May 25, 2025

this or that: my honest take on luxe bodycare and beauty essentials

Hey pretty girl! Welcome back to the blog! I love discovering products that help me feel polished without overcomplicating my routine—and I know you do too. That’s why I created my This or That series: to give you quick, honest comparisons between products I’ve tried, tested, and either fallen in love with—or gently passed on.

From dreamy shower gels to nourishing creams, here’s what’s earned a permanent spot in my routine—and a few scent profiles that might just make you say, add to cart.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

If you’re new around here (or just catching up), here are some recent blog posts you’ll want to check out!

The Lingerie Edit – Must Have Foundations for Feeling Comfortable + Confident

The Art of Outfit Repeating: How to Rewear With Style and Confidence

The Posh & Polished Lip Combo I’m Wearing on Repeat

Shower Gels

Salt & Stone Bergamot & Hinoki vs. Phlur Missing Person

Let’s talk elevated shower rituals. Both of these body washes are beautifully packaged and smell divine—I truly love them both.

Salt & Stone Bergamot & Hinoki: Clean, crisp, and woodsy with a touch of citrus. Notes of bergamot, hinoki wood, and cedar create a grounding, spa-like scent that’s both refreshing and relaxing.

Phlur Missing Person: Soft, warm, and ethereal. A delicate blend of skin musk, jasmine, and sheer sandalwood that feels cozy and intimate—like slipping into your favorite oversized tee.

I absolutely LOVE a good shower gel! I’ve been using Salt & Stone for a little over a year now and I highly recommend the brand. The Bergamot and Hinoki scent is my favorite. I’ve been using Phlur for about two months now and I love it equally. It lathers just as well as Salt & Stone and it smells divine! I love the packaging of both of these gels. They come is clear bottles which allows you to ascertain when you’re running low.

Verdict: I recommend both. If you’re drawn to fresh, nature-inspired scents, go for Salt & Stone. Prefer something warm and skin-like? Phlur is your girl.

Cleansing Balms

Elemis Pro-Collagen vs. Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm

Both of these balms melt makeup effortlessly and leave skin feeling clean and supple. They’re effective, luxe, and fall in the same price range—but I do have a favorite.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm: Rich, buttery, and comforting. With essential oils like eucalyptus and lavender, it smells like a spa in a jar. It emulsifies beautifully and leaves no residue.

Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm: Just as effective in cleansing, but I’m not a fan of the scent. That said, the texture and performance still deliver.

Cleansing balm making removing makeup a breeze. I have started double cleansing well before I started wearing make up often and I started with Elemis. I decided to give Colleen Rothschild a try and while the product works amazingly well, I prefer Elemis. To ensure that I have a good first cleanse, I take my index finger and take out about. a nickel size amount of the balm and slather on my face. Then I wet my hands and wipe them over my face to emulsify the balm. I finish the first cleanse by using a wet Face Halo, terry or muslin cloth (both Elemis and Colleen Rothschild balms came with one when I purchased) and remove stubborn make up like mascara. Works like a charm!

Verdict: I prefer Elemis for the full sensorial experience, but if scent isn’t a dealbreaker for you, both get the job done well.

Natural Deodorants

Salt & Stone Bergamot & Hinoki vs. LaVanila Vanilla Lavender

When it comes to natural deodorants, scent and texture matter—and these two hit both marks beautifully. I keep them both in rotation.

Salt & Stone Bergamot & Hinoki: Mirrors the body wash with notes of citrus and wood. Creamy, easy to apply, and sophisticated in scent.

LaVanila Vanilla Lavender: Classic and comforting. Lavender calms, vanilla adds a soft sweetness. Slightly firmer texture but still glides on smoothly.

I kinda view natural deodorant application and reapplication like lipgloss. You have to reapply lipgloss throughout the day and natural deodorant is no different! I have a travel size Salt & Stone deodorant in my handbag and I currently have a LaVanila at work. After lunch (on days when I work in the office), I wipe under my arms with a Lume Deodorant wipe and reapply deodorant to ensure that I stay fresh throughout the day.

Verdict: I love and recommend both. Salt & Stone is just a touch creamier, but each has a beautiful scent and works well throughout the day.

Body Creams

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream vs. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter

If glowing, moisturized skin is the goal, these creams are stars. Both are rich, fast-absorbing, and layer perfectly with perfume.

•Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream: A cult favorite with an unforgettable scent—warm pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla. Leaves skin soft with a subtle shimmer.

•Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter: Deeply nourishing with a beautiful glow. The formula is top-tier—but I didn’t love the Topless Tangerine scent I picked up. Thankfully, there are other options I plan to try.

This one was a hard one because I love both of these products. I’ve only purchased the Josie Maran one time, but I used the entire container within about two weeks. It works so well! It’s very thick, moisturizing and the glow that it gives your skin is beautiful.

Verdict: I recommend Josie Maran for its formula and skin benefits—just be sure to choose a scent that fits your mood.

Whether you’re restocking your skincare shelf or upgrading your body care lineup, these picks combine beauty, performance, and that little touch of luxury I love sharing. I hope this roundup helps you discover something new for your daily routine!

Ready to shop? Click here to explore all of these products on my LTK.

I hope you enjoyed this post all about luxe body care products that I highly recommend. With everything in life, it’s all about preference and what you like, but if you’re looking for good recommendations to ensure you look, smell and feel good…any of these products will do the trick!

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear about your experience.

’til next time!

xo, Robyn

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