Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble

June 4, 2008 8:07 PM

I want to buy some bubble bath for a gift for someone who says he takes baths solely for the bubbles. As a no-nonsense showers-only girl, this is unknown shopping territory to me. What's some seriously good bubble bath? I guess my criteria would include but not be limited to: doesn't leave a greasy residue on the skin; prolific, long lasting bubble action; and geared for a grown man, meaning no overpowering floral scents or sparkly teddy-bear-princess-themed packaging.
posted by orange swan to Shopping (8 answers total)

Lots of bubbles and 'grown man' really don't go so well together. You may have to settle for the opposite: Matey is the one British children (and grown children) know -- you can get it from a few places that sell British goods. If you can't get away with kids' stuff, then Badedas is pine and chestnut rather than floral stuff. It does need a bit of help to froth it up, though.
posted by holgate at 8:22 PM on June 4, 2008

Lush has a nice collection of very bubbly, very awesome solid bubble bars in a variety of scents. Blue Skies and Fluffy White Clouds has a "manly" scent, as does Marathon bar. Milk chocolate and toffee scent is pretty gender neutral.
posted by hecho de la basura at 8:33 PM on June 4, 2008

Philosphy's Message in a Bottle is sublime. It can be used both as a shower gel and a bubble bath. It smells like the ocean to me in a light, subtle way. It was a male friend who turned me on to it.
posted by trixare4kids at 8:40 PM on June 4, 2008

I second the Lush bubble bars. I'd recommend the Karma scent. My dad loves them, that's definitely what he's getting for Father's Day.

Philosophy Cosmetics also sells a ton of great bubble baths. Most of them are pretty girly, but this lime-scented one might do the trick.
posted by arianell at 8:42 PM on June 4, 2008

Thymes Olive Leaf - a great fragrance, rather woody, herbal and "spa" smelling. A great "unisex" smell. Their store locator includes Canada.
posted by illek at 9:15 PM on June 4, 2008

Thirding Lush, Swanlady. Skip the Eaton Centre location--Queen West has better selection.

Also, if he likes showers, there's a really cool frozen shower gel that they make. Incredibly refreshing in the summer.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:28 AM on June 5, 2008

Neil Gaiman, a man who enjoys his baths, had this experience with a Lush bubble bar:
massive bubbles
posted by 100watts at 7:27 AM on June 5, 2008

Edited to add: Mr. Gaiman might have made the same mistake I did with the Lush bubble bars: You don't need to use a whole one for just one bath.
posted by 100watts at 7:28 AM on June 5, 2008