I find myself using body oils more often in cold weather; somehow, in my mind, they seem to cut to the chase in moisturizing dry skin, particularly on rough knees and elbows. Yes, I could just use jojoba oil or everyday olive oil and get good results, but I inevitably prefer a product with appealing packaging or a more interesting fragrance. MBeze’s Body Oils fit both criteria. Their labels look like Pop Art interpretations of vintage magazine ads, and I’ve tried the oils from two of their available scent “collections” so far.
The “Aim to be Pleased” fragrance is described as “Determined, driven, never a dull moment. That’s the way you roll. We’ve taken cherry blossom and added just a dash of sandalwood to make this scent as brave as you are.” Aim to be Pleased is subtler than it sounds: the cherry blossom is a touch fruity, but retrained, and the sandalwood note is smooth and warm. This is an comfortable, neutral fragrance that isn’t likely to interfere with any perfume you apply afterwards; in any case, it fades away quietly. (I also went “off-label” and used this oil as a pre-wash conditioning treatment on my hair; it worked very well in that capacity!)
“Cruizee” is described in this way: “This clean scent of cucumber, jasmine and mint tea is very fitting for the laidback, Cruizee gal you are. It’s perfect for a relaxing afternoon of bumming with your friends, lounging by the pool, or doing... whatever!” I don’t normally enjoy “clean” or “fresh” scents, and I never lounge by any pool, but I was unexpectedly pleased by Cruizee. It’s blended so that no specific note dominates; there’s a hint of cucumber, but not enough to remind me of those horribly artificial “cucumber” body splashes from mall chain-stores. Instead, it’s an airy, spring-like scent that would coordinate well with Frederic Malle’s En Passant or L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Thé Pour Un Été.
The ingredients list for MBeze’s Body Oils is refreshingly simple: just a blend of natural oils (apricot kernel, grapeseed, sunflower, coconut, meadowfoam seed, and rose hip) plus vitamin E. The scents are phthalate-free blends of natural and synthetic fragrances. MBeze also offers body mists, perfume oils and “deodorettes” (pocket-size, solid-deodorant sticks) available in both these scents and five other fragrance blends; so, if there’s a scent that you especially like, you can “layer” it and enjoy it in various formats, or even change your product from season to season.
MBeze Body Oils sell for $22 for 8 oz or $5 for a 1 oz travel size, through the MBeze website.
For more body oil reviews, see Sabon Patchouli Lavender Vanilla and Essence of Vali Balance.
These sound like fun but I won’t be ordering on line since shipping is so pricey. I’ll stick with baby oil
Well, that’s always an economical option!
Ever try Sweet Almond oil? Or grapeseed oil? Both are very good for skin, virtually odorless and don’t cost very much more than baby oil. Both almond and grapeseed oil should be readily available at your local supermarket, very likely on the shelf above the olive oils. Baby oil always concerns me because it’s a petroleum product.
Oh, and they can be easily scented with a few drops of fragrance oil if you prefer a scented oil.
Brilliant tip! Thanks.
Great review, Jessica. How lovely these would be for a warm summer afternoon. And I love the travel size option. You can try a lot of these for not too much money, and its been my experience that even a little bit of body oil goes a long way so the prices really are pretty good even for the one ounce size.
AS, I ordered these two scents in travel sizes, and those smaller bottles do last a while! I believe they also sell sample vials of the various scents as perfume oils, for a reasonable price.
Hmm, never heard of Meadow foam seed oil before. These sound nice. I usually use virgin cold pressed olive oil, but I’m up to trying other ones.
Hi Laken, I definitely *eat* my share of olive oil, but for some reason I feel odd using it right on my skin… silly, I know!
Cucumber, mint tea, and jasmine? I’ve already bought some! They owe you a kickback!
Those deodorettes are cute. I’m going to put one in my gym bag.
Lemonprint, I also bought a deodorette in the “Twice Shy” scent, a sweet citrus scent. It’s definitely pocket-size, like a Crazylibellule perfume stick, so it’s best for touch-ups!
I always like your product reviews, Jessica. Most of these sound a little too fruity for my taste, though Sanura — orange-musk — could be nice, along with Cruizee. Cute packaging, so they’d make good gifts.
I’m all about oil because my skin’s so dry in cold (even “California cold”) weather, and I feel oil also helps whatever scent I apply for the day. Lately, I’ve been trying different, unscented Aura Cacia oils in succession: first apricot kernel, recently grapeseed. I’m really pleased with them. Oh, and I didn’t realize people used regular olive oil on skin; I think I’d be put off a bit by the odor (though I cook with it profusely).
I know, I think it’d make me hungry all day….I’d have to dash home and saute something! Better to use something that is odor free I think, other good ones are sunflower oil and avacado oil. And of course you know I like shea butter.
Aura Cacia makes some really nice products, both unscented carrier oils and scented oil blends! And you’re right, these would make really fun gifts. The labeling is great, and the glass bottles are good quality.
These oils sound really nice, i’ll keep an eye out for them. You’re right, they are definitely good for moisturising in the winter months. If anyone has access to Neal’s Yard products, I recommend their ‘warming ginger and juniper oil’! I sprinkle a few drops in a hot bath and then lather it all over myself after an aggressive exfoliation session. Does the trick!
I’m laughing at “aggressive exfoliation session.” Yes, oils do feel particularly moisturizing in cold/dry weather… I can almost hear my elbows sigh with relief!
YAY! MBeze, I love this company. I have to agree though I ordered Aim to be Pleased along with one of each deodorette and it wasn’t as stong as I would have liked. Ife didn’t dissapoint and Cruizee is defiantely a must for the fresh scent weary for a pleasant surprise! I will try to leave a rant/rave in regards to the other scents. Another company that has great body oils you may want to check out (I just placed a huge order with them) is Sensatia, scented by essential oils only and delightful formulations. Oils for the body and face! They also make delightful smelling soaps which in their CB30 series the soap content is 30% cocoa butter!!
olive oil is great as a natural sunscreen and keeps your colour form the sun for a long time. i mix jojoba/sesame(makes your skin really soft) in winter and summer is a mix of all different oils including olive oil.
i have just discovered khiels argan oil which is an amazing product for my very dry and curly hair!!!!! which can be used for body and face as well.