The Kiss Lip Scrub

When I first began collecting, using and reviewing Lush products, I always viewed releases like this as a bit of a novelty. While I never speculated that they weren't effective, I always saw them as something you'd buy to try out a few times and then lose somewhere in a cupboard, never to be seen again. However, once I got into the habit of slipping one of these scrubs into my bag, I have never looked back.

When Lush announced the Valentine's range this year, I went to refer to my blog only to find that there was no trace of the The Kiss Lip Scrub around. After initial confusion, I came to realise that last year's release was not vegan - the very reason why I never bought it or reviewed it in the first place. This year however it was, so I couldn't wait to give it a go and see what it would offer me.

My immediate thoughts is that this is perhaps the most beautiful lip scrub that Lush have ever offered - the bright, fluorescent pink competes with the original Bubblegum Lip Scrub, but the edible sequin hearts that decorate the surface make it a clear winner - one that looks good enough to eat.

Sharing its scent with the lip gloss of the same name, I find the fragrance of this much more appealing than the aforementioned product. The reason being is that this is far stronger and fizzier in the container - a release that is sure to attract anyone who enjoys their candy. While the gloss offers a gentle, creamy mandarin aroma, the scrub is more sherbety, and reminds me of the swizzels sweets you can get in various children's selection packs in the UK.

While you would expect all of their lip scrubs to be identical in texture, I found this one to be slightly smoother than any of the previous ones I have used. Although all of Lush's lips scrubs are made from a base of castor sugar, compared to the other variations, this one does seem less 'scratchy' on the lips. Some of the other scrubs almost felt as if they were made of granulated sugar, which is great for those who need a vigorous removal of dried skin, but not for those lips that are dry, cracked and sensitive during the really cold months.

Looking at the ingredients list, I think it is the removal of the jojoba oil and the inclusion of the cocoa butter that really gives it the perfect texture. You can feel the dry skin being stimulated by the scrub element of the product, but can also immediately feel the softening properties of the cocoa butter afterwards. Both ingredients work in unison with each other, and will guarantee to leave you with the softness lips going. 

To use, I simply scooped out a tiny amount with my finger - rubbing the scrub all over my lips in a circular motion. The best part is that you then get to use your tongue to lick off the excess sugar and this leaves your lips looking less parched and weathered, and feeling a whole lot better than they did a few seconds beforehand. To finish my routine, I would opt to use either a lip balm if my lips really needed it, or a gloss/tint/stick if I was heading out for the evening.

Although an occasional heart will find itself being massaged across your lips, they're very easy to remove, and they certainly didn't cause me any serious problems during application. Yes, all of Lush's lip scrubs can be a little messy to begin with, and you do occasionally end up with stray pieces of sugar smeared around your mouth, it really isn't that hard to contain to product to the lips, and by the third attempt I had a good system going for keeping the product contained.

For £5.95, this might seem like a big investment for such a small tub, but it will last you a very long time, even with daily application.The only issue you may face is you lack of willpower to not eat the entire pot in a single sitting - it is rather tasty and can be quite tempting at times.

These have quite a long shelf life on them (a little over a year to be exact), so I would highly suggest you grab yourself one before they're discontinued. This and Bubblegum Lip Scrub are probably my favourite versions of this particular line of products, and I can guarantee that once you introduce one of these to your routine, it'll be very hard to ween yourself off. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Caster Sugar, Safflower Oil, Fine Sea Salt, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Red Edible Hearts and Soft Pink Glimmer Lustre, Sicilian Mandarin Oil, Almond essential oil, Cornflour, Limonene, Flavour, Colour 15850:1.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Price: £5.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2015.

Scent Family:

The Kiss Lip Gloss

The Kiss Lip Scrub

Under The Covers Massage Bar