My shampoo experiment is over! You thought you knew me, but did you know I have been doing a test to see how long I could go without buying shampoo or conditioner? Probably not. Sheesh, some readers you are. The answer, by the way is 2 years.
Oh, relax I didn’t say I went that long without using it.
I had stored in my cabinets the sample bottles that I’ve collected from fine hotels and resorts around the world since before my honeymoon. Circa, 1998. Hotels see me coming from a mile away. I’ve actually thrown away clothes to make room for more swag. Yes, that’s what I consider it. The shit you get at a hotel room is a non-famous persons swag. The quicker you get that stuff in your luggage the sooner they replace it. The hotel staff must think I’m extremely OCD with my constant cleaning. Either that or I swipe a few from their carts, when they’re oh so conveniently cleaning your room. I’m also not above throwing them a $5 to walk away with as much as I can carry “the supermarket sweep“ of resorts. Oh, I’m serious, I had Annik Goutal from Paris, Bulgari from Hong Kong, Bliss from Colorado, Molton Brown from London, and Kiehl’s from NYC, to name a few. I don’t want to sound like a shampoo snob, (I hate those people) but I felt the need to name drop a bit. It makes me feel superior.
Of course my uber shiny hair makes me feel superior as well. But, let’s be honest, it was only uber shiny on good brand days. Sometimes a shampoo would leave it straggly or oily, but I worked through it until the 3oz bottle was bone try. I persevered!!!… like troubled teens left out in the wilderness camp to survive. Now, 2 years later, I estimate that I’ve saved $1200 in hair products, plus I have enough moisturizer left over to soften the dry scaly skin of a village of Eskimos. I don’t know that Eskimo’s have dry skin per say, but I’m assuming the dry cold air doesn’t help. Of course I live in Florida and have dry skin, so maybe I’ll just keep the moisturizer for myself. Starting now, I will not buy moisturizer until all my pilfered moisturizer is gone, unless of course one of my Eskimo readers contacts me and then I will ship it to them… C.O.D. of course.
Comment Question: Spill, do you take the shampoo and conditioner and if so what’s your favorite hotel/brand?
I take it. Any and all of them, in fact. And it’s apparently hereditary, as I took two not-small boxes of hotel swag from my grandmother’s house when she passed away.
My favorite is the H2O product line they have at Disney World in the resorts. They don’t combine shampoo and conditioner, and they have facial soap, shower gel, body soap bars, and lotion. Great quality.
I use the swag for my travel toiletries and in my gym bag. I will admit to sending the ones I don’t care for with my oldest son (he’s 12) when he goes to camp each summer.
Ah yes, H2O, I believe that was Feb of last year. A great line. I love that your son gets the throw backs!
I am new to your blog but think I will become a regular! My husband and I just got back from vacation in Florida and as we were leaving in the wee hours of the morn he says hey did you get that shampoo, it was the best stuff and don’t forget to get the stuff out of the other bathroom we didn’t use! What makes this funny is his hair is 1/2 in long! I don’t get it, but I got the shampoo! PS, I lived in Alaska, they need your moisturizer but having just come back from Florida and seeing all those baked ladies on the beach, you may need to keep it! 🙂
Laura you should definitely come, love your sense of humor! Good to know my moisturizer wouldn’t be wasted in the tundra. Next time your in fla I’ll share.
I admit the small shampoos and lotions from great resorts means a “goody bag” for me. So too the perfume samples from the counters at Saks, Neimans and Bloomies. They make the perfect travel companions. All light in weight and under the requisite 3 ounces to please TSA.
Ahhh, the sample perfumes. I was lost without a new mission. I think I’ve found mine.
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OK, I confess, I have a thing for Motel 6 soap! Yeah, those cheap little white bars that last about a day and half, but they leave my skin squeaky clean and I love it.
I know those little white soaps, they’re like detergent. They do it all. Like Windex to the Dad in my BF Greek Wedding.
Don’t forget about hospital “frisbees” I have enough baby lotion and booties to last almost forever from my parents hospital stays last year. I wondered if we would save on the hospital bill if brought our own lotion or kleenex but that is against hospital policy…so I take it home, all of it.
I do of-course take it all from the hotels but truthfully, I have never noticed the name, I just toss it in a basket in my guest room bathroom. I have been using my same shampoo/conditioner for years (sigh)–I really should be more open to change.
Congrats on your cleaning up! Fun read!
Oh, I took soo many of those blue lined blankets and binkies and diapers and creams it was like I won something. So sad, I’m not usually cheap, but I love free stuff. I’m not throwing the sweet n low in my purse yet, so I think it’s under control.
I take it all! If it’s not nailed down, it comes with me. Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, pens, pads of paper, hangers (although thanks to people like me they are now typically attached to the rod) extra fluffy FABULOUS bathrobes (once…it was a real moment of weakness and I’m not proud)…the list goes on but I all ready hear the police sirens so I think I’ll stop.
By the way Jenny, I was JUST introduced to you by my very dear friend from South Florida..Beverly Perkins. She just settled in Charlotte (as did I) and being two of approximately a dozen “tribe” members, we connected immediately. I am brand new to the world of blogging she thought I’d love your stuff! She was right!
Hilarious. You’re the reason they make hangers with mini circles on top. Frankly, if you change to a smaller rod you could make a killing in hangers alone. Imagine the money you could save! A big thanks to Beverly! Charlotte is beautiful, I hope you visit again soon (not Charlotte, the blog) -misplaced modifier
I think it’s our right, nay, our responsibility to take the goodies in the room. They are one of the few perks hotels offer. Like free parking, oh wait, scratch that, parking is like $30 /night. More shampoo, I say.
Obviously, this is a genetic thing running through our maternal grandmother. I wonder if the entire family are kleptomaniacs!! I take every thing in a hotel bathroom not tied down that is FREE. How many sewing kits and shoe mitts does one person need?? I do not even use body lotion but I would have gallons of it if I opened all of these little bottles. My wife thinks I am nuts!!
Now I see this is a serious problem. When you’re wife thinks you’re nuts, it’s a sign that you are surely nuts. I hate to be the one to tell you that, but don’t worry, I have this great moisturizer that has great aroma therapy qualities. You are required to stay at the Ritz in Boston, but it’s so worth it.
I’m prone to the seaweed products @ Marriott in VA beach … Also love the Saran-like shower caps. Note to self to upgrade our travels. Thanks for the smiles, yet again! xo.
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