I have got myself into a bad habit - one that has seen me buy at least one gift set from every seasonal release this year so far. While they do work out more expensive because of the luxury of having a set prepared and readily available for a loved one, there is something rather exciting about many of the designs that Lush have to offer.
With the excitement following the release of this year's Mothers' Day selection, I almost overlooked this particular gift set - until i went back over my feed, spotted the beauty that was the Happy Mothers' Day Gift Set, and set about gushing over the packaging until i had it firmly planted in my hands.
Aside from the fantastic range of products featured inside, this gift set speaks for itself. The tin can container is designed to be used as both a form of storage (perhaps for your increasing Lush collection if you're like me), or as a home for an array of wonderful flowers - the seeds of which come as part of the set.
Upon opening the lid, I found a collection of six miniature flowers made out of paper - inside of each harvesting a number of wild flower seeds that are supposed to be planted in the very container that holds the rest of the goodies. Once the Lush products have been used, the metal bucket can be filled with soil and the seeds planted to bring some much-needed colour to a window ledge or patio space.
Aside from the gorgeous design, the selection of products featured inside are beautiful - a set that combines an array of seasonal products with a few of their regular items. With both shower and bath goodies, this collection would easily last someone a good few weeks - perhaps long enough to bring some much needed sunshine to their lives until the actual sun decides to make an appearance.
There is something in here for every occasion - whether you want to capture the sunlight in your tub or bask in the floral powers of Rose Bombshell or Yummy Mummy. For the price, this is a steal, and one I would buy a few of if I could afford it. If there's one gift you buy this year - for yourself or for a loved one, this would be my number one recognition.
Considering myself a fairly normal human being, it's an odd predicament then when I find myself feeling rather apprehensive over the release of a bath bomb. What most members of the public would see as an expensive ball of bicarbonate of soda, I see as an investment, and one that can incite a degree of stress for me until I have secured a handful of said product to try and review.
Finally making an appearance in Lush Oxford Street this past Friday, Roller is half bath bomb, half bath melt, and all glorious. Exclusive to the flagship store, this product not only sold out on its initial appearance, but did so again today - luckily after I was able to grab myself a small handful.
Sharing its scent with the Yummy Mummy range, this brand new ballistic has been the talk of the town since descriptions of the product first leaked on social media, at the beginning of the month. Containing an array of oils and butters to soften and condition the skin, this limited edition is everything it claims to be, and more.
Orange oil and tonka absolute form the basis for this fruity beauty - a collaboration that gives Roller a beautiful, sweet strawberry essence. In fact, much like the shower cream, this bath bomb doesn't give much of an indication that it contains anything geranium at all. Instead it offers an uplifting, mouth-watering berry essence with rich, silky vanilla undertones that pad this fragrance out perfectly.
To me, this limited edition smells a little bit like a strawberry starburst or a spoonful of strawberry jelly - a delicious fruity aroma that does have more depth than the aforementioned food items, but is definitely one of Lush's more simplistic aromas. While the floral aroma is very weak in the mix, there is a very slight hint that the geranium is present, and although the tonka is a key component, it's not overly vanillary - more like a sugary musk that compliments the fruity element.
What is impressive about this product is that it is both a bomb and a bath melt. The smooth purple side is the melt, and as this is the heavier part, the ballistic tends to rest on this part in the water; the white section is the bath bomb, and it is this part that gets to work immediately upon impact with the water - producing a show that may be quiet in sound, but certainly isn't in colour.
A slow fizzer, this item rocks and bounces for a few seconds upon impact with the water, before settling down and spurting out thick white foam across the surface of the water. Within about forty seconds, both pink and orange waves of colour begin to seep out of the holes in the bath bomb, and this is where things being to get interesting in the tub.
It is at this stage that deep blue streams of colour being to bubble, froth and spill out of the bath bomb - a reaction that demonstrates just why this product is inspired by the Roller bird to begin with. Mixing with the other colours already present in the water, you are left with a combination of rainbow swirls and creamy white foam - an inviting display if there ever was one.
After two minutes, the bath bomb breaks in half and continues to dissolve until it all but disappears, leaving behind a purple-tinted bath water with swirls of blue, pink, purple and white decorating the surface.
What is great about Roller is that the addition of the extra butters and oils mean that this is a really moisturising experience. You can see droplets of oil dotted across the surface of the water, and upon stepping into the bath, you immediately being to feel them getting to work at conditioning and softening your skin.
Strangely, once the bath bomb had fully dissolved, I felt as if the strawberry element took a back seat a little, and the vanilla came forward with the floral element more pronounced. While it was still fruity in the tub, it definitely wasn't as sweet as it had been upon removing it from the package, and I reckon this would be what divides fans between those that love the bath bomb, and those that are disappointed that the strong strawberry component doesn't remain the same.
In all fairness, I dont think the simplicity of the fragrance would have worked well in the water, had the tonka not taking control and added a bit of depth to the smell. I actually really enjoyed and appreciated the fact that the floral and vanillary elements came forward - it meant that the scent lasted throughout the whole experience, and I could still detect the aroma some five hours after I had initially exited the bath.
Overall, Roller is a fantastic edition to the Lush family, and I only hope it makes more than just a fleeting visit. Fans of Yummy Mummy will appreciate the familiarity with the smell both in and outside of the bath, and new fans will I'm sure enjoy the unique element to its design. Another top-rated product in my eyes.
As an outsider, I often wonder what motivates Lush to redesign/repackage certain scents, and why some fragrances seem to slip off the face of the earth, only to reappear years later and completely dominate everything that Lush release after this point, for a while. Obviously, profit comes into play here - I consider myself fairly intelligent to know that sales, supply and demand, and brand longevity all play their part in this process.
However, that's almost my point - where does this consumer demand come from? Messages on social media platforms, in-store conversations, emails and calls, may run up in their thousands, but I doubt if very many reach a status that would encourage Lush to actually act upon it. While the Kitchen may heed to slightly different protocol, as they're only talking a couple of thousand products that would need shifting, it's unlikely that a handful of consumers would have any sort of influence over a national release.
So my questions still stands - what governs Lush's decision to focus on particular products/fragrances? Is it just the guarantee of consumer loyalty and the quality of their products? Is there some degree of trial and error taking place? Or is there a far more complex process taking place 'behind the scenes?'.
I only ask because this year's Mothers' Day range has a very obvious theme running through the products. Yummy Mummy Shower Cream, Flutterby Bubble Bar and the impending Roller Bath Bomb all share the same scent it seems, although there are obviously some minor differences between the formats as you would expect. And while not all released at the same time, the introduction of Peeping Santa Bubbleroon last Christmas, Drummers Drumming the year before, and last year's Mothers' Day being equally saturated with the fragrance, suggests that there must be some sort of guiding factor notifying Lush that the consumer clearly wants more Yummy Mummy! Out of the above bath products, this would probably sit in joint first place with Peeping Santa Bubbleroon. The reason for this is simple - not only is this a very visually pleasing bubble bar to behold, but the fragrance it offers is impeccable. Along with the supporting shower cream, Lush have really gone all out on ensuring that the original Yummy Yummy Yummy scent is preserved in these new releases this year. Annoyingly, this is an Oxford Street exclusive - which is fine for me because I have easy access to the store, but not so much for the thousands of fans across the globe that are unable to make a visit. For a bubble bar that looks and smells as amazing as it does, this is something that I believe should have been shared around, and would definitely be a very popular seller if it was part of the normal range. For those desperate to get their hands on this, I do believe it is coming out in the Kitchen in a couple of weeks time, so keep your eyes peeled for this announcement. In simple terms, this year's release is far fruitier, and plays homage to the aforementioned original shower gel a lot more closely than last year's version. In the bottle, Yummy Mummy Shower Cream offers up a strong, robust collaboration of fruit and floral - a creamy, decadent pairing that smells like a rich man's strawberries and cream. This bubble bar is a deliciously sweet and fruity collaboration - one that'll have your mouth salivating upon immediate contact. To me, it smells of homemade strawberry meringue - a layer of double cream sandwiched between fluffy sugary vanilla shells, topped with freshly-picked strawberries and finished off with light drizzle of caramel sauce. While the bubble bar contains geranium in the ingredients list, and you can definitely detect a gentle floral aroma alongside the sweeter elements, this bubble bar is not as musky as previous Yummy Mummy offerings, and instead it is more of an afterthought - the strawberry note is definitely more prominent in this than in older members of this scent family. On the bigger side, Flutterby will definitely last you through two to three luxurious baths - producing a generous helping of fragrant bubbles and turning the water into baby pink haven of colour. While the bubbles don't all remain until the very end, there is enough here to cocoon you in a warm blanket during your experience, and the fragrance remains as defined and as beautiful throughout. Although not as moisturising as some of the other bubble bars I have tried recently, it is still really softening, and will leave you with smooth, supple-feeling skin. Disappointingly, I didn't find that much of a scent was left on my body afterwards, although I was able to top up with a coat of Strawberry Feels Forever Massage Bar to keep the smell lingering for as long as possible. Overall, this would make a great addition to the regular range, and I think it's a bit detrimental to release such a wonderful product for such a short period of time. I will definitely be stocking up on a few more of these before they're discontinued - they'd make a great addition to an array of different cocktails, and would work equally well in the summer months. Quantitative Ingredients: ? Vegan?: Yes. 2016 Price: £4.95 each. Year Of Original Release: 2016.
Despite hoarding enough of the shower gel to last me a good three years, I was still overly excited when I found out that Lush were re-releasing Yummy Mummy for this year's Mother's Day range. Except, as with the Valentine's Day release of Prince Charming, it seems that Lush are into their shower creams this year, so I was equally intrigued and nervous when I discovered that the product would be in a different format this time around.
Upon its arrival in the post, I couldn't help but have an initial sniff, expecting to detect the same fragrance in both the gel and the cream versions. As the former product had already been awarded a six-bottle rating by myself last year, I couldn't imagine that the reformulated edition would or could be anything better than the gel. To say I had my mind blown, is an understatement.
Although there is little difference in the colour of the original gel, the newly released cream is definitely far prettier to look at. A vivid shade of iris, Yummy Mummy sports a subtle shimmer, thanks to the inclusion of snowflake lustre in the ingredients list. While you don't have to worry about the glitter clinging to your skin during use, it does give the product a wonderful pearl-esque look, which just adds to the experience in the shower.
On close inspection of the ingredients list, there is nothing noticeably different about the oils used to give this product its distinctive scent, aside from the added cocoa butter to make the reformulated version a little creamier and more moisturising when in use. This I find strange because to me there is a very distinctive difference between the two, and it's definitely not the cocoa butter that has created this divide.
Supposedly sharing its scent with the Yummy Yummy Yummy range (a collection that includes a shower gel, massage bar and reusable bubble bar), there was quite a divide in the Lush community last year when many fans claimed that Yummy Mummy was far too floral orientated, and nothing like the original fruity fragrance at all. While I did notice a difference, I didn't think it was vastly different, and was just glad to be able to own a shower gel with the scent - given that Yummy Yummy Yummy is not vegan.
In simple terms, this year's release is far fruitier, and plays homage to the aforementioned original shower gel a lot more closely than last year's version. In the bottle, Yummy Mummy Shower Cream offers up a strong, robust collaboration of fruit and floral - a creamy, decadent pairing that smells like a rich man's strawberries and cream.
Imagine taking a handful of fresh strawberries, pulverising them with some whipped double cream, a handful of vanilla pods and a splash of buttery caramel sauce, and you may begin to envisage just how wonderful this shower cream is. The cocoa butter definitely adds an underlying sugary-sweet element, which is what I think elevates and strengths the fruity notes present. In the shower gel, the geranium smothers the strawberry note a little, whereas in this version the fruit aspect is far more prominent.
As to be expected with most of Lush's shower creams, Yummy Mummy is thinner than the gel and doesn't tend to lather up as well. However, when you massage it across your skin, you can still feel that it's present on your hands and body. Furthermore, when you rinse it away, you can immediately feel a difference in the softness of your skin, and this effect stays with you for the rest of the day. If you did want a little bit more of a lather going on, you could massage the cream between your palms first as this tends to stimulate slightly more foam than applying it straight onto your body.
Overall, this shower cream is unique and wonderful - a product that I hope makes a reappearance year after year. Although it didn't foam up as easily as the gel version did, everything else about it was far superior to the gel. Lush have definitely improved this product and I am very happy that it is now produced in this format.
Sweet dreams are made of orange sorbet and lemon sherbets; of cool citrus notes on a sunny day and rays of light dancing whimsically about the summer leaves. Impressively, Lush have been able to take all of these summery daydreams and construct them into a product so close to perfection, it's almost criminal.
Regular readers will know that while I give each and every soap release a fair trial, I am normally left frustrated by the fact that my skin just doesn't take well to this type of cosmetic. Despite offering some of Lush's greatest fragrances (Porridge or Candy Cane anyone?), those colourful blocks of glycerine just don't cut it when it comes to my skin's blatant snobbery towards soap.
I've come to realise that I need to approach reviewing this format in a different way than I would normally do - putting aside my skin's clear distaste for anything less than a shower gel, and approaching it from the perspective of an outside consumer. There's no point in me reiterating the fact that a soap has dried out my skin - it's neither helpful for potential buyers, nor a true reflection of what the majority of fans think.
For this reason, I'll go ahead and state that Sunrise Soap is perhaps the greatest soap to have ever graced the shelves of a Lush store. A bold statement if there was ever one, this seasonal release ticks every single box when it comes to the design and the fragrance. And while it doesn't bode well with my skin, this is a product I would recommend that you try, especially if you enjoy the more fruitier offerings from Lush.
Making its appearance for the first time this Mother's Day, the soap offers an impressive cascade of fruity aromas that'll wake you up and bring some much-needed refreshment to your morning. Sharing its scent with the show-stopping bubble bar, The Brightside, this brand new product is a feast for the senses, and you only have to look at the ingredients list to see why it is such an amazing product.
A juicy collaboration of citrus oils - mandarin, tangerine and bergamot means that Sunrise smells like a fresh glass of homemade fruit juice or a bowl of frozen sorbet. It's a bright, zesty aroma unlike anything that has come before it; a fragrance that elevates your mood almost instantaneously and leaves you feeling uplifted and refreshed. And with the addition of nectar perfume to add a layer of extra sweetness, you are left with a soap that'll make your mouth salivate in anticipation.
The tangerine oil not only gives the bar its wonderfully 'spritzy' fragrance but is also known to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks; the mandarin oil adding to the uplifting aroma and helping to elevate the mood of anyone lucky enough to be using it at that time. Finally, the bergamot oil combats feelings of stress and tension, and stimulates circulation in the body, which in turn can relieve muscle tension.
While it wasn't the most moisturising of products for my body, the inclusion of both murumuru butter and silken tofu meant that the lather was really thick and creamy on my skin. After rinsing myself under the running water, I couldn't help but marvel at how clean I felt. I know that latter statement might seem pretty obvious for someone who understands the purpose of soap and knows how to use a shower, but the smell and the way that Sunrise cleans out the pores really gives you an overall extra feeling of cleanliness.
What I love about Sunrise is that it's quite a soft soap, so it feels as fresh as it smells. While I didn't find it the most generous of latherers when compared to other Lush soaps, it still created a light, fluffy foam that spread with ease across the skin. While the soap needed a little stimulating before it began to lather up, I chose to do this outside the flow of the water, just because I can imagine this being a soap that would shrink fairly quickly over time.
Although I would always choose a shower gel version of this over a soap, this is still a gorgeous product, and one I plan on enjoying while it is still available to buy. It'll leave you feeling clean and smooth - permeating your skin with a fizzy, citrus aroma that doesn't stay around for long, but does elevate your mood for a while after your shower. And if all of the above isn't enough to convince you to purchase a piece, did I mention the fact that it has a gentle touch of lustre that helps it shimmer when being used. A truly magical release from Lush.
If life has taught me anything so far, it's that change can be a scary and sometimes challenging path to take, yet one that can heed amazing results if you persist. A somewhat deep sentiment for a cosmetics blog I'm sure you'll agree, but relevant nonetheless in regards to Lush's product output, and the expectation that consumers have for their favourite brand.
From year to year, you never quite know what to expect from Lush. A product might make an appearance one year, only to be formulated, tweaked, and sometimes changed beyond recognition the following. While this can occasionally be detrimental, in most cases the company always manage to improve upon what they started with - which is a credit to their talent and creativity.
Whatever your opinion of the new Rose Bombshell, there is no denying that it's changed dramatically since last year's more reserved, cream-coloured offering. Not only is the scent very different from the original release, but there is actually nothing about the new bath bomb that shares a resemblance to its older sibling.
Sharing its scent with the Ro's Argan family, this new addition to the Mother's Day range is a potent and very powdery floral aroma - one dominated by a dry but naturally sweet rose fragrance; and paired with a generous helping of geranium to elevate and expand the overall smell, making this one of the strongest bath bombs I've had from Lush in a while.
While the aroma has slight elements of lemon featured, to give it that subtle sweetness that extends beyond the natural aroma of the rose, this note is more of an afterthought, and it really is the floral components that take centre stage here. If you're a fan of The Sparkler, this slightly stronger variation will tide you over until its reappearance, and may even offer you something a little bit more beautiful in the tub. Although the original bath bomb was great for its simplicity, and very effective at softening the water and offering you a very moisturising experience, this latest update brings about a very visually pleasing and all-rounded better experience by far.
Upon impact with the water, the bath bomb immediately begins to fizz - sending out waves of bright pink foam across the surface. As it bubbles and hisses, you begin to see the turquoise centre seeping though, and within seconds this colour also bleeds into the water to create a rich, rose-tinted tub full of water to bathe in. When Rose Bombshell has almost completely dissolved, the centre opens up and sends out a handful of yellow rose petals for a dramatic finish. Not only do these make a lovely addition to the experience, but they don't cause any sort of mess in the water either, so those that are opposed to 'debris' littering their tubs can remove these with ease and not have to worry about the aftermath.
Once the ballistic has completely dissolved, you're left with a bath that is littered with puddles of creamy, white swirls on the surface. These are due to the generous inclusion on the various oils in the ingredients list, and help to make this a softening and very nourishing bath overall. Although these oils were a fantastic edition to the bath water, I should warn you that I ended up with smudges of pink around the rim of the bath, and I had to give my tub a good scrub down afterwards to remove this.
Despite this set back, the scent remained on my skin for a short time afterwards and I was able to detect it in my hair the following morning, which was a lovely touch. Overall, if you love the Ro's Argan scent, or just anything with a strong rose or geranium element, you'll love this. I don't quite think I love it as much as last years, but it's definitely a lovely addition to this year's Mother's Day range.
Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Fine Sea Salt, Yellow Rose Petals, Rose Absolute, Geranium Oil, Rose Oil, Sicilian Lemon Oil, *Limonene, Citronellol, Coumarin, Perfume, Frosty Holly Lustre, Colour 17200, Colour 45410.
