Kmart Shoppers In Raptures About Revival Of Retro Bath Beads

I remember my mum would bribe us with bath beads. If we were exceptionally well-behaved kids, we’d be gifted one or even two precious bath beads in our soapy warm water.

I loved rolling the pearl-like bath beads around in my fingers as the rubbery skin eventually dissolved and the lovely scented oil seeped out into the water. The empty skin shell of the bath beads provided great sensory play, while soaking in the now-fragrant bath tub.

And then it was as if bath beads just vanished…making way for the far more popular bath bombs, which in my opinion whizz around like madness and dissolve far too quickly for my liking.

kmart bath beads

Bath Beads Are Back!

So I wanted to scream from excitement when I spied the comeback of the retro bath beads in my local Kmart.

They are available for a 15-pack for only $4! Let me tell you, that is super cheap. A quick look through online shops reveals sellers flogging 25 pack bath beads for between $22 and $35.

The Kmart bath beads (AKA bathing pearls) are available in four variants – Coconut & Apricot, Strawberry & Peach, Juniper Berry & Hibiscus and Passionfruit & Guava.

kmart bath beads

So Much Excitement

It looks like I am not the only one excited about this retro return of bath beads. A Kmart fan has posted about the bathtime treat on the Kmart Mums Australia website.

“Aaaah yes, I remember the oil ring around the bath and the goopy ball that got stuck in the plug hole… those were the days!” reminisced one shopper.

“Heheh, I always wanted these things, but my mum wouldn’t let me get them!! Now I can!!! Hahahahahaha mum!!” chuckled another fan.

One mum did warn that the bath beads transform the water into a slippery pool of oil:
“Has anyone else tried these and found them to be super super oily? They smell amazing but I feel like I’m bathing in an oil slick,” one consumer warned.

So just be careful when you climb out of the bath – the bottom will be slippery with oil.

Are you excited about the return of bath beads / bath pearls? Tell us in the comments below.

33 Comments

- - ChiWren said
  - 31 Aug 2024
    7:21 am
Omg can they bring these back!! I LOVED these as a kid. They felt so fancy haha

- - meedee said
  - 30 Sep 2023
    8:17 am
Oh how awesome. Great as stocking stuffers at Christmas time.

- - Frankiielot said
  - 04 Jul 2021
    9:51 pm
Oh I remember these from the 90s but we called them bath oils! They used to have heaps of them at mothers day stalls at my school along with a cutex nail plush for sale as a duo for mums.
Hubby and I were actually talking about these not long ago. I’ll have to let them know they’re bringing them back! Thank you for letting me know.

- - linaianna said
  - 07 Jul 2020
    6:48 pm
Don’t really know about these beads so would like to try them.

- - Ellen said
  - 29 Jun 2020
    8:05 am
No I don’t like them myself, but my daughter does.

- - mom321515 said
  - 13 Jun 2020
    9:35 pm
I remember these but wouldn’t use them around my kids

- - DaffyD said
  - 12 Jun 2020
    12:17 pm
I wasn’t a fan in the 90’s

- - mom93821 said
  - 12 Jun 2020
    5:28 am
I adore bath beads and will visit K Mart and take a look at their range of bath beads. Bath beads always smell heavenly and they look pretty in a glass/plastic container. The leftover residue from bath beads is easy enough to clean.

- - mom101628 said
  - 11 Jun 2020
    10:43 pm
Doubt that I would find a use for them now, but at least I know now why I can’t buy any Juniper berries for pickling and some recipes I love. Thanks for your post.

- - mom56587 said
  - 11 Jun 2020
    7:50 pm
I thought you could still buy them! I never liked the way they went all slimy!

- - shanika said
  - 11 Jun 2020
    3:03 pm
I have never saw them before.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 11 Jun 2020
    1:21 pm
Lol I didn’t even realise that you couldn’t buy them any more!

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 11 Jun 2020
    11:56 am
I don’t think I ever saw them before.

- - tessie said
  - 11 Jun 2020
    11:45 am
I’m not interested in them because we got rid of our bath. With such a bad back and weakness in my legs I’d end up laying in the bath until my late husband could help me out. I’d suggest putting a suction mat in the bath to help you get traction to stand up safely.

- - rovermum said
  - 11 Jun 2020
    9:46 am
I’m not fussed. I still have many bath bombs to work through. I did like these, but… be careful that kidlets don’t pop them in their mouth!!

- - MisChip said
  - 10 Jun 2020
    10:26 pm
OMG amazing to know they are back

- - Mumofboys said
  - 10 Jun 2020
    9:58 pm
I remember these! I loved them will definitely look into getting some!

- - Tegs11 said
  - 10 Jun 2020
    9:35 pm
Ahhh I remember these. I would be so excited if I was allowed to use one in my bath. As a 90s kid I am now wondering if they will be bringing back butterfly clips and tattoo bands…

- - mom290755 said
  - 10 Jun 2020
    8:34 pm
Wow. Super exciting news. I will definitely have to go out and buy some and give them a try. I used to love these as a child. Can’t wait for my children to try!

- - mom264171 said
  - 10 Jun 2020
    7:25 pm
So vintage! I used to love these!
- mom93821 replied
  
  14 Jun 2020 , 5:53 am
  I am very happy they have made a comeback. I cannot locate them and on asking in store; was told the supply will be restocked at some point.