Ping! Between buzzing devices, bottomless feeds, and bursting diaries there’s one place left where many Australians are finding a slice of popup-free peace – the shower. With the best kind being a lock the door, dim the lights, dark shower. And, it’s not as weird as it sounds.
Inspired by new consumer research and guided by the insights of clinical psychologist Dr Rebecca Ray, Glow Lab is encouraging Aussies to switch off the lights, tune out the world, and rediscover the humble shower as a sanctuary – not a sprint. In fact, the beauty brand’s new campaign wants us to get steamy (and stress-free) in the dark.
According to the research, 30% of Australians say the shower is the only time they’re alone. It’s also the number one self-care space we turn to for mental rest, right behind sleep and nature. In other words, this simple daily ritual might be the only moment of calm in our entire day – so why not make the most of it?
That’s where the Glow Lab Dark Shower comes in. The idea is deliciously simple: turn off the lights, ditch your devices, and let warm water, soft steam and soothing scents bring you back to yourself. No emails. No doomscrolling. Just you, your thoughts, and maybe a luxurious lather or two.
Backed by science, this isn’t just a trend – it’s a tiny neurological hack. As Dr Ray explains, switching off bright lights and external stimulation helps the brain move into “rest mode,” calming the nervous system and helping us regulate our emotions. So while it may seem indulgent, a dark shower is actually a clever, calming reset. And in a world where 44% of Aussies say they feel burnt out and 67% can’t fully switch off at home, that reset is starting to feel essential.
TV personality and Glow Lab ambassador Jules Robinson is already on board. “I realised I was doing it without even thinking about it,” she says. “My night-time showers had naturally become darker and slower, a time to wind down and check in with myself. Now I understand why. And it’s become a ritual I genuinely look forward to.”
To help you try it for yourself, Glow Lab has even created a five-step guide to the perfect Dark Shower. It’s all about soft lighting (or none at all), mindful breathing, gentle textures and calming fragrances. And while you don’t need fancy products to start, their luxe body and hand care range is designed to make the experience even more grounding – and glowing.
The best part is that this isn’t about adding another thing to your routine. It’s about elevating something you already do – and reclaiming it as a moment of real self-care. So next time you’re about to jump in the shower, pause. Leave the lights off. Leave your phone behind. And let the steam do the rest.