EuropaFb: Scrub

Showing posts with label Scrub. Show all posts

Black Rose Naked Lip Scrub

castor oil, charcoal, coconut, Halloween, halloween 2017, limited edition, Lips, murumuru, naked, orange, Scrub, spearmint, ylang ylang

Despite it being a regular thing: my lips being chapped, I hardly ever use any of Lush's sugar scrubs to rectify the problem. There's a small part of me that almost forgets that the company even do such a thing, so if i own any they're usually buried away underneath the mountains of other products waiting to be used.

When I first caught a glimpse of the three new naked lip scrubs for this year's Christmas and Halloween ranges, I was immediately bowled over by how pretty the designs were. Aside from the lack of packaging (hence the 'naked' part), the shape and etched surfaces made these limited editions so much more appealing than the boring tubed varieties.

Yet, my very next thought was: how exactly am I supposed to use this and not completely soil the bag/purse I'm carrying it around in? Ultimately, while I have been using the cardboard boxes that they were delivered in, I've still yet to find a more effective way of carrying these lip scrubs around: they certainly don't travel very well naked.

Having said this, all three variations of this year's naked scrubs are exceptional in what they do, and offer a much better experience than the old-style scrubs.

Firstly, the product is much easier to use and less of a hassle to clean up afterwards. Whereas the original lip scrubs would need to be applied with the use of a finger, and you'd often cover yourself in sugar while doing so, these naked versions can be applied in seconds, without the unnecessary mess. Simply massage the block across your lips, applying as much pressure as you want, before either licking away the sugar or rinsing it away with warm water.

Secondly, you can apply more pressure when using these blocks, so you'll find that these naked scrubs are far better at scrubbing away excess skin. Furthermore, you can focus on particular areas of the lips, so if you have a particular stubborn spot, this scrub will do wonders at removing the dried skin.

Thirdly, there is less sugar to contend with, when it comes to the naked blocks. The condensed form means that there won't be as much sugar as there once was, but it also means that you can feel how nourished your lips feel after application, and this leaves your lips soft, smooth and plump. With the original lip scrubs, I sometimes found that you'd be massaging your lips for ages, unable to see exactly which areas needed a little extra buffering. Furthermore, there is an extra generous helping of butters and oils in the ingredients list, to make this a far more moisturising experience overall.

Obviously, the fact that these lip scrubs are naked means that there's zero wastage, which makes them much better for the environment.

What I really liked about Black Rose Naked Lip Scrub was that it was rather robust, and so I found it far easier to buffer away without the fear of it crumbling away. As someone with quite naturally dry skin, I enjoy a coarse scrub to remove excess dried skin and clean out my pores before I moisturise. The strength of this block means that I can apply quite a bit of pressure when I'm scrubbing my lips, without worrying about using too much product, or breaking the lip scrub in the process. Having used this daily, for almost two weeks, I have barely dented the corner of the scrub, and I see this lasting a good 4-5 months before it'll need to be replaced.

Scentwise, this beauty has a scent that reminds me a little of Yummy Mummy Shower Cream. While not identical at all, the combination of mandarin oils, along with the sultry and quite treacle-esque nature of the charcoal give off a fruity smell that is both as rich and as fruity as the aforementioned aroma.

One thing I will say about the Naked Lip Scrub is that the taste you get when licking your lips clean is definitely not the best flavour that Lush have offered, and I cannot imagine anyone wanting to nibble on this when they get a little peckish (which a lot of Lush fans do.) However, it functions incredibly well as a Lip Scrub and will easily last me another twelve months, before it makes a reappearance and I can buy another one.

Quantitative Ingredients: Castor Sugar (Sucrose), Murumuru Butter (Astrocaryum Murumuru), Illipe Butter (Shorea stenoptera), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Sicilian Mandarin Oil (Citrus nobilis), Spearmint Oil (Mentha Spicata), Ylang Ylang Oil (Cananga odorata), Charcoal (Charcoal Powder), Titanium Dioxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Benzyl Benzoate, Flavour (Fragrance), Tin Oxide (Tin oxide) Iron Oxides.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £5.75 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Lush Puppy Lip Scrub

limited edition, Lips, lush creative showcase, Scrub

While Lush have only had three events to date, it's become a normal affair to look forward to their showcase events. Not only is it a way to connect with the companies, charities, people and places that go into making Lush what they are, it's a great opportunity to get involved with exclusive up-and-coming products before they hit the shops. Unfortunately, there are some products that make an appearance only to disappear into obscurity, for whatever reason the company decide makes it unworthy of a commercial release.

Lush Puppy Lip Scrub is one such example - a brilliant, vibrant sugar scrub that smells like the world's freshest bowl of sorbet. Sharing its scent with the now discontinued Passionfruit Lip Balm, this rare gem smells like a glass of rich, fruity passionfruit juice, with an abundance of sweetness that will have you salivating with each and every use.

Featuring sweet orange oil as the key ingredient, this scrub offers a warming burst of fruity goodness, which is far sweeter and more rounded than I was expecting. I definitely wouldn't describe Lush Puppy as being in any way citrusy or zesty. While I couldn't detect any rose in the overall aroma, I would say that it does bring a gentle syrup-like essence, which is what gives this scrub its passionfruit aroma. Finally, the vanilla adds a subtle, warming layer that again contributes to the overall smell, but doesn't exactly offer up much by itself.

As with any of Lush's lip scrubs, the basic premise is that these remove excess skin or dry patches on your lips, and leave them super smooth and kissably soft. To use, simply scoop a little out with your finger and massage the product across your lips, in a circular motion. You can apply as much or as little pressure as you like, before either licking your lips of patting them dry with a damp cotton pad. You can then follow this up with a lip balm, lip stick etc...

The inclusion of the sugar and the carefully selected oils means that this product can be ingested. This means that you can apply this while you're out and about, and you don't have to worry about carrying tissues with you to clean up afterwards. You'll find that Lush Puppy has a very subtle fruity taste, which definitely made the whole experience more pleasant, and perhaps made me eat slightly more than is recommended in a single use.

Afterwards, I found that my lips were really soft, and the dry skin had all but disappeared. My lips also appeared to feel and look slightly plumper, which was a welcome reward, and a great boost before heading out for the night. Moreover, once I had applied my lip balm after, I discovered that my lips stayed feeling and looking refreshed for the rest day and into the next. For those who have quite parched lips, I would suggest that you should use this once in the morning and again, just before bed, to heed great results within a day or two. For those who just want softer lips, a few times a week would be more than enough to achieve this.

My only grouch with Lush Puppy, as is with every other lip scrub, is that things can get a little messy when applying the product. Despite my best intentions, I always find that I get sugar on the clothes I'm wearing, and scattered across various crevices in my face as well. Maybe it's just my inability to use this product correctly that heeds these problems, but I feel I should still warn you that things can get a little messy at times.

Overall, this is a wonderful addition to Lush's lip scrub collection, and it's a shame that the company haven't yet made it into a commercial release. I would definitely like to see it released at some point in the near future, and I hope other products in the same fragrance make it into the range at some point as well.

Quantitative Ingredients: ?

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £5.75 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Lush Puppy Lip Scrub

Passionfruit Lip Balm

Rub Rub Rub Naked Shower Scrub

Jasmine, limited edition, Lush Kitchen, mimosa, naked, orange, Scrub, Shower

Rub Rub Rub Solid Scrub is far from the attractive product that its older sibling is. While they're almost identical in terms of colour, there is something rather beautiful about the liquid version that seems to have been lost in translation when it comes to the solid edition. I think perhaps the haphazardness of the whole design has something to do with it. However, the principles behind the solid product are enough to redeem it in many other ways, as you're about to find out.

One aspect that I noticed right away with this solid edition is the fact that the fragrance is a little weaker when compared to the original version. While I have always raved about Rub Rub Rub being one of my favourite scrubs, it is mostly because of the scent as opposed to its efficiency as an actual scrub. For this reason, it was disappointing then to discover that the smell has somewhat diminished in this format. I'm not for one second saying that the aroma isn't there to begin with; neither am I saying that it's recognisable scent cannot be detected at all. Just that I didn't find this product to be as wholesome or as withstanding as it's older sibling.

Containing jasmine flower, mimosa and orange blossom absolute, Rub Rub Rub has a rich, sultry floral aroma that will make an immediate impression on your senses. While I find that the overall scent is one mostly dominated by the blossom components, you can definitely smell the natural richness of the jasmine; and there is also a little sweetness brought about by the inclusion of the lemon oil. There is definitely not a fruity, zesty or citrusy element to this scrub, but both the lemon and the sea salt make this far more than just a floral fragrance.

Much like the liquid edition, this scrub is packed full of sea salt, which acts as both an exfoliator and a detoxifier. As I said in my review of the original, it's amazing that anyone would choose to rub salt and lemon across their body - when salt supposedly drys out the skin, and the acidity of lemon can irritate pores. Having said this, unless you've just shaved your legs, the scrub actually

What I really liked about the solid edition was the fact that it was far easier to give your body a good, hard scrub. Although the liquid version leaves your skin wonderfully smooth, and the original solid block is a little better at offering a slightly sturdier experience overall, neither versions boast serious buffing capabilities - for someone like myself who loves the scratchier exfoliators. This limited edition is not as scratchy as I'd like, but it is far easier to apply pressure across the body and give your skin a good scrub.

Out of the three editions, this is by far the better scrub - not only because of its exfoliating properties, but because of both its longevity and the ease in which you can store it. The liquid version is easy to store but I find that I can end up using an awful lot of product because of its thin consistency; the old solid edition tends to last a little longer than a 100g tub, but it becomes very sticky and slimy in between uses, and I find that it melts if left in the bathroom. Rub Rub Rub Naked Scrub not only outlasted a 100g tub twice-fold, but I also found that it dried relatively quickly in between uses, and it didn't leave a mess either. For this reason, I'd probably invest in this edition over the other two.

On the skin, the scrub works best when massaged in a circular motion across the skin, where it leaves a blue lather that rinses away easily. Not only is the scrub easy to hold and doesn't become slippery, but it doesn't seem to shrink that much when used under the running water. While conservative Lushies may wish to keep the product away from the water, as much as they can, I didn't find that it made much of a difference to the size overall.

My skin felt really clean and smooth after using this, and the scent remained present on my body for a short while after exiting the shower. I only wish that my skin felt as gloriously silky as it does after using the original, and that the fragrance was as strong on the skin afterwards as the liquid version offers.

Overall, I would definitely buy this again, and I may even choose this one over the liquid version, simply because I think it is a better exfoliator and lasts longer than a small tub does - making it better value and slightly more ecologically friendly.

Quantitative Ingredients: ?

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £6.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:

17 Cherry Tree Lane Soap
Mother Superior Bubble bar
Rub Rub Rub Naked Shower Scrub
Rub Rub Rub Salt Scrub
Rub Rub Rub Solid Scrub
Sakura Bath Bomb
Sakura Perfume

Seanik Solid Shampoo

Sugar Mama Sugar Scrub

aloe vera, Bergamot oil, body, cocoa powder, Discontinued, limited edition, Lush Kitchen, orange, Scrub, Skin

There are times in your life when you just need something to satisfy a sweet tooth. No longer do you care about the complexity of a scent or whether or not it'll compliment the perfume you choose to wear afterwards. There are just certain moments in your life when nothing but the devilishly delectable will do.

When my Sugar Mama Sugar Scrubs arrived in the post, I just knew it was one of those products that needed to be saved for a day when my cravings for chocolate were in full swing, and my lips quivered at the mere thought of desert. Luckily, that day started mere seconds after I gave in and smelt this brand new product for the first time.

Mimicking the design of Ma Bar Bubble Bar, which is another product that shares the same scent as this, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it was rather an odd choice to create a scrub that was half brown, half white. However, the 'foody' fragrance that accompanies this Kitchen exclusive means that Sugar Mama both looks and smells like a pudding.

Offering a brand new format in the Honey I Washed The Kids scent family, this dome-shaped sugar scrub suits its name in every way. The sickly-sweet allure of the smell is enough to remind you of baking: butter caramelising in the pan; agave nectar or honey drizzled over muffins; cocoa butter and powdered sugar emulsified around a wooden spoon.

The aroma of this scrub is like a creme brûlée: a rich, buttery layer of toffee interlaced with the dark remnants of rich, chocolately cocoa butter; the notes of orange thick and robust, yet thwarted by a gentle vanillary after tone that interweaves throughout and helps to make the smell of this so wholesome. If you're fans of the HIWTK scent, you'll love this rendition. It's near enough exactly like the liquid perfume or Golden Egg, with just a little more generous a helping of cocoa powder to give it a musky finish.

The granulated sugar used to make the base of this works just like you'd expect Australian Igloo or Sugar Plum Fairy to do. The construction is fairly solid before use - it probably could be broken in half if you attempted to break it with your hands. However, it's also strong enough that it will remain whole even after it has been exposed to water.

To use this, I found it easier to stand out of the way of the running water, when my skin was already damp, and massage this in a circular motion across my body. The sugar is rather coarse to begin with, so if you're like me and appreciate a harsh scrub, this one would be perfectly suited. If you're someone with more sensitive skin, or you simply don't wish to scrub so aggressively, I found that crumbling a piece and applying less pressure as I massaged it across my body, was far gentler.

Either way, my skin felt so clean and smooth after I had used Sugar Mama. Furthermore, the inclusion of the cocoa butter and the aloe vera meant that my skin felt both replenished and soft after I had rinsed the excess sugar away. At no point did I feel as if I was damaging my skin, and even on sensitive areas such as my face, I found that the scrub was effective at cleaning out my pores whilst still maintaining my smooth complexion.

Impressively, I could still detect the wonderfully sweet smell of the scrub on my skin after I had towelled myself down. Upon applying some of the liquid perfume afterwards, I was also able to maintain the aroma on my body for the most part of the day, which was a welcome bonus when the sun was shining and I was privy to the odd burst of fragrance as I worked.

Ultimately, this is a scrub that should be made a big deal out of. It's a shame that its release is limited to a Kitchen menu, when there are a whole lot of consumers out there who would no doubt buy this up if it was available in all stores. I would definitely buy this again, if only for the colder months - when only a warm blanket of honeyed toffee is enough to get you through the day.

Quantitative Ingredients: Granulated Sugar, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Bergamot Oil, Brazilian Orange Oil, Cocoa Powder, Aloe Vera Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Lauryl Betaine, *Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Perfume.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £3.75 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

Scent Family:
Golden Egg Bath Bomb
Gold FUN
Honey I Washed The Kids Liquid Perfume
Honey I Washed The Kids Solid Perfume
Honey I Washed The Kids Soap
Humpy Dumpty Bath Bomb
Ma Bar Bubble Bar
Santasaurus Reusable Bubble Bar
Shoot For The Stars Bath Bomb (2013)
Shoot For The Stars Bath Bomb (2016)
Sugar Mama Sugar Scrub
The Mum Reusable Bubble Bar

Australian Igloo Sugar Scrub

coconut, eucalyptus, limited edition, Lush Kitchen, pine, sandalwood, Scrub, Skin, sugar

A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to grab a rare Christmas Gift Set on ebay - one that was clearly past its best but came in a gorgeous hat box that I just had to have in my collection. Amongst the dried soaps and crushed bath bombs was a decrepit Australian Igloo, which just happened to possess some of its aroma still. Despite it being far too old to use, I relished in scrubbing my skin and basking in the gentle fragrance that it left behind. If this scrub was amazing some six years out of date, imagine what a fresh one of these would be like, I thought to myself...

When the Lush Kitchen announced that they would be bringing it back last December, I couldn't wait to secure myself a handful and find out just how much better a fresh one would be as opposed to the poor-excuse of a scrub that was now a pile of mush in my bathroom. As to be expected, the product was everything I could have hoped for and more.

What is great about Australian Igloo Sugar Scrub is that it offers such a warming, sensual aroma, yet it is one of the lightest smelling scrubs that Lush have ever produced. If you want something that is gentle on the nose while offering the best exfoliation of your life, this limited edition is absolute perfection, and should be a regular product for all to buy.

Taking some of Australia's finest fragrances, and fusing it with a name and design that references the Artic, this seasonal scrub will banish the cold from your fingers and toes, and replenish your life with some much-needed sunshine. During a trip to Finland, Simon Constantine ended up being partnered with a crazy Australian tour guide, who forced him to excel in adventures that he had no desire to do. During his exploits, he noticed that the guide would spend all of his free time trying to build igloos with the snow - hence where the original idea for the product came from.

Crammed full of fine sugar, Australian Igloo is one of the most compact sugar scrubs that Lush do. It is not one that will break easily, nor is it one that will dissolve too quickly under running water - making it the perfect solution for someone like me who likes stronger, more harsher exfoliators.

Ensure that your skin is slightly damp before massaging this bar across your skin in a circular motion. You'll find that you don't have to press very hard at all to receive quite a harsh, scratchy experience. The first time I used this, I came out of the shower quite red from where I had pressed a little too hard. If you're somebody with sensitive skin, I would highly suggest that you crumble this into a tub first and then apply some to the areas you want to exfoliate. This should hopefully give you more control over how hard you wish to apply it, otherwise there's a good chance that you might irritate your skin in keeping it whole.

Containing pine and sandalwood oil, coupled with a large dosage of eucalyptus, this scrub smells like both a dessert and a finely fragranced wood cabin. While the sugar in most of Lush's scrubs are added for texture, this scrub utilises the sugar for its smell and offers a wonderful sweet base for the other components to work from.

Alongside this, you can detect a note of pine, which offers up a refreshing, crisp but equally resinous, woody smell. The sandalwood combines with a gentle note from the coconut oil to give this scrub a creamy, well-rounded warmth; while the eucalyptus makes Australian Igloo appear cooling with gentles references of green.

While all of these elements are normal fairly robust when allowed to, in this format they are all very placid. This works to the advantage of the scrub because what you end up with is something very comforting and beautifully sweet, yet something that is equally as refreshing and light.

Overall, I was really impressed by how quickly I fell in love with this product. Given that this is perhaps the harshest scrub from Lush to date, it not only left me feeling really clean and free of dirt, but the coconut oil ensured that any moisture lost during my exfoliation was replenished back into my skin at the same time. Furthermore, I was impressed to find that it didn't shrink or break apart in the shower, and was fairly easy to pat down after each use. This meant that a single scrub lasted me a good eight to ten full body uses.

In addition, I loved the fact that the smell permeated my skin for a good couple of hours after I had towelled myself down. Each and every experience convinced me even more than Lush should bring this fragrance out in multiple formats, as I feel it is wasted while it is only appearing as a scrub. This is definitely one that I would buy again, and I can only hope that my three remaining igloos last me until such time arrives.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sugar, Sodium Bicarbonate, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Cream of Tartar, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dried Rosella ,Siberian Pine Oil ,Eucalyptus Blue ,Sandalwood Oil,Cocamide DEA, Lauryl Betaine, PEG-6 Caprylic / Capric Glycerides, *Citral,*Coumarin, *Limonene,Methyl Ionone, Perfume,Colour 42090.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Price: £4.75 for 100g

Year Of Original Release: 2006

Chocolate Sugar Lip Scrub

chocolate, cocoa butter, jojoba, limited edition, Lips, Lush Kitchen, orange, Scrub, Tangerine, Vanilla

There are some products you can go your whole life without, until you introduce them into your routine and then find that you cannot imagine your life before they existed. Chocolate Sugar Scrub is one of those products - an original limited edition Kitchen release that was unleashed a few weeks ago and now holds a V.I.P pass into any bag that I choose to leave the house with.

At the risk of repeating myself, I have never really been overly invested in lips products despite the fact that they should really be one of my most-prized compartments within the company. The truth of the matter is that I suffer from sore, cracked and dried lips a lot, made worse by the fact that I have a bad habit of picking this dried skin when I'm stressed or anxious. Ultimately, this means that I need a permanent lip balm at the ready to keep that pout as soft and as smooth as possible, and adding a lip scrub to that routine would make all the difference.

If I'm honest, I wasn't as excited about the idea of this product as I would have been if it had the promise of being fruity. While I am more than happy to indulge in a bar chocolate as often as possible, chocolate and most other 'foody' scented products don't sit well with me at all. However, this brand new release has definitely impressed me enough to want to make this a permanent feature in my daily travel kit.

While it wouldn't win any awards for its name, Chocolate Sugar Lip Scrub is the epitome of gorgeous, in every sense of the word. Not only is it small and compact so it can be stored in a pocket or small compartment in almost any bag, it also smells and tastes irresistible. While chocolate scented products from most other companies would be a nasty affair for me, I always know that when it comes to Lush's take on the fragrance, there is going to be something of abetter quality to look forward to.

Containing a combination of dark chocolate, vanilla absolute, cocoa absolute and cocoa powder, this sugar scrub immediately gives off a rich, decadent and very robust chocolately smell. The beautiful buttery layers engorge your senses immediately, with the dark chocolate offering a subtle bitterness that sits under all of the other layers and the cocoa powder that brings a musky, almost chalky element that gives this scrub an intense smell.

The vanilla absolute is also heavily in the mix, and it is this component that prevents the scrub from being overly rich as it adds a sweet, sugary layer that smooths down the full sharpness of the dark chocolate. Alongside this you also have both tangerine and sweet orange oil - two additions that work perfectly with the aforementioned ingredients to add a note of warm, fruity orange to the aroma.

On the one hand, it does smell very similar to Sonic Death Monkey (which it's supposed to share its scent with). However, I would describe it as being far closer in scent to Almond Buttercream, albeit more full-bodied and intense. It reminds me almost of Terry's Chocolate Orange segments, although the dark chocolate element does make the smell of this multi-layered and more potent than that.

As with any sugar scrub, the idea is that you use this if and when you have dried lips and want to clear peeling skin, or if you simply want to pamper your puckers before applying a lip balm or lip stick. To use, you rub your finger across the surface of the scrub (or scoop out a little if you find it easier) and then apply the product to your lips - massaging it from side to side to exfoliate and gently remove excess dried skin. Ensure your lips are moist before you do this as it makes it easier to transfer the sugar without it dropping off and making a mess of your floor. Once you've done this, use your tongue and the movement of your mouth to lick off the product, and any excess can be dusted away with a tissue.

Chocolate Sugar Lip Scrub, as with all of Lush's sugar scrubs, is edible and completely safe to digest, and the company make sure that each and every one of these scrubs have a wonderful flavour that you can enjoy alongside with your newly-beautiful lips. Surprisingly, despite the emphasis on the chocolate-led ingredients in this product, this particular scrub had a delicious vanillary taste to it - definitely not what I was expecting from its fragrance.

I found that this scrub worked really well as an exfoliator - I appreciated the fact that I could use as much pressure as I wanted while applying the product and this really helped to remove stubborn skin on my lower lips. My only qualm about the success of using this is that I found it not to be as moisturising or as softening as some of Lush's other lip scrubs. However, as I carry my trusted Buttered Brazils around with me daily, I always have this at hand to give me that instant moisture afterwards.

Overall, this is such a beautiful, rich and very pleasing lip scrub to come from the Lush Kitchen. If you're keen on foody smells, this would be one you'd appreciate and enjoy, and if you're a chocolate fiend, it's one you have to make a permanent feature in your day. This will live in my bag for the remainder of the year and I only hope that it banishes a few of those winter blues - to put a smooth and radiant smile upon my face.

Quantitative Ingredients: Caster Sugar, Organic Jojoba Oil, Dark Chocolate Flavour, Tangerine Oil, Sweet Orange Oil, Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute, Cocoa Absolute, Cocoa Powder, *Limonene, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Price: £5.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2016.

Chocolate Sugar Lip Scrub

chocolate, cocoa butter, jojoba, limited edition, Lips, Lush Kitchen, orange, Scrub, Tangerine, Vanilla

Cup O' Coffee Exfoliating Mask

coffee, coriander, Face, kaolin, lush oxford street, Mask, Scrub, Skin, Vanilla, vetivert

Sometimes the role of a teacher can be very overwhelming and usually warrants far more of your time than your average nine to five job. Weekends and evenings are never 'marking or planning free', and your sleep can also be interrupted with either ideas for lessons or strategies on how to cope with the impossible-to-complete admin tasks that have been thrown at you.

When the stress of the job becomes too much, I will often revert to drinking bucketloads of coffee to counteract the tiredness and lack of enthusiasm I feel towards the profession. While it's not the greatest remedy I could opt for, it's the simplest and quickest one available.

When Lush first announced that Cup O' Coffee Exfoliating Mask was coming out, I was immediately intrigued by the concept of using coffee in other ways to stimulate and alert me in the mornings. While it was initially targeted towards a male market, Lush's products are always universal, so I wasn't put off from purchasing a large 250g tub during the opening day of the Oxford Street store.

This exfoliating mask is designed to be used on both the body and the face - stimulating and hydrating the skin and leaving you feeling ready to face the day ahead. Featuring a blend of coffee infusion and roasted cocoa extract, this product presents a very strong, rich and heavily smoky aroma in the tub.

While the ground coffee is the dominant fragrance, you can detect a subtle chocolately layer underneath, which just softens the bitter coffee aroma and gives it a pleasant, rounded smell overall. The Fair Trade vanilla absolute and organic agave nectar induces a little sweetness into the mix as well, so while you'll need to like coffee to appreciate the smell, it's not as dry or as potent as Percup Massage Bar.

A point that I feel I should make in regards to the smell of this product, is that while I drink coffee regularly, I would not consider myself to be a big fan of the smell. Most coffee-scented products wouldn't get a second look-in for me and it would be one of the last scents that I turn to for product fragrances. However, whether it's because of how it benefits my skin, or whether it's because of how it makes me feel after I have used it, but I really don't mind the aroma of this product at all. If you are someone who dislikes coffee, I would still recommend that you try this out - you may end up loving it as much as I do.

Aside from its aroma, Cup 'O Coffee features an array of ingredients to help moisturise, hydrate and exfoliate tired and weathered skin. Kaolin helps to cleanse and exfoliate dead skin cells and debris from the surface; coriander seed oil stimulates both your skin and mind with it's spicy, slightly aromatic fragrance; and vetivert oil restores the moisture that you may have lost over time and gives your body a smooth, healthy finish.

In the pot, this exfoliating mask doesn't look particularly appealing - a thick, murky brown paste with specks of black laced throughout the entire tub. However, it is these tiny pieces of ground coffee and caffeine powder that give this mask it's grainy consistency and help to make it a really effective skincare product.

As you apply liberally to the areas of the body that you feel needs it, massaging it all over in circular motions, the grains of coffee will not only remove any dry skin or debris that may have been present on the skin, but give you a gentle scrub to leave you feeling clean and refreshed afterwards. While it does offer a slightly rougher consistency than most of Lush's regular face masks, it is not as gritty as the likes of Don't Look At Me Face Mask, so you won't have to worry about it being too harsh on your skin.

After leaving it on for a good 10-15 minutes, you'll need to rinse it off in the shower and apply a body lotion or massage bar to inject and maintain that hydrated feeling for the rest of day. I found that my skin felt instantly rejuvenated after using this in the mornings, and whether or not it was psychological or physical, but I also felt far more alert and awake after using this mask.

Although I wouldn't use Cup 'O Coffee every day, this is a great product for those who need an emergency blanket to turn to when they're having 'one of those morning'. This not only left my skin feeling clean and clear and looking radiant, but helped to improve my mood to boot so I wasn't such a grumpy person at work that day.

While it's not going to solve my overabundance of marking, this mask is definitely something that I know I can rely upon to give me an instant boost. For this reason, I will definitely be buying this on a regular basis and recommending it to all of my colleagues who are in the same boat as me.

Quantitative Ingredients: Coffee Infusion (Coffea Arabica), Water (Aqua), Tacl, Kaolin, Organic Agave Syrup (Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract), Glycerine, Perfume, Vetivert oil (Vitiveria zizanoides), Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Roasted Cocoa Extract (Theobroma cacao), Coriander Seed oil (Coriandrum sativum), Ventone (Hectorite), Caffeine Powder (Caffeine), Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2015 Price: £6.50 for 100g, £12 for 250g.

Year Of Original Release: 2015.