Yuge Hot Hair Treatment

Although the quality of my hair is improving near on every day, I am still very hesitant to put anything new into my hair. The slightest wrong choice and my mane looks and feels like a birds’ nest. It’s fascinating and equally terrifying that the smallest decision can have such a dramatic impact, which is why it has taken me so long to try this product out for size.

Yuge Hot Oil Hair Treatment is one of a select few solid treatments that are currently available to try out in stores. Originally making an appearance at the Lush Summit event in February, this turquoise-looking block proved to be so popular, that the company decided to release it as a global product. 

What struck a chord with me is the fact that this particular treatment plays homage to Donald Trump, or more particular - his downright political stupidity. Based on his idea of building a ‘huuuuuuuge wall’ to separate Mexico from the world, this product nourishes your sense of humour as well as your hair. What excited me about Yuge was that it proclaimed to not only nourish and rehydrate your hair, but to give it volume as well - the two aspects of my hair that I struggle with every day. 

Firstly, this hot hair treatment contains fine sea salt. Although in large doses this can actually dry out the hair and scalp, this helps to add volume. From experience, I know that this product can have some serious impact on my hair, as Sea Spray has already demonstrated to me in the past. 

Yuge also contains hair gum, which is a thickening agent that not only helps to add more volume, but also works at conditioning the hair as well. This works with the agave syrup, to help lick in moisture and give the hair a wonderful shine. Finally, Yuge contains jojoba oil to support the agave syrup in adding vibrancy to your locks, and it truly works. 

As the ingredients list suggests, the fragrance of this is created from a combination of spearmint and agave nectar. The mint not only helped to stimulate the hair follicles across my scalp, but offered up a gentle sweet minty smell that was pleasant enough for as long as it lasted. 

To use, simply add the stick to an empty mug and pour in some boiling water. In order for you to achieve the consistency of the treatment, you need to fill the mug until it’s about two-thirds of the way full. Stir it around with the wooden stick, until all of the product has melted away from the stick and then leave to cool for about 10 minutes.

I found that a single treatment lasted me for two separate uses, so I then massaged half of the gel across my head, making sure I started from the roots before moving onto the ends of my hair, and then the part in between. You can then carefully wrap some cling film or a plastic bag around your head to allow the moisture to stay warm and stimulate the process a little more, or just relax in a bath until the time comes to rinse it out.

After about 20 minutes you will need to massage your hair under the shower, in order to remove as much of the treatment as possible. Given its consistency, you will find that Yuge is not all that easy to wash out. For this reason, I would then shampoo my hair as per usual, and this usually does the trick at removing any excess product. I wouldn’t recommend that you condition as well as it’ll be too much for your hair, and you may find your ends become rather brittle afterwards. 

Once my hair was dry, I found that Yuge did impact my hair in many ways: some good and others not so good. For starters, it did give my hair a lovely shine to it, which came about more once I had brushed it and it was completely dry. As my hair is usually quite frizzy, I also noticed that my locks appeared far more tame. They seemed to have lost their waviness, which was a great aspect for me, but some may not appreciate this so much. Finally, my hair did appear to be volumised a little, although I wouldn’t say it was apparent enough to get too excited. 

On the other hand, I didn’t think my hair felt all that moisturised once it was dry. In fact, I had to apply some extra Argan oil on afterwards because the hair felt quite coarse. Secondly, I found that traces of the treatment were still present in my hair, once I had towelled myself down. It appears as if all of Lush’s hot oil treatments are a little stubborn to use, so you will need to double check that your hair is fully exempt before jumping out of the shower. 

Finally, I found that the positives of Yuge didn’t last for more than a few days, and within a week my hair felt and looked exactly as it had done before I had used the treatment. While I didn’t expect this treatment to perform miracles, I was expecting it to have a lasting impact, similar to the likes of The Strokes and Jasmine And Henna Fluff-Ease.

Overall, I did feel that my hair benefitted from me using this, although I don’t think it would be too pleased if I used it more regularly than I do. Once every couple of months is more than enough to help revamp my hair a little, and I would be more inclined to used Damaged anyway, as that’s much more suited to my hair type. Although it’s a great thing that Trump’s idea of building a wall lasted little more than the time it took me to apply this to my locks, I would have liked to have seen more longevity in terms of the impact this had on my hair. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Cetearyl Alcohol & Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Organic Agave Syrup, Fine Sea Salt, Organic Jojoba Oil, Guar Gum, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Coarse Sea Salt, Cream of Tartar, Spearmint Oil, Perfume, Citric Acid, Peppermint Powder, *Benzyl Alcohol, *Limonene, Colour 4209.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £6.95 each.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.

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Cardamom Coffee Liquid Perfume

Tastes mature, people grow, and this product is a prime example of how my adoration of perfumes has grown and diversified since becoming a regular connoisseur of Lush. Never would I have expected the same girl, who five years ago was gushing over the exquisitity of Snow Fairy, to fall head over heels in love with a fragrance so unique and so far-removed from the simplicity of those early preferences. 

Cardamom Coffee is not just simply a perfume to me - it's both an experience in itself, and a memory - one that reverts my mind right back to a time when I was much less accomplished and far more pessimistic. It reminds me of nineties coffee houses and cold Saturday mornings - slurping on a hot chocolate while my mother enjoyed the rare luxury of being able to socialise with a friend or two.

Inspired by Simon Constantine's experiences in a refugee camp in Lebanon, you shouldn't be surprised to find that the main note of this perfume is Cardamom, through and through. This ingredient is very apparent from the start, and dominates a large part of the smell - both when it's in the bottle, and when it's been sprayed on the skin. For those unfamiliar with the key ingredient, cardamom offers this perfume a warm, spicy, aromatic note that is both sweet and subtly smoky at the same time. It's a robust and very intoxicating component, and gives Cardamom Coffee a heaviness that sits with you for the most part of the day. 

Alongside this is the inclusion of rose oil, and I found this to be almost as heavy in presence as the cardamom. This ingredient offers a fresh, naturally-sweet and slightly grassy floral aroma. It's quite difficult to compare the rose in this to anything else that Lush have brought out because it's so well intertwined with the aforementioned spice.

The combination of these two ingredients, along with a warm, sultry layer of olive oil absolute (which appears to be more predominant in the bottle than on the skin) creates a perfume of powerful proportions. This is not a fragrance you forget once you've worn it for the first time; this is a product that leaves a lasting impression.

While there's nothing to suggest where these other elements come from, there is a very subtle hint of coffee, although I wonder whether the name of the perfume leads you into believing that there is a note rather than there actually being one. I think it may be the dryness of the cardamom that brings about that impression. Furthermore, there is also an occasional burst of a dark, treacle-like caramel smell, that again comes from the unique pairing of the three main components.  

Initially, the smell is fairly potent, and some consumers may even be put off by how strong it is straight from the bottle. However, it soon settles on the skin, and within the first thirty minutes of wearing it, Cardamom Coffee is far mellower and much more rounded than it is coming from the bottle.

I was able to detect this fragrance on my skin for a good 5-6 hours after initial application, and appreciated the way the perfume was elevated by the warmth of my body. This meant that I experienced notes of both the cardamom and the rose at different times - sometimes together, sometimes with a buttery sweetness added in for a much-appreciated extra burst of deliciousness.

It's like a comforting blanket of smell and memory - a rich, decadent fragrance that offers both an exotic twist as well as a well-rounded, complex smell. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea (pun intended), Cardamom Coffee is an exquisite experience that needs to tried and tested by everyone who appreciates a well-rounded, carefully crafted, beautiful aroma.    

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Perfume, Water, Glycerine, Cardamom Oil, Olive Leaf Absolute, Rose Oil, *Anise Alcohol, *Benzyl Alcohol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Benzyl Salicylate, *Cinnamal, *Citral, *Coumarin, *Eugenol, *Citronellol, *Farnesol, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Price: £50 for 30ml.

Year Of Original Release: 2016.

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Cardamom Coffee Liquid Perfume

Tastes mature, people grow, and this product is a prime example of how my adoration of perfumes has grown and diversified since becoming a regular connoisseur of Lush. Never would I have expected the same girl, who five years ago was gushing over the exquisitity of Snow Fairy, to fall head over heels in love with a fragrance so unique and so far-removed from the simplicity of those early preferences. 

Cardamom Coffee is not just simply a perfume to me - it's both an experience in itself, and a memory - one that reverts my mind right back to a time when I was much less accomplished and far more pessimistic. It reminds me of nineties coffee houses and cold Saturday mornings - slurping on a hot chocolate while my mother enjoyed the rare luxury of being able to socialise with a friend or two.

Inspired by Simon Constantine's experiences in a refugee camp in Lebanon, you shouldn't be surprised to find that the main note of this perfume is Cardamom, through and through. This ingredient is very apparent from the start, and dominates a large part of the smell - both when it's in the bottle, and when it's been sprayed on the skin. For those unfamiliar with the key ingredient, cardamom offers this perfume a warm, spicy, aromatic note that is both sweet and subtly smoky at the same time. It's a robust and very intoxicating component, and gives Cardamom Coffee a heaviness that sits with you for the most part of the day. 

Alongside this is the inclusion of rose oil, and I found this to be almost as heavy in presence as the cardamom. This ingredient offers a fresh, naturally-sweet and slightly grassy floral aroma. It's quite difficult to compare the rose in this to anything else that Lush have brought out because it's so well intertwined with the aforementioned spice.

The combination of these two ingredients, along with a warm, sultry layer of olive oil absolute (which appears to be more predominant in the bottle than on the skin) creates a perfume of powerful proportions. This is not a fragrance you forget once you've worn it for the first time; this is a product that leaves a lasting impression.

While there's nothing to suggest where these other elements come from, there is a very subtle hint of coffee, although I wonder whether the name of the perfume leads you into believing that there is a note rather than there actually being one. I think it may be the dryness of the cardamom that brings about that impression. Furthermore, there is also an occasional burst of a dark, treacle-like caramel smell, that again comes from the unique pairing of the three main components.  

Initially, the smell is fairly potent, and some consumers may even be put off by how strong it is straight from the bottle. However, it soon settles on the skin, and within the first thirty minutes of wearing it, Cardamom Coffee is far mellower and much more rounded than it is coming from the bottle.

I was able to detect this fragrance on my skin for a good 5-6 hours after initial application, and appreciated the way the perfume was elevated by the warmth of my body. This meant that I experienced notes of both the cardamom and the rose at different times - sometimes together, sometimes with a buttery sweetness added in for a much-appreciated extra burst of deliciousness.

It's like a comforting blanket of smell and memory - a rich, decadent fragrance that offers both an exotic twist as well as a well-rounded, complex smell. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea (pun intended), Cardamom Coffee is an exquisite experience that needs to tried and tested by everyone who appreciates a well-rounded, carefully crafted, beautiful aroma.    

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Perfume, Water, Glycerine, Cardamom Oil, Olive Leaf Absolute, Rose Oil, *Anise Alcohol, *Benzyl Alcohol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Benzyl Salicylate, *Cinnamal, *Citral, *Coumarin, *Eugenol, *Citronellol, *Farnesol, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Price: £50 for 30ml.

Year Of Original Release: 2016.

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Montalbano Solid Shampoo Bar

I'm going to be honest - when Lush announced that they would be bringing out another six solid shampoo bars, I was a little disappointed. Firstly, I would much rather they bring out a selection of new vegan conditioners as I would love to find an alternate to Veganese. Secondly, it takes forever to test out and review shampoo bars; I knew that these new additions would be a two-three month project, which is a commitment I will have problems fitting into my very busy schedule. However, there was a part of me that was slightly excited to see these new products released into the shops and so I snapped them all up when they made an appearance in the Lush Kitchen.

Montalbano Solid Shampoo was the first of the lot to be released, and having read it's write-up, I was really excited to try it out. Crammed full of amazing ingredients, this product sounds almost good enough to eat. When it arrived, my initial reaction was intensified tenfold, and I had to fight away the urge to sink my teeth into this beautiful bar. 

The inclusion of lemon oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, lemon peel powder and lemon myrtle oil means that this shampoo bar is a highly citrusy and gorgeously zesty addition to the shampoo family. An initial sniff reveals that this bar smells a lot like Stepping Stone Scrub - a bright, almost sour natural lemon smell that's incredibly uplifting and rather potent to the senses. Be prepared to have this overpower pretty much any other cosmetic that you may have in the bathroom - it definitely makes a statement.

Lemon harvests a powerhouse of redeeming qualities for both the skin and hair - it cleanses and rejuvenates hair without stripping away the essential oils needed to keep your locks moist and in good condition. The high concentration of vitamin C also helps to give your hair it's natural shine and will leave your locks with a natural glow. 

The inclusion of green olives, which at first sounds a little strange, helps to strengthen hair and they also add a very subtle bitterness to the overall aroma of this product. The olives are included as little pieces which sit throughout the bar and they wash away easily without getting caught in your hair.

Montalbano is one of the most generous solid shampoo bars - lathering up the very instant it comes into contact with water. In fact, I would recommend that you're quite scrupulous when it comes to the application of this shampoo and only lather it across your hair for about 2-3 seconds. The bar is generous during use - creating a thick and very soft foam that immediately makes your hair feel smoother. The smell of this incredible product remains poignant throughout the whole experience, although I was a little disappointed to discover that I couldn't detect it once I applied my conditioner afterwards. 

This shampoo is amazing - leaving your hair feeling really silky soft and well-nourished from the word go. My hair is quite thin naturally but can often develop a frizzy wave that prevents me from being able to wear my hair down without straightening it first. Montalbano reduced this frizziness without flattening my natural wave, and I have been able to wear my hair down without using any other products to control the stray strands.

Furthermore, I usually find that I have to wash my hair most days as some shampoos leave it feeling slightly greasy by the end of the day. With this product, I have been able to reduce this down to every other day, which above everything else, saves me money and time. 

My hair has a natural shine to it which really brings out my highlights - this is without making it look greasy. Finally, in the two weeks that I have been using this shampoo bar, I have not noticed any fading of my hair dye and if anything, it's only heightened the different colours that are present. 

I was really not expecting to get these results with this shampoo bar, and if anything, it's only got me more excited about trying out the other ones when they arrive. This is the first permanent solid shampoo bar that I've awarded full marks for, and I'm really excited that Lush will now have a product I can buy regularly without having to stock up when it makes a fleeting visit. If you're not sure whether or not to invest in this product, I hope that this review will convince you to give it a whirl - it may just steal your heart.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Green Olives (Olea europaea), Sicilian Lemon Oil, Fresh Lemon Juice, Lemon Peel, Popping Candy, Lemon Peel Powder, Rosemary Absolute, Organic Lemon Myrtle Oil, Citral, Geraniol, Limonene, Perfume, Gardenia Extract.

Vegan?: Yes.

2014 Price: £5.75

Read More

Montalbano Solid Shampoo Bar

I'm going to be honest - when Lush announced that they would be bringing out another six solid shampoo bars, I was a little disappointed. Firstly, I would much rather they bring out a selection of new vegan conditioners as I would love to find an alternate to Veganese. Secondly, it takes forever to test out and review shampoo bars; I knew that these new additions would be a two-three month project, which is a commitment I will have problems fitting into my very busy schedule. However, there was a part of me that was slightly excited to see these new products released into the shops and so I snapped them all up when they made an appearance in the Lush Kitchen.

Montalbano Solid Shampoo was the first of the lot to be released, and having read it's write-up, I was really excited to try it out. Crammed full of amazing ingredients, this product sounds almost good enough to eat. When it arrived, my initial reaction was intensified tenfold, and I had to fight away the urge to sink my teeth into this beautiful bar. 

The inclusion of lemon oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, lemon peel powder and lemon myrtle oil means that this shampoo bar is a highly citrusy and gorgeously zesty addition to the shampoo family. An initial sniff reveals that this bar smells a lot like Stepping Stone Scrub - a bright, almost sour natural lemon smell that's incredibly uplifting and rather potent to the senses. Be prepared to have this overpower pretty much any other cosmetic that you may have in the bathroom - it definitely makes a statement.

Lemon harvests a powerhouse of redeeming qualities for both the skin and hair - it cleanses and rejuvenates hair without stripping away the essential oils needed to keep your locks moist and in good condition. The high concentration of vitamin C also helps to give your hair it's natural shine and will leave your locks with a natural glow. 

The inclusion of green olives, which at first sounds a little strange, helps to strengthen hair and they also add a very subtle bitterness to the overall aroma of this product. The olives are included as little pieces which sit throughout the bar and they wash away easily without getting caught in your hair.

Montalbano is one of the most generous solid shampoo bars - lathering up the very instant it comes into contact with water. In fact, I would recommend that you're quite scrupulous when it comes to the application of this shampoo and only lather it across your hair for about 2-3 seconds. The bar is generous during use - creating a thick and very soft foam that immediately makes your hair feel smoother. The smell of this incredible product remains poignant throughout the whole experience, although I was a little disappointed to discover that I couldn't detect it once I applied my conditioner afterwards. 

This shampoo is amazing - leaving your hair feeling really silky soft and well-nourished from the word go. My hair is quite thin naturally but can often develop a frizzy wave that prevents me from being able to wear my hair down without straightening it first. Montalbano reduced this frizziness without flattening my natural wave, and I have been able to wear my hair down without using any other products to control the stray strands.

Furthermore, I usually find that I have to wash my hair most days as some shampoos leave it feeling slightly greasy by the end of the day. With this product, I have been able to reduce this down to every other day, which above everything else, saves me money and time. 

My hair has a natural shine to it which really brings out my highlights - this is without making it look greasy. Finally, in the two weeks that I have been using this shampoo bar, I have not noticed any fading of my hair dye and if anything, it's only heightened the different colours that are present. 

I was really not expecting to get these results with this shampoo bar, and if anything, it's only got me more excited about trying out the other ones when they arrive. This is the first permanent solid shampoo bar that I've awarded full marks for, and I'm really excited that Lush will now have a product I can buy regularly without having to stock up when it makes a fleeting visit. If you're not sure whether or not to invest in this product, I hope that this review will convince you to give it a whirl - it may just steal your heart.

Quantitative Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Green Olives (Olea europaea), Sicilian Lemon Oil, Fresh Lemon Juice, Lemon Peel, Popping Candy, Lemon Peel Powder, Rosemary Absolute, Organic Lemon Myrtle Oil, Citral, Geraniol, Limonene, Perfume, Gardenia Extract.

Vegan?: Yes.

2014 Price: £5.75

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