So White review: "Sing a happy little working song"

So White was originally a bath bomb at Christmas inspired by Snow White and the poisonous apple.  However, for Christmas 2014 Lush introduced So White in a brand new form - a shower gel!  At Christmas time I didn't like the fragrance of this... It just felt out of place.  What made it fit in is it's lovely shimmering white colour.  It says on the label "pure as the driven snow".  I do agree this shower gel gives off a look of snow, but there's so much more to consider with this beauty.

This could pass as an all year round shower gel because of its fresh and natural fragrance.  I think it would succeed as one if I'm honest.   I don't think this is a shower gel that would easily sicken people.  Since apple is my favourite fruit I'm well acquainted with it's fresh, slightly sweet, slightly watery and crisp aroma.  So White captures this delicate aroma in one sniff.  What a delight!  I would prefer this shower gel in the lighter months when you are possibly showering twice a day because of the heat.  I just feel this doesn't fit in with the Christmas theme whatsoever.  I may be alone in that thought or not, but I just don't get it.

The Apple Infusion makes this a really light, lovely and fresh shower gel.  But it's not just an addition to the fragrance. The Apple Infusion will 'de-grease' the skin as it has the ability to contract the skin cells with its acidic properties.  Also, it has skin softening qualities that will leave skin clean and refreshed.  So White contains Cyder Vinegar which contracts the skin cells too and tones the skin.  All of this, especially in a liquid form, helps balance the skin's PH levels which is good for battling dandruff and acne.  And the addition of Rose Water will soothe the skin and calm your mind, making this shower gel a treasure in your Lush shower gel line up.

The biggest criticism I have for this shower gel is it's water-thin.  It really is water-thin, more so than Happy 4 Sad!  This causes a looooot of waste in the shower because it comes out like spitfire.  I've also kind of noticed it likes to separate a lot, I don't know why that is, but I give it a good shake and that solves that issue.

Overall, So White gives a pleasurable shower experience.  It lathers well - particularly if you don't lose half of what you pour - and it's fragrance of fresh cut up apples intensifies in the shower.  You think you can smell it from the bottle? Wait until you shower.  It's fragrance leaves you feeling clean and smelling great and lingers on the skin for a good few hours.  This shower gel does really make you feel clean so this will undoubtedly be my go-to shower gel in the summer.  Snowflake Lustre through the gel adds a little touch of discreet glamour to your everyday shower experience.  You'll be feeling fair using this! This shower gel perks up my mood too - it puts me in the mood to sing a happy little working song.  Do you get it?? Get it?? Never mind.

I recommend So White for anyone who is hungry for a fresh and near enough natural fruity fragrance.  I cannot stress how clean, crisp and strong smelling this shower gel is - it's blowing me away, almost.  I'd definitely say this was the underdog of Lush Christmas 2014 because of how simple it is.  Bringing simple and spectacular together boils a bottle of So White.  Go on, try it... Have a bite.

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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.

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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

Wash That Man Out Of My Hair shower gel: "It's a chameleon"

"You don't have to worry about me anymore! 

I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair, and send him on his way! Get the picture?"

There comes at many times in life where men or even women annoy us on a day to day base.  It may be our other halves, a family member, our boss, a colleague or perhaps even a stranger!  So the idea of washing our annoyance away is pretty appealing.  Currently only exclusive to Lush's new Oxford Street flagship store and one of the three new shower gels, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a bottle of Wash That Man Out Of My Hair.  At first I didn't know whether to get this shower gel as I've never smelt Cocktail or Love perfume to know it's scent.  With a seductive name you'd need to live under a rock not to be a little interested.  And being named after the South Pacific 'Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair' song, it couldn't be more fitting for this red gem.  

There's been rumours here and there about what this gel actually smells like and all of the ones I've heard don't match up.  In my opinion, this doesn't smell like Fizzbanger bath bomb and it doesn't smell like The Lonely Heart bubble bar.  It's actually a chameleon.  When I smelt this from the bottle I absolutely hated the smell, I felt major regret and upset for not only buying a bottle but getting a 500g bottle, and wanted to sell it right away.  I tried it out on my skin immediately because if I didn't I never would, and what left me speechless was how amazing this smells on the skin.  How can something smell so horrendous in the bottle but so fantastic on the skin?

From the bottle the first two things I smell are the Lavender and Jasmine.  Any obsessed Lushies like myself I hope will be able to imagine this - think of floating flower and french kiss mashed together.  That's how this smells straight from the bottle.  I hated this shower gel the second it's fragrance hit my nostrils.  I hate jasmine since it gives me a sore head and makes me feel rather faint, and occasionally I find lavender a little overpowering so these two combined was a hellish concoction.

But outside of the bottle and onto the skin is a totally different story... It somehow transforms into a really nice fragrance I can't pull my nose from.  Wash That Man is Jasmine dominated with underlying notes of watery fruit juice.  I really want to say tropical fruit but I don't want people to automatically think I mean Yuzu and Cocoa tropical.  It's kind of like the smell of fruit squash and jasmine together.  It's a really fresh clean smell, and by this I mean I wouldn't be surprised to smell this on clean laundry/bedding.
 
It's colour is a luminous red that reminds of Lush's Christmas shower gel Hot Toddy.  Whilst the gel is thick in hands and washing mitts, it's rather runny from the bottle compared to Don't Rain On My Parade and Beautiful.  My bottle actually leaked a little in transit because it ran out from the bottle and into the cap.  But the gel lathers well and I'd say a little is enough since the lather builds more and more.  You don't need to repeatedly get handfuls of the gel from the bottle because the lather disappears.

The only thing other than my initial hatred that I'm not a fan of is I feel this is a little more drying on the skin than other shower gels.  I can only guess this is perhaps due to a lack of moisturising oils and the guava and fig juices.  

But as I wrote above, it is a chameleon.  Personally, I think the fragrance of this gel will blend with anything used in conjunction.  I can see African Paradise, Ro's Argan, King of Skin, Buffy and Aqua Marina blending with this beautifully.  It also changes from an upbeat fragrance to a relaxing one - another element of the Jasmine and Lavender battling it out.

What I find sad is how I couldn't smell the Guava and Fig from the bottle and whilst using it, because of how strong the Jasmine and Lavender are.  It is only until I smelt my skin after my shower I got a brief smell of these juices underneath a blanket of Jasmine.

But Lush sum up Wash That Man perfectly as 'empowering'.   That is exactly what I feel after using Wash That Man.  I want to keep sniffing myself and I can feel myself more confident in how I walk.  It may be a psychological effect more so than physical but it works no matter how it's explained.  In saying that, I still can't get by how strong the Jasmine is in this shower gel.  It's far too strong for my liking and I hate using it in the shower.  It is for that reason I certainly wouldn't buy this shower gel again.  Just because I like the outcome and how I smell from this gel, it doesn't make up for how drying it is and how much I hate its fragrance whilst using it in the shower.  

All in all I can see this shower gel ensnaring people from it's tempting colour and fun filled name but for me that's where it ends.  A shower gel with Jasmine, Lavender and Rose I would have thought would be rather nice but now I know that was naive of me.  Lavender and Jasmine are two really strong scents and I feel in the bottle they battle against each other.  They continue this battle throughout its use until suddenly Jasmine wins.  This is the perfect shower gel for Jasmine lovers, but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with skin problems such as eczema because I find it rather drying.  This one ain't for me I'm afraid... Sad days.  But I did enjoy washing myself with this and having my hand covered in red.  I liked falling back dramatically into the shower wall pretending I'd been shot in the series finale of my favourite TV show.




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Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lavender, Jasmine and Rose Petal Infusion, Glycerine, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Lactic Acid, Fresh Fig Juice, Gardenia Extract, *Benzyl Salicylate, *Coumarin, *Geraniol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Famesol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Bergamot Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Lavender Oil, Rose Absolute, Sandalwood Oil, Ylang Ylang Absolute, Colour 14700, Colour 19140, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
*Occurs naturally in essential oils
Suitable for Vegans

Photo of Wash That Man:

Avoshower shower gel review: "I'm not so fond"

For an entire year tonnes of Lushies repeatedly called upon the Lush Kitchen to make the highly sought after Avowash shower gel.  The shower gel that is released in American stores for special store anniversaries.  It's a rare product and is one you'll often find fallen victim to the leaches of eBay.  Approaching the Kitchen's first anniversary many of us hoped and willed for the Kitchen to surprise us with Avowash.  It didn't happen.  It happened the week after their anniversary, the devils.

Avoshower is supposed to be the adaption of Avobath bath bomb which is... questionable.  For some reason Avoshower smells more like Lush's Stepping Stone foot scrub more than Avobath.  Nonetheless Avoshower has a really invigorating and stimulating fragrance and is the perfect shower gel for a morning shower.  It gives off the same kind of feeling peppermint or spearmint give, that really awakening feeling.

Also, I've read a couple of comments from American Lushies who got their hands on a bottle of Avoshower saying this is indeed different to Avowash.  Learning they do smell different is a little disappointing since Avobath is my favourite bath bomb and as I wrote above, Avoshower isn't exactly identical to the bath bomb when that's what we were expecting and wanting.  

The addition of avocado oil is supposed to give Avshower a really nourishing and hydrating quality since it has vitamins A,B,C and E and a bunch of other great parts.  And avocado oil is actually believed to help the healing of scars too.  The present Rosewood Oil gives antiseptic and balancing benefits too.  Combine these oils with Lemongrass Infusion and citrus oils Avoshower gets it's really interesting fragrance. 

The main thing I love about the bath bomb is how moisturising and conditioning it is with an excellent refreshing fragrance.  And I don't feel Avoshower is a true adaption of this.  When I use this shower gel it doesn't moisturises my skin - I actually feel it dries my skin out which is saddening.  It does soften the skin as most shower gels do, but there is a roughness to my skin because it's dry skin.  No other shower gel by Lush's full year line up or Kitchen production has left my skin like this.  The best way to explain this to you guys is imagine using your facial cleanser but never applying your moisturiser.  I've washed my face for days on end before and never applied moisturiser.  The outcome? Really dried up skin and flakiness.

Whilst it lathers well and has a nice creamy look it isn't as good as it appears to be.  I think that adds to the disappointment if I'm honest.  This really does look creamy and would actually pass as a shower cream.  But it isn't.

I'd recommend this shower gel to anyone who is really fond of the Stepping Stone fragrance.  But please don't solely base a purchase on Avoshower thinking it smells like Avobath because it doesn't really.  I don't know if it's because it's got a lack of Lemongrass or a little more, lack of other ingredients like extra virgin olive oil or maybe it's the avocado oil in the shower gel when it's fresh avocado in the bath bomb.  They just aren't identical to each other.  It's fragrance is lovely and very uplifting and invigorating nonetheless.

I wished on the Lush star for an entire year and my wish eventually came true.  The kitchen did cook Avowash but I do have to say it wasn't what I expected - and sadly in a bad way.  When you first smell products by Lush you can fall madly in love with them and then two weeks later you can hate them.  It can also be the opposite where you hate them and then love them.  For me I loved this and now I'm not so fond.  With a lack of moisturising qualities, the only positive quality this has is a pleasant fragrance and an alluring colour.  Admittedly the only reason I would buy this shower gel again is if I didn't have my collection of gels.  I would buy it for it's fragrance but I wouldn't rush to do this if there was a better offer.  It isn't a really bad shower gel but it isn't really great either.  Avoshower definitely doesn't agree with my skin - drying it out isn't really good for an eczema sufferer.  Instead I'd recommend Back for Breakfast or Calacas citrus and sweet Kitchen gels.  

Don't make a sequel if you can't out due the original, as Kevin Williamson told me.  The same motto goes for Don't make an adaption if it isn't truly an adaption.  That's how I feel about this shower gel.  It's like having an idol (Avobath) and then you meet said idol (Avoshower) and it's utterly disappointing.  But maybe one day I'll get my hands on the true Avowash.





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Ingredients: Lemongrass Infusion, Water, Bergamot Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Rosewood Oil, Organic Avocado Oil, *Citral, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Gardenia Extract, Frosty Green Glitter, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
*Occurs naturally in essential oils
Suitable for Vegans.

Hot Toddy shower gel review: "It's like a layered cake"

Can I say before I go on further, how I feel so crap for missing Hot Toddy at Christmas.  I feel like Christmas never even happened if I'm honest.  So I'm quite eager for Christmas to roll around again... Only 7 months to go! Yay..... *whimper*

BUT thankfully in the mean time, I found someone who wanted rid of their 250g Hot Toddy and I jumped at the chance.  I'll write at this point that I got a 500g bottle from another fabulous account as well.

Oh my Toddy... This shower gel really is something special.  It smells just like Atomic Fireblast candy.  I think its the same as Red Hots too.  It is such a beautiful shade of red, such a beautiful shade.  The gel is a totally different colour in the shower opposed to the colour seen in the bottle.  It's kind of like a neon red colour and it's rather impressive how different it is.  I can't even compare it to other shower gel colours... The colour of the gel outside the bottle is kind of like Heart Throb bubble bar.  Also, the shower gel has a beautiful gold shimmer of glitter through the gel kind of like Yummy Mummy with silver shimmer.  But as with most Lush shower gels, the majority of the glitter has sunk to the bottom of the bottle (look below).

Hot Toddy smells exactly like Atomic Fireblast / Red Hots candy.  I can't even begin to stress how identical these candies are to the fragrance of Hot Toddy.  It is a sweet cinnamon scented gel.  Very spicy but underneath that spice is a lovely sweet and sugary fragrance.  And also kind of grounded since, personally, I can smell the patchouli in Hot Toddy.  I'm a patchouli warrior but - I smell it in everything! It's like a layered cake.  It's like a cup of coffee.  You smell the coffee first and then gradually get a waft of the sweetner you've put in it.   Well, with Hot Toddy, you get the waft of cinnamon and ginger first and I'd say the lemon juice, lime, and orange oils follow to make that lovely sweet depth.

I use a wash mitt in my shower routine and the shower gel soaks well into it to create a delicious lather.  It spreads quite thin! But not water thin like Happy 4 Sad.  And out of all the layers of Hot Toddy, I'd say it is most definitely the cinnamon which lingers on the skin.  I've used it a couple of times now and the fragrance can last for about five hours.  After using the gel, my skin felt clean and refreshed... Very squeaky clean! And it also felt soft courtesy of the carrageenan extract.  Surprisingly, I also felt this shower gel was rather sensual.  The kind of Lush product that makes you want to purr... Yeah, a lot of people might not get that description and some might just think it's crazy.  But I'd recommend Hot Toddy as an "intimate" shower gel.

A great combo with this is King of Skin or Sympathy for the Skin.  Both of these calm the vibrant cinnamon scent and bring it to a more gentle finish.  They bring out the sweeter scent of Hot Toddy as the spicy notes are more prominent than the sweet in general use. 

The only thing I'm not liking about Hot Toddy at the moment is how I feel after using this shower gel.  I feel as if I'm breaking out in sweats whenever I use this.  And although there is fair warning on the label, I didn't expect this to really make you feel warm.  But it does.  Oh Toddy it does.   Almost an hour after using the shower gel I still feel warm.  So, why is this a problem? Well come the summer weather when I'm constantly roasting, burning, panting and fanning myself continuously - this gel will probably be my worst nightmare.  The heat it gives you is unbelievable.  Unless you're well acquainted with cinnamon or this gel you won't understand what I'm trying to convey with words.  Just imagine lying by the pool and feeling very, very warm and desperate to jump in the swimming pool.  Just imagine the way you feel when lying in a sunbed after the ten minute mark.  That is what Hot Toddy does to you.  


This is a lovely shower gel by Lush and is perfect for the Christmas season.  It's colour fits in, it's fragrance is that of baked goods for Christmas and it just screams Christmas.  With its warming tendencies, I definitely wouldn't recommend using this when summer comes about - unless you are having a cold shower.  

All in all this is a great festive creation by Lush and I'm very, very pleased I've got my bottles.  I'm hoping Lush will bring it back for the 2015 Lush Christmas Collection.  However, I'd like to see Glogg or Ponche since... (oh boy)... Ihaven'ttriedthembefore.  Oh that felt good to confess but still pains me.   But when the other shower gels offered for Christmas are Snow Fairy, Rose Jam and So White... Hot Toddy is a refreshing difference.  

Ingredients: Ginger Infusion, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Fair Trade Aloe Vera Gel, Laurly Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Fresh Organic Lemon Juice, Fine Sea Salt, Clove Leaf Oil, Patchouli Oil, Lime Oil, Benzoin Resinoid, Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Sweet Orange Oil, Carrageenan Extract, *Cinnamal, *Eugenol, *Limonene, *Linalool, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Benzyl Cinnamate, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Perfume, Colour 14700, Colour 17200, Gold Glimmer Lustre, Methylparaben
*Occurs naturally in essential oils


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instagram: @lushvoyage