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An Old Favorite, All Grown Up: Em’s Fresh Resource For Luxe Scents On A Budget

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I recently went to the mall (shout out to Washington Square) and rather enjoyed myself, drenched in nostalgia and impressed with the updates malls are making now. I walked past Bath & Body Works and it was BUZZING with people and dripping with product. As a 90s child I have a lot of nostalgia for the smell of Cucumber Melon (I think that and Daffodil Fields were my two go-to scents back then – anyone else?), and I felt a bit sad that I didn’t have enough time to step in for some good old-fashioned candle smelling and sample testing for old time’s sake.

But almost like magic, they reached out with a partnership request and my curiosity was piqued. Is the loud, iconic, sweet-smelling brand of the 90s back? Are there products that would work on my body and in my home? Could this be a way to restock my almost always-out-of-supply bath staples without going over budget? I ordered a variety of different products, tried them around the farm, and y’all, great news: this is an awesome source for affordable candles, soaps, hand creams, and lotions that smell (and look, TBH) way more expensive than their price tag. All of our bathrooms have been stocked and every Henderson guest will be getting the 5-star treatment this summer. Let me show you what I ended up putting in my home (and seriously, the 4 candle scents below are SO GOOD):

Affordable Spa Supplies

Eucalyptus Spearmint Bath Soak | Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Wash and Foam Bath | Eucalyptus Spearmint Bath Fizzy

As you know I’m a frequent bather and go through spa basics very quickly (I don’t hoard, I actually use). I do love the splurgy stuff for special occasions, but I have a rotating supply of affordable bubble baths, bath salts, and bath bombs that I like to try. I’m a snob about a lot, but not this. So when I grabbed a few products in the Eucalyptus Spearmint scent (designed to relieve stress), I was pleasantly surprised to find that they’re also infused with all kinds of good stuff (natural essential oils, vitamin E, and their fizzy even has shea butter in it) with no parabens or artificial dyes. The bath soak smells clean and refreshing and it makes a really nice and smooth bubble, if you’re into that (a little goes a long way, FYI). The body wash scent is natural and calming, like a nice spa. Both the body wash and bath soak come in 100% recycled plastic bottles, too. It’s hard to be stressed when you’re enjoying such a nice bath 🙂

 For illustrative purposes only. Always keep 1’ of distance between a lit candle and a flammable object. 

Mahogany Teakwood Candle

Technically, I bought this candle for Brian because he loves a candle at his writing office and this one has rich mahogany, black teakwood, dark oak, and frosted lavender. (It’s weird to call a scent masculine but it’s soooo lovely and earthy.) I ended up stealing it for the bath because it smells so good, but he loves it and he’s taking it back to the office. FYI it burns for 25-45 hours and is super affordable (even more so if you can catch it during a promotion) with such nice branding and a really good throw that fills the room. It even has near-unanimous 5-star reviews, so it seems like Brian and I aren’t the only big fans. (If candles aren’t your favorite but the scent profile sounds interesting, Mahogany Teakwood also comes in everything from hand sanitizer to laundry detergent.)

Fiji White Sands Candle | Coco Shea Rich Moisture Hand Cream | Clay Face Mask

Since Brian’s bringing Mahogany Teakwood to the office, this was the affordable candle I decided to keep in our bath for the summer. It’s called ‘Fiji White Sands,’ and the copywriting is spot on because it really does smell like “the sweetest, brightest beach day ever.” (Fragrance notes for candle enthusiasts: fresh cut sugarcane, white nectarine, and sandalwood.) If you prefer something a little lighter and cleaner during the warm weather months, Fiji White Sands is right up your alley.

Two more products landed on the bath vanity: this pretty, ultra-nourishing hand cream and a clay face mask (I go through masks as fast as bubble bath). I’m admittedly not moisturizing my hands NEARLY often enough, so I’m hoping that this setup will make it easier. Bath & Body Works obviously has a lot of different hand creams, but I liked that this one is infused with cocoa butter and shea butter that keeps hands smooth for 24 hours (and I also liked the price – only $8.95).

Upgrading Our Guest Suite

 For illustrative purposes only. Always keep 1’ of distance between a lit candle and a flammable object. 

Pure Wonder Daily Nourishing Body Lotion | Hand Cream | Wild Rose & Suede Candle

I feel a little embarrassed to admit it here, but in my mind, Bath & Body Works was always directly linked with the Cucumber Melon-scented time in my life (probably since our sense of smell has the closest tie to our memories and all that). I was blinded a bit by the nostalgia. I didn’t realize that as we all grew up, Bath & Body Works also kind of grew up too. Now there are more elevated, sophisticated scents to choose from and even the products themselves look a bit more modern and fresh. But that affordable 1990s pricing you remember? Still intact, thankfully 🙂

Pure Wonder Daily Nourishing Body Lotion | Hand Cream | Wild Rose & Suede Candle

So intact, in fact, that I decked out the whole guest bedroom and bathroom with self-care essentials that I know our guests will love. We always work to be good hosts, but when we can provide a few special indulgences (especially ones that look this pretty), it takes our guest spaces to the next level. It’s an inexpensive, easy way to make a great impression that sets the tone for a relaxing visit. 🙂

The standouts in here: the Wild Rose & Suede candle, which I grabbed after seeing it described as smelling like “an antique store filled with forgotten treasures.” OBVIOUSLY, we had to try it. The scent’s cleaner and more subtle than expected (based on my years of field research ;)) but it’s well-balanced between musky and sweet. A great neutral pick for any guest room IMO. I also grabbed a lightweight/fast-absorbing nourishing body lotion in ‘Pure Wonder’ (simple, sweet, bright, with a little earthy bend) and finished the setup with a musk hand cream, which has since sold out. (I’m intrigued by the restorative one or the Hyaluronic Acid one though. Anyone tried either?)

Pink Lavender & Espresso Foaming Hand Soap

I found a few really pretty soap bottles that were so easy to style in our bathrooms (as you can see). We only photographed the Pink Lavender & Espresso, but we also grabbed a bottle in the Wild Rose & Suede scent for the future (only $3.25 on sale, too). FYI our kids love using foaming hand soaps (mostly because it’s so fun to play with that they don’t realize they’re washing their hands LOL) and so I’m happy to have found an affordable source. The whole family agrees that this scent is really lovely (a little creamy and fresh, with chocolate-y coffee and sweet vanilla). I also want to give some props for the HUGE soap refill cartons. $13.95 for almost 4 full bottles of soap in one recyclable package is a great deal, I think 🙂

A Bridgerton-Style Powder Bath

Diamond of the Season Foaming Hand Soap | Diamond of the Season Candle

I think this is such a fun and unexpected collab – I’m a big ol’ Bridgerton Fan and the branding and labels on these feel royal, but not too gaudy (I think they could have really went for it and I’m glad they didn’t). This bathroom is right off of the family room where we all watch TV, too, so these feel like a little wink and nod. I think ‘Diamond of the Season’ is my favorite (LOL) but there are a few other fun scents like ‘Queen Charlotte’s Tea’ and ‘Danbury Shortbread.’ Some of the small candles or hand sanitizers would be the sweetest host gift or party favor for any Bridgerton-themed parties in the future!!

Diamond of the Season Foaming Hand Soap | Diamond of the Season Candle

Here’s what these smell like, which made me LOL: “you’ve captivated and enchanted even your toughest critics”. (Fragrance notes: sparkling peach, spring daffodil and radiant jasmine, for those looking for a more concrete description.)

I ordered A LOT of other products (including the nostalgic Cucumber Melon Lotion which TOTALLY DELIVERED) and Brian got some Father’s Day Stuff like this Whiskey Soap, and this Noir 3-in-1 Bathing Bar. After my initial skepticism, I was so pleased that we loved so many of the products (and we still have a lot to try, to be fair) – but especially the candles, hand soaps, and hand creams. And it’s not just me saying this, either. The real-life customer reviews on the website are overwhelmingly glowing. We’ve all been missing out!! 

A huge shout out and thanks to Bath & Body Works for making luxe home scents and body care essentials available at affordable prices. I know they never stopped, but it feels like a fun refresh for a new (and nostalgic) generation. And if you ever spot me stocking up on candles at the Washington Square Mall…come say hi 🙂 xx

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

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Lisa Witteman
5 months ago

Hi! I am writing asking you to consider a post topic. You have shown us amazing kitchens, how to style kitchens, even some kitchen organization.

What do I need? Strategies for keeping counters clear. The nicest kitchen won’t look good if it is cluttered.!

We are redoing our kitchen, and what is on our countertops will be much more visible from living space. I look at the stuff around the sink, and the kitchen towels in use, and can’t quite figure out how to keep it under control. I currently have two utensil crocks by the cooktop which feels like too much. And where do you get a good looking utensil crock?

I am figuring out how to store away many of the small appliances, but stymied about how to make progress on some other things.

I have been reading since Design Star. Thanks fo all the great advice!

Thanks for considering.

MC
5 months ago
Reply to  Lisa Witteman

This is a good question! Since you are redoing your kitchen, consider a utensil drawer – the vertical kind where the utensils stand up, next to your oven. We redid our kitchen a couple years ago including removing walls so everything is visible like you are talking about – one thing we did was actually have the island be two levels – the working side and then bar level with stools on the other side – this way when everyone walks into the house, they see the bar counter side and not the working side (oven, crumbs, tissue box, and papers brought in….). One problem we didn’t solve was a more discreet way to keep our water bottles out instead of on top of our counters – would have been nice if we put in a shelf on the side or something. What do others do to keep the kitchen clutter down?

Kim
5 months ago
Reply to  MC

Coffee maker and toaster are tucked away in an appliance garage. Paper tolwels are inside the under sink cabinet mounted to the door. Dish soap and sponges are mounted to the other door of the under sink cabinets. To the right of the stove, I keep a white crock of utensils (all stainless and wood – the things I use all the time) and a small white tray with olive oils, salt and pepper. The rest of the utensils, spices, and knives are in the top drawers. Regularly used Cook books are on an open shelf. Zero clutter.

Cici Haus
5 months ago
Reply to  Lisa Witteman

Not exactly what you’re looking for, but I just found an awesome clutter hack for my bathroom. I was SO SICK of looking at the plastic vitamin bottle, contact solution + case, toothbrush + toothpaste on my vanity counter but they’re all too big to fit conveniently in the drawers and we don’t have an option for a medicine cabinet. My bestie and I were chatting about it and she came up with the BEST idea.

We got a pretty white ceramic kitchen food storage airtight container to decant my vitamins into and a large vase to put contact/teeth brushing items into. It’s hides them from view but it’s still easily accessible. I added both plus a pretty planter to a little tray and it has made my life 10x better for around $75!

Tiffany
5 months ago

I loved cucumber melon as a young teenager too! That and sweet pea were my go tos. I love the nostalgia of this post and these more grown up scents sound great. Excited to revisit 🙂 Thank you for this!!

Heather
5 months ago

OMG. My tween daughter recently dragged me into a Bath and Body Works at the mall and I was also shocked! Popped in for hand sanitizers over the years but hadn’t done a good smell test in a while. The prices were better than Target and the scents were better too IMO. I had no idea. The young ones know what’s up! 

PS. I was a seasonal scent type. Country Apple in the fall, Warm Vanilla Sugar in the winter, Cotton Blossom in the spring, and Plumeria in the summer. I will NEVER forget those smells lol.

Nora
5 months ago
Reply to  Heather

Plumeria! The memories…

Caitlin
5 months ago
Reply to  Heather

Plumeria!! I completely forgot about my teen signature scent. Plumeria and the peach perfume oil from The Body Shop. What a time. LOLOL

jasmine
5 months ago
Reply to  Caitlin

the fuzzy peach!!! the best! Please if anyone has a current dupe for this, I want to get it. I can’t find the OG anywhere.

Reanna
5 months ago

The packaging really HAS evolved – looks classy! May have to try some of those scents.

SARAH
5 months ago

Shoutout to the vanilla bean Noel fans of the early 2000s! I just loved that marshmallow smell in 8th grade. I feel convinced to see what they’re brewing there now.

Cassie
5 months ago

I rediscovered B&BW a few years ago and have been obsessed. So many great scents but Palo Santo & Sage is my absolute favorite. It’s been available in both a candle and hand soap. It smells earthy but like a spa in Sedona or something. Highly recommend.