Romantic essentials kit - sensual kit by Lover's Choice Inc. - review by Tuesday

This is a terrific kit either to take with you to add spice to a romantic weekend trip, or to use to celebrate a special occasion at home. This kit is an elegant, fun collection of items. The kit includes:

- massage cream
- bubble bath
- two tea candles
- forty reddish pink silk rose petals in a shimmery mesh bag
- tips for adding romance and fun to a couples trip

All of this is packaged inside a clear plastic, zippered travel case that can later be used for other purposes.

The tea candles are standard candles that could be purchased separately. Each is plastic wrapped for protection and is contained in a plastic holder.

The silk rose petals are each nearly identical. They are a pretty color that meets halfway between pink and red. They are darker than they appear in the product photo. Some of the petals have small cut marks in them, and a few are slightly frayed, but this doesn't detract from the overall effect when they are scattered across the floor. Anyone would be pleased to find these leading a trail to somewhere fun.

The bubble bath is a beautiful, dark pink color that coordinates well with the rose petals. Once added to bath water, the color isn't visible anymore. It bubbles well. While it only has a faint scent in the bottle, a scent isn't noticeable once in use. You will be able to use this for one or two baths, depending on how many bubbles you want in your bath.

The massage cream smells terrific. The package states that the cream is tropical scented. It has a lovely scent, although it is not clear what the components of the scent are. After it is rubbed into skin it will leave skin scented for hours. It takes several minutes to completely rub the cream into skin once applied - probably as long as you would spend massaging any particular area. Eventually it will be completely absorbed. Mineral oil is the second ingredient, explaining its longevity. It feels lovely both on the hands of the massager and on the skin of the person massaged. If completely massaged in, it will not leave a greasy residue. The massage cream does contain a number of parabens, so those who are sensitive to parabens may wish to take note. Parabens are widely used in many beauty products, but may cause adverse reactions or health effects for sensitive users.

The romance tips span two pages of the included booklet. The categories for the tips include:
- Get into a romantic frame of mind
- Pack for passion
- Plan for surprises
- Romantic memento

The tips include suggestions such as sharing romantic wishes before your trip begins, packing a love note, surprising your loved one with fresh flowers, and finding something to take back with you to remind you of your trip. The instructions are in both English and French.

The plastic carry bag has a firmer plastic insert so the bag will hold its shape. The bag is 6 x 4 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches, which is a good size to hold items for future trips or to hold a collection of smaller items.

This kit is meant to be taken on trips, but could work equally well when planning a romantic evening at home.