BoomerGirl Diary

For three lovely ladies, bar soap seemed so passe. Why mess with a questionable bar when you can rely on a trusty shower gel for a quick, clean lather? We tempted them to make the sudsy switch with products in pretty packages. Did any of them take the bait?

Kiss My Face

Organic bar soap In the Pink grapefruit and lemongrass, $4.99 for eight-ounce bar, drugstores.

Suds story: "I count on my shower gel and sponge to get the foamiest of all foams. I like my bubbles, and bar soaps just don't cut it."

Lather up: "Organic, natural, with a clean citrus smell. How could I not try this? The label also reads: SUDZ!"

Bar none: "The super-sized bar was hard to handle with my little hands. But even worse — where were my bubbles? I felt like I'd been slimed!"

Mangiacotti Florals

Clementine soap with glycerin and vitamin E, $9.95 for six-ounce bar, Crabtree & Evelyn.

Suds story: "I usually use a shower gel and sponge, so I get lots of suds. As many times that I've tried soaps — especially in emergencies — they just aren't the same. How did I ever survive before gels?"

Lather up: "I loved the mandarin scent — very refreshing! Sweet and totally makes you think of spring. The packaging was oh, so cute."

Bar none: "I will probably stick with gels, but if I had to choose from any soaps, this would be on the top of my list. This bar was very sudsy and citrusy, though I could still feel a bit of residue."

Gianna Rose Atelier

Italian Fig goat's milk soap, $8.50 for six-ounce bar, www.giannarose.com

Suds story: "I'm a body wash and squeegee gal. I like a big, rich lather, a clean scent and soap that leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized."

Lather up: "I was reluctant to switch to a bar — the drugstore ones I've used before have left my skin dry and cracked or filmy. But the sweet yet subtle fig scent and elegant package of this one drew me in. Who can resist a satin ribbon?"

Bar none: "I am a bar believer once again! After three long showers, this soap has proven to be delicious-smelling but not too sweet, and it left my skin supple and smooth. There wasn't much lather, but the yummy scent made up for that."