Arete and Athene and Bath and Body Works Fruity Body Washes

by Stephanie McCarthy

Arete and Athene Sweet Cherry Bomb Body Wash, 33.8 oz

Arete and Athene Sweet Cherry Bomb Body Wash, 33.8 oz, $14.98 at Marshalls 

This body wash is moisturizing, but in a good way, almost as if a little bit of body lotion was put in it. There's something in it that makes it very pleasant smelling in a clean and soapy way that resembles Philosophy's scent, Amazing Grace. It's what you get upon the first whiff of using it. Then, the scent settles into an underlying sweetness of a maraschino cherry and a pomegranate, as well as a tanginess from the seeds of the fruit.

Arete and Athene Peachy Beachy Body Wash, 33.8 oz

Arete and Athene Peachy Beachy Body Wash, 33.8 oz, $14.98 at T.J. Maxx

There are a couple of reasons why this body wash makes me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. The scent of it reminds me of my favorite gum from childhood, Trident Tropical Twist, with flavors of oranges and kiwis. The sweet juiciness of it also takes me back to the nectarines in the fruit basket on the counter in the galley kitchen in the first house I grew up in. My mom would pack one in my school lunchbox and I’d have another one as a snack after school and on the weekends. Finally, the scent’s bubbliness makes me think of the popular Bath and Body Works’ fragrance, Peach Bellini. The size of this, as well as the Sweet Cherry Bomb one above, can’t be beat. They go a long way in this terrible economy, where everything is so expensive. And your skin will be moisturized too.

Bath & Body Works’ Perfect in Pink Body Wash, 3 oz

Perfect in Pink Body Wash, 3 oz, $19.94 at Bath & Body Works

Yep, the price of this is insane. Even when purchasing it in the store, without the exorbitant shipping fees (Yes, you read it correctly. Unfortunately, it really is $10.99.), $8.95 is still crazy for such a small-sized body wash. I remember when these minis used to be $4.95, and I only recommend getting them when they’re on sale for a little under $2.95. Thanks for bearing with me and my rant. Now, on to the scent. 

I get the cherries that Bath & Body Works mentions are in this, but they’re more indicative of the tartness and the sweetness of the berry and almond notes that are present in black cherries. The syrupy smell also reminds me of the cherry flavor of Robitussin Cough Medicine. I don’t get any of the pink camellia that the brand lists is in this, which a lot of folks say resembles the strong-smelling scent of roses and osmanthuses. I do get an obnoxious after smell from the liquor of the whipped almond crème note in it. If you can get past this and be patient with as it vanishes, it’s still a great body wash. Now, I understand why the cherries are described as vibrant ones in this. There’s a cheerful and fruity smell that lingers on the skin well after your shower and the formulation is very hydrating. 

Due to an unpleasant experience a couple of years ago at the Bath & Body Works at Westfield Wheaton Mall, in which the sales associates were overly aggressive in keeping me from going through the store while they handed me my order-online-pick-up-in-the-store purchase, I did my best to avoid them. However, being that it’s the closest location to me and is much easier than taking that punishing 45-minute bus ride to the nicer Westfield Montgomery Mall, I decided to give them another chance. I’m glad I did. The sales associates are much friendlier now and they greet you as soon as you enter the store and it’s brightly lit and spacious. The Montgomery Mall location has always been too dimly lit for my taste, with these ebony wood walls and furniture, and the sales associates can’t be bothered with greeting you properly. Plus, the layout is really cramped and claustrophobic, making you feel like you’re always about to knock something over, especially something breakable, like glass, which is not good for my accident-prone self.

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