On a completely spontaneous trip to Saks last week (I had a doctor’s appointment and it was on the way and I had a few minutes to kill– you know how that goes!), I decided to pick up a few beauty items and take advantage of their Beauty Event Giveaway. After buying some wedding essentials (isn’t good mascara essential?), I was treated to a lovely terrycloth traincase filled with samples and a Laura Mercier giftbag.One of the samples was Laura Mercier’s Creme Brulee Sugar Scrub.
I was delighted because this is the type of product I would never buy for myself. During my next shower, I squeezed out almost the entire tube in excitement. And let me tell you— the sugar scrub was sublime. The scent was deliciously gourmand, but not in a cloying way. It was a very sophisticated, sweet smell that lingered long after the shower was over. And the sugar scrub’s fine granules did an amazing job of sloughing away my dull winter skin. I was left with a healthy glow and so much softness, which is quite a feat considering how dry my skin can be. Damn you Saks– I was officially hooked!
At $46 for 12 oz, this is truly a decadent splurge. I would love to indulge in a jar as a pre-wedding treat– who doesn’t want super soft, glowing skin for the honeymoon? But $46 is a little too rich for my blood. Can anyone recommend a cheaper alternative? I’m all ears!
image courtesy of amazon
I make my own scrub using sugar (I use coarse sugar because I have it around for baking, but regular granulated works fine), vanilla extract (I use Nielsen-Massey, it is the best brand and I also use it in my baking), honey, and olive oil. Not quite a creme brulee fragrance, but it smells so good and it leaves me with the softest, smoothest skin - even on my wintry scaly lizard legs!
I second roopa’s advice to make your own. But I would recommend using homemade vanilla extra instead of anything store bought. Buy a vanilla bean from a high-quality source, and put it inside a tiny bottle of high-quality vodka (the size you would get on an airplane). Shake it a bit daily, and after a few weeks you’ll have *amazing* vanilla extract.
I’ve used Victoria’s Secret Stimulating Body Scrub and it’s really good, if you don’t want to make your own! Here’s a link!
Yes! I’m a HUGE fan of philosophy. Everything smells divine… almost edible! I have really senisitive skin, and luckily I can use all their products (even the scrubs) with no problem. Here’s a link to their website, but you can usually find them in department stores also if you prefer. You’re looking at about $25 for twice as much.
http://www.philosophy.com/web/store/cat_bath-scrubs____24028_23504
Hope that helps!
This is more fruity than sweet smelling, but I love The Body Shop’s Mango body scrub (about $20/7.4 oz). I also like Trader Joe’s Tangerine Sugar Scrub (about $6/18 oz).
Check out Bath and Body Works options. They now cary several different lines of products. The Bigelow line has a great honey scrub that smells great but there is aslo a lemon verbena scrub that I love. The sent is light and refrenshing and my skin is so soft.
Fresh makes an amazing brown sugar scrub - no idea what it costs though…
Nothing beats The Body Shop’s Body Scrub. I was addicted to the Sesame scent until they discontinued it last year. Now I’m rotating between the Shea and Brazil Nut scents. Both are fantastic.
The Gingerbread Man by Philosophy… it smells good, exfoliates great & it heats up as you scrub!
If you are a super bargain hunter and have access to a Trader Joe’s, their Tangerine Sugar Scrub is awesome and sooo cheap. Less than $10! It smells like tangerines, obviously, not like creme brulee but you can’t beat the price. I like to use it before shaving my legs– keeps them so smooth and soft!
I swear by Origins and love their body scrubs. My favorite is Ginger which has a great uplifting yet calming scent. I haven’t met anyone that doesn’t like it. Maybe thats why they only have like 3 different scents?
I gotta second Trader Joe’s Tangerine Sugar Scrub- it’s cheap and works great! Not to mention the fresh, citrusy scent it leaves behind makes you feel like you are walking through an orange grove.
oh make your own - it’s fun and so much cheaper. I am a body scrub addict and especially love philosophy & origin’s scrubs. But someone told me once that homemade is simple and that the fancy store stuff doesn’t have anything fancy in it other than the basics - an exfoliant and oil base, and then small additions for scent or things like vitamin C or E, etc. So I tried it and probably won’t go back to buying.
If any of the homemade girls reading, one thing I was never able to figure out for sure. Once you mix it, do you need to refrigerate? A recipe I followed said you didn’t but then I found others that say you do.
Buy homemade on Etsy.com!
I am also going to add my praises to the Trader Joe’s scrubs. I have been using the lavender salt scrub and LOVE it.
For my face, I also love Origins Modern Friction.
I use bath and body works Take Your Sweet Time Creamy Body Polish - it has apricot seed bits instead of salt or sugar, and has almond oil.
Sabon is the best! It’s a wonderful Israeli brand made with mineral oils and salt from the Dead Sea. I have both the Lemon Mint and the Lavender Apple, and they are simply amazing. Your skin feels SOOOOO soft afterwards.
Here is the link: http://www.sabonnyc.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Body+Scrub+%28+500+ml+%29
Trader Joes has a few ones that I like. I’m love the tangerine one. Reminds me of the Gap’s Spun Orange Blossom.
I have to agree with the Sabon suggestion. Have any of you gone to their store and received a free hand treatment demo? I was hooked afterwards, and I am a tough critic when it comes to beauty products.
i have tried so many (incl. the laura mercier and sabon ones) but my favorite by far is the handmade stuff sold by ProductBody (www.productbody.com). The scents are great, everything is natural and handmade, the owner is fabulous, and mon dieu my skin has never looked better. I started with the scrub and moved on to the creams and have never looked back. And the best part is that the price is so great!! And you’re supporting a small business :D. they even have trial sizes you can order now just to give it a test run.
[...] scrub, scrub. Who knew that scrubbing one’s skin practically raw could feel so good? Recently I waxed poetic about Laura Mercier’s divine Creme Brulee scrub, but lamented the painful cost. Well today’s [...]
I love LM! We’ve had a love affair for years! I’ve given that body scrub as a gift on several occasions 
Mrs. Jasmine, Chicago/LA
Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney
Engagement Date: March 24, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 20, 2007
Venue: Hotel on the westside of Los Angeles
About Me: I'm a happy-go-lucky, imaginative spirit trapped in the body of a lawyer. I love reading, shopping, dining out, and exploring my beloved adopted city of Chicago with my fiance. We're planning the wedding of our dreams in my hometown of Los Angeles and we're excited to incorporate our cherished Indian/Pakistani customs and traditions.
I’m sold just by looking at the jar! I love Laura Mercier, I use their loose powders everyday!