EuropaFb: Apple

Showing posts with label Apple. Show all posts

Apple To Repatriate $350 Billion From Overseas Back To The U.S. Economy

Apple CEO Tim Cook says the iPhone maker's repatriated profits will result in a $38 billion US tax payment and generate $350 billion in economic activity

CNBC: Apple announces plans to repatriate billions in overseas cash, says it will contribute $350 billion to the US economy over the next 5 years

* Apple says the new tax law will help it will contribute $350 billion to the U.S. economy over the next five years.
* It says it will create 20,000 new jobs and open a new campus.
* Apple expects to pay about $38 billion in taxes for the horde of cash it plans to bring back to the United States.

Apple on Wednesday made a slew of announcements about its investment in and contribution to the U.S. economy in part because of the new tax law.

The headline from Apple is that it will make a $350 billion "contribution" to the U.S. economy over the next five years, although it's unclear exactly how the company came to that number.

The company also promised to create 20,000 new jobs and open a new campus.

It said it expects to pay about $38 billion in taxes for the horde of cash it plans to bring back to the United States. This implies it will repatriate virtually all of its $250 billion in overseas cash.

Read more ....

Update: Apple says will pay $38 bn in taxes on repatriated profits (AFP)

WNU Editor: Apple is already the largest taxpayer in the U.S.. One can only imagine the enormous economic benefits that such a transfer of wealth from overseas to the U.S. economy will bring .... and I am willing to bet that Apple will not be the only company doing this. The global economic and geopolitical impacts from changes in U.S. tax and regulatory should never be underestimated .... and Apple is a perfect example of this point.

So White Body Spray

Apple, Bergamot oil, body, body spray, limited edition, neroli, orange, orange flower absolute, Rose

So White is a scent that can steal my heart one moment, yet inspire next to no reaction from myself the next. In some formats it's like a dream to use, and I'll happily buy a handful to stash away for future months; yet there are other products in the scent family that I cannot wait to get rid of within moments of using them for the first time. Luckily, this body spray sits more with the former than the latter.

Lets be honest and say that this fragrance has been a long time coming. Having been lucky enough to score a bottle of the liquid perfume a few years back, I knew that this fragrance had to make a reappearance at some point. And with the Christmas range offering two brand new So White scented goodies this year, now is a good a time as any to introduce a portal spray to supplement and support the other products in the seasonal collection.

Containing bergamot, Brazilian orange and neroli oils, not to mention orange flower and rose absolutes, this body spray does not read at all like the fragrance it produces from the bottle. As most fans will already know, So White is known for its sweet, crisp and very natural apple aroma, and this liquid spray continues to offer the same, compelling aroma.

Imagine biting into a Granny Smith apple: how light, fruity and fresh the smell is, and you may begin to understand how natural the scent of this is. It's a very natural and very refreshing smell, yet there is also a subtle element of floral underneath that gives the scent of this a little more weight behind it. The inclusion of the neroli offers a subtle note of green, which is what aids the natural, apple aroma; while the orange flower absolute brings about a gentle cloudy note to ground the fragrance and give it a little more depth than simply smelling like an apple.

What I didn't like about So White Body Spray is that the smell from the bottle, and the initial spray, has a rather potent note that almost appears to echo that of the inclusion of the alcohol. When I first used this on my skin, I was put off by this element, and although I was able to smell the So White scent alongside this, the aroma was a little acidic for my liking. However, once you've given it a few minutes to settle on the skin, and begin to work with the heat of your body, you'll find that this element disperses really quickly, and leaves you with a beautiful, refreshingly-fruity fragrance to enjoy.

Surprisingly, So White lasted for a good 2-3 hours on the skin, which is impressive for a scent that is so uplifting and light. Furthermore, I found that the aroma lasted even longer when sprayed on clothes, although it did lose a little of its radiance as it clearly works better with the heat of your skin.

When compared to the seasonal body lotion and naked lotion, this spray is probably a little fruiter on the senses and a little less sweeter overall. I found that it complimented the lotions perfectly, but I could clearly smell a difference between the two. Having said that, I think So White Body Spray is closer to the aforementioned products than the Bath bomb, and the ballistic is far more musky and if so fruity.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed using this limited edition body spray. For those fans (new or old) who have fallen in love with the lotions or Santa's Belly Shower Jelly this year, or those old-schoolers who are trying to find a replacement for this year's absence of the bath bomb, So White Body Spray is a great way to fill that void. This is a great fragrance to use all year round: I can imagine a lot of people will be stocking up for the summer months, and rightly so. While it's not my favourite Lush fragrance, I can appreciate how and why this limited release will be popular, and I suggest you grab a bottle if you can.

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Water, Perfume, Glycerine, Bergamot Oil, Brazilian Orange Oil, Rose Absolute, Neroli Oil, Orange Flower Absolute, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £15 for 200ml.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Once Upon A Time Body Lotion
Once Upon A Time Naked Body Lotion
Santa's Belly Jelly
So White Bath Bomb
So White Body Spray
So White New 2016 Edition Bath Bomb
So White Liquid Perfume

So White Shower Gel

Who Would Pay $999 U.S. For A Smartphone?

Apple

CNN: Apple's iPhone X: Face ID, no home button, $999

Ten years after the launch of the first iPhone, Apple has revealed the iPhone X.

It has no home button, scans your face to log you in and costs $999.

The company unveiled its anniversary edition smartphone, alongside the iPhone 8 and its bigger sibling, the iPhone 8 Plus. To introduce the iPhone X, Apple CEO Tim Cook uttered the classic line at its annual press conference: "One more thing."

"We have great respect for these words and don't use them lightly," said Cook, adding the new phone would set the path for technology for the next decade.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Watched the Apple live event .... and I said to myself .... no way am I going to spend $1000 USD ($1400 Canadian with tax) on a smart phone. Within the past hour I received the following texts. The GF wants one for Christmas. Her daughters (whose birthday's are coming up) want one as a gift. My brother .... who lives in Silicon Valley .... just told me that these phones would be a great gift for his family for Christmas. And 3 of my cousins in Russia want to know if I can buy a few and ship it to them. #!@$#$@#!$%

Update: Of course .... no one is offering to give me this phone as a gift for Christmas. :(

Once Upon A Time Naked Body Lotion

Almond, Apple, body, Body Lotion, Christmas, christmas 2017, cocoa butter, Grapefruit, jojoba, Lime, limited edition, murumuru, naked, Seasonal, Skin

Whether or not Lush's naked wave will continue to expand over the coming months, Christmas 2017 will definitely be remembered as the season when the company solidified everything. This is first year that the company have offered naked versions of their seasonal range, and while the initial release was met with resistance, most consumers have since recognised that there is something to the concept.

Once Upon A Time was the first solid Body Lotion that I ever tried - only because I mistook it for a body conditioner and realised soon after my shower that I'd made a huge mistake. While it wasn't the worst experience in the world, I wouldn't say that most humans need to be that heavily moisturised in a single session.

While the naked version is same size as the normal version, this naked body conditioner is far lighter than the 100g tub. Yet it lasts just as long as the small pot, and boasts many properties that makes it equally pleasant as its sibling.

Firstly, I found the smell of this far more pleasing on the senses from the get-go. Although not as strong as the liquid version, Once Upon A Time Naked Body Lotion has a wonderful, crisp apple aroma that tantalises your tastebuds immediately. Just like all of the other products that share the same fragrance family, this one offers a naturally sweet fruity smell unlike any other apple-scented products on the market right now.

What you'd think would be a light, summery smell, actually works incredibly well in the colder months, and leaves your skin with a little added radiance that we all need during the harsher weather. The inclusion of the apple infusion not only creates the delicious fragrance, but helps to add shine to your skin, while removing excess grease and dirt at the same time.

To apply, you can either massage this directly across your skin, or between the palms of your hands and then transfer it onto your body that way. I found it easier to do the former, although I should warn you that don't want to completely cover your skin with it. Sliding it over most parts will create enough 'lotion' to then distribute across the rest of your body. The naked tub then needs to be stored somewhere cool and dry, preferably with a piece of grease proof paper underneath so that it doesn't leave any sticky marks. Just like a massage bar, this product will dry almost instantly when it's not exposed to your body heat, so you don't have to worry about it melting when left unattended.

What I found with the naked version is that the consistency of the lotion is far thinner than that of the regular variation. In fact, I thought that this limited edition was almost like a massage bar - as it produces more of an oil-based lather as opposed to a cream. However, it is certainly not as sticky as a massage bar can be, and would definitely suit those who opposed lotions that take ages to absorb into the skin.

When compared to the regular lotion, this one only takes a matter of minutes to full permeate the body, and what you're left with is a slight glint that coats the skin for a short time afterwards. This product is not as all sticky, and I certainly wouldn't call it greasy either. However, I would allow five minutes for the lotion to absorb into the skin before reapplying any clothing.

Secondly, I found that the naked version wasn't as moisturising as the regular edition. The effects of this product only really felt as if it lasted an hour or so, and I needed to reapply to get the deep moisturising feeling that I wanted. While the fragrance was a little sweeter and to my nose a little nicer than the liquid lotion, as it was slightly less potent to begin with, it faded far quicker when on the skin.

Having said that, I found that this version was easier to glide across the skin, and far far more enjoyable to do so. Furthermore, I found that I needed less of this product to moisturise my whole body with, so although it feels and looks smaller than the 100g tub, both would probably last similar lengths of time.

Despite this, the affects of both editions were fairly short term, and I found that I needed to reapply the lotion a few times a day to help keep my skin looking radiant and feeling as nourished as I was hoping it would. As I said in my other review, I noticed my hands in particular felt rather dry only after an hour or two of using Once Upon A Time, so I don't know how well this would work for my skin type when the weather gets very harsh.

Overall, I do really appreciate Once Upon A Time Naked Body Lotion and will continue to use it daily to give my skin the natural radiance it is currently lacking. I think I may even double this up with the liquid version - using this as an afterthought to add give my skin a little extra glean in the winter months.

Quantitative Ingredients: Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Apple infusion, Fair Trade Shea Butter, Murumuru Butter, Japan Wax, Spring Water, Perfume, *Limonene, Carnauba Wax, Organic Illipe Butter, Grapefruit Oil, Sicilian Lemon Oil, Lime Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Almond Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylphenyl, Methylpropional, *Citronellol, *Eugenol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, *Linalool, *Citral, Coumarin, Colour 42090:2, Colour 19140:1.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £7.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Once Upon A Time Body Lotion
Once Upon A Time Naked Body Lotion
Santa's Belly Jelly
So White Bath Bomb
So White Body Spray
So White New 2016 Edition Bath Bomb
So White Liquid Perfume
So White Shower Gel

Once Upon A Time Body Lotion

Apple, body, Body Lotion, Christmas, christmas 2017, Grapefruit, jojoba, Lemon, Lime, limited edition, murumuru, Seasonal, Skin

Once Upon A Time there was a Lush fan who didn't like the So White Bath Bomb at all. She had no idea why the boring ball of bicarbonate of soda continued to make an appearance every Christmas; why Santa's Belly Shower Jelly was such a big seller during the seasonal period; and why So White Shower Gel caused such excitement when it was released in the Kitchen. But in 2016, the company revamped the bath bomb slightly: a small change that ignited a new-found love of the ballistic for her, and opened up an interest in the scent family a little more than she had previously felt.

For 2017, Lush have released two brand new limited editions that are guaranteed to leave your skin feeling truly magical: Once Upon A Time Body Lotion and Once Upon A Time Naked Body Lotion. Both sharing the same fragrance, these seasonal releases are a big step away from the usual warm, spicy scents that dictate the Christmas range. And while they're similar in many ways, there are also differences that will divide So White fans when it comes to which they prefer.

Once Upon A Time Body Lotion is made using an infusion of apple, grapefruit, lemon and lime oils. While on paper it sounds like a zesty and rather citrusy affair, the aroma you get from this product is very different than some people would expect. It is the apple infusion, along with its ability to brighten and detoxify the skin, that dominates the overall smell, and Lush have done well to capture the very essence of the fruit, in its natural form.

Much like the shower gel and jelly variations, this body lotion offers a crisp, fruity apple aroma. As I said in my other reviews, the smell reminds me of freshly-picked and washed Granny Smith apples - a bright, crisp and very naturally sweet aroma that offers an almost cooling effect on the skin because of how light and fresh it smells.

As with all of the products in this family, this is one of Lush's most natural fruit scents, although there does appear to be a very subtle 'perfumed' element to the body lotion that gives the overall smell a little more depth and a touch of what I would describe as a floral component. However, it is the apple fragrance that dominates overall and offers something far superior to any apple-scented products that I have ever experienced in my life.

Pastel-green in colour, Once Upon A Time is a Lotion of medium thickness, meaning that while it doesn't absorb into the skin immediately, it doesn't take more than about 5-10 minutes to permeate the surface and leave you feeling dry enough to apply clothing over the top. What is great about this Lotion is that you don't need a lot to cover your whole body, so my 100g tub is still almost completely full, despite using it multiple times this month.

As with all body lotions, you only need a small amount on your fingers before massaging it in a circular motion across your skin. From the tub and on the body, Once Upon A Time offers a very strong aroma - much like Santa's Belly, if I'm going to compare it to anything. It's almost slightly sharp in scent when you initially apply it, and I find it almost smells acidic and rather plastic- like in the tub, although this settles down very quickly once it begins to get to work.

In fact, for who strong it was to begin with, I was rather disappointed to find that the scent didn't stay on the skin for more than about 30 minutes in my case. Whether the subtlety of the lotion meant that my nose wasn't able to detect it, whereas other people around me could, I'm unsure. However, it would have been much more enjoyable if the sweet apple fragrance had worked better with the heat of my skin and lingered around for longer.

What I did find with this lotion was that it left my skin feeling a little more moisturised than the solid edition, although not overly so. While I wouldn't use the word 'sticky' to describe the feeling, I felt as if my skin was a little more plump and slightly damper after using the liquid edition. Furthermore, the fragrance stayed around for longer, albeit briefly, than that of the naked edition.

On the other hand, I found that this version wasn't as easy to glide across the skin as the solid version demonstrated, and I needed to use more of this to ensure that I had moisturised myself as efficiently as I had done with its naked sibling. Having said this, the affects of both editions were fairly short term, and I found that I needed to reapply the lotion a few times a day to help keep my skin looking radiant and feeling nourished. I noticed my hands in particular felt rather dry only a couple of hours after using Once Upon A Time, so I don't know how well this would work for my skin type in the colder months.

Overall, this is a lovely edition to the So White range, and definitely one that will win over the hearts of those who are missing the bath bomb this year. While I love the smell in this format - in fact, I think the fragrance suits this product more that any other in the range, I just wish that the fragrance of this lasted a lot longer than it does. While I won't be stocking up on this before the Christmas season ends, I will continue to enjoy my tub of Once Upon A Time while it lasts me.

Quantitative Ingredients: Apple infusion, Almond Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Glycerine, Murumuru Butter, Stearic Acid, Perfume, *Limonene, Organic Illipe Butter, Triethanolamine, Grapefruit Oil, Sicilian Lemon Oil, Lime Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, *Citronellol, *Eugenol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, *Linalool, *Citral, Coumarin, Colour 42090:2, Colour 19140:1.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £7.95 for 100g, £13.95 for 225g.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Once Upon A Time Body Lotion
Once Upon A Time Naked Body Lotion
Santa's Belly Jelly
So White Bath Bomb
So White Body Spray
So White New 2016 Edition Bath Bomb
So White Liquid Perfume
So White Shower Gel

1000 Millihelens Jelly Face Mask

Apple, Face, green tea, kaolin, Lemon, limited edition, lush summit, Mask, neroli, Skin, Witch hazel

One of the biggest problems I have with Lush is their constant need to invent new products. This may sound rather strange, given that you'd normally expect to find me revelling in new releases. However, I have more of an issue with the fact that many of these new inventions never see the light of day, or if they do, they're likely to be made in very small batches and only available to those lucky enough to be there at the time. For someone who has a compulsion and a need to experience everything that comes out of the company, this is a practice that I feel uncomfortable with.

When I attended the Lush Summit event earlier this year, I was apprehensive about the fact that the company had five brand new face mask inventions available to sniff, hold and experience right there and then. However, not one of them was available for sale at that particular moment, meaning that I had to walk away knowing that there was a product in existence that I wasn't able to try. Luckily for me, I was finally able to obtain four out of the five of them later that day, which helped to relieve the uneasiness that I had been feeling up until that moment.

1000 Millihelens is one of a handful of exclusive new jelly masks that have just recently made themselves available in stores. The first of its kind, this brand new invention is an exciting leap for Lush, who have only been known to release fresh face masks up until this point.

While there current range of masks are far superior to any other mask I have experienced outside of Lush, my only issue is the fact that they offer the shortest shelf life out of every other Lush product available to buy. What first struck me about each and every one of the five new jelly masks, is that they appear to have an extended use by date of up to a year - which is a 1100% increase when compared to the regular masks.

After using the face mask near on every day for a matter of weeks, I have also concluded that the longevity of this product far outweighs that of its predecessors. Whereas a normal pot would give me on average about 6-8 uses, I found that the jelly variation had barely shrunk after my tenth use, and I could easily envisage getting upwards of another twenty uses out of it, if not more.

The basic premise of the jelly face mask is that you could can utilise it in one of two ways. Firstly, you have the option of using it in the same way as you would a regular shower jelly, albeit on the face. You can either add a little dash of water between your palms, massage it to create a gentle lather and then apply this to your face; or you can ensure that the jelly is wet and then massage it directly across your face. This way will heed a very light layer of product on the skin, although it's still enough to get impressive results from the mask.

Secondly (and the way that it was meant to be used) is to break off a small grape-sized piece, use a small amount of water to massage the jelly into a paste-like consistency, and then apply it directly to the face. This will give you a much thicker layer of production on your skin, and perhaps works slightly more intensely overall.

Either way, what you will notice is that this mask is not as heavy or as noticeable as the regular face masks are. You wont be left with a really thick layer of product on your skin, like you would normally expect to. Instead, your face will harvest a thin layer of product, that you then leave on for the usual twenty minutes, before washing off.

Having chosen 1000 Millihelens to try out first, I was really impressed by the fragrance that greeted me from the tub. Sharing its scent with the Johnny Appleseed Bath Oil, this bright, fruity apple-dominated mask is delicious from the word go. Featuring witch hazel to soothe and relieve irritated skin, green tea to detox and purify the pores, and kaolin clay to remove unwanted grease and dirt, this powerhouse of ingredients is lighter and far sweeter than any of Lush's other masks. For those who have not experienced this bath oil before, 1000 Millihelens smells like a combination of expensive apple juice with a gentle layer of herbal green tea alongside this.

Based on Helen Ambrosen, this face mask also features lemon oil to add radiance to your complexion, making it super effective but equally gentle on the skin. What I really appreciated about this face mask was that it was far easier to use than a regular face mask, and I was able to apply it after jumping in the shower, rather than set time aside to so before I could wash myself.

After washing this off, I was initially disappointed to find that my skin didn't feel as plump or as well-nourished as the likes of Oatifix or Don't Look At Me. However, I discovered that this product was more of a 'grower' - in that it worked more subtlety over time, so that my skin felt far softer and smoother half an hour after I had rinsed it off.

I feel as if this mask would be suited for most skin types. My complexion is what I'd describe as normal to dry, and my skin was left feeling very radiant and smooth afterwards. The inclusion of the green tea infusion really help to clean out my pores of any dirt or debris; the apple gave my complexion a natural shine that stayed with me for the most part of the day. For those with slightly greasier skin, you may find that the different clays will help to absorb excess oils as well.

Overall, I am really excited about the idea of these being made for shop release. The jelly face mask is a unique concept that won't (and shouldn't) replace replace the regular face masks, but definitely makes a very different and more cost effective alternative. I look forward to seeing what other variations may transpire in the near future.

Quantitative Ingredients: Green Tea Infusion, Glycerine, Propylene, Glycol, Kaolin, Zeolite Clay, Fresh Apple Juice, Talc, Carrageenan Extract, Sicilian Lemon Oil, Neroli Oil, Brazilian Orange Oil, Witch Hazel Extract, Water, Geraniol, Perfume, Chlorophyllin.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £6.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
1000 Millihelens Jelly Face Mask
Johnny Appleseed Bath Oil

Fizzbanger Bath Bomb

Apple, Bath, Bath Bomb, Christmas, cinnamon, Lemon, popping candy, ylang ylang

Fizzbanger, much like So White, is one of those bath bombs that tends to get overlooked because it's not very visually attractive. However, just like So White, it's one of those bath bombs that has a lot to offer.

Known as the 'Big Friendly Ballistic', this bath bomb is inspired by Roald Dahl's BFG. As the blues and yellows whirl and froth around the tub, and the popping candy adds the sound effects, you cannot help but imagine the wonderful fantasy world of Dahl's best-beloved character - making you instantly fall in love with this product.

The ballistic contains cinnamon leaf oil, Petitgrain oil, ylang ylang oil and gardenia, which meant that I was expecting a spicy, floral scent. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I found that the bath bomb smelt more like lemon green tea than anything else. There's a very refreshing element to the lemon scent here, and sides more with the natural, savoury lemongrass fragrance than the likes of sweet smelling lemon products such as Lemslip Buttercream or Bohemian Soap.

When I did some research, I also discovered that this bath ballistic shares it's scent with Lush's perfume, Love, which I had on hand to compare. Although I could smell the similarities there, I feel that the perfume has a stronger scent, which means it's not as fresh smelling as the bath bomb but it's equally as beautiful. It also means that the layers of the fragrance are more pronounced in the bath bomb, making it more enjoyable and relaxing for the user.

Lush claim that the bath bomb has been created with the apple part of the fragrance for the outer layers and cinnamon notes as the inner core. I was impressed then when I popped this bad boy into the water and could detect the different layers of scent as they made themselves known.

When dropped into the water the ballistic begins to dissolve very slowly leaving a trail of yellow foam on the surface of the bath water. This is when I was able to make out the fruity, apple scent - one that differs from So White by having a slightly sour element to it. As it continued to dissolve, mounds of deep blue foam began to spew out of the ballistic and this caused the water to change from a yellow colour into more of a turquoise shade. As the two colours continued to froth across the surface, they created an abundance of magical swirls of vibrant colour across the water, which in turn turned the water into a gorgeous shade of green underneath the foam.

As if that wasn't magical enough, this bath ballistic also features popping candy inside, and while the bath bomb was throwing colour across the tub, you could also hear the crackle and pop of the candy getting to work at the bottom of the tub. Just when I thought the experience was over, Lush surprised me once more by including little pieces of paper with the word 'bang' etched on them, which made their way to the surface to found off the whole magical experience.

Although some may argue that these little touches are pointless, I think it makes Lush even more endearing and enjoyable for the user, and I really appreciated the gesture.

On the negative side, the scent did seem to fade quite quickly once the bath bomb had fully dissolved and by the end, it was very weak indeed. However, I was in the bath I loooooooong time, so it more than served it's purpose and it could just be because I had become accustomed to the smell that I could no longer detect it, when in fact it might have still been there.

After getting out of the bath, my skin felt really lovely and soft. The scent did linger on my skin for quite a while but it wasn’t really a strong scent and was soon overpowered by my body lotion. It would work in Lush's favour if they were to bring out a cream in the same scent as not only can I see it working really well in that format, but it would also be the perfect accompaniment for this bath bomb.

This is not one of my all-time favourite bath bombs, but it is definitely one I want to indulge myself in again and again. This would be lovely first thing in the morning to perk you up for the day ahead, or in the summer time when you need to revitalise your senses after a hot day.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Popping Candy, Cream of Tartar, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Water, Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Petitgrain Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Cocamide DEA, Lauryl Betaine, Coumarin, *Eugenol, *Linalool, Perfume, Colour 42090, Colour 19140.

Vegan?: Yes

2015 Price: £3.35 each.
2017 Price: £3.95 each.

Scent Family:
Fizzbanger Bath Bomb
Lonely Hearts Bubble Bar
Love Apple Bubble Bar
Love Perfume
Love Potion Massage Bar

Love Potion Massage Bar

Apple, Bergamot oil, body, Body Lotion, cocoa butter, Discontinued, Jasmine, lemongrass, Lush Kitchen, Massage Bar, Rose, Skin, ylang ylang

It was only a few months ago, that I began using massage bars as an alternative to body lotions. At first, I was a little hesitant to make that switch, as I was unconvinced that a slab of solid oils could properly moisturise my skin in the same way that liquid lotions could. However, the more I've been using these bars recently, the more I've realised that they have perks that outweigh that of a liquid alternative. Just one of the benefits that I can think of, is that there is something rather therapeutic and relaxing about using a massage bar. It really helps to de-stress your entire body and mind, perhaps due to the pressure that you apply to your body when you rub on the oils.

Love Potion Massage Bar is perfumed with Lush's best-selling Love fragrance; a light, sexy apple scent with citrusy top notes and a strong jasmine undercurrent. Released as a limited edition Valentine's Day product back in 2012, the bar was one of the first to be sold with the addition of cornflour in the ingredients list. As well as the soft, melty cocoa and Shea butters, the flour was added to absorb any excess oils left on your skin after application. This means that you can moisturise and soften your skin without worrying about it being left greasy.

I was lucky enough to win two of these massage bars a few months back, and to begin with I was worried that they would be 'past' their shelf-life. However, I was pleased to discover that they were just as potent smelling and fresh as if they had been newly-bought that day.

The Love Potion is set apart from other massage bars because of it's appearance; a milky-cream coloured bottle shape with a baby-pink shaped heart etched into the middle. Its smell hits you immediately, before you've even began to use it; freshly baked cinnamon and apple scones - a rich, warm and spicy scent with just a hint of citrus tang. There are elements of jasmine here, and of ylang ylang and rose, but these ingredients all play a subtle part in helping to layer and deepen the overall fragrance of the bar. I absolutely loved the smell and found that it lingers on your body for a good few hours after using it.

To melt the bar you can either rub it between the palms of your hands and then smear the oils onto the areas of your body you wish to moisturise. Or you can run the bar over your skin, after you've had a bath or shower, and then massage the excess liquid into your skin. The combination of different butters and oils helps to leave your skin feeling really smooth and soft after application, although I did find the consistency of Love Potion to be a little stickier than some of the massage bars I've used recently. I would like to point out however, that this latter point could have been caused by the age of the massage bar, and I'd have to try a fresher one to compare it to mine.

The product shares it scent with Lush's unique Love Perfume, a favourite amongst Lush fans. I happen to own a bottle of the perfume myself, and was able to compare the difference in scents between the massage bar and it's liquid sibling. What I found was that perfume seemed to harvest a much stronger citrus scent, which is somewhat overpowering when it's sprayed onto your skin. Although it's still a lovely smell, I much prefer the scent of the massage bar as it's a lot easier to pick out the different layers of smells that have been used, making it a more homely, comforting fragrance.

Ultimately, this is a product I would love to use again. Although the scents are very different, it reminded me a little of Artemis Cream Body Lotion in the fact that it's a very comforting smell. Love Lotion really did feel less greasy and oily than other massage bars, yet it still moisturised my skin just as throughly. The inclusion of Rose and Jasmine absolute not only helped to padden out the overall fragrance, but added a calming element which helped to reduce both the tension in my muscles and any stress that I was harvesting in my mind at the time. As I mentioned above, it's a very therapeutic experience, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would definitely buy this massage bar if it was released again.

Quantitative Ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Cornflour, Apple Blossom and Orris Root Infusion, Fair Trade Olive Oil, Kaolin, Perfume, Fresh Carnation, Bergamot Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Lemongrass Oil, Rose Absolute, Ylang Ylang Oil, Magnesium Carbonate, Snowflake Lustre, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Cinnamal, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Famesol, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Colour 73360.

Vegan?: Yes.

2015 Price: £7.25 each.

2016 Price: £7.25 each.

Year Of Original Release: ?

Scent Family:
Fizzbanger Bath Bomb
Lonely Hearts Bubble Bar
Love Apple Bubble Bar
Love Perfume
Love Potion Massage Bar