New Brunswick — Local woman Kelsie Saunders, 34, said she’s had enough with all these soaps and bath bombs that look just like fudge, chocolate, candy or other sweet treats.
“I can’t be the only one who’s noticed how many artisanal soap and bath bomb makers exist now. No offense, but I think the market is saturated. That’s beside the point, though — I say stop making soaps that look so mouthwatering. It’s such a letdown every time!”
Saunders claims she wants to support local craftspeople, but finds the proliferation of sweet-scented soaps tough to stomach.
“It may be natural and organic, but it looks and smells delicious. It’s such a disappointment when what looks for all the world like banana bread turns out to be yet another bar of soap. Or when you think the store is selling donuts, because, you know, it looks exactly like a donut, but nope — it’s a bath bomb. How many bath bombs do you need? And who in 2021 is using bar soap, anyway?
“And it’s so awkward when you approach a market vendor because you think they’re selling baked goods, then have to somehow maneuver away from their stall when you realize it’s soap. Once you’ve made eye-contact, it’s kind of too late.”
Soap-makers, though, assert that the deception is not only intentional, but necessary.
“It’s what you have to do to survive in New Brunswick,” said Erin Anders, who owns a shop called Sweet Soaps n’ Sugared Suds. “You need to use the bait-and-switch method to get people to buy your products. Sometimes I actually tell people it is food, so they’ll buy it. No one ever complains or tries to return anything, so maybe they’re just eating it? That would be very ‘New Brunswick.’
“I don’t use any toxic ingredients so technically it would be safe to eat. I don’t know. Whatever keeps a roof over my head.”