Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s been pretty cold here. I hope where ever you are, you’re keeping warm! Or cool, for my friends in the other hemisphere.

Today’s tip is about keeping warm, or really, not so warm.

Keep your hot showers short.

Like most of you, I love to relax in a hot shower, especially when it’s cold out or to ease sore muscles. However, the hot water can dry out your skin. Counterintuitive, right? If your skin is red when you get out, you haven’t done it any favors.

I’ve seen some dermatologists say you should only keep the water really hot for about five minutes, or about the time it takes to fog up the mirror. Most of your bathing should be done in warm water and then use some lotion after you gently towel off.

A reward for your virtue, here is my bathing ritual…

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 19 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 21 February 2025 at 11:55 am  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,

Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! This week’s tip is a follow up to last week’s:

Making your own bath products is easy and fun.

Here’s my recipe for a simple bath fizz. This makes about a quarter of a cup and it doubles well.

Base
2 Tbsp. kosher salt
2 Tbsp. Epsom salts
2 Tbsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. citric acid

Then you can customize it with dried herbs and flowers, essential oils, and even color! This is my favorite blend:
2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops purple food coloring (optional)
1 1/2 tsp. dried lavender

Lavender is very relaxing. Experiment with invigorating citrus or romantic rose. Try mint and/or eucalyptus for when you have a cold.

Moisture will cause premature fizzing, so keep all equipment dry and store bath fizz in a tightly-sealed container.

Place the salts in a bowl, add the essential oil and food coloring and mix well. Add the baking soda and citric acid, then crumble in the herbs.

To use, add a scoop to a warm bath and enjoy the fizz!

And if you don’t want the flowers floating in the water, just use last week’s tip!

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

P.S. That is my bath tub and my vampire mini-rubber ducky. Someday I’ll make an excuse to show you the glorious mosaic that’s just out of frame.

Published in: on 22 March 2019 at 12:26 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,

Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

A simple stocking can make your bath easier to clean up.

A lovely bath is a great way to relax, especially after a show or a rehearsal. It’s even better with a bath bomb, bath salts, or similar additions. Some of them contain herbs, flower petals, and other delights, which can cling to your skin and the bottom of the tub.

Just put your favorite bath bomb or the like into the toe of an old stocking and tie it up. You can loop it over the faucet or let it roam around the tub. The salts will still fizz and dissolve and spread their goodness throughout the water, but the solid stuff will stay put. You’ll get all the benefits of any botanicals without having the bits floating around.

M2Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Published in: on 15 March 2019 at 3:35 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,