CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF LIFE

With Essence's New Bath-Size Bar Soaps

SWANZEY, NH - May 2003           Baudelaire, a leading importer of fine soaps and body care products from Europe and Canada, introduces Essence Bath Bar Soaps in Earth , Sea and Wood.

Each 7 oz. soap is elegantly embossed with sacred symbols from all over the world: a symbol for fearlessness and bravery from the Ashanti tribe in Ghana ( Earth ), a Celtic symbol found throughout the British Isles, said to represent everything from the Holy Trinity to various Goddesses ( Wood ); and a symbol from ancient Crete that reflects the ceaseless movement of life itself ( Sea ).

Essence Earth, Wood & Sea bar soaps have a suggested retail price of $9.00 each and feature:

• Earth - The deep cleansing power of 5% French green clay blended into a base of pure palm and coconut oil with nourishing and moisturizing shea butter.

• Wood - The sandalwood fragrance will take your senses on a stroll while the pure vegetable base and moisturizing shea butter cleanse and smooth your skin.

• Sea - Let your skin soak up the power of the sea. This soap features sea loofa and a remarkably high 8% seaweed from the coast of Brittany for gentle exfoliation, in a pure vegetable oil base with soothing shea butter.

Essence Soaps and all other Baudelaire products are available to consumers at thousands of retailers nationwide, including gift shops, boutiques, spas, natural foods stores and other specialty retailers. Baudelaire products are also available via the company's mail order catalog, web site ( www.baudelairesoaps.com ) or toll-free number (800.327.2324).