Friday Five - Blub Blub Edition

[ofearthandstars]

From thefridayfive

1. How often do you typically shower/bath?

   I usually shower 6 days a week; every day after the gym (or I'd be gross), and generally on Sunday evenings. Because I have always struggled with atopic skin/allergies/eczema, I find that more frequent showering helps although the water can't be too hot (and I have to moisturize immediately afterwards).

2. Do you prefer showering or taking a bath?

   We have a stall shower in our master bedroom, with a built in bench, and typically use that. Though truthfully it is a bit small for two adults. Perhaps one day we'll remodel.

3. What's the longest you've ever gone without a shower/bath?

   Hmm, I remember the summer I fractured a bone internal to my foot (in middle school?), and had a cast covering my foot up to my knee. I couldn't shower with it, so had to hang the cast leg precariously over the side of the tub to bathe, which was very inconvenient as that required lying with my head directly underneath the faucet/over the drain. I don't remember how long I went between bathing, but it was definitely more of a pain, so it was probably during that time.

4. What's your favorite personal hygiene product?

   Uhm, deodorant, maybe? It is pretty magical stuff. I like Tom's of Maine Wild Lavendar, which is possibly the only vegan deodorant I've found that isn't full of coconut derivatives (which cause me to break out).

5. Do you shave your legs and/or beard? If so, how often?

   I shave my legs and underarms fairly often (probably once a week at least? sometimes longer in the winter), mostly because of the gym. It makes me feel cooler and cleaner during the humid weather and while working out.

Comments

[kizzy]

1. Twice a week, maybe 3 times during warmer weather. I'm at the age where sebum production is naturally reduced, so frequent washing leads to drier skin. I also don't stink as much as I did when I was younger with raging hormones, lol. But yes, I do use an antiperspirant, in case you're wondering.

2. I used to love taking baths but I haven't in years. I also found it more difficult to wash my hair in the bath, so I deferred to showers, which I now do exclusively. If we could afford to upgrade the old bathroom (the one with the tub) I'd probably take a bath every so often.

3. We were allowed one hot shower a week way back at Girl Scout camp. You could take as many cold showers as you wanted in the unit but only the director's house had the hot water. Every patrol/unit had their "hot shower" day so on those days girls lined up 3-4 at a time at the director's house to await their turn. I now shudder to think how stinky us 12-14 year olds must've been to anyone not at camp :shudder:

4. It used to be body sprays but now it's shower gel. I eschew floral scents so finding non florals is a treasure hunt for me. Right now I'm using Trader Joe's "Tea Tree Tingle" which seems to keep me cleaner, I guess, since I don't shower every day. They also have a citrus one which I've used during the summer. I like the milk-and-honey type gels for colder weather. Dove has a "Mens Care" line which includes a charcoal/clay MANLY SCENT which actually isn't bad. Just don't tell SO I've used it more than once ;)

5. LOL, I now only shave my pits and maybe once a month at that. I haven't had to shave my legs in eons. I pluck my 'tasche and random neck/chin hairs when they're long enough to be unwieldy. I thought about shaving them all but then I remember the nun we had for 6th grade math who had 5 o'clock stubble :eek:

[ofearthandstars]

I really enjoy Tea Tree scents and I'm not sure why! I also don't love floral scents. I have a special kids' shampoo (it's one of the few brands that is coconut product free) that smells like oranges, though, and I do love that.

I also used to enjoy taking baths, but the only bath is in the front bathroom which is the guest bathroom and also the main one Littlest uses - he bathes almost exclusively, and I don't love bathing in the same space as someone else without a deep clean in between, lol.

[kizzy]

I've tried Tom's of Maine stuff and found it doesn't work on me as much as I thought. I have an African Black Soap deodorant I bought at Vitamin Shoppe which works a tad better...maybe it's because I sweat a lot from work so I don't think it's working? I dunno.

[ofearthandstars]

I haven't ventured out to any specialty shops to look for other natural deodorants, so have mostly researched items online. Also it took me a long time to get used to deodorant vs. antiperspirant and feeling myself sweat (but without the stink, lol).

[tactilemuse]

I love these question and answer posts and have been really enjoying reading your responses. I've gone quite a while without a proper bath. I used to work at a summer camp in the mountains with outhouses etc and very ... outdoorsy showers. So the showers weren't often and were usually very full of all manner of outdoor insect life that was attracted to water/dampness. I also don't shave at all anywhere. I've always disliked the way shaving felt on my skin. I've tried a few times in my youth, but no matter what ways I've tried to do it differently it's always been very very painful.

[ofearthandstars]

It seems a lot of people have gone a long time without a shower at camp! Which makes sense.
In some ways, I wish I'd never started shaving, as it changed the way my hair grows. At one point I went a very long period without which sort of helped the hair to grow in softer, but it's always been darker and thicker since. :/