When I found out that Lush were bringing some of their earliest perfumes back from the vaults of Cosmetics To Go, my excitement was off the chain. As a collector of the company's products, there is nothing more exciting than being given the opportunity to try something out that I always assumed I would never ever get the chance to. Originally released in 1993, Pansy Liquid Perfume is a fragrance that seems to have strangely divided the Lush community, and I have seen some quite strong reactions from people who have purchased this for themselves. For such a beautifully peaceful-smelling scent, I find this a little hard to understand. While it is not a direct replica, Pansy does indeed smell almost on par with that of The Olive Branch: so much so that I would class this as being from the same scent family for certain. Yet strangely, the ingredients list of this perfume reads very differently from any other product that features this same aroma. Containing orange flower absolute as the key ingredient, this exclusive fragrance offers a sweet, delicate, floral aroma, with an almost nutty warmth that acts like huge comforting hug as the perfume dances across your skin. From the bottle, you can smell both the labdanum and galbanum oils, both of which add a rich, sultry and slightly resinous aroma. These work harmoniously with the floral aspect - as well as the very subtle touch of fruitiness that features here - to create a simply beautiful perfume to indulge in. Whether it's because my nose is familiar with the many other products featuring The Olive Branch scent, or because Lush have included other components here as well, but there is a layer to Pansy that reminds me of expensive olive oil, with all of its wonderful nuttiness. Gentle floral notes infuse with these layers to offer a delicate balance of smells, while there is also something subtly herbal about the fragrance as well, which comes from the inclusion of the rosemary oil. This is a very rich but equally very beautiful fragrance, and one that stands by itself as being exquisitely unique. What makes this Pansy Liquid Perfume so gorgeous is the fact that the smell deepens and becomes even more rounded when it's sprayed directly onto your skin. One spritz on each wrist in the morning lasted me all of the way into the early afternoon, and I was still able to detect remnants of the fragrance when I reapplied some more around 2pm. While by this point the scent was very subtle, my nose was still able to connect with the perfume for almost 6 hours. What I loved about Pansy, which I didn't find happen with The Olive Branch Liquid Perfume, was that it acted a little more like the body spray and offered different layers while it was resting on my skin. An initial spray offers a fresh, uplifting collaboration of both the orange flower absolute and the galbanum oils. However, every new burst came with slightly different elements, and I was able to enjoy the sweetness; the nuttiness; and the delicate herbal notes at various times throughout the day. While the name doesn't necessarily suit the smell of this perfume, and it may prevent some consumers who dislike floral aromas from buying it, if you're a fan of The Olive Branch scent, you'll want to get your hands on this right away. This is definitely my favourite so far of the Gold Label Liquid Perfumes. Simply yummy!
Once in a blue moon, Lush bring out a product that incites quite a bit of negativity online, and this only spurs me into wanting to try said item as soon as possible. There have been releases in the past that people have sworn blindly are the worst smelling cosmetics on the planet, only for me to fall in love with the fragrance once I get my hands on one. The Lovestruck Bubble Bar from last year's Valentine's Day range is one such example.
As I was infatuated with the Tender Is The Night Naked Shower Cream from the Valentine's Day range, Antiope Naked Shower Gel sort of slipped under the radar for a bit - only to resurface when I had used up my beloved bottle of the pink variety and decided to find something new to accompany me in the shower. As with all of Lush's naked range, the idea behind these products was to produce a package-less gel or cream that was far healthier for the environment as well as the consumer. Not only are these bottles easier to transport without the risk of spillages in your luggage, the condensed format means that they're supposed to last far longer than the liquid variation as well. At the moment I am fairly torn about this change from Lush - as although I agree that we need to step away from using plastic in as many forms as possible, there is still something so enticing about the liquid variations for me. Having not researched about this product at all before it arrived, I was surprised to find that the bright yellow demeanour was not at all representative of the fragrance that the naked gel offered my senses. Thinking it might have smelt of lemons or limes, or similar to Yuzu And Cocoa Shower Cream (as they offer the same vibrant shade of yellow) I was surprised to find that it was so far away from this, it was almost unbelievable. Made from a base of Suma root infusion, this shower gel is a dry, earthy yet slightly sweet aroma: definitely one that is very unique, and probably something that the majority of people will dislike. The above ingredient is described as having a spicy vanilla fragrance, although I feel it is the former component that it offers up the most here. I don't really associate the warmth of vanilla with the smell of this shower gel at all, although it may form part of the padding underneath that makes this shower gel so thick and wholesome. This product also features a combination of pequi and davana oil: the latter which brings a gentle, warm citrusy aroma to the experience; the former which compliments the davana oil with its own unique fruitiness. It is the inclusion of the kaolin that adds a strong, wet clay smell to the mix, and which gives this shower gel is very odd and much acquired smell to experience. Interestingly, I found that the shower gel changed scent quite a bit when the presence of hot water was included. Although earthy and dry when out of water, these notes dimmed very slightly when being heated by the shower. It was then that I believe the pequi oil made its grand entrance and offered up a much stronger, fruitier smell than before. There was almost a tropical element to the shower gel, which I would compare to the smell of slightly overripe pineapples. Although it didn't wow me enough to become a favourite, there is definitely something far more desirable about Antiope when it is being used in the shower. Furthermore, this sweeter, fruiter smell dominated the scent on my skin after towelling myself down, and the dry, earthy elements supported this fragrance rather than thwarting it. The shower gel also left my skin feeling really clean and clear - something that the inclusion of the kaolin would have helped to produce. Additionally, I used this on my face and found that the redness surrounding a few spots that I had acquired seemed to noticeably reduce after only a single use. Despite my reservations towards the fragrance, I was impressed by how quickly Antiope lathered up. With minimum effort, I was able to coat both of my hands, in less than a second, with enough product to wash and shave both of my legs with. Having said that, the lather is the same colour as the bottle, so you do need to be careful not to flick too much around your bathtub. While it wont stain your surfaces, it can seem a little messy when you're in the shower. My only issue with this and all of Lush's naked shower gels is how to store them afterwards. As Antiope tends to paint the edge of the bath with yellow puddles, I had to pat the bottle down before I felt confident enough to store it in my bathroom. This proved quite difficult as tissue paper tends to stick to the naked gels and creams, and using a towel just meant that I had yellow stains that I needed to wash off right away. If I'm going to be honest, this is probably my least favourite naked shower gel, and perhaps my least favourite shower gel overall. While I wouldn't describe it as being at all disgusting, it's just not an enjoyable smell for me, especially as it intensifies somewhat when you use it in the shower. I cannot imagine this making an appearance next year, and I doubt if other products will come out in this scent. Quantitative Ingredients: Suma Root Infusion (Pfaffia Paniculata), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Stearate, Lauryl Betaine, Pequi Oil (Caryocar Brasiliense), Guar Gum (Cyanopsis Tetragonoloba), Brazilian Orange Oil (Citrus Sinensis), *Limonene, Davana Oil (Artemisia Pallens), Galbanum Oil (Ferula Galbaniflua), White Amazonian Clay (Kaolin), Titanium Dioxide, *Citral, Fragrance Yellow 10 Lake, 2018 Price: £9.75 each. Year Of Original Release: 2018.
When I envisage a bath bomb with a name such as this one, I picture something rather squishy and sickly: a product that looks more like a massage bar and acts more like a bath melt. I also imagine the mess said bath bomb would make in the tub - skin decorated in a gloopy mess and a not so wonderful splatter of brown gunk reminiscent in the tub afterwards. For this reason, I was surprised to discover that Chocolate Melt Bath Bomb was absolutely nothing like I imagined it would be. In fact, this ballistic is not actually all that chocolate-orientated at all, and I had a far better experience with it than I ever imagined that I would. Sharing its scent with After 8:30 Massage Bar, this Butterball-sized bath bomb is predominantly more mint then it is chocolate. Sporting a pastel green outer layer, with flecks of dark chocolate scattered across the surface, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the size of this would somehow hinder how strong this product was in the tub. However, what also surprised me about this bath bomb was that it was just as strong as a regular sized ballistic, and would no doubt be far too overpowering if it was made an bigger. As I mentioned above, it is the spearmint and the galbanum oils that make the biggest impression from the get-go: the former packing a punch immediately and staying prevalent throughout the entire experience. I could smell the spearmint on my skin for quite a while after exiting the tub, and it left me feeling really refreshed. The galbanum oil is equally as potent in the mix - offering an intense 'green' smell that almost gives this bath bomb a fragrance reminiscent of Mask Of Magnaminty or Green Party Bath Bomb, albeit stronger. If anything, I'd say that the chocolate is probably the least prominent feature of this bath bomb, which is strange given that its name suggests the very opposite. In the tub, Chocolate Melt Bath Bomb is a very fast fizzer - disappearing completely in a little under two minutes. While it expels a sea of pastel green across the water, small flecks of dark chocolate also make an appearance - swirling around beneath the surface before settling on the floor of the tub. You would think that these tiny pieces would create a mess on both your skin and the bath. However, I was surprised to find that they dissolved quickly into the water and helped to soften the overall experience. What I loved about Chocolate Melt was that the combination of shea butter and cocoa butter made for a really moisturising bath. Yet there was never a moment when I felt like the water was too greasy or oily at all. By the end of the experience, I was left feeling really soft and smooth, while the cooling mint properties left me feeling equally refreshed. Overall, I would highly recommend that you try this product at least once. It wasn't one that I had any expectations beforehand, and I was actually expecting to dislike this one quite a bit. However, it is the great ballistic to release during springtime, as it's a perfect product to use during the transition between the colder and warmer months. It's comforting, uplifting, and makes for a far healthier alternative to a bowl of mint-chocolate chip ice cream. Quantitative Ingredients: Bicarbonate Of Soda, Citric Acid, Dark Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Perfume, Spearmint Oil, Peppermint Oil, Galbanum Oil, Shea Butter, Gardenia Extract, Colour 61585. Vegan?: Yes. 2017 Price: £3.50 each. Year Of Original Release: 1998. Scent Family: After 8:30 Massage Bar (non vegan) Chocolate Melt Bath Bomb
If there is one type of Lush product that I forget how much I enjoy, it would be the greener, more 'forest-like' products. While I may always yearn for the fruiter cosmetics, and rave about near enough anything that features patchouli, you cannot beat a bath or a shower with something that just feels so incredibly in tune with nature. Green Party Bath Bomb is one of those products that makes you appreciate the lengths that Lush go to to produce such unique natural smells. As the weather moves away from the 'miserable', and Spring begins to appear, ballistics such as this one are a must. They're still as comforting and as warming as other bombs, but there is something about the scent that makes them seem lighter and more uplifting. To look at, this particular bath bomb isn't the prettiest: sporting a rough, almost bobbly demeanour, with pieces of tissue paper confetti protruding from the surface. In fact, I can almost see why this product isn't a regular feature, as I don't think it would sell very well, based on its design alone. However, you only need to give this one a sniff to know that it means business. Containing a combination of bergamot, galbanum and ylang ylang, the fragrance of this is far from subtle. From the get-go, you can detect the strong, wholesome note of galbanum oil. Extracted from the Persian plant, this oil offers a dark, resinous, green-like smell - one that could be compared to the smell of pine oil a little. There is something very intoxicating and astringent about it, and is easily the strongest component of the whole smell. Alongside this, the bergamot not only brings its own green element to the mix, but elevates the smell a little so that you get a slightly sweet, citric layer; while the ylang ylang offers a gentle touch of floral that gives Green Party a very thick, heavy aroma. At first, I was worried that the scent was going to be far too potent in the water, because the bath bomb was one of the strongest ones I had bought in a while. Fortunately, I was relieved to find that it settled somewhat in the tub, and the experience I had from it was far more enjoyable than I was initially expecting. As soon as this bath bomb hit the water, it began to spin quite violently - sending out waves of white and pastel green colour and foam across the surface of the tub. Despite its aggressive movements, it also happened to be a quiet fizzer as well, so I enjoyed getting in the tub while it was dissolving and watching it up close. What I will say is that this Green Party is a little heavier than a usual bath bombs, due to the inclusion of the confetti inside the bath bomb. For this reason, if you tamper with the bath bomb while it is bobbing on the surface, I found that it tends to sink afterwards and lose its buoyancy. Having said that, there is not enough confetti in this product to be of annoyance to anyone wanting to bathe with one. The confetti will dissolve in the water, while you're bathing, and there'll be very little mess left afterwards. In fact, there is a small part of me that thinks the bath bomb would be far better without the confetti, as there wasn't enough to add anything extra to the bath, or improve the overall look of the experience. It really is only there because of the party reference in the title. Once fully dissolved, you're left with a beautiful vivid green coloured water. There is also a light blanket of white foam that rests on the surface, giving the bath a slightly sultry feel about it, which is lovely. Furthermore, the scent is very much prominent throughout the whole experience, although it is in no way as intoxicating as it is straight out of the packet. The smell disperses just a little, allowing the different layers to settle with the warmth of the water, so you get a well-rounded but very refreshing green bath from beginning to end. In addition, I found that Green Party was fairly moisturising for a bath bomb. While there wasn't any evidence of excess oils on the surface, the water did feel really velvety-soft, and my skin felt well-nourished and radiant afterwards. I also found that the scent lingered on my skin and hair for a long time afterwards; I could still smell remnants of the fragrance on my hair some five hours later. Overall, this is definitely a bath bomb I would use again, although I would need to be in the right frame of mind to do so. If you love the recent Green Green Bath Of Foam or Greenday Bubble Bar, this might be a bath bomb you'll want to invest in. Perfect to banish the winter blues, and celebrate the beginning of spring. Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Perfume, Bergamot Oil, Galbanum Oil, Ylang Ylang, Absolute Ammonium, Laureth Sulphate, *Limonene, *Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl ionone, Colour 77289, Colour 19140, Colour 42090, Colour 59040, Tissue Paper Confetti. Vegan?: Yes. 2017 Price: £4.25 each. Year Of Original Release: 2009.
While it is not a direct replica, Pansy does indeed smell almost on par with that of The Olive Branch: so much so that I would class this as being from the same scent family for certain. Yet strangely, the ingredients list of this perfume reads very differently from any other product that features this same aroma.
What I loved about Pansy, which I didn't find happen with The Olive Branch Liquid Perfume, was that it acted a little more like the body spray and offered different layers while it was resting on my skin. An initial spray offers a fresh, uplifting collaboration of both the orange flower absolute and the galbanum oils. However, every new burst came with slightly different elements, and I was able to enjoy the sweetness; the nuttiness; and the delicate herbal notes at various times throughout the day.
