That Brunette Beauty Girl

by Stephanie McCarthy Close-up of a woman using a body scrub by Greta Hoffman. Attribution link: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-a-woman-using-a-body-scrub-9475391/ I really hate the winter. You have to put on all these layers of clothing just to walk a short distance outside to run errands. The hood of your coat refuses to stay on your head because the blustery wind is so unrelenting. Even though your snow boots have great traction, the snow is so slushy and slippery from icing over and not being sanded down enough that you almost slip multiple times and have to resort to shuffling as you cuss under your breath in frustration. To top it all off, your Seasonal Affective Disorder acts up from insufficient light due to the days being shorter. While I don’t have a cure for this mess, these are the body scrubs that you need in your shower to help conjure up memories of summer—a carefree, glorious, and innocent time that is full of possibilities and opportunities to read an...

by Stephanie McCarthy Close-up of fruits in bowl. Free to use (CC0) by Pixabay. Attribution link: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-fruits-in-bowl-327098/ In the late summer/early fall of 2023, I purchased The Body Shop’s Spiced Orange Shower Gel. The sweet and syrupy orange smell made me think of the tasty Triaminic Cough and Cold Medicine that I was given as a kid when I didn’t feel well. It also reminded me of the fruity Arcor hard candies that you get at the doctor’s office with that yummy gooey center. The spicy part of the shower gel reminded me of that awesome cinnamony peppery smell that was in Bath & Body Works’ discontinued Chestnut & Clove scent. Finally, the aloe vera in the formulation of this body wash feels so pillowy soft on the skin that it actually gives Crabtree & Evelyn’s Pomegranate & Argan Oil Shower Gel a serious run for its money. I flew through this and was so sad when it was done. It’s a shame that it doesn’t come in a larger size. You...

by Stephanie McCarthy Bath & Body Works’ Dark Kiss Body Wash, 10 oz Luminous is a good but not great scent. It smells a lot like the brand’s popular Dark Kiss scent, which is a strong gourmand musky fruity floral that is ideally worn in the cooler months. If you love Dark Kiss, it can be purchased here: Bath & Body Works’ Dark Kiss Shower Gel , 10 oz, $12.03 at ebay (aka evilbay). The only difference is that Luminous has a heavy powdery note that rounds the scent out. I’m completely stumped as to what exactly this note is. While iris is described as a powdery scent, I’m used to it being more of the light, airy, cheerful, and playful spring floral that is present in Bath & Body Works’ Butterfly scent. Although amber can be a powdery scent, I’m accustomed to it being more of a woodsy and musky scent like the one found in the brand’s Sensual Amber scent. Therefore, this note is an absolute mystery to me. What I do know is that it smells like a more mature woman. Luminous is a ...