Recently in Bath Category

We have the ultimate gift guide for the ultimate mom! We are giving you fantastic ideas so you can be sure to get your fantastic mom (or your baby mama) the gift she deserves. There is something for every kind of mom, all Snob Worthy of course =) Also, share some of your good ideas and some gifts you have given from past Mother's Day that were a huge hit.

Click here for The Ultimate Mother's Day Gift Guide.

I've written about Philip B before and now I'm excited to say that the whole Philip B Botanicals line has been reformulated to be environmentally friendly! The products are entirely paraben, phthalate and petrochemical-free, but they kept all the pure botanicals, so the line is truly better than ever. Plus they've got a bunch of delicious scents! Some personal picks include the Chai Latte Body Wash - it's inspired by the Starbucks Chai -- love Chai lattes..not Starbucks, but I'm still a fan of the product! It's formulated with honey (a natural alpha hydroxy acid and humectant that binds moisture to your skin, leaving it nice and soft), Milk Proteins for gentle exfoliation, Black Tea for tightening and toning, and a mix of pure Indian extracts (Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Black Pepper, and Nutmeg). I'm also a fan of the Thai Tea Body Wash which is enriched with fresh-cut lemongrass, ginger root, peppermint citronella, coconut, lime, pure herbal skin conditioners, and milk proteins. Both washes leave your skin soft (though I do have to put a bit of moisturizer on my legs after I shower). On a side note almost all of Philip's products come in travel-size -- perfect as we all plan our summer vacations!

In all my years of being obsessed with beauty products nothing comes even close to how much I LOVE Pangea. Seriously I can't think of a person who has come to my apartment that I haven't gone on and on about this line to! It's completely genius. The packaging is planteable! Soak the packaging of almost all of their products in water for one minute, plant it about 1" deep in soil, and voila! In just a few weeks you'll have flowering Amaranth (Bar Soaps), Genovese Sweet Basil (Facial Cream), even a spruce tree (Pangea Organics Pangea Gift Box -- buy and plant it now and maybe you'll have your very own Christmas tree by next winter!). They've got a ton of products to choose from. I personally love their Pangea Organics Lip Balm, Fennel with Grapefruit & Sweet Orange. I'm usually not a fan of fennel and previously have sworn by L'Occitane's Shea Butter one, but what can I say -- this one's better! Their Shower Gels are also nice and made entirely without synthetic preservatives, sulfates or detergents (so it's not a suddy mess!). Plus they're thick (ie concentrated to last longer and not watered down with water). I've also tried their bar soaps which smell and feel great only complaint is that they're not super long-lasting, but I love that the ingredients are chosen to have specific effects on the body and mind (ie Lavender with Damiana Tea clarifies the mind and soothes the body -- Lavender is antiseptic/relieves tension, while Damiana Tea is anti-inflammatory/aphrodisiac). The scents really do make them relaxing. They've also got great Hand & Body Lotions and about a million different face products as well as a nice selection of oils.

Love Chanel No. 5 so much you just want to bath in it? Now you can, Chanel has just introduced the No. 5 Milk Bath. It is perfect for Mother's Day since I think your mom is tired of getting perfume year after year. Well, I think the sons have no idea what else to get so that's the only thing they can think of. My husband has been getting perfume for his mom for 20 years now, she has an entire display of all the perfumes on her counter in the bathroom. I'm like, "Don't you think she has enough perfume? How much perfume do you think she needs?". I know, it's just the thought. Well, now that I am a mom and starting to have senior moments, I am ready for the perfume and milk bath set! At Chanel counters for $62.

Free of calories and dedicated to the animals of Easter as opposed to testing on them, I love the new Lush Easter treats -- not only cute, relaxing, but eco-conscious (handmade, loaded with natural ingredients, organic fruits and vegetables, fine essential oils, and ingredients that are ethically and sustainably procured), and they're free of excess packaging (or as they're saying egg-cess!). The new line of adorable bathing bunnies includes Bunny Bath Bombs ($4.95 each) -- which come in Fluff Bun (Marshmallow and Candy), Choco Bun (chocolate), English Country Bunkin (roses, blue mallow flowers, poppy and sunflower petals, geranium and sandalwood), and Honey Bun (aloe vera, rhassoul mud, sweet orange and bergamot oils), and Mini Egg Bath Bombs ($5.95) -- these are definitely not mini they're huge! They comes in Fluffy Egg, Choccy Egg, English Countryside (see Bunny Bath Bombs for description of scents), and Magic which is my fave -- it's formulated with marjoram oil, rose absolute, basil, and peppermint. Plus it has two layers so when you put it in a bath it will change colors and go from blue to pink (so fun for kids!). They've also got two Happy Easter Gift Sets ($29.95):
* Pink One: Candy Fluffy Bath Bomb shell holds Rock Star Soap and Flosty Gritter Bubble Bar
* Yellow One: Honey Bee Bath Bomb shell holds Honey I Washed the Kids Soap and Ma Bar Bubble Bar On a side note, if you're like me and rarely take baths, Lush has also got Emotibombs ($3.95), so shower-lovers can indulge in a bit of aromatherapy of their own -- just place the moisture-activated Emotibomb on your shower floor and it will releases essential oils and beautiful aromas!

I adore Jo Malone's Vintage Gardenia and talk about my obsession often. I guess my friend Melinda got the hint cuz she gave me three boxes of Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia candles and body cream for Christmas!  Who says I'm hard to shop for!?!?  Listen, if you have a friend who has everything-- get her Jo Malone. I promise you she will love it!   This Valentine's Day Jo Malone has a lovely set of Bath Oils for only $85-- it includes popular scents Amber & Lavender, Grapefruit, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Pomegranate Noir, Red Roses and Orange Blossom. She can test them all out to choose her favorite!   I know I love nothing more than indulging in a luxurious bath.  At Jo Malone Website. Hurry and order now in time for Valentine's Day!

Molton Brown celestial maracuja bathing nectar, $65; Molton Brown celestial maracuja body souffle $60

My love of Molton Brown cannot be easily described with words. I use the shower gel, bath gel, hand soap, lotion, candles and if they made food, I would change my diet. But my latest purchase of the celestial maracuja bathing nectar pretty much launched me to the stratosphere of an insane person. The bathing nectar is a mixture of oils and moisturizers, it does not bubble or foam, it works like a bath oil and turns your bath into a milky paradise. This scent is beyond heavenly, it is a mix of passion fruit and light florals like gardenia, tuberose and jasmine - it is not too sweet and not too floral. It is the passion fruit that is maddeningly divine though! Molton Brown is known for their over the top scents that pretty much pervades throughout your house once anyone uses it. Well, I want the entire world to smell like this. There are the 2 products featured here, a perfume and a sugar polish but they need to include every product in this scent just so I can have every part of me covered in it!! Celestial maracuja bathing nectar and body souffle at Spa Look, use code NT10 for $10 off and free shipping.

Sure there has been some bad and there definitely has been some ugly, but overall when it comes to beauty trends, 2008 was a smashing success! Check-out the first half of our Snob Trends of 2008!

1. Women Secretly Swear by their Clarisonic: I am OBSESSED with the Clarisonic! It is THE beauty product of 2008. It will clear your skin, make your pores smaller, and leave your face as soft as a baby's bum! Hands down worth every single penny it will cost you.

2. Mascara Wars: It was the battle between Lancome Oscillation, Estee Lauder's Turbo Lash, Givenchy's Phenomen 'Eyes Mascara , and SpinLash's Rotating Wand. In my book, it's Givenchy all the way!

3. Michelle Obama: Head-to-toe, the world was obsessed with every piece of Mrs. Obama!

4. Gadget Madness: Ladies went gaga for technology this year with everything from Zeno's Pro Acne Clearing Device, which uses heat to kill pimples, to Clean & Clear's Blackhead Eraserwhich uses a vibrating motion and foaming pad to exfoliate dead surface skin and remove dirt and oil.

5. Crimson Lips: For when you feel like making a statement -- just don't forget to brush your hair or risk looking like a Courtney Cox-esque train wreck! Plus, loving this trend is the perfect excuse to indulge in Kanebo's Crimson Red shade, Ginza, which is made with 24kt-gold-infused silk!

More after The Jump!

My friend Janet gave me a Jo Malone candle in Vintage Gardenia and I am now obsessed with the scent.  I have always been a gardenia freak; my dream is to have a garden full of gardenia trees so I can pick fresh gardenias every morning for my table (it can be done if my hubby would just build me a green house to store them during the cold months!) 

Is there anything more intoxicating or seductive than fresh gardenia?  I've tried every gardenia scent out there and Jo Malone is hands down one of the best! I don't even know how to explain it but it is the scent of old world glamour to me.  Not trendy nor boring, but glamorous and timelessly chic.

In light of the economy, I told my hubby I only want a few of the Vintage Gardenia candles in my stocking along with the body creme and bath oil, that's not too much to ask for, right?  I mean this is coming from a girl who used to ask for Fred Leighton baubles in her stocking!  Check out the Vintage Gardenia line here.

If you are not a Gardenia girl like me, there are many other drool worthy Jo Malone gift sets you can pick up for the beauty snob in your life in yummilicious scents such as Pomegranate Noir, Grapefruit, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Nectarine Blossom & Honey, Amber & Sweet Orange, Lime Blossom, Orange Blossom, and Wild Fig & Cassis.  Gift sets from $90-$1,200 at Jo Malone boutiques and counters at Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Bergdorfs.

I’ve been in this crazy, happy holiday daze lately. I’m embracing the holidays and am so excited to be going to see my family for Christmas that I broke down and tried a product I never thought I’d ever try again just because it smelled like candy canes! I’m kind of obsessed with Philosophy’s Candy Cane 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath. I’ll tell you this right now, do not use this as a shampoo! I didn’t even try with this bottle because when I used Cinnamon Buns, my hair was ripped apart and dried out after only one use. This is great to use as a body wash though. The crisp peppermint smell fills your shower up and pleasantly lingers on your skin. It put me in a holiday mood for the rest of the day. $20 at Sephora.com Philosophy Candy Cane 24 oz

I am a bath girl. Before giving birth I took luxuriously long baths daily, my tub was surrounded by candles, magazines and my favorite books. Flash to 2007, my toddler has taken over my bathtub or as he calls it "the swimming tub" which is now covered in plastic bath toys. When I discovered Fraiche, I thought the all natural hand made soaps and bath swizzles would make great stocking stuffers for my girlfriends. I didn't even contemplate trying them for myself at first because I have not had time for a bath in months! When I received my box however, the scent of honeysuckle and gardenia (my favorite!) tempted me and when I read all the ingredients were organic and molded by hand, I knew I had to take an hour off from my life to indulge. I put my son to bed a bit earlier than usual (he actually needed it as he did not nap, so don't feel sorry for him!) and told my husband I was not going out as planned. I needed a break from our busy social calendar and what better way than a nice bath?!?!?

I grabbed a stack of magazines so I could catch up on reading but the minute I sat in the Honeysuckle infused bath I was lost. You know that super corny Calgon commercial from the '80s when that stressed out woman would beg to be taken away? Well, that's how I felt. I felt miles from blogging, potty training, black tie social functions and all the things I do on daily basis to keep my world spinning. I closed my eyes and did not open them until the bathwater got cold. When I got out, my skin was soft and silken from the organic oils (Goat’s Milk, Certified Organic Olive Oil, Certified Organic Coconut Oil, Unrefined Virgin Shea Butter). I have decided to keep all the bath swizzles and soaps for myself, sorry girls- this stash is mine, I'll order more for you when Christmas rolls around but don't blame me if I keep that as well :) Did I mention my bathroom was deliciously scented for the rest of the night? What could be more romantic than a room scented like the shores of Hawaii?

Fraiche is sold at Stanley Korshak and a host of Spas. Or do like I plan to and buy directly from the Fraiche website. Bath swizzles- $17.50 for pack of three. $12.50 for hand molded soaps.

I am currently obsessed with the Skin Deep Website, a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products from researchers at the Environmental Working Group. I have been on it all weekend looking up every brand in my bathroom, it was shocking how many items in my bathroom are rated "high toxicity" and that may cause cancer, render me infertile amongst many other scary hazards! Go through the site and search for your favorite products to see what you come up with. I could not find my favorite luxury brands such as La Prarie, Natura Bisse, Sisley or La Mer on the site, hopefully it is because their products are tested extensively to avoid causing hazard? (or maybe they were too expensive for the scientists to buy and test?).

There seems to be a pattern of beauty companies across the board with body lotions being listed as highly toxic even if their other products are of low or no risk (For example, Skinceuticals C&E ferulic is safe but the Skin Firming Body Cream is a high hazard- I am throwing mine in the trash tonight!). In fact, I am so freaked out that I have decided to use my son's baby products from California Baby (rated 0- low hazard) on my body until further notice. I am not one to scare easily and often ignore the urban legends of lipstick accumulating in the stomach etc but this really got my attention! Of course I will do more sleuthing with doctors in order to validate the site's claims, let me know what you beauties come up with.

Here's a thought, perhaps the reason Aveda products tested so high for toxicity is because they do not do any testing on lab rats....

I saw these at the Bacara Spa and had to get some to try. They look like such fun and I love to take baths so it was a pretty easy sell. These ice cream bath scoops are filled with oils, minerals and fragrances and come in a ton of "flavors". When dropped in water, it fizzes like Alka Seltzer and you see all the oils float to the top. The scent is quite strong, I used the cucumber melon and the entire tub turned blue and pretty much that half of the house smelled like it for a few hours. Good and bad, depending on what you like. I thought it would make a mess of my tub with all those oils but it didn't, although the next time I took a bath the scent kind of lingered. But not totally a bad thing. I did feel the lasting effects of the oils and I smelled really really good for the whole day but at $8 a pop, I'm not sure I will be using these on a regular basis. I shared this bath with my 2 year old daughter who loved it so these are unique gifts for those with kids or for your indulging friend with a sweet tooth! $8.00 for a 6-oz scoop or $28.00 for a set of four at Me!Bath.