Christmas Rocker Soap

This soap brings me back to the M&S advert a few years ago, when the company tried to convince everyone that their products were exceptionally better than everyone elses. The ingredients list reads like a dessert, and I cannot help but think: If Lush made dessert, it would be the best dessert that the world has ever seen.

What I find really strange is that this soap has caused quite a lot of controversy regarding what customers are proclaiming it smells like. At the risk of sounding crass, Christmas Rocker supposedly smells like a certain male bodily function - although I’m going to be honest and say that I don’t really experience that at all myself.

Amusingly, a lot of Lush fans are also convinced that the odd fragrance was no mistake at all, and that it’s all an elaborate joke from the powers that be. This stems from the tag line that sits alongside the product on their website, which reads: m ‘Come one...come all’. Whether or not you suspect it’s a deliberate attempt at something far more satire than usual, there is no denying that the evidence points to this conclusion. 

As its name suggests, Christmas Rocker is carved out in the shape of an old-fashioned rocking horse, which fits in nicely with the Victorian theme that the seasonal range is leaning towards this year. Although small and seemingly more expensive than other, chunkier pieces of soap, you’ll be pleased to hear that the product is rather rigid in the shower, and will last you just as long as a piece of a bigger size.

Christmas Rocker Soap is not only the cutest one this year, but it also happens to be the best newcomer (in my humble opinion.) Containing dried apricots, mandarin, tangerine and bergamot oils, this limited edition sounds like a bowl of the most exquisite fruit sorbet, and I for one would be all over that idea. 

While the ingredients list reads like The Brightside, I was happy to discover that it did not share the same scent. Although I love that fragrance more than most, customers have already been treated to a soap in that scent with last year’s Sunrise Soap, so I’m glad we had something different to indulge in.

Firstly, my nose picked up quite a strong, tangy orange aroma - a little like a bitter orange that’s been peeled with the pith still intact. The bergamot is clearly at work here - throwing in a little green note to give it more of a fresh, natural aroma. Alongside this, there is a bitter element, which I think comes from the apricots and the bergamot combined. However, there is also a note of what I can only describe as musk. While I wouldn’t assume the cocoa butter would be potent enough to impact the smell, it does smell like an element of this has bled through into the fragrance.

What I found with Christmas Rocker is that it’s far more pleasant once it has come into contact with warm water. I couldn’t really detect much of the scent while it was sitting on the edge of my bath. However, the second I began massaging it across my skin, I could pick up a far better fruity smell to enjoy. While I wouldn’t say this was a scent that I appreciated that much, it’s definitely not as terrible as people have been saying it is. It’s just a little bit average and forgettable, if anything.

Despite its odd smell, Christmas Rocker worked up a treat - creating a creamy, fragrance lather to massage across my body. It produced a bright orange foam, which you need to be careful about not splashing anywhere while you’re washing yourself, and left my skin feeling rather soft and radiant.

While the scent didn’t stay on my skin afterwards, I was surprised to discover that the inclusion of the butter and oils did make this soap a little gentler on my body, and I wasn’t left with really parched skin - which I often experience after using a lot of soaps. Much like most of Lush’s new gourmet soaps, this one also dissolved rather quickly when I kept it under the running water during use. For this reason, I would suggest you get it damp and then clean yourself out of the way of the running tap. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this soap and don’t really understand why so many people have expressed their dislike of the fragrance. Although I can understand why consumers might reach the conclusion about what the soap might smell like, I think there are far too many other components that make it a nice soap. Having said that, a ‘nice’ soap is not one that will be remembered in a few months time, and I can’t imagine why this would make an appearance again.

Quantitative Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Dried Apricots, Sodium Hydroxide, Perfume, Mandarin Oil, Tangerine Oil, Bergamot Oil, Gardenia Extract, Glycerine, Titanium Dioxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 15510.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £4.50 for 100g.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

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Running Man Reusable Bubble Spinner

As my review of Lush's original bubble spinner stated a few months ago, I was not particularly enamoured with the concept or the scent that it offered. As a teacher, the fidget spinner (and all of the problems that came with it) was the bane of my existence for a few months at the start of the year. However, I recognise that Lush like to stay in-keeping with the latest trends, so I understand the demand for it. 

Designed around one of the Cosmetics To Go catalogue covers, Running Man is the second fidget spinner bubble bar to come from the company. For those unfamiliar with Cosmetics To Go, this was the name of Lush before they changed their name. Back when the internet was a fairly new concept for online shopping, Lush would sell their products in both their shops as well as send out mail order catalogues for people to purchase products. One such cover featured a design similar to this bubble bar.

Running Man features a combination of lemon, mandarin and bergamot oils, and orange flower absolute, which offers a scent that Lush state supposedly shares its scent with The Olive Branch fragrance. While I can see the similarly in the scents, I wouldn't say that this is a direct replica of the scent at all, I found the orange flower absolute was more prominent in this format that any other.

For those not familiar with this smell, The Olive Branch is a gentle floral scent with light citrusy notes that create a sort of perfumed aroma. The bergamot oil adds a very gentle green aroma as well, which normally merges with the inclusion of vine leaves to give the aroma a slight Mediterranean smell.

Much like the other bubble spinner, this reusable bubble bar should be held under the running tap, where the water supposedly stimulates the movement of a bubble spinner and turns the product. Unfortunately, while the inclusion of the wooden centre is a great, environmentally friendly idea from Lush, I didn't find that I could get my spinner to work at all. While not really much of a problem, I would have appreciated at least a little movement before my experience.

On the positive side, as soon as Running Man comes into contact with the running water it creates lots of light, fluffy bubbles. However, the combination of blue and yellow turned the water a murky shade of green, which wasn't the most attractive of experiences. Having said this, the bubble is generous in the fact that this product could easily be used across at least two different baths, making it cheaper than a bath bomb for each use. 

As with all of Lush's reusable bars, I didn't find this one anywhere near as moisturising as a regular bubble bar. The water, when using these types of products, always feel slightly less nourishing than that of a bath bomb, and this was no exception. After using this, I either needed to add a bath oil into the water, to soften it a little more, or apply a body lotion afterwards to retain that moisture.

Overall, this is a fun, novelty product for those who have children - especially those that are hesitant to take a bath. However, the original bubble spinner is still the more endearing and most effective of the two, and I can imagine many people opting for that one over this one. Had The Olive Branch scent being more predominant in this product, I might have enjoyed this a little more, but I'll stick to my regular bubble bars from now on.

Quantitative Ingredients: Lemon Oil, Mandarin Oil, Bergamot Oil, Orange Flower Absolute.

Vegan?: Yes. 

2017 Price: £4.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

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Plum Snow Bubble Bar

If I'm going to be honest, I was a little bit disappointed when I first saw the Christmas range this year, and noticed how few new bath bombs there were on offer. While I love bubble bars and seem to have collected far more of them than their spherical friends, most of my highest-rated bath bombs are the seasonal ones, and I was hoping to discover a few more favourites this year.

Yet, it only took me a matter of minutes after my order arrived to discover that the bubble bars on offer this season are impeccable, and easily the best range that Lush have offered in a good many years. Not only does this gorgeous looking specimen share its scent with the popular Plum Rain Shower Gel, but it also happens to be even bigger than the rather huge Man In The Moon Bubble Bar.

While this is one of two bubble bars priced up at a hefty £5.95, Plum Snow is definitely worth an investment. Containing a combination of petigrain, mandarin and osmanthus, this bubble bar offers a sweet, fruity collaboration - one that may initially appear rather subtle, but definitely makes an impression in the water. 

Much like the shower gel, this bubble bars smells to me like stewed plums and mandarins. It's a very warming, comforting blanket of aroma that makes your senses salivate immediately. After using this product, I just fancied making myself a traditional English crumble, which isn't particularly great if you're trying to watch your waistline. However, this bubble bar should serve as a healthy alternative.

When compared to the shower gel and spray, I would say that it is more like the latter out of the two. While not exactly alike, it does have more of a bright, citrusy element and is less grounded than the shower gel. Having said that, it is definitely not as 'spritzy' as said former spray - although together they are a sublime pairing.  

Despite its size, it's a big old softy, and you'll find that this bubble bar will crumble with ease between your fingers. In fact, if like me you sometimes crumble what you want to use from the whole bar and then put the rest aside, you may wish to cut your slice beforehand, as you'll find that you may use more than you bargained for. 

Once crumbled under the tap, Plum Snow gets to work at producing lots of light, fluffy fruity bubbles that stay with you for the whole experience. Furthermore, the water turns a brilliant, vivid shade of purple and the water is exceptionally soft to boot.

After bathing with this bubble bar, I found that my skin was not only velvety-soft to the touch, but had a radiance about it that stayed with me for a good many hours. While the scent might have diminished only a short while after I had towelled myself, my Plum Rain Body Spray allowed me to enjoy this scent for the remainder of the day.

As I probably know by now, I tend to use an entire bubble bar when I have a bath. Even with the size of this one, I still indulged in my greedy tradition. Having said that, this bubble bar could easily offer 4-6 separate bathing experiences - making it great value for money. For fans of this fragrance, all we need now is a bath bomb to pair this seasonal bubble bar with and we'll be one happy family. Lush: take note.  

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Cream of Tartar, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Osmanthus Absolute, Petitgrain Oil, Sicilian Mandarin Oil, *Citral, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 17200, Colour 42090.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £5.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Hedgewitch Soap
Plum Rain Body Spray
Plum Rain Naked Shower Gel
Plum Rain Shower Gel
Plum Snow Bubble Bar

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Icon Liquid Perfume

After years of pining, I finally managed to snag myself a bottle of Icon Liquid Perfume - an occasion that should have been marked with happiness and elation. Instead, I found myself rather disappointed when I removed the lid and found that I didn't appreciate the smell that greeted me at all. It was nothing like I remember the soap being, and this was devastating. Even spraying it onto my skin heeded little comfort to me, and I began to question whether I had truly loved the soap as much as I had remembered I had. That was until I left the fragrance to settle and develop on my skin, and discovered that a little patience is all it takes to bring this aroma we very much to life.

Sharing its scent with the soap of the same name, Icon Liquid Perfume is a product that has a lot to live up to, given the nature of its title. Anything less than near-on perfection would be inadequate for a fragrance of its calibre, and luckily it doesn't disappoint.

Much like the soap, what I love about this smell from Lush is that it's so incredibly complex and robust on the skin; it's not a perfume that's merely worn, but instead one used to make a statement. A bold one at that. If you're looking for a signature scent, this fragrance ticks every box and leaves a lasting impression - one that will turn heads and no doubt inspire many a compliment.

Strangely, the ingredients list appears fairly simplistic, and almost boring when compared to the aroma Icon offers. Featuring bergamot, tangerine and mandarin oils as the key ingredients, you'd be mistaken for thinking this is similar to the likes of What Would Love Do? or 1000 Kisses Deep. In fact, the perfume probably wouldn't be too far off either if it wasn't for the inclusion of the myrrh resinoid - a component that I truly believe makes this perfume as special as it is. 

Lush describe the smell of Icon as having 'lots of deep, heavy layers which build up to make the whole sound, with high light notes dancing up above it'. While this description may be rather cryptic about the actual smell of the fragrance, it's a good description of how the perfume works on the skin. For me at least. 

Firstly, much like the soap, I was able to pick out a spicy, mandarin fragrance that gave this perfume a warming, sensual layer to it. This note reminded me a little of crystallised fruit peel (also known as candied peel) and so Icon to me is a very wintery scent because of this reason. There is definitely a delicate spicy element present that teases and tantalises your senses, whilst it is working with the heat of your skin, and offers a very sophisticated twist to the usually quite bitter fruit. 

With the inclusion of both sandalwood and myrrh resinoid in the ingredients, this perfume also has an element of smokiness about it - something you'll either love or hate. Although very subtle in the overall smell of the soap, this pungent, woody, smoky smell definitely dominates the scent as a whole - sitting comfortably as the base note and encouraging that rich, sultry Iconic aroma to captivate the user. In hindsight, it is only through the inclusion of the orange blossom and mandarin oil that stops Icon from being too heavy a scent. These citrus notes give the soap subtle uplifting qualities that help to elevate all of the other ingredients and give them all a chance to shine through.   

From the bottle, the myrrh is far too dominating and over zealous on the skin, and I can imagine many people will be deterred from using it for this reason. However, within five minutes of it being sprayed, that's cloudiness to lifted and you are left with a wholesome, very comforting aroma that is both delicately sweet and wonderfully rich and complex.

As I mentioned above, Icon is one of Lush's most interesting and charismatic fragrances, and one that definitely needs to be tried and tested by anybody who calls themselves a Lush fan. It's truly unforgettable and remains one of my favourite scent families from Lush - if only the company would offer us a shower gel or jelly to divulge in.

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Perfume, Bergamot Oil, Water, Glycerine, Tangerine Oil, Sicilian Mandarin Oil, Myrrh Resinoid, Orange Flower Absolute, *Citral, *Geraniol, *Farnesol, *Limonene, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £39.50 for 30ml.

Year Of Original Release: ?

Scent Family:
Icon Bubble Bar
Icon Dusting Powder
Icon Liquid Perfume

Icon Soap

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Chameleon Bath Bomb

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.

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Brightside Solid Perfume

 

For those who have read a lot of my reviews on solid perfumes, you'll know that I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with them. While the premise behind their design is one that I stand by, and I love how long a 12g tub lasts when compared to the liquid counterpart. However, I don't think many of the solid perfumes have ever successfully replicated a liquid version of the same scent, and as I love my Lush fragrances, this is rather disappointing.

However, as far as solid perfumes go, Brightside is up there as being one of the best. Not only does it represent the scent of the original bubble bar well, but it has a fragrance that withstands a lot more than most of the other solid perfumes that I have tried. In fact, this is the first solid perfume in a long while that I've actually found myself wearing day in, day out.

What first impressed me about Brightside Solid Perfume is the well-rounded and very robust fragrance that greets you from the tin. Usually, when I sniff most of Lush's solid perfumes, I find that I can detect somewhat of a waxy layer underneath, that ruins the experience for me. Whereas liquid perfumes don't have this issue because of the format they're in, solid perfumes are always going to have to battle with these base-level smells, which is part of the reason that I don't enjoy them as much as their liquid counterparts.

Despite this, Brightside is perhaps one of the most successful solid perfumes to date. Although I wouldn't say that it smells exactly like the bubble bar, there are enough traits here to make it recognisable. Having said that, out of this and the body lotion format, I actually believe that this has a closer connection to the bubble bar scent, and here's why.

Just like the bubble bar, this solid perfume contains mandarin, tangerine and bergamot oils. Upon opening the lid, you can detect all three of these from the start - each layer intertwined with the others to create a warm, fresh and very fruity aroma. 

It is both the mandarin and the tangerine that gives off the strongest threads here - offering a refreshing, juicy burst of citrusy goodness that smells very natural and sweet. The bergamot oil adds a subtle layer of what I can only describe as smelling of 'green', which is the the component that I think is what gives this perfume its longevity on the skin.

As I mentioned above, this solid perfume doesn't smell identical to the bubble bar: I think the format difference doesn't allow it to be as sherbety or as strong.  In fact, there is a small part of my senses that sees a resemblance between this and The Sun Solid Perfume, in some small way. However, I can definitely detect the magic of The Brightside shining through here, and fans of the bubble bar will no doubt appreciate what I mean by this.

What is impressive about this solid perfume is that normally smells of this calibre don't tend to last that long on the skin. Citrusy, fruity aromas tend to disperse fairly quickly, when exposed to the air. However, this one works with the warmth of your skin for a good couple of hours before it has fully faded and needs a top up.

For those unfamiliar with solid perfumes, there are many ways that you can  utilise them, and Brightside is no exception. The primary use is as a perfume - massaging a little into your pulse points and allowing the warmth of your skin to  stimulate the notes and leave you smelling wonderful. Although not as potent as a liquid perfume, solids are great to 'top up' a smell throughout the day, although they can be used by themselves.

Sometimes I even massage a little into the ends of my hair and use them as hair perfumes. I find that the hair tends to hold the smell longer than it does on the skin, and you'll stimulate a burst of fruity goodness every time your hair is caught by a breeze. My hair has even been known to benefit from this practice as the waxes and oils add a little moisture to my split ends and leaves them shiny.

Ultimately, The Brightside is as wonderful as fans of the fragrance would want it to be. While I know it'll be far more successful in liquid format, this is a good product to have until that dream is made a reality. Fruity, fresh and fun: this solid perfume is just in time to see the summer arrive, and Lush fans will be much better for it.  

Quantitative Ingredients: Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Candelilla Wax, *Limonene, Perfume (synthetic), Mandarin Oil, Tangerine Oil, Bergamot Oil, *Citral, *Farnesol, *Geraniol, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £9 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Brightside Body Lotion
Brightside Bubble Bar
Brightside Solid Perfume

Sunrise Soap

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The Brightside Body Lotion

It took me a matter of seconds to fall head over heels in love with The Brightside Bubble Bar for the first time, and a similar time frame to feel a heavy disappointment settling over the fact that it was only going to be available for a limited amount of time. When Lush later announced that it was being made a permanent member of their family, the elation I felt was a little higher than I should probably care to admit.

If there is one thing I love about Lush, it's their ability to turn many of their most lovable scents into an array of different formats: each one offering something a little different to the other products that have come before it, while still retaining the original essence that made you fall in love with the fragrance in the first place.

When Brightside was announced as one of the five body lotions coming out during the 'voted for' week, I was ecstatic. While I was slightly disappointed that a shower gel wasn't heeded from the results, I couldn't deny that the mere thought of having anything new in this format was enough to keep me happy. With summer just around the corner, I felt as if it was the perfect time to bring out something so bright and uplifting to use.

As I was expecting, the lotion sold itself to me immediately from the tub: the familiar collaboration of mandarin, bergamot and tangerine drifting up my nose the second the lid was removed. I won't deny that I spent a good five minutes soaking in the fragrance - my nose so far into the pot that I left multiple imprints on the surface as I was doing so. 

For fans of The Brightside, the scent of this is everything you could ask for. Thick and wholesomely fruity, this lotion is bursting with the bright, uplifting citrusy aromas that you would expect. Perhaps slightly less zesty than the Bubble Bar, this body lotion smells like a fruity yoghurt or a freshly-made orange torte.

The citrus elements of this body lotion are natural-smelling and mouth-wateringly good; the bergamot adding almost a slight 'twang' of green to the aroma as well. This latter component makes itself known a little more on the skin, where it offers something not unlike the tartness you get from the pith of an orange. Furthermore, there is a very subtle hint of cocoa butter, once the lotion has been applied, and this gives Brightside Body Lotion a delicate wholesome appeal when in use.

The product itself is one of Lush's most thickest lotions. A little like Sympathy For The Skin, Brightside has to be really moisturised in, to ensure that you're not left with any residue on the surface. Once applied to the skin, you will need to give the product a good ten to fifteen minutes to be absorbed, as the lotion tends to leave a mild stickiness on the surface for a short while.

On the positive side, this limited edition is really effective at immediately helping your skin to look and feel so much better. My body looked instantly more radiant upon application, and my skin also felt quite plump and full. For someone who forgets to moisturise a lot of the time, this would be a fantastic lotion to use a couple of times a week, to offer the skin a deep, nourishing session and replenish some of the moisture that may have been lost. For this reason, the lotion would be great for the summer months, when the scorching sun can leave your skin needing some serious replenishing.

Given the nature of this lotion however, some people may find that it will be a little too much to use during the hotter days. As the lotion is fairly heavy, sweating while adorning Brightside may leave you feeling even stickier than usual, and so I would suggest that this is a lotion to wear overnight. Having tried this for the last few days, I found that this body lotion really improves the condition of your skin, and helps it to retain moisture throughout the day. However, using it overnight meant that I was able to go without a lotion during the day, while still possessing beautiful, clear, radiant skin. 

As if that wasn't enough, The Brightside also helped to elevate the base tan that I have been working on, and I received a number of compliments from colleagues about the lovely shade of colour I had on my arms.

The only negative aspect that I found about this body lotion was that the scent didn't seem to last that long once on the skin. In fact, unless your nose is highly sensitive, you probably won't be able to detect this much after the first hour of application. This is where a Brightside Liquid Perfume would be the perfect remedy to keep the fragrance going.

Overall, I am very happy that Lush have chosen to bring this out as a limited edition. This is one of my favourite fruity aromas, and I'm always appreciative of new formats in which to experience these smells. I will definitely be buying myself another tub of this in the future, and I can only hope that more cosmetics in this fragrance make an appearance in the near future.

Quantitative Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Almond Oil, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Glycerine, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Mandarin Oil, Tangerine Oil, Bergamot Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, *Citral, Coumarin, *Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Methylparaben Propylparaben.

Vegan?: Yes.   

2017 Price: £13.95 for 225g.

Year Of Original Year: 2017.

Scent Family:
Brightside Body Lotion
Brightside Bubble Bar
Brightside Solid Perfume
Sunrise Soap

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Plum Rain Body Spray

My heart almost skipped a beat when I learnt about the numerous body sprays that there making themselves available across various stores earlier last month, and this wasn't just because I have a real interest and passion in collecting 'Lush smells.' While many of the ones released were fragrances I already owned in perfume format, there was one that stood out as being a potential 'all-time favourite'...

Plum Rain made a huge impression on me when it first made itself known as a shower gel last year in the London Flagship store. Not only was the colour one of the most wonderful shades that Lush have ever created, but the smell was incredible. Fresh and wholesomely fruity, the release was a hit in my house - so much so that I went out the very next day and bought myself another 500g bottle.

Fans of the shower gel will be pleased to hear that the body spray is equally as beautiful, and lends itself well to this format so well. Containing osmanthus, pettigrain and mandarin oils, this is a fragrance that is perfectly suited for the warmer months, which is surprising because I feel as if the shower gel is better equipped for the colder months.

From the very first comforting spray, I was bowled over by how refreshing and how natural the scent presents itself as. On the one hand, it smells exactly like a freshly-squeezed mandarin, with the osmanthus oil offering notes of peach and apricot to pad out the smell and give it a little more depth and complexity. At the same time, the pettigrain offers a well-versed burst of 'greeness ', which doesn't constrict or alter the fruity components, but instead adds a subtle layer that gives this spray a very natural feel about it. Without trying to diminish how natural and delicious it is, there is a small part of me that would describe this spray as smelling a little like tropical Fanta.

While similar, I do feel as if Plum Rain Body Spray is not a direct replica of the shower gel. There is something a little less constricted about the spray: something that makes it lighter and more appealing in my eyes. Like a fresh glass of freshly-squeezed juice, this spray is deliciously fruity and will have you salivating from the start. Although it may be nondescript for those who prefer heavy, complex smells, I for one believe that this one excels because of its simplicity.

Retailing at £20, this spray is less of an investment than a 30ml bottle of perfume, making it outstanding value for money and one I am not afraid to use over and over and over again. Having used it multiple times a day for the past few weeks, I can honestly say that this 200ml spray will outlast any bottle of perfume you may have, and then some. Furthermore, the longevity I experienced whilst wearing this was equally as impressive. Two sprays will easily heed a good three to four hours worth of fragrance, and I would often be able to smell it on my coat and scarf after a full day at work - meaning it has the potential to linger for seven to eight hours at time. This is surprising given how little fragrances of the fruity kind usually tend to last on the skin. 

Plum Rain has certainly secured itself as my number one summer scent this year, and I shall be wearing this most days between now and the end of the warmer months. Refreshing, delectably fruity and wonderfully crisp, this is the perfect fragrance to compliment the warmer weather, and you'll feel delicious each and every time you choose to indulge. An incredible release from Lush.

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Water (Aqua), Perfume, *Limonene, Glycerine, Osmanthus Absolute, Petitgrain Oil, Sicilian Mandarin Oil, *Citral, *Geraniol, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes. 

2017 Price: £20 for 200ml.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Hedgewitch Soap
Plum Rain Body Spray
Plum Rain Naked Shower Gel
Plum Rain Shower Gel
Plum Snow Bubble Bar

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Lava Lamp Egg Bath bomb

If we excuse the fact that this limited edition looks like the extended head of an alien creature, we can still appreciate the craftsmanship that went into designing and creating both this season special, and the original Lava Lamp Bath Bomb that first made an appearance back in 2015. 

Appearing as one of the exclusive, limited editions on the opening day of the flagship store on Oxford Street, this gorgeous looking bath bomb was one of the most exciting purchases of the day. That was until I tested it out in the bath for the first time and was horrified to discover that it painted both my skin and my entire tub, and it took a good hour of scrubbing to remove the purple debris that was left behind. 

After a short disappearance, it was back for sale the next year - staining visibly reduced, and in 2017 was tweaked so that it could play a starring role in the Easter egg collection that the company chose to go with for their seasonal range. 

Sporting both the same concept and the same fragrance, this bath bomb is only different in shape, and is also a little heftier in size. Just like the original, Lava Lamp Egg sports an orange facade with three circular, purple discs plotted across the surface. As the name suggests, this bath bomb is designed to replicate a lava lamp, and does so when these blue discs begin to melt in the water and create tiny threads of oils across the surface of the water.

Whereas these oils would once linger around the edges and on your skin - staining near on everything in sight, the oils in this bath bomb don't seem to have the potency anymore, and can sit on your skin before being washed away with ease. However, I will say that if you have any limescale around the outside of your tub, these oils may still cause unwanted smears if precaution isn't taken.

Made from a combination of orange flower absolute, tangerine and mandarin oils, Lava Lamp Egg is a bright, refreshing and highly fruity creation. Immediately upon removing it from its bag, I could smell a beautiful and very sweet orangey aroma. In fact, the fragrance it gives off is almost identical to that of Brazilliant Solid Shampoo - a strong but not overly zesty citrus smell that is reminiscent of the orange starburst sweet.

As soon as you pop this bath bom into the bath, it begins to fizz noisily and sends out a tide of orange colour across the tub. As the bath bomb dissolves, the three purple discs that have been held in place, break away and begin to release streams of oil that writhes and dances on the surface of the water. It doesn't take long for the tub to be filled with a deep orange water that seems instantly warming and inviting. 

Whereas a lot of fruity fragrances can dispel quite quickly once the product has dissolved, I found that Lava Lamp Egg Bath Bomb had much more longevity than I was expecting. Whether the size of the other components used to create this product, I felt as if the water appeared thicker and far more robust, and there was a rounded feel about the scent that I thoroughly enjoyed.

As to be expected with the excess oils used to create the 'lava lamp effect', the bath bomb was extremely moisturising. Yet it was not at a level that I would describe as being too greasy or too oily for most people. Put it this way: I would have happily washed my hair in its waters, and I don't think I would have had any problems in doing this. 

Once in the bath, the fragrance of Lava Lamp Egg remained prominent throughout the entire experience. In fact, I was really impressed with how strong the aroma was and would definitely say that it's one of Lush's longer-lasting bath bombs. Furthermore, the scent remained on my skin for hours after I had left the tub and I could smell the wonderful orange scent every time I walked past the bathroom.

Despite its price, I do think this is worth an investment - if only to try out once before they've been discontinued. For fans of Lava Lamp, you are going to love the fact that this is a bigger, weightier version of your favourite bath bomb. Ultimately, while I wont be rushing out to buy too many more of these any time soon, I will be getting a couple more of these before the season is over. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Perfume, Orange Flower Absolute, Tangerine Oil, Sicilian Mandarin Oil, Water (Aqua), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Castor Oil, PEG-6 Caprylic / Capric Glycerides & PEG-60, Almond Glycerides, *Limonene, Colour 15985, Colour 60725.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £5.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:

Lava Lamp Bath Bomb

Lava Lamp Egg Bath Bomb

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