Fantastic Flowers.

We are proud of our "Hawaiian scents" because they are so real, and never have a chemical smell. They're light, so you can wear them all day and anywhere. Our Plumeria brings back the Proustian moment of stepping off the plane in Hawaii, especially in the days before jetways (not so long ago) and the times before fear when locals met friends and family at the planes with plumeria lei draped over their arms.

One of our customers' favorite is Tahitian Gardenia. They grow beautifully here in Hawaii and are Tahiti's national flower. Our Tahitian Gardenia family of products (lotions in 8.5 oz. and 2.2 oz., body wash, body butter, scrub and bathsalts pretty much fly out of the store.

We are reminded of one of our mothers whose habit was to stuff fresh gardenia in her bra every day (in the middle part, of course). People were amazed at how lovely (and fresh) she always smelled. We know our Tahitian Gardenia when someone is wearing it too. It reminds us of her, and it smells lovely (and fresh).

Heal Me!

Summer heat is bearing down, and outdoor play (even grownup outdoor play like gardening) can cause scrapes and bruises. Time for Lanikai Bath and Body Hawaiian Healing Salve.

Lanikai's Hawaiian Healing Salve heals and soothes. It's a rejuvenating balm with beeswax, shea butter, vitamin e and essential oils. Organic sunflower oil, kukui and macadamia oils too. Most importantly, it has the healing root of comfrey.

According to one plant expert, the leaves contain 20% protein and the entire plant is rich in the cell-proliferating compound allantoin. The leaves make excellent food for domestic animals such as rabbits, goats, horses and cows. Humans also derive great benefit from using Comfrey in home medicine. The salve made of the oil infusion of dried Comfrey roots and/or leaves is the fastest and most reliable healing embrocation available to treat injuries to the skin.

We were gardening the other day -- actually clearing out some weeds with prickly thorns that our sons were supposed to clear -- and got a red rash-like coloring on our arms. After a cool shower, I lathered myself in soothing Hawaiian Healing Salve and the itching completely disappeared.

Our Ingredients Speak for Themselves

At Lanikai Bath and Body, we always say that our ingredients speak for themselves. In the metaphorical sense of the phrase they really do. They are all natural, many and mostly Hawaiian and very, very good for you. We want to tell you a little bit about them. With thanks to 'Afa K. Palu, a microbiologist at Tahitian Noni International, who wrote an article called "ANCIENT POLYNESIANS KNEW SECRETS OF HEALTHY SKIN" in October of 2005 -- coincidentally the very month we opened our store --- we offer the following about coconut and kukui nut oils:

"Polynesian seed oils include coconut oil, which is typically used as base oil, mixed with different varieties of flowers and other seed oils. Additional ingredients such as mohokoi (ylang ylang), tuitui (kukui) and ahi (sandalwood) can be added to the base to create a variety of scented oils. These seed oils contain many skin health benefits, [today being explored] by science, but known to Hawaiian ancestors for over thousands of years.

... Polynesians used coconut oil as an ointment to maintain their smooth and soft skin. Our ancestors also used coconut oil for medical purposes, to relieve stiffness in the joints, rheumatism and back pain, by rubbing a liberal amount coconut oil on the affected area..

Palu wrote in his article that monolauric fatty acid, found in coconut oil, has been shown to protect the skin from bacteria and protozoan infections. We don't claim that for our lotions, but they certainly are soothing... Coconut oil also contains monounsaturated fatty acids, which have been shown to have antioxidant properties with potential benefits against skin aging.

Tuitui (Kukui) nut oil (Aleurites moluccana L.) is derived from the candlenut. [It] has been used for over thousands of years by Polynesians as a moisturizer. Recent scientific studies have verified its effectiveness. Candlenut oil contains essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) that are vital to healthy skin. The precious oil from the candlenut also contains vitamins A, E and F ~ good for skin health and for healing wounds."

Beyond The Body Wrap

This week's NYTimes Sunday Business Section asked "What Makes a Spa Stand Out?" Getting a facial has become, according to the Times, as nearly routine as picking up a nonfat decaf latte, which is nearly as routine as getting a big Mac, which makes going to a Spa = getting a Big Mac.

Oh how the mighty have fallen!

American spas had almost $10 billion revenue last year. It is not, however, highly (to say the least) regulated...so experiences are somewhat uneven (not as consistent as a Big Mac). There is a national Spa Association which says you have to offer two out of three types of treatments to be considered a spa (massage, skin care --facials -- and one other type like body scrubs).

Big tip in the article was to ask for the most popular therapist ~ which usually means that they are probably the best.

My suggestion: Spas would do well to order products from Lanikai Bath and Body! Now that would make a difference.

Flags Flying High

Where else in the world would you see Old Glory and the Hawai'i flag a-flying in gorgeous tradewinds on a beautiful day ~ from palm trees!? This shot was taken on Kailua Beach on
Friday July 6th. Lucky we live in paradise!

Puakenikeni ~ Light and Lovely and Perfect for Summer.

When picked, the beautiful Puakenikeni is a beautiful white blossom, shaped like a blue bell. Woven into a lei of the dreamiest smell, it eventually turns yellow and then a gorgeous golden orange.

This was one of the most prized leis during the "Boat Days" of the late 1800's. When the Steamer ships arrived in port, visitors were greeted and adorned with this most "expensive" and fragrant lei. At the time, this flowered lei cost one dime - a fortune for those days. Hence, the puakenikeni is known as the Ten Cent Flower.

At Lanikai Bath and Body our Puakenikeni Jojoba Spray Lotion is the perfect treat for your summer sun-bathed body. The lotion is light, but the scent is heady and hard not to love.

We also have Puakenikeni natural handmade soap!