One of my favorite tiny luxuries that comes with staying at an upscale hotel is discovering the body and hair care brands that grace the bathroom counter. I love trying new products and scents, so this element is a welcome, and memorable, part of the travel experience. Since I appreciate even the smallest of details, ingrained in my mind are some product highlights - from the unique multi-branded array of options offered by the Parker Palm Springs - I especially loved the Bulgari lotion, to the exclusive collaboration between the Fairmont and Le Labo for their signature rose scent, the Grown Alchemist chamomile, bergamot, and rose body cleanser that used to waft from the steam shower into my Shanghai hotel room at the Sukhothai, and the Diptyque Philosykos shower gel that smells like fresh figs at the Palihouse. I associate each of the scents with the memories of my travels and they make me long to return someday.
When we started incorporating Airbnbs into our travels, this small luxury disappeared and I didn’t quite notice its absence until the shower and getting ready routine felt strangely less special and never spa-like. Airbnb hosts are not one to splurge on the toiletries and in some cases I’ve seen them just drop in an all-in-one option. Not to generalize…but I would imagine my female readers are thinking “the horror!” and my male readers are like, “what’s wrong with that?!” We’ll save that battle for another day.
A few years ago, I started to remedy the mini body care crisis by packing a body wash that felt particularly luxurious and was also clean. On my last few trips, I’ve used the PLANT Apothecary Calm Down Moisturizing Body Wash in Lavender + Spearmint and it is heavenly! I intentionally only use this product when I’m on vacation so it has become part of the sensory experience, but it is perfect for everyday too!
Here are the things I love:
The formula lathers extremely nicely and feelings nourishing and never drying - this was especially key very recently in the 120 degree dry heat of Palm Springs
The combination of lavender and spearmint is both relaxing and refreshing
The certified clean formula is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, silicones, and synthetic fragrances
Their products are sold at a more affordable price point
About PLANT Apothecary
PLANT Apothecary was founded in 2012 by Holly McWhorter and Bjarke Ballisager - a wife and husband team. Their prior professional experience is in journalism, architecture, and design. When they created PLANT, they were years ahead of today’s trends - caring about healthy, organic ingredients, sustainability, and social responsibility. They combined this approach with their love for contemporary design and minimalist aesthetics.
When the company first started out, they partnered with BKLYN UNLTD (part of Brooklyn Community Services), a non-profit that provides work training for disabled adults, and the organization was taking care of all product production. Unfortunately I’m not positive if this is still the case today; regardless, this fact demonstrates their commitment to one of their core tenets - responsibility. Today, the company openly talks about its commitment to 1% for the Planet and Climate Neutral.
After 7 years of running PLANT, Holly and Bjarke sold the business to Rare Beauty Brands in 2019. The business has since been sold again after it continued to scale successfully. Holly is someone who is passionate about natural medicine and healing, so she has also gone on to author 2 short books on natural remedies.
Wherever your next Airbnb journey takes you, don’t forget to pack a tiny bottle of luxury.
x jz
Images | 1 | Bloomingdale’s | 2 | Fairmont | 3 | Grown Alchemist | 4 | Space NK | 5 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me | 6 | PLANT Apothecary | 7 | Manrepeller
Note: I do not get paid for nor make money off of this post. All opinions are my own.