“Bathscaping,” a term coined by trend forecasting company WGSN, reflects a trend developed in lockdown, but representing something basic in all of us. For centuries, various cultures have associated bathing with more than just the practical cleansing aspect. It is related to ritual and ceremony. It also conveys spirituality and that sense of belonging.

As more people found solace in their bathtubs, the act became an art. There are mesmerizing videos of bath bombs melting in the water, and the enchanting feeling of lighting a candle to set the mood in your bathroom. Fashionista reports that the trend taking over TikTok with one billion views are #shower, 426 million views for #bath, 206 million views for #showerroutine and 156 million views for #bathbomb.

I’ve always been a fan of baths. After a long day, it is that fast yet satisfying reward. It’s where one can find some peace and time for oneself without the worry or the rush of the next task. One could amass a lot of “bathscaping” materials, but I believe in sticking first to basics.

Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Soaks is the first thing I turn to. Soaking in this for at least 20 minutes can “revitalize tired, achy muscles and help refresh skin’s appearance.” All you need is two cups for easy relaxation. They come in a variety of scents suited to your mood, such as Matcha Green Tea and Shea Butter & Almond Oil, plus Lavender, Eucalyptus & Spearmint.

Double duty

When sitting in your bath, you can do double duty with a hair mask. I reach for the Sun Bum Revitalizing Deep Conditioner Hair Mask. Leave in your tresses so they can restore essential hydration, softness and smoothness. It is made with amla and bamboo extract, and is particularly good for color-treated hair.

On top of this, I like to use a face mask. Belo Medical Clinics has the Laboratories FillMed Hyaluronic Youth Mask. I am a fan as it has hyaluronic acid, collagen and aloe vera. It will make you skin feel plump and moisturized.

Finish off your bath with a good scrub. One I like reaching for is from Frank Body. Their coffee scrubs are 100 percent natural and gently exfoliate. You can either choose the Peppermint for an extra cooling sensation, or the Coconut, which reminds me of a fresh latte.

Of course, what is a good bath without a candle? Diptyque is still one of the best for luxury candles. Each of their candles and scents is crafted carefully to ensure that the scent stays without being too strong. It transforms your bathroom into your private spa.

D. Teal’s is available at LOOK, SM Aura Premier. Sun Bum is available online. Frank Body is available via sephora.ph. Laboratories Fillmed is available via shop.belomed.com, while Diptyque is available via Rustan’s The Beauty Source. riarecommends.com