Vertical Abhyanga Shower Oil

When I first saw the pictures of Lush's brand new shower oils from the Summit event, I was far too busy enjoying my time abroad to research them any further. For this reason, I convinced myself that they were to be used in the same manner as one of the company's emotibombs, and that they were just extra moisturising because of the cocoa butter.

Not once did I contemplate just exactly how melting a block of butters and oils at my feet would moisturise my skin, and NOT cause a slippery mess to contend with at the same time. While I consider myself to be an intelligent person, this trail of thought definitely didn't leave me feeling particularly clever afterwards.

In truth, Lush's new extensive range of shower oils are a slight variation on their  selection of body butters. Yet while the likes of Aqua Mirabilis can be quite heavy on the skin, and also serve as an exfoliator at the same time, these tear-shaped gems serve the purpose of nourishing and moisturising the skin, without being as heavy as a body butter or a body lotion.

Coming in at around 5cm in diameter and nearly 2cm thick, Vertical Abhyanga was the first shower oil that took my fancy. Whether it was because I was craving chocolate at the time, or because the black sesame seeds on the surface seemed appealing, but I was really impressed when this little gem came into the shower with me. 

Containing vanilla absolute and cardamon oil as two of the main ingredients, this shower oil smells both sweet and spicy at the same time. The former ingredient, along with the inclusion of the cocoa butter, offers a slightly chocolately note that definitely comes out a lot more when exposed to hot water. The cardamon is by far the strongest element here: bringing about a slightly nutty, aromatic and delicately spicy note. While the aroma is definitely not as potent as Cardamom Coffee Liquid Perfume, fans of the fragrance will appreciate the sentiments of this shower oil.  

Ultimately, Vertical Abhyanga is a comforting and perhaps slightly foody smell, that will appeal to those who want something warming during the winter months. As the scent of this stays on the skin for a good hour or so after you've left the shower, consumers will appreciate the delicate notes of sweetness making themselves known over time.

All of Lush's new shower oils contain sunflower wax, which is a sure fine to prevent the many butters and oils from melting too easily. This allows the blocks to dry super quickly after being used, and also stops them from melting too fast when exposed to hot water. In fact, the ingredients in all of the shower oils have served them well: making them not only really easy to use (and not at all greasy), but also prolonging their lifespan by making them super robust.  

How to use a shower oil is down to personal preference, although I have tried a few variations and have discovered the way that works best for me. Much like a body butter, I tend to find that these beauties work better at the end of your shower/bath, when your skin is clean and ready to be moisturised.

Ensure your skin is damp and then step out of the way of the running water. Massage the bar gently, in a circular motion, across the areas of your body that you wish to moisturise. Try not to apply too much pressure as the shower oils are very generous, and I just feel that you'd coat your skin with too much oil and use up the block far quicker this way. 

What you will find is that the shower oils will leave a light layer of oils on your skin, which you can then use you hands to massage even deeper into your skin. Unlike a body butter or a body conditioner, the oils are not at all greasy, nor do they feel at all heavy. Instead, it feels and looks as if you've applied a little baby oil to your skin.

Each one of the shower oils that I have tried so far have not only offered enough nourishment to keep my skin feeling plump and moisturised throughout the whole day, but they also ensure that there is a radiance to your skin that makes it look far healthier than it did beforehand. I didn't need to moisturise at all afterwards, yet I also didn't get the impression that I'd applied anything too heavy on my skin either. Those with sensitive skin; those who dislike using body lotions daily because of the irritation they can bring about; or those who are concerned with how saturated the pores can get from the product build up of using a lotion regularly, may be interested to learn that this little beauty replicates the same results, but is far more easy-going on the skin.  

Overall, I was really impressed with this tear-shaped exclusive and would be a product I invest in again, if the opportunity arises. If applying to the whole body, and doing so without too much exposure to water, I envisage that one of these blocks would last you a good ten uses. While this does still mean that it works out more expensive than one of Lush's larger body lotions, there is something rather beautiful how gentle this feels on the skin, and the lack of packaging is also a welcome bonus.

Quantitative Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Illipe Butter, Sesame Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Black Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Wax, Perfume, Vanilla Absolute, Cardamon Oil, Guaiacwood Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Fair Trade Organic Black Pepper Powder, Ground Black Mustard Seeds, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Hyroxycitronellal, Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £5.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.