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.

Tantric Energy Shower Bomb

The shower bomb has become common place in the lush community now, as more and more of them get released on an almost monthly basis. Lush describe these miniature bombs as being more of an experience than a simple tool for cleaning yourself with, and claim that these shower bombs have been designed to alter your mood in the process. While I cannot vouch for such things happening in my shower, these babies definitely make an interesting alternative to shower gel. 

As Lush have described this shower bomb so well, I'll start by quoting them directly, when they say 'styled as the crown chakra, Sahasrara, which means the lotus of a thousand petals, Tantric Energy offers up luxurious jasmine absolute: one of the sexiest essential oils on the planet, with a kick of ginger oil to help relax the mood and get the blood pumping.'

With its beautiful deep purple design, and dusted with a little silver lustre that glimmer in the light, this little shower bomb is definitely very impressive. Not only is the fragrance strong from the start, but the aroma keeps on giving over and over again in the shower. If you're a fan of this particular fragrance, you'll love how robust the smell of this really is.

Packed full of ginger oil, jasmine and oakmoss absolute, this shower bomb shares its scent with the Something Wicked scent family: one as devilishly naughty as it sounds. The ginger and jasmine have been combined perfectly so that neither take the centre stage. However, the slight heat from the ginger intertwines perfectly with the sweet floral aroma of the jasmine and creates a sensual, well-balanced and rather unique experience. Underneath this, the oakmoss adds its own layer of earthiness that compliments the other two components and creates a thick and very whole smell.

In this format, I found that the scent was a little more uplifting, and obviously a little more powdery as well. However, the fragrance was very on par with the likes of the bath melt, and fans of this retro item will appreciate how well Lush have transferred this smell into a different format.

To use a shower bomb, you need to hold it under the running water during your shower, where it will immediately begin to expand and create a fragrant foam in your hand. Firstly, the heat of the water will 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. 

In this case, Tantric Energies is designed to get you a little hot under the collar, and boost your energy levels so that you can connect far more spiritually with yourself and anyone else that you wish to. Unfortunately, my partner was out of the country during the times I used this, so I had to contend with solely connecting with myself. Having said that, this shower bomb definitely had the power to elevate my mood, as afterwards I found myself super creative and enthused to do a lots of the things I had been putting off.

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 super delicious.

At first, I was worried that the inclusion of the sodium bicarbonate and citric acid would irritate my skin, much like if I was to rub a bath bomb against my skin. I was fully expecting to develop a rash and find that my skin became super dry after using one of these. However, I found that this was not the case at all.

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.

When it came to Tantric Energy, this shower bomb impressed me when the scent lingered on my skin for a couple of hours after my shower. Furthermore, I found that my skin felt super soft and my hands incredibly nourished after using this in my shower.

This is probably my favourite shower bomb to date and has definitely given me more of a reason to appreciate the whole 'shower bomb' concept a little more. While more extensive than a squirt of shower gel, these little things are like scrubs, body conditioners and shower gels all in one, so the price tag doesn't seem as expensive as you may first think.

Ultimately, Lush should definitely bring out the body lotion version of this aroma, as I would love to extend my experience with products of the same scent family. I also hope that this limited edition makes its way into every store, and stays around long enough so that I can buy a few more.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Cream of Tartar, Citric Acid, Potato Starch, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Calcium Lactate Gluconate, Sodium Alginate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ginger Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Oakmoss Absolute, Water (Aqua), Ginseng Powder, Titanium Dioxide, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Tin Oxide, *Benzyl Benzoate, Perfume, Colour 17200, Colour 42090.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £2.75 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.

Fantabulosa Liquid Perfume

With the recent release of the Gold Label perfumes, I really feel as if consumers are being given an incredible opportunity to experience a piece of Lush history: one that I genuinely thought was forever lost in the past. Sometimes it's beneficial to bring a little history into the present moment, and this is one of those such occasions.

When I first heard the name Fantabulosa (originally called Ladyboy) my immediate thought went to the popular fizzy drink. The very thought of a perfume encompassing the sweet, juiciness of fizzy orange soda was enough to make me salivate. In fact, I convinced myself so much that this is what the perfume would smell like that, for those who have experienced this retro scent before, you can imagine my confusion when this little beauty finally found its way into my life. To put it simply, this fragrance couldn't be any farther away from what I initially envisaged.

From the bottle, my first impression was that of a perfume overly consumed by a strong thread of oakmoss. There was something very damp and earthy about the fragrance, which made it a very heavy and overpowering. Coupled with a naturally sweet and slightly grassy violet note, the heaviness of the perfume is definitely not one that would appeal to everyone.

Having said that, when the perfume is given the freedom to breathe on your skin, something magic happens. Firstly, the oakmoss takes a little step back, and while it is still there, it offers more of a base for the other components to perform on. Then a strangely alluring but equally sticky-sweet note of banana comes through, which elevates the fragrance overall and gives it so much character. 

As I mentioned above, the violet leaf continues to deliver its sweet but slightly grassy floral notes, but on the skin it softens a little and creates something very comforting and beautiful. Alongside this, the chamomile offers a calming herbal smell that dances between the other notes and brings the perfume together.

Simply put, Fantabulosa is incredibly complex and interesting: a perfume that stands alone as being a truly incredible experience. This is one of those fragrances that takes you on a powerful journey with every wear, and one that I can never being chosen lightly. I don't think even the world's best wordsmith would be able to do this as much justice as trying it out for yourself would. You need to experience it to truly understand when I say that it's a work of art.

As to be expected, the perfume remained on my skin for ages: eventually wearing off some five hours after I had initially applied it. During this time, I received many compliments from strangers in shops and on the streets, and I felt the power and responsibility that comes with wearing such a signature scent. 

Why this perfume was ever relegated to the darkest vaults of Lush's past, and made to sit there going unnoticed, I will never know. I can only hope old and new Lush fans will now have a chance to make this a regular part of their Lush collection, and I only hope it doesn't disappear before I buy myself another couple of large bottles. 

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Perfume, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Chamomile Blue Oil, Labdanum Resinoid, Seaweed Absolute, Oakmoss Absolute, Violet Leaf Absolute, Oakmoss Extract, *Limonene.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £39 for 30ml.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.

Pansy Liquid Perfume

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!


Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Perfume, Bergamot Oil, Orange Flower Absolute, Rosemary Oil, Galbanum Oil, Labdanum Resinoid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, *Benzyl Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, *Citral, Coumarin, Oakmoss Extract, *Farnesol, *Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, *Limonene,*Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £35 for 30ml.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.

Kappa Bath Bomb

There are times when I find that Lush can be really predictable; they go through phases with certain product types or scents, and you find yourself already knowing what a product is going to smell like even before you've had a chance to give it a sniff for yourself. Yet there are also times when the company completely blow your expectations out of the water, and produce something that leaves you wondering just what exactly inspired such a creation to come about. 

Kappa Bath Bomb is one of those love or hate products: one that will leave fans very divided as to whether it's a really great invention, or a really terrible concept. For a long while after I used this bath bomb for the first time, I found myself sitting on the fence, unable to decipher how exactly I was feeling about what I had just experienced. However, I believe that I have come to accept the fact that I think I actually enjoyed the experience of this bath bomb in my tub, although there is a small part of me that feels that I may change my mind at some point. 

As far as design goes, this Japan exclusive is super cute and beautifully decorated. Painted a vibrant blue, with a green crown around the top and two huge googly eyes embedded into the surface, Kappa no doubt draws a lot of attention when sitting on the shop floor. Yet, I can imagine a lot of people wouldn't go as far as putting one in their basket, if only for the fragrance it offers alongside this.

Given that the key ingredient is cucumber powder, you probably won't be surprised to here that the main sent that this bath bomb gives off is one of cucumber as well. Yet while there is something crisp, fresh and rather light about the smell - as you would expect from the vegetable itself - there is also an underlying note of oakmoss and lemon which adds a little something extra. 

To my nose, it almost smells like cucumber has been mixed with an alluring floral aroma. This adds a natural sweetness to the mix whilst also padding out the overall smell so it's not quite as two-dimensional as you would imagine. To be fair, there is something a little odd about the smell of this bath bomb, but I definitely wouldn't describe it as being anywhere near disgusting.

What is great about Kappa Bath Bomb is the colour that it turns the water. After fizzing away quite quickly - and unfortunately sinking to the bottom of the tub in my case - the water becomes a rich, turquoise colour, unlike anything I've seen another bath bomb produce. The colour is so beautiful to look at that the bath bomb is worth buying just for that alone. 

Also impressive is the fact that while the scent is not overpowering, it's strong enough to stay with you throughout the whole experience, even when you use other strong-smelling products alongside it. Furthermore, the aroma stays on your skin, and indeed the bathroom, for a good thirty minutes after you have towelled yourself down.

Ultimately, this bath bomb took me a while to warm to, but only because the smell is something that some consumers may need to adjust to first. It not only leaves your skin feeling super moisturised and baby-soft afterwards, but it refreshes your senses at the same time, which is especially good before a long day at work. 

I would definitely recommend that you give Kappa as least one chance to shine in your tub, before you write him off as being an odd sock. Even if you use another product alongside the bath bomb to cancel out the smell a little bit, you'l find that this brand new bomb can definitely hold its own in the bath, and will leave you wondering what strange new scents Lush may decide to release next.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Cucumber Powder, Cistus Oil, Sicilian Lemon Oil, Oakmoss Absolute, Water (Aqua), Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl 2-Octynoate, Perfume, Colour 42090, Colour 47005, Colour 19140, Candy Eyes.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £5.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.

coming soon!

   

Cocktail Liquid Perfume

When it comes to perfumes, I think it is incredible that a mere six years ago, I had not tried a single perfume, and I was faced with the decision of which one to start with first every time I entered a shop. My young, naive mind saw no reason to dowse myself with wonderfully exotic smells, as I always felt clean enough just having a simple shower and rolling on some deodorant. 

However, it was on the fateful day that I made the decision to invest in a bottle of Karma Perfume that my life changed forever, and my bank account began to waver at the sheer thought of how much money I would journey through to try every single Lush fragrance that has ever been made available to the public...and then some. Luckily, I've never had the ambition to collect perfumes outside of Lush, as I'd probably be living on the streets right about now; sleeping on a bed of empty bottles, but at least I would smell good.

Lush describe Cocktail as a 'perfumed portrait of a Hollywood star's dressing table' - a strangely non-telling but equally descriptive review. Initially, I imagined this fragrance to be quite a crisp and almost clinical smell; in some ways similar to one of my favourite perfumes, Ponche. However, the more I thought about the above comment, the more I began imagining the Hollywood scene in the 20's and 30's, and I began to conjure up a scent that wasn't too far off of what this product actually smells like.

Described as a homage to fresh perfumery, this fragrance gets it's smell from a combination of ingredients, of which have changed over the years. While the modern perfume has jasmine, rose, ylang ylang and ho wood oil as the key components, the original perfume boasted orange blossom, cananga and sandalwood as well, and I think that the older version gives a better indication of the smell you are getting here. 

Whenever Lush release a product featuring rose, I always expect it to dominate it's overall scent. However in Cocktail, it is the fruity elements that carry the main note on the skin, along with a gentle twang of the ylang ylang for good measure.

When I first smelled this perfume, it reminded me a little of 1000 Kisses Perfume, with both it's fresh floral and sweet aroma. Except, unlike the above perfume, this one matures on your skin throughout the day and moulds into a delicate, feminine scent. It is the ylang ylang and orange blossom that dominate this smell, both inside the bottle and on your skin, and it shares its scent with Wash That Man Right Out Of Your Hair Shower Gel.

Cocktail is a bright and very fruity offering - one that reminds me a little of Beautiful but much heavier, with more depth and with a slight hint of woodiness, with floral undertones. While this might sound a little off-putting, this perfume, much like the aforementioned shower gel, reminds me of a rather bitter orange that has been left to 'turn' a little in the sun - giving off a sweet but rather pungent bitter element. 

On first sniff, I could also smell the aroma of the ylang ylang, with just a hint of lavender sitting underneath. While this ingredient does not appear to feature in the ingredients list, I can still detect a hint of its herbal-ness on my skin as the perfume begins to settle. Alongside this, the sultry sweetness of the jasmine and the powdery rose fragrance coming through on my skin as a duo - padding out the overall smell and giving it multiple layers that take it in turns to offer themselves throughout the day.

Cocktail definitely doesn't have the staying power of some of the other Lush perfumes I have tried over the years, but it is definitely one of the strongest ones on offer from the Lush Labs release this month. In fact, I think a lot of fans will quite appreciate the fact that this perfume settles within about 10 minutes, and seems to disperse a little across the skin - so you're able to appreciate the delicate beauty of this fragrance in a much more rounded state.

Despite the nature of the ingredients here, there is nothing to suggest that this is any what of a feminine fragrance. In fact, out of the many smells that I've spoke about above, this one would compliment anyone of any statue: it's ageless and beautiful.

Overall, it's not my favourite perfume by a long shot but it's definitely better than a lot of perfumes I've had the displeasure of trying over the last couple of years. What is great about Cocktail, as with most of Lush's other perfumes, is that it smells similar to a lot of commercially available perfumes, yet it doesn't possess that acidic and rather domineering alcoholic tone that weighs down these sorts of perfumes. 

I definitely won't be rushing out to buy another bottle of this but I'm not opposed to picking up a small sampler to wear every so often when I'm looking for a change. I can see this one proving very popular, especially now with the cold weather looking to make an appearance. This is definitely sunshine in a bottle, and with the English weather being so unpredictable, it may be worth holding onto that sunshine until it next makes an appearance.

Quantative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Water (Aqua), Perfume, *Linalool, Glycerine, Ho Wood Oil, Ghanaian, Ylang Ylang Oil, Coumarin, Jasmine Absolute, Rose Absolute, *Benzyl Alcohol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Benzyl Salicylate, *Cinnamal, *Citronellol, *Eugenol, Oakmoss Extract, *Farnesol, *Geraniol, *Isoeugenol, *Limonene.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £25 for 30ml.

Year Of Original Release: ?

Scent Family:

Cocktail Liquid Perfume

Cocktail Solid Perfume

Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair Shower Gel

Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair Shower Sheet

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Love 'Atmosphere' Naked Shower Gel

When my four Atmospheres first arrived, I discovered that one of them had burst and leaked over the other three: not only causing a sticky mess that I then had to clean up, but also thwarting the scents of the other three shower gels, which prevented me from being able to sample each of the other fragrances before using them in shower. Having said that, I knew exactly what Love was going to smell like before I'd even began lathering it across my body.

Sharing its scent with the Love family, this alluringly sweet and floral collaboration is a smell that I both relish at times, and resist at others. With siblings including the Fizzbanger Bath Bomb and Whole Lotta Love Bubbleroon from this year's Valentine's range, Love Atmosphere Shower Gel is a strange combination of smells that shouldn't work, but does. 

Containing a combination of lemongrass and bergamot oil, with lashings of rose absolute, this shower gel is an interesting mix of fruity and floral. On first sniff, you can detect a layer of lemongrass, which offers a fruity but also something slightly green-like about the aroma. Coupled with the bergamot, this shower gel gives off a slightly bitter citrusy scent and you can definitely smell a subtle grassiness underneath. Alongside this, the rose absolute brings a floral component to the table, and the ylang ylang offers its own sweet, grassy flavour to the mix.

All of these elements create an interesting fragrance unlike any other. Having said this, it should be said that I found the scent of this to be weaker than any of the other products in this scent family. Furthermore, I was disappointed to discover that many of these notes disappear under the running water, and Love Shower Gel loses a lot of its character when in use.     

For those out of the loop, Love Naked ‘Atmosphere’ is one of four limited edition shower gels that are supposed to heighten your experience in the shower and create more of an experience than a simple wash tool. Each of the Atmopheres have been crafted 

Encased in a thin ‘plastic coating’ made out of seaweed, these limited editions are Lush's new idea at creating naked products. The idea is that the outer layer will dissolve away in the shower, or can be thrown onto a compost heap afterwards, where it will decompose very quickly and leave nothing behind. While I found that the cases weren't so easy to dissolve in the space of a shower, I was able to add these to my ever-growing compost heap, and I did notice that it had become to break down the last time I checked.

As I mentioned in my review of Joy Shower Gel, these releases are rather expensive at £3 a piece, especially as they're rather difficult to lather, and seem to hold a scent far weaker than that of a regular Lush Shower Gel. Having said that, Love Shower Gel was rather moisturising on the skin, and I found that I didn't have to use a body lotion to moisturise with afterwards. 

To use, simply pinch the atmosphere between your fingers and the pod will tear open. Whether you're choosing to use the whole capsule in one go, or you're being a little more reserved, I would highly suggest that you have a container or some sort to rest to pour the shower gel into. Simply breaking it into your hands will leave you to lose it very quickly, and it'll be difficult for you to both wash your entire body and engage with the scent at the same time.

While Mark Constantine suggests that these are one-use shower gels, I could easily get 3-4 showers out of a single pod. Having said that, I feel as if I could have gotten far more uses if the shower gel had lathered up a little more. Unfortunately, the gel was rather difficult to use, and I ended up using more than usual because I didn't feel as clean as I would with a regular gel. In addition, the lack of strength in the smell meant that I couldn't detect the wonderful fragrance on my skin afterwards.  

Lush state that this one is supposed to guide you to 'indulge your nostalgia and shower yourself in love with this tangy concoction of sugar and spice, cutting right to the core of your desire.' While I enjoyed using this one in the shower, I cannot say that it ultimately inspired that much of a reaction from me. 

While I can see fans of the Love scent wanting to stock up on these, or hoping for a bigger version to appear in the near future, I only hope that Lush are able to tweak the recipe for this one a little more. It would definitely be nice to detect the different layers of smells a little more prominently, and I'd Love it to be rather more generous with its lather, so I don't feel the need to use so much.

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Water (Aqua), Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Calcium Lactate, Fine Sea Salt, Perfume, Lemongrass Oil, Orange Flower Absolute, Rose Absolute, Ylang Ylang Absolute, Ylang Ylang Oil, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Benzyl Salicylate, *Citral, Coumarin, Oakmoss Extract, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 77491, Colour 15850:1.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £3 each (although not currently sold separately)

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Scent Family:
Fizzbanger Bath Bomb
Lonely Hearts Bubble Bar
Love Apple Bubble Bar
Love 'Atmosphere' Shower Gel
Love Island Body Scrub
Love Perfume
Love Potion Massage Bar
Love Soap
Whole Lotta Love Bubbleroon

Great Bear Bath Bomb

By now you must know my thoughts on all of Lush’s campaign products: I simply cannot get enough of these one-off releases. While they can sometimes cause me to feel a little anxious if they’re not sold in my country, I have yet to miss one due to the generosity of the Lush community. This is why I ended up with almost twenty Great Bears, after North America offered this as part of their huge ‘Ban The Trophy Hunt’ campaign.

What is great about this bath bomb is that 100% of the profit were donated to Lush’s Grizzy Grants Fund, which is one of the ways that the company are doing their bit to protect and fund the ban on hunting bears across the whole of North America. One way in which they’re hoping to make an impact is through a documentary that they’re currently making - a venture that I hope sees the light of day soon.

Sharing its scent with Guardians Of The Forest, this bath bomb doesn’t offer an experience anywhere near as colourful or as interesting as its older sibling. However, the knowledge that the profits from this bomb have gone to such a good cause, is enough to make me appreciate sharing the tub with this wonderful limited edition.

What Great Bear does offer is a strong scent that fills your entire bathroom and lingers on your skin for a long time post bath. Containing rosewood and cypress oils, the fragrance is very much an acquired taste - one that I would describe as being very green and earthy. If you dislike potent smells, you may wish to avoid this one like the plague.

Cypress oil is known for its warm evergreen scent, which is definitely one of the key notes present here; oakmoss on the other hand has more of a herbaceous and rather mossy aroma and this is also distinctive in the overall smell of this product. Both of these ingredients work really well together - creating a gentle but very defined smell that reminds me a little of forest-dwelling plants on a warm, spring day. 

The addition of rosewood, which adds a subtle spicy, woody smell to the mix, makes the scent of this bath bomb one of many layers. In the packet, I could detect the dry but slightly sweet oakmoss aroma. However, once the bath bomb had fully dissolved, the cypress oil and rosewood came forward more and created a fragrance that reminded me very much of green tea. 

What sets this apart from its green counterpart is that is contains baking soda - a component that causes this bath bomb to foam up quite dramatically when it hits the water. Although the white design already tells you that your bath will lack any sort of colour, I really liked how relaxed I felt when I was able to submerge myself under the water and watch the bath bomb float across the surface, expelling clouds of froth as it went.

Once it had fully dissolved, I could feel how soft the water had become and I enjoyed how smooth my skin felt, even before I had used any products. As I mentioned above, I also appreciated the gentle earthy smell that stayed with me after I had towelled myself down, and this is one bath bomb that you can rely on to NOT leave any mess in the tub afterwards. Glitter haters will no doubt be rejoicing!

Although this wouldn’t be popular as a regular release - the design speaks for itself, as a limited edition campaign product, this is definitely one I would buy again if I could. While the cause is strictly about North America, it would have been nice of Lush to expand the release of this worldwide, as I can imagine they would have raised a lot more for such an important cause.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Cypress Oil (Cupressus sempervirens), Lime Oil (Citrus aurantifolia), Rosewood Oil (Aniba rosaeodora), Oak Moss Absolute (Evernia Prunastri), Cream Of Tartar (Potassium bitartrate) Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price?: $6.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family: 

Great Bear Bath Bomb

Guardians Of The Forest Bath Bomb