My Everything Shower Routine: The Self-Care Ritual That Leaves Me Feeling Brand New

Let’s be honest, the “everything shower” might be all over TikTok, but most of us have been doing it for years – it just didn’t have a catchy name.

In our house, when my husband asks, “How long are you going to be getting ready?”, my answer is always the same: it depends. Where are we going? What am I wearing? And perhaps most importantly… do I need to do everything?

Because not every shower is the same.

Some days it’s a quick five-minute rinse before work. Other days it’s the full works: washing my hair, applying a nourishing hair mask, shampooing and conditioning, exfoliating from head to toe, shaving my legs, tackling all those little beauty jobs that somehow creep onto the to-do list, and finishing with a generous layer of moisturiser.

It’s the kind of shower that leaves you feeling completely reset. The internet may have given it a name, but the concept is nothing new. It’s simply about slowing down, taking a little time for yourself and stepping out feeling polished, refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.

Here’s exactly how I do mine.

Step 1: Set the Scene

Before the water is even running, I like to create a calm atmosphere.

There’s something about walking into a tidy bathroom with fluffy towels neatly folded, a candle flickering and all my favourite products within easy reach that instantly makes the experience feel more luxurious. Rather than rummaging through cupboards halfway through my shower, I gather everything beforehand so I can simply relax and enjoy the ritual.

It isn’t about being extravagant; it’s about making everyday routines feel just that little bit more special.

Step 2: Hair Comes First

If it’s an everything shower, my hair gets the full VIP treatment.

I begin with a hair mask and give it a few minutes to work while I get on with everything else. Once it’s had time to nourish my hair, I’ll shampoo thoroughly before following with conditioner, making sure I work it through the lengths before leaving it for a few minutes.

It’s amazing what a difference taking your time can make compared to rushing through your usual routine.

Step 3: Exfoliate

Next comes exfoliation.

Using a gentle body scrub helps buff away dead skin cells, leaving my skin feeling noticeably smoother and giving moisturiser a much better base to work with afterwards.

I pay particular attention to areas like my elbows, knees and ankles, which always seem to need a little extra TLC.

Step 4: Shave

With my skin softened by the warm water, this is the perfect time to shave.

It’s one of those jobs that feels far less like a chore when I’m already in full self-care mode, and taking my time means a smoother finish with less chance of irritation.

Step 5: Cleanse and Refresh

Although my body routine is fairly consistent, I never forget my face.

A gentle cleanse removes any lingering make-up, SPF or impurities, leaving my skin feeling fresh without stripping away moisture. If my skin needs a little extra attention, I’ll also use a gentle exfoliating treatment before stepping out of the shower.

Step 6: The Best Part – Wrapping Up Warm

This is where the experience can either continue feeling luxurious… or end abruptly with a rough, scratchy towel.

One thing I’ve realised over the years is that how you dry your skin matters just as much as the products you apply afterwards. Rather than vigorously rubbing my skin, I gently pat it dry, leaving it slightly damp so my body lotion can lock in as much moisture as possible.

One recent addition to my bathroom has been a set of My Trident towels, and they’ve quickly become part of my everything shower routine.

Made from 100% premium cotton, they’re wonderfully soft, beautifully plush and incredibly absorbent. They feel exactly like the towels you’d expect to find in a luxury spa or boutique hotel – thick enough to feel indulgent, yet light enough to wrap around you comfortably. The white set gives my bathroom that clean, spa-like aesthetic, while the charcoal towels add a sophisticated contrast that works perfectly with my darker décor.

What surprised me most wasn’t just how soft they felt straight out of the packaging, but how well they’ve maintained that softness after washing. They dry quickly, feel wonderfully gentle against freshly exfoliated skin and genuinely make those few minutes after stepping out of the shower feel like part of the ritual rather than simply drying off.

It might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re thinking about investing in self-care, especially at a time when many of us are watching what we spend. But don’t underestimate the impact that beautiful, fluffy towels can have on your everyday routine.

After all, most of us can’t justify checking into a five-star hotel every weekend, but we can recreate a little of that luxury at home. Freshly laundered towels, neatly folded on the shelf or warmed on the heated rail, are one of those simple pleasures that make an ordinary shower feel just a little more indulgent.

Sometimes it’s the smallest details that have the biggest impact, and for me, stepping out of an everything shower and wrapping myself in a thick, hotel-quality towel is the perfect way to finish the experience.

Step 7: Lock In the Moisture

The final step is one I never skip.

While my skin is still slightly damp, I apply a rich body moisturiser, followed by my facial skincare routine and a little hair oil through the ends of my hair.

This simple step helps seal in hydration and leaves my skin feeling soft for the rest of the day.

It’s More Than Just a Shower

For me, an everything shower isn’t really about beauty products at all.

It’s about pressing pause for an hour, putting the phone down and taking time to properly look after yourself. Whether I’m getting ready for a special occasion or simply resetting after a busy week, it’s become one of my favourite little rituals.

And while TikTok may have given it a name, I suspect many of us have been enjoying an everything shower long before social media caught on.

Sometimes, all it takes is warm water, a little extra time and a stack of beautifully soft towels waiting at the end to make an ordinary evening feel like a trip to the spa.

Joanne Brook-Smith is a writer and editor with two decades of publishing experience. She launched Crave Magazine during the Covid period to create a fresh, inspiring space for food, travel and lifestyle content.