Although our summer "unofficially" ended on Labor Day and "officially" ended on September 23 with the autumnal equinox, my corner of the world was warm and steamy until this morning, when temperatures abruptly dropped thirty (!) degrees and a cool drizzle began (and lasted all day). As much as I look forward to fall, I do enjoy using fragrances and scented body products that evoke some ideal summer day at the seashore. Here are a few recommended items that I've recently tried.
Zum Bar Goat's Milk Soap in Sea Salt: Zum has been around so long, as a reliable standby in "health food stores" and the like, that sometimes I need to be reminded how much I like this brand. Their crinkle-cut bar soaps are effective and good-smelling. Sea Salt is a breezy natural blend of citrus, light woods, and a hint of patchouli. ($6.25 per bar at IndigoWild)
Mistral Luxury Bar Soap in Océan: This soap's scent is described as "cool marine breezes, sparkling blue water, and driftwood." To me, it smells more like the soap you'd use in a luxury hotel overlooking the Riviera, if that makes sense — very clean, in an upscale way. ($5 per bar at Smallflower)
Puracy Citrus & Sea Salt Natural Body Wash: This affordable natural shower gel is perfect for daily use, with gentle (but still sudsy) coconut-based cleansers and a tangy-fresh grapefruit and neroli fragrance that's a real mood-booster for me. Plus, I love the seahorse motif on the label. ($9.99 for 473 ml at Puracy)
C. O. Bigelow Aqua Mellis Hand Wash and Body Wash: I'm already a fan of the West Village Rose and Bergamot scents from this collection, and Aqua Mellis is my latest discovery. The Hand Wash smells like a bouquet of honeyed white florals and melon, but the Body Wash morphs and also gives off something a little earthier (vetiver?) in a hot shower. (Hand Wash, $18 for 310 ml; Body Wash $20 for 310 ml, at C. O. Bigelow)
Inis The Energy of the Sea Revitalizing Body Lotion: I've been familiar with the Inis fragrance for a long time but somehow never realized that matching body products were also available. The lotion is well-scented and it's true to the original composition of lemon, lily of the valley and very sheer woods. Worth trying if you're a fan of 1990s-era, Calone-heavy perfumes but want something subtler on your skin! ($20 for 200 ml at Smallflower)
Do you have any favorite ocean-themed body products? Feel free to share in the comments!
I rarely enjoy a sea smelling product cause a lot seem so detergenty..Thymes Azur I did enjoy though. I think it’s been discontinued and replaced with the Aqua Coralline line which I haven’t smelled.
I loved Azur! I’m sorry it’s gone. I haven’t tried Coralline yet.
I also like the Santorini line from Antica Farmacista.
I don’t know what it is about the zum bar but the soaps make me a bit sneezy,they are a little bit strong on that detergent vibe or whatever that is for me. The exception would probably be the mint ones.. they are dialed down a bit in that respect. I didn’t have much luck with the zum mists either.
I randomly got some Algemarin foam bath as a teen and loved it. It turned the water dark blue and smelled great and had a cool French-sounding name. Last year I got a wild hare to smell it again and was delighted that it was still findable – I wish I were better at describing smells, but if you like bubble baths, I would definitely recommend.
Ooh. I don’t know this one. Will look for it!
Algemarin is good stuff! I’ve got a bottle on the go right now. Used it since I was a teenager… it was something my Mum liked and we kids would often get a bottle for Christmas! That or Spring Green Vitabath which smells pretty great too.
I like the light turquoise coloured, Marine scented soaps and other bath and home products you get from French companies like Pré de Province or Lothantique. I suspect the Mistral one shown is similar. It’s not a calone type of scent at all. What it does remind me of is the original Eau de Givenchy. The one from the 80s with the blue marbled cap.