Our Favourite Luxe West of Ireland Buys to Bouje Up Your Baths
As Chandler Bing once said, “I’ve had a very long, hard day”. Where did Chandler say this from? A bath. Not just any bath either, one that was embellished with enough bubbles to cover all of his modesty, candles, and a glass of wine in hand.
He knew how to relax, and how to do baths the right way. The restorative properties that a good hot soak can offer have been widely touted. According to Heathline, incorporating a warm bath into your self care routine can reduce your risk of cardiovascular routine, lower blood pressure, and improve your mood and mental health, to name a few.
"There’s something profoundly soothing about a bath as a ritual for self-care," says Julia Dunin, founder of Duine, a new line of gorgeous wellness boxes. "A bath invites all your senses into stillness. It’s a chance to truly disconnect from the outside, creating a small, quiet sanctuary where you can simply be present with yourself. It washes away your stress, allows you to leave the worries behind."
The benefits of a bath
For more on the power of a good soak, I turn Kira Walton, co-owner of Voya, whose detoxifying seaweed baths have been a cult beauty favourite for over two decades. She says: “A warm bath not only cleanses but also promotes relaxation, helping to improve sleep. It can soothe sore muscles and joints, reducing pain, and support heart health by alleviating stress and anxiety. Additionally, a warm bath improves the skin by allowing for deep cleansing and time for exfoliation, as well as better absorption of skincare products applied post-bath.”
A soak is the perfect opportunity to layer your luxury.
Taking some time out of your hectic life to schedule in a little ‘me time’ is crucial for any busy person, and the ideal place to do that is in the bath. It’s here that you can get the most bang for your buck when it comes to self care. A soak is the perfect opportunity to layer your luxury. What does this mean? Instead of simply running the water and hopping in, think of ways you can add to the experience to gain the most from it.
Luckily, there are plenty of brands and products, many based in the West of Ireland, to help you add some more bouje to your bathtime. Here are some ways you can do it.
Try a seaweed bath
Sometimes referred to as "Ireland’s oldest spa treatment", seaweed baths are an ancient West of Ireland tradition that are now more accessible than ever.
Packed with vitamins and minerals essential to our body, you can purchase seaweed packs to place into your bath – no need to brave the elements outside. Chatting with Roisin De Paor from the Connemara Seaweed Company, she shares: “Studies on seaweed bathing has shown that the act has been linked with aiding skin conditions such as psoriasis and can help with muscles with aches and pains. You should soak in a seaweed bath for around 20 minutes, longer if desired. Afterward you should feel calm and very relaxed, with the added benefit of hydrated skin too.”
Add some salts
One of the simplest ways to add some oomph to your soak is by dropping in a handful or two of bath salts. Speaking of the natural healing properties in salts, Kira says: “Salt bathing provides minerals to relax muscles and promote overall health, when combined with essential oils it can help with muscle recovery and reenergise tired bodies and minds.”
Set the ambiance
Turn your bath into your own private spa experience by adding simple, but relaxing elements to it. For this, Kira Walton advises entering the bathroom with the intention to melt away your daily stressors. She recommends first dimming the lights and lighting a candle while choosing an essential oil to add to your bath. When in the bath you can do a relaxing activity of your choice, like reading a book, listening to relaxing music, or meditating.
Pop on a facemask
While you soak, why not let a face mask sink in? Taking a bath in hot water allows your skin to cleanse dirt, debris, and old makeup from your pores. Making it the perfect opportunity to apply your favourite mask. Depending on your specific skin needs, you could add hydration through a sheet mask, rejuvenate your skin with an enzyme mask, or cleanse your skin further with a clay mask.
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