Squeaky Clean

The “everything shower” took the internet by storm a few years ago, putting a name to something that’s been a mainstay in my routine for quite some time. My hot take is that the actual everything shower sucks—it takes forever to wash my hair, shave my legs, apply a hair mask, exfoliate my body, etc. It’s more like hot Pilates than a relaxing ritual…in my opinion.  

That being said, there’s nothing like the pure contentment of sinking into my couch afterward, with squeaky clean skin, lathered in lotion, and hair that smells like a blooming garden. It’s a feeling of accomplishment and bliss that makes all that effort totally worthwhile.

As you can probably tell, I take my shower time seriously. So, it’s no surprise that most of my empties are related to the cleansing step. But I had to toss in my favorite $8 brow pencil too—because, honestly, I just can’t stop raving about it.

August Empties

Goop Dry Brush

The dry brush in this photo is from Heyday, but unfortunately, it's sold out. So, I’m offering up a similar option from Goop. Sure, you can probably snag a cheaper dry brush at your local drugstore, but I’ve grown attached to this particular style of handle.

I’ve been using a dry brush since high school (thanks to my mom's beauty wisdom), and it’s a step in my routine that I genuinely look forward to every single day—and trust me, you will too.

Before each evening shower, I run the dry brush along my legs, arms, chest, and pretty much everywhere else, always brushing toward the heart. The benefits are countless: smoother skin, a brighter complexion, fewer ingrown hairs when shaving, and a boost to lymphatic drainage and circulation. Plus, the sensation is simply addictive.

The Body Wash | Multi-Enzyme | Olibanum/Vanille

This body wash is pure luxury. The fragrance is potent, instantly transforming your shower into an aromatherapy session. Leading the scent profile is olibanum (aka frankincense), paired with warm vanilla, black currant, and lily for a clean yet cozy, skin-like aroma.

The scent is gender-neutral, making it perfect for sharing. I don't usually consider body wash a step worth splurging on, but this one genuinely elevated my shower experience.

The wash itself lathers beautifully. I’ve tried some luxe body cleansers that barely touch your skin before disappearing down the drain, but this one works up a rich suds that stay with you throughout the entire shower routine.

The ingredient list is also impressive, with key players like niacinamide and enzymes for gentle exfoliation. For best results, try leaving it on for a few minutes to soak in those benefits. To be honest, I’m usually skeptical of actives in body wash—I just don't think we leave them on long enough to really work—but I’d be remiss not to mention the potential skin perks here.

⌛Time to empty: With two people using my shower, this bottle lasted about a month. To be honest…I use more body wash than I should so take that with a grain of salt, it could definitely last you longer. 

Colorescience Barrier Pro Cleanser

Colorescience is best known for its cult-favorite sunscreens (like the one I mentioned in April’s newsletter), but mineral SPF can be tough to remove with a standard face wash. That’s where this supercharged formula comes in.

Touted as a 1-step cleanser, it’s designed to cut through sunscreen and even a full face of foundation. I like to start by applying it to dry skin with just a drop or two of water in my hands to create a milky makeup remover. Then, I add more water to trigger a sudsy texture that really gets to work.

I’ll admit, I use a separate product to remove my eye makeup because this cleanser can sting my sensitive eyes. But for everything else—makeup, layers of sunscreen, and the copious amounts of moisturizer I wear—it does the job beautifully.

The ingredient list is especially kind to sensitive skin, featuring lactobacillus ferment for microbiome support, prickly pear for hydration, and pink pomelo for the gentlest exfoliation. I even used this on a sunburned face (we won’t talk about that) and it only soothed my skin.

At the end of the day, it’s more money than I’d suggest spending on a cleanser for most people. But if you’re super picky, you won’t be disappointed by this one.

⌛Time to empty: This cleanser lasted me about two months, maybe a little more. You don’t need a lot to get a nice lather going. 

Covergirl Clean Fresh Brow Nano

Nano brow pencils have quickly become my go-to for creating natural-looking density. With a tip that's just 1 millimeter, this brow pencil could effortlessly fill in the arches of thin-brow icons like Gabriette, Amelia Gray, and Sydney Carlson.

While other nano brow pencils on the market can easily set you back $20 or more, this $9 option is an absolute steal. Plus, Covergirl didn't skimp on the extras—they’ve infused this pencil with browcare ingredients like vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, making it even more of a must-have.

⌛Time to empty: I must have used this brow pencil for three months before it ran out. Granted, I don’t use much, but quite a long run for such a small pencil. 

Inspo Expo: Summer reads

Braelyn Wood is a deputy commerce editor for mindbodygreen who spends her free time focused on one thing: Blowing through the latest buzzy reads. I’m always hearing Braelyn gush about a new book on our work calls, so naturally, I had to share with you all—here’s her current lineup of must-reads for the end of summer. 

#1: Funny Story

“I've read a lot of Emily Henry to try to understand the hype—and 100+ pages of will-they-won't-they is just too much for me. This book doesn't make you wait for the steamy scenes in the same way, and I could actually root for the characters.”

#2: Good Material

“My entire friend group has devoured Good Material. It was a book club read that was actually good enough to make it out of the group chat. It sparks a lot of discussion about how we act post-breakup (and forces you to remember that you'll never truly be able to understand what going on in someone's mind). I think I just cried for the last 20 pages—it felt like an emotional release.”

#3: Hello Beautiful

“When I was in Hawaii, I devoured Hello Beautiful. There's a lot of heavy narration, which I personally love. I found the writing beautiful, but I would warn that you're carried forward by your interest in the characters rather than a page-turning plot. It's a beautiful reflection of how your family shapes you (in both good and bad ways).” 

⭐Connect with Braelyn: 

• Follow her on Instagram (@braelynw)

💌 Until next time

That’s all my sweet finis. Thanks for reading, I hope you love this newsletter as much as I do. Stay tuned for another August send in the coming weeks.