Robb Recommends: The High-End Bar Soaps That Turn Your Shower Into an Aromatherapy Session
Welcome to Robb Recommends, a regular series in which our editors and contributors endorse something they’ve tried and loved—and think will change your life for the better.
There’s something refreshingly satisfying about the simplicity of a bar of soap. I’m not one for body washes; I prefer the tactile experience of a solid bar. Over the years, I’ve tried countless formulations, yet every so often, a brand transforms the familiar into something distinct and new—reinventing the wheel, if you will. Flamingo Estate is one such brand. Its soaps, with their apothecary-esque aromas, natural formulations, and exceptional cleansing lather, stand out in the market. Their large, dense square slabs embody a back-to-basics luxury deeply woven into their overall DNA.
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Flamingo Estate isn’t your typical grooming brand—it’s as renowned for its luxury olive oil as it is for its bath and body products. The hand washes, soaps, and candles have earned a cult following among grooming and home scent enthusiasts. But the bar soaps, in particular, with their distinctive square shape, have generated quite a buzz, and it’s easy to see why. They are handcrafted and feel like they were cut straight from a farm’s soap slab, reminiscent of a time when you’d visit a local maker in town instead of ordering something online. And it’s not all looks: these soaps lather exceptionally well, and the inclusion of Babassu Oil—sourced as a sustainable alternative to palm oil—leaves skin incredibly soft. They cleanse thoroughly without stripping or feeling harsh, offering a natural, chemical-free experience.
Each soap is handcrafted with sustainability in mind, using ingredients sourced from a fully traceable network of growers and farms. Made in Los Angeles, these soaps are free from palm oil and petroleum, relying on 100 percent essential oils for their fragrances and most other ingredients, resulting in nearly all-natural compositions—whether it’s charcoal, peppermint, or sage. And the scents? If I had to sum them up in one word, it would be “herbaceous.” That’s fitting, considering these soaps come from a California estate renowned for its vibrant, lush gardens. Leave a bar by your bathtub and it almost doubles as a room diffuser.
When you open the very handsome box (perfect for gifting, too), you’ll immediately notice how substantial this brick of soap is. At $42, it might seem steep for a single bar, but this hefty cleansing block should last a month of showers. That brings me to my final point: the size. The larger square form takes some getting used to, especially if you’re accustomed to a more traditional, more rectangular bar. Initially, the shape feels awkward, and the edges might need a few showers to soften and conform to your grip. But it’s easy to handle once you adjust, and the shape only enhances its artisanal appeal. It’s a minor consideration for a soap that lasts so long, lathers so well, and smells so good. Flamingo Estate proves that in a market saturated with options, sometimes the simplest concepts are the most luxurious and unique.
Flamingo Estate Roman Parsley & Fresh Rosemary Soap Brick
My first introduction to the brand was through their rosemary soap brick. While rosemary can be polarizing in body care, the blend here shines. It captures the best green scents of their estate garden, creating an invigorating, herbaceous fragrance. French green clay detoxifies, and the olive and Babassu oils nourish your skin.
Flamingo Estate Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick
Exfoliating soap is occasionally essential for sloughing away dead skin cells, allowing your skin to regenerate and absorb moisture. While many exfoliating bars can be harsh, this one uses poppy seeds for gentle smoothing. The peppermint scent is a tingling wake-up call, while blue clay draws out impurities, and Big Sur Sea salt exfoliates.
Flamingo Estate Lavender & Activated Charcoal Soap Brick
This charcoal brick’s soothing California lavender and sage aroma will transform your bathroom into a fragrant apothecary. While charcoal soaps can leave some residue in the tub, this one is well worth it—it detoxifies, unclogs pores, and provides a deep clean that outperforms regular soaps.
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