Last fall, I made my way down to the Cayman Islands for work. After some unnecessary organizational obstacles, I got to my destination — Palm Heights Grand Cayman. I wrote a first person travel diary for Dwell’s One Night In series you can check out here, and I’m positive I’ll be doing a Wellness Check and/or edition of The Lay Out about it, but right now we’re talking about my summer scent.
I arrived with straight hair, and I really love the waves the humidity brings it, but after a killer abs and glute class with former Olympic gymnast Ellie Downing at the Palm Heights Athletic Center, I had to wash my hair even thought I’d be heading directly back out into the heat.
Within the PH suites, Costa Brazil is the brand behind the shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer. You know how scent can take you back to a time, place and energy? I set that trip in stone with this shampoo and conditioner combo.
Much to my dismay, as I was soaking up the sun that afternoon full of piña colada on the beach I found out the Costa Brazil had ceased production. DISCONTINUED. Disappointed is an understatement. My hair smelled better with every dip into the ocean or pool. Ultimately, I ended up doubling back to buy shampoo and conditioner after I left property but was still on Grand Cayman. The hotel had a tiny back stock, but what they had seemed to be the end of it. I couldn’t find it anywhere online.
Months later, I went to a press day for an agency I worked with and low and behold Costa Brazil is their client and is back from the dead. And, their Sunlight Body Oil and Aroma In Oil brings me back to that good place every time I put it on. The brand describes the scent as “spicy wood, crushed leaves and tropical flowers” and is “inspired by Breu, a natural resin from the Amazon.”
As I was only operating with the shampoo and conditioner which is best used in the summer for my hair when I let it air dry curly, I found some similar scents. Hume has a body oil in Amber Woods and Boy Smells’ Woodphoria held me down. If you’re into woody scents, these are great options.
Here’s the one (in both the scent and the sun oil), but the two and the three are good are good alternatives and make for a nice little rotation.