Today's poll is about scented functional products: please tell us about a few of your favorite scented products for skin, hair, or house cleaning.
Before I list my own favorites, I wanted to mention that Now Smell This has been having some performance issues this week — apologies to anyone who has had difficulty commenting. We're moving to a new server next week and hopefully that is going to get everything straightened out.
Here are a few of my scented favorites:
EO Wild Rose & Coconut Conditioning Serum: excellent for keeping my "bad hair" reasonably smooth, and it doesn't have any silicone — some of us find silicone-based products very drying. Must be used sparingly (I use a drop or two before blow-drying), and happily, smells more like the wild rose than the coconut. The smell doesn't really linger, but it makes the product pleasant to use.
Alaffia Rooibos & Shea Butter Antioxidant Face Cream ~ I have no idea if it's really doing anything for my face other than moisturizing, but I don't much care since I rely on Retin-A and vitamin C serums for treatment. On its own, the Alaffia has a wonderful ylang ylang aroma, but I find the consistency too rich so I cut it to a serum/gel strength with Jason Aloe Vera and Heritage Products Rosewater & Glycerin, and then it smells even better. If you like the smell, you should also try Alaffia's Shea & Honey conditioner, which is scented with sweet orange and ylang ylang, and is another one of my staples.
Alba Kona Coffee After-Sun Lotion ~ Jessica reviewed the Kona Coffee lotion back in 2008, and I bought some right away; I'm on my second bottle now. It's strongly scented, and the smell does linger. Perfect for summer afternoons when you don't really feel like wearing perfume.
Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid Lemongrass & Clementine Zest ~ I really like the smell, but it's so mild that sometimes I don't even notice it. After reading Jessica's review of Mrs. Meyers Bluebell yesterday, I'm thinking I might need to check out Mrs. Meyer's Geranium.
Note: image is strawberry times [cropped] by marfis75 at flickr; some rights reserved.
Today I’m in Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier.
This one arrived with four other samples yesterday and I pretty much enjoy it, just as expected. And the quality is great – it really smells like made of fine ingredients only.
My parents went to the seaside for a weekend but I decided to stay home and surround myself with books. Only one more exam to pass before getting my university 1st degree. Wanted to take a break and go for a bike ride, but it started to rain the very moment I went outside.
I’m a big fan of Original Source shower gels and I also enjoy a few products from Kings&Queens line, especially pepper bergamot.
Are you doing ok my friends? Any new sniffs this week?
Hi Lucas! I know how you feel about wanting to do something outside and as soon as you get there it rains. That’s been my luck all week. I no sooner would get home from work and want to cut the grass and it started raining. I’m way behind on my garden chores.
That sounds like a bad luck. Hope that your garden won’t get mad at you. Luckily the weather became better so I went on a bike ride after dinner.
Wishing you more sun so that you can take care of your plants in the garden!
Good luck with your final exam, Lucas! My recent fragrant discovery is OJ Sampaquita. I got a complimentary sample from OJ. It’s nice, but not for me. Whilst shopping in OJ Sloane Square, I sniffed the Casablanca Lily candle and it’s gorgeous. I was told that the perfume has been in the making for several years. I can’t wait for its release.
Sounds like a great sniffing. I’ve never tried anything from OJ. I hope to give it a try once I arrive in London one day!
I would love a lily scent done by OJ! Can’t wait! Someday soon I hope to visit London, for many reasons but very much also to visit an OJ boutique.
Lucas, good luck with the exam!
I am fond of an Australian company called A’kin, which makes toiletry products that are very gentle and organic. Particularly like their orange blossom shower gel. They also have nice shampoos too, all fragranced with natural essences like mandarin, lavender or geranium, and they have a good range of face products. It was my auntie’s 80th birthday today so I gave her lots of A’kin creams and gels, along with a silk scarf – she’s still trendy!
Hi Jillie! Thanks! I’m so happy it’s the last one. I could use some vacation now.
I’ve never heard of A’kin products, they’re probably not distributed here in Poland, but orange blossom shower gel or a lavender one sound good. Original Source also uses natural ingredients. Last summer I bought a cooling mint shower gel and there was written “we used 300 mint leaves to create this one aromatic shower gel.”
Congratulations on your auntie’s 80th birthday. I’m sure she liked the present you gave her 🙂
I used to use the Original Source mint gels and loved how fresh and cool they made me feel. Sadly, these days they hurt my sensitive skin, but still yearn for their zing when I’m hot.
Looks like we all tend to get a sensitive skin. I’ve got a very sensitive face skin while it’s also mixed type at the same time. It took me ages to find a good after shave balm.
Good luck with exams! 🙂
Thanks sweetie!
I’m not much for non-perfume scented body products–mostly because I don’t want to interfere with my perfume! I have been known to throw out perfectly usable bottles that aren’t finished because the scent was distracting or became unpleasant to me.
I do use Mrs. Myers Basil all-purpose cleaner for mopping floors, cleaning the bathroom, and such. I like the scent far better than most of the other options out there. I also have a soft-spot for Bounty dryer sheets for that just-from-the-dryer scent. Very cozy! 🙂
My eighth-graders had their last class day yesterday. Next week is conferences, promotion, and other end-of-the-year business. *wipes brow* It’s been a tough year, and I am SO READY to catch up on my sleep! Also about time to focus on other interests for a while aside from teaching! On the project list so far. . .
*buy a house (I know, small project!)
*use some of the gift cards I’ve been given! I have one from Perfume House, with which I weirdly haven’t found a FB I wish to purchase.
*maybe take some dance classes–I used to dance a lot (ballet, contemporary, belly dance), and I’m missing it these days!
*keep my eyes and heart open to finding a new sweetie! Got a little taste of male attention last month, and it made me realize how much I miss it! He wasn’t the right guy, but I’ve gotta believe a good-smelling hottie like me can find him out there! 😀
I think today I’ll dabble in two of those goals–gonna test some samples that have been laying aside for far too long–is my new FB-worthy purchase sitting in there? I will also likely attend a “homeownership fair” being held at a local non-profit this afternoon. Don’t expect anything mind-blowing, but maybe a few leads?
Happy weekend, all!
Glad to here the end of the school year is in sight. Good luck with your house hunting! It’s stressful but fun too.
I used to belly dance. I don’t know how good I was but I had a blast doing it. I’d like to possibly get back into it. I still have some friends who do it, but I haven’t found the time. So many other things I want to do too.
Belly dance felt like such a liberation after years of ballet and more formal dance training! It is so organic, feminine, and liberating! I am also of the belief that ANY kind of music can be belly danced to! (Whereas, my ballet was pretty useless on the dance floor!)
I agree. You can belly dance to anything. Even things that don’t sound like music. Rachel Brice is proof of that. I swear that woman has no bones. Ballet is beautiful though. I do like doing some ballet stuff when I exercise because it does work the muscles and I get some good stretches. I was never good at dancing ballet though. Love watching it.
Yes, I still find myself using my ballet stretches and some of the floor exercises. I’m not nearly as flexible as I once was, but I’ve been working towards it again in a more focused manner this spring. Something so beautiful about being able to move freely! And I completely agree–watching ballet is wonderful and inspiring! I’ve actually got a flyer from Oregon Ballet Theater glaring at me on the kitchen table right now, and I’m trying to decide if I should splurge on a few tickets for the coming season!
YES, you’re so right. Rachel Brice has NO bones. Isn’t she just amazing? Very…snake-like, and I mean that in a good way. I took a week-liong class from her and she kicked our butts! Just incredible, and I use her as inspiration to move slowly and gracefully to ANY music. I think it uses a LOT more muscles than we think. To be that slow and controlled takes massive strength.
I did a one day seminar with her and practically needed medical attention. It was great though.
My, that’s an impressive to-do list! If I had Perfume House on my list, I’d leap at it. I’ve only been there once, and I drool at the thought of my next visit. And like you, I am counting the hours until the end of spring quarter.
:] Too much, you think? It’s a funny thing about teaching: I find that it creates a yearly rhythm of tasks and postponed tasks! I don’t know a single teacher who doesn’t have a summer to-do list of some kind or another. Maybe not so life-changing as buying a first house and meeting the man of their dreams, though!
Hi Marjorie Rose! I like Mrs Myer’s geranium loo cleaner, but it’s a bit extravagant for me as it costs a lot here in the UK.
Like you, must find a house – we are living in rented right now, with our house money tied up in the bank, and the way things are going I am dreading losing it. Need somewhere to call our own. It also should have room for all my perfumes, teas, wine and books (I suppose I need an annexe …..).
I don’t know how any men could resist someone who smells as good as you! The right one is waiting just around the corner.
Thanks, Jillie! I do sometimes wonder if my perfume could draw the right guy towards me! 🙂 Still waiting for the day. . .”Pardon me, but you smell WONDERFUL!” tee hee! Could happen, right?
I know what you mean about needing the security of one’s own place. I’ve been in my apartment for 6 years now, but I’ve seen my landlady go through these “cleaning house” phases when she gives notice to several of the tenants at once. I don’t have any reason to think she would want to get rid of me, but she could price the place out of my range or decide that my 3 cats are too much of a liability, or who knows? Besides, I hate that my money doesn’t stay my money but becomes HER money each month!
The whims of a former landlord are exactly what drove me to buy my first house. It was unbelievably empowering.
Oh that’s good to hear! I seem to be chatting with a lot of grumpy homeowners lately who seem to regret the mowing, maintenance, and other tasks that we “lucky” renters don’t need to contend with. I think they forget the lack of security. . .
The chores and upkeep can be annoying but I love being able to do whatever I want as far as decorating and stuff like that. It’s a labor of love. I don’t even ask my husband for permission when I get the urge to paint or put in a new flowerbed. I hate the work someways but most days I love owning my home.
You do get to have things the way you want them, even though it can be a lot of work and money. Houses aren’t really the best investment anymore, but we all have to pay for shelter. My home is my Soul Palace, though– much more important than shelter. But I’ve become a stickler for having things my way. I also make most of mynown clothes.
Oh, you are so right! We feel that the landlord could get rid of us at any moment, and we and the two kitties would have all the expense and stress of finding a new place to rent. It’s not that easy when you have felines. And this place has white carpets!!!! Not ideal for fur-balls, and I live in trepidation the whole time.
I definitely think perfume can be a man magnet, and remember a really lovely chap being intrigued by my Rive Gauche in the 70s. Sadly (or perhaps I should say happily), I turned him down, but I remember that perfume fondly. Of course, it might just be a chat-up line that guys use: “You smell good” – but so what? It makes for an introduction!
White carpets are the worst! I have these light beige carpets, which are bad enough. I’ve learned to keep carpet-cleaner handy in a spray bottle for kitty mishaps. Only thing that works!
Oh, and I’ll take any excuse for an introduction! Maybe it’s just where I live? but it seems that I get a fair amount of admiring smiles and almost no conversation!
I should just say that I am not worried about being extravagant about the perfumes I wear myself, just not for those that are going down the toilet!
I recently received some samples of Dermalogica’s new serum (actually a face oil) and was pleasantly surprised that it had a rather wonderful jasmine scent.
An old favourite of mine is Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Body Oil. It sinks right in and the scent is noticeable but not over-powering so it works best in hot weather when both body lotions/creams and perfume can be a bit much. Alas, the weather’s awful here and “wet summer” was mentioned on the news last night so who knows if I’ll even get to use it this year *sigh*
A jasmine serum would be nice. My Skinceuticals Vit C does not smell good at all.
Oh I just love the Elemis Frangipani Monoi oil too, and its matching shower cream, which is is so rich and moisturising. I find it nice to layer with AG Songes, I think it complements it nicely. In fact, I think I’ll wear that tomorrow, and try to forget about the miserable rain and grey skies:)
That shower cream sounds amazing. Frangipani is one of my very favorite scents.
(and I wish I could use the oil, too, but my skin makes enough of that on its own!)
Favorite scented product–Ibiza Party Shampoo from Lush. I have loved this from the first time I smelled it in 1999 while on vacation in Vancouver; I have bought it off ebay when it was discontinued; I bought some the day I discovered that Lush was offering it online as a Retro favorite….I just love having a spicy carnation shampoo
I went into NY and ended up buying Le Labo Labdanum 18 but if I’d come down the street from the other end, I would have found the Atelier Colognes store first, and ended up with Ambre Nue. I am going to be in such perfume trouble once I’m going to school in NY. Got accepted to acupuncture school yesterday, so it’ll be 2 1/2 months to moving day. Woooo! Shouldn’t really have bought more perfume because then it’s another thing to pack, but oh well…..
Congrats on your acceptance into school.
Spicy carnation shampoo sounds great. What do you think of the Labdanum 18? I haven’t tried any Le Labo scents yet but that one is on my maybe list of samples I might want.
The Labdanum 18 is kind of driving me crazy–sometimes it’s a fluffy vanilla musk but then 10 minutes later it’s dry, slightly bitter, with a teensy whiff of char over leather then it switches back to the fluffy mode next time I sniff. When I tested it last year, it stayed more firmly in the leathery resinous mode (which I like better). Sillage is moderate to close on me and tenacity is very good
Congratulations, that’s great! Good luck with the move to NY.
While I usually look for fragrance free face, body and hair products, I do sometimes end up with those that are fragranced because I like how they work on me and I happen to either like or don’t mind the scent. One of my favorite collections is Estee Lauder’s Nutritious line. The scent is fruity-green and is reminiscent (no pun intended!) of Un Jardin Sur le Toit. I have only seen this line at Nordstrom and esteelauder.com but it’s probably available elsewhere that I don’t frequent.
I have not even heard of Nutritious — will have to check it out at Nordstrom.
Like Marjoire Rose I don’t like them to clash with my daytime perfume. I use scented body products only in the evening after my bath. And in that area I’m afraid I’m rather a slut! I have a huge antique free standing tub, a bath pillow and wire shelf that goes across one end. A candle, a glass of wine (or on bad nights, scotch straight up), and often a small chocolate eases my cares and woes. I love bath oil and am currently in love with Geranium by Ortigia. It’s a big tub and I’m lavish LOL. I can’t resist bath items when I travel as souvenirs and that brings me to my question for all of you: I’ll be in Milan in November for a brief visit. Besides 10 Corso Como, any advise on scents or shops I should visit? I prefer scents from the country I’m in. Thank you.
I LOVE to soak in a tub after a long day! Your set-up sounds really enviable, too! I’ve heard about perfumed bath oils, but I haven’t explored them at all. Sometimes I’ll spray myself with something right before I soak, though, even knowing that it won’t last very long because I want the scent.
I have the Ortigia Ambra Nera bath oil, and it’s great — vaguely reminiscent of Tauer’s L’Air (love the packaging too). I’m jealous of your bath setup — mine’s not nearly so sybaritic, but it still does the trick!
“sybaritic”–what a wonderful word! It’s not common for me to learn a new one! Do you feel that it has a clear distinction with “hedonistic?” (A word I occasionally use without shame to describe myself!)
Hmm, somehow hedonistic seems more self-indulgent to me, whereas sybaritic has more positive connotations, like you’re just joyfully reveling in your fabulous bathtub. Speaking of which, I’m going to do just that in about 10 minutes!
Oh, well I am definitely ok with my tendencies to revel in pleasurable experiences! I will have to practice using sybaritic to describe those moments! Thanks! (And hope you have a lovely bath!)
Goodness, what an amazing setup! Since you mentioned both bath oil and 10 Corso Como, have you tried the 10CC bath oil? I’ve been curious about it since I saw it on Luckyscent.
I’ve sampled the 10CC fragrance and really like it but have not tried the bath oil. I may treat myself to it. I keep putting it in the shopping cart. Taking it out of the shopping cart… One of these days I’m going to cave and purchase it.
I should get out my sample of the 10CC fragrance again — I liked it, but didn’t love it. I guess I was expecting a lot more incense. It seemed like the bath oil would be nice, though.
I adore geranium! I grow scented geraniums, and the rose geraniums are my favorites. I’m going to order the Ortigia unsniffed from Amazon.uk I’m sure I’ll love it!
As I have sensitive skin that reacts to some synthetic ingredients, I normally use fragrance free and organic or natural body and hair products. I love Beautifully Delicious Papaya & Mango Body Butter. It is a rich and yummy smelling butter and keeps my heels baby soft. I also love Neal’s Yard Sensual Jasmine Body Cream. Although Aussie hair products are not exactly organic, I have had no problems with them and I like the smell of the Miracle Moiste shampoo and conditioner. My SOTD is VC & A Gardenia Petale. It is such a beautiful scent, I just couldn’t resist buying a full bottle!
Great sotd Ladymurasaki! I really like Bois d’Iris from the VC&A line. I’m sure your sensitive skin would enjoy our Polish cosmetics brands like Ziaja or Tolpa, they make great products dedicated to sensitive skin.
Are they organic or natural, though? I have problems even with skincare lines for delicate skin if they are not natural or organic. It’s such a bore, but I spent a whole year, weeding out the culprit and discovered that I am sensitive to synthetic ingredients in body and hair products. Then, I came across a miracle solution – Polynesian tamanu oil. It’s cleared all the eczema from my skin.
As far as I know they don’t contain any parabens and silicons in their cosmetic and they contain natural extracts.
Thanks!
Thanks for mentioning this. Even though I’ve been off the Prednisone for a year, it messed me up so much that I developed eczema and psoriasis that hasn’t gone away. I just googled the oil and it sounds like maybe, just maybe it will help me. Another product to order 🙂
I have tried everything under the sun for my condition. Diets, supplements, ointments… you name it, I’ve done them all. Tamanu oil really works. I have always gone for organic and natural stuff, but switching body products to an organic fragrance free one and applying tamanu oil on regular basis has cleared years of eczema in a matter of weeks. Get the organic one if you can and good luck!
I love scented products. I have more body lotions and creams than any one person will ever need. I love finding cheap thrills at discounters like TJ Maxx. Today I picked up a Diane gift set with the EDT and the body cream for $15. I know the scent is nothing spectacular but it is pretty and not a sweet fruity floral so for that price I could not resist. Lush is quickly becoming a favorite store. Lots of goodies in there. My most recent purchase was the jasmine and henna Fluff Ease. I know it’s supposed to be a pre-shampoo conditioner but I actually use a small amount as a leave in because my hair is just that unruly. I love jasmine.
I love scented cleaning products and candles too. I do like the Mrs. Meyer’s dish soaps and I am always sniffing different fabric softeners. No true favorites there yet. I change every time. I like some of the Method scents too. Cucumber is nice. I like the Lavender floor cleaner. They also had a hand soap around the holidays called Winter Oak which I regret not stocking up on because I loved it.
Oooo, I liked Winter Oak too. Very hard to find even in the winter! I like Mrs. Meyers Geranium for cleaning the house in general. I started making my own products, sooooo much cheaper and work just as well. I’ve added geranium and vanilla oils to scent. Nothing overwhelming, just a hint.
I make a lot of my own cleaning stuff too. I do treat myself to the dish soaps and one or two other things once in a while though. I like cheap and effective when it comes to cleaning but now and then I splurge.
What a good idea! I have some essential oils that were given to me, but I don’t want to wear them (spearmint, lemongrass, sage . . . ).
THose would be perfect. It is so easy to do and there are tons of recipes on the internet (almost all the same w/ slight variations). Just add a drop or two of oil to scent the cleaner. I even put a couple of drops into my Bon Ami canister to scent that. I just cleaned the bathroom yesterday and to have it smell fresh and not all chemically was wonderful. Another trick I’ve done is put 2 drops of oil on the INSIDE of the toilet paper roll before putting it on the spindle. Each time you unroll and use a light scent wafts out. (My grandma taught me that).
Poodle, I agree re: Lush! I don’t think I’d want to work there (could you imagine the headache?) but they have such lovely and fun scents. This week I dropped $50 on perfume – Breath of God, 25:43 and a sample pack with eight 2ml samples of their “exclusive” line. A good bargain, in my opinion. But now I want to go back and buy some soaps, shampoo and body lotion. I’m hooked! 😛
I avoided going in there for the longest time. Then everyone on here kept talking about it and someone raved about the jasmine hair stuff so I had to check it out. Like a moth to a flame… I couldn’t work there either though, that smell is intense.
It’s not particularly luxurious, but Dr. Bronner’s soap has become a staple in my household after an absence of many years. I watched a documentary, http://magicsoapbox.com/doc/, and learned the incredible origin of the product and the man behind it. Bronner spent time in the same gothic mental hospital as my grandmother, and I imagine they knew each other. Right now I have a bottle of the rose scented soap. It’s so much more than a reminder of my hippie days.
It’s not particularly luxurious, but Dr. Bronner’s soap has become a staple in my household after an absence of many years. I watched a documentary, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap Box, and learned the incredible origin of the product and the man behind it. Bronner spent time in the same gothic mental hospital as my grandmother, and I imagine they knew each other. Right now I have a bottle of the rose scented soap. It’s so much more than a reminder of my hippie days.
Ooh, I love the eucalyptus Dr. Bronner’s. The bottles are always a good read, too.
I like those soaps too — I buy the little travels sizes, & I think I have rose, almond & citrus.
I remember Dr. Bronners – I’ve only every smelled the original mint one, though – now I’m intrigued by the rose.
The lavender is pretty, too.
The almond Dr. Bronners smells AMAZING. I think it’s my favorite almond-scented product ever. In fact, I tend to hoard it like it’s a vintage perfume or something. Which is ridiculous…I like using it to wash delicates.
Agree, and I don’t even usually like almond.
Watkins has a great spray for the shower, Menthol Camphor Relief Mist. A couple of spitzes into the steam opens me up and calms me down for yet another day of sniffing, Lush’s Godiva solid shampoo is my favorite jasmine, and Rub, Rub, Rub is sea salty bliss. I love the Molton Brown liquid hand soaps! The Amber Cocoon will get me to the sink quicker than an extreme case of OCD.
Re a previous post: The Perfume House is church!
Yes! The Perfume House = Her Holy Mother of the Scented Wrists!
🙂
Amen, Sister! What a magical place. I haven’t been in eons, but the owner gave me a master class one afternoon by being so generous with his knowledge and passion.
There’s a lavender farm a couple hundred miles away from me…they have a place called Lavender Ridge, where they make all their lavender products on site and they truly smell divine! They also have lavender sugars, teas, herbs. Really great quality lavender products.
Here’s a linky:
http://www.lavenderridgereno.com/LRproducts.htm
Nice, thanks!
I was interrupted this morning by cat shenanigans while I was spraying on my scent and when I got back to it I picked up the bottle next to it and now I am wearing a combination of Revlon’s Fire and Ice (which I intended to wear) and Lagerfeld’s Sun Moon Stars. Actually not a bad combo and in fact that is the reason they are next to each other in the “vanilla” tray. So I guess I am doing a cosmic-elemental thing today.
I have been pining away for the days of my youth lately, in particular with shampoo. I am so sick of fruity shampoos that smell mostly of green apple. What ever happened to the fresh green herbal scent of Clairol’s Herbal essence (the original) and Faberge Organics Wheat Germ Oil and Honey? I LOVED those scents. No such thing now. Good old Prell still smells like gardenia and honeysuckle, but it also dries your hair out to straw like it used to do in the 60-70’s too. I use Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle that smells like coconut and jojoba, and Fructis Style Curl Sculpting Cream Gel that smells like grapefruit and mangoes-but what I would not give for a whiff of that grassy herbal stuff again!
And that reminds me of a rant I have…who would want their underarms to smell like a baby’s diapered bottom when they sweat? What is up with the baby powder scented deoderants? Yuck I used one the other day at my sister’s house that smelled exactly like the scent used for Playtex Tampons! Talk about being self-conscious all day! I was afraid to lift my arms because I KNOW every female out recognized that scent too!
Other scents around the house? I adore Arm & Hammer’s Clean Burst fragrance to their laundry soap–it is the perfect scent for clean laundry and takes me back to childhood riding bikes around the neighbors house passed her dryer vent as she did laundry… I also like the scent of Simple Green products–very pleasantly citrus in a slightly bitter direction. And I love the mulberry scented rug sprinkles I find at the dollar store.
YES! YES!! I HATE baby powder-scented deodorant! So gross. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way. I’ve noticed lately that deodorants (I mean, of the drugstore variety) have been expanding their “line-up” of available scents, which makes me happy. For the longest time, the only options available were baby powder or “sporty fresh”, both of which were horrible.
I remember Herbal Essence! That would be the 70s in a bottle if we could find it. 🙂
The L’Oreal EverPure series (sulfate free) has some nice scents, like rosemary and mint. Not too heavy, don’t last but are pleasant in the bath.
A few of my favorite scented bath & body products:
-Dr. Hauschka rose body oil (love)
-Savon de Marseilles rose hand wash (bright and happy rose)
-Cowshed lazy cow shower gel (I used this years ago, but the scent still haunts me)
-Evanhealy whipped patchouli vanilla shea butter (in a word, amazing)
Now I am curious — what does the Lazy Cow smell like?
It’s a blend of jasmine and sandalwood and I remember a tiny bit of vanilla thrown in for good measure. I tend to gravitate towards the more soothing (as opposed to invigorating) scents.
Hmmm. What to wear to the roller derby tonight?
Something fun and in-yo’-FACE? On days where I feel like partying, I go for Givenchy Hot Couture. What are some other loud scents?
I would go with Bvlgari Black (also terrific to wear to barbecues).
OOoh, that’s a good suggestion!
I wore Bandit and I had a blast!
Fun posts to read! I’m currently loving Carol’s Daughter Monoi shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask. Not only do they smell wonderful, but they really do help with dry, fragile hair. Carol’s Daughter led the wmay in designing products for women of color, which I am not (unless freckles count) but their products – paraben, sulfate, and mineral oil free – work for all women. I’m also enjoying a magnolia-scented dry body oil spray of theirs – nice for after an evening bath or shower!
Just looked at the shampoo, & am interested. How strong is the gardenia smell, and does it last after the hair is dry?
I’m glad you mentioned that, I had a sample of that magnolia oil, and have been hoping they’ll do a full bodycare line with it, but they hadn’t last time I checked.
Oddly enough, thier hair products don’t work well for me, though I have been reluctant to go back and try any of the new lines. I am black, so I expected them to work but…*shrug* As much as I abuse my hair (relaxing and dying) I just settled on the Living proof Restore line, and I really like it. Last summer I used Curl Junkie though, and they’ve got some fantastic scents. The gardenia hair treatment was particularly pretty. They use a lot of avocado oil though, and as I have an allergy, I have to stay away now. Allergies are one of the reasons I haven’t been shopping much at Lush lately either. It seems like every other product I’m interested in has either avocado or banana in it.
I’m not sure about the ingredient lists but Ojon has some decent oils and treatment conditioners for hair. My hair is nothing but frizz and a few of their products help a bit. I switch around a lot trying to find that magic combination.
I’ve tried Ojon. I ended up giving it to my mother, who’s a diffrent hair type entirely (lucky thing doesn’t have to straighten her hair at -all-) and have been using just plain vitamin e oil to moisturize my own, that seems to work best for me right now. Winter may be a different story, though. I may need to go to Body Systems and lay in a supply of thier whipped shea butter. Or thier olive butter, that was pretty good too, last time I tried it.
Seventh Generation’s Lavender Floral & Mint dish soap is another good one – and I’m not much a lavender fan! The scent of that one seems to waft up to my nose more than the Lemongrass & Clementine when I’m doing dishes.
Another old fave cleaning scent – Murphy Oil Soap.
Agreed, the Lavender Floral & Mint is really nice. I like Seventh Generation products they smell really clean and fresh – less like “fragrance” and more like flowers and soap.
Good to know — will try that one next.
Yes! I have re-purchased that one multiple times. I also like many of the Mrs. Meyers scents for cleaning, but especially the geranium and basil ones. And the lavender is pleasant though it smells pretty much nothing like lavender.
Also, for people who like geranium — I recommend Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon.
I love each and every Youth-Dew body product (I have the bath oil, the body cream, and the dusting powder) but I suppose that doesn’t really count because it’s the same scent as the perfume.
I’m also a sucker for scented shower gels. My absolute favorites were the cedar and the juniper-rum scents from Korres, but those seem to have been discontinued (why, WHY???). I still like the jasmine and the basil-lemon scents, though. Alba’s Midnight Tuberose body wash is divine (and was on sale at CVS last time I stopped by) and some of the Yves Rocher ones are good cheap thrills (especially Comoran Ylang-Ylang). Also love Pacifica’s bar soaps (Madagascar Spice; Tibetan Mountain Temple) and Fresh’s giant oval soaps (I think Verbena is my favorite).
Haven’t really given much thought to scented cleaning products — but when I was a kid, I *loved* the smell of lemon Pledge. I’m sure my mother wondered why I was always so eager to help with the dusting.
Ditto on the Pacifica soaps! Wish I liked the Tibetan Mountain cream better, but didn’t work for me.
Here’s a tip Elena on Perfumeshine suggested a while back: put a pool of unscented lotion in the palm of your hand, spritz some perfume on to it, rub gently between your palms, and apply to your body.
This is delicious and I have been experimenting with applying various of my perfumes in this way. Rochas Femme and Dior’s Dune were wonderful. The lotion may smother the top notes of eau de cologne style perfumes, but with perfumes that are more robust it seems to be fine. It’s a great way of dampening down sillage for those times – at the movies, for instance – when you need to.
And – you need never buy the cream or lotion versions of your perfumes ever again if you don’t want to. You can make your own. So simple, wish I had thought of it years ago.
Nice tip, thanks!
I try to avoid scented products on my face, given that my skin is angry and complicated most of the time, but I do have a tea-tree oil masque that I use sometimes and I like how fresh and tingly it feels, and I find the scent of tea-tree oil to be uplifting.
For hair, I really like the smell of Bumble & bumble Surf Spray – it’s “beachy” in the aquatic, salty sense.
Weleda has a Wild Rose deodorant spray that is nice for freshening up – I spray it on after exercising or after a long day and it makes me feel perky.
For my body, I enjoy the Monoi line from Fruits and Passion – they carry a dry body oil, a body milk and this really rich body butter. So good. It’s not too heavy on the coconut, and doesn’t have that synthetic smell that a lot of “tropical” scents have. It just smells sweet, nutty and very monoi-y 🙂 The Body Shop also carries an Olive Oil body butter that is silky and rich (gives my legs a nice sheen in the summer) and smells fresh and green. But most of the time I just use unscented products so as not to interfere with my perfume.
For the house, though, I use unscented, natural products. My cats lick everything (weirdos), so I don’t want them poisoning themselves or anything. I’d like to find a nice room spray, but the ones that are in my budget are horrible, synthetic messes go up my nose and give me headaches, so i just avoid the stuff and open a window.
SOTD for me is The Smell of Weather Turning from Lush. Cool scent – goes from peppermint, to smoke, to something sweet – and fits perfectly with this crappy, rainy weather we’ve been having.
Have a lovely weekend, folks! 🙂
I like the Aloe and the Vitamin E Body Butter from The Body Shop. I have not tried the Olive Oil Body Butter…will check that out when I’m at the mall tomorrow. By far the very best fragrance free (no scent whatsoever) body butter is Clinique’s Deep Comfort Body Butter – I have used this in the winter and during the summer and it worked equally well for the extreme seasons.
I have The Body Shop’s Shea butter. It’s lovely in texture but it’s a bit too strongly fragranced (coumarin) and clashes with my sprays. I got some 100% unscented shea butter from Alaffia. It’s hard in the jar but smells earthy and is non confrontational.
I haven’t tried the body butter, but I do have some of the Olive Oil shower gel from the Body Shop. Nice stuff.
Like Jessica, sometimes housework can fill me with angry despair. WHY does it never end? Caldrea and Mrs. Meyers products can help.
As for bath products, I like Yves Rocher. Every year I visit Montreal, which has plenty of YR stores, and stock up. I could just buy it online, but it seems part of being back in my home town.
It’s true, cyclical chores are the worst.
I’m a fan of Burt’s Bees GÜD shampoo and conditioner in Vanilla Flame. I like that this isn’t a particularly sweet vanilla. It’s almost more sandalwoody. I’ve used the body wash too. Most of the time lately I use JASÖN tea tree body wash. It doesn’t really smell like tea tree, more like a rosy scent.
I just got some stuff from L’Occitane today: a candle in Fig Leaf, and a home spray (that will probably end up on me more than anything) in Provencal Landscape. It’s a really nice herbal-resinous scent that reminds me a little bit of some lavender/amber incense I bought there several years ago. It also kind of reminds me of Aftelier Amber.
And my LuckyScent sample order came today!! Yay! I got lots of good stuff, and I haven’t decided what to try first.
Hope you liked something in your new sample set!
So far so good. I tried Chypre Palatin last night and absolutely loved it. Too bad it’s so expensive. And I layered Diptyque Do Son and Tauer Pentachord Verdant today. Both are interesting on their own but not something I would probably wear.. but the combination is great! But I went outside and sweated off everything except the Iso E Super in the Pentachord, so then I guess I was basically wearing Molecule 01. It’s two perfumes in one!! 😛
Oh, god! This is a good poll for me since I am so in love with something and I need everyone’s help! Has anyone smelled the loreal ever Creme shampoo and conditioner. It smells so good! It says camellia but what the hell is that? If someone could smell it and tell me what perfume smells most like I would love u forever!!!!
I haven’t tried EverCreme, but I’ve tried the volumizing and strengthening ones from the EverPure series (also sulfate free, like EverCreme), and they do smell nice.
That’s a great question! I am dying to know too. I got the Evercreme cleansing conditioner and it smells so good.
Huh. Camellias are a common flower here in Portland, OR, but I don’t associate them with much, if any scent! I’m gonna have to stick my nose in one on my next walk and see if I can discern anything!
The only camellias I ever smelled were like a cross between rose and gardenia. Closer to rose, though, and not real strong.
Looking at the ingredients on drugstore.com — are you sure you don’t mean the Camelina Sativa Seed Oil? According to Wikipedia, it smells like almonds, but wouldn’t be at all sure it’s there for the smell or for functionality.
Is saliva seed oil the same as hemp oil?
No ->
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelina_sativa
It is camelina but like you said I have no idea if that’s the fragrance or not.
I don’t usually seek scented products, but Beautyhabit included samples of Nuxe Reve de Miel face cream and one of the Huile Prodigieux oils with an order. Those smell so fabulous that I’ll probably order them someday.
I have Diptyque hand balm for winter – it smells great and works perfectly.
I was having chronic irritation from deodorants, so when Gaia gave a thumbs up to Lavanila’s “Healthy Deodorant” on The Non-Blond, I had to try it. The vanilla coconut one was sold out, so I chose the vanilla grapefruit one. It doesn’t really smells like grapefruit, which is probably a GOOD thing, and the scent doesn’t last very long anyway. I’m just grateful that it worked well enough to give my skin a break. Now I alternate it with Secret Clinical Strength for sensitive skin and have had no more problems.
The only deodorant I can use without irritation is Tom’s of Maine. Sadly, they seem to have discontinued the regular ones in favor of the slightly harsher “long-lasting” variety, but it’s still way less of a problem than traditional stuff. None of the scents totally wow me–I think they briefly had a pine one, probably meant for guys, that I liked ok. Mostly I just opt for unscented.
Another good natural deodorant I’ve found is Arm & Hammer Essential Natural Deodorant – the Unscented has a light citrus scent at first but it’s very inobtrusive. I like it better than any of the Tom’s scents – you’re right, none of them really hit me over the head… and it works well – my husband even uses it! And yes, I bought him his own. 🙂
Marjorie Rose – it’s so annoying when they discontinue things that one actually likes and uses! It might be worth trying Lavanilla if you have a Sephora nearby. The first ingredient is aloe.
I’m loving the fresh fig scent from Pulp Friction by Soap & Glory. This has to be the best body scrub I’ve ever tried; it doesn’t dry out my skin but there’s no oily residue either. I’ve also been loving the soaps by Stella Mare – the fig is gorgeous as is the nobile fir. I’ve found them at TJ Maxx – love finding goodies there!
That sounds yummy, I will check my TJ Maxx.
I love all things fig, so I’ll have to see if I can find that one. Our local TJMaxx usually has nothing but celebuscents though. 🙁
I hope the TJ Maxx near Wall St. has a better selection than just the celebuscents! I can’t believe I had only been to that store once since it opened last year and it is closer than the Hermes boutique.
I love your picks Robin! I also am a skinceuticals vitamon c serum user (and yes, it smells like hot dogs – ugh) as well as a retin-a user (i can only tolerate it two or three times a week) so will definitely check out your moisturizer picks. The rose hair serum sounds amazing too. I already said this on another post, but my favorite bath and shower gels these days are diptyque’s. The make for a really luxurious and beautiful bubble bath. Kai bubble bath and Kiehl’s gardenia bath and shower gel are my other favorites. I also want to check out Jurlique’s new jasmine shower gel. An old favorite from years and years ago was Alba midnight tuberose bath and shower gel. It’s not exactly ‘real’ smelling but it has a nice blue medicinal note to it. Happy bathing, everyone!
Ah, we sound the same — I use Retin A every other night, and cycle between .5 regular and 1.0 micro. The Alaffia helps w/ any residual flaking, which I do still get sometimes.
Let me know about the Jurlique after you try it…might want to give it a shot after I use up my Lush Flying Fox. I do like jasmine in the shower.
Oh yes, I still get the flaking too. And if I try to wear makeup over the flakes? Forget it! Will pick up the jurlique next time I’m at whole foods and let you know how it is.
Yeah, just as well I’m too lazy to fuss with makeup other than mascara.
Oh! I just bought the most fabulously delicious smelling hand soap I’ve ever owned in my life. It’s so good I’m planning to use it as a bath and shower gel also (the ingredients in this case are identical). It’s called Rok Mint by Molton Brown. I cannot recommend it enough!
Here are some of my favorites.
Bath/shower: Favorite soap EVER is Patchouli from Santa Maria Novella. One unwrapped bar will scent your whole bathroom pleasantly (not too strong!) It’s expensive, but lasts a long time and is really worth it.
Organic Wild Rose sea salts from Lavera (also called Rose Garden Body Spa). Any of their products in this scent are lovely.
Patchouli-Lavender-Rose Mineral Powder from Sabon. Makes for a lovely, relaxing scented bath.
Kneipp Foaming Lavender-Wild Rose bath oil (not the same as their foam bath). This is the best stuff for when you really need to de-stress.
Molton Brown Invigorating Suma Ginseng Bath and Shower. I’ve been using this for over ten years, maybe 15, and still love it. It really is invigorating. Perhaps it’s more of a man’s scent, but I first discovered it as a unisex shower goodie in a luxury NY hotel and had to hunt it down in London.
Hair: Mizani Coconut Souffle moisturizing hairdressing. Smells wonderful and works really well.
My hairdresser sold me a bottle of ICON India oil which I loved at first (good hair treatment) but now I find the perfumed smell overpowering and am starting to seriously dislike it.
Household cleaner: Zoflora Concentrated Disinfectant. My favorite scent in this is ‘Springtime’. I have four cats and a giant dog (often wet and muddy). This cleans floors and vanquishes pet odors and smells really nice. A few drops in a bucket of water or diluted on a cloth and you’re good to go.
I love heavily scented bars like that…the Frederic Malle soaps are the same, but the price is crazy.
I adore the mango scented bath/body products from the Body Shop…
Other than that, don’t have much to add, except – how do we change our photo on our avatar?
Wore Molyneux Quartz (for men) all weekend, as the thrill of wearing a scent that smells exactly like Amouage Lyric on my skin (but for 1/9th of the price) was too impossible to resist. Blind-bought both female and male scents, but find the female one yucky.
See 3rd paragraph under “user accounts”.
Oh, and once you get it set up, don’t worry if it doesn’t appear right away…wait an hour before you worry.
Hello all! Like many of you I favor unscented body products. I do make exceptions for products that are, well, exceptional:
EO hand sanitizer in organic lavender: Lovely scent and minimal residue.
Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap in lemon verbena: Not overbearing as many scented hand soaps can be.
LUSH Jumping Juniper solid shampoo: A little goes a long way!
I tried one of the coconut Lush solid shampoos & was very impressed. But too messy to store in the shower.
Love Kevin Murphy’s Angel Wash shampoo. No sulphates or parabens and leaves your hair soft and shiny. And smells…well, angelic!
Wound up with some Clarins Ultra-Matte Rebalancing Lotion (way out of my normal price range) and find it reminds me of what Vent Vert smelled like in the late 60s-70s.
I like Queen Helene Mint Julep deodorant – minty/chlorophyl. Also L’Occitane shea butter in Apricot Flower for lip balm, cuticles, etc. Favorite body butter is Pacifica Spanish Amber. It reminds me of saddle soap. In a good way.
I love the smell of saddle soap…
I know this is off-topic, but I’m thrilled to have found my mini of Rykiel 7e Sens thanks to one of my cats figuring out how to open the linen closet – they are all too modest to take responsibility… It’s probably been 15 years since I’d seen it. Got it in 1984 or 85 in a GWP.
Still smells wonderful…
Oh, how much fun is that! I wish my cats would make a great discovery than that! Usually, they just find dust bunnies. . .
I really love (although fear it is hideously overpriced, and therefore only bought it once) the Neal’s Yard Orange Blossom Shampoo. The price bothers me because there are clearly other oils in it that are probably used more generously than the Neroli, and I kind of wish it was just pure. But it is absolutely lovely and luxurious to slather in your hair!
I like the scent of the Origins Mega Mushroom products and also their Leg Lifts.
More picks I forgot to mention earlier for anyone who likes to go decadent! Santa Maria Novella makes a body oil (Olio Cosmetico) that’s a gorgeous blue color and smells like heaven. Their body cream (Crema Idrasol) smells the same and is wonderful. I love anything SMN if only because their packaging is so stunning it’s like decor for the bathroom or bedroom. Outrageously prices, but sometimes you just need something beautiful in your life! And in the case of these two products, the smell and performance are as good as the package.
In the drugstore product realm, I just remembered a really amazing discontinued shampoo I used to stockpile in the late 90s. St Ives Gardenia Plus shampoo and conditioner. Does anyone recall this one? It came in a lilac colored bottle with a picture of a gardenia on it and smelled like creamy, milky gardenias. I loved it enough to use it as a body wash and a bubble bath as well as shampoo. I really, really lament the loss of that one! I’ve tried googling many times and it seems there is nary a mention of it anywhere on the entire internet 🙁
I just have to share my snapshot of olfactory nirvana. I am sitting on my front porch sniffing this: wall of climbing roses in bloom, freshly baked batch of oatmeal-cookie-smellin’ granola wafting out the front door, neighbor’s new-mown grass.
I stay away from scented body lotions during the day, but I use them at night. A friend recently gave me a gift set of small jars of Boots body butters. It contained almond, bergamot, cocoa butter, coconut, and mango. I’m loving the consistency of the product, and the scents are nice.
In the summer I use scented shampoo and body wash to combat the heat and humidity. I find Garden Botanika’s mint shampoo to be really invigorating and I’ll use a citrus body wash (usually either Bigelow’s Lemon or BBW’s White Citrus) – very refreshing!
Oo, I’d forgotten about Bigelow’s lemon shower gel! It used to be my favorite summer shower stuff, followed by the lemon body lotion. It would just hit ecactly the right cooling note, the only thing better was mixing it with a little bit of the menthol!