Holiday Planning & Ideas Holiday Gifts These Fancy Bar Soaps Make the Best Gifts Some of your favorite beauty brands make luxurious, beautifully-wrapped iterations. By Emily Popp Emily Popp Instagram Emily is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on October 1, 2021 09:40AM EDT Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Courtesy of Flamingo Estate When you hear the word "bar soap," a block of Dove or Dial may come to mind. And while there's nothing wrong with those drugstore classics, bar soap isn't necessarily always synonymous with luxury. But a fabulous, high-end option is one of the more elegant purchases you can make. While they're definitely pricier than standard pump bubbles, they're an excellent way to buy from prestige brands without breaking the bank. A bar soap worth its price tag should have a gorgeous scent, leave your skin feeling silky and nourished, and—of course—look fabulous on your countertop or in your shower. They make excellent gifts since loved ones rarely splurge on these pieces for themselves, and everybody could always use more soap. Best of all, soap in bar form is more eco-conscious than its liquid counterpart, which nearly always comes in a plastic bottle. Plus, it's a particularly thoughtful pandemic-era gift. Ahead, we've picked some of the most present-worthy bar soaps on the market; their packaging is so pretty, you won't even need wrapping paper. Top Picks Diptyque 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Soap Agraria Balsam Luxury Bath Bar Byredo Suede Hand Soap Oribe ″Cote d'Azur″ Bar Soap Fresh Freesia Oval Soap Unique Hostess Gift Ideas from Our Editors Diptyque Courtesy of Neiman Marcus guest bathroom With top notes of blackcurrant and fig, this Diptyque bar will instantly elevate any guest bathroom. The Parisian brand is known for its luxury candles, but if you want the same scent at nearly half the price, consider their soaps, instead. Shop Now: Diptyque 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Soap, $38, neimanmarcus.com. La Chatelaine Courtesy of La Chatelaine Beauty lovely hostess gift Bar soap that comes in a decorative tin always makes for a lovely hostess gift. If you prefer vibrant and floral scents, select this set of three in lavender, lychee bilberry, and lemon verbena. Shop Now: La Chatelaine Beauty Lavender Luxury Soap Trio, $32, lachatelainebeauty.com. Agraria Courtesy of Verishop holiday present This piece's packaging is so opulent, there's no need to wrap it. The balsam fir scent has a hint of sage, making it a perfect holiday present, but it's also versatile enough to use year-round. Shop Now: Agraria Balsam Luxury Bath Bar, $22, verishop.com. Byredo Courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman If you're looking for something minimalistic with a deep, warm scent, you'll love this circular bar from Byredo in their best-selling Suede fragrance. Shop Now: Byredo Suede Hand Soap, $40, bergdorfgoodman.com. Le Labo Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue Anyone would appreciate this sandalwood and cardamom-scented product from Le Labo. At $50 it's pricey, but this is truly top-shelf stuff. Shop Now: Le Labo "Santal 33" Bar Soap, $50, saksfifthavenue.com. Oribe Courtesy of Verishop body products If you love Oribe's shampoo, you will love their line of body products, which feature the very same fragrance. Their Cote d'Azur bar soap is made from coconut oil and scented with white butterfly jasmine and bergamot. Shop Now: Oribe "Cote d'Azur" Bar Soap, $28, verishop.com. Brooklyn Candle Studio Courtesy of Brooklyn Candle Studio A cube-shaped soap is a chic alternative to your standard rectangle. This one has a blush hue and is lightly scented with bergamot neroli. Shop Now: Brooklyn Candle Studio Bergamot Neroli Balancing Pink Clay Soap, $18, brooklyncandlestudio.com. Fresh Courtesy of Sephora house guests A stash of pretty bar soaps wrapped in decorative paper (like this one, from Fresh) allows for easy last-minute gifting—or house guests. Shop Now: Fresh Freesia Oval Soap, $15, sephora.com. Claus Porto Courtesy of Niche Beauty decorative paper This rose and peony soap is another exquisitely wrapped option you won't need a gift bag for. The decorative paper has a 19th century-inspired vibe and comes sealed with wax. Shop Now: Claus Porto Smart Rosa Wax Sealed Soap, $24, niche-beauty.com. Savon de Marseille Courtesy of Via Coquina These floral-scented soap blocks are 10 ounces each, which is larger than your average bar. And at under $15, they are the most affordable pick on our list. Shop Now: Savon de Marseille Crushed Flowers and Honey Block Soap, $14, viacoquina.com. Flamingo Estate Courtesy of Flamingo Estate When it comes artisanal bar soap, it doesn't get more luxurious than this set from Flamingo Estate. It comes with four garden-inspired scents: Green Leaf, Pink Fruit, Yellow Blossom and Noir Earth. Shop Now: Flamingo Estate Limited Edition Garden Soap Set, $100, flamingoestate.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit