I can't say I was initially excited at the prospect of trying The Olive Branch shower gel for the first time. On first sniff, it reminded me of the many manufactured cosmetics that you're likely to find in a local supermarket - a unisex fragrance with slight citrus and floral elements. Nothing special. However, after using this for the first time in the shower, my opinion changed dramatically, and I now consider it to be one of my favourite shower gels from Lush.
Made with Fairtrade olive oil, fresh mandarins, bergamot oil and vine leaves, this shower gel is a Mediterranean feast for the body and soul. Firstly, the addition of olive oil helps to give your skin a wonderful deep moisturise, which makes it stand apart from most other shower gels around. This oil also helps to give the product a beautiful woody scent, which intensifies under the heat of the shower and leaves you and your bathroom smelling divine. Secondly, the warm, savoury fragrance of the vine leaves alongside the citrus infusions from the lemon and mandarin oils, gives this shower gel a unique fragrance that is unlike anything else I have smelt.
After a quick shake of the bottle, I squirted a small amount onto my shower puff and was surprised to see that the gel was quite watery. I would definitely recommend that you're careful when using this as I can imagine someone, with little or no experience of The Olive Branch, would lose a lot of shower gel down the plug hole as the bottle does disperse a great deal, very quickly.
Despite this initial issue, I was very surprised by the amount of bubbles it created, as I thought the consistency, alongside the surplus amount of olive oil in it, would make this more of heavy, oily product. The shower gel foamed up nicely and upon rinsing it off, my skin felt instantly cleaned and moisturised.
What I love about The Olive Branch, is that the fragrance it gives off, is rather subtle. Sometimes Lush products can have a very overpowering smell, which deters a lot of people from buying from them. The Olive Branch is a shower gel that proves that cosmetics can still be both unique and captivating, whilst possessing only a mild scent.
To conclude: The Olive Branch has a very earthy, woody smell to it, but with a touch of fruitiness which I love. It gives off a unique scent that I've never smelt before, but one that lingers on the skin for hours after use. It moisturises your skin and leaves it feeling repaired, which is especially good during those summer months when the sun threatens to dry your skin out and the heat strips your body of it's much needed moisture.
Lush suggest that the gel can also be used as a shampoo. Although I cannot comment on its use as a shampoo as I have only used it as a body wash, I am definitely planning on testing it out on my hair over Christmas and detailing the results for those that are interested.
The Olive Branch is not a product that I would have immediately rushed to, but one that has cemented itself as one of my favourites. This is best used throughout the warmer part of the year, but will still be a great companion to your skin in the coming winter months.
The Olive Branch is not a product that I would have immediately rushed to, but one that has cemented itself as one of my favourites. This is best used throughout the warmer part of the year, but will still be a great companion to your skin in the coming winter months.
Quantitative Ingredients: Vine Leaf Infusion, Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Fresh Mandarin Juice, Fair Trade Olive Oil, Perfume, Propylene Glycol, Bergamot Oil, Lemon Oil, Orange Flower Absolute, Mandarin Oil, Fine Sea Salt, *Limonene, *Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Colour 14700, Methylparaben.
Vegan?: Yes
2015 Price: £4.75 for 100g, £9.50 for 250g, £15.95 for 500g.
Happy Pill Ballistic
The Olive Branch Bath Bomb
The Olive Branch Body Lotion
The Olive Branch Body Spray
The Olive Branch Liquid Perfume
The Olive Branch Naked Shower Gel
The Olive Branch Shower Gel
Pop In The Bath Bubble Bar
Wash You Were Here Wash Card
2015 Price: £4.75 for 100g, £9.50 for 250g, £15.95 for 500g.
Scent Family:
The Christmas Penguin bubble BarHappy Pill Ballistic
The Olive Branch Bath Bomb
The Olive Branch Body Lotion
The Olive Branch Body Spray
The Olive Branch Liquid Perfume
The Olive Branch Naked Shower Gel
The Olive Branch Shower Gel
Pop In The Bath Bubble Bar
Wash You Were Here Wash Card
Hi jen, love your blog btw!!! I was obsessed with lush years ago and have recently started shopping there again. What I would love to know is what shower gel would you recommend the most. I am looking for something strong, zesty/fruity but also moisturising. Also something that is available now. The ones I seem to be drawn to from reading your blog are unfortunately limited edition or discontinued ( I have just bought the big bottle of snow fairy however as its my favourite scent in the world ). All of the products that I used to buy reguarly years ago are unavailable now :( Thanks and keep up the good work!! Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words and I am so happy you have got back into the wonderful world of Lush! It's such a shame isn't it, that most of Lush's best products are only limited editions!? Unfortunately, Lush only seem to have one regular citrusy shower gel available and that is Happy Hippy. However, I wouldn't say that this is particularly strong or overly moisturising! Do you like Rose Jam, because although it's a Christmas special, it is so so nourishing on your skin and will leave you feeling so smooth! It would be worth stocking up on a few of the big bottles to see you through until February, where you should pick up a big bottle of Prince Charming Shower Gel, which is super fruity and wonderful on the skin :) I hope this helps! x
DeleteIve never tried rose jam but I'll definitely give it a go thankyou. My favourites back in the day were lush bath bomb, fairy jasmine, gumback express and skinny dip shower gel, all of which are unavailable now!!! Ive only recently got back into lush and blogs like these are so helpful. I actually discovered it from searching youtube and watching lush haul videos but this blog is so descriptive its loads better. Lush should definitely treasure you as I have genuinely made some purchaces based on what Ive read, most recently dragon's egg which was AMAZING!! Thanks again xx
ReplyDeleteDid you manage to get any of Lush bath bomb when they brought it out in the Kitchen a few weeks ago? Let's hope they bring it out again so you can stock up! I would love to try a fresh Fairy Jasmine as I've heard so many good things about it. As for Skinny Dip, I can really imagine it out again as it's a very popular range and I'e not met a person yet who doesn't rave about it!
DeleteI am so glad that my ramblings have been helpful to you and the fact that I've introduced you to Dragon's Egg is enough to say that my work here is done! I hope you've tried Golden Wonder from the Christmas range as it's equally citrusy and beautiful :)
I do hope that one day Lush realise how much money and time I've invested in their company - a few freebies wouldn't go amiss. However, as long as I help new and dedicated Lushies to discover new favourites, that's enough of a reward to keep going :)
I only discovered the kitchen a few weeks ago so I missed the lush bath bomb but Im definitely going to keep my eyes peeled from now on!! Xx
ReplyDeleteI've used it as a shampoo when I don't have time to use Big in the mornings and I find it works really well as a shampoo but on its own it did make my ends quite dry - definitely use a conditioner with it!
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