Temptation soap

I know, right?

For those who don't know, Temptation is Lush's most expensive soap. I think. It's on sale for a whopping £7.00 per 100g in the current Retro range. Before you say it, no, I didn't spend that much on it. I found a girl on the Lush forum who was selling her chunk for one reason or another and I got a good price on it. One I was more willing to pay, anyway.

I'm sure I wasn't the only Lushie to want to know what this soap is like but never wanted to spend so much on a lump of soap, so it always stayed as something on a wish list.

Most apt name for a soap ever.

All I knew of Temptation was that it smelled of apples. I could never figure out why it was so much more expensive per 100g than So White soap (granted, that only made an appearance as part of a gift set) which also smells of apples. I wasn't sure what to expect when it arrived, so I was surprised anyway.

Before I opened the package I could smell it. I couldn't tell what it was as the apple wasn't immediately obvious, but it was very strong and quite pleasant. I pulled it out and it wasn't bubble-wrapped (tisk), and in it's clear plastic bag it actually looked black. My curiosity rose as I couldn't remember what I had ordered that was black and solid. I had to read the label to find out that this was Temptation...

80g of Temptation soap, slightly bumped and beaten.

Out of it's bag and in the light it is unmistakably green. It even has a red bit in it, which I'm sure is meant to be there... right? It's not just someone's missing toe or something?

The scent was even stronger, obviously, and for once I couldn't decide what it actually smelled like. There was definitely the apple notes, but this fragrance has so many more layers. I think it's one of Lush's most elaborate and I think I can see why it costs so much.

It's not just apple, but something that smells like a classic perfume, something that your favourite, wacky aunt might have worn as she sauntered around town in the 70s, bangles clanking on both wrists, earrings that dangle to her shoulders, wearing bright red lipstick with a Beatles track playing in the background.

The only word I could immediately think of to describe it was 'old', but it's so much more than that. It's retro, hippy, free, fruity, kinda sweet, fragrant and very different, while having a little something that's unmistakably familiar. It's a scent that will linger in your nose and catch in your throat long after you've used it.

Which brings me to my next point...

Much like every other semi-transparent soap that Lush does (Ice Blue, Godmother, etc) it's not very moisturising. In fact, just like the others, it dries out my skin. That's more than likely just me, though. It lathers up slightly better than the others of this type do, though, and I should hope so, for that price. It seems to be one that will last quite a while too, but don't quote me on that.

In summary:
By it if you like apples, strong fragrances, 'perfume' notes, unusual scents.
Don't buy it if you have dry skin, don't like strong smells or only like Lush's creamy soaps.

Am I glad I got it? Yes. Is it worth the money? Eh. Will I be buying it again? Probably not, unless I find some cheap again. I say ask for a sample next time you mail order. It's definitely worth that.

PS. My boyfriend said he loved it, and it smells like apple drops (sweets) to him. In a way I guess I agree, but there's a whole other level of fragrance I don't think his nose is picking up on.

Coalface cleanser

I've been searching for about a year for the right Lush facial cleanser for me. I have dry, sensitive skin, don't you know. Fresh Farmacy and Aqua Marina are a bit too drying for me, Angels On Bare Skin gave me a rash, Dark Angels was OK but made so much of  a mess that I didn't buy a replacement pot once I finished my first, Buche De Noel was too greasy. Mask of Magnaminty (which I'll be reviewing at some point too) is great for a weekly mask/scrub but not ideal as a daily cleanser...

In stepped Coalface. This mysterious, dark and handsome fellow always just hovered outside my attention span. Fresh Farmacy's darker, bad-boy twin brother. He was always there, always intriguing but never top of my Want List and so he never got a chance. Poor old Coalface. How could I have been so clueless? You were there all along, just looking for someone to hold you, someone to need you, promising to never make me sad or angry like the others. Oh... Coalface...

Ahem.

Where was I?

This cleanser is like Fresh Farmacy in shape and texture, but it's jet black and smells of charcoal and licorice. He... I mean, 'it' doesn't dry the skin too much, deeply cleanses, and reduce redness, too, which makes it the cleanser I should have tried in the very beginning.

Poor Coalface. Please forgive me? I love you...

Magic Mushroom bubble bar (Ltd. Ed.)

A bubble bar that smells like strawberries and cream, which is super softening and turns the bath water a flirty shade of red. Sounds really good, doesn't it? Most Lushies would agree with you if you said yes and I have to admit, the sound of it was enough to make me go buy two straight off the bat.

However, for me (and I know there are a few people out there that will strangle me when they read this), it wasn't as great as I had hoped.

When you pick it up it does smell absolutely divine and reminds me of that old favourite shower gel, Yummy Yummy Yummy. It's also quite quirky and cute to look at too, more like a "This is what a four year old would make if asked to make a mushroom from play-doh" than an actual mushroom shape, though I actually like that about it. Who wouldn't?

Unfortunately that's where the appeal for me ends.

I used a full one in my bath because I wanted a full-on fruity kick and lots of bubbles. I got the bubbles alright, but the scent pretty much vanished as soon as it went in the water. It wasn't overly softening compared to other Lush bubble bars either. The icing on the 'just satisfactory' cake was when the bubbles died down and I had a mild moment of panic to find the water looked as though someone had bled out in it. Not very attractive at all.

Sorry , Lush, but I like to bathe in a relaxing tub, not one that looks like something straight out of a horror movie!

I will use my other one and hope that it turns out better than the first, but I'm not sure I'll be buying any more. It's one I won't be stocking up on between releases anyway.

The Mushroom made an appearance last year too so don't panic if you miss it this year. You'll probably see it next year anyway.

Twilight ballistic

Lush have become quite creative and adventurous with their ballistics - that's bath bombs for the Lush-uneducated - where they've released four new ones. Two I like, and two I don't. The first one that I like (obviously) is called Twilight.

OK, roll your eyes and get it over with.

It smells very, very nice. "Lavender and Ovaltine", the website says, and I'm not too sure if that's what it smells like but it's very nice indeed. It's subtly sweet and relaxing. Idea for just before bed. It also makes skin very soft, which is always a good thing.

Where the magic happens with Twilight (and likewise with their other new ballistics) is when you drop it into the bath. Twilight turns the water pink first, and the bright blue before the two mix and make purple. It's very very pretty and a lot more exciting than the monotone you usually get with ballistics. Watch the video below to see what I mean.

Caca Rouge henna

I think this might be a review in two installments. One now and one in a few weeks time after the hair has settled or whatever it is it might be doing.

Lush's 'Caca' range is simply henna hair colouring.

I know what you're thinking. Anyone who has heard of henna has heard the horror stories. Hair falling out or burning, disintegrating or turning green. And yes, that does happen, if you use the wrong kind of henna.

Yes, I've done my research.

The wrong kind of henna would be any henna that comes in bottles, packaged up with such things as a bottle of developer, or anything to mix with it, like regular hair dyes do. Those 'henna' dyes rarely even contain henna in the slightest amount. 'Henna' with added metallic compounds are the ones that do the most damage. If you're going to try henna make sure you know whats in it. For example, added silver compounds turns hair (especially already dyed hair) green, while added copper compound will actually dissolve your hair and burn your scalp. Not an attractive look. So DO NOT BUY HENNA WITHOUT CHECKING THE INGREDIENTS FIRST.

There are two safe ways of using henna, as far as I am sure of. You can buy tattoo-quality powdered henna, which is purely the henna plant all ground up. You have to add your own oils,etc, to make it work properly. Anyone that will sell this top notch henna will give you full instructions on what to do and how to do it. You're more likely to find such people on the internet, but do be very careful and check what they are selling. Remember you want the powder stuff, not bottles of developer.

Or if you want an easy, simple, cost effective way to do it, go to Lush. They sell their henna already mixed with essential oils and butter, compounded into a dry-but-slightly-oily brick. It looks like a giant chocolate bar, but really doesn't smell like one. They come in four shades...

Actually, that reminds me, henna ONLY comes in red and variations of red. If you see anything claiming to be henna that is blonde or blue or crazy non-red/brown then DON'T GET IT. It's one of those metallic compound ones. In fact, even black henna isn't 100% henna... but black henna is safe... allow me to continue...

Where was I? Oh, yes, four shades. Caca Brun is the mellow, subtle brown one. Caca Maron is like a chestnutty, mahogany, dark reddish brown. Caca Rouge is the red one, which they actually tell people to only get if they want their hair RED! And Caca Noir is henna and indigo (another plant) which can make your hair black with either purple/blue hints or red hints, depending on whether you let it dry or keep it wet and warm during the development time.

You should also know that Henna doesn't work like ordinary dyes. It stains the hair and the endresult will be relative to your natural or previous colour. For example, Caca Rouge on dark brown hair will make it deep chocolate brown with reddish highlights in the sun. Caca Rouge onblonde or grey hair will turn it vibrant ginger. This works really great it you have a few stray strands of grey hair of old highlights on dark hair, as these will turn gingery red while the rest will go brown. I will, however, warn people with blonde or grey roots that it WILL turn your roots ginger, and leave the rest of your hair dark. It will look silly. So go for Caca Marun or Brunor Noir instead.

Henna colour is permanent.
Once you put the slop on your hair it takes AT LEAST one hour to develop, but they recommend 4 hours 'officially', but the majority of Lush Henna people will say to leave it on longer, or even overnight. Why? Well, because it's like a mud mask for your hair as well as a hair dye! It leaves your hair thicker, softer, less likely to tangle, easier to manage... it's really amazing stuff, so why wouldn't you leave it on for as long as possible? It's GOOD for your hair!

I will say that it is very messy and very tedious to prepare it. You will need help (thank you again, Laura) if your hair is longer than a few inches.

It is definitely worth it, though.

As with everything, if you are going to henna your hair, get instructions (provided by lovely Lush staff) and stick to them. Trust me.

Fresh Farmacy cleanser

I've had a hard time with Lush facial washes in the past. I'm allergic to Angels On Bare Skin. I wanted to try something that wasn't going to give me a rash or turn my face to a grease machine. So I tried Fresh Farmacy. It's the peachy coloured solid soap they sell with the aim of reducing spots and redness of the face.

I don't really suffer from spots that often, so I can't really say if this works in that respect or not. I can't see why it wouldn't though, because this soap is very drying. It's super important to use a moisturiser afterwards, but that's the case with most spot- and redness-fighting cleansers out there.

It does leave the skin very very soft though, and very clean, so the temporary dryness is well worth it. It's inexpensive as it lasts a very long time. It smells slightly floral and calming.

To use, you lather it up like a regular soap and rub it over your face, scrubbing gently with your fingers before rinsing it off completely. Then use your moisturiser!

If you're not sure about whether this is the right product for you, ask for a sample in your local Lush. Most branches are more than happy to give your a little bit to see if it works for you. Go on, give it a go.

Sakura solid perfume (discontinued)

Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossom. Are you surprised I've picked this up?

For those of you that don't know, cherry blossom is my favourite scent in the world. Plus, it's very pretty!

Lush make a bath ballistic called Sakura, too, and if you like it - and I don't know why you wouldn't - you should give this a try. I will say now that as with all of Lush's solid perfumes, Sakura smells differently on different people. This happens when the body's natural oils mix with the oils and butters in the perfume and subtly changes the fragrance. It should also be noted that a person's 'scent' can change over time, especially if the person moves to a different environment.

What I mean is, when I lived in London and my skin was assaulted with pollution and grime 24/7, Sakura smelled really bad on my skin. American Cream and Champagne Snow Showers were better behaved. Now that I'm living in a much kinder environment my skin behaves differently, and so Sakura smells very nice.

Now, if you're thinking you don't want to smell all floral like an old lady, then reread what I just said, and also keep in mind that Sakura doesn't just smell like cherry blossom. In the tin it smells quite musky and sensual, almost mysterious, if a smell can be called mysterious. It doesn't smell "like" anything else. It barely even reflects the scent of the bath ballistic. It's as thought Lush took three or four familiar, identifiable scents and put them all together and my some miracle they worked out.

Out of the pot it becomes more subtle and, while I can't tell you what it would smell like on your skin, I can tell you that when I'm wearing it I can't stop smelling myself. I'll make the excuse of scratching my head just so I can sniff my wrist.