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Showing posts with label cognac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cognac. Show all posts

2 June 2019

Crash Shower Jelly




I had to indulge myself in a little giggle when hearing about this product for the first time, as it made me realise just how old I seem to be getting. When discovering that this shower jelly was called Crash and had been designed as part of Lush's 'party products', most young, active adults would probably associate the name with that of breaking into a party to have some unadulterated fun. However, when I heard the name for the first time, I imagined most likely what I'd be doing on the sofa by about 7pm before the party had even started. Where has my youth gone?

One of four limited edition 'party products', Crash Shower Jelly is a Liverpool exclusive held only for consumers who want to book a party experience within the store. Alongside Calm A Llama Bath Bomb, Cilla The Caterpillar Bath Bomb and Party Balloon Reusable Bubble Bar, this exclusive offers a classic scent for fans to indulge in during their birthday celebrations, although Lush was kind enough to unleash a limited number online for consumers to get their hands on.

Sharing its scent with the rather extensive Snow Showers and Celebrate range, this shower jelly will appeal to those fans old and new. Featuring sweet orange, lime and cognac oils, this fluorescent yellow product offers an equally vibrant fragrance that is perfect for the summer months ahead of us.

Originally described as replicating the sweet, fizziness of champagne, the smell of Crash Shower Jelly is a super fruity, bright and very beautiful grape-like aroma. All three components are sweet and zesty, yet equally as light and refreshing as well. If you were a fan of Bubbly Shower Gel or Buck's Fizz Body Conditioner, this jelly is very much like these, albeit a little more spritzy and a little more led by the lime as opposed to the orange. 

While far from being a complex scent, there is something so satisfying and incredibly beautiful about this aroma, and would definitely be the perfect 'wake up call' after a heavy night partying. It might even be acceptable to use this after a heavy night's sleep on the sofa as well, but I wouldn't know anything about this of course...

There are several ways that you can use any of Lush's shower jellies and I find that everyone has their own preference, which is completely understandable. Firstly, you can break a small piece of (or select a piece that's been segmented prior to your shower) and rub the block directly onto your skin. The amount of lather this creates differentiates vastly depending on the type of jelly, how old the product is and the size of the piece you're using. While some users find this way works for them, I find that this is fairly ineffective as it does not create much of a lather and the jelly becomes too wet, making it slippery and difficult to hold on to. 

Secondly, you can use a shower sponge, puff or exfoliating glove to create a lather before rubbing it all over your body. For me, I found this method far more successful as it helped to break down the jelly properly and create a nice foamy effect to wash your body with. Finally, you can break off slabs of the jelly and use them as you would a bubble bar, placing them underneath a running tap to stimulate bubbles. I tend to use mine for this as well at times, as I can get 4-5 amazing baths out of one 100g tub, which I consider to be great value for money.

In terms of Crash, I was pleased to find that the hot water did nothing but stimulate all of the juiciness of the fragrance and make for an uplifting and very refreshing experience. This is the perfect jelly to use in the mornings as this product will certainly bat away the cobwebs and awaken your senses.

Alongside this, I found that the shower jelly was super moisturising, and I could feel the skin-softening effects immediately after I lathered it over my skin. While remnants of this didn't linger long on my skin after I had towelled myself down, I was really impressed by how much the shower jelly impacted on the room for hours after use. My 100g tub has barely left the bathroom since I began using it last month and I think this is a large improvement on the plain-looking Snow Showers that originally came out back in the day.

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Carrageenan Extract, Luminescent Zinc Sulfide, Sweet Orange Oil, Lime Oil, Cognac Oil, Fresh Orange Juice, Titanium Dioxide, Lauryl Betaine, Citronellol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Colour 59040.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £5 for 100g.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.


12 November 2018

The World's Smallest Disco Ball Bath Bomb




I thought it was only fitting that I use this bath bomb before my second night out of the year. While I know I sound like I'm far too sociable for my own good (har har!) the description convinced me that this was going to be the one to wake me up and give me some energy to stay up past 8pm. Oh, the high life I live!

The World's Smallest Disco sounds like the cutest idea for a bath bomb ever, and the vibrant combination of colours against a black back drop makes it one of the most interesting as well. Made from the same mould as the Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb, this seasonal special contains coloured discs scattered across the surface, which break off whilst its in the water and offer the bather a rainbow of colours to enjoy.

To start with, I should probably say if you're looking for a bath bomb that's going to impress you with its display in the water, this is the one you should go for this season. As soon as I dropped mine into the water, the bomb began to send out waves of deep, black colour across the surface. This water was infused with a gentle helping of silver lustre as well, and you could see it sparkling in the light.

At the same time, the coloured discs that were embedded into the bath bomb threw out threads of greens and blues, pinks and yellows, that swirled around the black to create the most beautiful of artwork I have seen in a while, with a Lush bath bomb. Each colour is super vibrant, and looks amazing once again with the black water behind them. In fact, I think the colour of the water made the other colours seem even brighter than usual.

Once the bath bomb had fully dissolved, which took about two minutes, the water settled on a deep, dark black colour, with just the gentle shimmer of the lustre every time the water moved. Although this may be off-putting to some people, I can assure you that it doesn't stain your skin at all. Furthermore, while this bath bomb did leave a little black residue around my bath tub afterwards, this wasn't something that took more than a couple of seconds to rectify, and rinse or wipe away.

As well as being an amazing interactive bath bomb, this limited edition also holds its fragrance in the water. Although perhaps not as strong as it could be, I was able to smell this throughout my entire time in the tub, and there was a delicate lingering of the fragrance on my skin after I had left the bath.

Despite its amazing performance, I will say that there was something about the smell of The World's Smallest Disco Ball Bath Bomb that didn't sit particularly well with me. This may just have been my broken nose, but I found that I could detect an after-scent that I didn't enjoy at all, and I ended up leaving the bath early because I needed a break from it. 

Containing a combination of grapefruit, lime and cognac oils, I was expecting something as fruity and spritzy as Golden Wonder. While the bath bomb does offer something juicy and fruity - with threads of the lime and grapefruit coming out the strongest - I could also detect a hint of the charcoal in the aroma. This element, when combined with the tangy-ness of the grapefruit, replicated a smell that reminded me slightly of - dare I say it - vomit.

Those who are reading this review, and are perhaps now extremely put-off trying this Christmas bath bomb, I should point out that this 'nasty' note that I make out, could just be my sensitive nose. In addition, this little side note is not all encompassing, and certainly doesn't dominate the scent at all. It is merely a tiny note of smell that tickles my nose buds, after I have taken in all of the other lovely ingredients.

Having said this, The World's Smallest Disco Ball is lovely and moisturising in the tub, and you will feel the benefits of these oils on your skin afterwards. While this bath bomb doesn't offer a scent that would bowl most people over, it does have a lovely aroma - I just wish the charcoal didn't add that extra layer that it was rather off-putting to me.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Popping Candy, Lime Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Cognac Oil, Cream of Tartar, Water (Aqua), Titanium Dioxide, Charcoal, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, *Citral, *Limonene, Perfume, Colour 77491, Colour 77266, Colour 47005:1, Colour 45430:1, Colour 19140, Colour 15510, Colour 42090, Colour 42090:2, Colour 45380:3, Colour 45410, Colour 17200.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £5.25 for each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.


19 November 2017

Giant Golden Wonder Bath Bomb




If there’s one thing that most Lush fans have in common, it’s our love and excitement of colourful bath bombs. Most consumers make their way into the world of Lush through the Bath Bomb section first, and most human beings love a good show, while enjoying one of their favourite pastimes: bathing. 

While Lush are renowned for being superior than most other other brands, when it comes to their bath products, the company still enjoy designing new concepts and pushing even more boundaries when it comes to how a bath bomb can manipulate colour; unique features of product design; and different ways they can perform in the water. It is only natural then, that the company have decided to start integrating super-sized versions of favourite bath bombs into seasonal releases, because who doesn’t want their favourite product quadrupled in size?

Giant Golden Wonder Ballistic is exactly what it sounds like: the Christmas best-selling bath bomb magnified for one hell of a festive soak. Almost six times the size of the original, this limited edition is surprisingly not as heavy as you would imagine - but works a dream at creating a haven of colours and smells to indulge yourself with.

Lush describe the original Golden Wonder as 'a pass the parcel gift – each layer has something different to offer. This is not for a quick bath because it takes its time, this bath bomb. Its layers of golden lustre, dazzling colours and soluble gold stars are a wonder to behold.' It really is a feast for the senses!

Designed to smell like an old Lush favourite, Snow Showers Shower Jelly, this ballistic contains a mixture of sweet orange oil, cognac oil and lime oil – a delicious citrusy concoction guaranteed to perk up anyone suffering from the winter blues. For anyone who hasn’t used anything in this extended scent family, Golden Wonder offers a light, spritzy aroma that reminds me of white grape combined with a dash of sweet, orange juice. It’s a fruity scent that does have a fizzy quality to it, which is where the idea of smelling like a glass of Bucks Fizz comes from.

Much like the original Golden Wonders, this one Immediately starts to fizz upon contact with the water. Surprisingly, this one was able to float throughout the entire experience, although it did tend to balance on one of its corners as opposed to resting top side up. Much like its original brother, this Bath Bomb started out by sending waves of creamy white and yellow froth that dissipated slowly across the water. 

As the ballistic continued to work its magic, small parts of it broke away to reveal swirls of beautiful vivid blue that spread quickly across the tub and greater a wonderful shade of green. This ballistic also contains edible gold lustre and soluble paper stars, which gave the bath a magical sparkle that stayed until the end. Whilst I could see the lustre circling underneath the surface while I was bathing, very little remnants remained on my skin afterwards, and a simple spray from the shower hose was enough to wash away any excess left in the tub.

For £12.95, this is quite a hefty investment, and one I think is more suited to a one-off novelty factor than anything else. Despite its size, the Bath Bomb doesn’t offer a stronger scent, a more vivid bath or a more moisturising experience, so its more for super fans to indulge in a unique experience before the ballistic disappears for another year.

Overall, the bath water felt silky-soft and gentle on my skin, and the scent, though slightly fainter than when the ballistic was unused, was still zesty and warming. This fragrance stayed throughout the entire bath and left a hint of citrus on the skin afterwards, which is exactly what I needed to perk me up for the day. Having said that, you can get all of this after using a regular-sized Golden Wonder as well, so this is definitely more suited to super fans who want a one-off experience, or those looking to buy something different and unique for Christmas. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis), Cognac Oil (Vitis vinifera), Lime Oil (Citrus aurantifolia), Water (Aqua), Cream of Tartar (Potassium Bitartrate), Glycerine, Titanium Dioxide, Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides), Sodium Laureth, Sulfate Lauryl Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, DRF Alcohol, Mica Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Iron Oxides, Citronellol, *Limonene, *Citral, *Linalool, Fragrance, Blue 1, Yellow 8, Orange 4, Red 27.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £12.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.





Coming soon!



30 September 2017

Buck's Fizz Naked Body Conditioner



Recently, I moved house and into a much smaller place, which means that I've had to scale down on the amount of cosmetics I can fill up the bathroom with. With there being so many new releases this season, particularly the amount of soaps and solid products that need testing and reviewing, the other inhabitant has had to deal with piles of multi-coloured blocks and bottles all over the place. Needless to say, he has learnt the hard way about living with a Lush fanatic, and he is unlikely to make this mistake again. 

Buck's Fizz Naked Body Conditioner is one such block - a bright orange specimen with a gorgeous scent that immediately captivates your senses. A brand new product for the 2017 Christmas range, this wonderful limited edition didn't last particularly long in my bathroom, and helped me out on many a cold morning before work. 

With a base of cocoa, shea and murumuru butters, this naked product has everything you need to moisture your skin and bring back the vibrancy that is sometimes lost during the colder months of the year. With zero packaging being wasted on this exclusive, Buck's Fizz is a perfect stocking filler for those who trying to reduce the impact they have on the environment. 

As with all of the naked products I have tried and reviewed so far, this one is slightly different from the normal version, and it will depend on what you're looking for as to which one you decide to invest in. Furthermore, as my previous experience has already documented, the liquid edition outshines this version a little, although the lack of packaging makes this equally as appealing.

Sharing its scent with Bubbly Shower Gel, this naked body conditioner has a bright, zesty fragrance that'll perk both yourself and your skin up in the early mornings. Containing lime, cognac and Brazilian orange oil as the key ingredients, Buck's Fizz smells like a zesty bowl of rich, succulent, fruity sorbet. Having said that, it is the grapefruit decoction that makes the biggest impression on my senses. 

Unlike the regular version, which reminds me of an intensified, orange Starburst sweet, the naked edition has a subtle bitterness to it, which makes it a little different. There is something about the grapefruit, and the lime I believe, that adds a gentle green-like note to the product. Whereas I would describe the potted version as being a simple zesty aroma, this format has an extra element which sets it apart slightly. Moreover, the smell of the naked conditioner is not as intense as its potted sibling, and this is where some consumers may fail to see the merits of this edition over the regular one. 

As with all of the naked conditioners, I have used them in multiple ways, and for multiple purposes. In terms of how to use the block, you can either embrace using the whole thing at once, and then just storing it somewhere to dry in between showers. Or you can cut the block into smaller chunks, and take a single one with you when you feel like pampering your skin. While the latter way makes for zero mess on your bathroom surfaces, as there won't be any wet products to contend with, I found that all of the naked conditioners were dry a couple of minutes after using them, so mess wasn't really am issue.

To use the naked conditioners, you should step out of the way of the running water and massage the bar across the skin. What is great about the solid edition is that you have much more control over how much you use, so the product as a whole lasts longer than a 100g tub. However, I did find that this bar was a little stubborn at first and so I had to apply a couple of layers to get the desired effect that I was hoping for.


Body conditioners, naked or not, can also be used in replacement of a shaving cream. After applying a layer of Buck's Fizz, I was able to achieve a close shave without any accidents with the razor. In fact, I found that this edition was far easier to rinse away, and didn't clog up the razor blade so much as it doesn't seem to be as thick as the other version.  

However, when compared to the normal edition, I found that this one didn't appear to be as moisturising. When I used both products at the same time on my legs, the regular edition had more of an immediate impact, and left my skin more radiant and softer overall. Moreover, the scent lingered on my skin for longer than the naked conditioner did, and the results lasted longer overall. Having said that, the naked product was still moisturising, and my hands in particular benefited a lot from me using this on a regular basis. 

Those who dislike products that are too heavy, or those whose skin perhaps reacts quite negatively to products that could potentially clog up the pores. will probably want to opt for this version out of the two. If you travel a lot, or are simply looking for some cosmetics to take with you during your Christmas visits, this naked conditioner would be a great companion in your travel bag.

Overall, this edition was a good replica of the regular version, although I think it pales in comparison in some ways. Bucks Fizz Naked Body Conditioner smells delicious, will moisturise your skin and is great for the environment. What more could you ask for in a product made for a celebration?

Quantitative Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Fresh Pink Grapefruit Decoction, Vine Leaf Infusion, Orange Blossom Water, Fair Trade Shea Butter, Murumuru Butter, Japan Wax, Carnauba Wax, Perfume, Brazilian Orange Oil, Cognac Oil, Lime Oil, Almond Oil, Kalahari Melon Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Lauryl Betaine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides, *Citral, *Limonene, *Linalool, Citronellol, Colour 15510.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £8.75 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Bridal Bouquet Ballistic 
Bubbly Shower Gel
Buck's Fizz Body Conditioner
Buck's Fizz Naked Body Conditioner



27 September 2017

Buck's Fizz Body Conditioner


Although I've never been much of a drinker, I do have fond memories as a teenager, of enjoying a glass of Buck's Fizz during my family's New Year's Eve's celebrations. The excitement of being allowed to digest alcohol while underage was enough to mask the fact that the drink itself tasted rather cheap and nasty. The same can definitely not be said about this brand new seasonal release. 

Buck's Fizz Body Conditioner is easily my favourite Christmas product this year. Not only does it have an exquisite fragrance that tantalises my senses and makes me salivate at the mere thought of using it, it also works like an absolute dream; and I only wish that it was a part of the regular range.
Sharing its scent with Bubbly Shower Gel, this limited edition is one of four body conditioners available in the seasonal range this year. While they all have their merits, this one definitely takes the crown as the best all-rounder, and here's why: 

Containing an abundance of fresh orange juice; a grapefruit decoction; and cognac, orange and lime oils, this limited edition is bursting with fragrance. In fact, I find it far more pleasing than the shower gel as it is sweeter, fruitier and slightly more zesty than its older sibling. From the tub you get a thick, vibrant burst of citrusy goodness, which reminds with very much of the orange Starburst sweets, albeit stronger. The orange is definitely the leading note here, but the lime and grapefruit offer bursts of zestiness that sit alongside this component and give this body conditioner a scent to want to get out of bed for. 

What makes Buck's Fizz even more spectacular is how well works, and how many different functions I have found that it caters for. First and foremost, it works as an excellent moisturiser. For those unfamiliar with how a body conditioner works, it's designed to function much like a body lotion - although for wet skin as opposed to dry. When in the shower, step outside of the running water and massage this conditioner across the areas that you wish to moisturise. Rinse your skin gently to remove any excess cream and then pat your skin down. What you'll be left with is a layer of butters and oils that will slowly get absorbed into your skin over the next 20 minutes and leave you with kissably-soft skin. 

Bucks Fizz made an immediate impression on me - leaving my skin noticeably softer, smoother and more supple. I could feel how replenished my entire body felt after using this, and the results this heeded stayed with me for the entire day. This is an amazing product to use if you suffer from parched skin because of the harsher weather outside: it will keep your skin's elasticity intact, banish dry areas and give your body a beautiful, radiant glow that will be very much appreciated in the colder months. 

As I've stated in other reviews, I like to double my body conditioners up as shaving creams. Applying a small amount across both legs will afford you a really close shave, without irritating the pores with your blade, and will leave you feeling super smooth afterwards. Furthermore, the inclusion of the excess butters and oils means that your skin will be fully lubricated before you shave yourself, which should hopefully prevent you from cutting yourself very easily - a fact that I appreciate during those three minute, early morning 'rushathons'. 

You need very little with each use: I found that an amount equating to that of a heaped dessertspoon will coat most of your body, so a 240g tub will easily last you 3-4 months, even if you're using it twice or three times a week. 

Finally, I have also experimented using this as deep facial moisturiser and find that it works to improve the condition of really weathered skin. I understand that the face is more sensitive than most of your body, and a lotion too viscous or too heavy could clog up the pores or irritate the complexion. However, I found that using the smallest amount across the face, once a week, helped my face to feel and look really plump and radiant. Even on the days when I looked and felt unbelievably tired, I found that Bucks Fizz brought a little life back into my skin and gave me the confidence to face the day ahead.
What is great about this seasonal conditioner is that the scent remains with you for a while after you've towelled yourself down, so the radiance of those fruity ingredients will keep you company during the morning commute. This is definitely a product that I would invest in again, and it makes for a perfect addition to the Bubbly family. Given the scent of this, I believe this will work equally - if not better - in the warmer months as well, which is why I plan on stocking up on a few tubs before the season is out. If you're looking for something to celebrate this season, make it Bucks Fizz Body Conditioner.

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Vine Leaf Infusion, Almond Oil, Fresh Pink Grapefruit Decoction, Orange Blossom Water, Organic Jojoba Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Stearic Acid, Kalahari Melon Oil, Murumuru Butter, Perfume, Triethanolamine, Brazilian Orange Oil, Cognac Oil, Lime Oil, Fresh Orange Juice, Titanium Dioxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides, *Citral, *Limonene, *Linalool, Citronellol, Colour 15510.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £8.95 for 100g, £16.95 for 250g.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Bridal Bouquet Ballistic 
Bubbly Shower Gel
Buck's Fizz Body Conditioner
Buck's Fizz Naked Body Conditioner




18 March 2016

Christmas Party Ballistic


There are certain scents and ranges from Lush that get me rather excited, even before I've had a chance to test a product out; Christmas Party Ballistic was one such item. Sharing it's scent with the infamous Snowshowers shower gel and jelly, and the even older Champagne Supernova bath bomb, I already had high hopes for it long before I managed to bag myself a couple on eBay. 

Lush describe it as a 'cocktail of Cointreau and champagne, with just a hint of cognac essential oil'; an exquisite and incredibly uplifting blend of fresh citrus oils, giving it an uplifting yet playfully fizzy zesty scent fit for a queen. Whereas most other products in this fragrance range give off this beautiful scent, Christmas Party was disappointedly average.  
Firstly, I should probably point out that my bath ballistics were definitely not fresh as they could be, which will no doubt have effected it's scent and productivity in the water. However, I recently spoke with two friends of mine who were heavily into Lush around the time this bath bomb made itself known, and they both said that it wasn't the most impressive ballistic even back there.

Although my video shows a 'dud' bath bomb, the one I had a few weeks before this worked a lot better. Upon impact with the water, the ballistic immediately began to fizz, spewing a creamy vanilla coloured foam throughout the bath tub. As Christmas Party continued to dissolve, the plastic stars that were decorating the top of the bath bomb, as well as inside, began to seep out into the water and create a rather pretty scene. 

Unfortunately, within a very small space of time, the stars sunk to the bottom of the tub and laid there. Furthermore, within a few minutes of the bath bomb fully dissolving, the water was once again clear, and it didn't look like I had used a ballistic at all. 

Despite the stars being a very pretty addition to the product, they were annoyingly sharp and I found myself being poked and prodded on the bottom whilst trying to enjoy my 'relaxing' bath. Furthermore, the stars didn't really make me think of Christmas at all, and instead made me feel like I was experiencing something made for the summer holiday. 

As I mentioned above, the fragrance that Christmas Party holds is a lovely lime and fizzy orange scent, which although smelt fresh and fruity in the wrapper, quickly disappeared when being used. In fact, the smell had completely vaporised within the first five minutes of my bath. What was strange though, is that the smell reappeared many hours later, and then decided to permeate my bathroom for about two days. I never did figure out how this had occurred. I ended up topping the scent up with some Snowshowers Jelly, which made my whole experience that little bit more expensive. 

Overall, this is a bath bomb that had a lot of potential, and proved itself to be less than adequate. As with all of my old products, I would be open to trying a fresh one, just to see whether there is a huge difference in smell and performance. However, other people have said that this was one of Lush's weakest smelling ballistics, and with Golden Wonder  showcasing a perfect example of what Christmas Party could have been like, I see no reason to resurrect such an old bath ballistic.


Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Mixed confetti bright stars, Perfume, Gardenia extract, Orange oil, Cognac oil, Lime oil, Red stars, Iridescent glitter.

Vegan?: Yes.

Scent Family:
Bridal Bouquet Ballistic 
Bubbly Shower Gel
Buck's Fizz Body Conditioner
Buck's Fizz Naked Body Conditioner




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