Calacas shower gel review: "It's magical and creepy!"

I think many of us Lushies from time to time (not at all every week...) have the dilemma of deciding what our favourite Lush shower gel is.  Is it Snow Fairy? Is it Twilight? Or maybe even Rose Jam?  I think we're all a little guilty of loving almost every single one.  

One of Lush's shower gels that are high on my list is Calacas.  I got a bottle of Calacas the first time it ever came up in the kitchen because everyone else got it.  Yes I do admit, I bought this because everyone else did.  I want to blame it on peer pressure and lack of self control but maybe it was a higher calling.  Why? Because I'm certain Calacas is my favourite shower gel by the Lush Kitchen.  And I picked up two more when it recently featured online.

On one hand Calacas has a really indescribable fragrance because it's just so strange.  But it's clear this is a sweet citrus scented gel.  The Lush Community like to compare Calacas' fragrance to gummy bears and whilst this is a very good comparison, I think Calacas to be much sweeter.  Think of gummy bears, pear drops, tooty frooties, fruit pastilles all together and then you've got Calacas in one.  Basically, it's candied fruit.  Something else to bare in mind I've found Calacas to be like Back for Breakfast shower gel but much, much sweeter.  Other than that description there aren't many other products I can compare this to as it's fragrance is a one of a kind creation by Lush.

Arguably the most fascinating quality Calacas possesses is it changes colour! One minute it's orange, next it's green and then suddenly becomes yellow.  It's magical and creepy!  Anyone who searches Calacas on Instagram will see loads of posts of Calacas being different colours which is absolutely brilliant.  That's the novelty of Calacas.  It may also be seen in a different from too - Calacas was first released as a green skull shower jelly in Lush's halloween seasonal line up.

Containing Lime oil and Neroli oil to perk up our moods along with toning and protecting our skin, Olibanum oil adds a protective film over the skin which softens the skin.  And Aloe Vera Gel gives a protective and soothing quality to the gel making it perfect for sunburn or redness from the cold.  And I also praise how soft my skin is because of Calacas and how gentle it is on my eczema too.
  

I find using Calacas always enjoyable since it isn't harsh on my skin and also leaves it smelling yummy since the delectable fragrance of fruit candies lingers on the skin for hours.  As well, the gel is a little thicker than most gels which I suspect is because of the Aloe Vera but it lathers and glides over the skin effortlessly.  Afterward, my skin is left smelling edible, very soft and in good condition.  This is one of the only gels by Lush I've found effective for redness from the cold.  And whilst the UK doesn't get a lot of blistering heat where I'll fry - I'd definitely use this if I got burnt since it is really good in cooling me down.

A shower gel inspired by the Mexican holiday Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), and presumably named (and designed shower jelly) after the Calaca skull,  Calacas captures an awakening, phenomenal and memorable fragrance.  It really is no surprise Calacas is a sweet candy fragrance since sugar in the form of sugar skulls, sugar coffins and other sugar treats are a massive part in the celebrations.  Lushies across the world can honour this sweet Mexican festivity with a sweet shower gel.   There isn't anything else like this by Lush which makes me cherish the gel even more, and I cannot recommend this enough to anyone reading - it is the best shower gel the kitchen has to offer.

Top Tip - If you combine Red and Green FUN you'll create the Calacas scent! I do believe you need to use more Green than Red.

Thanks for reading!
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Extra photos:

Ingredients: water (aqua), Aloe Vera Gel, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Perfume, Lime Oil, Olibanum Oil, Neroli Oil, Lactic Acid, *Citral, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 45410, Colour 45350, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
*Occurs naturally in essential oils
Suitable for Vegans

Honey Bee bath bomb review: "you got a sweet tooth?"

Honey Bee (£3.35) is a lovely yellow coloured bath bomb with brown waves/circles through it's design.  One of Lush's sweeter bath bombs due to its yummy honey fragrance.  And since it contains honey, this makes it a vegetarian bath bomb - not vegan.

Honey Bee gives a pleasant bath experience fizzing away and turning your bath water yellow.  In between popping this into your bath and it disappearing, the bath bomb contains little chunks of honey and rhassoul mud which come away like seaweed from Big Blue.  Other than this, there isn't anything overly exciting with Honey Bee.  It has no rainbow magic (colour changes) and with a lack of Cream of Tartar the bath bomb fizzes quite quickly like Avobath.  It smells so sweet and very much like the rest of Lush's honey products.  It isn't as strong as the soap, shower gel or shampoo bar, but it is a part of that scent group.  Honeylicious.  This is for anyone who has a sweet tooth and cannot get enough of honey love.  So, you got a sweet tooth? 

The benefit of Honey Bee comes from the Aloe Vera Gel and Honey within.   Honey is both moisturising and antiseptic.  It also contains antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-fungal properties and has the ability to attract and retain moisture.  And if this didn't make Honey Bee good enough for skin, the addition of Aloe Vera Gel and Aloe Vera Extract make it a delight.  Aloe soothes itching and is good in calming sunburn or redness caused by the cold.  It softens the skin and helps to protect it.

I tend to buy this time to time rather than religiously like Avobath.  Personally, I don't find it as good as Avobath in how well it conditions the skin and I much prefer the smell of Avobath too.  I'm a massive fan of the Honey product line with Lush but the bath bomb isn't the greatest one on offer, in my opinion.  I use this on an odd Sunday afternoon every month or so.  I find it gives a relaxing bath and leaves you with soft skin rather than moisturised skin.  I do recommend Honey Bee to anyone who hasn't tried it to form your own opinion but anyone who doesn't like the Honey line (Honey I Washed my Hair, It's Raining Men...)  I think it would be best to venture other bath bombs.  And if you're a fan of the Honey line up then give this little honey a pop.  Everyone has their favourite bath bomb and this may be yours! 

Thanks for reading!

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Ingredients:

Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Rhassoul Mud,  Perfume, Honey, Aloe Vera Extract, Fair Trade Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Sweet Wild Orange Oil, Bergamot Oil, Gardenia Extract, Lilial
Citronellol,*Limonene