Don't Touch My Hair Hair Marshmallow Shampoo

Don't Touch My Hair should have been the first hair marshmallow that I decided to use, if only because it shares its scent with the wonderful Avocado Cowash range. This beautiful fragrance is a combination of litsea cubeba, olibanum and bergamot oils, which combine to create a smell that reminds me of freshly made lime cheesecake. 

While it is definitely not a zesty or a spritzy smell, there is something warm, succulent and fruity about this Lush fragrance. Every time I come across a new product with the same scent, I find myself craving dessert to the point of insanity - so perhaps not a great shampoo to use when I'm trying to stick to my training diet. 

Unfortunately, this hair marshmallow didn't offer me an experiment anywhere near as positive as the likes of The Black Stuff or Mint Condition, as my hair took to it horribly, and it spent a good couple of weeks quite literally trying to wash the effects of this Showcase exclusive out of my locks.

For those unfamiliar with the concept of a hair marshmallow, these odd looking bricks of colour are an alternative to the likes of the regular shampoo bars and liquid hair care. What makes them special is the fact that these limited editions are the lightest product you have ever witnessed coming from Lush's vaults.

As I've said in previous reviews, holding one of these is very much like holding a polystyrene block, and it is thanks to the inclusion of the aqua faba that allows it to be this way. Aqua faba is the name given to the water that various beans and chickpeas have been cooked in - which myself and many other vegan bakers use as a replacement for eggs in our cakes. After a little whisking, aqua faba creates a light, fluffy foam that Lush have managed to adapt and use to create these super airy blocks of shampoo.

The idea is that you crumble a small piece into your hand; add a little water to start the lather off; and then massage it between your palms before transferring it across your whole head. All of the hair marshmallows that I have tried so far have created a thick, fragrant foam that coats and washes the hair with ease.

Don't Touch My Hair has been specially designed to add shine and hydrate your locks at the same time. Containing avocado, capuacu and mango butters, this shampoo bar should moisturise and condition your hair during use, so that you can feel a difference when rinsing the suds away. Lemon juice and cider vinegar then brightens the hair; brings out your natural highlights; and adds a much needed shine.

What I found was that while the shampoo did the latter to my hair, and I was able to see the effects of it for days afterwards, it certainly did not leave my hair feeling all that moisturised. In fact, out of all of the marshmallows, this was one of the only ones that didn't make my hair feel instantly softer whilst I was washing away the foam.

After using this hair marshmallow, my locks were difficult to brush through, my ends felt drier and wispier, and I had to use a variety of oils to try and replenish the moisture that had clearly been removed during use. Whether this was a product fault or just simply a case of this marshmallow not suiting my hair type, I am unsure. However, Don't Touch My Hair is not one that I would consider purchasing again.

Ironically, if this marshmallow was to approach me in person, I really would tell it not to go anywhere near my hair. It took me a good two days of using intensive treatments to revert my locks back to their previous state, and I certainly don't want to have to repeat that any time in the near future.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Coco Sulfate, Oats and Banana extracted in Propylene Gycol (Avena sativa: Musa paradisica), Aquafaba, Cetearyl Alcohol & Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, SIlica, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea europaea), Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Perfume, Guar Gum (Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride), Litsea Cubeba Oil, Olibanum Oil (Boswellia carterii), Bergamot Oil (Citrus Aurantium bergamia), Avocado Butter (Persea gratissima), Mango Butter (Mangifera indica), Cupuacu Butter (Theobroma grandiflorum), Organic Cider Vinegar, Lemon Juice (Citrus limonum), Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides), Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Amyl Cinnamal, *Citral, *Limonene, *LInalool, Colour 19140.

Vegan?: Yes. 

2018 Price: £12 for 100g.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Scent Family:
Avocado Cowash Body Spray
Avocado Cowash
Avocado No Wash Body Lotion

Avocado Wash Shower Gel
Don't Touch My Hair Hair Marshmallow
Melusine Bath Bomb

Minamisoma Shower Oil

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.