Olive & Oud is a small but very satisfying line of handmade, botanically fragranced soaps. I tend to be very particular about soap — its texture, its scent, its appearance — and very few brands inspire me to repurchase their wares. However, I tried and enjoyed two bars from Olive & Oud so much that I'll be going back for more.
These soaps are made using the cold process method; they are crafted from a base of olive oil, organic and sustainably grown palm oil, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and castor oil. They're lather-y yet moisturizing, they're cleverly tinted with natural pigments, and they have sophisticated, subtly blended fragrances.
Bonfire in the Snow soap (above left), which is off-white with a stripe of indigo and charcoal, combines cool and warm sensations in its ingredients: cedar, peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, cade (smoked juniper), cypress, basil, nutmeg and pepper. Reading that list, I thought Bonfire in the Snow's scent might be too masculine for my taste, but it turned out to be a just-right balance of minty-menthol notes with quiet woods and a very light hint of spice. I liked using it on a chilly morning, but it would probably also feel refreshing in the summer, thanks to its natural peppermint oil.
Emerge (above right) is a new addition to Olive & Oud's product line-up. It was inspired by an end-of-winter day "when the sky was gray but the bulbs were starting to come up," and it has "a scent reminiscent of tender green shoots emerging from damp soil." It contains — again, all botanical ingredients, nothing synthetic — cilantro, lemon and bergamot essential oils, patchouli, Peru balsam and mimosa absolute. It's colored with pinkish and taupe swirls of nettles and rose clay.
I'd love Emerge as a natural fragrance or a candle as well as a soap scent. It does have citrusy notes, but it's more complex than that: the cilantro oil adds its unique fruity-green character, and the balsamic and earthy notes keep everything grounded. It's a very smooth scent, and like Bonfire in the Snow, it's gender-neutral. It makes me feel happy. Both these soaps happen to feel perfect for this transitional season, but I'm sure I'll still be using them as the year rolls on.
(Oh, and as for the "oud" in the name of this line? I don't know whether any of the soaps actually contain oud — these two don't — but the Olive & Oud blog does include a post about the soap-maker's interest in the history and cultural significance of our old friend agarwood.)
Bonfire in the Snow and Emerge soaps are available for $6.25 (per 5-ounce bar) at the Olive & Oud shop on Etsy.
Jessica., thank you so much for this wonderful review! I’m thrilled to be featured here.
I apologize in advance to anyone who heads over to my shop and finds it nearly empty. I just filled a surprise wholesale order, and am busy busy in the soap studio restocking, but it takes about a month for soap to cure. I’m amping up production this spring so I hope I won’t be caught flat-footed again.
I don’t use oud in any of the soaps, but I do use it in the micro-batches of perfume I make for myself and a few local customers.
Thank you for stopping by!
I hope my timing hasn’t been bad with this review—it’s always good to hear that a small business is busy with orders, in any case!
There’s no such thing as bad timing with a review like this. I’m on top of the world.
These sound very intriguing. Mostly using pump soaps lately:
L’Occitane’s sweet almond is my standby, though I find the Bonne Mere ones less drying. Off to Etsy to peruse!
Galbanumgal, I love L’Occitane’s Bonne Mere soaps in the pumps — Honey, and the “plain” (milky-soapy) scent. Have fun perusing the O&O site!
I love Laura’s soaps, the scents and texture- especially the texture. My favorite is the sweet orange patchouli (and Tranquility). It is different from other orange patchouli soaps. Also really like her all-natural deodorant. You will love her shaving soap, J- it has a rose sandalwood scent..:)
I’d love to find an alternative to shave cream/gel, so I might check that out! and yes, rose/sandalwood is right up my scent-alley.
Jessica, I’m so glad you are enjoying your soaps!! I love everything Laura makes. Right now I am almost through Souk, and can’t wait to dive into Ode to Joy!
XOXO,
T
Just the idea of using a soap called Ode to Joy makes me smile!!
I’m also particular when it comes to soap . I prefer cold process , goat milk when possible , & as little dye/mica as possible . One company I really love is Chagrin Valley . I’m a big fan of their Goatmilk Oatmeal Honey & Chamomile & Calendula soaps . They also make a great vanilla bean whipped shea butter . I’ve tried many companies & always go back to this one .
I second chagrin valley soaps!! I love their Shea butter too. And the squalane mousse. And more recently their buttercream face wash..and.. Ok I’ll stop..:)
You know, I’ve often heard raves about Chagrin Valley’s products, and I still haven’t ordered from them! I need to revisit their site!
I bought a 3 or 4 soaps from Olive & Oud last year and all the scents were wonderful. I’ve yet to find a soap that leaves my skin feeling as moisturized as good ole Dove tho.
The scents really are a cut above, aren’t they? More like natural perfumes than basic essential oil blends.
I find Dove a bit heavy on the moisturising. Its so creamy I don’t always feel clean after using it which is why I prefer a natural soap that cleans without stripping, and if necessary to use a lotion afterwards.
Eeek, now I have to go check out the Etsy site. These soaps sound great, Jessica!
It’s worth a peek!
… and I subscribe to the school of instant gratification :-), specially for relatively inexpensive items.
Looking forward to trying these — I have an etsy gift card to spend! Plus, love finding cade wherever I can. Thanks for the pointer, Jessica.