Recently

Showing posts with label cypress oil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cypress oil. Show all posts

29 July 2019

Comfort Zone Shower Bomb




When Lush first introduced the term 'shower bomb', I was rather skeptical about whether or not this concept held any worth in the cosmetics industry. Was there any merits to using such a short-life product or would this be another temporary craze that disappeared into obscurity within a few months? As time have passed by and my experience with these little beauties has multiplied, it is safe to say that I am now completely on board with what Lush next have to offer.

Comfort Zone Shower Bomb is a cute little cylinder (that I believe is supposed to represent a blanket) with multiple meanings behind its name. Not only does the title reference how comforting the smell of the product is when in use, but both the ingredients and the name itself also hint at the more political issue of climate change. As Lush have stated on their website: Does the currant climate leave you feeling berry insecure? 

Sharing its scent with The Comforter range, this pretty little shower bomb first started out as a Liverpool exclusive, before being released quite recently as a regular product in stores and online. Featuring blackcurrant absolute and fresh raspberries in the ingredients list, there's no wonder that consumers are finding this berrylicious creation so gorgeous: I certainly have.
A classic scent that has been around for years, The Comforter is a warm, sweet and very fruity aroma. While I would describe the fragrance of this shower bomb to be very berry-like overall, it is the blackcurrant that makes the biggest impression here: creating a deliciously sultry and yet very playful aroma, while the cypress oil adds a layer of soothing sweetness to calm you down and round the fragrance off perfectly.

To my nose, Comfort Zone is perhaps a little lighter and fruitier than the original bubble bar and definitely appears to have a stronger scent as well. When using this in the shower, my senses were completely flooded with the aroma; the smell remained on my skin for hours; and the fragrance lingered quite heavily in the bathroom for a very long time.

To use, you simply need to hold the shower bomb under the running water during your shower, where it will immediately begin to expand and create a fragrant foam in your hand within a matter of seconds. The heat of the water will then help to release the different essential oils that have gone into making the bomb, which is supposed to help alter your mood depending on the purpose of the shower bomb itself. 
In this case, Comfort Zone is designed to help calm your mind and bring you some peace during times when you perhaps feel a little overwhelmed with everything. This shower bomb will offer you the biggest cuddle in the shower and its fragrance will hold you tight for hours afterwards as well, which is the perfect remedy at the end of a long day.

Once the shower bomb has began creating its foam, the idea is that you can lather and massage this across the skin much like you would a shower gel. The inclusion of both the potato starch and the sodium alginate allow the bomb to soften and moisture the skin, while the different oils clean out the pores and leave your skin looking and smelling rather delicious. Furthermore, the inclusion of the chia seeds in Comfort Zone, which you can spot when the shower bomb begins to dissolve under the water, gives this product a soft, gel-like consistency that only serves to make your skin feel even softer when in use.   

If you're someone like me who was worried at first that the inclusion of the sodium bicarbonate and citric acid will irritate your skin, I can assure you that this is not the case at all. In fact, my only piece of advice when using this is to ensure that you haven't shaved after applying this to the skin, as some of Lush's shower bombs can sting a little because of the open pores. Having said that, I didn't experience this at all when using this shower bomb in particular, so it was another added bonus on top of everything else.

While the consistency of the foam is slightly scratchy and not at all like the silkiness of a regular Lush shower gel or jelly, my skin did feel really clean and soft after using the shower bomb. Furthermore, I was able to clean my entire body, from head to foot, and still have product left over afterwards. Because of this, it would be completely reasonable to cut one of these shower bombs in half and use them across two, perhaps even three showers.
As with all of Lush's recent shower bomb releases, Comfort Zone not only left my skin feeling really smooth and clean but the scent lingered for an impressive amount of time afterwards. Despite there not being much of a difference between the smell of this and other Comforter-scented products, I found myself appreciating the scent of this far more than I expected to. This is definitely a shower bomb I would purchase again and I am so glad it has made it into the regular line.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Cream of Tartar, Citric Acid, Potato Starch, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Calcium Lactate, Gluconate, Sodium Alginate, Perfume, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Bergamot Oil, Blackcurrant Absolute, Cypress Oil, Chia Seeds, Fresh Raspberries, Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 17200, Colour 45410:1.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £2.75 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.





22 June 2019

Guardians Of The Forest Shower Gel



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.



14 May 2019

St Basil Bath Melt Tablet




While Lush impress me sometimes with how quickly they can turn out a bunch of new products, there are also times where I think they completely devalue themselves by doing so. Such is the case with their range of bath baubles and tablets that came out last year. 

After appearing on one of their European sites, fans became really interested and many, including myself, became super excited to know when the seasonal beauties would be making their way onto the UK site. A few days before Christmas day they appeared; disappearing a couple of days later before resurfacing for a matter of hours as part of the online boxing sale. Given how beautiful some of the designs were, and how good they seemed to work in the tub, I felt that so much more could have been done to build the excitement for this release, as well as give fans across the globe a chance to experience them all across the festive period.

St Basil Bath Melt Tablet was one of six limited tablets - each one designed to be hung either on your Christmas tree, or a festive display in and around your house: offering a beautiful aroma that could be enjoyed again and again, before being popped into your bath for one super moisturising experience.
Sharing its scent with the Jungle range, this tablet showcases a very unique fragrance that many may find a little too potent for their tastebuds. Firstly, the initial note is a very bitter, slightly sour but equally fruity aroma: one that comes from the strangely-naked Kumquat fruit. As most people probably won't have tasted this exotic fruit, it may be hard to imagine what this aroma smells like. However, I would describe it as being one that doesn't exactly sit well on your senses: this is not a 'typical' fruity smell by any means.

All of the Jungle range is dominated by a strange and alluring, but equally soured and strange fruity smell. It's almost like a lemony-piney aroma but with a more rounded citrus edge to it. Alongside this, the inclusion of the cypress oil then gives the tablet a very gentle woody aroma, while the cedarwood adds a little aromatic, earthy, woody scent alongside it. Fans of this popular Lush fragrance will recognise how well the company have replicated the aroma in this format....well at least the handful who were able to grab these during their fleeting visit.

Measuring roughly 5cm wide, 8cm in length and with a thickness little under a centimetre, this is definitely a big bath melt to use in the tub, and there is certainly no need to use the whole tablet at once. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it would be a downright waste to use the entire piece in a single hit, and could possibly turn out to be one slippery mess if you were to do so.

While I chose to use the whole melt for the mere fact of taking some aesthetically pleasing photos for my review, it would be far less messy breaking off smaller pieces  and using it across 3-4 separate baths. Although I found that the melt dried fairly quickly after I pulled it from the water, and I didn't have to worry too much about cleaning up afterwards, I did find myself using the whole thing up within a short time afterwards as I had limited places to store it after it had been melted the first time.

Once in the water, St Basil rested on the surface for a few seconds before sinking to the bottom of the tub. Within a matter of seconds, reluctant streams of creamy oils began to swirl under the surface before resting on top of the water, and I began to feel a change in the consistency of the water.
These oils and butters tend to linger around the product at first, so you have to swish it around with the piece of string to help it dissolve across the whole tub. After using half of this tablet, I found that the water had become silky-soft and super nourishing, and I was able to remove the remaining product to dry off for later.

If you're someone who wants to heed results quicker, you can opt to hold this under the running tap and the pressure will encourage the bauble to melt a lot quicker. However, once the tablet has shrunk a little, it will rest of the surface and slowly ebb out the various oils and butters to moisturise your body with.

While St Basil doesn't offer anything in the way of colour, the fragrance was super strong throughout my experience, and coupled with a bath bomb, would make for an amazing experience for anyone who is a fan of this aroma. What impressed me was that firstly my skin was left feeling incredible smooth and moisturised after bathing in the water for near on an hour. In addition, I found that the fragrance stayed with me throughout my entire bath, and I was able to smell it on my skin afterwards as well.

Although not the most interesting of bath melt tablets to look at, this one did exactly what I was hoping it would, and just made me realise even more how much I would love Lush to release a Jungle-scented bath bomb at some point in the future. I hope that either these, or other variations of this concept, make another appearance this Christmas; except that this time their release is better executed so that many more people can enjoy this wonderful concept.

Quantitative Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Cedarwood Oil, Vetivert Oil, Cypress Oil.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £4.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.



28 April 2019

I Want A Pony Bath Oil




Thanks to Lush's aptly named I Want A Pony Bath Oil, I now have Veruca Salt's pretentious-sounding voice in my head, reminding me that there's so much ugliness to come from greed and being ungrateful. Thankfully, for those who have either read or watched Roald Dahl's famous Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, you'll know that being spoilt has its consequences. 

This brand new edition of Lush's ever increasing bath oil collection is not only super cute but happens to host The Comforter fragrance at the same time. Fans of this classic fruity smell will not only appreciate the fact that their favourite scent has made it into a new format, but will also be excited to hear that it near on replicates the original bubble bar down to a tee. 

When this Lush Labs exclusive arrived, I'll be honest and say that the scent wasn't as strong as some of the other little oils that I have sampled from Lush. However, once this bath oil has been absorbed into the water, the smell you get is far stronger than the initial whiff.

For those who have yet to experience anything in The Comforter scent, I Want A Pony has a musky, fruity blackcurrant scent coupled with a gentle touch of cypress oil to make it slightly even sweeter and warming. There is something so simple about this aroma that makes it one of Lush's most popular smells, and with good reason.

In the water, this little bath oil floated around on the surface, sending out little waves of pink oils from time to time. Once fully dissolved, which took a good twenty minutes, the bath oil had left the water very delicate shade of pink. If you expect your tub to be filled with vibrant-coloured water, you will be sorely disappointed. However, the purposed of Lush's bath oils and melts is to infuse the water with an extra dosage of skin-softening butters, so I wasn't surprised when my water was rather boring to look at.

What I did find was that the oils and butters tended to float across the surface and I needed to swish the water around to help them to absorb. However, once they had disappeared into the water, the water was definitely more moisturising than it would have been without the oil.

Unlike some of Lush's greasier bath oils, I Want A Pony didn't leave any slimy marks around the edge of the tub, and also didn't leave my body greasy at all. Instead, my skin was left feeling super soft and smooth, and while not the most moisturising of bath oils, I did notice a difference to my skin when I towelled myself down.

Unfortunately, the scent in the water didn't last particularly long, and I wasn't able to smell it after about ten minutes. As you would expect, this meant that the fragrance didn't transfer to my skin either, so I left the bath without the beautiful blackcurrant scent that I was hoping for.

To conclude I will say that this is a great edition to Lush’s extensive bath oil collection, and I can imagine fans of The Comforter Bubble Bar will want to add one of these to their already wonderful baths. While I don't think I would choose this over some of Lush's other melts and oils, it was a pleasant experience that I would like to try again.

Quantitative Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cream of Tartar, Laureth 4, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Perfume, Lauryl Betaine, Bergamot Oil, Blackcurrant Absolute, Cypress Oil, Titanium Dioxide, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 45410:1.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £2.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.



coming soon!


11 December 2018

Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb (2018 Edition)




To begin with, I was a little too irritated about this product to want to use it,  which is why it is the last of the seasonal bath bombs to be reviewed on my blog. While my opinions on the original Luxury Lush Pud still stand firm: that is easily one of my favourite bath bombs ever, this latest updated version is perhaps not appreciated. 

When the company didn't bring this bath bomb out one year, my heart sunk a little when I thought about how much I truly appreciated, and would miss, the Twilight-scented exclusive. So when I saw that Luxury Lush Pud was back on the market again this year, my spirits were well and truly elated.

Things took a turn for the worse however when I discovered that Lush had changed the fragrance of this 2018 Christmas limited edition. No longer would I get to enjoy the vibrancy of the bomb alongside the rich, sultry lavender and tonka waves. Instead, I would have to adjust my senses and approach this bath bomb with a fresh perspective.

While the above statement sounds rather dramatic, Luxury Lush Pud is in no way a terrible bath bomb. In fact, it is still a wonderful addition to this year's range, and one that I would happily bathe with again. Design wise, this limited edition is just as beautiful: a vibrant pink and white shell, with multicoloured discs dotted around the outside of the sphere. 

Just like the original, this bath bomb also offers an incredible display in the bath. Luxury Lush Pud immediately begins to fizz on contact with the water, sending out bright threads of pink across the water, whilst the coloured discs add swirls of yellow, blue, orange and green as well. This is definitely a product you should sit in the bath and watch, before the colours settle down to offer you a warming shade of pink to submerge yourself beneath.

What makes this bath bomb different from the original is that it now shares its scent with The Comforter family. Fruity cassis absolute and bergamot oil give this seasonal special a warm, blackcurrant-esque smell, while the cypress oil keeps it sweet and sultry underneath.

Strangely, The Comforter was one of the bath bombs recently introduced as part of the Lush Community release, so to begin with I thought that it was rather pointless having two bath bombs of the same scent out at the same time. However, just like the original Luxury Lush Pud was to the Twilight Bath Bomb, there are differences between the two. 

I find that this limited edition is a little more rounded, and perhaps even slightly more reserved than it is in the other format. There is perhaps a touch more of the cypress oil in this format, whereas The Comforter is a little lighter and fruitier. I honestly couldn't say which format offers the better smell because I actually appreciate both variations. However, I will say that I think this seasonal exclusive is perhaps a little closer to the original bubble bar than the Community version is.

In the water, Luxury Lush Pud retains its scent throughout the whole experience, and leaves a lingering touch on your skin afterwards. It's also moisturising enough to leave your skin feeling really soft and clean as well. Ultimately, it is a wonderful bath bomb to use and will definitely be a favourite amongst consumers this year. There is just a small part of me that cannot unsell the Twilight aroma whenever I see these ones in stores. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Perfume, Bergamot Oil, Cassis Absolute, Cypress Oil, Cream of Tartar, Water (Aqua), Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 77491, Colour 45430:1, Colour 47005:1, Colour 45380:3, Colour 45410, Colour 15510, Colour 19140, Colour 42090, Candy Holly Leaf.

Vegan?: Yes. 

2018 Price: £4.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.



8 November 2018

The Comforter Bath Bomb




The Comforter is one of those scents that reminds me of the early days, when I first began investing in Lush. Back then everything was new and exciting, and I could never envisage myself buying and trying every product in store, let alone knowing enough about them to start a blog. It amazes me now when I realise that I have tried nearly two thousand products since that period in my life, and could still tell you about nearly every single one of them.

What also amazes me is the fact that The Comforter Bath Bomb is not part of the regular range, having been there since the beginning of time. It's a fragrance that wins over many hearts, especially when consumers are first getting into the company, and would be a great seller for those of us who crave blackcurrant scented products constantly.

One of twelve limited edition bath bombs to come out online recently, this release, along with the new Blackberry Bath Bomb, sports a new 'bobbly' design, and offers a wonderfully strong yet fruity smell that'll win you over very quickly. The fact that it looks like something out of Wonka's chocolate factory only serves to make you salivate over this lovely release.

Containing cassis absolute, as well as bergamot and cypress oils, The Comforter offers a beautifully sweet and powdery fruity smell. The former ingredient brings forth the famous blackcurrant (berry) note, while the cypress oil both adds a rich and slightly resinous undertone, and grounds the whole aroma, so that it doesn't evaporate as quickly as a lot of fruity smells do. This sultry element of the cypress oil is what allows the blackcurrant aroma to be as warming and rounded as it is.


To my nose, The Comforter Bath Bomb is as close to the scent of the original bubble bar as you can get. Obviously, the fact that it's a bath bomb means that there is the dry, powdery edge to the fragrance that you don't really notice in the bubble bar format. If anything, this gives the bomb a gentle sherbety touch, which only serves to make the smell of this even more beautiful.

In the bath, this limited edition was a fast fizzer: dissolving completely in about a minute, albeit for a small disc of white, which carried on going for another five minutes while I was submerged under the water. Once this had also dispersed, I was left with a tub full of bright pink water, which sparkled a little due to the inclusion of a little silver lustre, in the centre of the bath bomb.


The bath bomb itself offered a colourful pink and white display as it was dissolving, and fragrance that was present both during and after its use was wonderful. Although not as strong as some of the other limited edition bath bombs, The Comforter definitely left an impression in the tub, and I was able to smell it very faintly on my skin afterwards.

Given the price of this, I would highly recommend that you give this one a go at least once before it disappears. It leaves your skin feeling really soft and smooth, although not as moisturised as the likes of The Olive Branch or Meluzine. However, my skin did feel both radiant and beautiful after using this bath bomb, and for old times sake it was pleasant to rekindle some memories whilst washing away my week at work.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Bergamot Oil, Cassis Absolute, Cypress Oil, Water (Aqua), Cream of Tartar, Titanium Dioxide, Cornstarch, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, *Limonene, Perfume, Colour 45410, Colour 17200.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £3.95 for each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.


Oopsie Daisy Bubble Bar
Poppy Soap
Reindeer Rock Soap
Cherie Ripe Massage Bar
Cherie Ripe Body Lotion



29 September 2018

Fruit Giant Bombshell





Looking back at my childhood, I remember developing a fear for a short while about the possibility of the world running out of new music; that there would be a time when no original songs could or would be produced. While it may sound like an irrational fear, my love of music was (and still is) the biggest influence in my life, and if this was to ever happen, it would be the worst thing to ever happen to me...almost.

I say this because I'm always surprised that Lush are able to produce so many different fruity and citrusy scents. Although the company would do well from stepping back a little, and creating a few more unique scents instead, I'm always intrigued to know how they can take the same ingredients and yet somehow create something new, if only slightly different.

When Over and Over Bath Bomb appeared at the Showcase last year, I remember thinking how wonderful the scent was, even though I had seen similar combinations of ingredients in many of Lush's previous bath bombs. As it shares the same fragrance, the same can be said for Fruit Giant Bombshell. However, there are differences between these two bath products that I'll go into detail about below.

One of five limited edition bombshells featured at the Showcase this year, Fruit Giant is one of two pre-made beauties that you could have purchased. Comprised of two halves, the idea is that you fill the centre with a selection of flowers, plants and herbs that suit your fancy, and the whole bombshell is sealed together with a piece of raffia.

While this one features lime and fennel, orris and cypress oil, there are slight differences in scent when compared to the Over and Over Bath Bomb. Firstly, as expected, my nose detected the element of lime, which just like the aforementioned bath bomb, doesn't offer something particularly light and fruity, nor something super citrusy either. The lime in this bath bomb sits somewhere in between. Although not tart of bitter, there is a tangy element to this ingredient that sets it apart from most out lime-scented Lush products.

Alongside this, the inclusion of the fennel oil adds a warm but very subtle herbal layer that sits underneath the lime. I believe it is this component that elevates the fragrance of the lime, whilst also offering a slight aniseed-like afterthought to the bomb. How this differs from Over And Over is that I did find this bath bomb a little fruitier, which I think is because it doesn't feature the cocoa butters that usually cost one of the sides of the bomb. This means that the powdery-ness of the bombshell has an opportunity to let the lime shine a little more.

In the tub, this beauty immediately begins to fizz - sending out waves of vibrant orange across the surface of the water, and giving off a beautiful scent that stays wonderfully intense throughout the whole experience. Once fully dissolved, the dried pieces of orange from the centre of the bath bomb float across the surface, making the bath even more beautiful. 

I think it is these pieces of fruit, along with the slightly different format, that brings out an almost orange-like fragrance in the tub. To my nose, it was a little fruitier again when compared to the original bath bomb, and I really appreciated the difference. It was like sunshine in my bath tub and it warmed me up so quickly.

While not the most moisturising out of the five bombshells, this is anything but drying. The fruity oils did wonders at clearing out my pores and leaving my skin feeling really soft; the lime oil helped to bring a little radiance back into my complexion and leave me looking a little less weathered. 

Unfortunately, I didn't find that the scent stayed on my skin for that long after I had towelled myself down, and this would be something I feel Lush would need to rectify, if they plan on selling these for the price tag that they were at the Showcase.

Overall, this is a really lovely bombshell, especially for those who love the Over And Over scent and wish to try something a little different. While it's unlikely Lush would be able to dip a bath bomb of this size with cocoa butter, and not charge a fortune for the privilege, I feel as if a little extra helping of butters would just seal the fragrance in a little bit more and make it slightly more nourishing overall.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Lime Oil, Fennel Oil, Orris Oil, Cypress Oil, Water.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £18 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

       

UP