Shower Gel - Splurge or Save?
Ten years ago, splurging on shower gel was almost impossible. Unless you bought a scent that matched your favorite department store perfume or cologne, I’d guess 90% of America or more were using good old bar soap or drugstore shower gel. Maybe Bath and Body Works at the outside.
But today, with the popularity of brands like Philosophy shower gels (and the multitude of knockoffs), it’s easy to buy a shower gel in almost any scent imaginable. And, by the way, my definition of a splurge is paying around $1 an ounce or more. I’m of two minds about this. On one hand, we shower almost every day. It’s an easy way to add a bit of luxury and pampering to an otherwise mundane experience. On the other hand, we shower almost every day, so we probably go through a lot of shower gel. I’ll be reviewing several options from super cheap ($1 for 32 oz), mid-end, and high end ($1 an oz and higher).
I’m actually about to go hop in the shower right now, and looking forward to a great mid-range shower gel: Skindecent’s Body Oasis. If you like Philosophy’s 3-in-1’s, you’d love this. I think it’s much better, actually - more moisturizing and works better as a shampoo. It’s almost the texture of honey (without the stickiness) and comes in tons of scents - I have original ginger, which is wonderful as a morning wake-up or post-gym cool-down.
So what do you think? Save on this everyday item or splurge on an everyday luxury?
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10 opinions for Shower Gel - Splurge or Save?
Chloe
Apr 29, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I love my Body Shop vanilla shower gel. It’s definitely higher-priced than drugstore gel, but not $50 for a bottle :-)
SP
Apr 29, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Chloe just mentioned the Body Shop and that reminded me of the cranberry shower gel that I’m presently using. It was a gift, but when it’s finished, I will definitely be buying it again. I have no idea of the price, but what ever it is, it will be worth it. I love the scent.
Amy
Apr 29, 2007 at 4:59 pm
TBS Cranberry?! I love that one too. I think the formula is also quite nice - not drying like some seem to be (mostly BBW and some drugstore brands)!
anita lane
Apr 29, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I’ve recently discovered Yves Rocher online and love their shower gels. Quality, they’re on par w/Bath and Body Works (which until now would be a little “splurge” for me) but the scents of YR are more interesting imo. YR has perpetual sales that make these affordable, too. Personally, unless I get a great deal on a discounted gift set, I don’t splurge on shower gels to match my perfume. Maybe body lotion, but shower gels just wash down the drain…
Teri - Aging Fabulous
Apr 29, 2007 at 8:12 pm
I love, love, love the Philosophy Shower Gels. I am always using one.
The large bottle is 16 oz., and they retail for $20 each. So it may seem like a Splurge at first - but they last a long time. I use about the size of a nickel on my bath pouff, and that is all I need! I am currently using Inner Grace, which is heaven scent, let me tell you! I am at the very bottom of the bottle, probably only a few showers left with it :( As I said, it lasts very long, as I think I have been using this bottle now for almost two months.
Not a bad splurge!
Christina
Apr 30, 2007 at 9:37 pm
I occasionally splurge on a gel that goes with my favorite fragrance, but other than that, I am a drugstore girl. :)
The Bargain Queen
Apr 30, 2007 at 11:57 pm
I’m still a fan of good old Dove soap. It’s cheap, I’m not allergic and it makes my skin feel lovely and soft.
So I guess I’m definitely in the ’save’ category, considering I don’t buy shower gels at all!
Shannon
May 1, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Um, am I spoiled if I say neither? I’ve been lucky enough to get shower gels sent to me to write reviews on. Sometimes I am blown away by what their price would be had I bought it, and other times I am suprised at how cheap (money-wise) a really super luxurious shower gel is.
I think it all really depends on the brand. Some just charge you a lot because they are a big name brand, others really are super fabulous and worth the money.
Amy
May 1, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Shannon, that’s a really good point. Honestly, I prefer the formula of the new Bath and Body Works Temptations to the Philosophy 3-in-1’s that they are imitating.
Price doesn’t necessarily reflect quality in the makeup world. Usually in the perfume world it’s a better indicator but even so there are high-end stinkers and low-end gems.
The Scented Life: All about fragrance » Shower Gel: Splurge or Save, part 2
May 1, 2007 at 9:15 pm
[...] I found out from this post, there’s no real consensus on shower gel, other than the fact that we all use it. A product [...]
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