Carrot Shower Oil

Over the last few years, Lush have been one of the biggest advocates for carrot oil I have ever seen. More and more products are sneaking into the range, already geared up with a generous helping of this powerhouse of an ingredient, and the seasonal ranges are definitely no exception. 

Making its debut this year, Lush Carrot Shower Oil is a brand new addition to the Easter range, and one that seemingly sports an exciting new fragrance to boot. Featuring sandalwood, grapefruit and geranium, it is the grapefruit that makes the biggest impression to my nose. Bright and fruity, the smell of this is very much like the Carrot scent family. However, there is also something rather sherbety about it that makes it a little different to my nose; and there is also something slightly woody underneath prevents the fragrance from being as sour as the Carrot scent usually is. This is definitely not a direct replica and should be treated as a unique fragrance altogether. 

Much like every other shower oil, the best way of using this is to ensure your skin in damp and then gently massage the block across the skin. The warmth will melt the bar and coat your skin with a thin layer of butter and oils, which can then be massaged with your fingers to spread them across a bigger surface area. I would avoid putting too much pressure on these bars as you will waste a lot of the product in doing so. Avoiding direct contact with the running water will also ensure that this bar shrinks at a far slower pace - which means you can stretch out their lifespan far longer.


Unlike a body butter or a body conditioner, the residue you get from all of Lush's shower oils are far more gentle on the skin, making them perfect for those who dislike the heaviness that you can sometimes get from using either of the above formats. Yet despite this, the shower oils are equally as effective at moisturising the skin, and perhaps work out better value for money.

What I found with Carrot Shower Oil was that while the product was super hydrating and moisturising on my skin, the consistency of this was a little different to most of the previous shower oils I have tried. 

Firstly, this limited edition seemed to melt far quicker than previous editions: I found that even after a single use, I was able to notice a big change in the size of the product. For this reason, I felt a little hesitant to use it regularly, as you probably only get an average of five to seven full body uses out of it before its too small to apply. 

Even when I applied Carrot Shower Oil outside of the running water, the slight softness of the solid block still bled far more onto my skin than previous renditions have done. For this reason, I found it was more conducive to massage it between my hands and then apply it that way. This not only replenished the skin on my hands, leaving me with no need for a hand cream, but I was then able to extend the life of the shower oil for a few more uses.

Much like a body conditioner, this shower oil left a delicate fragrance on the body, and left my skin feeling super replenished after patting myself dry. I didn't need to use a body lotion at all after my shower and the effects of the butters and oils featured in this product left me with lovely looking skin.

When compared to some of the other more superior shower oils, this one isn't as long-lasting or as enjoyable. However, the fragrance is super cheerful, and a wonderful shower accompaniment for anyone wanting to add some much-needed moisture to their skin.  

Quantitative Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Fresh Carrot Extracted in Sunflower Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fair Trade Shea Butter, Sunflower Wax, Cold Pressed Carrot Seed Oil, Organic Almond Butter, Perfume, Fresh Orange Juice, Sandalwood Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Geranium Oil, Paprika Oleoresin, Titanium Dioxide, Benzyl Salicylate, *Citronellol, Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £4.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.

Carrot Cake Lip Scrub

When I was little, carrot cake was my favourite dessert on the entire planet. Every birthday I would request that my parents buy me a pre-made cake to indulge in, and as nobody else in my family liked it, I would eat every single indulgent mouthful for myself - falling into a sugar coma and knowing that if I was to die at that very moment in time, I could live with the gluttony that brought me there.

As I haven't ever found myself in receipt of a vegan carrot cake yet, I haven't had the pleasure of enjoying my favourite cake in almost fourteen years. Therefore, the idea of Lush's Carrot Cake Lip Scrub sounded truly exquisite, and I couldn't wait to slather the product all over my parched lips.

As with all of Lush's lips scrubs, this one is made from a base of caster sugar, which is what gives this limited edition its exfoliating properties, and jojoba oil, which helps to moisturise the skin. As you can see from the ingredients list, there rest of the components reads very much like a cake, and the smell and taste of this seasonal special replicates this sentiment as well.


Containing orange oil, carob resinoid and cinnamon powder, the smell of this lip scrub is a rich, almost maple syrup-like aroma with a gentle note of the orange intertwined with a dry, spicy helping of cinnamon. The carob resinoid brings a delicate hint of chocolate, but it's more like the dry, bitter version as opposed to the creamy chocolate you may be imagining.

On the tongue, Carrot Cake tastes mostly of the orange oil with a delicate lace of cinnamon and carob. Having said that, the carob, or possible the fenugreek, leaves a bitter aftertaste which I didn't particularly appreciate. In fact, this bitterness spoiled my experience with this lip scrub, and I found myself not wanting to lick my lips after using it across my mouth.

Having said that, the product did do a good job at making my lips feel beautifully soft and moisturised, and it also removed the dead and dried skin that has accumulated at the corners of my mouth. My lips felt instantly better after a single use, and after using this for a couple of days in a row, the consistency of my lips improved dramatically.

To make the most of Carrot Cake Lip Scrub, I would recommend that you apply your favourite lip balm afterwards as this will continue to work that moisture into the skin and give you kissably-soft lips. In all honesty, I was rather surprised at how quickly the condition of my lips improved from a product so simple and natural, and I've vowed to continue using this for the foreseeable future.

While this small pot has the hefty price tag of £6.50, I believe that it is fantastic value for money because it can easily last for 6+ months, depending on how often your apply it. I recommend that you try it out for yourself, even if the aftertaste is not particularly desirable. It does it's job well and at least has a wonderful smell to enjoy when you're feeling peckish.

Quantitative Ingredients: Caster Sugar, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Ground Almonds, Organic Shea Butter, Walnut Oil, Brazilian Orange Oil, Ginger Oleoresin, Carob Resinoid, Fenugreek Absolute, Fine Sea Salt, Cold Pressed Carrot Seed Oil, Orange Peel Wax, Toasted Hazelnut Oil, Fair Trade Organic Cinnamon Powder, Paprika Oleoresin, *Benzyl Alcohol, *Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamal, *Citral, *Limonene, *Linalool, Flavour.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £6.50 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.

Goldfinger Brush Strokes Face Mask

Snooping around the Showcase store, I spotted something glistening and glittering in the distance. As I approached with caution, I realised that there was a stall tucked slightly away in the darkness, ladened with an abundance of naked facial cleansers and face masks, and it was here that I first spotted the product reviewed for you below.

Goldfinger Brushstrokes Face Mask looks like the Ferrari of face masks (says the person who knows zilch about those funny shaped metal boxes with wheels.) To look at, you'd assume that a unicorn had left us a little present in a tub; or that a fictional sun had melted a little and somebody had collected its drippings. As the name suggests, this brand new invention is pure gold, although from the tub it looks a little bit more like golden sand than pure gold itself.

For those as clueless as me about this new creation, Lush have described their Brush Strokes Masks as being similar to that of their regular masks, but one that you apply with a brush to allow for even coverage instead. Alongside this fairly unhelpful description, I still wonder at what point fans who have already invested in these masks will see the release of a brush to go with the product.

Now obviously, there are a few other differences as well, aside from just how you apply the product itself. Firstly, the consistency is actually very different from anything that Lush have done before. As you're likely to apply a lot less when using a brush, these face masks are incredibly thick and almost like clay. Therefore, it would actually be rather challenging to scoop out a large amount and apply it to your skin with your fingers. Secondly, the tub of Goldfinger that I received was partially empty, which perhaps explains the intensity of the product itself, and how little is applied every time you use it.


What I have learnt is that these are masks that need to be kept in the fridge and so far I have found that they have a longer life-span than the regular masks. Goldfinger saw me through almost two months before it started to dry and appear different in consistency. As there was no expiry date on my tub, I took this as a sign that it was ready to be finished.

This particular mask contains a whole array of ingredients meant to improve your complexion and replenish your skin for days to come. Rose water soothes the skin, helps to eradicate irritation and acts like a tonic to clear out the pores; kaolin clay does a similar job as well as helping to soften the skin. Carrot seed oil adds a little vibrancy to your complexion, whilst coconut nectar replenishes the skin with natural oils that may be missing.

Scent-wise, Goldfinger smells like a strong, musky rose aroma intertwined with a large dose of both cedarwood and olibanum to add a resinous and slightly woody undertone. There is something rather rich and beautiful about the smell of this, and is very far-removed from the Rose Jam aroma that some consumers may attempt to compare it to. As a few other people have stated, the closest smell to this would be Rosy Cheeks Face Mask. However, this is far more potent and has an extra dosage of sultriness to its fragrance.

What I found was that this face mask took a little getting used to when applying it across my skin. Perhaps I didn't choose the right brush to do the job, but I found it hard to get the product from the tub and onto my face. It was easier if I left the mask out of the fridge for half an hour before application, as the mask softened a little from the warmth. 

Despite this mild inconvenience, the face mask felt much lighter on my face and I enjoyed not having to worry about pieces falling off as I walked through my house. Rinsing it off was also really easy and my skin both looked and felt really radiant afterwards. I don't know whether it was the inclusion of the golden shimmer that convinced me that my face seemed a little more golden and radiant. However, I could see a difference that gave me confidence that this new invention had worked.

Overall, I really enjoyed using this, although it wasn't moisturising enough to offer the same level of intensive repair as Oatfix usually does for my skin. Having said that, the scent of this was wonderful and my face did appear more radiant and less lifeless each and every time I used thus on my complexion, so it would be one I purchased again If it ever came out in stores. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Talc, Glycerine, Rose Water, Coconut Nectar, Kaolin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Cedarwood Oil, Rose Absolute, Bergamot Oil, Olibanum Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Palmarosa Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, Citronellol,*Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes. 

2018 Price: unsure.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Wash Behind The Ears Solid Shampoo Bar

Despite its name, Wash Behind The Ears Solid Shampoo does not share its scent with last year’s Shower Gel of the same name, which is a shame as there was something rather unique and interesting about the fragrance of the gel that would have suited other formats. Having said that, this seasonal shampoo does have a lovely citrusy smell to contend with, so it’s not all bad.

Sporting two rice paper ears and a red Pom Pom made from recycled cotton, this bar didn’t immediately gage me on its merits as a shampoo. While I see the purpose and appeal of gimmicky bath bombs and bubble bars, hair care is a more serious matter in my eyes, and I’d rather go for nondescript over novelty to ensure that I don’t damage my hair. In fact, I wish Lush had forgone the silly decorations altogether to save on resources and reduce waste as they serve no other purpose than to look pretty.

Containing both lemon and carrot oil, it is clear that the intentions of this shampoo bar are to take your tired locks and add a much-needed shine to it. Lemon is known for its ability to not only remove unwanted grease and cleanse the hair thoroughly, but to add a radiance that'll make your hair feel lighter as well as potentially look a little brighter as well. 

Carrot oil has many benefits for the skin and hair, hence why Lush have used it in a number of their products - including the Carrot Soap that also features in this year's Easter range. First and foremost, carrot oil has the ability to help stimulate new hair growth - a bonus for me as I struggle with thin, whispy hair. Secondly, it's a natural source of many vitamins (A and E in particular) so your hair is both nourished and replenished when applied. Finally, carrot oil is also know to provide moisture to dry scalps, so if you suffer from dandruff, this might help you to alleviate the problem. 

While my focus is more on how the product works, I was a little disappointed that the scent of this is rather basic. In as many words, I would describe this as having a strong, bright zesty lemon smell: it's as simple as that. While the carrot oil no doubt elevates the smell even more, and the cider vinegar probably adds to its slight sourness, there is nothing particularly outstanding about the fragrance alone. 

As with all of Lush's shampoo bars, this one lathers with ease and produces a frothy, fragrant lather to massage into your hair. With every shampoo bar, I always recommend that you wet it and then massage it away from the running water as this may cause it to shrink at a lot quicker rate. Then simply pat down and leave somewhere to dry.

As I mentioned above, the pom pom and ears don't do anything to the hair so I would recommend that you remove these before you use the bar. While the pom pom hasn't disintegrated for me yet, so I haven't had to pick out pieces from my hair, I wonder whether this will occur once the bar has been used a few more times. 

Once I had rinsed Wash Behind The Ears out, I found that my hair felt rather dry and parched, so I did need to use a conditioner afterwards. Unlike SOS, I would recommend that you use this in conjunction with a conditioner, as it's not particularly moisturising on the hair. However, I did find that my hair felt a little lighter and appeared more radiant after even a single wash.

I would say that this shampoo bar would suit those with greasier hair, as mine suffered a little when using this by itself. Although a conditioner rectified the situation, I like to know that my shampoo at least plays a small part in nourishing my hair during the process. Those with drier locks may wish to give this one a miss or perhaps use it alongside another shampoo to get the full experience before conditioning. 

Overall, I would say this is another nice shampoo bar from Lush, but not one I would be able to use long term. As a one-off to add a little radiance to your locks, this works really well and is effective immediately. However, if like me you have dry or damaged hair, you may wish to avoid this or pair it with something a little more nourishing.

Quantiative Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl, Sulfate Alfalfa infusion, Lemon Oil, *Limonene, Carrot Oil, Cider vinegar, Rosewood Oil, Organic Lemon Myrtle Oil, *Citral, *Linalool, Perfume, Colour 47005, Wafer Paper Ears, Pom Pom Tail.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £6.50 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Flopsy Face Wash Jelly

'Jen, why are you smothering your face in a rabbit-shaped jelly mask and pretending to be Thumper from Bambi?' An odd question perhaps, but one that gives you a little insight into what I was doing the other evening, when I thought no one was around to witness such an odd scenario being played out with my thirty-one year old self.

Needless to say, the face wash jellies seem to be something that Lush are steering towards as a possible regular feature within their range. I say this because not only were we gifted with Papa Noel last Christmas, but the Lush Summit event a few months back also heeded a further five possible jelly-based products that are potentially making an appearance at some point in the near future, all of which were aimed solely for the complexion.

Flopsy Face Wash Jelly is the second official release of its kind, and while it seems to have gone largely undetected on social media - in favour of the more colourful bath bombs, I for one believe it is a step up from Papa Noel in many ways. Never would I have imagined that one day I would be relying on a rabbit-shaped piece of jelly to brighten my complexion, but the world works in mysterious ways.

Firstly, I happen to think that it is incredible value for money. Each mask would easily heed over a hundred washes, and this is only a lose estimate based on how little mine has shrunk compared to how many times I have used it so far. I have complete faith that a single tub would last me well over a year, and this is with constant, daily use.

Linked to the above point, Flopsy is also incredibly generous with its softening abilities, yet it seems rather reserved when it comes to generating lather. Normally I would slate a product that was stubborn when in use. However, I found that this facial jelly didn't need to coat my face in a thick layer of soap because, after rinsing away the minuscule amount of 'foam' it did create, I discovered that my face felt both silky-soft and smooth. My complexion also looked far more radiant than it had done so beforehand, without leaving it looking particularly greasy or feeling at all oily.

While it is a little fiddly to handle, and the design is a novelty that doesn't last much longer than the initial couple of uses, the principle behind the product is sound. To use, I would recommend that you ensure your face is damp, and if possible, exposed to the heat of a warm shower to open the pores beforehand. You can then either massage a piece (or the whole thing!) across your face a couple of times, and then use your fingers to massage the light coating of suds across your complexion.For great results, I found that leaving Flopsy on for a few minutes just allowed the oils to soften and smoothen out my skin a little more, before I held my face under the running shower and rinsed away the product.

What I found was that my face felt immediately clean, cleansed and radiant. My skin felt smooth to the touch, without feeling greasy, and I didn't need to apply any moisturiser or toner on afterwards because the product left my complexion incredibly soft.as well. Furthermore, the fragrance lingered around long enough to make me feel really uplifted and happy, which should be deemed as a miracle first thing in the morning. 

Smell wise, this seasonal special contains lemon, bergamot and buchu oil, and shares its scent with both the Snowman FUN and Snowman Shower Jelly. The former two ingredients give this jelly a bright, spritzy fruity smell, which as I've mentioned in other reviews, creates a scent much like the outer layer of a Solero ice-cream, with an added note of tartness that makes this almost sour.

Although this is an Easter release, I feel as if this product would compliment the summer months really well. The light, fruity scent would give that refreshing, invigorated feeling in the morning, while the warmth would elevate the fragrance and help to coax you out of your morning slumber.

I can genuinely imagine using this as part of my regular routine, and have been doing so since its release a number of weeks back. If this is a sign of things to come from Lush, I am excited to see what the future has in store. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Fresh Carrot Infusion, Glycerine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate Propylene, Glycol, Carrageenan Extract, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Perfume, Kaolin, Almond Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Gardenia Extract, Lemon Oil, Bergamot Oil, Buchu Oil, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, *Limonene.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £7.95 for 200g.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Wash Behind Your Ears Shower Gel

For weeks on end now, I have pondered how to go about approaching this review. While the words for most reviews normally flow pretty naturally when I sit down to write, I found myself completely stumped when it came to reviewing this new seasonal shower gel.

Wash Behind Your Ears is one of those rare products that left me feeling pretty confused after using it for the first time. And the second. And the third. While my appreciation or dislike is normally instantaneous when it comes to trying out new products for the first time, this limited edition Easter gel had me completely stumped. I certainly didn't dislike it, as I continued to use it on a daily basis for near on a month after it entered my bathroom. Yet, I couldn't work out whether I really liked it all that much either. 

Offering fans a brand new fragrance, this shower gel doesn't look like the scent that wafts out of the bottle when you first open it. Expecting a bright, zesty-type aroma, I was surprised to find that it was a reserved, floral smell instead. And while it features lots of recognisable ingredients that go into making this flowery fragrance, this is definitely not something you have experienced before. 

What sets this shower gel apart from every single other one to come before it is that it features a carrot infusion as the base component. Aside from giving this product its rather delicious colour, carrots are known for their ability to replenish skin, reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes, and add a natural radiance to the skin. Interestingly, although it's not very strong in the mix, you can definitely make out the sweet, savoury element of the carrot deep down in the overall fragrance. 

Besides the carrot, you also have a combination of neroli and rose oils, alongside jasmine absolute, which all play an important part in the scent of this shower gel. On the surface you can smell the neroli - a sweet and slightly intoxicating fruity smell. Strangely, the top layer of this shower gel reminds me a little of Prince Charming Shower Gel, despite not sharing any of the same ingredients. 

Underneath this sweet, slightly green note, you get a musky, cloudy combination of the rose and the jasmine. Both of these floral elements appear slightly dampened and not as sweet as you would initially expect them to be. I think this is because the carrot removes a little of this, and with a gentle helping of sunflower oil, both components ground the fragrance a little. 

From the bottle, Wash Behind Your Ears is quite a thick, gloopy consistency and it takes a little more effort than usual to squeeze it out of the bottle. Once in your hands, the gel needs a little water to get it working, where it produces a light, fluffy lather to spread across your skin. I found that this shower gel was a little stubborn at producing foam unless I had enough liquid to stimulate those bubbly suds. However, once the product was mixed with enough water, it worked really effectively. 

In its favour, the shower gel was just as beautiful in the shower - emitting the same level of fragrance, if not a little more, than it did in the bottle. I found that it withstood any other products that I chose to use at the same time, and I was able to detect a light smell on my skin afterwards, even when I used a scrub right before I exited the shower.

While this is definitely one that might need to grow on you, I am beginning to really appreciate not only its unique aroma, but the fact that it has something a little different that sets it apart from all of the other floral fragrances that Lush have produced in the past. Not only did it leave my skin feeling soft and radiant, but it gave me a warm feeling that helped to ease me into my day. Although this is not one I would rave about, I will be buying another bottle or two before the season is out.

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Water, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Carrot Infusion, Stearic Acid, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Neroli Oil, Rose Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Organic Sunflower Oil, Gardenia Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Colour 19140:1, Colour 15510, Colour 45350. 

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £?

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Spring Bunny Bath Bomb

My opinion on Lush's new Easter range is slightly torn this year. On the one hand, this range is largely dominated by bright, citrusy smells, and this ticks every box because I regard these to be my favourite sort of fragrances. However, I also feel a little sorry for those who dislike the fruitier smells and were no doubt hoping for a more diverse selection within the range.

When I picked up a small handful of Spring Bunny Bath Bombs during my recent trip to Lush Oxford Street, it was these very cuties that overpowered every other product in my bag, and also dominated the noses of every passenger travelling with me on the train home. Needlessly to say, I received some very strange but equally quizzical glances.

Bursting with lemon oil, I was expecting this seasonal release to be one that I enjoyed, but not one that was going to blow me away. Very similar to Bon Bomb in scent, my initial thoughts were that this bright yellow ballistic was going to be very one-dimensional - a single note of lemon, magnified in store but quick to fade away, once in the bath tub. I was very very wrong.

This gorgeous bunny-shaped delight is incredibly powerful - with both the strength of its aroma outdoing most other bath bombs currently available in store, and its moisturising properties equalling to that of the likes of Butterball. Spring Bunny definitely has some 'bite' to it - acting like the chihuahua amidst a sea of Great Danes - its impressive smell testimony to the statement 'size doesn't matter'.  

To say it's uplifting is an understatement. This bath bomb is an abundance of zesty goodness - a sharp, fizzy, fruity lemon aroma that reminds me of hard-boiled lemon sherbets and crisp, fresh scoops of lemon sorbet. It's a fairly simple aroma - offering little else aside from the potent lemon note. However,  there is something very alluring about the smell that prevents it from being one you'll want to brush over.

Upon contact with the water, Spring Bunny immediately begins to dissolve. Whereas I was assuming it would be a loud fizzer and one that disintegrated within a matter of seconds, I found that this bath bomb frothed a lot slower, and  was far quieter than expected.

Throwing out waves of both yellow and white foam, the water is soon tainted with a very gentle and rather translucent chartreuse shade of yellow. As our little animal friend continues to shrink and ultimately disappear, it sends out a handful of blue streaks that make it slightly more interesting to watch.

Once dissolved, you are left with a very nourishing bath. While there is little evidence of the oils on the surface, Spring Bunny contains enough lemon and carrot oil to be one of the most moisturising bath bombs on the market. Furthermore, the addition of the latter oil helps to detoxify the body while you're bathing in the waters, so you're left feeling clean and smooth, with your skin gaining a radiance about it which lasts for hours.

While the scent didn't remain on the skin for very long after I exited the bath, the fragrance was strong enough to withstand a full hour of me bathing in it, and I could still smell it whenever I walked past the bathroom for the rest of the evening.

This is definitely a bath bomb I would recommend, and I'll be buying another small handful to see me through the rest of the year. For a product so small, and one that I assumed would be boring and 'flat' in scent, it has outdone my expectations and is currently one of my favourite products available in Oxford Street. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Sicilian Lemon Oil, *Limonene, Laureth 4, Carrot Oil, Water, *Citral, Colour 47005, Colour 42090.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Price: £3.45 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2016.