My love of
Babeland products, along with what they stand for as a company, should come as no surprise to anyone that's familiar with my reviews. Between the high level of quality, discreet packaging, amazing scents, flavors and colors used, they've pretty much covered all the basics when it comes to creating fantastic sexual wellness products.
Whether it was their
BabeLicious Lubes,
Massage Candle or
Natural BabeLube, every product I tried far exceeded my expectations and left me wanting to explore and sample everything they make! Fortunately the generous folks at Babeland were nice enough to send the sweet and citrus-y
Babeland Body Essentials Kit my way, leaving me once again very pleasantly surprised.
*clicking the product links above will take you to each of my reviews of the products.
Packaging
The overall packaging is small, simple, discreet, practical and very well done. There is nothing on or within the clear plastic rectangles that's rude, inappropriate, tacky, cheesy or embarrassing; just the name of the kit (Romance, Pleasure, Delight or Love) and what's included.
The translucent container is surprisingly sturdy and held up to me dropping it about 4 times without so much as a crack. Sure there were scuff marks but that's to be expected. As for the size, it measures just under 4.5" inches in height and 2.4" inches across making it a small enough size that you could put it in a drawer or box without taking up much room.
Of course the box doesn't have to just be used for storing the products it comes with, when you're done you can use it to hold batteries,
condoms,
sample lube packets,
mini bullets, make up, art brushes, pencils, paper clips or anything else you can think up. No matter what you use it for it's definitely a handy little container that could be reused for quite some time.
The Goods
One of the biggest pet peeves I have when it comes to intimate accessories like lubes and oils is the fact that the vast majority of companies only sell one size, usually a large one , that doesn't give the customer a chance to sample the flavor or scent before spending a large amount of money. The main drawback obviously being that if you don't like the product you've ended up wasting your money. Thankfully Babeland takes the guess work out of choosing and offers smaller versions of their amazing products, allowing you to try just enough to decide if you like the scent, flavor, texture and experience each has to offer.
Each Essentials Kit contains: 1/4-ounce flavored
Lickable Oil, a one-ounce bottle of
Massage Oil, 8-1/2ml
Massage Oil Spray, a 1/2-ounce
BabeLicious Flavored Lube, one small
Body Massage Bar , and a one-ounce
Body Massage Candle. I received the orange "Romance" kit which included organge blossom, chocolate orange and citron fig scents and flavors.
Rather than just doing an over all review of the product I'm going to once again being doing mini reviews for each item. That way if you like the sounds of the product you can either sample them all by getting the kit or purchase a single larger item.
Babeland Body Essentials Kit
If you've tried
natural massage bars before you'll likely find that they aren't that different from other brands. Starting out as firm little creamy bars that melt into heavenly oils, massage bars serve as a luxurious product that can be used alone, with a partner, after a shower as a body moisturizer, perfume or to simply help bring on a relaxed mood for you and your partner.
* To use just glide the massage bar directly over your warm skin and watch as it slowly melts into a silky oil upon contact. Once the bar has melted you can massage or rub the remaining oils into the skin.
Each of the lovely little circular 1/2-oz massage bars come wrapped in colored foil and wax paper that's pretty, simple, discreet and professional. There's nothing on the wrapper that's rude, tacky or inappropriate and I definitely think they'd make for a fantastic present no matter the recipient. To open simply unwrap the foil like you would a chocolate bar and gently peel back the wax paper. You'll likely find that the wax paper sticks a tiny bit to the bar but not enough that you'll waste or lose any.
The scent is warm, musky (not
musty that's different), slightly citrus, fresh, floral, inviting and sweet being neither too heavy nor too strong or overwhelming. As for the texture, once rubbed in I didn't feel heavily coated in product, slimy, oily, greasy or sticky like lesser brands with chemical fillers and/or cheap synthetic oils. Of course there was a slight slickness to my skin but for the most part I was left soft, supple and wonderfully scented.
*I applied it after a shower my partner asked if I had been doing laundry, when I looked at him perplexed he said it smelled like the fabric softer I use - but better.
Side Note: when I received mine I popped it into the freezer right away to let it harden as it had slightly melted during shipping. Once it was firm I opened it and cut it into equal quarters which allowed me to try it on four separate occasions. If you'd like to do the same I suggest either rewrapping the unused portions in the foil or placing them in a freezer bag and popping it back in the fridge for later use.
Cautions: As massage bars are made with natural butters and oils I highly suggest making sure your hands are free of the oils before using latex barriers like condoms or dental dams. Because they melt at body temperature I'd advise keeping them somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight (I find keeping them in the fridge or freezer works great!). Meant for external purposes only.
Ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Fragrance
Final Verdict: 5 out of 5 stars
Considering that the 5 oz container of flavored lube was one I had previously tried (review link
here) I'm not too sure what I can say that's 'new'; it still smells and tastes great, has a fantastic thick gel like consistency, is latex safe and water based so you can use it with any intimate accessory, doesn't contain glycerin or parabens, glides on smooth and lasts for quite some time without getting sticky or tacky. Of course how much you use will depend on your own level of personal wetness and/or how much you like the taste (during oral play), but for the most part a little will go a very long way.
The flavor is slightly chocolaty and sweet with a subtle orange undertone that's very light. There is no gross syrupy taste, chemical burn in your throat or horrible after taste. It's nice and simple, everything a really great flavored lube should be.
Unlike the larger version that comes as pictured above, the sample comes packaged in a small clear plastic screw capped bottle that's discreet, and simple. There's nothing on it that's rude, inappropriate or tacky and since the label could be easily removed it's nothing you'd have to worry about when it comes to people finding it.
Applying the lube is easy, just unscrew the cap, squish the bottle until it rises to the surface and place where ever you want. Maybe it's just me but I found that banging the product on your hand to get the lube out was like trying to put ketchup on fries, it just doesn't happen that easily. Fortunately spillage isn't something you have to really worry about as it's thick and not at all runny. I think most people would be able to get 1-3 uses out of it depending on how much natural lubrication they provide.
Ingredients: Deionized water, cellulose gum, potassium sorbate, polyquaternium-7, phenoxyethanol, sorbitol, citric acid, flavor.
Final Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Unlike the larger version (pictured left and
reviewed here) the 1 oz sample candle came packaged in a small silver metal tin that was discreet and simple. The lid easily popped off (unless my hands were oily) and almost instantly flooded the air with a warm but citrus-y, mature, clean and soapy scent. While it wasn't overwhelming or obnoxious, I'd definitely say it was 'heavy' and very different from the pretty and feminine smelling
Rice Flower candle I previously reviewed. Fortunately once it's allowed to melt and applied to the skin the heaviness fades and the sweeter citrus notes take over leaving you smelling fresh and clean.
*To use just light the wick, give it about 3 minutes to melt into a warm puddle and slowly pour a small amount onto the skin. Because it has a higher melting point than regular candles it shouldn't be hot enough to burn delicate skin. On that note, a little goes a very,
very long way and you shouldn't need much (ours lasted 5 uses - but we weren't using a lot).
The texture is very different from traditional oils, as the melted wax absorbs quickly without leaving the greasy residue that petroleum, beeswax or mineral oil based products often do. It also didn’t leave me feeling coated in product, slippery, sticky, itchy, raw or sore, and spread quickly, feeling light, silky, buttery and leaving my skin soft and supple.
Cautions: Since it's made with natural butters/oils I highly suggest making sure your hands are clean before using latex barriers like condoms or dental dams. Because they melt at body temperature I'd advise keeping them somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight (I find keeping them in the fridge or freezer works great like the massage bars). I also suggest only having it lit for a short amount of time - metal gets hot really fast, remember that when you're reaching for the container! Meant for external purposes only.
Ingredients: Soy Wax, Shea Butter, Fragrance
Final Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Because I have really sensitive skin I've always been really picky when it comes to massage oils. Maybe it's just me but I tend to find that the vast majority will either cause a rash, leave me itchy and sore or make my skin feel as if I dumped a bucket of slime on me that I just can't seem to wash off. While this
Massage Oil Spray isn't one of my fave products from the kit I can say it's not a bad product, it's just not my fave (it just seemed a little boring compared to the candle and massage bar).
*Hate wasting a product? No worries! 3 pumps of the spray provided enough to do my back and left enough for at least another 3 uses.
The long tubular transparent plastic spray bottle travels well and like all the other products in the kit is totally discreet, practical and simple. There's nothing on it's possibly embarrassing so you shouldn't have to worry about leaving it out in the open should someone find it.
Unlike many other oils on the market the texture is smooth and spreads easily over the skin, quickly absorbing to leave you feeling moisturized and supple. There was no grainy feeling to it and while there was a slight sheen to my skin after application, there was no horrible sticky or slimy residue left behind. The scent was light and airy, slightly citrus, floral, a little musky and sweet, delicate and not at all overpowering.
*If you're looking to use an oil that wont leave you smelling like you've doused yourself in perfume, this is a very nice option.
Cautions: As it is an oil I highly suggest making sure your hands are clean before using latex barriers like condoms or dental dams. Meant for external purposes only.
Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E, cyclomethicone, fragrance.
Final Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars
Although there are many oils on the market that claim to be edible there are very few that are worthy of the term. It might just be me and my experiences but I very often find that flavored oils leave my tongue feeling slimy, my throat feeling coated and my teeth feeling slick (and not in the good way). Fortunately the folks at Babeland seem to have mastered the art of flavored oils and created a product that's not only tasty, but also free of the other characteristics I've come to despise.
Unlike the larger version that comes in a clear plastic pump style container (pictured above left), the sample comes in a little .25 oz translucent glass bottle that's easily portable, simple and discreet. Although the screw cap allows for an easy application, there's also a chance you may use too much since there is no plastic barrier like an
orifice reducer or
roller ball to limit the amount used.
The oil is thin, runny, light, not at all grainy and spreads over the skin very nicely. Like the other massage products in the kit it absorbs quickly and leaves the skin soft, supple, delicately scented and moisturized. There's no 'coated in product' feeling and you're definitely not left feeling like you need to wash it off.
I found the Lickable Oil to be far tastier than the Flavored Lube (both Chocolate Orange), as it didn't have the gel like consistency and the orange was more pronounced. Having said that I still found that it was slightly chocolaty and sweet, very light and fruity while also being rather delicate. By no means is there any gross syrupy taste, chemical burn in your throat or horrible after taste. It's nice and simple, just like the lube.
Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Flavor.
Cautions: As it is an oil I highly suggest making sure your hands are clean before using latex barriers like condoms or dental dams. Meant for external purposes only.
Final Verdict: 4.75 out of 5 stars
Since the
Massage Oil is pretty much the same product as the
Massage Oil Spray (with the exception of the bottle and the lacking of
cyclomethicone) there really isn't to much that I can say that would be new; it smells just as great, leaves the skin soft, supple and smooth, doesn't have a grainy texture and comes packaged so that you can dispense as much as you'd like.
The only real difference I found was that it was a tad more runny and felt a little thicker than the spray. Of course that's very likely due to the fact that it's not applied in a spray that coats a larger surface area in small droplets and instead is applied in a pouring manner.
Cautions: As it is an oil I highly suggest making sure your hands are clean before using latex barriers like condoms or dental dams. Meant for external purposes only.
Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E, fragrance.
Final Verdict: 4.75 out of 5 stars
Overall Final Verdict
If you're a bargain shopper like me, one that also likes to 'try before you buy', there is no reason you shouldn't want to take advantage of this amazing little kit. From sprays to lickable oils, flavored lube to massage candles and bars, it has everything in convenient sizes to test the waters before you spend bigger bucks on something larger. To make the pot even sweeter each of the products is all natural, smells great and doesn't have the cheap chemical fillers you'll find in lesser brands.
In a nut shell - each of these products was pretty damn amazing and the kit as a whole is something I'd highly suggest for anyone that's looking for a perfect little gift, be it a birthday, bachelorette party, couples getaway, romantic night in or simply because you want to splurge and treat yourself. Considering it's only $24.00 it's a steal!
For those of you that would like to purchase the
Babeland Body Essentials Kit head on over to Babeland and while you're there make sure to check out the
Babeland Body Kit (has a bath fizzy, condoms and vibe instead of the spray oil and lube),
Babeland Body Mini Kit (massage bar, lickable lube, entice and vibe) or any of the other
fantastic and sexy kits the kick ass folks at the company have put together for you and yours!