More summer, in a bar soap: Mistral's Island Palm. "A warm blend of orange blossom, magnolia and citrus evoking tropical sunshine, shimmering sea water, and the scent of sunscreen on the ocean breeze." $8 for 150g.
The daily lemming
Pretty packaging for Mistal's new Marbles Soap Collection: "Introducing our new Marbles Soap Collection... Quadruple Milled with gorgeous papers. Could you imagine a bathroom covered in one of these dreamy prints? New scents, the Citrus is intoxicating... Rose Peony, Cassis, Dahlia, Marine and of course, Verbena." $9.50 each for a 200g bar at Mistral.
Long Hot Summer ~ Soaps for the Sultry Days Ahead
Here at Now Smell This we know it doesn’t take long to spend LOTS of money on scented toiletries (I’m not talking perfume, either). I’m a big fan of fragranced bath products, and current pricing for “fine” soaps and bath gels is high. Who’d have ever thought Diptyque and Frédéric Malle would be on the bargain end of ‘exclusive’ bath lines? Diptyque shower gels are $44 and a bar of scented soap is $15 (reasonable!); Frédéric Malle body wash is $55.
Bath gels sell for what perfume used to cost — Hermès cleansing gel: $59; Tom Ford shower gel: $65; Bond no. 9 body wash: $75; Sisley shower gel: $85; Creed body wash: $95. Fancy soaps are less expensive to buy and go from the “low end” (Jo Malone and Atelier Cologne, $20 a bar; Hermès soap, $22; Chanel No. 5 soap, $26 per cake) to high and higher end — Bvlgari soap, $30 a bar; one Guerlain Shalimar soap, $31; Tom Ford soaps: $35 each, and, as with bath gels, Creed is most expensive at $45 per tablet (I’ll pass).
Hey, Roja Dove and Clive Christian! Have you lost your nerve(s)? I was expecting over-priced bars of soap from each of you for at least $100 apiece and bath gels (with pulverized Swarovski crystals and gold leaf) for $400 in 8 oz. over-dreck-o-rated bottles!
Though I’ve enjoyed many of the soaps listed above (Diptyque, Hermès, Atelier Cologne and Guerlain), today I’m writing about less expensive options that deliver great lather and quality aromas.
Kappus Violet Lilac | Germany, $4: This is an old-fashioned-smelling violet and lilac glycerin soap…
Fragrance gifts for Mother’s Day 2015, part 2
The second (and last) set of gift ideas for Mother’s Day 2015, which is coming up soon — Sunday, 10 May.
From Jo Malone, the limited edition White Lilac & Rhubarb candle: “Jo Malone White Lilac & Rhubarb Candle is scented with a daring juxtaposition of tart and vibrant rhubarb, powdery white lilac and sensual rose. It’s the blooming scent of an early summer garden.” 45 hour burn time, $70 at Nordstrom…
Mistral Cote d’Azur & White Flowers ~ new fragrances
Mistral has streamlined and repackaged their fragrance collection. Three older fragrances — Lychee Rose, Lavender and Verbena — have remained, and two new fragrances have been introduced: Côte d’Azur and White Flowers…