When your neighbor bakes chocolate chip cookies in the springtime

Always learning

Following my stepson’s first use of a fragrance-free lotion bar, he commented about the aroma. In particular, he noticed the smell of cocoa butter when he opened his gym bag after having left the bar inside for two days.

His observation intrigued me. He admitted that his sense of smell is more sensitive than most of his peers, but he had expected my fragrance-free bars to be “more bland” — his words.

Having used cocoa butter every day for most of my life, I’d long forgotten the pleasing chocolaty scent. I always smile at the aroma of chocolate, especially when its truly subtle and far away, like when my next door neighbor is baking cookies.

That said, he brought up an important point about friends and fragrances, so I started asking questions.

An ingredient, not a fragrance

Some friends avoid fragrances for a variety of personal reasons. Grateful for their insight, I listened carefully to their experiences. Once I understood, and I explained that the scent is a naturally occurring element that helps improve skin’s softness, almost everybody smiled. In fact, some were disappointed the aroma didn’t last longer, kind of like when the last cookie disappears.

Silliness aside, be assured that your fragrance-free lotion bars have no additives — only cocoa butter, shea butter and beeswax.

I listen. I learn. I love you.

Be amazing.

Annie

• February 2020
  • Feb 24, 2020 A new way of looking at skincare Feb 24, 2020
  • Feb 24, 2020 When your neighbor bakes chocolate chip cookies in the springtime Feb 24, 2020

A new way of looking at skincare

Michael

My husband is a little bit stubborn. Lovely, supportive and fun, he resists change that he doesn’t initiate. Having made it through 55 years, he’d never moisturized his skin. Not once. And, while he witnessed the positive responses my family, friends, neighbors and co-workers offered when I made my lotion bars, all the while persistently suggesting I start this business, he never tried a bar. I often think his love ends at the point where his skin begins to prune.

The epiphany

I always have three lotion bars sitting on our bathroom sink, just to make sure one is easy to reach after I jump out of the shower. Michael uses the same basin and, about a year ago, after I’d given up on him moisturizing, he tried a bar spontaneously. I’ll let him tell you what happened.

Michael:

I am a little stubborn and I have no idea why I picked up the lotion bar after that particular shower. Until then, I thought the bars were primarily for women. Also, I was raised in a house where men didn’t moisturize and, in the past , when I had tried liquid lotion or sunscreen, I didn’t enjoy the feeling no matter how much protection was offered. It’s icky.

Following that first application, I felt the difference within minutes. It was subtle and noticeable at the same time. The real benefit, for me, came after I dressed, about ten minutes later. I felt better.

In particular, my hands, fingers and arms felt more comfortable. Turns out I had been uncomfortable after every shower I’d ever taken, I just didn’t know until I finally felt comfortable. My mind was changed.

I hate admitting when Annie is right. I’m a husband, not a saint. It took about three weeks for me to get into the habit of using a lotion bar after every shower. Now, I panic if a bar isn’t within easy reach.

Also, I like the shape, it’s easy to grip, like a bar of soap. It offers more control than liquid lotion.

So much for being the smartest guy in the room.

Twenty-one days

Independent research shows that some habits take a minimum of 21 days to change. Most take three months. One hard bar, used daily, will last between four and six weeks.  For some friends, including a lotion bar in their after-shower personal care regimen will be easy. Friends who are perhaps a bit more forgetful, or whose personal care habits may require a little more time to evolve, might consider putting a sticky note in a place they’ll see it after every shower.

Enjoy.

Annie

• February 2020
  • Feb 24, 2020 A new way of looking at skincare Feb 24, 2020
  • Feb 24, 2020 When your neighbor bakes chocolate chip cookies in the springtime Feb 24, 2020