Is there anything in the world more luxurious and relaxing than a bath? Sure, there are massages and you’ve got facials, but living in New York, where the spaces are cramped and the tubs small, I’ve come to appreciate them even more. When at my parent’s house, where there’s a full tub, I soak until I prune.

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I like to create a different experience each night to match my mood. I might choose to pile in charcoal bath bombs to detox my skin, or ease away achy muscles with an Epsom salt stew, or pour in bubbles and foam galore to feel like the picture of all things girly. If you have an empty tub, the possibilities are endless—as these pro tips clearly show.

For a Colorful Bath

“One of my all-time favorite bath products is the Kneipp Herbal Bath in Red Poppy & Hemp. It dyes your water a perfect shade of fuchsia (they have formulas to cover the full ROY G. BIV spectrum, as well!). The poppy and hemp essential oils also help me to relax. I picked up from dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner that the perfect bath temp is about 82 degrees. He says that’s the temperature most people keep their pools at. After 10 minutes, I hop out and pat my skin with most luxe Stonewashed Turkish Towel. It makes me feel like a queen!” —Ali Finney, Women’s Health beauty editor 

Buy it: Kneipp Herbal Bath in Red Poppy & Hemp, $20, amazon.com 

For DIY Bliss

“Both Cleopatra and Napoleon’s sister took regular milk baths, so once a week, I give a nod to these historical beauties and soak for 20 minutes in this mixture to keep my skin summer-ready all winter long. My perfect recipe is three cups organic, full-fat milk, three tablespoons honey, two handfuls Epsom salts, and eight to 10 drops of lavender oil. The lactic acid found in whole milk gently sloughs away dead skin while delivering powerful hydration. Be sure to dissolve the honey in the milk (without boiling it) before adding to the bath.”  —De Anna Caoizzo, esthetician at Silver Mirror 

Check out how DIY beauty has evolved throughout the years:

preview for DIY Beauty Through the Years

For the Softest Skin

“Before I get in the tub, I dry brush my skin for a few minutes to slough away the dead skin cells with the Ecotools Dry Body Brush. Then, when I’m ready to get in, I add Fig & Yarrow Floral Milk Bath, rather than oils, to the water. Lipids help plump up the skin and the natural lactic acids help to exfoliate. When I get out, I spray Hand Chemistry Hyaluronic Body Mist before patting dry from head to toe. It has a ton of HA so it really locks in the moisture.” —Jenny Patinkin, makeup artist

Buy it: Fig & Yarrow Floral Milk Bath, $16.50, amazon.com 

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For a Sensory Experience

“Bath time is a wonderful way to reset your energy, and my favorite way to do this is with sea crystal bath salts, essential oils, and a candle. As you light the candle, set an intention. Then, throughout the bath, demand that the negative energy leave the space. Place natural sea salt crystals and a few drops of an essential oil into your running bath as you detoxify the body. I love lavender, which can sooth your crown chakra while calming and releasing energetic tension, as well as peppermint and rose to bring about love, forgiveness, and self acceptance.” —Mashell Tabe, esthetician/healer 

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