Bongo Shower Jelly

While I was doing some research into the Liverpool exclusive products earlier this year, I found myself coming back to this particular jelly time and time again.  Not only were there many extremities when it came to the reviews I read, but there was also quite a big debate about similar it was to my favourite jelly, Big Calm.

When Bongo Shower Jelly finally arrived in my lap then, I couldn't wait to see what all of the fuss was about, and decide for myself where it stood compared to Big Calm. What I will say is that while I can recognise how these two products have been used to compare each other, I happen to think that they are very different. 

The first time I removed the lid of this jelly and gave it a sniff, I didn't like it at all. There was something about the intensity of the mango that gave off a scent that reminded me of heavily-laced alcoholic cocktails. As someone who doesn't drink, this really didn't sit well with me and so the shower jelly took a back seat until I was ready to embrace it again.

From the tub, Bongo Shower Jelly offers a very strong combination of mango, vanilla and coconut milk. You can smell the strong, fruity note of the mango, and this is intertwined with the sweet but slightly burnt note of vanilla. Underneath both of these elements, the coconut milk acts as a creamy base from which the fruity components snuggle into when the jelly is being used under hot water.

In all fairness, there is something about this combination that does make the mango smell almost slightly pineapple-like, which is where I can then see where the comparisons have come from. However, this shower jelly is much more intoxicating and heavy on the senses, and perhaps a little too alluring for some Big Calm fans.

Strangely, Bongo works in the same manner as Big Calm. Firstly, the addition of the seaweed in the ingredients moisturises and conditions your skin wonderfully, whilst the mango juice infuses your skin with some much-needed vitamins to improve the condition of your skin. The coconut milk not only adds a creaminess to the overall smell of the shower jelly, but also helps hydrate and and replenish your skin with important electrolytes.

I only had to massage it over my skin for a few seconds to notice how smooth and velvety it made my skin look and feel. It instantly conditions your skin and leaves it feeling beautifully soft for the entirety of the day. You definitely don't need to use a body lotion after showering with this bad boy, which makes it fantastic value for money. As I said above, this scent is one of the strongest I've come across in a shower jelly and this wonderful aroma permeates your skin and leaves you smelling amazing for many hours after you have showered.

Bongo Shower Jelly has a rubbery and slightly rough texture in places but this doesn't effect the productivity of the product at all. In fact, its consistency means that you can use a lot less each time, making it better value for money than some of the other Lush jellies I have used in recent months.

Ultimately, this shower jelly is a beautiful addition to Lush's extensive range and I'm really grateful that Lush have created a completely different fragrance for us to enjoy. If you're looking for a summery scent; one that will clean and refresh your body and senses all at once, Bongo Shower Jelly is definitely the one you should opt for. What a wonderful addition to the Lush family!

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Coconut milk, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Carrageenan Extract, Perfume, Fresh Mango Juice, Oakwood Absolute, Vanilla Absolute, Water (Aqua), Titanium Dioxide, Gardenia Extract, Coumarin, Colour 15510.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £5.50 for 100g, £10.95 for 240g.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.