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This national chain for custom-blended bath potions opened its first New York outpost in November 2008. Unlike aggressively aromatic soap shops like Sabon and Bath and Body Works, many of the brand’s products are unscented. Scrubs, lotions, hand washes, body mists, and more can be customized to individual specifications—and tested out over the store’s basin sinks—with a selection of essential oils ranging from common citrus and floral scents to unusual aromas like dirt or Chardonnay. (For the unimaginative, there are blend menus on hand to follow.) Bottles can be tinted to coordinate with bathroom décor, and products tout clever titles like Agony of ‘Da Feet’ peppermint foot lotion. The brand also touts a natural slant, offering a range of washes and gels that are free of sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, phosphate, and other chemicals. The shop is a go-to stop for gifts, like fortune cookie soap that reads “It takes more than warm water to have a good bath.” — Randi Eichenbaum

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