Berry Berry Christmas Shower Gel

Despite my aversion to the colder weather,  there has always been something about Christmas that has excited me and drawn me in. The festive season, including all of the wonder smells that I associate with the month of December, are part of that magic, and probably play a bigger role in my celebrations than I even realise myself.

However, when I first gave Berry Berry Christmas Shower Gel a sniff, my immediate thought was that this was not a festive fragrance at all. In fact, this was a scent that I'd expect Lush to bring out during the hottest months of the year - not one I fancied cozying up with on a bitterly-cold winter morning, when I'm struggling to get myself ready for work.

It's safe to say that multiple showers later this limited edition has grown on me significantly, and I now recognise the shower gel for what it is: a scent that is designed to compliment the colder weather as opposed to banishing it altogether.

Packed full of fruity goodness, this seasonal delight boats a cranberry infusion as its base ingredient - a component that not only creates a dry and rather tart aroma, but also offers many wonderful antioxidants to cleanse your skin with - leaving it feeling wonderfully fresh for the rest of the day. A combination of both orange and bergamot oil brings out the citrus element of all three ingredients, while the latter oil also offers a note of green that wraps itself around the fruity fragrance.

While it appears to offer a unique smell, that is only replicated by the naked version of the shower gel, Berry Berry Christmas is very similar in scent to that of Ocean Salt. There is something very crisp about it that awakens and intensifies your senses in the shower. Yet there is also something quite simplistic about the aroma as well. It's one of those smells that leaves you feeling really clean because it's very light, but equally as invigorated.

Much like the naked edition, this bottle of seasonal goodness offers a wonderfully rich emerald-esque coat: one that shimmers in the bottle and produces a gorgeously rich and fluffy lather in the shower. This is perhaps one of Lush's thickest shower gels: it's one that when you squeeze it out, it appears almost like a rubber band, and it'll shoot straight back into the bottle if you don't transfer it onto a hand or a loofer. 

As I said above, you really don't need very much at all to create a thick, fluffy and very fragrant foam to wash yourself with, so this shower gel should see you far longer than some of the runnier ones on offer. In comparison to the naked version, I would expect a 250g bottle of this to be used up a little quicker than the solid edition. However, there are a few other differences between the two that should be noted, when making a choice on which one to go for.   

From experience, I felt as if this version had a stronger, more vibrant fruity aroma. While the naked edition does offer the same smell, I felt as if it was a little more reserved than the liquid edition. For this reason, I found that Berry Berry Christmas Shower Gel left less of an impression on skin - probably because the fragrance wasn't as compact as the naked edition, therefore it 'escaped' far quicker.

Secondly, I felt as if this version was not as moisturising as its naked sibling. While my skin felt soft, smooth and clean after my shower, it didn't appear to be as well-nourished as the solid version left me. Having said this, I did prefer using this liquid gel more because I felt as if I got a better experience of the aroma whilst I was in the shower. 

Overall, I think this is a lovely edition to the Christmas range, and definitely something very different to the usual scents that Lush offer at this time of the year. This is one that I would buy again in the future, and it would be good to see a bath bomb or bubble bar in this scent, in the near future.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cranberry Infusion, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Glycerine, Water (Aqua), Lauryl Betaine, Sweet Wild Orange Oil, Fresh Blueberry Juice, Bergamot Oil, Olive Leaf Absolute, Cornstarch, Lactic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Perfume, *Limonene, *Linalool, *Citral, Colour 42090.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £11.95 for 250g, £19.95 for 500g.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Berry Berry Christmas Naked Shower Gel

Berry Berry Christmas Shower Gel

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Berry Berry Christmas Naked Shower Gel

While Lush have created some questionable products over the years, the idea of a naked shower gel is perhaps one of the coolest and most innovative of the lot. Although they will always receive backlash from many consumers who dislike or even worry about their creativity, this is one of their designs that I just knew would be exceptional. And I wasn't wrong. 

Berry Berry Christmas Naked Shower Gel is a brand new product for 2017 - one of four being made available throughout the Christmas season as limited editions. Coming in at roughly 12cm in height, this solid variation looks rather minuscule next to its liquid sibling. However, from only a few uses, I can already determine that this will probably outlast a 250g bottle easily, as long as it is stored in the correct manner. 

Despite most consumers recognising the need to reduce wastage, many continue to purchase products packaged in plastic or other such materials. Lush have decided to up their game and show the world that you can create impeccable products, whilst making them ethically sound at the same time. 

Although on paper, these naked gels might sound like glorified soap, I can assure you that they do not work as such. For someone who's body is rather opposed to most soaps, this limited edition did not dry my skin out at all. In fact, I found Berry Berry Christmas to be really moisturising on my skin, and I was able to enjoy the benefits of silk-soft skin for hours after I had used it.

Despite its deep, lustre-speckled emerald coat, this shower gel smells very different to the forest-like fragrance that I was expecting. With a cranberry infusion as the base ingredient, this seasonal special combines sweet orange oil, fresh blueberry juice and bergamot oil in a light but super fruity collaboration.

My nose detects both the orange oil and the bergamot oils as the key ingredients. These two intertwine and produce a bright but rather tart citrus aroma - one with elements of green that help to give the gel an almost bitter edge to it. While the cranberry infusion has been included because of its incredible antioxidant properties, and not to add to the fragrance as such, you're still able to detect a subtle hint of dryness in the mix, which I associate with the smell of fresh cranberries.

To use Lush's naked shower gels, they simply need to come into contact with water. Holding them under water for a brief second, or massaging them between two wet hands, will immediately begin to produce a thick, fragrant lather to use all over your body. You can then choose to run the bottle itself across your skin in a circular motion, or produce the lather in your hands and then use these to distribute the foam.

Either way, I was really impressed to find that I didn't need to hold the product for long to produce the amount of lather that I needed to wash my whole body. I was worried at first that the bottle would shrink a lot quicker because of this constant exposure to water. However, I found that I only needed to use Berry Berry Christmas Naked Shower Gel for a few seconds before I was able to rest it out of the way of the running water, and allow it to dry. 

When it comes to storage, it is important that all of Lush's naked shower gels are allowed to dry in between uses. Although I wouldn't advocate leaving them somewhere too warm, they are different from soaps in the fact that they dry very quickly. You don't have to worry about colours running down your bath like a lot of soaps tend to do if they're left.

Having used both this and the liquid version side-to-side, I discovered that the naked format is slightly more rounded in scent, and I didn't detect as much of the orange in the overall smell. In as many words, it's a little more reserved and not as tart as the liquid gel. Having said that, I was able to detect its fragrance for up to two hours after I rinsed it away from my body - which is a little longer than the liquid version was able to do.

Overall, I really enjoyed using this naked product and I'm now even more excited than before to try the other variations. Despite being a massive advocate of Lush's shower gels, I thought that I might oppose to the solid editions as I assumed they would be far messier and less likely to 'keep' for as long as the bottled versions. However, I have faith that I could leave this on the shelf for a good year and it wouldn't lose its scent, or create a mess either.

Although not strictly a Christmas scent, Berry Berry Christmas Naked Shower Gel is a refreshing and equally upbeat fragrance: one that will compliment the colder weather while also banishing those winter blues. This simple, elegant shower gel will not only leave your skin feeling plump and well-moisturised, but its lack of packaging will help you to sleep easier alongside this.

Quantitative Ingredients: Cranberry Infusion, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Stearate, Lauryl Betaine, Sweet Wild Orange Oil, Fresh Blueberry Juice, Bergamot Oil, Olive Leaf Absolute, Cornstarch, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Perfume, *Limonene, *Linalool, *Citral, Colour 42090, Black Wax (Specerit Black Z).

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £11.75 for 240g.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Berry Berry Christmas Naked Shower Gel

Berry Berry Christmas Shower Gel

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Don't Rain On My Parade Shower Gel

I have been saying for years that I would love it if Lush brought out a violet-scented shower gel. As it's a fragrance that the company tend to do really well, I had no qualms about what scent family they chose to replicate - just that they had to rectify the situation quickly so I didn't keep having to sniff my fast diminishing bottle of Violet Nights every time I felt the craving coming on. 

When I initially picked up a bottle of Don't Rain On My Parade Shower Gel at the weekend, I had no idea what to expect, and didn't even find out what it smelled like until I was safely home - my back contorted and my wallet crying from the extensive spending spree I had just put myself through. 

Discovering that this shower gel was violet scented was probably one of the highlights of my day; discovering that it was specifically Violet Nights scented sent me into a spiral of happiness, and I may have had a jig or two about the place while my flatmates looked on with pity. 

Lush state that this shower gel contains violet leaf and vanilla infusion - a collaboration that gives this beautiful shower gel a really creamy, sweet floral fragrance. While the scent is completely different, this shower gel reminded me a little of Twilight as it shares that same sugary, malty goodness that cements it as one of my favourite products from Lush. 

DROMR also features fresh blueberry juice - a natural ingredient that is really great for your skin. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, not to mention the many antioxidants that the fruit is notorious for, this ingredient helps to protect and rejuvenate your skin - repairing dry and sun-damaged pores, softening and moisturising your body and giving you a gorgeous natural glow that will see you through those harsher months.  

To finish off, this shower gel also contains both sandalwood and vetivert oil, both of which add a little complexity to the scent so it has a slight earthy, woody element to it as well. Together, these ingredients create a thick, velvety-smelling violet scent that is out of this world. It bridges that gap between the floral and creamier smells, and it does it perfectly. 

Out of the bottle, this shower gel showcases an interesting shade of turquoise and has a similar consistency to the likes of Ponche and Hot Toddy. As with both of these shower gels, I was expecting the thickness of this one to mean that it wouldn't lather as well as the thinner variations that Lush offer. However, I was very much mistaken. 

This shower gel lathers up perfectly - creating a thick, creamy and very hydrating lather that spreads across the skin with ease. In fact, as it's so generous with how much foam it creates, you need very little with each use. For this reason, I can see this 500g bottle lasting me a good six months - that's not to say that I won't be stock-piling the product however. 

What impressed me even more was how strong the product was and how much of an impression it left on my skin after I had exited the shower. I could still smell this some six hours after I had left the bathroom and it was really comforting to detect the scent on my pillow the next morning as well. 

To put it simply, I am wholeheartedly in love with this shower gel and it could not have come soon enough. If you're still undecided about whether you need a violet-scented shower companion in your life, I suggest you take the plunge and acquire a bottle of this as soon as you can. You won't regret it. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Violet Leaf and Vanilla Infusion (Viola odorata; Vanilla planifolia), Glycerine, Lauryl Betaine, Fresh Blueberry Juice (Vaccinium myrtillus), Perfume, Lactic Acide, Cassie Absolute (Acacia farnesiana), Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Sandalwood Oil (Santalum austro-caledonicum vieill), Vetivert Oil (vetiveria zizanoides), Violet Leaf Absolute (Viola odorata), Ylang Ylang Oil (Cananga odorata), cinnamal, limonene, Linalool, Colour 42053, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Vegan?: Yes. 

2015 Price: £4.75 for 100g, £9.50 for 250g, £15.95 for 500g, £27.50 for 1kg

Year Of Original Release: 2015.

Scent Family: 

Don't Rain On My Parade Shower Gel

Tuca Tuca Candle
Tuca Tuca Liquid Perfume
Tuca Tuca Massage Bar
Tuca Tuca Solid Perfume

Violet Nights Bath Oil 

Read More

Don't Rain On My Parade Shower Gel

I have been saying for years that I would love it if Lush brought out a violet-scented shower gel. As it's a fragrance that the company tend to do really well, I had no qualms about what scent family they chose to replicate - just that they had to rectify the situation quickly so I didn't keep having to sniff my fast diminishing bottle of Violet Nights every time I felt the craving coming on. 

When I initially picked up a bottle of Don't Rain On My Parade Shower Gel at the weekend, I had no idea what to expect, and didn't even find out what it smelled like until I was safely home - my back contorted and my wallet crying from the extensive spending spree I had just put myself through. 

Discovering that this shower gel was violet scented was probably one of the highlights of my day; discovering that it was specifically Violet Nights scented sent me into a spiral of happiness, and I may have had a jig or two about the place while my flatmates looked on with pity. 

Lush state that this shower gel contains violet leaf and vanilla infusion - a collaboration that gives this beautiful shower gel a really creamy, sweet floral fragrance. While the scent is completely different, this shower gel reminded me a little of Twilight as it shares that same sugary, malty goodness that cements it as one of my favourite products from Lush. 

DROMR also features fresh blueberry juice - a natural ingredient that is really great for your skin. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, not to mention the many antioxidants that the fruit is notorious for, this ingredient helps to protect and rejuvenate your skin - repairing dry and sun-damaged pores, softening and moisturising your body and giving you a gorgeous natural glow that will see you through those harsher months.  

To finish off, this shower gel also contains both sandalwood and vetivert oil, both of which add a little complexity to the scent so it has a slight earthy, woody element to it as well. Together, these ingredients create a thick, velvety-smelling violet scent that is out of this world. It bridges that gap between the floral and creamier smells, and it does it perfectly. 

Out of the bottle, this shower gel showcases an interesting shade of turquoise and has a similar consistency to the likes of Ponche and Hot Toddy. As with both of these shower gels, I was expecting the thickness of this one to mean that it wouldn't lather as well as the thinner variations that Lush offer. However, I was very much mistaken. 

This shower gel lathers up perfectly - creating a thick, creamy and very hydrating lather that spreads across the skin with ease. In fact, as it's so generous with how much foam it creates, you need very little with each use. For this reason, I can see this 500g bottle lasting me a good six months - that's not to say that I won't be stock-piling the product however. 

What impressed me even more was how strong the product was and how much of an impression it left on my skin after I had exited the shower. I could still smell this some six hours after I had left the bathroom and it was really comforting to detect the scent on my pillow the next morning as well. 

To put it simply, I am wholeheartedly in love with this shower gel and it could not have come soon enough. If you're still undecided about whether you need a violet-scented shower companion in your life, I suggest you take the plunge and acquire a bottle of this as soon as you can. You won't regret it. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Violet Leaf and Vanilla Infusion (Viola odorata; Vanilla planifolia), Glycerine, Lauryl Betaine, Fresh Blueberry Juice (Vaccinium myrtillus), Perfume, Lactic Acide, Cassie Absolute (Acacia farnesiana), Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Sandalwood Oil (Santalum austro-caledonicum vieill), Vetivert Oil (vetiveria zizanoides), Violet Leaf Absolute (Viola odorata), Ylang Ylang Oil (Cananga odorata), cinnamal, limonene, Linalool, Colour 42053, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Vegan?: Yes. 

2015 Price: £4.75 for 100g, £9.50 for 250g, £15.95 for 500g, £27.50 for 1kg

Year Of Original Release: 2015.

Scent Family: 

Don't Rain On My Parade Shower Gel

Tuca Tuca Candle
Tuca Tuca Liquid Perfume
Tuca Tuca Massage Bar
Tuca Tuca Solid Perfume

Violet Nights Bath Oil 

Read More

Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask

Catastrophe Cosmetic was the very first Lush product I ever bought. Enticed into the shop by the array of gorgeous smells and colourful decor, I was immediately drawn to the multicoloured pots of 'goo' sitting on ice. One in particular, that possessed a gorgeous shade of lavender, was Catastrophe Cosmetic.

Packed full of blueberries, this fresh face mask combines Irish moss gel to soften the skin, almond oil to moisturise and a mixture of rose absolute and chamomile essential oils to soothe away any irritation. This amazing product gives your skin a deep cleanse and rids your pores of any impurities or grease-prone areas. 

I keep this face mask in the fridge as this prolongs its shelf life, and tend to use it once or twice a week to rejuvenate my skin. To use, I smear it all over my weary face and leave it on for about 15 minutes to do its magic. Then I either wash it off with warm water or clamber into the bath and let it fall off under the surface.

This vitamin and mineral-packed face mask tones, soothes and moisturises my skin like no other face mask. It leaves my skin feeling silky smooth and refreshed, and as it's stored in the fridge, provides cool relief on a hot, summer's day.

The mask itself has a pleasant aroma: quite sweet and fruity, and the texture is thick and contains pieces of real blueberries. Unfortunately, this latter point might not work to the product's advantage as the pieces of blueberries seem to get stuck in the plug hole. 

However, once the product is on, it dries within around five minutes, and leaves your skin feeling calm and immediately rehydrated once removed. And unlike most face masks I have tried before, it doesn't dry your skin out or produce an unpleasant tightening whilst it's on.

Given that Lush only have three vegan face masks, I'm not exactly spoilt for choice. However, this is definitely my favourite one yet. It gives my face a natural glow without stripping my complexion of it's natural oils and I will continue to use to improve the condition of my skin. 

What is your favourite Lush face mask?

Quantitative Ingredients: Calamine Powder, Talc, Irish Moss Infusion (Chondrus crispus), Fresh Blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus), Glycerine, Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia), Chamomile Oil (Anthemis nobilis), Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus dulcis),Limonene, Perfume, Colour 18050.

Vegan?: Yes.

Price: £6.50

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