The Beauty Steps People See And The Ones They Don’t

The shower is the first step of getting ready...it doesn't need to be boring.

Everyone sees the final part of getting ready. In paid partnership with Dove. This post is unlocked for all subscribers thanks to Dove and includes a trackable link. The makeup, the hair, the outfit, the jewelry and the final outfit check. But for me, getting ready starts much earlier. It starts in the shower.

I think the shower is one of the most overlooked parts of a beauty routine. When I take a little more time, wash my hair properly, maybe use a hair mask, use a luxurious body wash that leaves my skin feeling soft, and start building that first layer of scent, I already feel more put together before I’ve even started my makeup. Weirdly, it actually makes me want to put more effort into my final look.

That first layer makes such a difference. Clean hair, a body wash that smells good, smooth, hydrated skin, then fragrance layered afterwards. It doesn’t mean turning every shower into a full spa day. It’s really just about making the steps you’re already doing feel a little nicer by using the right products.

Obviously, I’ll always love the final stage of getting ready. I’m a makeup artist, so the face will always be my favorite part. But the older I get, the more attention I pay to everything underneath it too. I notice when my skin feels comfortable, when my hair smells fresh, when my arms and shoulders look properly hydrated and when my fragrance feels like part of the full routine rather than something I sprayed on while running out of the door.

That’s how the new Dove Serum+ Radiance Oil Body Wash fits into my routine. I use it every day, and I love that it makes a very basic part of getting ready feel a lot more luxurious. I may not have time for a full spa day but it certainly makes my 15 minute shower feel like I’m at the spa!

There’s something about starting your routine properly that changes how the rest of it feels. When my hair is clean, my skin feels and looks soft and I already have that fresh scent from the shower, I don’t feel like I’m starting from zero when I sit down to do my makeup. I already feel halfway there.

Scent is a big part of that for me. I don’t think fragrance should only begin with the perfume you spray at the end. It starts with the products you use in the shower. It’s all about the layering. The scent from your body wash becomes the base, then anything you apply afterwards builds on top of it. By the time you add your fragrance, it feels like part of the full routine rather than a separate final step, and your scent lasts a lot longer.

The texture of Dove Serum+ Radiance Oil Body Wash works perfectly for this because it feels like a proper treat in the shower. It comes out as an oil texture, then turns into a rich, silky, foam lather as you work it over the skin. It feels indulgent, but it still rinses away clean and doesn’t leave that sticky or greasy feeling behind.

The formula contains 50 percent glycerin serum plus natural oils, so it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated after I rinse. My skin also has that fresh, radiant look that makes such a difference when I’m getting dressed, especially if my shoulders, arms or neckline are showing.

I think this is why I’ve started seeing the shower differently. It’s not just about getting clean. It’s the point where the whole beauty routine begins. You’re preparing your hair, your skin and your scent before you even open your makeup bag or decide what you’re wearing.

Even washing my hair feels different when I’m not rushing through everything. I’ll take the time to rinse it properly, use a mask when it needs one, and let the scent of my body wash fill the bathroom while I finish the rest of my routine. It’s a small thing, but it makes getting ready feel much more enjoyable.

Then once I’m out of the shower, everything follows naturally. I get dressed, sort my hair, start my makeup and finish with fragrance. Because the scent started earlier, it feels more layered and personal. It’s not just one strong spray sitting on top of everything. It feels like it belongs to the whole routine.

You also don’t need every product to have the exact same scent. I think scent layering works better when everything complements each other rather than matching perfectly. A clean, fresh base from your body wash gives you somewhere to start, then you can add whatever fragrance suits your mood that day.

Some days I want something light and fresh. Other days I want something warmer or stronger. But either way, I like having that clean base underneath it. It makes the final scent feel more complete and, in my opinion, makes the whole getting ready process feel more polished.

This is the part nobody really sees. They see the finished makeup, the hair and the outfit, but they don’t see the shower before it. They don’t see the hair mask, the luxurious body wash, the clean skin or that first layer of scent. But those are the steps that change how I feel before I’ve even started getting ready properly.

I also like that Dove Serum+ Radiance Oil Body Wash is dermatologically tested. The experience feels luxurious, but it’s still uncomplicated enough to use every day. It isn’t something I feel I need to save for a special occasion. It fits into my normal shower and just makes that everyday step feel better.

That’s really what I want from body care now. I don’t need it to become another huge routine. I want products that feel good to use, leave my skin feeling looked after and make the whole process of getting ready more enjoyable.

The makeup, hair and outfit may be the parts everyone sees, but the routine begins long before that. For me, it starts with clean hair, soft, radiant skin and that first layer of scent in the shower.

Dove Serum+ Radiance Oil Body Wash is available now on Amazon