I used to be terrible at baths. A classic tale of Expectation vs Reality, I’d spend half my day at work drooling over the potential of a bath come 7pm, picturing myself up to the ears with bubbles and filled with the joie de vivre of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. When I finally got there, though, I’d last all of three minutes before growing too hot and bothered to withstand it. I’m not proud to admit I was a serial bath-bailer, often running a full tub of precious H2O only to pull the plug a few minutes later.

Nowadays, I bathe until I prune. Partly because I’m (a little) wiser and less wasteful, and realise that the ability to be still for a while in a body of warm water is pure heaven. I’ve also realised that when it comes to bathing like a pro, it’s all about your technique. It starts with a good base; a glass of red wine, a candle, and some form of entertainment, be it a book, some good tunes, or some quality Netflix. But just like a frozen yoghurt bar, it’s the add-ons that really bring it home. Introduce some of these luxurious extras to your technique, and you’re guaranteed a bath too good to bail on.

Sachajuan Body Wash

Sachajuan’s Body Wash carefully cleanses, hydrates, and soothes the skin, leaving your limbs smelling like fresh citrus and jasmine. It’s subtle and not too soapy, lingering just long enough to make you smug about how good you smell. The active ingredients and technology behind Sachajuan’s body care products are referred to as Earth Silk Technology, which uses cultivated oats to penetrate all the way down to the skin’s deepest layers, stimulating collagen formation to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Santa Maria Novella Algae Marine Bubblebath

Who knew you could tone up in the tub? Santa Maria Novella’s Algae Marine Bubblebath is a paraben-free foam formula with seaweed extract, which acts as a slimming agent. It’s also naturally rich in organic iodine, which is excellent for cellulite and stretch marks. You know where to find me.

Cire Trudon Maduraï Candle

Behind every great bath is a great candle. The Madurai scent by cult favourite Cire Trudon smells like a balmy summer night. It’s a soft and balanced jasmine scent so good you feel criminal for burning it. But never fear – Cire Trudon candles are meticulously manufactured, using wicks of the utmost quality for the cleanest, longest-burning votives possible.

Sodashi Brightening Marine Mineral Mask

It’s easy to forget about your face while your limbs are content soaking in the tub. Whether it’s during or post-bath, a face mask is always the cherry on top of the chill AF cake. Sodashi’s Brightening Marine Mineral Mask is a cult fave; it’s a luxurious, revitalising mask packed full of Mother Nature’s goodies, like zeolite and seaweed, which work to oxygenate, detoxify, and tone the skin, while bentonite and kaolin clays absorb excess oil and refine the skin’s texture. If you’re really in the zone and are up for an intensive brightening treatment, leave the mask on for 15 minutes as recommended, then use your damp, pruned fingertips to massage the mask in further, before leave it on for another 10-15 for some next level glow.

African Botanics Kalahari Desert De-Tox Bath Salts

One whiff of these luxurious bath salts and all my worries quickly dissolve. Perfect for when you’re feeling maxed out at the end of a big week, African Botanics’ bath salts are both calming and nourishing. Made from large-grain, pure, mineral-rich salt from the Kalahari Desert and enriched with marula oil, detoxifying seaweed, and buchu leaves to re-hydrate, condition, and stimulate circulation. Hints of juniper berry and lemongrass are instantly rejuvenating and de-cloud the mind. Recommended for relieving stiff joints and muscular tension, breaking down cellulite, and combating the buildup of toxins. I don’t know about you, but I find this all very, very relaxing. Using a handful of salts 2-3 times a week is recommended for the best results, but don’t forget to keep up your fluids to aid detoxification.

Sodashi Calming Rose Face Mist

A spritz of this in the bathtub is deliciously extravagant, like marshmallows and whipped cream on a hot chocolate. Sodashi’s Calming Rose Face Mist is a gentle spray that hydrates, soothes, and cools the skin. Perfect for all skin types. The toning spray balances the skin’s pH, and reduces redness whilst quenching thirsty skin cells. It preps the skin for moisturiser, so right before you get out of the bath is prime spritzing time. No need to keep it in the bathroom, though — like most face mists, it’s perfect to use throughout the day to refresh and moisturise, without ruining your makeup.

Words, Cassandra Wait-Hughes. Photography, Magdalene Shapter.