The Guv'ner Solid Deodorant

As I've mentioned in previous deodorant reviews, it is very rare that I have anything bad to say about Lush. Unfortunately, when I do, it's normally to do with one of their less than effective deodorants that often seem to elevate and encourage the very problems they claim to eradicate. 

The Guv'ner is the second to last deodorant from Lush that I have left to review, and as previous experience goes, this product already starts off on uneven standing. Described by the company as a 'hardworking, absorbent deodorant powder that means business', I was expecting something a little more effective than their previous offerings.

This is one of Lush's powdered products and comes in an 80g bottle, which may make it sound rather expensive when priced at £6.25. However, you only need to use a minuscule amount each time, meaning this bottle would probably last you a good six or more months. I was using it twice a day, for almost a month, and the powder barely moved a centimetre away from the top of the bottle.  

The powder is made up of a combination of different ingredients, each bringing their unique scents and properties to the mix. This list includes charcoal, sodium bicarbonate, lavender powder and calamine powder to name just a few. 

The different powders used in this are supposed to absorb sweat and soothe skin while the essential oils keep you smelling good for the whole day. Firstly, there's charcoal powder, which absorbs moisturise and eradicates smells; the lycopodium powder helps to keep the deodorant gentle on your skin, also acting as a cooling element, alongside the patchouli, to keep you feeling fresh; the sage and patchouli are there for their wonderful aroma and also for their antiseptic and astringent qualities. These latter ingredients have been proven to shrink pores, aiding towards the ultimate goal of decreased sweating!

Much like The Greeench Powdered Deodorant, applying the deodorant proved a little difficult. I tend to pour a little on the tips of my fingers and then rub it immediately under my armpits. However, despite my best efforts, I always end up spilling excess powder on my clothes or floor, so it's a little fiddly to say the least. Furthermore, it left a dark powdery layer on my armpits, which although didn't transfer onto my clothes, did leave me feeling rather conscious; it wouldn't be a product I'd be able to wear with short sleeves.

Unlike a lot of synthetic deodorants available in shops, this one is far more natural, meaning it doesn't block off the sweat glands. Although this is definitely a positive attribute, I was also aware that The Guv' ner wouldn't protect me for as long as other anti-perspirants might have done. This fact became all the more apparent when I found myself sweating profusely at work one day and became paranoid that the sweat would permeate my top and show through. However, the deodorant does act as a great repellent of smells, and despite amassing a fair bit of sweat, I couldn't detect any bad smells coming from my body.

The Guv'ner is probably one of the better smelling deodorants, a subtle blend of vetivert, patchouli, sage and lavender. It is this latter ingredient that comes through the most here, although it's a gentle scent so won't overpower any body lotion or perfume that you wish to apply.

Overall, it's far from being a terrible product; I just don't think it's suited to me. As I said in a previous review, I know I look for Lush for solutions in all of my cosmetic needs, but as of yet, they have yet to convince me that I should move away from my regular bottle of Nivea.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Cream of Tartar, Lycopodium Powder, Magnesium Trisilicate, Water (Aqua), Powdered Charcoal, Organic Jojoba Oil, Perfume, Calamine Powder, Lavender Powder, Rose Absolute, Vetivert Oil, Patchouli Powder, *Citronellol, *Eugenol, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £8 each (85g).

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Figaro Figaro Bath Bomb

I have carried out very little research into most of the new bath bombs that Lush have brought out recently. This has allowed me the freedom to experience each and every one of them without any preconceptions about what's going to happen, and it has also opened up my world to one or two surprises as well. Such is the case with this little bath bomb.

Figaro Figaro is a little on the small size, hence the lower price tag than the regular sized bath bombs. But that doesn't mean, for one second, that the performance of this little gem is anything less than incredible. And if you're one for surprises, you may want to invest in one for yourself...as well as choosing not to read any further as those surprises will be quickly ruined.

Containing a blend of so many different oils, it was hard to imagine just what this bath bomb might smell like. However, Lush have described the key notes as being peppermint, sage, thyme and eucalyptus, and I can see why they have placed these four as the top components.

Before I start describing the scent, I feel that I should point out that the fragrance of this is very weak. In fact, it wasn't until I placed the bath bomb in the water that I really experienced the four key elements that I listed above. Much like Geode Bath Bomb, this one scores more points because of how it performs in the tub, not because of the scent at all.
  
To my nose, the herbal elements are the strongest notes, followed shortly after by a floral layer underneath. The sage, thyme and eucalyptus create a very delicate musky herbal scent, with the latter ingredient also adding an almost clinical scent that gives Figaro Figaro a 'clean' feel about it. 

Alongside this, the peppermint oil adds a touch of mint to the aroma, although it's very much an afterthought, and I wouldn't describe the aroma of this to be a minty scent at all. As I mentioned above, it took me placing this into the water to really pick out any of these notes for myself, and I would suggest that if you like robust fragrances you stay well away from this one. Ultimately, this bath bomb does hold its presence in the water, but it's not a very powerful one.

Aside from creating the fragrance, these key components are also amazing for your skin. Peppermint soothes and relieves muscle tightness, as well as relieving both physical and mental tension. The inclusion of thyme and sage is both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, so will soothe any redness or itchiness, and restore the skin back to its relaxed self. Finally, eucalyptus is a great decongestant: helping you to breathe better, or indeed help to clear your airways when you have a cold.

What is impressive about Figaro Figaro is the way it performs in the tub. As soon as you place the bath bomb into the water, a vivid shade of both red and yellow burst from the little ballistic and quickly colours the water a deep shade of red. Don't judge this bath bomb by its outer shell, because the colour you get is so far removed from the gentle pastel shades you see to begin with.

Once the bath bomb had fully dissolved, a hidden note burst from the remnants and presented me with a few lines from the opera The Barber of Sevilla, which is the main inspiration behind this whole bomb. While these little touches aren't needed, I always appreciate the sentiments behind Lush's little creations, and I appreciated this surprise very much.

At the risk of saying the same thing as I did in my Geode Bath Bomb review, Figaro Figaro is all about the performance, and ultimately less about the fragrance it comes with. While it left my skin super moisturised and feeling wonderfully smooth, the scent wasn't present for very much of my whole experience, and I do like a bath bomb with a strong smell. This is one that I would definitely buy again, but also one that I would couple with another product to give me a stronger aroma in the water.    

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Aniseed Oil, Chamomile Blue Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Fennel Oil, Lavender Oil, Brazilian Orange Oil, Peppermint Oil, Sage Oil, Thyme Oil, Water (Aqua), Gardenia Extract, Cream of Tartar, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, *Limonene, Colour 47005, Colour 17200, Colour 59040, Colour 42090.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £3.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.

coming soon!

Junk Liquid Perfume

If there's one aspect of trying new Lush perfumes that I love, it's the journeys that come from the natural evolution of the smells present in a given fragrance. While your reactions and opinions about a single smell will change and fluctuate like the weather, so too will the fragrance you are wearing at that moment in time. No two days are alike, and this can be said for the experiences you have whilst wearing a wonderful aroma.

Junk Liquid Perfume has witnessed so much change over the last few weeks that I feel that it's almost become a member of my family. Not only have I been to the poorest parts of India; and the driest areas of the Canary Islands, but I've also experienced such a huge mental shift - all of which has been paired with this latest perfume release from Lush. 

Containing lemon, mandarin, rosemary and sage oils, this 'Gold Label' perfume has a rich, alluring and very intoxicating scent. When I first sprayed this on my skin, I could really see the comparison between this and Lush's recent Scrub Scrub Scrub Body Scrub. There are definitely similarities between the two that may help consumers to get a little insight into what this perfume smells like before they purchase it. However, it wouldn't be right of me to describe the scent of this as a being a direct replica, as there are huge differences as well. 


From the bottle, the first wave you get is a fruity one. In fact, despite the simplicity of the ingredients list, I was surprised to find that the fragrance actually pertained a strong note of blackcurrant rather than the citrusy layers that you would expect. While I could smell that both the mandarin and lemon oils were there in the mix, the inclusion of the rosemary also twists these two to create something a little more like Blackcurrant Angel with a stronger, herbal twist.

The initial spritz offers quite a heavy combination of herbal and fruity elements, and there is something quite intense about this pairing for a short while. Once it's begun to settle on the skin, you can definitely detect the currants far more, and the herbal elements of the both the sage and rosemary linger behind the blackcurrant, to give Junk a wonderfully complex and beautifully unique aroma. 

Other Lush fans, who have already been rather vocal about their descriptions, have even suggested that there is something medicinal and clinical about the smell, which I can sort of relate to. There is definitely something rather clean and almost mint-like about the scent, which does remind me a little of throat soothers and cough medicine.

What is great about Junk Liquid Perfume is that it does have an impressive silage on the skin. I was still able to detect it some four hours after initial application on my wrists and temple points, and even longer on the areas I sprayed it onto my clothes. As far as Lush perfumes go, this is super impressive, and definitely one of the selling points for me.

As for how it matures on the skin, I found that the herbal elements tended to disperse quite a lot over the first thirty minutes, and the dry and rather warming fruity components lingered by themselves for the duration of the time. Once it gets to this stage, the fragrance tends to remain intense for a few hours before it slowly disperses.

Overall, this is one of Lush's best perfumes in recent years. It's one that stands out above most of the Volume 4 range, and indeed nearly all of the limited editions that made an appearance. Junk is the epitome of what Lush is all about, and I am excited to see what other ideas may see the light of day in the coming years.

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Perfume, *Limonene, Sicilian Lemon Oil, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Green Mandarin Oil, Rosemary Oil, Sage Oil, *Citral, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2019 Price: £35 for 30ml.

Year Of Original Release: 2019.

Tea Totaller Naked Facial Cleanser

At the risk of repeating myself, the few weeks I spent in Africa were tough on my skin. While I didn't go over there thinking about how the climate change would affect my face, it only took me a couple of days to realise that I had made the right choice bringing over an army of facial products to review. The dry heat, intense sun and dusty atmosphere meant that my pores were battling by the minute to retain their moisture, and I won't begin to describe just how much grime I removed from my face on an almost hourly basis.

Tea Totaller Naked Facial Cleanser was an absolute godsend during my time over there, not only because it was super compact and could be taken anywhere during the daytimes, but because the ingredients used to make it were just what my face needed, and continues to need even to this very day.

Firstly, this naked facial cleanser contains castor oil, which is the perfect ingredient if you're looking to add some much needed moisture to your face. Working with the skin's natural oil production, castor oil ensures that there's enough present to keep your skin supple, radiant and smooth, whilst removing an excess oils if the skin is too greasy or oily to begin with. This is not an ingredient that will try to mask the oils already there, so you don't have to worry about using this if you normally have a fairly oily complexion.

The inclusion of the tea tree, clary sage and rosemary oils not only gives this limited edition a clean and slightly herbal aroma, but also offers antibacterial properties that will help to cleanse your pores thoroughly and leave your complexion clear and smooth. There is something rather clinical yet natural about the scent of this naked cleanser, so when you wipe it away with warm water, it leaves your skin feeling much the same as a toner tab would.

What I will say about Tea Totaller is that this is perhaps one of the heavier naked facial cleansers from Lush. While it won't leave your skin feeling particularly sticky or clogged up afterwards, it does remain on the skin for a long while. If, like me, you wish to use this as an intense moisturiser instead, you'll find that there is still a thin film of oils on your skin two-three hours later. Having said that, if you have a very dry complexion like myself, you'll appreciate just how vibrant and pert your face will feel if you choose to keep this on longer than recommended.

The idea behind each of the naked facial cleansers is that you massage the disc across your skin; leave it on for a few minutes; and then wipe away the product with a slightly damp cloth or cotton wool pad. The oils and butters work at not only nourishing your complexion a little, but they’ve been specifically designed to give your face a gentle cleanse whenever you feel the need to refresh your face.

Tea Totaller definitely left my skin feeling moisturised, and my face felt really smooth to the touch. Usually in the winter months I find that my face develops a few dry patches that I need to moisturise daily. However, this cleanser has stopped this from happening so far. In regards to Africa, this facial cleanser helped me to remove so much grime from my pores after a long day out in the dust and heat. I could really feel how much better my complexion felt after using this each evening, and I really feel as if this product stopped me from having an outbreak of spots. 

Overall, I would definitely use this as a regular product - perhaps alongside Sleepy Face as they are both very calming for the skin, without being too heavy or over-bearing on scent. This particular disc has lasted me almost three weeks in Africa, and then another three in England, and I would probably estimate that it's about half the size it was to start with. This makes it good value for money in my eyes, and one that I hope will remain a regular item in the near future.

Quantitative Ingredients: Organic Illipe Butter, Safflower Oil, Witch Hazel Extract, Sunflower Wax, Japan Wax, Lemongrass Oil, Rosemary Oil, Sage Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Thyme Oil, Benzoin Resinoid, Hand Harvested Sea Salt, *Citral, *Limonene. 

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £4.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2018.   

Melt between the fingers before massaging over the skin or simply glide the bar over the face, then wipe away with a damp face cloth. As a bonus, adding water activates a toning phase composed of witch hazel, spring water, and hand-harvested sea salt to clarify and lightly hydrate.

Magic Crystals Shower Scrub

I was in Thailand when I first heard the news about Magic Crystals Shower Scrub. The unreliable wifi meant that I was only able to get a minute glimpse of what it looked like before the internet failed on me again, for the thousandth time that day. The terrible connection meant that I was also only privy to the odd scraping of rumours regarding what the brand new product would smell like: the latest post telling me that it shared its scent with the now discontinued Magic Bath Bomb. And then the island suffered a power cut for the millionth time.

For this reason, when the tub of beautiful purple gunk arrived on my doorstep some two weeks later, I was confused when a wonderfully fresh scent of mint greeted my nose, as opposed to the overpowering herbal smell I was expecting to receive upon lifting the lid. My surprise led to elation as I realised that I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the scrub all that much, had it truly shared the same fragrance as the aforementioned bath bomb.

With a fresh mint infusion as the key ingredient, and an extra helping of both peppermint and spearmint oils further down, it is these three beauties that make this scrub so wonderfully fresh and uplifting. From the tub and indeed in the shower as well, the cool, minty sensation reminds me very much of Wrigly's chewing gum.

While peppermint can come across as rather potent in certain formats, this scrub lets the spearmint act as the most dominant force: mixing with a little sweetness to soften the harsh kick that mint can something offer. While there's nothing in the ingredients list that suggests where that sweetness comes from, you'll know what I mean when you experience it yourself. There is something slightly rounded out the mint elements that you wouldn't get if it was just mint by itself.

The inclusion of the menthol crystals not only offers a scent that helps to clear your airways under the heat of the warm shower, but also leaves your body feeling super cool and clean. In the shower, you'll feel a gentle tingle of the crystals getting to work on your skin but it won't be anywhere as intense as Christingle Body Conditioner, so you don't need to worry about shivering as you exit the shower during the colder months of the year. 

While there is both sage and rosemary infusions in the mix as well, you don't get very much of a herbal element to the fragrance at all. Although I think that both ingredients do make a minor impression on the senses, I wonder whether this is more because I was expecting there to be something with both of them being so prominent in the creation of this scrub. 

Having said this, both herbal components do their job wonderfully by helping to cleanse and tone the skin with their healing properties. Alongside the gentle buffering of the epsom salts, I found that Magic Crystals left my skin feeling and looking super bright and really refreshed.

A little like Rub Rub Rub, this is far from being a coarse scrub, so those with more sensitive skin will find that this shouldn't irritate your pores or cause any rashes to form. You can buffer as hard as you like with this beauty and you wouldn't do much in the way of damage. For this reason, if you're looking for a scrub that'll remove a thousand layers of dead skin, you'd probably need to look elsewhere.

Once I left the shower, I found that my skin felt noticeably soft and clean, and there was a wonderful fragrance that lingered on my body for a good couple of hours afterwards. In fact, I have enjoyed going to bed most nights after using this and finding remnants of this on my pillow and sheets the next day.

I can see why Magic Crystals has been automatically released as a permanent, and why there is quite a buzz surrounding this scrub. With a product this good, Lush didn't have any qualms about how well this would do. For certain I would purchase this again, and indeed I will. In fact, I think I would miss having a tub of this in my shower if I was ever to run out. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Epsom Salts, Fine Sea Salt, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Perfume, Fresh Mint Infusion, Fresh Rosemary Infusion, Fresh Sage Infusion, Propylene, Glycol, Menthol Crystals, Peppermint Oil, Spearmint Oil, Aniseed Oil, Lactic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Lauryl Betaine, *Limonene, Colour 17200, Colour 42090:2.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £10.95 for 300g, 

Year Of Original Release: 2018.

Oregano Naked Solid Liquid Soap

I’ll be honest when I say that I was slightly confused when Lush decided to release one of two naked hand soaps as part of their ‘naked experience’ in the Lush Kitchen a couple of months ago. My initial thought was: aren’t soaps naturally naked anyway? And aside from the cute bottle-shaped designs that they both came as, there was nothing that suggested either was any different from the regular soaps that Lush have been producing for years.

At the same time, I know that the company don’t tend to release things without putting a lot of thought and effort into each and every product - which is why I knew I’d have to delve in deeper and discover what sets this apart from the many blocks of normal soap that laden their shelves.

Weighing in at just over 100g, Oregano Naked Solid Liquid Soap will set you back £6.95, which initially sounds rather expensive for a bar of soap. Now a pound more expensive than the first time this showed up in the Lush Kitchen, this limited edition has been tried and tested over the last few months, and should supposedly work a lot better than the first block I received mid-way through last year.

Unfortunately, after carrying out lot of research and getting confused by what set this apart from regular soaps, I discovered that the name 'naked liquid solid' was actually more of a joke on Lush's part. There is actually nothing that sets this apart from a regular soap aside from the name and the shape, so I feel as if Lush could have considered a better marketing technique than the one they eventually went for. 

Having said this, both of the naked solid liquid soaps that I have tried have heeded some impressive results, and I have found that they do actually work really well - sometimes better than the average Lush soap bar. Had Lush simply sold these as environmentally friendly alternatives to liquid soap, with their cute designs and unique smells, I feel as if they would have been a lot better received.

As it shares its scent with the retro 13 Unlucky For Dirt Soap, which wasn't ever made vegan, I was rather excited to try this one out for myself. The promise of such a unique and very herbal fragrance also added to the allure of this soap. However, it was the promise of a product with a high level of anti-microbial properties that excited me the most. 

As someone who works with children, I am always on the lookout for a gentle soap that prevents the spread of germs within my classroom. As I refuse to use bottled variations, I have often had to rely on regular soaps to keep things clean - although I've never felt that these have been particularly effective at eradicating germs as much as I would like. Oregano has since changed all of that, and I hope that this soap makes an appearance again so I can make it a permanent feature in my place of work.    

Containing oregano, rose and geranium oils, as well as fresh oregano, thyme and rosemary, this soap is as herbal as you can imagine. While the fragrance is a gentle one, it is ultimately the latter components that dominate the smell - offering a light and slightly floral herbal smell. The oregano is the key scent here, smelling very much like the dried variation you would use to season your meals with - while both the rosemary and the thyme thicken the herbal aroma and lace their own savoury notes around the oregano to strengthen the fragrance.

Alongside this, the rose and geranium oils add a delicate floral layer to the soap which gives Oregano a mild sweetness to the mix. This prevents the soap from being too harsh on the senses, and leaves a lovely mixture of sweet and herbal on the skin after use. 

As a couple of people have mentioned in their descriptions, this combination of dry herbal and floral means that Oregano Naked Solid Liquid Soap reminds me a little of Oh La La Soap, which just happens to be one of my favourite soaps from Lush. Although they don't share the same scent, the combination of floral and herbal means that they both share similarities reminiscent of each other. 

Not only do the main ingredients help to create a very interesting and wonderful smell, but all of the herbs featured in this soap have also been chosen because of their ability to prevent (or reduce) the growth of bacteria on the surfaces of the skin. This means that Oregano Soap is specifically designed to work on reducing the spread of bacteria after working with foods and/or going to the bathroom.

The inclusion of the rose and geranium help to clean and soften the skin alongside this, while the former ingredient also soothes any irritation and reduces redness that some people can suffer from through overuse and overworking of the hands. The inclusion of the cider vinegar then works on toning and brightening the skin - making this an all-round effective soap.

What I appreciated about this soap was the fact that Oregano produced a thick, oily lather from the very first use. Normally some soaps can be a little stubborn to begin with, or they create a foam that doesn't appear to much in the way of moisturising your hands whilst cleaning. However, this limited edition coated my skin immediately and I could feel it making a difference to my skin right away. 

After a few uses, I also found that the consistency of the soap changed a little, and the small grains of herbs inside began to produce something of a coarse texture to exfoliate with. While I wouldn't rely on this as a regular scrub, the gentle scratching from the herbs meant that my hands felt even cleaner, and smooth to the touch as well.    

I have only two qualms with this product. Firstly, the fact that this comes as a solid piece means that you have to touch it during use. After being educated on the benefits of using a movement-activtated machine in public toilets, I wonder how Lush are able to get around that and justify how the spread of germs would be prevented with something that needs to be touched by anyone that wishes to wash their hands.

Secondly, the newly-formulated base means that Oregano shrunk a lot quicker than I would have liked, and while some hand soaps would have lasted me over six months in my dish, this one barely made it past four months. However, I definitely think you can prolong the life of this by ensuring that you pat it dry after every use. Having said that, this would prove incredibly annoying to any guests or family members who use this regularly after using the toilet: it's just not very practical.

Overall, Oregano is a good concept for a hand soap, although I would probably use it as more of a regular soap in the shower as I don't tend to use hand soaps at home. As it contains antimicrobial properties, as well as ingredients that soothe irritated skin, this would work well for those of you who have sensitive skin and want something a little more gentle to use on your body. Having said that, I would think twice about using this daily as I can imagine it might be a little intense.

This is definitely a soap I would buy again - if only for its unique smell and cute design that would inspire intrigue and conversation from those unfamiliar with the concept of naked products. Having said that, I think it is a little overpriced for what it is and how long it lasts when compared to other liquid variations, and so I would use it as more of a luxury item than a regular purchase.

Quantitative Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Perfume, Cider vinegar, Oregano, Oregano Oil, Rose Absolute, Geranium Oil, Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Citric Acid, Cornstarch, Sodium Bicarbonate, Citronellol, Geraniol, *Limonene, Colour 42090, Colour 42090:2.

Vegan?: Yes.

2018 Price: £6.95 for 135g.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
13 (Unlucky For Dirt) Soap (non vegan)

Oregano Naked Solid Liquid Soap

German Sausage Facial Cleanser

I cannot say that I've ever loved the smell of sausages enough to want to smother my face in them. Having said that, I feel the same way about coffee and yet I use Cup O' Coffee like my life depends on it, which it does on some occasions. 

German Sausage Facial Cleanser is a weird concept to say the least. Yet it is often those weird and wonderful inventions that make the biggest impact, and this particular product is definitely one that leaves a lasting impression. Made from base of rhassoul mud and potatoes, German Sausage is a very 'foody' smell, and one that may take a little getting used to before it can be fully appreciated. 

Although it may seem like an odd ingredient for a cosmetic, potato happens to be naturally rich in vitamin C, which is great for maintaining the skin's natural radiance. Furthermore, it is this component that helps to give the cleanser a slight gritty consistency, which works alongside the oatmeal to act as a gentle exfoliator as well. The rhassoul mud also plays a part at helping to soften and smoothen-out the complexion - acting as both a gentle exfoliator, while also absorbing excess oils that may be present on the skin. 

Alongside the above two ingredients, you also have the inclusion of both cocoa butter and almond oil. Both of these ingredients help to moisture and nourish the skin, and when the product is left on the face for a short while before being washed off, it can improve the condition of your complexion over a number of days.

In terms of the other key notes, the inclusion of sage, parsley, basil and rosemary are what gives this cleanser its distinctive and rather potent aroma. My nose detects the sage and rosemary at the forefront - both offering a heady but rather dry, herbal fragrance. On top of this, you can even smell the dry, starchy components of the potato - almost like a tray of overly roasted potatoes that have been left out overnight to dry. You can smell each of these ingredients quite easily, and I'd say that these are the components that give German Sausage its distinctive smell.  

To use, you simply take a small amount (perhaps the size of a small grape), and massage it across the face. For best results, I tend to leave this on while I continue my shower, and then rinse it off just before I get out. This allows the cocoa butter and rhassoul mud to work their magic and improve the condition of the skin. 

Luckily, this scent doesn't linger too much on your face after you've washed it off, so you don't have to worry about justifying to strangers why you smell a bit like a human hot dog.

Having used this daily for the last couple of weeks, I have found that this can, and perhaps should, be used daily to get the best results. I found that within 2-3 days of using this in the morning, my complexion seemed to look brighter and my skin felt noticeably smoother. 

Having said this, I didn't feel as if this was as effective either Buche De Noel or Angels On Bare Skin. Furthermore, the consistency, although not at all scratchy or rough, was not as easy-going on the face as the products mentioned above. For those with sensitive skin, I can imagine that this cleaner could have the potential to irritate the pores a little.

In terms of complexion types, I think that this cleanser would suit most consumers' needs. However, I think that perhaps it would work a little better for those with normal to oily skin, as the rhassoul mud and potato would definitely help to remove any excess grease.

Overall, this is an odd one to say the least. Not many other companies would be brace enough to bring out a facial product that both looks and smells like something you'd have in a cooked breakfast. Although not a fan of meat in any shape or form, I appreciated the uniqueness of this cleanser and will continue to use it daily until my tub finishes. This has opened even more possibilities for what this company might make, and I for one am excited to see what they do next.  

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Potatoes, Ground Almonds, Rhassoul Mud, Kaolin, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera Extract, Fine Sea Salt, Soya Milk Powder, Fresh Sage, Fresh Parsley, Sage Oil, Basil Oil, Rosemary Oil, Alpha-Isomethyl iphone, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, Perfume.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £7.25 for 100g.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Tea And Sympathy Bath Bomb

For someone who considers them self to be fairly intelligent, I don't know why I didn't think about the ingenious concept of bathing alongside a tea bag or two. Known for being incredibly detoxifying and softening on the skin, it's the perfect bathing companion, and one that will be making a reappearance alongside many of the cocktails that I concoct in the future.

Tea And Sympathy Bath Bomb is easily one of the most boring ballistics that Lush have ever produced. However, it doesn't need to be particularly attractive when the name is enough to warrant a good many sales. Add in the unique feature of including a tea bag at its core, and you've already appealed to the British mentality - enough to sell a batch or two without too much of a problem.

What immediately struck my about this bath bomb, when it arrived, was that it smelt very different to what I had envisaged. Described as being 'like white and green tea', I was expecting something very two-dimensional and perhaps a little bitter. However, what I found was that this bath bomb was far sweeter and prettier than I had initially given it credit for.

Containing calamine powder and chamomile oil as the two key components, I expected the bath bomb to be very overpowering and medicinal smelling. Instead I found Tea And Sympathy had all of the refreshing, herbal properties of both ingredients, but with a wonderful musky layer alongside this. The olibanum oil really does work its magic at sweetening the chamomile and offering an almost resinous quality to the bath bomb.

While the clary sage is one of the last ingredients, I could really appreciate the prevalent herbal thread that is featured because of this. Despite the fact that every component works in harmony with each other, you can definitely make out each ingredient individually as well, which makes this one of the prettiest smells that I have experienced from Lush in a while.

Having said this, the bath bomb still wouldn't win any awards in the tub. Upon contact with the water, Tea And Sympathy begins to froth and fizz, and it doesn't take more than a couple of minutes for the product to dissolve completely. While puddles of white froth and bubbles pattern the surface, these disappear very quickly, and you are left with a very boring-looking bath. This bath bomb does not colour the water at all, and if it wasn't for the lovely smell radiating off of the water, and the single tea bag floating across the water, you wouldn't really be able to tell that you've used a product in there at all.

In it's defence, the bath bomb is rather moisturising and softening, without being at all greasy. The inclusion of the tea bag definitely helps to purify and detoxify your skin during bathing, and you'll find that your pores will feel much clearer afterwards. 

Having said that, I found that the fragrance faded during my experience, and after using a couple of stronger products, I was no longer able to detect the smell at all. Furthermore, the aroma didn't permeate my skin enough to leave any sort of impression afterwards either.

Overall, this bath bomb is definitely one you have to try, but perhaps not one you need to rush out and buy. Although its not one that I need to have at all times in my life, I would definitely say that adding a couple of colours to Tea And Sympathy would make it far more appealing, and one that I would be far more inclined to buy.   

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Soya Milk Powder, Calamine Powder, Perfume, Chamomile Blue Oil, Olibanum Oil, Clary Sage Oil, Water (Aqua), Chamomile Tea Bag, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 42090, Colour 19140.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £4.25 each.

Year Of Original Release: ?