By: Jessie Chrobocinski Photos by: Rachel Benavides
Nothing invites comfort and coziness in the fall like a warm bath complete with your favorite products. With so many different body soaps, scrubs, and bath bombs saturating the market, it’s hard to know which choices provide skin nourishment and are chemical-free. One local brand makes relaxing simple with quality handmade small-batch all-natural cosmetics.
Russian native Anastasiia Amundsen started her brand Key Lime Pie Milkshake in February 2020 as an online store, then expanded the availability of her self-care products via a storefront in Port Aransas.
“Key Lime Pie Milkshake started with my daughter because she was into taking baths,” said the company founder. “I didn’t want to buy those fizz bombs only for colors, because they’re kids and they have sensitive skin. So I started making bath bombs for her, and she loved them. As I became more and more comfortable with my product, I was like, ‘Okay, family members, you want to try some bath bombs?'”
Amundsen’s family’s rave reviews encouraged her to introduce Key Lime Pie Milkshake products to more people. Soon after, she expanded her line to include shower bombs, soap, body butter, body scrubs, soy wax candles, and spa gift boxes.
Using natural ingredients, Amundsen combines baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and sea salt. Depending on the product, she blends in jojoba oil, argan oil, or shea butter and uses eucalyptus, sandalwood, and jasmine essential oils to create delightful scents.
“The most popular one is the Lime Soap. It’s so good and so refreshing. It’s one of my favorites,” said Amundsen.
Spa gift boxes are also available and customizable in-store, but pre-made packages are available to choose from online in various sizes. Every product comes in neatly packed, aesthetically pleasing, and compostable packaging, since Key Lime Pie Milkshake aims to be as eco-friendly and low-waste as possible.
“Key Lime Pie Milkshake is like a baby to me,” Amundsen said. “It grew with me; [it’s] how I saw the world. It became a human process, where finding time in daily routines, you find time for yourself. I created the name Key Lime Pie Milkshake from when I was pregnant with my second daughter.” At the time, “All I could think of was key lime pie from Hester’s. I also attended Del Mar College. During breaks, I would sneak over to Hester’s and get myself a key lime pie. Then, because it’s so big, I wouldn’t be able to finish it. So I would bring it home, and my husband would make me a milkshake from the leftovers.”
Amundsen humbly shares the credit for her success with her husband, who was a huge support in launching the brand. Key Lime Pie Milkshake also shares multiple collaborations with other businesses as far as Victoria, Texas, including Made in Corpus Christi and Driftwood Coffee.
“I want people around to see all the options they have; that they don’t need to choose chemical fragrances,” she said. “With Key Lime Pie Milkshake, people don’t need to settle for less; they can get the best for themselves.”
Contact:
