Mention Claus Porto to anyone who loves really good scented soaps and prepare for the torrents of delight. We found Claus Porto soaps in Liberty’s London store and leapt on them – firstly it must be said because of the oh-so-elegant and gorgeous gold-adorned Art Deco packaging.  

Then we inhaled 5 Aqua Porto’s scent of pine needles and cypress, with green galbanum on a base of cedar and eucalyptus, and were smitten. Waves of nostalgia swept over us for the days of putting beautiful soaps in our undies drawers – as our mothers and grandmothers did - before they went on active service in the bathroom.

Named after its German founder, Ferdinand Claus, and Porto, the historic Portuguese city he settled in with his partner, this beauty and fragrance house celebrated its 130th anniversary two years ago. The Deco assortment’s charming patterned labels were inspired by the bold designs that made the brand’s name when it first launched. Everything is wonderfully redolent of the Belle Époque and ‘belle’ this brand is, through and through. 

Deco soaps and mini-soaps, all 100% vegetable and blended with moisturising shea butter, have now been joined by a matching hand cream, and body wash and body cream. There’s also a home collection with fragrant candles and diffusers.

Deco is one of five collections including Agua di Colonia, created by perfumer Lyn Harris, which offers aromatic fragrances (this particular collection is all scents), ‘touched by the sea breeze, orange and lemon notes, granite cities, tropical gardens and sun-burned fields.’  

Don't miss the Classico gift set – 16 moisturising soaps, all hand wrapped in papers with designs based on Claus Porto’s vintage imagery: anyone would love the Gift Box Classico with eight 50g soaps/£48.

We’re reveling in a Mini Soaps Gift Box, with nine 50g soaps/£50, both at Net-a-Porter.

And our lucky menfolk might just get the latest addition to the Musgo Real collection – The Black Edtion (correct spelling!), a new eau de toilette for men that promises to turn heads (in the right way…). The EDT partners with a soap on a rope and moisturising shaving cream. That’s the chaps sorted then!

Anyway, we could go on – and on… Because we SO love this brand. Just do visit Net-a-Porter for online orders and Liberty for online and retail store.

No wonder soap’s having a revival, with this range to tempt us. 

Gift Box Classico/£48 – buy here

Mini Soaps Gift Box/£50 – buy here

Prize Draws