné envie d’aller prendre un bon bain moussant
Xx
http://www.Lauralexo.com
I looooove baths. A couple of years ago I discovered these relaxing / healing bath salts, which are good when you are tired, stressed, have sore or tired muscles or if some virus is trying to clog your nose and make your throat red and swollen. So I get to the bathroom, pour water, mix it with salts, make sure that I have a glass of water AND a mug of herbal tea wihtin the reach of my hand, take my Kindle, put a little towel aside to dry my hands (hahahahah) and then I have 20 minutes of utter bliss. I don’t rinse afterwards, because the salts should stay on the skin to mineralise it. And then it’s time to hit the bed – I fall asleep immediately :)
Oh Garance, i knew that would be the opening line for this post. “If i could …. ”
I love my baths too. Try aromatheraphy associates bath oils. You smell amazing for the entire day. And the bath tub till its next scrub. Too bad i had to give them up. California in drought and i feel too guilty taking them these days. Maybe i can cheat for xmas.
I want those mitts now! They sound so… cleansing!
Anceeta.com
I love the tub! Divine.
Priscilla Joy
http://www.43concept.com
Dutch Caribbean
I love this post so much because I sure do love baths. I’m very intrigued by this mitt and I may get one; however, this works wonders for me: before a bath, fill up a small cup about halfway with fine grain sea salt. Then pour oil on top of it until the salt is saturated (I use olive). I then use that as a body scrub–it works wonders and you don’t have to moisturize after!
Lovely! Ahhhhh! Where do you get the mitts? They sound fantastic.
So beautiful that memory with your grandmother.
Bains aux sels d’ epsom à la maison une fois par semaine pour se remineraliser plus une séance au spa de mon club de sports : douche au savon noir , hammam , gommage au gant , pour éliminer toxines et peaux mortes, une fois par semaine aussi . Ça et un ou deux voyages au soleil , c’ est comme ça que je traverse l hiver quebequois !!! Mais c’ est clair. Je préfère les douche … Et l ‘ été !
Garance, now that you’ve told us about your bath ritual I want to request a few insider style tips. How do you get shirt collars to frame your face just so? I am serious! Is it starch?? I have a pixie too and the standing shirt collar frames the face so nicely but it doesn’t stay in place…
Also scarf tying tips always useful although studying your pics usually suffices.
Finally I love the high-low mix in shopping cart but how about some great really le-end finds, like river island, pixie market, forever 21, h&m. I suppose Zara and cos is indeed classier but still, I love a bargain
Thank you!
My mother did that, too. She says she doesn´t wanna lie in her own dirt. I totally understand NOT. I love to bath, every apartment or house I lived in had one. Without, I won´t move in..!!
Greetz, Steffi
Hello Garance,
J’adore ton rituel bain qui se révèle souvent pour moi source d’inspiration. J’ajouterai juste une bougie style celle des Cinq Mondes pour l’ambiance lumière et le parfum. J’aime quand la lumière vacille au gré des mouvements de la mèche. Quelle est ta bougie préférée en ce moment ?
C’est pour ça que j’adore les bains japonais, on se lave à l’extérieur de la baignoire et on peut profiter à fond de l’eau du bain! :) En plus, les baignoires sont bien profondes, on s’assoit et rien ne dépasse, le bonheur!!
good!!
Ma naturopathe m’a recommandé de prendre 2 bains par semaine. Alors même si je ne suis pas autant rôdée que toi (impossible de me laver les cheveux dans le bain, ils m’arrivent plus bas que l’attache du soutien gorge !), je suis quand même bien ritualisée de ce côté là.
Mais je lis des bouquins de voyage plutôt.
Et de temps en temps, quand j’y pense, j’allume une bougie.
(et je fais le brossage corporel à sec plutôt, mais bon chacun son truc)
En tout cas, pour une fois qu’on me recommande un truc chouette, je suis assez assidue ;-)
Ton article est top (: Je suis d’origine Algérienne et chez nous, on utilise aussi le gant. Cependant depuis que je vis toute seule, je n’arrive pas à atteindre, à gommer parfaitement mon dos ( avant c’étais ma mère qui le faisait ) donc je voudrais savoir comment tu y arriver.
merci (:
Je dois prendre un bain tous les 10 ans. Pourtant j’aime bien l’eau, mais j’ai une nette préférence pour la douche. Et le bain le soir ne m’aide pas du tout à dormir, bien au contraire, il a plutôt tendance à m’angoisser.
Mes douches ne sont pas écolos du tout, j’aime tellement la sensation de l’eau qui coule que ça dure, ça dure, ça dure, et encore, et encore.
Sweet dreams
Dear Garance, Iknow what you mean!! I was in Morocco recently and the first thing I did was take a a Hammam… it was an unforgettable experience, and I brought back with me the mitt for sure and do it every now and then. The hotel was the Tangerin in Tangier, which I totally recommend, and it has an old, private hammam… fantastic!!
This was me, but before having children
when i lived with my parents …i took the longest baths with a radio…. it was my privercy …i stayed so long i was schriveled …i love a bath…even thou i rarely take showers i love them too.
Pandora : pas disponible en dehors des U.S., Australia and New Zealand bouuuuuuuh ! Mais c’est vrai que c’est la classe les bains.
Can you recommend a good Moroccan mitt?
Loved this! You’re hysterical! And I totally have the XS bathtub as well, but I do a weird sinking in thing and make it work. Piled high with bubbles, of course. I love the scrubbing and refilling idea. Totally doing that next time!
can you recommend a good Moroccan mitt??
What a wonderful gift to give to friends!
Read your post in the same breath. Like when everything is clear, point by point, as a guide to action. You have a terrific sense of humor! And fine taste! Applaud! I immediately wanted to go to the bathroom …
http://soul-sisters.ru
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