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 GelBerry Berry Christmas Shower Gel
Bergamot oil, Blueberries, Christmas, christmas 2017, cranberry, limited edition, naked, naked shower gels, orange, Seasonal, Shower, 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 GelBerry Berry Christmas Shower Gel
cedarwood, clove, coriander, limited edition, Lush Kitchen, nettle, rosemary, salt, Shower, Shower Gel, Skin, vetivert
Dear John is a fragrance that I forget how much I appreciate, until I whip out the body spray and fall in love with it all over again. With so many different layers and such an interesting range of ingredients, this is a scent as unique as it is complex.
When the Lush Kitchen announced that they would be making a shower gel version of this smell, I was equally intrigued and perplexed. On the one hand I was really excited to try a brand new shower gel, as those who follow this blog will know how much I love this format. However, there was a part of me that wondered if such a fragrance would actually work well outside of being a perfume.
Upon first inspection, I was rather pleased to notice the deep, forest green that Dear John Shower Gel sported. Given the design of the perfume bottles and body spray, I was expecting a cream-coloured liquid, so the actual product was definitely an upgrade of the colour I originally envisaged.
Unfortunately, what I also noticed very quickly was that the shower gel was very thin - offering the same consistency as The Olive Branch. This meant that I found myself using far more than I would normally do so, as the product wasn't as compact in my hands as I would expect from most Lush gels. While the product lathered up really quickly and produced a generous amount of foam to wash myself with, I felt as if I used more that I usually would, just because of how runny it was and how freely it flowed from the bottle.
Supposedly a 'unisex' fragrance, this shower gel is quite complex: featuring layers of vetivert, cedar, clove, coriander, lime, coffee and pine. What I noticed about Dear John from the get-go was that it was the former three ingredients that made the biggest impression. From the bottle you can make out the sweet, smoky characteristics of the vetivert, blended with a gentle layer of woody cedar. Together, these two ingredients create an almost resinous smell, which when combined with a subtle hint of warming clove, makes for the most comforting of fragrances.
How this shower gel differed from other Dear John products, is the fact that the lime was not as noticeable as it is in other formats. While you can definitely detect its fruity presence, it was a little subtler than it is in other formats - meaning that I found this shower gel to be a little less refreshing than the body spray is.
What I also found a little disappointing was the fact that the shower gel was not as moisturising as most other variations available. I felt clean afterwards, and the fragrance lingered around for a short while on my body. However, my skin didn't feel as soft or as nourished as I was expecting it to be. For this reason, I can imagine those with very dry skin may benefit from using a body lotion afterwards to replenish the skin of moisture.
Fans of Dear John will definitely appreciate this new addition to the family, and I have been enjoying having a bottle to indulge myself with on a daily basis. Having said that, those with a keen nose will notice that there are differences between this and the perfume, and some may not appreciate the subtle changes that have been made. The fact that I am half way through a bottle in just under three weeks, also suggests that this is not necessarily as good value for money as some of Lush's other shower gels.
Quantitative Ingredients: Rosemary Infusion, Nettle Leaf Infusion, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Perfume, Proplyene Glycol, Fine Sea Salt, Vetivert Oil, Coriander Oil, Clove Bud Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool, Colour 42090, Methylparaben.
Vegan?: Yes.
2017 Price: £11.25 for 250g.
Year Of Original Release: ?
Scent Family:Copperhead Solid ShampooDear John Bubble BarDear John Body SprayDear John Liquid PerfumeDear John Shower GelDear John Solid PerfumeDear John Soap
For weeks on end now, I have pondered how to go about approaching this review. While the words for most reviews normally flow pretty naturally when I sit down to write, I found myself completely stumped when it came to reviewing this new seasonal shower gel.
Wash Behind Your Ears is one of those rare products that left me feeling pretty confused after using it for the first time. And the second. And the third. While my appreciation or dislike is normally instantaneous when it comes to trying out new products for the first time, this limited edition Easter gel had me completely stumped. I certainly didn't dislike it, as I continued to use it on a daily basis for near on a month after it entered my bathroom. Yet, I couldn't work out whether I really liked it all that much either.
Offering fans a brand new fragrance, this shower gel doesn't look like the scent that wafts out of the bottle when you first open it. Expecting a bright, zesty-type aroma, I was surprised to find that it was a reserved, floral smell instead. And while it features lots of recognisable ingredients that go into making this flowery fragrance, this is definitely not something you have experienced before.
What sets this shower gel apart from every single other one to come before it is that it features a carrot infusion as the base component. Aside from giving this product its rather delicious colour, carrots are known for their ability to replenish skin, reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes, and add a natural radiance to the skin. Interestingly, although it's not very strong in the mix, you can definitely make out the sweet, savoury element of the carrot deep down in the overall fragrance.
Besides the carrot, you also have a combination of neroli and rose oils, alongside jasmine absolute, which all play an important part in the scent of this shower gel. On the surface you can smell the neroli - a sweet and slightly intoxicating fruity smell. Strangely, the top layer of this shower gel reminds me a little of Prince Charming Shower Gel, despite not sharing any of the same ingredients.
Underneath this sweet, slightly green note, you get a musky, cloudy combination of the rose and the jasmine. Both of these floral elements appear slightly dampened and not as sweet as you would initially expect them to be. I think this is because the carrot removes a little of this, and with a gentle helping of sunflower oil, both components ground the fragrance a little.
From the bottle, Wash Behind Your Ears is quite a thick, gloopy consistency and it takes a little more effort than usual to squeeze it out of the bottle. Once in your hands, the gel needs a little water to get it working, where it produces a light, fluffy lather to spread across your skin. I found that this shower gel was a little stubborn at producing foam unless I had enough liquid to stimulate those bubbly suds. However, once the product was mixed with enough water, it worked really effectively.
In its favour, the shower gel was just as beautiful in the shower - emitting the same level of fragrance, if not a little more, than it did in the bottle. I found that it withstood any other products that I chose to use at the same time, and I was able to detect a light smell on my skin afterwards, even when I used a scrub right before I exited the shower.
While this is definitely one that might need to grow on you, I am beginning to really appreciate not only its unique aroma, but the fact that it has something a little different that sets it apart from all of the other floral fragrances that Lush have produced in the past. Not only did it leave my skin feeling soft and radiant, but it gave me a warm feeling that helped to ease me into my day. Although this is not one I would rave about, I will be buying another bottle or two before the season is out.
Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Water, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Carrot Infusion, Stearic Acid, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Neroli Oil, Rose Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Organic Sunflower Oil, Gardenia Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Colour 19140:1, Colour 15510, Colour 45350.
Vegan?: Yes.
2017 Price: £?
Year Of Original Release: 2017.
When the Kitchen first opened their doors, keen Lush enthusiasts were eager to see what retro products would be making an appearance, and Instagram pages were adorned with throwbacks of releases that hadn't been available for a short while. Not many of the requests went back further than a few years, and the Kitchen mimicked this by bringing out many of the items that had featured in recent retro releases.
Fast forward almost three years - with lots of repeat menus, and many ignored requests to delve deeper into the Lush vaults, and suddenly an influx of releases suggest that the Kitchen team are working on taking us back even further than we initially envisaged. With a recent spout of products transporting us back to the days when Lush were known as Cosmetics To Go, the future is ripe with possibilities of what we could be privy to next.
Two Hearts Beating As One Shower Gel is a product that not only takes us back to a time before the millennium existed, but it transports us to an era where some of Lush's pinnacle smells were created and unleashed into the world for the first time. While not a favourite smell of mine, the scent of this product is definitely one that defines what Lush are about, and has a familiarity to it that you cannot help but fall in love with.
Sharing its scent with the recently released Valentine's Day special bath melt, this shower gel mimics the smell of a whole family of products - most of which have not been available for a good ten years. At the risk of repeating myself, this 'classic' smell epitomises the very essence of Lush as a whole, and new Lush fans can now appreciate the journey that the company have made from when it first came out, to when it appeared in the Lush Kitchen a couple of weeks ago.
To me, the smell of this is far more reminiscent of what I imagine a Lush shop to smell like than the likes of 29 High Street. While it doesn't contain as many ingredients to mimic the most popular products, there is something rather 'Lush' about its fragrance, and those who are lucky enough to own a bottle, will no doubt understand what I mean by this.
Featuring an infusion of jasmine as the key ingredient, you wont be surprised to discover that this is the strongest note from the very second you remove the lid and give the gel a sniff. Two Hearts pertains a very heady, very robust, and yet very sultry floral aroma. It has a subtle grassiness to it, yet it is very sweet and has an almost honeyed element to it as well. It's an intense offering from the get-go, yet not one that is anywhere near as overly potent as the Lust Family.
Alongside this, the geranium and the rose absolute add a gentle, cloudy component - one that complements the jasmine but grounds it very slightly. The latter of the two expands the smell of this shower gel, so that once you notice the rose absolute in the mix, it's very difficult to ignore the fact that it is there.
While there is no mention of this in the ingredients list, I do wonder whether the shower gel features apricot of some sort. I only say this because it is really obvious in the bath melt that the apricot drives out some of the fruitier elements of the floral ingredients, and in Two Hearts I feel as if there is a governing note of sweetness that is derived from something like the sharp, peachy properties of the fruit. If there isn't, I'd say that the bergamot is behind this component. 
Overall, this shower gel is very sensual and relaxing. The key ingredients not only compliment each other well, but they do so without being too overbearing when being used. While the bath melt and the gel do come from the same scent family, I do feel as if the shower gel is slightly more on the musky side - as in the rose and the geranium are a little more prominent in the mix.
Of medium consistency, Two Hearts Beating As One Shower Gel is very easy to use in the shower. You don't need a lot at all to wash your entire body, and the product lathers up with ease - producing a thick, fragrant and very fluffy 'soap' to massage across your skin. While the heat and steam does elevate the fragrance a little, it's not too noticeable a difference from what it's like in the bottle beforehand. Having said that, this does leave a strong impression on your skin and the room afterwards: I could still detect the jasmine, the rose and the various other elements on my skin some 4-5 hours after I had exited the shower.
Ultimately, I feel very privileged that I have been able to experience something so far back in the Lush vaults, and only hope this is not the last opportunity I get to do so. This is definitely a product for those who want to be transported back to the beginning days of Lush, and for those who have a nose for the more interesting and unique floral aromas that Lush offer.
Quantitative Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Jasmine Flower Infusion, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Betaine, Propylene, Glycol, Perfume, Bergamot Oil, Geranium Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Rose Absolute, Ylang Ylang Oil, Gardenia Extract, Lactic Acid, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Citronellol, *Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 14700, Colour 19140, Methylparaben Propylparaben.
Vegan?: Yes.
2017 Price: £11.50 for 250g, £19.95 for 500g.
Year Of Original Release: ?
Scent Family:Two Hearts Beating As One Bath MeltTwo Hearts Beating As One Shower Gel
After you've come to terms with the fact that your entire existence is governed by the financial implications of a Lush Kitchen splurge, you begin to accept the fact that you'll probably always have a list as long as your arm, of products you want to see being released in the not so distant future. The next step is to then recognise that this list will no doubt accumulate new items on a regular basis, and that the likelihood of you ever being able to cross off everything, is virtually impossible.
The worst part for me is knowing that, while I may have tried and tested far more products than the majority of the people I know, there are always releases that will catch me off guard. Before I know it, I have another name added to my ever-expanding inventory and I feel myself even further away from being able to discard the checklist altogether. Such was the case with this recent release.
Assassin Shower Gel was not something that ever made itself known on my radar, despite claiming that shower gels are my shortcoming when it comes to Lush's impressive catalogue of products. For this reason, I was rather taken aback when it was first announced for release, and I even had to carry out a little research beforehand to brief myself on what exactly to expect.
Although multiple interpretations spread like wild fire on what everyone expected this product to smell like, it was the comparison between Tramp Shower Gel and Grass that seemed to be the general consensus among most fans. Upon experiencing it for the first time, I was quick to make that comparison as well. However, having spent the last few days sharing my bathroom with this wonderful product, I have come to realise that it has far more to offer, and I'd be selling it a little short if I simply jumped on this bandwagon.
Firstly, I will say that I can see why the the aforementioned shower gels have been used to describe Assassin. In all fairness, there is a similarity to both of them, and it is a really effective way of helping others to gage an idea of what to expect when deciding whether or not to make a purchase. However, I happen to think that this shower gel is much BETTER than either of the two items, and doesn't seem so similar when you have all three gels in front of you to compare.
Containing pine, cypress, lemon and patchouli oils, not to mention oakmoss absolute, this shower gel is for fans of fresh, green, natural-smelling cosmetics. It is the former two ingredients that dominate the overall smell of this product - offering two very different sensory experiences. On the one hand, it reminds me of lazing around a freshly trimmed garden in the summer time, when the plants and shrubbery around you has been watered and the heat of the sun radiates notes of chlorophyll into the air, while you bathe. At the same time, it also reminds me of the smell you experience after setting up a freshly-cut Christmas tree in your lounge and allowing the green smell to permeate the room a little.
While I would say that the pine and cypress oils are equally matched in this combination, my nose gravitates very slightly more towards the pine. This element gives Assassin a crisp, naturally-sweet resinous aroma; while the cypress oil rounds this off with a fresh, woody element that offers just the slightest hint of evergreen to compliment the pine.
The oakmoss is not as robust as it is in Tramp Shower Gel - instead adding a dry, earthy quality to the shower gel. However, while it does ground the smell a little and give it a level of complexity, it's not as potent as it is in the aforementioned gel. Although you cannot really detect any of the tart, citrusy qualities of the lemon oil, you can appreciate its presence in helping to elevate the overall aroma. This also goes for the patchouli - where you can smell the subtle aromatic elements of the ingredient, but not the spicy components.
Assassin is a celebration of how Lush are able to mimic natural scents, as this truly does smell like they're captured the outdoors and bottled it in gel form. The beautiful shade of green its presented in makes it even more magical, and this would be a perfect accompaniment to a spring-time bath. At the same time, the pine makes it feel very Christmassy as well, and is certainly one of the products I will be taking home to enjoy on the days leading up to Christmas Day.
In the shower, the scent is robust and long-lasting - the heat elevates those individual notes and engulfs the room with a strong but equally light and refreshing aroma. I was not surprised to find that the fragrance stays with you for a good couple of hours after leaving the shower, and the very nature of the scent means that you feel thoroughly clean and uplifted.
You only need to use a small amount and it goes a long way - lathering up with ease whether I massaged a little between my palms or stimulated the suds by coating my body first. While I wouldn't say it was overly moisturising, it still left my skin as smooth and as soft as most of the other Lush shower gels I have used.
Overall, I wasn't expecting to be so enamoured with this shower gel, so I am pleasantly surprised to find that I would class it as being a firm favourite of mine, and one that I would buy again if I find myself with a shortage on my hands. Winter, spring or summer, this shower gel assassinates any of Lush's previous attempts to bottle nature, and I would highly recommend that you grab yourself a bottle when the opportunity next arises.
Quantitative Ingredients: Water, Agar Agar Gel, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Chicory Infusion, Rosemary Infusion, Lauryl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Perfume, Cypress Oil, Pine Oil, Oakmoss Absolute, Sicilian Lemon Oil, Patchouli Oil, Lactic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Chlorophyllin, Methylparaben Propylparaben.
Vegan?: Yes.
2016 Price: £11.25 for 250g.2017 Price: £11.50 for 250g
Year Of Original Release: 2005.
After you've come to terms with the fact that your entire existence is governed by the financial implications of a Lush Kitchen splurge, you begin to accept the fact that you'll probably always have a list as long as your arm, of products you want to see being released in the not so distant future. The next step is to then recognise that this list will no doubt accumulate new items on a regular basis, and that the likelihood of you ever being able to cross off everything, is virtually impossible.
The worst part for me is knowing that, while I may have tried and tested far more products than the majority of the people I know, there are always releases that will catch me off guard. Before I know it, I have another name added to my ever-expanding inventory and I feel myself even further away from being able to discard the checklist altogether. Such was the case with this recent release.
Assassin Shower Gel was not something that ever made itself known on my radar, despite claiming that shower gels are my shortcoming when it comes to Lush's impressive catalogue of products. For this reason, I was rather taken aback when it was first announced for release, and I even had to carry out a little research beforehand to brief myself on what exactly to expect.
Although multiple interpretations spread like wild fire on what everyone expected this product to smell like, it was the comparison between Tramp Shower Gel and Grass that seemed to be the general consensus among most fans. Upon experiencing it for the first time, I was quick to make that comparison as well. However, having spent the last few days sharing my bathroom with this wonderful product, I have come to realise that it has far more to offer, and I'd be selling it a little short if I simply jumped on this bandwagon.
Firstly, I will say that I can see why the the aforementioned shower gels have been used to describe Assassin. In all fairness, there is a similarity to both of them, and it is a really effective way of helping others to gage an idea of what to expect when deciding whether or not to make a purchase. However, I happen to think that this shower gel is much BETTER than either of the two items, and doesn't seem so similar when you have all three gels in front of you to compare.
Containing pine, cypress, lemon and patchouli oils, not to mention oakmoss absolute, this shower gel is for fans of fresh, green, natural-smelling cosmetics. It is the former two ingredients that dominate the overall smell of this product - offering two very different sensory experiences. On the one hand, it reminds me of lazing around a freshly trimmed garden in the summer time, when the plants and shrubbery around you has been watered and the heat of the sun radiates notes of chlorophyll into the air, while you bathe. At the same time, it also reminds me of the smell you experience after setting up a freshly-cut Christmas tree in your lounge and allowing the green smell to permeate the room a little.
While I would say that the pine and cypress oils are equally matched in this combination, my nose gravitates very slightly more towards the pine. This element gives Assassin a crisp, naturally-sweet resinous aroma; while the cypress oil rounds this off with a fresh, woody element that offers just the slightest hint of evergreen to compliment the pine.
The oakmoss is not as robust as it is in Tramp Shower Gel - instead adding a dry, earthy quality to the shower gel. However, while it does ground the smell a little and give it a level of complexity, it's not as potent as it is in the aforementioned gel. Although you cannot really detect any of the tart, citrusy qualities of the lemon oil, you can appreciate its presence in helping to elevate the overall aroma. This also goes for the patchouli - where you can smell the subtle aromatic elements of the ingredient, but not the spicy components.
Assassin is a celebration of how Lush are able to mimic natural scents, as this truly does smell like they're captured the outdoors and bottled it in gel form. The beautiful shade of green its presented in makes it even more magical, and this would be a perfect accompaniment to a spring-time bath. At the same time, the pine makes it feel very Christmassy as well, and is certainly one of the products I will be taking home to enjoy on the days leading up to Christmas Day.
In the shower, the scent is robust and long-lasting - the heat elevates those individual notes and engulfs the room with a strong but equally light and refreshing aroma. I was not surprised to find that the fragrance stays with you for a good couple of hours after leaving the shower, and the very nature of the scent means that you feel thoroughly clean and uplifted.
You only need to use a small amount and it goes a long way - lathering up with ease whether I massaged a little between my palms or stimulated the suds by coating my body first. While I wouldn't say it was overly moisturising, it still left my skin as smooth and as soft as most of the other Lush shower gels I have used.
Overall, I wasn't expecting to be so enamoured with this shower gel, so I am pleasantly surprised to find that I would class it as being a firm favourite of mine, and one that I would buy again if I find myself with a shortage on my hands. Winter, spring or summer, this shower gel assassinates any of Lush's previous attempts to bottle nature, and I would highly recommend that you grab yourself a bottle when the opportunity next arises.
Quantitative Ingredients: Water, Agar Agar Gel, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Chicory Infusion, Rosemary Infusion, Lauryl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Perfume, Cypress Oil, Pine Oil, Oakmoss Absolute, Sicilian Lemon Oil, Patchouli Oil, Lactic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Chlorophyllin, Methylparaben Propylparaben.
Vegan?: Yes.
2016 Price: £11.25 for 250g.2017 Price: £11.50 for 250g
Year Of Original Release: 2005.
Lush is full of surprises, which is perhaps one of the reasons that so many consumers find themselves hooked on the company to begin with. Sometimes they reformulate a scent into a product that you'd never expect to see the light of day, and other times they'll withhold certain products that seem an obvious choice for a particular fragrance. Having said that, I know why they do this; when you've spent years perfecting a certain product with its own unique smell, the last thing you'd want to do is transfer it into something else without putting real thought into it before you do.
Despite the popularity and scarcity of 29 High Street Liquid Perfume, I never expected Lush to go ahead and release the fragrance in a shower gel format. Not that I am opposed to the idea - far from it, but its complexity was something that I just didn't think could be replicated in a gel-like format. Once again, Lush have proven me wrong.
Described by many as the Creme De Le Creme of Lush items, 29 High Street embodies everything that fans love about the company. Using their expertise and a whole range of ingredients, Lush have set about bottling a fragrance that is supposed to mimic the smell you experience while being in a Lush store. The long list of components used to create this scent means that each and every wearer will experience something different, making it pretty magical in my books.
When it came to the shower gel variation, one of the immediate aspects that I noticed about it was that it did not have as many pronounced layers as its older sibling. However, it's important to remember that a perfume is given time to warm on the skin and then mature over time, which is why many wearers experience each and every one of the notes at some point during its use. When it comes to shower gel, there is only a small window in which it can make its impression on the senses.
Sporting a beautiful golden colour, this shower gel is packed with so many ingredients to nourish both the senses and your skin. Containing notes of lemon, ylang ylang, sandalwood, jasmine, lime and tonka, this limited edition would appeal to those who like warming fragrances, of both the fruity and floral kind.
In the bottle, each of the components work incredibly well together. While the lime, lemon and jasmine are probably the most prevalent notes, it's really difficult to dissect the overall scent because each of the smells are intertwined so well with the others. You can smell the warmth of the tonka without detecting anything too vanillary; the ylang ylang adds its own rich, sweet touch without making the fragrance too floral. This shower gel definitely shares its scent with the liquid perfume, but more with the smell once the fragrance of the perfume has been left to warm on the skin for a good 15-20 minutes.
When you begin to use 29 High Street in the shower you'll discover that it lathers up really well - creating light, frothy and very fragrant suds to massage across the skin. I found that I didn't have to use much at all to produce the desired amount and a grape-sized amount was more than enough to clean myself with during a single shower.
With a medium consistency, similar to the likes of Calacas and The Comforter, this shower gel flourishes when in contact with warm water. Every one of the components above makes itself known in the heat and I found that each of the notes were far more pronounced during this time.
After using this solidly for a few weeks, I didn't really notice there being a stronger note than the others, although the lemon and sometimes the jasmine were the ones that I found more prevalent on the skin afterwards. Although I was disappointed to find that 29 High Street didn't leave a particularly strong impression, there were small traces that did stay with me for a short while after exiting the bathroom.
The only other disappointing factor about this shower gel is that I didn't find it anywhere near as softening and nourishing as other Lush shower gels. While it's great for cleaning yourself with, it's not one that is going to leave your skin overly moisturised afterwards. This is not a terrible flaw, as there's no harm in using a conditioner, lotion or massage bar afterwards. However, it is this factor that prevented me from giving the shower gel a full-rated six out of six.
Overall, it's a lovely addition to the Lush family and one that I will enjoy using throughout the year for a unique and very beautiful experience in the shower or bath. It's proven to be a popular new release from the company and I can completely comprehend why. If you've not managed to acquire a bottle just yet, I suggest that you make sure that you do as soon as possible.
Quantitative Ingredients: Jasmine Flower Infusion, Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Fresh Lemon Juice, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Propylene Glycol, Ylang Ylang Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Lime Oil, Sicilian Lemon Oil, Tonka Absolute, Lactic Acid, Gardenia Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl ion one, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citral, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexane Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool, Methylparaben.
Vegan?: Yes.
2016 Price: £11.50 for 250g 2017 Price: £11.50 for 250g
Year Of Original Release: 2016.
Scent Family:29 and a Half Soap29 High Street Liquid Perfume29 High Street Solid Perfume29 High Street Shower GelHQ PerfumeKiss Me Quick Business Wash CardSecret Santa Ballistic
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.
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.
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.
