Body Buttered Up
THE GOODS is a new section that I’m resurrecting to discuss beauty products, gadgets, style, accessories and home goods.
Two weeks ago shortly after getting settled into my hotel room in Miami, I had the most unsettling revelation. No, they didn’t have bed bugs and yes, they had HBO. I was horrified when I discovered I left my toiletries bag on the edge of my bathtub back at home. Four days without eye cream, shower gel, face moisturizer and body cream made for four of the longest, ashiest days I’ve experienced in a very long time. The hotel lotion may as well have been witch hazel because it did nothing, but further dry my skin (and this was at a 4-5 star resort… no bueno). On the third day, I started to use my friend’s Palmer’s Cocoa Butter lotion, but after using all natural raw shea butter for a year, my skin immediately rebuffed the thin peach-colored emulsion. When it comes to body products, I live (and dang near died in Florida) for rich, creamy, wonderfully scented all natural body butters. As soon as I returned home, I took a shower not so much because I wasn’t fresh, but because I longed to dip my fingers in one of my favorite creamy delights and get all buttered up. These are my three faves and pretty much all I ever use (although my niece’s father is sending me a batch of his “Miss Nandhi’s”– named so after our favorite 8-year old– so I may be adding to my list).
Gold: This luxurious skin cream by Georgia’s G & Company is made from the essential oils of soybean, lemon, lime, grapefruit, avocado, sweet almond and a number of other yummy freshness you would find in your local Whole Foods produce aisle. The citrus scent is effervescent, yet mature and sophisticated. If you dipped yourself in a pool of pure liquid gold, I imagine this is what you would smell like. Gold is decadently fresh and extravagantly fun. (4oz.; $20)
Earth: Created by The Lotion Lady aka Cleo Jonez aka Apryl Bruce for her popular Brooklyn-based Cleo’s Cabinet, this “essential body mousse” is a mix of soy and mango butters. I’m really feeling Earth this autumn because the combination of lavender and rosewood essential oils makes it smell like Indian Summer in a jar. Its warm, earthy base has this undercurrent of floral notes flittering all through it. (4oz.; $12)
Love: Everyone knows about Carol’s Daughter, but it seems like more are familiar with her line of hair products than her skincare line. Often when I find myself raving about her Love Butter people ask me does it make my hair oily. Nah ladies, this is for your skin and it makes it glisten, glow and glimmer. I’m especially fond of the Love Butter in the winter months because the scent of cinnamon, honey and brown sugar warms and comforts me. (4oz.; $18)
I’m always looking for some new hotness so please share your favorite skin creams in the comment section!
UPDATE: All folks who leave comments will have a chance to win one of the three body butters mentioned in this blog compliments of GeorgiaNY, Carol’s Daughter & Cleo’s Cabinet. Good luck! Winners will be announced on Monday.
Um, the Body Shop’s Ginger Whipped Souffle comes to mind! Mmmm ginger! And I also love Carol’s Daughter’s Shea Butter souffles. At the top of my list, however, is Jacqua’s Buttercreme. To die for.
I am loving “Heel of Approval” by Bath& Body Works (contains shea butter to soothe cracked heels) and Carol’s Daughter “Healthy Hair Butter” for my natural TWA. It defines my tiny curls much better than the natural oils I got from Whole Foods.
LOL about the hotel toiletries– why bother, right?
@ttara: OMG two years ago I randomly bought that Jacqua Buttercreme because it was on sale. I was completely stunned by how friggin great it was, but I haven’t been able to find it anywhere. Who sells it?
@Daree: I’ll check those out. This hotel was MAJOR, I’m still so surprised by the wackness of their toilletries. Ugh!
Nicole gets my vote as the savviest, sexiest blogger of 2010. Hair did, nails did, everything did. You Fancy, huh? 🙂
Someone had just told me about Jaqua’s Buttercream. This is where I found it: http://www.jaquabeauty.com/
I should have put the other link…the Jaqua online store is not yet open but this page tells you where you can buy Jaqua products. Sorry about that!
http://www.jaquabeauty.com/contact
All of those are quite nice, but I’d have to say I”m a big fan of my own product. I’ve been a potionista from way back always mixing different “finds” to try and make ideal skin care preparations. I got tired of finding butters and lotions that had a little bit of what I wanted and things I didn’t. This was further influenced by interest in nutrition and health. So experimentation and frustration led to my own creation. Body Butter by Bellathepotionista. 100% natural made with love by me for me and all those that believe that if u can”t eat it you shouldn’t be putting it on your skin. More details and purchasing info will be provided soon. 😉
Love me some potionistas as I’m a huge fan of Oyin as well. Sorry I didn’t post the link to Jacqua. I put that stuff on and didn’t anything but creamy silkiness. I got it in a gift bag (this is how they get you) and then I saw it again at the small beauty supply stores that carry things like Tocca candles and whatever. I spend so much time in those shops, that I barely remember a name.
Nicole,
I have completely enjoyed reading your evolution in blogging, from your humble beginnings to the fierceness that is now you. Your posts are provocative, funny, and concise. As a mother of a toddler, your blog is one of the few things I get to read consistently these days. And as for “Booty:Body Buttered Up”…let’s just say, my toddler now enjoys buttering up with Carol’s Daughter products as much as his mommy. He places his leg on top of the toilet lid after his bath, puts his hand out for his share of lathering goodness, and smiles with delight and he rubs his butters, creams, and oils on his legs and his booty!
Nicole,
Thanks for your wonderful entertaining educational and enlightening blog! Ready to win the prize so i can be booty body butter luscious! My personal favorite is Jamaican Punch body butter jam by Carol’s Daughter. The regular lotions just wont do.
Thanks in advance! 🙂
Nicole,
I agree with you immensely, I cant use anything but the nicest butters to keep me ash-free. I have used Shea (pure) for over 10 years and in many cases I have had to submit to the moisture-less products out of desperation! I am always on the look out for something new to use besides Shea; I want to get the benefits of Shea and some great fragrance too. Thanks for giving me a place to start!