Fashion
How to Make Your Showers a Soothing Escape in This Uncertain Time
From creating a warm, grounding environment to therapeutic skin-care treatments, here’s how to make your shower a place of respite and relaxation….
Amid stress and uncertainty, showers are no longer just a utilitarian to-do, they’re an act of serene self-care—particularly when you take your time and add those few extra steps that transform it into a fully realized ritual. From creating a warm, grounding environment to therapeutic skin-care treatments, here’s how to make your showers feel like an act of respite and relaxation.
Create Warm, Relaxing Lighting
Warm lighting, particularly in the evening, promotes relaxation and helps to calm the mind. Whether you’re bathing before bed or just in need of a dose of grounding glimmer during the day, flick on a small accent light that emits a soft, mellow glow. Try a stylish midcentury-inspired orb, small paper lantern light, or a compact pinky-peach Himalayan salt wall plug, which will help cleanse the air in your space.
Hang a Beautiful Shower Curtain
Finding an attractive, let alone swoon-worthy shower curtain is like spotting a diamond in the rough. Thankfully, brands like Brooklyn-based Quiet Town are bridging the gap with beautiful, thoughtfully-crafted curtains that merge practicality with design. Whether it’s a breezy, two-toned linen number or something a bit punchier, like abstract geometrics or bold jungle flowers, it’s about what you consider beautiful—and what will make you feel at ease.
Light a candle
A beautiful candle is a true luxury. In a bathroom setting, it not only offers a scent that makes you feel feel good, but it secures that ever-soothing candle-lit ambiance at night. In these taxing times, consider notes that whittle away at stress such as balancing Breu resin, sweet earthy vetiver, or grounding cedar.
Dry Brush for a Full-Body Massage
Before entering the shower, take a dry brush and gently massage yourself head to toe in long, circular strokes that move up towards your heart. It contributes to lymphatic drainage and increased circulation and, according to Ayurvedic philosophy, is a mediative act of cleansing and detoxifying the body. Plus, it helps buff away dead skin cells as the first step for a full-body glow.
Embrace Aromatherapy
Once you’ve turned the faucet and found that perfectly calibrated warm temperature, consider a little aromatherapy behind the curtains. Hang a bouquet of fresh eucalyptus from your shower head for a refreshing natural scent, or try an in-shower mist like the J.R. Watkins’s new Detox formula laced with warming ginger, or a shower melt like Aura Cacia’s calming lavender tablets.
Exfoliate All Over
Your body will already be buzzing from the dry brushing session; up the ante on smooth, soft skin and muscle tension relief with a polishing body scrub. Ren’s clean sea salt balm contains a touch of magnesium for its calming and detoxing properties, while Juara’s creamy polish teams candlenut oil with crushed walnut particles for an extra-silky effect all over. And don’t forget your scalp: A purifying scrub, such as French hairstylist Christophe Robin’s cult favorite, will help cleanse, remove build-up, and leave the scalp feeling truly revitalized.
Cleanse Luxuriously
Just as important as how you feel in the shower is how you feel walking out of it—for those who enjoy fragrance, a fresh, long-lasting scent is a key part of the equation. Look to a gentle body cleanser infused with a magic, sweet-smelling ingredient such as Le Labo’s earthy Hinoki, Seed Phytonutrient’s herbal cedar leaf, or Fresh’s zingy citrus.
Step Out and Hydrate
After toweling off, seal in the moisturizer with a lightweight, sinks-right-in lotion like Malin + Goetz’s Vitamin B5-packed cult favorite or Lord Jones’s extra-strength CBD-infused version to give your muscles some extra TLC. To double down on hydration, Oye’s rich shea butter is laced with nourishing and healing vitamins A, K, E, and F. Alternatively, you can reach for an oil, like Taza’s Nourish Eladi Body, with soothing Himalayan cedar and healing Indian frankincense, for the Ayurvedic ritual of a full-body abhyanga, or self-massage.
Fashion
Raekwon Unveils “The Emperor’s New Clothes” With All-Star Lineup
Raekwon, a legendary rapper known for his role in the Wu-Tang Clan, has just announced his long-awaited eighth studio album, titled “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” set to be released through Mass Appeal. Although no singles have been shared yet, the album is already creating a buzz and is highly anticipated this summer. It’s been seven years since Raekwon last released a solo album, and this new project feels more like a grand return than just another release.
He’s teamed up with a mix of familiar faces from the Wu-Tang Clan and some fresh talent in hip-hop. Listeners can look forward to clever lyrics and captivating stories filled with raw emotion. Raekwon has invited his Wu-Tang brothers Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Inspectah Deck to feature on the album, ensuring a classic blend that fans love. He’s also brought in well-respected artists outside of the Wu-Tang family, like Nas and members of the Griselda collective, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway The Machine, who are known for their gritty style.
Adding to the variety, singers Stacy Barthe and Marsha Ambrosius will provide soulful vocals to complement Raekwon’s hard-hitting verses. The album’s production features talented names like Swizz Beatz, Nottz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Frank G, and Roadsart, promising a rich, cinematic sound that matches Raekwon’s lyrical skills. Even with such an impressive lineup, there’s still a sense of mystery around the album. There have been no early songs or previews released, just the announcement itself, which builds even more expectation.
But for Raekwon, this is part of his journey. He has always delivered powerful lyrics and relatable street stories without much introduction. The title, The Emperor’s New Clothes, suggests a fresh start and a daring vision that might challenge the current state of rap. With his experienced flow and storytelling still sharp, Raekwon seems prepared to reestablish his place among the top artists in hip-hop.
Fashion
Wendy Williams Makes Stylish Splash At Columbia Supporting Her Designer
In a delightful surprise for fans and fashion enthusiasts, Wendy Williams made a rare appearance at Columbia University on Tuesday, and everyone couldn’t help but notice her. The former talk show host was in high spirits as she showed up to support her longtime friend and fashion designer, Mel Maxi. Wendy looked fantastic in a stylish black-and-white outfit that included a Yankee hat and her trademark flair.
Designed by Maxi himself, her outfit was not just chic but also had a personal touch that highlighted her vibrant personality. In a heartwarming moment recorded on video, Wendy told Maxi, “This is amazing! This was specifically designed for me… this is really hand done.” Wendy came to cheer on Maxi, who was set to give a lecture about fashion design at the prestigious university. Her appearance was a meaningful moment between two creative friends who have supported each other for years. Wendy’s presence emphasized the importance of friendship and collaboration in the creative world.
As she walked by, a nearby fan shouted their love for Wendy, and she instinctively responded with her signature warmth and enthusiasm: “Thank you!” she exclaimed with a big smile. After being away from the spotlight for months, Wendy’s visit was a refreshing change for fans who have missed her lively spirit. There were no fancy events or flashing cameras, just Wendy enjoying the moment, supporting a friend, and reminding us all of the significance of showing up for the people we care about.
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