Palatium, Roman-Inspired Bath and Lifestyle Products

Palatium is a line of bath and lifestyle products inspired by the luxury of the ancient Roman bathing culture. The first two products in the recently launched line are a Roman bath oil and a "Replenishing Foam," a foaming liquid soap for use in the bath or shower.

Palatium Roman Bath Oil was created with the purest ingredients to provide nourishment for the skin and a relaxing bathing experience. The oil is a blend of organic Tuscan olive oil and other nourishing oils, such as such as organic soybean, jojoba, and primrose oils, mixed with soothing vitamin E and organic white and green tea extracts. The result is a beautiful bath oil.

The bubbling Palatium Replenishing Foam is enriched with aloe vera and organic Tuscan olive oil. Flower extracts, including chamomile, and vitamin C ester supplement the foam to make your cleansing routine luxurious.

Olive oil was used as a base for bathing products in ancient Rome. Who knew this? Not me! Today, we know that olive oil is a pure fat that offers natural antibacterial properties. It's great for use on sensitive skin. The highest grade of organic Tuscan olive oil is used in Palatium products.

Palatium launched with three finely crafted, custom scents - all designed to recall the Mediterranean region. Arancia Dolce, the scent I was able to try, courtesy of Palatium, was inspired by the sweet citrus of the orange groves lining seaside retreats from Cinque Terre to Amalfi. The top notes are effervescent orange, grapefruit, and lime zest. The heart notes are lily of the valley, jasmine, and orange blossom. The base notes are cedarwood and gentle musk. It doesn't get any better. The Enriching Foam I tried is luscious. I'd love to try the bath oil in Arancia Dolce. I think I'd use it as a perfume.

Fico Speziato is based on the scent of fresh figs balanced by gentle spices from Jerusalem and Alexandria along the edges of the Mediterranean. With green notes supplemented by orange flower leaves, magnolia, rose, jasmine, exotic woods, and musk, it's got to be gorgeous.

Mare Myrteus, shown above, blends the zest of a refreshing trade wind with the spirited notes of Tyrrhenian myrtle berries. The top notes include bergamot, sparkling lemon, and the simulation of cool ocean air breezes. Jasmine and lily of the valley blend with ginger at the heart. The fragrance base is composed with blond woods, amber, and musk.

These three unique fragrances, one for every taste - with the promise of more to come - are the essence of Palatium. If you'd like to enliven your bathing experience, you can find them at the Palatium Web site. The Roman Bath Oils are priced at $65, but appear to be sold out currently. The Replenishing Foams are $45. They will certainly take your daily routine up a notch.

Photo courtesy of Palatium

Chaz Dean: WEN Bath and Body Products

As I new Chaz Dean groupie (he hooked me with the Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner), I was delighted to be offered an opportunity to try his new bath and body products. The company sent me Lavender Nourishing Body Lotion ($32) and Lavender Body Cleansing Cream ($32). I don't know anyone who doesn't love lavender. It's one of the most soothing scents on earth. When I see a bed of blooming lavender, I want to roll in it like a cat rolling in catnip. Chaz Dean has the next best thing.

Chaz Dean's new bath and body products - all of them - are formulated with a nourishing blend of botanical ingredients. They don't have the harsh detergents in conventional soaps. Dean suggests you start a ritual. Your first step should be an "invigorating" bath or shower with the Body Cleansing Cream. I have to confess: Lavender is relaxing to me, which is great because it calms my mind when it's racing. That's OK, there are other scents for an invigorating experience. This very creamy, but non-lathering, cleanser deposits a moisturizer while stimulating collagen production to promote skin firmness and elasticity (I'm starting to see a need for this). I love the way it cleanses gently, and I use it as a "base" for shaving in the shower.

In your ritual's second step, you should apply the Nourishing Body Lotion - or the Bath, Body & Hair Oil - which applies easily, is rapidly absorbed, and provides long-lasting moisture to leave the skin soft, supple, and "glowing with health." I've adopted this ritual in the last week - morning and evening - and I'm delighted with it.

WEN's one-stop beauty products work seamlessly with each other to promote a balance of "beauty, mind, body, and spirit." With lavender, it works for me! Apparently, there are world-famous devotees of Chaz Dean products, including Gwyneth Paltrow (isn't she great in Glee?), Marcia Cross, Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Diana Agron (more Glee), Daryl Hannah, and Drew Barrymore - to name just a few of my favorites. I think I'm in great company.

The bath and body products are available in lavender, fig, and sweet almond scents. There's something for everyone. I want to try fig next. It's too bad I placed a huge order from Chaz Dean's Web site about a week ago. I would have added fig to go along with the lavender I'm using every day. I ordered more Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner, some bath salts in different scents, and a few other things to try. A groupie has to be up-to-date on everything!

When I wrote about the Cleansing Conditioner, many of you commented. You discovered it before I did. I also learned at my office that many women had discovered it before me. When a colleague asked me how I got my hair to shine, and I told her I had started using Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner, she raved that her mother (probably my age) was hooked on it. Smart woman!

Head over the the Chaz Dean Web site. You'll be tempted.

Photo courtesy of Chaz Dean