Remember how hot bliss spa was back in the day? Flashback to 1999… There I was, stomp-walking down the windy streets of downtown SF, where I worked as a legal assistant. Wherever I went, I left a trail of spicy white pepper and blood orange in my wake, thanks to bliss, and the brand just got a makeover. The products, some of which are classics that stuck around, and some of which are newbies, are now available at Target with new packaging, new formulas and lower prices. They’re also cruelty-free and sans parabens, phthalates, SLS and SLES.
Here are some of them I’ve been testing lately…
Poetic Waxing Hair Removal Kit ($24 for a 5.3-oz. cup of wax, a few spatulas and a bottle of pre/post-wax oil)
This is THE BEST at-home waxing kit I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried quite a few). It isn’t messy, it’s relatively painless to use, it removes even the babiest baby hairs, and you can get it done quickly.
Like, this morning I stuck the cup of wax into the microwave on high for three minutes (30-sec intervals; it’s all in the instructions), smeared it on my fuzzy bits, let it cool, then riiiiiipped that sucka off. Now, no more ‘stash! 🙂 It’s totally GONE.
And this works just as well on brows and the bikini area. It comes with a detailed how-to, which pretty much nails all of the insider tips you need to know for a quick, relatively painless wax. It’s REALLY helpful, too, so read it.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 5 out of 5 hearts.
Did you know? I consider this a pro tip: I usually take two Advil about an hour before waxing (to take the edge off)…
Lemon & Sage Refreshing Body Wipes ($8 for a pack of 30 wipes)
These disposable body wipes whisk away sweat, dirt and oil to leave you with a non-sticky neck (also great for the inside of your elbow and the back of your knees), and they smell like a lemon drop. 🙂
As an HSP (hella sweaty person), I find these useful and refreshing, but I’d like them even more if they were individually wrapped (like the ones by Sweat Cosmetics).
❤️❤️❤️❤️ 4 out of 5 hearts.
Did you know? According to bliss, these wipes contain a mild plant-based deodorant that relies on enzymes to reduce odor.
Makeup Melt Wipes ($7 for 30 wipes)
Pros: ? These wipes really do lift everything, including waterproof mascara. ? Plus, no oily residue. ? Also plus, they don’t make my sensitive eyes water, even when they touch my water line.
Cons: ? You have to put your back into it when you use them (translation: you have to rub your lashes quite a lot) to remove waterproof stuff. ? Also, the wipes feel kinda dry.
❤️❤️❤️ 3 out of 5 hearts.
Did you know? These Makeup Melt Wipes are oil-free and made for all skin types.
Blood Orange & White Pepper Body Butter ($12 for a 6.7-oz. tube)
This is pretty much the same as the old-school version, only much less expensive. It’s moderately moisturizing and smells like a peppery orange soda. The old one was $4.11 per ounce, and now it’s $1.79 per ounce. Love!
I’m a lizard person and use it twice per day, once in the morning and once at night.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 5 out of 5 hearts.
Did you know? This body butter, like all of the items in the line now, is cruelty-free and doesn’t contain parabens, phthalates or SLS.
Your Situation Hair-softening Oil & Bump Minimizer ($22 for a 2-oz. glass bottle with a dropper)
Does one need a lightweight, quick-absorbing oil for one’s lady parts? No…but it’s kinda nice having fuzz that doesn’t feel like crispy ramen noodles, and the explosion of red bikini line bumps I got from shaving with a cheap razor has subsided considerably.
❤️❤️❤️ 3 out of 5 hearts.
Did you know? You can also use this under your arms and on your chest, and dudes can use it on their beards.
Bump Attendant Ingrown Eliminating Pads ($22 for a jar with 25 pads)
I’m happy to see that bliss kept these around. I used one pad — ONE! — on a slew of red, angry ingrown hairs that cropped up along my bikini line, and they were gone within 24 hours. As much as I like how effective these are, though, I’m a little irked that they increased in price. Now they’re 88 cents per pad instead of 76. Booooo.
❤️❤️❤️ 3 out of 5 hearts.
Did you know? These pads contain both glycolic and salicylic acid exfoliators.
This cat.
