I’m a bit addicted to body scrubs and that fabulous sensation of sloughing away the dry skin - at any given time, there are probably at least a half-dozen exfoliators hiding out in my shower or under the sink. (My all-time fave: the supersweet Coconut Cream Sugar Souffle by LaLicious.)

Something slightly novel for those of us who like it rough: the new Sugar Glow Exfoliating Bar from Tone. The soap’s got lots of tiny jojoba pearls, which gently buff your skin while you wash up. It’s a little less messy than those salt scrubs, and the scent’s so fresh and energizing. Perfect for when you don’t have time to do the all-out at-home-spa thing but still want to feel all polished up and ready to go.

One of the happiest Chinatown discoveries I’ve ever made, second only to boba: Bee & Flower soaps, sold for about a dollar at most shops. The best way to add some lovely to your day when you’re near-penniless, the soaps come wrapped in the most darling packages - flower-printed paper, a logo-emblazoned band adorned with a buzzy little bee, all stamped with Bee & Flower’s golden seal.

It’s so lovely, in fact, that you might not want to open the soaps up. Which is just as well - they’re so perfect for keeping stacked on your bathroom shelves or tucked away in your bureau drawers, since the sublime scent will make everything smell all fresh and sweet. Choose from fragrances like sandalwood and ginseng and jasmine, but my favorite’s the simply gorgeous rose and its pretty-pink packaging.

Oh, and the soap itself? It’s creamy and smooth and guaranteed, as one Bee & Flower lover notes, to give you “villainously suave skin.”

Dude.

Last night rocked.

This morning sucked.  

Nothing a nice hot shower won’t help, right? Especially if you happened to stock up on some AXE Recovery Shower Gel. Evidently it’s got “invigorating electrolytes” to help buff out those rough edges. This came to us courtesy of Camper English, who knows his way around a cocktail or two.

And if this doesn’t work, it just might be time for a little hair of the dog.

Anything to cut the edge.

Dude. 

They’ve got an Aviator-sense of cleanliness, showering twice a day - at least - , antibacterial gel sits in their car’s pristine cupholder, if she’s a lady she welcomed the return of leather opera gloves, if he’s a dude he’s wishing and waiting the fashionisto equivalent.

Total clean freak.

So indulge ‘em this holiday with some luxe soap.

...continued: Gift Guide: The Clean Freak

Someday, just for kicks, I’m going to try to count up all the potential uses for Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. But in the meantime I’ll just stick with the uses recommended by shopcasters like Jen Boulden, Philip Gelb, and Norene, all of whom select peppermint as their Magic Soap scent of choice. Made with just water, various oils (coconut, olive, peppermint, hemp, and jojoba), organic peppermint, citric acid, and vitamin E, the green cleaner can “wash your hands, your hair, feed your plants, etc. and it smells great and again,” says Jen. As for Philip, the chef simply states that Dr. Bronner’s “gets the chili off my hands,” a valuable bit of magic indeed. And Norene uses the pepermint soap for both “personal care and home cleaning,” noting that the product makes for “a great wake-me-up refresher any time of day, but especially in the morning. No time for a shower, or trying to conserve water? Give yourself a peppermint sponge bath - you’ll feel clean and refreshed.” And to clean and refresh your home, Norene offers these tips:

“Combine Dr. Bronner’s with baking soda to create a paste perfect for scrubbing tub/tile/sink. Use a tiny smidge with water, vinegar, and essential oils for a great window cleaner. Or just read the bottle label for ideas!”

Being a gourmet requires an adventurous palate and a desire — nay, a compulsion — to taste anything. And who wouldn’t want to taste a wee sample of  delectable Savanna Bee Blackberry Honey …

… soap?  

Heed Kate at Pie in the Sky’s words: Read carefully before you partake of store samples.