Iris Flower Bath Bomb

There are probably not many Lush fans that saw this brand new bath bomb and didn't think of Sex Bomb, at least for a few seconds. The fact that the fragrance was also a little remnant of the classic bath bomb at first, didn't initially give this Mother's Day release much of a chance to branch out on it's own to begin with. However, it only took a matter of seconds for me to realise that the scent of this was more interesting, and definitely far more beautiful than the aforementioned bath bomb could ever be.

Iris Flower is one of four limited edition bath bombs featured in this year's Mother's Day range, that have been inspired and based upon a single floral component. While Marigold, Chamomile and Jasmine were pretty self explanatory in their titles, Iris Flower appeared as a bit of a mystery to me: if only because I wasn't at all familiar with the fragrance of the flower in question. 

Having said that, it didn't take any more than my initial sniff to realise that this was easily my favourite out of the lot. Don't get me wrong: all four of the Mother's Day exclusives are beautiful in their own way. However, there is something rich and sultry about the smell of this one that makes me want to bathe in its waters time and time again.

Not only is this one of the strongest bath bombs that Lush have released across the entire Mother's Day and Easter ranges, Iris Flower sports a wonderful combination of floral and sweet that wraps around your senses like a much-needed summer hug. Iris root offers a beautifully rich and powdery floral aroma, while the neroli adds a delicate sweetness that smells natural and very comforting.

Although the fruity note of the lime is present underneath from the get-go, this component intensifies somewhat in the what and offers another warming layer that only serves to warm your heart from the inside out. Imagine scents such as Rose Jam and Tender Is The Night: fragrances that have been combined both the playfully sweet, and the naturally fresh floral components, and you may begin to get a sense of just how beautiful this particular bath bomb actually is.

As expected, this bath bomb fizzes fairly quickly on the surface of the water: sending out waves of bubbly pink to taint the colour of the water with. While fairly quiet in the tub, I found it rather entertaining that Iris Flower tends to whizz around the tub with super speed. In fact, it's been a long time since I've seen a bath bomb move around quite so much as I did with this one.

Once fully dissolved, the water is predictably a shade of pastel pink, and the piece of card tucked into the top of the bath bomb is left to float across the surface as a form of decoration. Consumers who buy this bath bomb as a gift can choose to personalise someone's experience by writing a short message on the yellow scroll of paper before presenting it to them. Or fans, such as myself, can opt to leave it blank and remove it before adding the bath bomb to the water.

My only qualms with this limited edition was that I found the fragrance didn't stick around for too long in the water, and I found that it had completely dissipated within the first twenty minutes of being in the tub. Furthermore, there was no trace of the scent on my skin afterwards, which would have rounded off my experience nicely if there had have been.

Overall, Iris Flower Bath Bomb is definitely one that I'd recommend that you try before it disappears, possibly for good. While consumers who aren't particularly fond of floral scents may try to steer away from investing in this one, I will say that it definitely sports a more modern scent than some of the other limited edition Mother's Day bombs this year. While a brand new scent to come from the company, fans of Tender Is The Night might appreciate the sweetness of this one quite a lot, and I only hope a perfume makes itself known in the future.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Bergamot Oil, Persian Lime Oil, Neroli Oil, Orris Root Powder, Cream of Tartar, Water (Aqua), Dipropylene, Glycol Propylene, Glycol Sodium, Coco Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, *Citral, Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Colour 77742, Colour 77007, Colour 15850:1, Colour 45410:1, Colour 77491, Colour 45410, Colour 14700, Colour 17200.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £5.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.

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.

       

Over And Over Liquid Perfume

Growing up, I was always taught the value of money, mostly because my family didn't ever have enough to be anything but scrupulous in their spending. For this reason, when I found myself financially independent at nineteen, I became a little too frivolous with the abundance of cash that I found myself in credit of. It didn't take me long to realise that overspending led to negative consequences, and I was blessed with the common sense to learn from my lesson pretty quickly. 

Strangely however, one of the lessons that has stuck with me even to this day, is that more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better quality. In fact, I've realised this even more whilst on my travels throughout Asia recently - where the cheapest food in the most run-down of places has often turned out to be by far the best tasting food on my trip.  

This has further been proven with the release of Over And Over Liquid Perfume. Coming in at only £19 for 30ml, some would assume that it could not possibly be as complex or as interesting as the other fragrances priced up at double the amount. However, this could not be further from the truth.

While it does share its scent with Over And Over Bath Bomb, there are some differences here that set this liquid perfume apart from its older sibling. From the bottle, this gorgeous fragrance releases a bright and very zesty aroma. Unlike Calacas, the smell of this is super fresh and very natural: it's as if someone has grated the rind of a lime whilst squeezed a little of the juice at the same time.

Alongside this, the inclusion of a little orris oil adds a natural sweetness underneath the lime to ground it a little and keep it on the skin for longer than citrusy smells tend to usually linger for. The orris oil is delicately woody, without taking away from the strong note of lime, whilst the fennel brings a light, fresh herbal note that plays with the heat of your skin and and makes Over And Over a little more interesting on the nose than you would initial expect.

Within an hour of spraying it on myself, the perfume was still very much present on my body. I could still detect the zestiness of the lime peel alongside the delicate herbal note of the fennel. While this isn't one of Lush's more overpowering fragrances, there is something so beautiful about how strong yet equally as delicate it is when on the skin.

It didn't take me very long to fall head over heels in love with this perfume, and while the sun is still attempting to make itself known in England right now, this perfume will bring me sunshine on even the darkest of days. This is definitely worth the price tag that Lush are offering, and I can see me using this far more than any of the other perfumes in my collection.  

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Perfume, Water (Aqua), Lime Oil, *Limonene, Glycerine, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, *Linalool, Cypress Oil, Orris Oil, Fennel Oil, Citral, *Geraniol.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £19 for 30ml.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Scent Family: 
Fruit Giant Bombshell
Over And Over Bath Bomb
Over And Over Liquid Perfume

Money 'Atmosphere' Naked Shower Gel

Money cannot buy you happiness but it can certainly help you on your way to achieving such greatness. While the world is corrupted by the greed of those that want ultimate wealth above others, most of us would be happy with simply being content, and that's certainly what I focused on when I tried out Money Atmosphere Shower Gel for the first time the other day.

Designed to 'see yourself enjoying absolute control, becoming master, not servant, to the trappings of wealth' Money is one of four limited edition Atmospheres designed to offer something a little more in the shower. Simply pinch the outer seaweed layer between your fingers and use the shower gel that spills forth between your fingers. You can then throw the 'plastic' shell onto a compost heap and leave it to dissolve away into nothing.

Packaged as a naked product, Money Atmosphere is supposed to eradicate the need for plastic bottles or tubs, and sees Lush creating a different format from the naked bottle-shaped shower gels that they've been releasing for the last year. Unfortunately, these limited editions can only be purchased as a set of four, and will set you back £12 for the privilege, which I find it be rather expensive. Hopefully, this is just an early prototype that can be improved upon and released for a far more reasonable price in the near future.  

With all four of the Atmosphere Shower Gels, I found that they didn't lather up as well as any of Lush's other former gels. While the consistency was rather thick and the gel itself was noticeably moisturising, I found that I was unable to create much of a lather at all. Although the gel worked a little better when I was massaging it between my hands - with the seaweed coating present as well to stimulate a little foam - I found that I had to use much more than I normally would, just to feel as though I had cleaned myself enough.

What was great about Money though was the combination of different ingredients to offer a rather wonderful smelling shower gel. With lime, fennel and cypress oils, you get a rather lovely fruity smell with a warm and very subtly spicy undercurrent. I love the fact that the lime smells so rounded and delicate - like it's zestiness has been removed and replaced with a woody layer that makes it smell so warm and inviting.

Again, I was a little disappointed that the scent wasn't as strong as I would usually expect from a Lush shower gel, but there was enough there for me to enjoy the experience very much in the shower. Furthermore, I was able to detect it slightly on the few strands of hair that I got wet during my experience, although strangely not on my skin after towelling myself down.

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. For £3 a piece, I want to make the most of these shower gels. However, I don't quite think that any one of the four that have made an appearance are at a quality ready to be introduced to the public.    

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Water (Aqua), Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Calcium Lactate, Fine Sea Salt, Perfume, Lime Oil, Fennel Oil, Cypress Oil, Orris Oil, Xanthan Gum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citral, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 47005:1, Colour 42090:2.

Vegan?: Yes.

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

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Joy 'Atmosphere' Naked Shower Gel

A few months into Lush’s new #Lushlabs initiative and we’re presented with four limited edition ‘Atmosphere’ Naked Shower Gels: a brand new venture that sees the company experimenting with package-less cosmetics to bring to the masses across the globe.

Ever since Lush introduced the concept of naked products to the world, they’ve been busy experimenting with how to present their ideas to the public. The #lushlabs initiative is the company’s way of releasing their ideas in their unfinished formats: so that they can get feedback from consumers before finalising the designs for the products they release to the mainstream public.

Joy Naked ‘Atmosphere’ is one of four limited edition shower gels that are supposed to heighten your experience in the shower: acting as more than just a simple tool to wash yourself with. Along with Money, Let Go and Love, this naked gel comes encased in a thin ‘plastic coating’ made out of seaweed, which is supposed to dissolve away in the shower or can be thrown onto a compost heap, where it will decompose very quickly and leave nothing behind.

Firstly, I have to state that I found these gels to be rather expensive. £3 for what equates to little more than a dessert spoon amount of gel is a tad overpriced for anyone, even if it is guaranteed to help reduce waste and protect the planet. While I understand that these pods are unlikely to be the final design, and that they're being released in small batches which makes them a little more sought after, I do think that the price tag is a little steep.

Mark Constantine stated that the difference between an Atmosphere and a simple shower gel is that the former has been designed to bring about an experience in the shower. The combination of smells and oils are supposed to alter or elevate your mood whilst you're washing yourself: a fact that I tried to remember when testing out each of the limited editions. Furthermore, he recommended that you use the entire pod in one single shower, to really engage with the sensory side of the product. 

As someone who is not privy to a lot of money at the moment, this latter recommendation was not something I was willing to indulge in with all four of the Atmospheres. However, when it came to Joy, I gave it my best shot. In all fairness, there is enough shower gel in each pod to spread across a good four different showers. And after comparing my experiences when using the whole capsule, and when using only part of one, there is not much of a difference to write about.

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. 

With all four of the Atmosphere Shower Gels, I found that they didn't lather up as well as any of Lush's other former gels. While the consistency was rather thick (on par with ), and the gel itself was noticeably moisturising, I found that I was unable to create much of a lather at all. Although the gel worked a little better when I was massaging it between my hands - with the seaweed coating present as well - I found that I had to use much more than I normally would, just to feel as though I had cleaned myself enough.

Lush's product description reads: 'How much nicer would it be if everyone burst into song to express their joy? Unfortunately, this doesn't happen anywhere but the theatres, but this atmosphere is your ticket to happiness. Put on your favourite tunes and shower with a song and dance of bergamot oil and ginger absolute.' 

To me, Joy is by far one of the better gels in the collection. Containing lemon, grapefruit and orange oil, this limited edition smells both fresh and fruity, although the scent is rather mild when compared to many of Lush's other gels. From the box, I can smell both the lemon and grapefruit oils working in unison to great a fresh, fruity combination; while the olibanum oils offers a gentle, woodiness that rounds the fragrance off wonderfully. 

In the shower, the inclusion of the black pepper oil makes itself known: you can actually smell a spicy, warm note of the black pepper as you massage the gel across your skin. This, alongside the clove bud oil, adds a gentle but rather lovely peppery note to the fruity lemon aroma that the shower gel mostly offers.    

I will say that I very much appreciated the smell that Joy Atmosphere Shower Gel offered, even though it wasn't at all complex or particularly strong. In fact, the strength of the shower gel left me pining for more after I had left the shower, and I wasn't able to detect it at all on my skin.

Overall, I would definitely like Lush to reformulate this a little better so I can invest in it once again, but have a much better experience. The shower gel needs to lather better; the scent needs to be a little stronger so that it doesn't disperse in the shower so quickly, or disappear from the skin after towelling yourself down; and the price tag needs to be adjusted so that I feel a little more Joy about the state of my bank account afterwards. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Water (Aqua), Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Calcium Lactate, Fine Sea Salt, *Limonene, Bergamot Oil, Black Pepper Oil, Clove Bud Oil, Ginger Absolute, Grapefruit Oil, Lemon Myrtle Oil, Brazilian Orange Oil, Styrax Oil, Olibanum Oil, Xanthan Gum, *Citral, *Eugenol, *Linalool, Colour 19140.

Vegan?: Yes.

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

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Melt My Heart Massage Bar

As a newfound traveller, I've developed a new perspective on the worthiness of certain cosmetics, and how you have to adapt your routines to match the places you visit and the lifestyle you lead. Having spent the last four months in very hot places, I have come to realise that body lotions are not the most effective way of replenishing your skin. Not only are they rather sticky in humid heat, and make you feel like you need a shower directly after using one, but they also pose the threat of leaking across the minimal clothing you're living in for the next few weeks. 

While you need to think about storage when you're somewhere hot, massage bars are the perfect travelling companions: fitting in the smallest spaces of your luggage and offering an intense moisturising session for your parched skin, after a day on the beach.

When I first sniffed Melt My Heart Massage Bar, I knew that this one would be coming with me on my next adventure - that is if the bar lasts from all of the times I've already used it so far! While not a direct replica, this Valentine's Day special shares its scent with the Jungle family - offering a strange, alluring and rather unique fragrance unlike anything else you've tried before.

All of the Jungle range can be described as possessing a strange, slightly soured fruity smell, coupled with an almost pine-like aroma alongside this. There is also a woody element underneath with a gentle earthy twang that grounds the soured fruity note a little and gives this fragrance slightly green-like qualities as well.  

In all fairness, this is probably the hardest scent to describe from Lush and it's one you have to experience for yourself, to decide whether or not you like it. This smell is definitely an acquired taste, and I find that people either love it or hate it. As I am in the former catergory, I couldn't wait to try this out on my skin. 

Priced up at £4.95, this is one of the cheapest massage bars on offer, and the size of it makes it one of the better value ones as well. Although a little thinner than some of Lush's regular bars, this is two thirds of the price, and therefore one that is worth stocking up on if you feel it works well for you.

As with all of my massage bars, I tend to use this as an intense moisturising session once or twice a week. Using this every day would probably make your skin rather greasy, and it would prove far more expensive than a lotion if you were to use it in this way. 

Simply massage the bar across the skin - I tend to do so in a circular motion - and then use the palms of your hands to spread the oils and butters across the whole area. As the weather is warming up a little in the UK, I would not recommend that you hold this for too long as I found that it began to melt within seconds of contacting the heat from my body. Furthermore, massaging it between your hands and then applying it onto your skin yourself actually ensures that you don't use too much, thus extending the life of the product. 

As with most of Lush's massage bars, your skin is left slightly oily for a short time afterwards and I would recommend leaving it for 5-10 minutes before putting any clothes over the top. However, after this time your skin will look bright and radiant, and feel super nourished and supple. After using this a single time, I found that it completely eradicated some of the dry areas I had developed through peeling.

As to be expected, the scent lingers on your skin for a good hour or more after application, and the effects of the massage bar will last you through the entire day and into the night as well.  

While you can use this in the same manner as I did, you also have the option of giving or receiving a massage from/for someone you love, and I'm sure Melt My Heart would be even more magical if used in this way. As my partner is away travelling for the next few weeks, I have to resign to using this on myself - which isn't the most romantic of options, but certainly leaves my skin feeling good enough to celebrate. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Fair Trade Shea Butter, Safflower Oil, Perfume, Dried Rose Petals, Orris Root Powder, Cypress Oil, Orange Flower Absolute, Styrax Resinoid, Olibanum Resinoid, Violet Leaf Absolute, *Benzyl Cinnamate, *Cinnamal, *Cinnamyl Alcohol, *Geraniol, *Hydroxycitronellal, *Limonene, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £6.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Scent Family:

Melt My Heart Massage Bar

Jungle FUN Bar (2014)
Jungle Solid Conditioner
Jungle Liquid Perfume
Jungle Shower Jelly
Jungle Soap
Jungle Solid Perfume
Jungle/Tropical Jungle Body Lotion


Mr Dandy's Hair Candy Dressing 

Inner Truth Bath Melt

In 2018, you would assume that humans have developed enough intelligence to accept each other for our differences, and not discriminate against others when things don't conform to what someone deems as the 'correct' way to live. Unfortunately, too many people are still being verbally, physically and mentally bullied by those who lack the compassion for equality.

In North America, the transgender community suffer from the highest level discrimination than anywhere else, and some of their basic human rights are being discarded and replaced with violence, intolerance and harassment. 100% of the proceeds made from the sale of Inner Truth Bath Melt is being donated to various causes that are working to advance the rights of transgender people across the globe - in the hope that education and funding can reinstate a freedom that shouldn't have been questioned and taken away to begin with. 

One of the biggest bath melts to date, this beautiful vibrant pink and blue heart is big enough to be split into at least two separate baths. However, this limited edition is simply too gorgeous to cut into two, and the whole purpose of the cause suggests that consumers should perhaps appreciate this as one lavish, united bathtime experience.  

What I loved about this bath melt was the smell. Containing a large dosage of orange oil, this wonderful heart-shaped release offers a sweet, fresh and very uplifting fruity smell. While I was expecting it to be a little stronger on the nose, the scent definitely intensifies a little in the bath water, and while it's quite a basic aroma overall, there is something rather soothing about the fragrance it offers. I actually quite enjoyed the subtle but present smell of this one, although it would probably be thwarted quite a lot if you were to include a bath bomb or bubble bar alongside it at the same time. 

Disappointingly, this bath melt is too heavy to stay on the surface by itself so it sinks as soon as you let it go. This isn't much of a problem for those wanting its scent and moisturising properties because these are still effective in the water. However, bloggers who wish to get the perfect shot and those who enjoy the theatrics of watching Lush products dissolve in the bath may be a little disheartened (pun intended) by the result.

Despite its size, Inner Truth is not as moisturising as many of the bath oils that the company offer. Instead, it works very similarly to the old Mmmelting Marshmallow Moment Bath Melt - in that it dissolves slowly, produces a creamy, milky consistency and softens the water without making it feel oily or greasy. 

What I loved about this bath melt was that it made my skin feel really smooth and well-pampered afterwards, and even helped to soften my hair a little as well. Furthermore, a gentle orange-eque smell lingered on my skin for a short while afterwards, even though I didn't think it was particularly strong to begin with in the bath.

Overall, this represents a great cause, looks incredibly beautiful and has a simple but very lovely smell to contend with. It left my skin feeling smooth and soft, and was the perfect remedy after survivng twelve hours of flying. I would love to get my hands on a few more of these and I hope they become a permanent feature in Lush stores across the globe.             

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Almond Oil, Limonene, Water, Bergamot Oil, Brazilian Orange Oil, Sweet Wild Orange Oil, Orris Root Powder, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citral, Linalool, Perfume, Colour 45410, Colour 42090, Colour 42090:2, Colour 14700, Colour 17200. 

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £5.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

coming soon!

Birch Sap Soap

Let's be honest: this is one of the most stunning designs for a soap that I have ever seen. Despite my reservations about the format, there is no denying that the craftsmanship and creativity paid off for this Summit exclusive, and I found myself super excited to try it out, despite my slight aversion towards soaps.

Birch Sap Soap is aptly named because the inclusion of both birch water and charcoal powder in its ingredients list. Collected locally from the Dorset Woodlands, charcoal is known for its ability to cleanse and refresh the skin. Not only does it clear out the pores and rejuvenate the appearance of your skin immediately, but it does so with such a gentle manner that you don't have to worry about damaging or irritating your skin. The likes of Dark Angels Facial Cleanser speaks volumes for the benefits of charcoal for those with more delicate skin types.

Scentwise, this is a very potent smell - one that I would describe as being very woody, earthy and herbal, all at the same time. On the surface you can detect a strong note of the galbanum oil, which offers a pungent, earthy green aroma. Alongside this the orris oil produces a prominent woody smell that reminds of wet tree roots, after a day of rain.

Both the lavender and the rose absolute add a natural thread of sweetness throughout, that elevates the earthiness of the soap, while the former ingredient also offers a herbal note to tie all of the ingredients together. Strangely, the smell of this is very similar to me and I do believe that Lush have brought out at least one other product with a fragrance similar to this at some point. If  I had to compare this to other, for those interested, I would say that Birch Soap reminds me a little of Spank Me With Saplings Shower Jelly quite a lot, albeit not as citrusy.

In the shower, this soap lathered up really easily and I found that I didn't really need to stimulate it much between my palms to heed the amount of foam that I needed. The lather itself appeared slightly oily and rather light on my skin, and I also found that little bits of charcoal appeared, that acted as a very light exfoliator. 

Much like my experience with most soaps, I found that my skin did appear rather taut after using this, and I would definitely recommend that you follow up with either a shower oil, body butter or lotion afterwards, to replenish the skin of moisture. However, my skin didn't appear to feel particularly dry and there was a radiance about it that comes from the inclusion of the charcoal. 

While Birch dries super quickly and you don't have to worry about it ebbing black all over your bathroom surfaces, I did witness how quickly the soap seemed to shrink after the initial few uses. For this reason, I would recommend that you try to lather it across your body whilst not exposing it directly to the stream of water. Afterwards, I would then suggest that you pat it down and leave it somewhere cool so that it doesn't shrink between uses. 

What impressed me was that the fragrance of the soap stayed with me for a good few hours after usage, and even when I applied a body lotion the scent still seemed to overpower this as well. For this reason, if you're looking for a unique and very powerful aroma to wear on your skin, this might be a product you wish to invest. 

Ultimately, I appreciated the design of this soap very much and the smell was equally as lovely, as I do enjoy Lush's more natural scents at times. I can't envisage this working in many other formats and I'd say it's too potent to be made into a perfume. For this reason, it's suited very much as a soap, and I will continue to indulge in my piece until there is nothing left of it.

Quantitative Ingredients: Birch Water, Propylene Glycol, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Water, Organic Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Galbanum Oil, Lavender Oil, Orris Oil, Rose Absolute, Sandalwood Oil, Citric Acid, Birch Charcoal Powder, Glycerine, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Bicarbonate, DRF Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool, Perfume, Colour 77491.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £5 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.