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 🙂

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

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