Santa's Belly Shower Jelly

My initial reaction when I was first exposed to the new Christmas range, was a feeling of sadness and confusion at the lack of new shower gels and jellies. While I was intrigued to try out the shower roulade, I was equally annoyed that I wouldn't be able to increase my out of control gel collection that I've amassed over the last couple of years. Although I recognise the fact that Lush have only just introduced four new gels/creams into the regular range, which is probably the main reason for the lack of them in the seasonal range, I was hoping for at least one or two to feed my addition. 

Described as a fresh apple and red wine collaboration, I wasn't particularly enthralled by the idea of Santa's Belly Shower Jelly to begin with. Despite loving the taste of apples, I'd say that the scent of the fruit is one of my least favourites...and I absolutely detest wine, especially red; terrible choices leading to bad experiences has left me unable to stomach anything that resembles the alcoholic beverage at all.  

Luckily, the red wine does not show itself at all in this shower jelly, aside from the subtle 'tang' that I'd associate with most fruit-filled juices and cordials. Instead, it is the apple that makes the biggest impression - a fresh, crisp and very potent fragrance that sides more with the smell of greener apples such as Granny Smiths. 

As well as the fruity element, there is a clear note of rose that nestles itself underneath the apple aroma and offers a very gentle, musky floral aroma. Furthermore, there is also a very subtle thread of bergamot - which not only adds a slight sweetness to the jelly, but pads out the aroma so it's not as flat as apple scents can sometimes be.    

While it's not mentioned by Lush, this limited edition jelly shares its scent with the So White range, which includes a shower gel that came out last Christmas, and a bath bomb that has been a staple in the seasonal collection for a good many years. 

What I will say about this shower jelly is that the colour really suits the aroma - much better than the pearly-white demeanour of both the ballistic and the gel. In fact, the design of Santa's Belly is one of the best shower jellies that I have seen from Lush - a deep shade of maroon red with golden stars threaded throughout to give it that extra special touch. 

On the positive side, this shower jelly is extremely silky-soft on the skin - to the point where I had trouble holding it while it slipped and sloshed around in my hand. There seems to be an extra helping of carrageenan extract present here because it produces a wonderfully velvety lather, and leaves your skin feeling really moisturised and smooth afterwards.

The addition of carrageenan seaweed helps to give this jelly a silky consistency in the tub, and this softness is inherited by your skin whilst it's being massaged across your body. It lathers up wonderfully in the shower and left me feeling clean and uplifted; a trace of the scent lingering on my skin until the very next day when I received some rather positive comments from my fellow colleagues.

Shower jellies are one of Lush's most innovative products and there are many fun ways to use them. You can crush them into a shower pouf to create a rich lather or rub them directly on your body; try freezing (or chilling) them for an especially cool, refreshing shower or bath experience; shower jellies also make great shampoos and add lots of softness and shine to hair. 

While I've never tried this latter option, I see no reason why Santa's Belly could not be used successfully in this way. Alternatively, you can do what I did and chuck a slab in the bath under the running water, and watch the tub foam up like a regular bubble bar.

Despite its lovely aroma, design and effect on the skin, it's definitely not one of my favourite scents, and I would have much preferred another fragrance to accompany this jelly. Having said this, if you enjoy So White, this will be another product you'll need to stock up on before the year is out.

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Star Anise Infusion, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Fresh Apple Juice, Vegan Red Wine, Carrageenan Extract, Perfume, Bergamot Oil, Rose Absolute, Neroli Oil, Orange Flower Absolute, Golden Edible Stars, Limonene, Linalool, Lilial, Colour 14700, Colour 17200, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. 

Vegan?: Yes.

2015 Price: £3.95 for 100g, £7.95 for 240g. 

Year Of Original Release: 2015.  

Scent Family:
Once Upon A Time Body Lotion
Once Upon A Time Naked Body Lotion
Santa's Belly Jelly
So White Bath Bomb
So White Body Spray
So White New 2016 Edition Bath Bomb
So White Liquid Perfume
So White Shower Gel