Soap Stars
Handmade, all-natural Hawai‘i soaps are a smart twist to the old-standby gift— they’re decorative and useful, and come in personalities as varied as your friends.
For the Nature Lover
Malie’s newest fragrance, Koke‘e, infuses their well-known luxurious cream soap with a fresh smell that invokes the Kaua‘i rainforest and helps replenish it too. One percent of sales go to support Koke‘e Conservation. Stocked at boutiques throughout the state, or buy online at www.malie.com
For the Traditionalist
Three exfoliating, paraben-free soaps from Hilo’s Ola line snuggle on a coconut wood tray, swaddled in a banana leaf for that old Hawai‘i look. Available at spas and boutiques throughout the state, or buy online atwww.hawaiianbodyproducts.com
For the Life of the Party
Natural isn’t boring at Bubble Shack, evidenced by 120 varieties of handmade soaps (all 100 percent “vegan” and made with only vegetable oils and glycerin) with daring scents and impish names like Lick Me Lilikoi. Available at boutiques throughout the state or buy online at www.bubbleshackhawaii.com
For the Sophisticate
Pure aromatherapy essential oils grace Lanikai Bath and Body’s hand-labeled individual soaps or sets. All are cold-process soaps, a method akin to making cake from scratch rather than from a box. 767 Kailua Road, Kailua, 808.262.3260; or online at www.lanikaibathandbody.com
For the Purist
Forget speed and quantity and think old-fashioned. Indigenous Soap Company’s never-fancy, always-premium soaps feature ingredients like fennel and sage that come from nature, literally. Online at www.indigenousoap.com
For the Up-and-Comer
Soon North Shore Soap Factory products, which spurn chemicals and woo locally grown ingredients, will graduate from Waialua Sugar Mill to Whole Foods. Get their kukui and macadamia nut oil soaps now and say you knew them when. 67-106 Kealohanui Street, Waialua, 808.637. 8400; or online at www.hawaiianbathbody.com
For the Risk-Taker
Each batch of Hana Lima soap is mixed, pored and cut by the Maui owner, who spins moisturizing cocoa and shea butters and inspired additions like French green clay and wasabi powder into each bar. Online at www.hanalimabath.com
Posted on Monday, May 5, 2008 in Permalink
Lei Chic associate editor Terri Inefuku graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in Journalism and International Studies, and worked in New York, Chicago, Austin and Honolulu as a broadcast journalist before joining HONOLULU Magazine. When she's not rooting out new fashion discoveries for Lei Chic, you'll find her in the kitchen baking up treats for family and friends.
