Reminiscent of the beach...

September 7, 2014 2:44 PM

I'm looking for a coconut-scented body lotion and am willing to spend some money for something really good/luxurious. Any ideas?

I'm going to Hawaii on vacation next month and would like to take some sort of delicious-smelling coconut lotion with me. (I did the same thing when I went 10 years ago and the smell of what I took then--Bath & Body Works' Coconut Lime Verbena--has always brought back good memories). I figured I'd just take some Hawaiian Tropic suntan lotion with me, since I LOVE the smell of that, but I don't often spend money on nice body stuff like this and am thinking there is probably something fancier than Hawaiian Tropic but just as good (or even better!)-smelling. Willing to spend up to $50 and would prefer something I could buy in a U.S. brick and mortar store; would like to avoid buying online since obviously I'd want to smell it first.

Bonus points if it (a) has some sort of SPF in it and/or (b) also has notes of vanilla or gardenia (my other favorite scents). Also, if it's something I can easily find IN Hawaii once I get there, that would work too. Looking for body lotions/creams specifically, but maybe a shower gel or bath oil would be OK too if it has a fragrance that really lingers. Thanks in advance!

posted by lovableiago to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (14 answers total)

Trader Joe's has a truly luxurious Coconut Body Cream with shea butter and all kinds of good stuff. It's thick, creamy, goes on like a dream, moisturizes like heaven, and isn't greasy at all. The smell is rich but not too sweet. I adore it, and it's only $4.99 a tub.
posted by AthenaPolias at 3:00 PM on September 7, 2014 [1 favorite]

Lavanila makes some really luxurious, delicious smelling lotions; I love the vanilla coconut scent. You can test them out in Sephora stores.
posted by Juliet Banana at 3:11 PM on September 7, 2014 [1 favorite]

Pure Fiji is really good-- I'm not sure where to buy it although I've seen it in spas.
posted by acidic at 3:15 PM on September 7, 2014 [2 favorites]

I haven't tried their coconut specifically, but I previously have enjoyed the Pacifica body butters and I've yet to meet a scent of theirs that isn't just lovely.
posted by WidgetAlley at 3:17 PM on September 7, 2014 [2 favorites]

Is there a reason you've not considered just using plain coconut oil? It makes a great moisturizer and is available in any supermarket.
posted by Sara C. at 3:21 PM on September 7, 2014 [4 favorites]

seconding Juliet Banana's recommendation of the Lavanila vanilla coconut scent.
posted by dizziest at 3:29 PM on September 7, 2014

Best answer: Skin Trip Coconut reminds me of the old school Hawaiian Tropics suntan lotion. It's nice and coconutty.
posted by biscuits at 3:32 PM on September 7, 2014 [1 favorite]

I just applied some Adama Minerals White Coconut lotion! It is on the liquidy side as lotions go, so it's good for light hand/body moisturizing. The fragrance is sweet with a dry, spicy/woody edge. Not floral, but maybe some vanilla.
posted by prewar lemonade at 5:52 PM on September 7, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Bath and Body works has a lime coconut. that you might want to check out.
posted by Jewel98 at 6:14 PM on September 7, 2014

I like the coconut body butter from The Body Shop.
posted by ktkt at 7:20 PM on September 7, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I personally like Monoi de Tahiti Tiare body oil which you can buy easily in Hawaii. At least it's always been easy for me to buy in Kauai. Tiare is the gardenia scent but they also have a coconut scent. I buy several bottles every time I go to visit family - I get it at Long's (which is a local drug store chain). It's my summer staple - good for the skin!
posted by rdnnyc at 8:09 PM on September 7, 2014

Seconding Monoi de Tahiti oil. I bought it in Tahiti forever ago and was so excited to see it in Hawaii too! Cheap and awesome!
posted by bluebelle at 8:54 PM on September 7, 2014

I like products from this Hawaiian company, and I saw them for sale at many stores on Kauai. They have several coconut scents.
posted by TrarNoir at 10:32 AM on September 8, 2014

Response by poster: I ended up getting Bobbi Brown's Beach body lotion to take with me. When I smelled it in the store I knew it was exactly what I was looking for--it has lots of good reviews and interestingly, the bad ones say that it basically smells like fancy sunblock...but I guess that's what I was looking for! So maybe not coconut so much, but I do really like that too. I will definitely check out the available-in-Hawaii options when I'm there to bring something tropical back!
posted by lovableiago at 1:01 PM on October 8, 2014