When it comes to bathing, I prefer to keep my routine to five minutes or less. (I’ll tack on another five if I’m shaving my legs, but lol because that seldom happens.) My old roommate in college used to spend a solid half hour in the shower every morning—lathering and rinsing and humming to herself the whole while. This, she told me, was her moment of TLC, which is something I never really understood until I tried the Kai Body Buffer.
I live in New York City, where real estate is a precious commodity. As such, my shower stall is the size of one of those lockers you had in high school: tall and narrow and kind of smells like feet. I tell you this because my primary reason for trying this sponge was that it would save space in my teeny shower. Pre-loaded with cleanser, it doesn’t require a separate bottle of body wash to get the job done. (Novel, right?)
The first time I used the Kai, I was surprised at how stiff it was, but as soon as you douse it in water, it starts to soften and release a creamy lather. First you’re like, “Hey, this is pretty nice!” The sponge feels great against your skin—firm enough to give you a gentle exfoliation, yet yielding. Then, the scent comes through and you melt into a puddle of bliss. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that it’s one of the best things to have ever graced my nostrils. Plus, the sponge is hypoallergenic and the cleanser itself is paraben-, sulfate- and phthalate-free. As someone who tries to live a non-toxic lifestyle wherever possible, this sealed the deal for me.
Remember Oprah’s favorite things? This sponge was one of hers—now, it’s one of mine. Other notable fans include Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon and my boyfriend, who has since abandoned his homely bar of soap. (I’m trying not to be stingy, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me twitch every time I smell that gardenia scent wafting off his skin. The man showers twice a day!)
