New Unicorn Horn Bubble Bar 2016

Last year Lush brought something out that made a big impression on the Lush community - The Unicorn Horn Bubble Bar. I remember when I first heard about it coming out as a limited release in the now-defunct Covent Garden store - at the time I didn't realise it was acceptable to steam-train down there and buy them all up, so I missed out. When they reappeared as part of last year's Valentine's Day collection, I couldn't wait to get these beauties out of the packet and into the tub.

Old Versus New

Unfortunately, while the concept and the product design ticked all of the appropriate boxes, I was left feeling rather underwhelmed in the tub. What started out as a stunning array of colours and smells, ended with a rather murky-grey coloured water and little else to write home about. Don't get me wrong - it was still enjoyable enough that I bought a few more to see me through the year, but it definitely wasn't enough to make it into any of my 'top 10' lists. 

Fast forward 2016 and Lush re-release the bubble bar as part of their new Valentine's collection. At first glance, it seems as if the company have altered the colours slightly and removed the stars - nothing surprising given that they usually tweak each and every product before they make a comeback. However, you'd be a fool to think that this is all that Lush have done - because I can tell you that they have revamped the new bubble bar, and in simple term; it's flipping amazing.

Firstly, I don't want you to be put off by the size comparison above. As the specimen on the left is the only one I have remaining from last year, it was my only option to use it for the picture, and I can assure you that I saved this one specifically because it was exceedingly bigger than any of the other ones I purchased. In fact, the latest version has not shrunk at all in my eyes, so I cannot complain about that factor at all. 

Aside from the impressive array of colours, the scent has also changed slightly. Despite both versions of this bubble bar containing lavender, ylang ylang and neroli, this years mimics the scent of Deep Sleep Shower Jelly - a gentle lavender scent with just a hint of sweetness that gives it a rather lovely finish. I found last year's version to be much 'cloudier' in fragrance. What I mean by this is that the lavender was much stronger in the original bar and gave a sort of powdery, floral aroma - the newer version is much better balanced and far more uplifting.

Another improvement with this latest bubble bar is that the colour of the water is far more desirable. The biggest problem myself and many other Lushies suffered last year was that although the product was stunning to look at, it produced a very underwhelming bath. While the experience was moisturising on the skin, I'm sure there are few people who would choose the bathe in a murky-grey bath if they were given the choice of colours.

The new Unicorn Horn Bubble Bar is far more beautiful - producing a gorgeous shade of pink that stays prominent throughout the whole experience. Furthermore, you can instantly see how moisturising this product is going to be because within minutes of crumbling it under the tab, you begin to see really light, fluffy bubbles and a water that shimmers with moisture. It is easily one of the best baths I've had in a while.

The only downside is that the new bar is supposed to be a single-use item. Whereas last years could be spread across 3-4 occasions, this one has been designed to offer the 'wow' factor in the bath - a result that needs the full bubble bar to create. While I have no problems with spending £4.25 for a good quality bathing experience, I can see some people not wanting to invest that much in one go.

As with most Lush products, how you use it is really up to you, and I'm sure you're not going to have a terrible bathing experience if you only use half. However, if you can afford to use the entire thing, I would really recommend that you do - you're certainly not going to want to leave the bath if you do - it's heavenly.

Overall - while at first I was a little disappointed with the selection that Lush were offering this Valentine's Day, Unicorn Bubble Bar has more than rectified the situation for me, and as long as they are around for me to bathe with, I will be one happy girl. I would recommend that you buy a few to try yourself but I plan on purchasing them all so there's not really any point you trying...

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Cream of Tartar, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Cornflour, Perfume, Lavender Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Neroli Oil, *Citral, *Limonene, *Linalool, Snowflake Lustre, Silver Glimmer Lustre, Maize Starch, Colour 45430, Colour 42090, Colour 47005, Colour 19140, Colour 45350.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Price: £4.25 each.
2017 Price: £4.25 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2016.