For those of you who have watched Mary Poppins (and let's face it, who hasn't?), you'll recognise that the name of this soap is reference to the address where George Banks and his children live, when the much-loved nanny turns up and unleashes her magic on the family.
Unfortunately, first impressions of 17 Cherry Tree Lane don't conjure up the same magical experience that the film has to offer. In simplest terms - it just looks like soap. Boring, white, cheap-looking soap, which you'd expect from the local supermarket, but not from a company who specialise in extravagant and unique toiletries. Although there is glitter in the ingredients list, I didn't find any on my slice, so I presume that it's a very small amount anyway.
Sharing it's scent with Rub Rub Rub and the various Sakura-scented products, this soap focuses on the scent of Japanese blossoms - a gentle but fresh combination of citrus and floral - a great soap for the summer months. With lemon oil to tone and cleanse the skin and jasmine absolute, which not only gives the soap a rich, floral scent but also counteracts stress and depression, Lush have definitely thought about the make-up of this product. In addition, orange blossom brings a beautiful uplifting fragrance to the table, and works with the jasmine to give the consumer a far more relaxing experience. Cherry Tree features quite a lot of ingredients - a lot more than most other Lush soaps. This is rather surprising, given it's the most basic-looking soap, and it was a little off-putting to think that I was applying so many ingredients to my skin at once, especially when my skin is used to a more natural routine.
Surprisingly, despite representing a soap you would expect to see in a public toilet, it lathers up really well in the shower and the beautiful scent comes through a lot more with the hot water. I found that I didn't have to massage the bar very much to product enough lather to clean my whole body, so a 100g block of this lasted me a lot longer than other Lush soaps. Furthermore, the scent lingered on my skin for a few hours after I had exited the shower, which was just enough to allow me to enjoy it's smell throughout the morning at work.
Unfortunately, the biggest let down for me was the fact that this soap wasn't very moisturising. Two years ago, I would have stated that most soaps don't tend to soften or rejuvenate my skin very effectively. However, since discovering the likes of Sandstone, Porridge and Miranda, all of which have worked wonders on my body, I've realised that some can work brilliantly in not only cleaning and softening, but improving the condition of my skin as well. Although I recognise the fragrance link with Rub Rub Rub and Sakura, I felt that this was more fruit-orientated and not as crisp as these other products are. I can see how fans of these Lush goodies will probably love this soap, as it's not a bad scent at all. However, as my skin didn't react well to this soap in the shower, and I can think of far better smelling products available from Lush, this is not one I'd consider re-buying anytime soon.
Quantitative Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Perfume, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Titanium Dioxide, Lemon Oil (Citrus limonum), Mimosa Absolute (Mimosa tenuiflora), Orange Blossom Absolute (Citrus dulcis), Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale), Sugar Cube (Saccharum officinarum), Cocoa Powder (Theobroma cacao), Sodium Chloride, Glycerine, EDTA, Tetrasodium Editronate, Golden Glitter (Polyethylene terephthalate and FD&C Yellow No.5), FD&C Red No. 4, D&C Red No. 33.
Vegan?: Yes.
2016 Price: £4.50 for 100g.
Scent Family:
17 Cherry Tree Lane SoapMother Superior Bubble bar
Rub Rub Rub Naked Shower Scrub
Rub Rub Rub Salt Scrub
Rub Rub Rub Solid Scrub
Sakura Bath Bomb
Sakura Perfume
Seanik Solid Shampoo
