6.10.2009

Wednesday Walkthrough . . . and my first-ever GIVEAWAY!




Today's walkthrough takes us to your soap dish, and if it's empty, offers a chance to win some free organic soap to refill it.

Since your skin is your largest organ, it only stands to reason that what you rub on it is going to affect your body in a big way. Since I was little, my skin tolerated very little, especially my face. I would use high-end soaps from department stores only to find that they made my face dry out. As I got older, I started implementing the less-is-more principal when it came to soap and focused on the scrubbing (dry and wet brushing, etc.). 

All that said, I'm really picky about my soap now, and I don't mind spending a little extra for the peace of mind knowing that I'm rubbing only good stuff into my skin. So when my former college roommate started making her own soap, not only was I intrigued, but I loved knowing that few ingredients and no chemicals were going into her soap. Steph's company Luka Organics has evolved to more than just a hobby picked up from her mom; it's a business with a mantra--Luka Organics creates quality and affordable organic and natural products that your skin will love to soak up. 


Recently I visited Luka Organics at the Pearl Farmers' Market here in Tulsa, and I picked up a bar of Almond Oatmeal soap. To start with, I love the look of these soaps. Each soap is minimally packaged so you can see the colors and textures of the ingredients swirled into the bar, and the top of each bar has a choppy raw edge that looks like a stormy soap sea frozen in time.
All of the yummy scents made the decision of which soap to pick almost impossible. Scents ranged from Coconut Lemongrass to Mexican Vanilla. I chose the Almond Oatmeal because of my love affair with almond scent and the natural healing properties of oatmeal. The scent of each bar was subtle, but when the soap hit the shower water, true to Steph's promise, the scent became a bit stronger. I have sensitive nose and can't stand fragrances in my products. I tend toward the earthy smells if I have to have a smell at all, but this soap was a perfect balance of scent and subtlety. 

I've tried many organic soaps, and compared to what the stores offer, Luka Organic soaps stand out for a few reasons. Number one, the size of the bar. Most organic soaps are high on price and low on quantity. My hubby loves a thick lather on his washcloth, and I cringe when my $8 bar of soap disappears into nothingness after a couple of showers. But for only $6, Luka Organics survived almost a month of thick lathers in our shower. I've also had organic soaps turn to a sticky, unmanageable mess that left a trail of slime from my fingers to the bar mush after a few uses. Not Luka Organics. In the shower, they hold their texture and shape and are pleasant to touch again and again.

Don't just take my word for it. Try it yourself . . . for free! Luka Organics has generously offered to sponsor my first ever blog giveaway. 

Two random winners will each receive two bars of soap of their choice. 

To Enter:

Visit Luka Organics and leave a comment about which scent sounds the yummiest for your skin to drink up. 

(If you are viewing this via Facebook, you must comment on my blog--click on "View Original Post" down by the comment section or go to www.plantingbamboo.blogspot.com. Comments left on Facebook will not be considered).

Extra Entries (be sure to add a separate comment for each):

1. Blog about this giveaway (2 entries--leave 2 comments)
2. Follow me on blogger

Be sure to leave contact information in your entry so I can notify you if you win. The giveaway will be open until Monday, June 15th. I'll contact the winners via email and post them on my blog. You'll have until Friday the 19th to claim your prize.

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review but did receive a sample from Luka Organics.

**Thank you for all who commented. This giveaway is now finished**

19 comments:

Steph said...

Im thinking that the Lavender Bar will suit me the best. I love the calming smell of Lavender and since my daughter has very sensitive skin we use a lot of lavender with her as well since that proves to be the best thing for her. If I am chosen as a random winner my contact information is shightree1@verizon.net. BTW, I Love your blog! Thanks for all of the tips! I am now following you so that I dont miss any!

Joel said...

Definitely: 1.Sea Oak Bar Soap because it looks like a rock and hopefully will make me smell like a sailor. and 2. Coconut Lemongrass, because even if it fails as soap in the event that I am locked in my bathroom I can use it for sustenance.

Steph said...

I dont know if this counts as another entry but since I followed you, you told me to comment! Lol. You were talking about how small of a world it is that we are both from Three Rivers....here is something smaller. I went to BLBC too! And I believe that the first year I ever went your sister Faith was in the same cabin as I!

evie s. said...

The Coconut lemongrass sounds awesome!

Stephanie Reed said...

I can't decide between the Jamaican Ginger or the Peppermint. I guess I'd choose the Jamaican Ginger.

stef dot reed at gmail dot com

Sara Sobkoviak said...

well I would have to say that there are actually 3 different bars of soap...really i would love to try all but the three are Jamaican Ginger (I love anything with ginger in it), Coconut Lemongrass and of the Patchouli soap (do not remember the actual name) but I hear it will be back soon. These three scents represent where I want to be..in my hippi yoga garb, on the beach in jamaica sipping on coconut water. hmmmm. If these 3 soaps can take me there...I'm sold! By the way..Joy it's nice to see you!

Unknown said...

I've REALLY wanted to try some of these soaps for a while now. The Coconut Lemongrass, Wild Chamomile, and Mexican Vanilla each sound yummy to me, but the one that I'd really like to try is the Spearmint Eucalyptus. It nourishes the body, mind, and soul, all while acting as a natural bug repellant at the same time. What could be more perfect for summer?!

Unknown said...

I just noticed the Peppermint w/Tea Tree. Great combination! They both have such a nice soothing mentholated aroma that it has to be a nourishing combination. In addition, the Tea Tree Oil is a great antiseptic, promotes healing, soothes headaches, and it's nice cooling sensation is perfect for sunburns. Another "must have" for the summer!

Dana said...

All of Steph's soaps sound amazing. Then again, Steph is amazing (hee hee.."Hi Steph!!).

I think I'd like the Coconut Lemongrass the best. It sounds like it would remind me of Hawaii, where my husband and I went on our honeymoon. We are celebrating seven years of marriage on June 14 and since we have two kids, a house and a wee pug to attend to, we don't frequent Hawaii as much as we'd like to...okay, we don't frequent at all. :) So, this scent would definitely whisk me back to those carefree days. :)

Dana said...

BTW, I think we went to college together. You look so familiar! Did you go to ORU? My husband and and I graduated from there in 2001. He and Stephanie had the same major and I worked on campus in their department. Anyhoo....you look really familiar!

I perused your blog and loved it. You have some really great tips and positive advice. I will definitely follow you. :)

Dana said...

Oh yeah...one more thing: I blogged about your contest on my blog. :)

http://delightfultales.blogspot.com/2009/06/free-giveaway-luka-organics.html

ikkinlala said...

May Canadians enter? The Peppermint sounds wonderful to me.

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

Anonymous said...

I think that the coconut lemongrass and the mexican vanilla sound would smell like summer!

Unknown said...

They all look amazing Joy! Good enough to eat some of them! ^_^ Actually my two year old threw up all over his brother this morning - just as he was giving him a good luck hug before he went off to his English exam... at that point I thought - the peppermint soap would be perfect - help remove the smell of his little brother - and refresh him for his exam! ^_^ Like I said they all look amazing though ^_^

chrissmacpherson@gmail.com

Rae said...

Have to enter this since I love organic soap and keep meaning to order some Luka Organics!! Think I would start with the Lavender for the smell or the Chamomile for it's skin healing properties...or maybe I would try the Sea Oat Bar, loving sea weed and love the smell of the sea!

Rae said...

I just officially joined to follow your blog...as if I wasn't already. ; ) Now put me in twice, so I can win some awesome soap!!

utalkie2 said...

i'm thinking i like mexican vanilla..i'm always a sucker for vanilla flavors

Larsen Family said...

I think the coconut lemongrass, pepermint, or the oatmeal one you described sounded the best, but who knows. I have very sensitive skin, so I would be up for any that didn't make me get a rash or dry out my skin. email: Christina Larsen timandchristina.larsen@gmail.com

Jennifer H. said...

I love oatmeal and almond soap. I think the Green Tea Patchouli sounds fantastic. It must be since it is sold out! I'm sure one can't go wrong with the Mexican Vanilla bar. On finding balance, I make choices on a daily basis to value myself for who I am as "me", not just as a wife and mother. This enables me to take baby steps toward reincorporating regular exercise and healthy eating habits after the whirlwind I've been in since my twins were born four months ago. I also have a two-year-old, and right now, balance for me means a warm shower, a nutritious meal, and a family walk.