I am obsessed with shower gel.

Don’t get me wrong, I love bar soap, but there’s nothing like the pre-bottled liquid goodness of a body wash.  It doesn’t melt on your soap dish, is less likely to get hair caught in it, and is way easier to travel with.  The trouble, though, is finding the right one, and when you’re looking for a natural alternative to the over-processed corporate crap that is on every shelf, that can be difficult.

Though I love some of the scents by Lush Cosmetics, the ingredients and expiration dates rubbed me the wrong way.  I have no problem recycling old product, but I tend to mix and match my shower gel, so it needs a longer shelf life.  Additionally, Lush uses “safe synthetics” – including harsh sulfates - that can react poorly when combined with sensitive skin.  I was having trouble finding a comparable alternative, though: a shower gel that used high quality, safe products and smelled great long enough for me to finish the bottle.

As luck would have it, shortly after my search began I got an email from luxury bath and body company Maris Naturals.  They offered to send me one of their products to test out and report to the masses, and I chose their Bali Vanilla Shower Gel.

Maris Naturals Shower Gel: $24

Warning: This is where my review gets kind of corny.  Why?  Because Maris Naturals totally and completely blew me away.

First of all, the packaging is simple, elegant and secure: the shower gel arrived looking pristine, even after traveling in the summer sun and waiting on my doorstep all day.  When I opened the lid to test the scent, it was strong, but not at all chemical, and still very feminine.  I could smell the spicy notes of ylang ylang and clove, and was pleased to find that the vanilla didn’t overpower them.

It didn’t end there, though.  Oftentimes, the directions on bath products ask that you only need a “pea sized” amount to get the job done.  I always thought that was ridiculous – even with a loofah – until I used this shower gel.  One pea-sized drop was enough to wash both of my arms and my torso. No, really, it was!

The best part?  Instead of getting bubbly (and somewhat insubstantial) Maris just feels silky. I got a rich lather, but didn’t see lots of foam or bubbles.  It was hard to get used to at first, but just running my palm over my freshly-washed bits confirmed, via silky smoothness, that it was getting the job done.

Post-shower, the scent stayed with me, but in a delicate, unobtrusive way. I felt comfortable layering my usual perfumes and lotions over it, but also kind of wished I had the accompanying Bali Vanilla Body Crème to use instead.  (It wouldn’t have been overpowering.)

After two weeks of daily use, it still looks almost full.
I’ll never scoff at “pea-sized” again!

When you check the price (which is a touch higher than Lush for an 8.5 ounce bottle), keep a couple of things in mind:

• Maris uses only the highest quality essential oils and absolutes possible, including organic Bulgarian Rose.  (Did you know that it takes twenty thousand pounds of roses to produce just one pound of rose oil?)
• Maris doesn’t alter their products with synthetics (like sulfates) or phthalates.  Their lathers are creamy and natural, not fluffy and insubstantial.

And they’re not done: more fragrances and an expanded line of products are on the way.  Until then, I highly recommend the Bali Vanilla Shower Gel, and will keep you posted on the Body Crème, which I have every intention of buying ASAP.

If you’re not convinced yet, have no fear: Maris has agreed to partner with Awakened Aesthetic for a giveaway!  Keep your eyes on this site for more information in the coming days…and good luck!

Tags: all natural, lush cosmetics, maris, natural body wash, phthalates, shower gel, sulfates