B. Skin, 766 King West, 647-222-9054 Rating: NNNNN
The stale stench that settles over King West on some hot summer days is enough to make you pinch your nose and retreat for more northerly Toronto neighbourhoods. B. Skin owner Gillian Downes is doing her part to ease the area’s strain on sensitive schnozzes with her Tecumseth Lofts bath and beauty shop’s selection of nicely scented lotions, bars and soy-based candles.
Downes launched the line six years ago and has a strong contingent of online followers who surf her www.becleansmellgood.com site for citron- and olive-oil-infused shower gels, jelly-coloured glycerin bath bars wafting lavender, avocado or peppermint notes and spa gift packs cellophaned in pink-striped mini hat boxes.
B.Skin follows a fashion philosophy by producing seasonal collections (fall will combine leaf and tree moss flavours with exotic florals), but the driving principle is keeping bath and beauty time simple, with just a whiff of pampering and luxury.
B.Skin picks: The new Pink collection, including a soy milk shower gel, smells sweet as candy, $16 bubble your bath with lemon and peppermint Don’t Cry Over Spilled Salt bath salt, $25 clean up with camomile and pink grapefruit Fresh Daily Wash, $18.
Look for: A B.Skin spa space offering personalized treatments, opening across the street in October.
Hours: Monday to Friday 11 am to 6 pm, Saturday noon to 6 pm.
