Those who have been following my blog for a while will know that Lush shower gels were always my favourite aspect about the company. Any new bottles of colourful liquid and I was all over them like a rash, which is exactly the same reaction I gave when I first found out that Lush were bringing out six brand new bottles of the stuff earlier this year.
Despite the fact that most of the limited editions wouldn't have been ones I would have chosen to make into shower gels myself, I was willing to give each of the variations a fair trial without any preconceived ideas about what I should or would expect. And as it turned out, there were definitely some surprises along the way...
Sex Bomb is perhaps the shower gel I was most surprised about, only because I don't really hold much of an opinion about the original bath bomb that this release has been named and influenced by. I could probably describe the classic bomb as being 'nice' and 'lovely' if I wanted but I'll be honest and say that it's a product that doesn't really inspire me very much at all. It's by no means bad, it's just not particularly interesting.
However, I will say straight away that this limited edition shower gel showcases the Sex Bomb scent perfectly, and fans of the bath bomb will be absolutely delighted with the result. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the fragrance is far more suited to this format than the bath bomb, so the aroma is much more pronounced and stronger, without taking away from the original concept in any way.
In the bottle, this limited edition presents all of the key components so wonderfully that it's a pleasure to simply sniff the gel and take in all of the main elements. Clary sage and ylang ylang oil; jasmine absolute and synthetic musk, Sex Bomb Shower Gel is a light, sensual floral smell, with elements of natural sweetness to boot. In addition, you also get the gentle herbal properties of the clary sage coming through a little more strongly than in other formats, which almost gives this gel certain refreshing qualities about it as well.
What I think that Lush have done well is to produce the fragrance perfectly, without losing any of the key elements that go into making this popular scent. At the same time, they've also added strength to the smell itself so that the gel is not as dusty or as delicate as the bath bomb. This has served the scent well.
What I also loved about Sex Bomb Shower Gel was that the format is very silky-smooth whilst being slightly on the thinner side. This meant that I didn't need very much to produce an impressive amount of thick, creamy and very foamy lather. Yet, at the same time, its properties left my skin feeling instantly clean and smooth and shiny, all at the time.
In fact, I think it is the inclusion of the passion fruit juice that makes all of these wonderful miracles happen. I truly believe that these fruit juices leave your skin looking and feeling radiant, and at the same time I am sure that it is this very same ingredient that elevates the overall scent of this as well. It's pure magic.
Adding on to this, the gentle combination of jasmine, clary sage and musk lingered on my skin for a good couple of hours after I had towelled myself down. Furthermore, I found that using this before bed was a sure find way to ensure that I fell into a deep sleep very quickly, as it was super efficient at making me feel relaxed and good about myself.
Despite note being at all interested in using or promoting Sex Bomb Bath Bomb, I was very surprised by how much I took to the shower gel and how much I enjoyed the experience far more than I ever imagined that I would. Fans of the bath bomb will no doubt be incredibly pleased with the result of this limited edition shower gel and I will continue to use this before bed each and every night.
Quantitative Ingredients: Jasmine, Rose and Ginseng Infusion, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Perfume, Lauryl Betaine, Jasmine Absolute, Clary Sage Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Fresh Passion Fruit Juice, Carrageenan Extract, Water (Aqua), Titanium Dioxide, Synthetic Musk, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 45410, Colour 17200.
Vegan?: Yes.
2019 Price: £12 for 250g.
Year Of Original Release: 2019.
Developing bad habits over the years, I've become a bit of a latte girl: I can barely even say the word Costa without wanting to seek out the nearest store and buying myself a handful of coconut lattes. However, as far as showing restraint, I can usually limit myself to a single purchase during the average month, which I consider to be an acceptable amount of times to indulge myself in a coffee.
So when Lush first released the Turmeric Latte Bath Bomb, my mouth couldn't stop salivating over the mere thought of sharing a bath with such a concept. When it arrived, I oozed over the creaminess of it; I licked my lips at the sweetness of it; and I absolutely relished in the delicate herbal note that accompanied the overall beautiful aroma. It was as good as I imagined it would be and I have since bought multiples of them to use as another indulgence.
However, when I first sniffed Turmeric Latte Shower Gel, I was a little taken back by firstly how strong the smell actually was, and secondly, by how much it didn't really agree with me at all. As someone who loves turmeric like there's no tomorrow, and eats it near on five days a week with my tofu, the smell of this shower gel was so far removed from what I was imagining it to be like...and to be honest, it wasn't a smell that I particularly liked either.
In the bottle, this limited edition is both warm and spicy as well as possessing something slightly nutty about it as well. Unlike the bath bomb, the sweetness of the tonka has been toned down quite a lot here and I wouldn't describe the scent as being overly sweet. Alongside this, the powdery-ness of the cocoa absolute comes through without there actually being any hint of chocolate in the mix.
This same scent is what lingers on your skin afterwards, and to give the shower gel credit where it deserves, Turmeric Latte does a great job of sticking to the skin. I was able to detect notes of the shower gel on my skin almost five after I had showered, which is very impressive to say the least.
My problem with this limited edition is when the shower gel is actually in use. Although it lathers up a treat and is very easy to use, the fragrance that my nose detects during this process is a very unpleasant one. Instead of the warm, creamy latte that I was looking forward to, the smell that greeted me was very clinical and almost bleach-like. There is something very unpleasant about the components of this shower gel when they mix with the heat of the water and I find myself holding my nose each and every time I use it.
In it's favour, the inclusion of the softening coconut milk and agave syrup mean that the shower gel is super moisturising on the skin and you can actually see and feel the difference it makes afterwards. My whole body felt nourished and replenished and radiant after using this shower gel, and you could noticeably see the radiance coming off of my skin. Furthermore, the Turmeric Latte is super generous when producing a lather, so you need very little with each use.
As I explained above, the only issue I have with this release is its scent, which doesn't allow me to enjoy the experience of using this in the shower at all. Even in the bottle and on my skin afterwards, the fragrance isn't one that I would describe as being an overly enjoyable one, so I cannot imagine ever being able to finish the whole bottle of this by myself.
Perhaps I have too much of a sweet tooth to really appreciate how grounded and rich the smell of Turmeric Latte Shower Gel really is. However, I cannot shake that tangy, clinical smell that comes out every time I use it in the shower, and for that reason I would not buy this product again. In fact, the only reason I have rated this product as highly as I have is because of all of its other merits, as it is super moisturising and works wonders on the skin. However, this bottle is definitely not the golden honey pot I was hoping for.
Quantitative Ingredients: Coconut And Turmeric Infusion, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Organic Agave Syrup, Tonka Absolute, Benzoin Resinoid, Vanilla Absolute, Cocoa Powder, Carrageenan Extract, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Coumarin, Eugenol, Colour 19140:1.
Vegan?: Yes.
2019 Price: £15 for 250g.
Year Of Original Release: 2019.
When Lush re-introduced the scent of Zen Soap as their brand new Goddess range, I was taken back by how little I was compelled by some of the initial products. While the bath bomb was stunning to look at, I really wasn't as blown away as I remember being when the aforementioned soap first appeared in Oxford Street. There was something about the magical fragrance of Zen that seemed to be missing, and I did initially wonder whether the change in colour was perhaps part of the barrier for me.
Since the bath bomb has arrived on the scene, the company have gone on to release an impressive number of other products in this same aroma. And when it comes to their latest offering: the beautiful looking shower gel, I can safely say that the scent is beginning to win me over again.
From the bottle, this gorgeous deep purple gel may at times appear to be two different shades. Most likely because of the vast number of different oils that have gone into making it, this is one of those products that separate quite easily. However, if you leave the bottle upside down overnight, you'll awake to find a rich and very sparkly shower gel in your bathroom.
With so many ingredients present, it's actually surprising that every component works so well together. From the bottle, the aroma you discover is a very condensed and fairly intense one. In fact, I can imagine many consumers being put off by just how potent the fragrance comes across to begin with. In a way, it sort of loses its beauty because it is a little too heavy.
However, I would really recommend that you make a judgement once you've tried it out for yourself because the aroma levels out quite a bit in the shower, and it's much more pleasant. To my nose, I could initially detect a thick, woody and very resinous smell, with a light dosage of floral over the top of this. It does smell a lot like sandalwood dipped in the sap of a tree and then coated with a sprinkle of jasmine.
The rose oil adds a little sweetness to the fragrance of this shower gel, and I think it's perhaps this component combined with the osmanthus that gives Goddess its resinous bite. There is definitely something very beautiful about the smell of this, but it's also a little too much to begin with, and I feel as if it loses some of its beauty because of this very fact.
Having said, once you begin to use the shower gel under the running water, each of the components becomes much lighter, and it is here that you can make that connection between the gel and the bath bomb. It is here that something a little more playful comes about in the way of the sweet side of the shower gel. Other consumers have described there being an almost 'cola-like' element to the gel and I would say that's a good representation of what I experienced as well.
Goddess Shower Gel lathers up really generously so you don't need much at all. Furthermore, the gel itself is - what I would describe as being - slightly syrup-like, so it coats the body with an almost oily foam and spreads with ease across the skin. I found that I barely needed more than a raisin-sized amount to clean my whole body with so this 250g bottle is going to last me a long time.
This limited edition left my skin feeling really smooth and moisturised and there was almost a delicate glean to my body after every use: the shower gel definitely has some wonderful nourishing properties to boast. However, I was a little disappointed to discover that I could barely smell the gel on my skin after I had towelled myself down. Given how prominent the scent is in the bottle, and how many different exquisite oils it features in its ingredients list, I would have hoped for something that stuck around on my skin and hair.
Overall, this is a wonderful shower gel from Lush and I am truly glad that the company chose it as one of their limited editions. I can really see why this would not be made into a regular product, as I do believe it isn't a fragrance that many would want to shower with all of the time. However, this is perhaps my favourite rendition of the scent and there's just something really beautiful about it that gives my showers a little more oomph!
Quantitative Ingredients: White Tea Infusion, Glycerine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Rose Water, Lauryl Betaine, Titanium Dioxide, Perfume, Lactic Acid, Jasmine Absolute, Osmanthus Absolute, Rose Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Oudh Oil, Carrageenan Extract, Tincture of Benzoin, Xanthan Gum, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, *Eugenol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 77007, Colour 17200, Colour 42090:2.
Vegan?: Yes.
2019 Price: £15 for 250g.
Year Of Original Release: 2019.
Out of all of the bath bombs I have ever tried from Lush, Intergalactic would definitely make my top ten. Not only does it produce some of the most stunning bath art around, but it also has an aroma that simply gets beneath my skin and elevates my mood in a way that I find hard to explain. If I'm feeling at all stressed or worried, this bath bomb can completely change my mindset, and this is the reason why I simply cannot live without having a regular dose of this classic.
You can imagine then that my expectations for the recently released Intergalactic Shower Gel was going to be pretty high, and I'll be honest when I say that I truly believe Lush have created the best version that they possibly could of this concept. It is not a perfect match between formats, hence the five bottle rating. However, this is due more to the fact of how much more of an experience a bath bomb can offer as opposed to a gel in a bottle.
What I will say is that fans of this bath bomb will no doubt agree with me when I say that this shower gel is spot on when it comes to its fragrance. Upon opening the bottle for the first time, I was initially a little underwhelmed by the smell, only because I associated it with the Dirty Springwash Shower Gel, which doesn't float my boat in quite the same manner. However, I truly believe that this is a product that grows on you over time and becomes far more interesting over the space of a few uses.
From the bottle, Intergalactic offers a strong and very woody combination of peppermint and vetivert. There is something very rich about this collaboration that sits well with my tastebuds. It is almost as if there is a dark cloud hovering over a minty sea and the two components have come together with a huge explosion. To begin with, this scent was very similar to the one I experienced when I began using this shower gel across my skin.
After a few days of using this daily, I began to notice the subtle note of grapefruit in the mix, which served to elevate the fragrance and give it a little more of a 'bite.' It was also during these initial days that I began to detect the woodiness of the cedarwood a little more. By the end of day three, I felt as if I could smell all of the components that featured in the bath bomb, and I honestly couldn't tell much of a difference - aside from the usual format variations.
Out of the bottle, Intergalactic offered a beautifully deep shade of blue that wasn't quite as alluring as the bath bomb but definitely suited the fragrance well. Alongside this, there was the addition of the lustre within the gel, which gave the shower gel a beautiful glimmer whilst it was on your skin. And glitter phobes will be happy to hear that this addition doesn't leave any trace of itself on or across your skin after using it.
What impressed me was that this shower gel was fairly on the thin side and I needed a bare minimum amount to wash my whole body with. Not only this but Intergalactic lathered up really easily and was super fragrant, which meant I was able to wash my body with the smallest amounts whilst still appreciating the wonderful scent.
Furthermore, the fragrance is power enough that it lingers on your skin and hair for a good couple of hours after towelling yourself dry. And even more impressive was the fact that my body felt soft, smooth and hydrated after using this, which makes it an all-round great product to invest in.
More than just mint, Intergalactic Shower Gel is a must have for fans of the bath bomb and should be tried by anyone who enjoys stronger scents as well. With the delicate herbal and woody notes that are present in this product, there is something very powerful about the fragrance of this that stays with you way longer than many of Lush's shower gels do. I can only hope that they make this a permanent member of the family because I cannot imagine my life without a bottle of this to alter my mindset and my mood.
Quantitative Ingredients: Fresh Mint Infusion, Glycerine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Lactic Acid, Peppermint Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Vetivert Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Carrageenan Extract, Xanthan Gum, Water (Aqua), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 77491, Colour 42090, Colour 42053.
Vegan?: Yes.
2019 Price: £12 for 250g.
Year Of Original Release: 2019.
It's been...eighty four years...at least it feels that long, and my excitement for new Lush shower gels doesn't appear to have simmered in any way, shape or form. When the company unveiled that they would be bringing out six brand new variations, my brain almost exploded out of sheer excitement, and choosing this particular bottle to start with was perhaps another amazing choice.
Guardians Of The Forest Shower Gel is perhaps one of Lush's greatest inventions to date. Not only does the stunning shade of green represent the vibrancy and vitality of life but the incredible smell that goes alongside it only serves to replicate everything magical about the very bath bomb it was modelled on.
When I first bathed in the waters of Guardians Of The Forest Bath Bomb, I remember being mesmerised by the colours and the deep, sensual smell that accompanied the show. While this limited edition shower gel doesn't smell identical to the bath bomb, this is only because of the format limitations, and it smells damn well close enough that I feel like throwing a party because of this mere fact.
Containing an oakmoss and cypress leaf infusion as the key ingredients, this shower gel is like walking through a forest after the rain has settled. It's bright and green and earthy, and simply one of the most stunning fragrances that the company have ever been able to capture in a bottle. Fresh lime juice adds a boost of refreshing fruitiness while the oakmoss and rosewood add a grounding earthy base at the same time. The cypress oil also adds a note that smells like pine, whilst the moringa laces an element of floral throughout the masterpiece.
When you smell this shower gel, both in and outside of the bottle, you can see the resemblance it holds to the bath bomb. However, Guardians Of The Forest Shower Gel most notably lacks the powdery element that the bath bomb holds. Having said that, I think this slight variation is actually a credit to the limited edition shower gel and I prefer the scent of this one to the bomb.
What impressed me even more was the fact that I needed to use very little of the gel to generate a thick, fragrant lather to clean my body with, meaning this little bottle is going to last me a very long time. As to be expected with something this strong in scent, the shower gel completely engulfs me when I'm using it and it lingers on both the skin and in the bathroom afterwards.
While moisturising and softening on the skin, the only thing that I would say this shower gel doesn't have is the ability to really nourish the skin during use. As it tends to be Lush's shower creams that do this, more than the gels, I will let this little minor point slide.
Ultimately, this is absolutely a must have for Lush fans around the world and for anyone who is interested in unique and powerful smells. This should definitely be a permanent member of Lush's range because it truly showcases how unique and original they can be. This is easily one of Lush's greatest shower gels ever.
Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Glycerine, Water (Aqua), Oakmoss Infusion, Cypress Leaf Infusion, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Fresh Lime Juice, Cypress Oil, Lime Oil, Rosewood Oil, Oakmoss Absolute, Moringa Oil, Lactic Acid, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Oakmoss Extract, *Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 59040, Colour 42090.
Vegan?: Yes.
2019 Price: £12 for 250g.
Year Of Original Release: 2019.
Usually I could sit on my high horse and proclaim that it's very seldom that I ever truly indulge in something as decadent as a jar of cookie dough. I could honestly count the number of times I've eaten dessert over the last months, and that's all down to my training diet and focus on building muscle. However, my mental health hasn't been the best over this past week and I've eaten what equates to a whole jar of cookie dough EVERY SINGLE DAY by way of comfort.
To add to this experience, I decided to take Lush's brand new Cookie Dough Body Scrub into the shower with me as well and I found it very challenging not to scoff a large spoonful of that whilst I was washing myself. This is definitely one of Lush's most foodiest products ever, and I can imagine that many consumers have at least dabbled in giving this a little taste: even if they'd never admit it in public.
Containing a whole array of yummy ingredients, it's no wonder that this smells good enough to eat for many people. Vanilla absolute offers a strong, sweet note at the very top of these components, whilst the large helping of sugar to give the 'scrub' its consistency also adds an even stronger sweetness to the overall smell.
Underneath this, the almond oil, alongside the hazelnut and pistachio oils add a rich, nutty aroma that actually competes against the vanilla and almost overpowers the other notes trying to push through. Both the carob resinoid and the cocoa powder add their own gentle blend of chocolately goodness, whilst the gardenia extract finishes everything off with a subtle floral undertone.
What I should start by saying, as I did in my review of the Cookie Dough Lip Scrub, is that the smell of this doesn't remind me of cookie dough very much at all. Whilst delicious and very pudding-like, there is something a little too heavy about the smell of the toasted hazelnuts that gives this scrub a slightly unpleasant note every time I smell it. While it's not a big deal, there is just something present that doesn't sit well with me at all.
While it supposedly shares its scent with the aforementioned Lip Scrub, I will say that there are minor differences between the two. To my nose, the lip scrub is far lighter and sweeter overall, whereas the body scrub is much heavier in fragrance, and has quite a harsh scent. This body scrub has more of a thick, dark treacle-like, nutty aroma, whereas the sugar is far more prevalent in the lip scrub.
What I will say is that despite being called a body scrub, I wouldn't actually call his product a scrub at all. Instead, the consistency of the sugar and other key ingredients actually make something that resembles dough, or in the Lush world, we would see this more as being like the consistency of a facial cleanser.
Cookie Dough is quite sticky and paste-like to touch, and when you scoop a piece out to use across your skin, you'll find that when you massage it across your body, you'll really have to apply pressure in order for it to leave your fingers and transfer onto the body part you're 'scrubbing.'
Finally, I use the word scrubbing fairly lightly as you don't really get much of an exfoliation at all when using this limited edition product. Even when you work this onto your skin quite rigidly, it doesn't really scrub at all and instead you'll find that you'll gravitate towards kneading it into the skin as opposed to scrubbing to across the body.
Ultimately, once you've applied the product, it may also take a little lathering to remove it under the running water. However, this sticky consistency does mean that the fragrance of Cookie Dough sticks to you quite heavily. You'll be able to smell this product on you for hours, which is very pleasant indeed. Having said that, I cannot really comment on whether the product actually works all that well as a scrub as I don't really notice much of a difference before and after use.
As it lathers up a little when being applied, I have actually began using this more as a replacement for a shower gel, and my skin definitely feels rather clean afterwards. In all fairness, I have found that my bod feels smooth and moisturised after I've done this, so there are definitely merits to using this little treat in the shower or bath.
Overall, I can see why many consumers have fallen in love with this product, as the smell is very pleasant; the texture really does make you think you're enjoying a pudding; and your skin does feel really wonderful afterwards. However, there is still something off-putting to my nose when it comes to Cookie Dough, and it is definitely NOT a scrub by any means.
Quantitative Ingredients: Fine Sea Salt, Cornflour, Talc, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Granulated Sugar, Vanilla Absolute, Almond essential oil, Balsam Fir Resin, Carob Resinoid, Cocoa Powder, Aloe Vera Extract, Hazelnut Oil, Pistachio Oil, Gardenia Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Lauryl Betaine, *Limonene, Perfume.
Vegan?: Yes.
2019 Price: £13 for 270g.
Year Of Original Release: 2019.
The shower jelly is a strong concept; a wibbly wobbly amalgamation of skin-softening ingredients that you smear all over your body, and fight to keep the damn thing in your hand the whole time. Yet there is something rather special about this potted phenomena that reminds me of why I fell in love with Lush to begin with.
Truth be told, I don't always get as excited about new releases as I did many years ago, especially when it's a product that has the scent of a million other items in the Lush back catalogue. Fans who have been around a long time will often hope for new fragrances as opposed to a familiar smell that they've ever tried.
For this reason, I cannot say I was all too excited about the new Yuzu And Cocoa Shower Jelly that came out during the last Lush Labs release. While I do really value and enjoy using that scent, I was also hoping that some brand new scents made themselves known during that time. However, my opinion on this shower jelly changed pretty quickly when I began using this in the shower.
Firstly, what I loved about this shower jelly was the gorgeous design of the jelly itself. Not only was it a beautiful shade of sunset orange, but within the jelly itself there were pretty swirls of white dancing around, which just helped to give the product a wonderful finish when compared to some of the other jellies released at the same time as this.
Secondly, the fragrance that greeted me upon removing the lid of the jelly was simply delicious. Lush describe the scent of this family as being simply 'chocolate orange' but I feel as if this is under-selling the fragrance tenfold. There are so any delicious notes on offer here, all of which leave you salivating, that I feel needs a better description than the above.
To my nose, the yuzu infusion is the leading scent. A distinctive and rather difficult ingredient to describe, the yuzu is a Japanese fruit that has a scent not too far off of that of a grapefruit, albeit slightly more exotic and rounded smelling. Coupled with the grapefruit oil itself, these two add a wonderfully sweet, fruity smell unlike anything else that Lush have made.
Alongside this, the cocoa absolute then gives that 'chocolate-orange' element that Lush describe: thickening the overall fragrance and adding a rich, creamy depth to the scent. Underneath this is a dash of tonka absolute that pads out the creamy bass note, while the bergamot oil adds a sweetness that compliments the other ingredients and rounds the jelly off beautifully.
There is something about this variation that gives off a refreshing, slightly lighter version of the fragrance, which I love. The Yuzu And Cocoa aroma just seems far more delicious in the shower jelly format than it did the shower cream version; although the latter cream is still utterly incredible.
As if this wasn't enough, the shower jelly is super moisturising. Lush appear to have been super generous with the carrageenan extract here, because the jelly glides over your skin and leaves behind a creamy, slightly oily lather that instantly makes your body feel better, and appear more vibrant.
Although it can be a little fiddly, I found that either blending it up with a little water to create a shower gel; or cutting it up into smaller pieces to use individually, worked far better than trying to hold the whole thing in the shower at once. And when I say you need a minuscule amount, I mean that I was taking pieces that were the size of raisins in the shower and being able to wash my entire body from the foam created - meaning I've been using this beauty for the last three weeks and I have barely made a dent in the tub at all.
What I will say about Yuzu And Cocoa is that at first you may be a little disappointed that you don't experience a thick, creamy foam when you stimulate the jelly between your hands. However, once you've used it a couple of times, you'll understand that the jelly is still very much working on cleaning and moisturising your skin; it's just a little shy at producing lots of foam.
Overall, this is one of my favourite shower jellies of all time and I only hope that a shower gel will follow suit. Up there with the likes of Big Calm and Calacas, Yuzu And Cocoa is a shower jelly that you must invest in if you love this fragrance. This may even be my favourite product in the scent range, which speaks for itself.
Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Yuzu Peel Infusion, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Carrageenan Extract, Perfume, Cocoa Absolute, Bergamot Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Tonka Absolute, Titanium Dioxide, *Coumarin, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 19140:1.
Vegan?: Yes.
2019 Price: £10.95 for 240g.
Year Of Original Release: 2019.
It is not very often that genuinely crave something foody from my cosmetic products, despite having a sweet tooth that would rival just about anybody I know. While I appreciate it when Lush bring out something that smells very dessert-like, it doesn't normally take me very long to find myself bored of the fragrance, and craving more fruity or patchouli-based aromas.
However, when Lush brought out the limited edition Yog Nog Body Lotion last year, it made me realise just how much I enjoyed smelling like a decadent pudding. Every.Damn.Day. There is honestly not a day that goes by that I don't open the lid and give it a little sniff: determined to make it last until it hopefully resurfaces again in the near future. The same could definitely be said for this latest release as well.
Yog Nog Shower Jelly is not only pure perfection both inside and outside of the tub, but it acts as a healthier replacement for when I'm craving something sugary and don't want to cave into my body's demands. Obviously, there are times when I allow myself to inhale a line of vegan cheesecakes or munch my way through half a shop worth of Bourneville chocolate: everything in moderation, right? However, during those times when it's not possible to divulge head first into something sweet, this shower jelly is the perfect remedy.
Although I happen to love everything from this fragrance family, the aforementioned body lotion and now this shower jelly are my favourite formats by far. To my nose, this shower jelly smells like the world's best golden biscuit base; layered with a lavish amount of creamy, buttery toffee; and topped off with a drizzle of maple syrup. And now we're onto cheesecakes again...
Yog Nog Shower Jelly is like a buttery tub of rich fudge mousse with a comforting layer of cinnamon interlaced throughout. A sugary note of maple syrup adds a treacle-like richness to it - almost as if it's been drizzled over the top, while a thick, wholesomely warm layer of toffee brings all of the smells together. While you cannot smell the cocoa butter, and I wouldn't say there was anything chocolately about this fragrance, the cocoa butter definitely does make the lotion but physically thick, and bulky in how much of an aroma it gives off.
The fact that this exclusive jelly is pale yellow just adds to the allure of the product overall, and there were times when I felt myself tempted to take a huge bite out of it, in the hope that it tasted as good as it smelt. It's been almost two months now and I haven't relented, but that's not to say that the possibility of it happening have completely dispersed.
While this shower jelly is slightly more stubborn at foaming up than the other exclusive jellies, it does produce a slightly oily but very fragrant lather to massage over your skin with. Although it can be a little fiddly, I found that either blending it up with a little water to create a shower gel; or cutting it up into smaller pieces to use individually, worked far better than trying to hold the whole thing in the shower at once. And when I say you need a minuscule amount, I mean that I was taking pieces that were the size of raisins in the shower and being able to wash my entire body from the foam created - meaning I've been using this beauty for the last three weeks and I have barely made a dent in the tub at all.
This release has only made me want Lush to bring out a shower gel version of this scent even more, and I only hope it makes an appearance very soon. Fans of the other Yog Nog scented products will relish in getting their hands on a wibbly wobbly jelly version of this smell, and I for one will be buying many more of these until they are gone.
Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Fair Trade Organic Clove Infusion, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Carrageenan Extract, Perfume, Maple Syrup, Clove Bud Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Talc, Titanium Dioxide, *Eugenol, *Linalool, Colour 19140:1, Colour 77491, Colour 77499, Colour 77492.
Vegan?: Yes.
2019 Price: £9.95 for 240g.
Year Of Original Release: 2019.
UP
Sex Bomb is perhaps the shower gel I was most surprised about, only because I don't really hold much of an opinion about the original bath bomb that this release has been named and influenced by. I could probably describe the classic bomb as being 'nice' and 'lovely' if I wanted but I'll be honest and say that it's a product that doesn't really inspire me very much at all. It's by no means bad, it's just not particularly interesting.
In fact, I think it is the inclusion of the passion fruit juice that makes all of these wonderful miracles happen. I truly believe that these fruit juices leave your skin looking and feeling radiant, and at the same time I am sure that it is this very same ingredient that elevates the overall scent of this as well. It's pure magic.
