If there’s one thing that most Lush fans have in common, it’s our love and excitement of colourful bath bombs. Most consumers make their way into the world of Lush through the Bath Bomb section first, and most human beings love a good show, while enjoying one of their favourite pastimes: bathing. While Lush are renowned for being superior than most other other brands, when it comes to their bath products, the company still enjoy designing new concepts and pushing even more boundaries when it comes to how a bath bomb can manipulate colour; unique features of product design; and different ways they can perform in the water. It is only natural then, that the company have decided to start integrating super-sized versions of favourite bath bombs into seasonal releases, because who doesn’t want their favourite product quadrupled in size? Giant Golden Wonder Ballistic is exactly what it sounds like: the Christmas best-selling bath bomb magnified for one hell of a festive soak. Almost six times the size of the original, this limited edition is surprisingly not as heavy as you would imagine - but works a dream at creating a haven of colours and smells to indulge yourself with. Lush describe the original Golden Wonder as 'a pass the parcel gift – each layer has something different to offer. This is not for a quick bath because it takes its time, this bath bomb. Its layers of golden lustre, dazzling colours and soluble gold stars are a wonder to behold.' It really is a feast for the senses! Designed to smell like an old Lush favourite, Snow Showers Shower Jelly, this ballistic contains a mixture of sweet orange oil, cognac oil and lime oil – a delicious citrusy concoction guaranteed to perk up anyone suffering from the winter blues. For anyone who hasn’t used anything in this extended scent family, Golden Wonder offers a light, spritzy aroma that reminds me of white grape combined with a dash of sweet, orange juice. It’s a fruity scent that does have a fizzy quality to it, which is where the idea of smelling like a glass of Bucks Fizz comes from. Much like the original Golden Wonders, this one Immediately starts to fizz upon contact with the water. Surprisingly, this one was able to float throughout the entire experience, although it did tend to balance on one of its corners as opposed to resting top side up. Much like its original brother, this Bath Bomb started out by sending waves of creamy white and yellow froth that dissipated slowly across the water. As the ballistic continued to work its magic, small parts of it broke away to reveal swirls of beautiful vivid blue that spread quickly across the tub and greater a wonderful shade of green. This ballistic also contains edible gold lustre and soluble paper stars, which gave the bath a magical sparkle that stayed until the end. Whilst I could see the lustre circling underneath the surface while I was bathing, very little remnants remained on my skin afterwards, and a simple spray from the shower hose was enough to wash away any excess left in the tub. For £12.95, this is quite a hefty investment, and one I think is more suited to a one-off novelty factor than anything else. Despite its size, the Bath Bomb doesn’t offer a stronger scent, a more vivid bath or a more moisturising experience, so its more for super fans to indulge in a unique experience before the ballistic disappears for another year. Overall, the bath water felt silky-soft and gentle on my skin, and the scent, though slightly fainter than when the ballistic was unused, was still zesty and warming. This fragrance stayed throughout the entire bath and left a hint of citrus on the skin afterwards, which is exactly what I needed to perk me up for the day. Having said that, you can get all of this after using a regular-sized Golden Wonder as well, so this is definitely more suited to super fans who want a one-off experience, or those looking to buy something different and unique for Christmas. Quantitative Ingredients:Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis), Cognac Oil (Vitis vinifera), Lime Oil (Citrus aurantifolia), Water (Aqua), Cream of Tartar (Potassium Bitartrate), Glycerine, Titanium Dioxide, Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides), Sodium Laureth, Sulfate Lauryl Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, DRF Alcohol, Mica Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Iron Oxides, Citronellol, *Limonene, *Citral, *Linalool, Fragrance, Blue 1, Yellow 8, Orange 4, Red 27. Vegan?: Yes. 2017 Price: £12.95 each. Year Of Original Release: 2017.
This is what Lush are all about: products that question and educate; that raise awareness and uncover the grit that others are trying to suppress. This is why I stand and support Lush, because not only do they educate me on political affairs that I might never have heard of otherwise, but primarily because they're the voice for the voiceless. They stand for causes worth fighting for, and do it because they genuinely care about having an impact. Almost three years ago, British father of three, Andy Tsege was kidnapped and taken to Ethiopia, where he is currently being held on death row. He is not able to see his family, neither has he been granted access to a lawyer. His human rights have been stolen from him and all he can do is await his fate. March 20th 2017 will mark his 1000th day behind bars. What is frustrating (but not exactly shocking) is the fact that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has the power to negotiate a possible safe return to the UK for Andy. Yet, so far, the British Government have failed in its duty to ensure that he is reunited with his family. Every penny made from the sale of the Buy One Set One Free Bath Bombs (minus the VAT) will go towards Reprieve: an organisation that offers free legal and investigative support to some of the world’s most vulnerable people: those facing execution, and those victimised by states’ abusive counter-terror policies – rendition, torture, extrajudicial imprisonment and extrajudicial killing. This includes Andy's case to be freed from execution, and brought home to his family. On a far lighter note, this bath bomb is an exclusive opportunity for fans of The Smell Of Freedom perfume, to enjoy something else in this same scent. And what a marvel it is. Packed full of heady jasmine; sweet, woody orris oil; and fruity lemongrass, Buy One Set One Free Bath Bomb is a resinous, well-rounded, smoky aroma. Firstly, I must say that the fragrance is perfectly suited for this format: I'm surprised Lush haven't done something like this before. You can smell all of the different components in this ballistic, despite the format usually hindering fragrances from reaching their full potential. The jasmine offers a gentle floral sweetness, while the fir free oil wraps a light smokiness around the former. Together, these two components offer something both fresh and smokey - warming and exotic. Both the lemongrass and the neroli are fairly subtle in the mix, and although you can smell the presence of both, neither stand out as being overly strong or dominating. Although I would usually slate bath bombs such as this, which are fairly boring to watch and look at in the water, I appreciate the reason why such a product has been released and this is enough for me to appreciate the gesture. In the water, Buy One Set One Free fizzes across the surface, releasing plumes of pastel peach colour into the water. While the fragrance isn't at all potent, it did manage to hold up during my experience in the water. I was able to smell this throughout, even when I was using other products to clean myself with. Furthermore, it left a very subtle sweet, woody scent on my skin as well, which I topped up with a dash of The Smell Of Freedom. Overall, this bath bomb offers something that Lush have never done before, while also bringing to light a very serious and equally important cause. This bath bomb has not only educated me on a situation that needs to be addressed by those in power, but has also, on a more lighter note, helped me to fall in love with this fragrance all over again. Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Jasmine Absolute, Orris Oil, Fire Tree Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Neroli Oil, *Citral, *Eugenol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl, ionone, Perfume, Colour 15510. Vegan?: Yes. 2017 Price: £3.95 each. Year Of Original Release: 2017.
When the Lush Kitchen was still in full swing, this bath bomb appeared on the menu one week and was thrust into my radar for the first time ever. While I pride myself in knowing about the majority of Lush products released across the years, there are still some that manage to remain hidden until the company unleash them onto the world again. Unbeknownst to me at the time, this product would cement itself as one of my favourite bath bombs of all time - perhaps the only bath product that has genuinely given Lord Of Misrule a run for its money. Deep Atmosphere has a name that means business. Described be Lush as one for 'acquired tastes', I wasn't initially all that interested in what this bath bomb had to offer. The inclusion of oakmoss absolute, tarragon and chamomile leaf gave me the impression that this would smell similar to that of Tramp Shower Gel - which although something that I enjoy at times, is not a fragrance that bowls me over in any formats. As soon as the bath bomb arrived however, I immediately fell head-over-heels in love with the limited edition, and greatly regretted only buying the handful that I did. Despite its ingredients list suggesting otherwise, I would say that this bath bomb is very much like Lord Of Misrule - minus the vanilla but with a sweet, musky layer that must come from the combination of violet leaf absolute and distilled cedar leaf. While I expecting something far more potent and herbal, I was both surprised and incredibly grateful to experience something so beautifully rich and exquisite. It is the inclusion of the pine that I think not gives this bath bomb a scent similar to Lord Of Misrule, but that which also gives this bath bomb its made note of fragrance. The pine oil offers a sharp, sweet green layer that immediately conjures up images of forests in my mind; the cedar leaf and orris root add a musky sweetness reminiscent of parma violets combined with a touch of floral. Not only would say that all of the layers work in unison with each other perfectly, but Deep Atmosphere is one of those bath bombs in which each note is equally matched. While I can pick out every component individually for this review, there is not one that I would say is stronger than the others - before or after it's been added to water. In the water, this bath bomb immediately begins to fizz and dissolve - sending out waves of spring green across the surface of the water. Within seconds the tub is filled with a bright, uplifting colour that matches the robust aroma that elevates itself around the bathroom, and minutes later the bath bomb is all put dispersed. What I noticed immediately, upon stepping into the tub, was that the water was incredibly smooth. Although there is nothing in the ingredients list that suggest the ballistic would be all that moisturising, my skin felt nourished and smooth within minutes of submerging myself under the water. This feeling carried on long after I had exited the bath, along with the scent - that lingered on my skin for a good hour after I had towelled myself down. The inclusion of the chamomile not only supported the tarragon in giving Deep Atmosphere a delicate but refreshing herbal smell, but helped me make this a very relaxing bath bomb. Once I was settled in the tub, I found it very difficult to want to leave. Moreover, after using one of these a little before I went to bed, gave me a much better sleep than what my body is normally privy to on a daily basis. My only qualm with this bath bomb was that it created a greenish-yellow mark around my bath tub afterwards, and I had to scrub away the stain before it became a permanent feature. Having said that, I would (and still have been) using this bath bomb over and over again, as it is easily one of my all-time favourite products. While the Lush Kitchen is no longer producing its weekly menus, I very much hope that this little gem makes itself present at some point again in the near future. This is one of only a handful of bath bombs that I would be happy to stock up on, and I would take full advantage of doing so if the opportunity arises. Look out Lord Of Misrule: your number one spot might not be a secure as you think. Quantitative Ingredients: Bicarbonate Of Soda, Citric Acid, Perfume, Siberian Pine Oil, Oak Moss Absolute, Cedar Leaf Distilled Over Orris Root, Tarragon Oil, Chamomile Oil, Violet Leaf Absolute, Crocin, Colour 61585. Vegan?: Yes. 2017 Price: £3.95 each. Year Of Original Release: ?
My first impression of this year's Christmas range was that I was rather disappointed by the lack of new bath bombs. While there seemed to be enough bubble bars to bring down Santa's sleigh, the two bath bombs that featured amongst these did not do much to excite me about the range as a whole. Having said that, I should point out that the 2017 seasonal collection over all is perhaps far more impressive than it has been for years. Christmas Sweater confused me for two reasons. Firstly, as a British company, I assumed that they would have chosen the more appropriate term 'jumper', as that's what most of us Brits would have related to more. And secondly, the list of ingredients rang alarm bells for me because they seemed far too familiar. As it turns out, this seasonal ballistic is very nearly a replica of my least favourite bath bomb ever: Fizzy O' Therapy, albeit far more attractive. In fact, the only difference between the two, scent wise, is that this latest edition features the inclusion of Sicilian lemon oil, which adds a subtle hint of fruitiness to the occasion. For those not familiar with my terrible experiences of Fizzy O' Therapy, you should know that it is not the scent that deters me from using it. While the design might not be particularly attractive, it is the sewage-coloured water that sends alarm bells ringing, and the gritty consistency that has me running in the opposite direction. When it comes to Christmas Sweater, neither of these two are relevant, and in fact I happen to think that this bath bomb heeds some of the most stunning bath art that I've seen in a long time from Lush. With a yellow core and red outer shell, this seasonal ballistic creates beautiful rainbows of colour that pattern the surface of the water, and the deep shade of red that the water transpires into afterwards is gorgeous. Having said that, the fragrance is very similar to the aforementioned bath bomb above, and the effect it has on you is equally familiar. Smell-wise, this bath bomb offers a gentle but very warming fragrance. From the start, you can smell the sweet, spicy layer of cinnamon. It is not anywhere near as 'hot' as it is in Cinders Bath Bomb - instead offering a gentle and very comforting herbal layer. Alongside this, the ginger gives the bath bomb a delicate note that is almost floral, while both the cloves and lemon oil round the fragrance off with a sweet and subtley fruity smell. Despite the bath bomb featuring many quite potent ingredients, I was surprised to find that the overall affect is quite a subtle one. This is not a bath bomb that will blow your socks off; this is one that will gently ease them from your feet and coax the warmth back into your bones. This is a wonderful remedy to enjoy after a long, hard day at work. What is great about Christmas Sweater Bath Bomb is that not only does it smell like a winter wonderland, but that each ingredient has been added to stimulate the muscles, release the tension and banish the chills that you may be harvesting in this often unforgiving season. Although this bath bomb isn't the most nourishing one that I'd had from Lush, it does leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and moisturised - enough to banish those dry areas brought on by the harsh conditions outside. While I'm not looking forward to the colder weather setting in, I do know that I'm now prepared for what to use, if and when that eventually happens.
When this mysterious purple and cream jelly bath bomb appeared at the Lush Showcase earlier this year, nobody realised it was the face of something big that Lush had been working on behind the scenes. The fact that it was probably one of the company's most flimsiest bath bombs was irrelevant at the time: everyone was fascinated by the fact that it was innovative and different...and also incredible messy. Fast forward a few months and the company have re-released a much sturdier, less crumblier Ectoplasm, while still retaining its beautiful scent and product design that initially held my interest in the first place. I'll go as far as to say that out of every single jelly bomb I have tried to date, this is by far my favourite one. First and foremost, the name itself is a spooky insight into the inspiration behind the very first, original jelly bath bomb. In the supernatural world, an ectoplasm is a 'viscous substance that supposedly exudes from the body of a medium during a spiritualistic trance and forms the material for the manifestation of spirits.' In Lush terms, this transcends into a limited edition bath bomb that likes to expel a goo-like substance across your water and manifests itself into a ten minute scrub after the tub has been drained. Yes, you heard that correctly. This is yet another of Lush's jelly creations that likes to leave a mess: on you body: across the walls of your tub; and just about anywhere you let it rest while wet. As with most of these jelly bombs, this one does leave smears across your skin that you'll need to ensure are rinsed off, and this one will accumulate a large amount of unmelted jelly at the bottom of your tub, so you will need to clean away the mess afterwards. Having said that, there is something rather special about the smell of this bath bomb, and it is perhaps my favourite fragrance out of all of the jelly bombs. With tangerine and grapefruit oils as the key ingredients, Ectoplasm is a strong, bright and very zesty aroma. While nothing complex or particularly interesting, if you enjoy your citrusy experiences, this will be one you'll want to try out for yourself. It's slightly powdery at times, and this almost gives it a richness that other citrus aromas don't necessarily always offer. What is great about it as well, is that the fragrance lingers for a very long time, and I was still able to smell it a good number of hours after I had emptied the tub. As with most of Lush's jelly bombs, the second you pop this one in the water, it begins to expel an almost florescent shade of green foam across the surface of the tub. As the bath bomb begins to diminish a little, vibrant layers of purple begin to erupt from its core, and you end up with a psychedelic coloured bath water. The inclusion of the sodium alginate is what gives this bath bomb its jelly-like consistency, and you'll find that when you run your hands through the water you'll feel a big difference between a regular bath bomb and one such as this. There is no denying that Ectoplasm will leave you skin feeling radiant and silky-smooth, and the effect will last for days. Despite this, I should warn you that, just like each of the other jelly bombs, this one will leave your bath very slippery, so you should be careful when getting in and out of the bath. In addition, this ballistic will also leave puddles of 'goo' that you'll have to ensure is washed away by the end. I found that this jelly bomb didn't leave anywhere near as many smears of gunk across my body, and the majority of the had been rinsed off once I was near finishing. However, there were still a couple of patches that I had to wipe off before towelling myself down, and I still didn't feel comforter washing my hair in the water - for fear of how it would affect my hair. Overall, this is my favourite out of all of the jelly bombs. The scent is strong and lingers on your skin for a good hour afterwards; the presentation and colour of the water is unique and one that I recommend that you experience; the results speak for themselves and you will notice a difference when it comes to the condition of your skin. I cannot say that I plan on rushing out and buying a handful of these to use, as I am still not convinced that they are as reliable and as clean as the regular bath bombs. Having said this, I would not be opposed to using one of these when I want something a little different from the regular range, or if my body needed a magical boost of moisture to replenish the skin. Quantitative Ingredients:Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Sodium Alginate, Tangerine Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Litsea Cubeba Oil, Water (Aqua), Dipropylene, Glycol, *Citral, *Limonene, Perfume, Colour 59040, Colour 45410, Colour 42090. Vegan?: Yes. 2017 Price: £4.95 each. Year Of Original Release: 2017.
Most Lush fans love a new bath bomb to sink their teeth into (not literally I should add!), and this is the first time that this particular gem has made an appearance since 2010. Yet although this ballistic is more of an additional treat on the Lush Kitchen menu this week, the original reason for its creation is what interests me the most. Released as a limited addition even back then, Chameleon Bath Bomb was dressed with not only a beautiful outer coat of glimmering emerald colour, but with a very important message at the same time. All of the proceeds made by this special product was donated to the Animal Protection Agency, who were carrying out a campaign at the time to inform the public, and prevent the domestication of wild animals - a practice that I wholeheartedly abhor. With chameleons being one of the animals most targeted for this practice, it was only right that Lush should choose this creature for the design. And as the company are known for their ever-changing and vibrant displays of colour in the water, it seems rather fitting that this animal was the shape they opted to go for. Containing grapefruit, mandarin and ylang ylang oils as the key ingredients, I was expecting a very bright, fruity fragrance, and was surprised to discover that both of the former ingredients were a little reserved in the overall mix. To my nose, this bath bomb is fruity, and does smell like the tropical juice drink that Lush originally claimed that it did during its initial release. However, there is something rather green and slightly floral about the scent - the ylang ylang definitely makes a stronger impression than it usually does in most other products. Chameleon is very fresh smelling and a little grounded, while still offering that sweet, fruity element as well. The grapefruit gives off a crisp and rather dry fruity note: the mandarin supports this but is definitely the quieter note overall. Weighing about the same as the recently released Rocket Science Bath Bomb, albeit maybe slightly lighter, this ballistic immediately begins to fizz when it touches the surface. While I am unsure as to whether this is a product fault or just the make-up of the bath bomb, but I found that mine immediately sunk to the bottom of the tub, once I had removed my hand from the water. Due to its size, and with it being a fast fizzer, this bath bomb dissolved in a little under a minute, which was a little disappointing as I enjoy watching ballistics decorate my water at a much slower pace. Having said that, I did appreciate the various colours that ebbed from the centre of the bath bomb - I only wish this experience could have lasted longer. Like a firework of colour, Chameleon shoots out vivid streams of blue, fuchsia and green, while also presenting a gentle touch of lustre to bring a slight shimmer to the whole experience. Once the bath bomb has fully dissolved, you are left with a light, pastel-purple coloured water: nothing that is truly spectacular, so I would recommend that you use a bubble bar or bath oil alongside this to intensify the finishing colour. What I was disappointed with was that the aroma tended to disperse and disappeared, once the bath bomb had fully dissolved. I was able to detect a slight hint of both the grapefruit and the ylang ylang, when my nose was pressed against the water. However, this was soon lost when I began using other products to wash myself with. Much like the aforementioned Rocket Science Bath Bomb, I didn't find this one particularly moisturising - any more than a regular bath would offer anyway. While I wouldn't say the experience was at all drying on the skin, I did find that I needed to moisturise afterwards to maintain the smooth, soft skin I am aiming to have. Overall, the original bath bomb was created for a fantastic campaign, and that alone would have been enough to lure me into buying a handful to support the cause. The cute and rather unique design would have cemented this decision as well. Having said that, with it just being a limited edition on the menu, I don't think this would be more than an adorable novelty bath bomb for me, which is why I will only be buying a couple to cocktail with other bubble bars. Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Perfume, Grapefruit Oil, Mandarin Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Water (Aqua), Titanium Dioxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydroxycitronellal, *Limonene, Colour 45410, Colour 42053, Colour 42090:2, Colour 19140:1, Vegan Chocolate Drops. Vegan?: Yes. 2017 Price: £3 Year Of Original Release: 2010.
While Lush are renowned for being superior than most other other brands, when it comes to their bath products, the company still enjoy designing new concepts and pushing even more boundaries when it comes to how a bath bomb can manipulate colour; unique features of product design; and different ways they can perform in the water. It is only natural then, that the company have decided to start integrating super-sized versions of favourite bath bombs into seasonal releases, because who doesn’t want their favourite product quadrupled in size?
Designed to smell like an old Lush favourite, Snow Showers Shower Jelly, this ballistic contains a mixture of sweet orange oil, cognac oil and lime oil – a delicious citrusy concoction guaranteed to perk up anyone suffering from the winter blues. For anyone who hasn’t used anything in this extended scent family, Golden Wonder offers a light, spritzy aroma that reminds me of white grape combined with a dash of sweet, orange juice. It’s a fruity scent that does have a fizzy quality to it, which is where the idea of smelling like a glass of Bucks Fizz comes from.
For £12.95, this is quite a hefty investment, and one I think is more suited to a one-off novelty factor than anything else. Despite its size, the Bath Bomb doesn’t offer a stronger scent, a more vivid bath or a more moisturising experience, so its more for super fans to indulge in a unique experience before the ballistic disappears for another year.
