After a long day at work or at the end of a stressful, what do you long to do? If you’re like me, a piping hot bath and some chill melodies fit the bill perfectly—and even more so if I’m feeling sore or coming down with something. While I’m no stranger to anointing my bath water with essential oils, I recently tried spritzing perfume on the surface of the water—and I can now say that there’s very little that makes me feel like a pampered goddess of femininity more than a perfumed bath.
As it turns out, OG goddess of beauty Marilyn Monroe was also a fan of the perfumed bath. Of course, we’ve heard dozens of times that she slept in “five drops of Chanel No. 5” and nothing else, but she also loved to bathe in it: “Sometimes I know the truth of what I’m doing. It isn’t Marilyn Monroe in the tub but Norma Jean…And it seems that Norma can’t get enough of fresh bathwater that smells of real perfume.” For many of us, sinking into a tub is about returning to ourselves, retreating from the outside world, and washing off the day/negative energy/weight of the world. And there’s no reason why that experience can be fragranced.
Although we’re conditioned to think of perfume as a special luxury that should be reserved for special occasions—or at least public outings—I think of it quite differently. I do agree that it’s a special luxury, but I think we are worthy of that luxury at all times (even if no one else is there to witness and admire our scent). We‘re there to admire it. Also given perfume’s impermanence (notes can change over time or be damaged by light, temperature, and humidity), we ought to enjoy what we have while we still have it.
So if you feel so inclined, perfume your bath to your heart’s content. Here’s how to do it.
How to Perfume Your Bath
Perfume critic Victoria Frolova of Bois de Jasmin writes, “Of course, it doesn’t make sense to pour a rare, expensive fragrance into your bath, but usually you don’t need to use much perfume…Fill the bathtub with water and just as you’re ready to get in, add your perfume of choice…I use 2 drops of perfume or 3-4 sprays of Eau de Toilette. The warmth of the bath will make the scent blossom.”
The key here is adding the perfume at the last minute. The heat of the water will speed the process of the notes evaporating (just as it would with essential oils), and you want to be there for the unfolding of the fragrance! You may also want to consider using an unscented soap so you don’t have multiple scents competing with one another.
Of course, at Peaceful Dumpling, we recommend fragrances created with safe ingredients. Brands like Ellis Brooklyn, LVNEA, PHLUR, and Henry Rose are committed to ethical sourcing and clean formulas. Plus, they’re cruelty-free! Here are our picks.
Girly Goodness
For a bath full of girly goodness, try Ameline by PHLUR. This Parisian-inspired fragrance is formulated with a contemporary take on rose and gets its feminine magic from sparkling Italian bergamot, pink pepper, patchouli, and sandalwood.
That Gorgeous Clean Feeling
For an ultralight, refreshing blend, reach for Jake’s House by Henry Rose. Delicate neroli blends with musk to recall sun-warmed skin and fresh breeze.
Sultry Goddess
Bring out your inner vixen with Ellis Brooklyn Sci-Fi. Cashmere, tea, and vanilla harmonize in this otherworldly blend that’s undeniably sexy.
Witchy Vibes
Bois de L’Obscurité is a moody blend of guaiac wood, agarwood, patchouli, black amber, blackened spices, botanical musk and conjures deep woods seeped in darkness, a turning inward, and “lost fragments of the night,” according to the perfumer.
Have you ever tried perfuming your bath? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Be Your Own Perfumer With These Next-Level Fragrance Blending Tips
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Elevate Your Scent Style With These 5 Royal Favorite Perfumes (You, Duchess You)
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Photo: Official Marilyn Monroe Instagram Page, Respective brands
