Lush Toothy Tabs

RRP: £6.50 for 50g (around 100 tabs)

--What does the promo say?--
"Keep your mouth in mint condition. Cleansing kaolin and a triple whammy of minty goodness ensure this solid toothpaste will freshen up your mouth and make your teeth sparkle." 

--Packaging--
These used to come in a cardboard box. Sadly now, though, they come in a plastic bottle. At least this bottle is recyclable - so you can either throw it into the recycling bin at home (unlike a normal toothpaste tube) or take it into a Lush store for recycling (recycle 5 in one shot and you get a free product). It was really this environmental factor that led me to switch from traditional toothpaste. The monochrome label is unisex and minimalist and so should appeal to all. The travel advantage is also obvious: the bottle is much smaller than any toothpaste tube and the tabs clearly don't count towards your liquid allowance when flying.

--Usage--
"For intensely icy airwaves," the website instructs, "simply nibble one between your teeth and start brushing." This really is as simple as it sounds (although I went in with some trepidation). 

--Appearance--
This depends on the flavour you choose. Limelight is green with yellow streaked through, Boom! is black, and the two I went for - Dirty and Miles Of Smiles - are white. Not feeling quite brave enough to try the former, the latter two are more like traditional toothpastes in appearance, dissolving quickly in the mouth to create a white foam.

--Scent and taste--
Miles of Smiles is a really very minty concoction whose aftertaste lasts hours. As a result, I tend to use this in the morning, switching to Dirty in the evening, which is mint and neroli flavoured, and slightly milder as a result. It's an unusual combination, but taste-wise really works for me (although I've read reviews by others who disliked it - so it's definitely personal and you should definitely have a sniff in the shop before buying). 

--Texture and consistency--
These tabs are based on kaolin (clay) and bicarbonate of soda, leading to a chalky texture. This is fine and doesn't take long to get used to: the tabs are small, so break down quickly upon chewing and with the addition of water, the chalkiness giving way to a smooth, fine foam. However, I have found that the binding elements of kaolin and bicarb do tend to gel with any excess saliva in the mouth overnight, leading to yucky strings of white gel populating in my mouth that I then have to scrape out. Yep. Lovely. BUT other reviews don't suggest that this happens to other people. So I'd recommend trying it first before discounting the possibility.

--Effects on the teeth--
Teeth feel clean after use and the flavourings make breath feel fresh for hours. 

--Value for money--
At £6.50 a pop this isn't cheap - especially if it turns out not to be for you. As for myself, I really wanted to like this product as I so loved the concept. However, the mouth residue is not something I can live with long-term, which is such a shame. Once my 2 bottles are finished, I'll be looking for other toothpaste alternatives.

perfect partner
Mouthwash Tabs, £6.50*

*available in 3 flavours: clove & mint, mint, and lemon

Should teenage girls wear makeup?

I try to read a variety of media, and while the Times and Financial Times are mainstays, I also read the Guardian regularly, and from time to time reactivate a free trial of the Telegraph. In the latter, I recently read Annabel Jones' 'Should teenage girls wear makeup? I think it's fine - and here's why' - and I tend to agree with her.

I started playing with makeup in the pre-teen years: when I was 11 or 12.

Puberty is starting younger and younger - I started my periods a month after my twelfth birthday and developed acne at the age of 10. This is also now happening to even younger girls, due to environmental factors such as diet. So if you do have acne, it's natural that your self-confidence would feel dented - and even though I do see the argument of letting the skin get some air (and even as an adult ensure I have at least two makeup-free days a week), I also think a bit of concealer does more good than harm (especially if, like I was, you are also bullied). This is one of the first points made by the Telegraph's beauty editor also.

I would probably just go for a lighter mineral concealer, rather than the cheap stick foundations and concealers that I used to slather on, which were quite thick and cakey. ELF does good affordable ones that will cover blemishes while allowing skin to breathe.

I also used to love messing around with nail varnishes with my cousin, and would argue that such experiences are good for bonding - though this is also an argument for cheap clothes and nail polishes, as well as plenty of nail varnish remover, as chances are it will go everywhere! I didn't have a particular favourite brand, but used to go for the classics that pervade the aisles at Boots and Superdrug - Maybelline, 17, and so on. I was mainly about the colours, rather than brands, and especially all about the glitter, for which Barry M is a good choice. It also teaches you about science - namely, not to use nail varnish remover to clean up accidentally spilled nail polish from the top of a plastic TV casing...

Experimenting with eyeshadows - especially pink glittery ones - was another favourite pursuit, and as well as being just plain fun, helps you to see what colours suit you so that you can develop a sophisticated style long-term. I wouldn't be so keen on pink glittery eyeshadows now, but would go for dark purples, blues, browns, metallics or even greens to highlight my grey eyes.

This argument is even more persuasive when it comes to foundation. While young skin doesn't specifically need it, there are plenty of lighter foundations available, as well as tinted moisturisers, and even BB creams, which didn't exist when I was an adolescent but are a great option for teen skin, not just for breathability but also their other functions (such as SPF). I wouldn't recommend cheaper options in this case - even now, I'd say investing in the base is everything so as to not damage your skin. Furthermore, more expensive brands tend to have a wider range of shades available, meaning you have a greater chance of a good-looking result. It's perhaps more important and higher-stakes than you might think to get this right at a young-ish age - I went for my first job interview when I was 15, and who wants to go with a massive tide mark along the jaw line because the shade isn't right? It's a good lesson for young people too: if you want to wear makeup, then look professional. While quite a few of the cheaper high street brands have upped their game since I was trying out foundations for the first time, most still have their 'palest' shade pitched either too dark or too orange - so I would recommend trading up. Try Lily Lolo for mineral foundations that are kind to acneic skin.

Even though I started wearing makeup at a young age, I'm forever grateful to my (otherwise strict!) parents for their laissez-faire attitudes regarding this. Annabel Jones mentions in her article about picking your battles and not restricting the amount or type of makeup your teen wears - and I tend to agree, as doing the opposite would only breed resentment. It's something your teen has to work out for themselves - and, as I have mentioned above, in their own time (and plenty of it).

As she also mentions, good skincare routines and products are vital too. Steer clear of the cheap and artificial as far as possible - brands like Lush, Zao, Couleur Caramel, and Lamazuna are environmentally friendly too. Conversely, don't be afraid to seek prescription products if really needed for teen skin conditions.

Annabel Jones' most important comment though, is that makeup is about enhancing - not disguising - who you really are. And that, for teenage girls who may be feeling more insecure by the day, is crucial.

Lush Beak Street Shower Bomb

RRP: £2.75

--What does the promo say?--
"This luxurious Easter treat will sing a serenade to the senses thanks to its sweet and spicy scent. Take a sniff (and a selfie) before stepping into the shower and allowing this indulgent shower bomb to foam up in the palm of your hands. Sweep the custard-coloured foam all over your skin to lavish in the moreish fragrance of buttery popcorn while maize flour gently exfoliates. You’ll be in beak condition in no time."

--Packaging--
In typical Lush style, this is minimal. Mine came in a brown paper bag.

--Usage instructions--
Rub over wet skin while showering to create a glorious foam!

--Appearance--
This limited-edition shower bomb, made especially for Easter, is called Beak Street, thanks to being shaped and coloured like an Easter chick's beak. Its vibrant yellow-orange pyramid breaks down into a bright foam on contact with water. No visible residue is left on the skin.

--Scent--
While described as akin to popcorn in the promotional materials, I found that there was a citrus element too, which is more in keeping with the "sweet and spicy" description. I chose it because it seemed to have a lively and refreshing fragrance - perfect for waking you up in the morning or for that post-gym shower. I was not disappointed.

--Texture and consistency--
The foam is luxurious and plentiful, making for a real treat. However, it also has a gently exfoliating element thanks to the maize and flour starch that the shower bomb also contains.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin felt moisturised and exfoliated. I'd say that's a win.

--Value for money--
Your £2.75 gives you a generous shower's worth of foam. If you are careful (and have a tin in which to store the remains) you could be more conservative and make it last two showers. This makes it definitely a lot more expensive compared to a normal shower gel; we are definitely in treat territory here. However, it's cheaper than a bath bomb, and overall represents a smart move from Lush: in these times of increased environmental concern, it's worth promoting showers over baths, and proving that the former can be as luxurious an experience as the latter. As I love the scent, I'm hoping they will transfer it to other products available for longer-term purchase once Easter has passed - and in the meantime, I look forward to trying other shower bombs too.

perfect partners
Other shower bombs available (all at the same price): Karma, Sleepy, Strawberry Hill, Koyaanisqatsi, Not Sleepy
Shower Body Conditioners, from £8.50
Naked Shower Gels, £8.95
Shower Jellies, from £8.95
Shower Gels, from £5.95
Carrot Shower Oil, £4.95
Oaty Creamy Dreamy Shower Cream, £12.95

Lush Sandy Santa Sugar Scrub

RRP: £2.95

--What does the promo say?--

"Those great Christmas traditions of sun, surf and Santa! A sunny citrus body scrub with hints of floral, to perk up winter skin or get summer skin swimming-suit ready."

--Packaging--

In traditional Lush style, packaging is limited to a yellow paper sleeve. However, I'd strongly advise the purchase of an additional tin for this product due to reasons stated below.

--Application--

Rub gently over damp skin during a shower. Don't scrub too hard - the sugar particles will do all of the work. Then rinse off.

--Appearance--

Despite the fire-engine red of Santa's hat, this doesn't leave any visible residue on the skin (although it might make your shower look like you've been filming a scene from Psycho for a few minutes). This is one of the reasons why you will need a tin with a lid for this product as the colour does leach out quite a bit on contact with water - a soap dish with no lid just doesn't cut it. The shape of the scrub bar is very definitely a Santa head with a hat on, so perfect for getting you into a festive mood.

--Scent--

The overriding smell is that of peppermint, which along with the product's red and white colours really helps to evoke seasonal images of candy canes. This doesn't last as long on the skin as it could, though, and is strange, as it appears to deliberately contradict the main scents actually featuring in the ingredients list: rosewood, sandalwood and orange!

--Texture and consistency--

Delightfully scrubby without being too abrasive. However, it does have a tendency to fall apart or dissolve on contact with water (another reason why a tin with a lid is needed) and some of the larger crystals don't actually break down, leading to a small amount of wastage.

--Effects on the skin--

The essential oils used, combined with the exfoliating properties of the sugar, lead to super smooth and soft skin. Definitely a must in these cold winter months while trying to dodge dry patches.

--Value for money--

At a mere £2.95 this makes a fun stocking filler and it actually lasts a few weeks too, making it great for making your bathroom look a lot like Christmas. Just make sure you get the tin with it, no matter who you're buying for.

perfect partners

Orange Blossom Perfume, £5.50

Melting Snowman Bath Melt, £1.95

North Pole Soap, £3.25/100g

Father Christmas Bath Bomb, £3.25

Bubblebeard Bubble Bar, £4.95

Lush Dorothy Bubble Bar

--What does the promo say?--

"Somewhere over the rainbow, baths are blue. If you’re not already a friend of Dorothy, isn’t it time you tried it? A blue skies thinking bath that takes you out of the monochrome and into a colourful fantasy, where the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. This bath smells so great you might want to stay in there quite some time, so take a good book, a glass of wine and something to munchkin."

--Packaging--

Being Lush, they've stuck to one of their trademark paper bags for this one. You can buy a tin if you like, however.

--Usage instructions--

Drop into the bath and watch the bubbles foam up! So simple and fun to use that it's practically child's play.

--Appearance--

The beautiful rainbow combined with bright blue is cheerful and basic, meaning it's enough to provide us with the best of childlike joy. I didn't find that the bathwater went that blue, but the mounds of white bubbles alone were enough to make me happy. No colourful dye or residue was left on the skin after use. The bar also kept its shape and colour even after one half-hour use.

--Scent--

The product uses ylang ylang, gardenia and orange in its formulation, with the ylang ylang perhaps being the most obvious. The scent also fills the bathroom for ages after use, making for an aromatherapeutic experience for you to enjoy long after you've pulled the plug.

--Effects on the skin--

After a bath in this, skin is left feeling smooth and soft until the next morning. A delight.

--Longevity--

I had planned to luxuriate in my bath until the bubbles had long gone, but after half an hour and decidedly prune-like skin, I reluctantly let the water out, even though the vast majority of the bubbles had stayed put. No two ways about it - this is an enthusiastic product from a passionate brand that delivers on what it promises. En plus, the bar itself had nowhere near run out, leaving plenty for another day.

--Value for money--

Curiously, the British RRP is not available on the Lush website at present, but the product is still selling as normal in the US and France, for $6.25 and €5.45 respectively, and there is no sign online of the product being discontinued (there were rumours of this happening in 2010, but all of the whispers on the wind proved to be unfounded). So we can safely assume that the product is being sold somewhere in the region of £4 to £4.50 (based on the exchange rates today for the prices given above). This is clearly in line with other eco-friendly bubble baths, such as those from companies like Earth Friendly, The Eco Bath, and Logona. It's also on a par with novelty bath bubble bottles for children, such as In The Night Garden and Toy Story 3-themed bottles currently being sold, meaning it's neither suspiciously cheap nor outrageously expensive. Fun, natural, and long-lasting - by all accounts I'll definitely be back for more bubble bars from Lush, be it for gifts or an indulgent treat.

perfect partner

Relax...Take A Bath, £12.50

Dreamtime Luxury Bath Melt, £3.15

Twilight Bath Bomb, £3.20

Lush Coalface Cleanser

RRP: from £4.50/100g

--What does the promo say?--
"Designed for oilier skins, this soap is gentle enough for the face, but don’t stop there, what’s good for the face is great for the body too. Coalface includes liquorice infusion for softening and charcoal which absorbs grease and gently exfoliates the skin. The charcoal in here is made by Jim, in the surrounding woodlands of Dorset, who specially bumps and grinds the charcoal to a very fine grade for us to make it suitable for use on the face."

--Packaging--

Lush are very eco-friendly with their packaging as a rule, and Coalface is no exception: it just comes wrapped in a sheet of paper, which of course is fully recyclable. Coalface itself is basically like a soap bar, so it just dissolves down as you use it.

--Application--

Lather up like a soap in your hands, then rub the lather over your face before rinsing off and proceeding with toner, moisturiser, or whatever else you use (if anything).

--Appearance--

The black colour of the soap and grey colour of the lather makes it both unconventional and unisex, but there is also a bit of silver glitter on there to make it fun. Doesn't leave any visible residue on the hands or face after use.

--Scent--

 The charcoal smell is evident without being overpowering, and the other most noticeable scent is liquorice, making for a unique, slightly sweet, yet definitely unisex combination. The other scents, such as sandalwood, are not obvious at all.

--Texture and consistency--

The hard bar turns into a smooth, yet not creamy lather, and there are also a few small exfoliating particles in the bar, which you could rub over your face for a quick scrub. Overall a pleasant sensory experience.

--Effects on the skin--

This definitely reduced oiliness without drying even on hot days; however, I'm not convinced that I saw that much improvement in my skin even after nearly a month of use. Perhaps more time is needed.

--Value for money--

This product is pleasant to use, reduces oiliness, and is affordable (the £4.50 paid for the 100g is bargainous as this size bar lasts an age). You're also not paying over the odds for packaging. Charcoal soap is also no cheaper anywhere else, and I know this product has helped a lot of people, suggesting that Lush are really offering something new and different here.

perfect partners

Love Lettuce, £5.75

Ocean Salt, from £6.75/100g

Enzymion, £13.50

Grease Lightning, £5.65

Breath of Fresh Air, from £3.75/100g

Lush Stepping Stone Foot Scrub

RRP: £2.75/65 grams

--What does the promo say?--
"Everyone needs a Stepping Stone after an arduous day with your foot to the pedal. The green foot has the zesty You’ve Been Mangoed fragrance and punishing pumice to scrub away the rigours of life. Jojoba oil will moisturise dry skin without leaving them greasy and sea salt will treat them to plentiful minerals."

--Packaging--
As with many Lush products, this comes with minimal packaging - this time, a recyclable plastic wrap. The bad news is that this doesn't protect the product at all, so if you order online, chances are it will arrive broken into a few pieces. This also means that storing it is pretty tricky: I'd recommend buying one of Lush's larger tins (e.g. the one recommended for Buffy) so that you can easily store and access it in the shower.

--Application and usage--
Wet the feet, scrub on a little of this, massage into the feet and then rinse off. Turns the water a cool green colour :) Is easy to rinse and does not leave your hands with any sort of Shrek-like tinge.

--Appearance--
Formed into the shape of a foot, this might be worn down or battered a little by the time you receive it if using Lush's online ordering service. A nice natural-looking (not luminous) green, and the pumice particles are clearly visible.

--Scent--
The dominant smell here does come from the citrus elements and the lemongrass that's included; makes for a zesty and enlivening shower.

--Texture and consistency--
This has got to be just about the tamest exfoliator I have ever used (short of Avène's poor efforts) - it is extremely gentle and so could be good for those of you with sensitive skin or for those of you looking to just maintain smooth feet. However, it is also extremely crumbly and does melt and fizz under the shower water quite quickly, so perhaps it is better to break off the amount you wish to use so that the entirety of the product doesn't just disintegrate in your hand.

--Effects on the skin--
As was perhaps implied in the above remarks, as a treatment for dry hard skin this is too gentle to be effective. Probably better as a general maintenance product for those of you who already have smooth feet.

--Value for money--
At £2.75 this is one of Lush's cheaper products, and is probably an efficacious day-to-day maintenance product. However, if you are looking for a treatment, you will need something more heavy-duty, such as Lush's Ocean Salt, which is more expensive but also gives far more positive results.

perfect partners
Sugar Scrub, £2.60/100 grams
You've Been Mangoed Bath Melt, £2.80/30 grams
Avobath Bath Ballistic, £2.90/180 grams

Lush Volcano Foot Mask

RRP: £4.95/125 grams

--What does the promo say?--
"For feet which emit toxic gases! This thick effective mask has clays to draw out deep-down-dirt, fresh papaya and lemon for cleansing, deodorising tomatoes, astringent herbal decoctions and anti-fungal essential oils."

--Packaging--
Standard Lush style giving the effect of chalk on a blackboard. Pot fully recyclable.

--Application--
Smother your feet in this stuff, wrap them in cling film, leave for 10 minutes, and then massage into your feet before rinsing off. This is pretty easy - some others who have used this product have mentioned to me that they've found it difficult to rinse it all off, but I have never found this. I've also found the cling film to be an optional step, as the product seems to work perfectly well without it, but I can imagine that it would optimise the product's effectiveness if you did use it (plus I guess that would mean you could still walk around the house if you wanted or needed to while it was doing its thing).

--Appearance--
Slightly resembles porridge, mixed with clay. A grey-brown, very thick, cream-meets-Plasticine kind of foot mask. Once it is on your feet, it looks like you've been walking around in clay. I find it washes off fine afetr use.

--Scent--
A strong cinnamon smell is apparent, which can also quite cling to your hands if you don't wash them properly with soap after rinsing the mask from your feet.

--Texture and consistency--
Very thick but still spreadable. If you needed to revive it at all or make it more pliable, a spot of water should do the trick.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin is smoothened and less hard and feet are less stinky. WONDER.

--Value for money--
I got a bit done over on the price of this as I bought it in France, where it's jacked up to nearly €8. However, I'd say you'll easily get 10+ uses from one pot as you don't need to apply an especially thick layer each time, so the value for money is actually pretty good (even at €8 a pot). The effects on the feet are also tangible - there's something pretty nice about spending money on a product that works. Would recommend this by a country mile; it's a long time since I've been this pleased with a Lush product.

perfect partners
T for Toes Foot Powder, £6.10
Fair Trade Foot Lotion, £7.95
Pied de Pepper Foot Lotion, £6.55

Lush Godiva Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bar

RRP: £5.50/55 grams

--What does the promo say?--
"Sexy, jasmine-scented, two-in-one Shampoo (and conditioner) Bar. Shea and cocoa butters moisturise dehydrated hair. Smoothing, shine-inducing camellia oil makes hair manageable."

--Packaging--
Comes wrapped in paper, but you can buy a tin to transport it in for when you start to use it. I understand that the bar shapes and sizes vary marginally, but mine didn't fit in the solid shampoo tin, so I used an old Lush tin that was bigger and squarer. You may be luckier though.

--Application and usage--
Rub the bar in wet hands until a lather builds up and then spread this lather onto your wet hair. Massage into hair and then rinse out.

--Appearance--
While the bar is a honey yellow colour, the lather itself is white and no visible residue is left on the hair after use. There are also a few jasmine flowers in there, and sometimes there are a few yellow lumps visible as well.

--Scent--
Not sure if I could really smell the jasmine - a few times, though, my fiancé has commented that my hair smells like petrol after I've used it (!)...not a good sign...

--Texture and consistency--
Disregarding the jasmine flowers and occasional yellow crystals/lumps that are present in the bar (which sort of fall away anyway rather than getting stuck in your hair), the lather is smooth and easy to rinse and the bar is easy to lather and manipulate. The bar holds its shape quite well before beginning to go a bit mushy. However, when this happens, the paste that is left behind is easy to massage through hair and to create a lather with, and for any especially stubborn lumps that are left in the tin, a dash of water turns it into said paste and makes it usable again (in fact, quite a few Lush products can be rescued in this way).

--Effects on hair--
The scent, as noted, is perhaps not always positive; I also can't say I saw any increase in shine. However, hair was made smoother and more manageable (albeit not 100%; it lacked the wow-factor I was looking for). Ultimately, though, hair is clean and easy to style after use.

--Value for money--
Excellent - I bought this for use on holidays to try to weasel out of the baggage restrictions on liquids that are imposed by airlines, and it's got me through about a year's worth of holidays (I holiday for about 12 weeks a year). The fact that it's a shampoo and conditioner in one means that this is also a favourable aspect of the product, helping you to cut down on your packing. Unfortunately, it's the only hard 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner available, meaning that if you don't like Godiva, you have to either have a hard shampoo + an extra liquid conditioner, a hard shampoo + the only hard conditioner available (Jungle), or ditch the conditioner altogether. If you do like Godiva, however, then life's pretty sweet - it's perfect for travel.

perfect partner
Solid Shampoo Tin, £2.50 (or free with 2 shampoo bars)

Make Your Summer Sparkle

POST SUPPORTED BY WWW.MYJEWELRYBOX.COM

So they say that diamonds are a girl's best friend? Fine - until your jaw hits the floor at what are normally stratospheric prices. You're very often looking at three figures before you even begin - and that's often for a diamond that you need a magnifying glass to look at. But as with most things these days, if you shop around a bit (thank you, Google Shopping) you can often get what you want closer to the price you want.

Another way to get diamonds more cheaply than having a socking great rock on one finger is to think smaller: diamond earrings, for instance, will be cheaper than a diamond ring. One such website bringing you the sparkly stuff for less is MyJewelryBox.com, and you can also look around for sales at the major retailers such as H Samuel and Ernest Jones. If the prices at MyJewelryBox.com are too good to refuse, but you balk in the UK at the $50 shipping charge, it's equally easy to go in with friends or to take the chance to buy some dazzling gifts in order to get maximum value out of your order.

If you're not really into jewellery, though (after all, this is a beauty website), there are still plenty of other ways to inject some sparkle into your summer, both on the high street and off. Starting with the body, you can find lots of glitter on your local high street, whether this is with Body Shop's Brilliance Powder (which has slightly flawed packaging but still does a good job) or with the ethical competitor, Lush's Iridescent Glitterbug or their Shimmy Shimmy glitter bar (which you just rub over your body until the desired effect is achieved). If you set your sights a little higher in the sophistication stakes, though, you could always try Cacharel's Noa Perfumed Body Lotion, which starts at just over £20 online and provides a divine glow as well as smelling gorgeous.

There are also seemingly infinite numbers of options for adding some sparkle to your face. For the eyes, try Avon's Colour Sparkle Lash and Line, which incorporates a glitter liner and a mascara all into one handy tube, or for a more full-on look, try MAC Pigments for wow-factor and easily achievable fairy princess looks (or their less expensive cousin, Stargazer Eye Dusts). Even the nails can carry off a Dorothy-style look as you paint your nails with Barry M Nail Paints, whose sparkly variants can make you feel like you've stepped straight out of The Wizard of Oz.

Want something more subtle? No problem. There's a plethora of glittery products out there for even the most shrinking of violets, including Bourjois' Little Round Pot Blusher, which has colours carrying the tiniest glitter particles you ever saw, and Sally Hansen's Diamond Lip Treatment, which looks natural while still making you sparkle. It's good for your lips, is hard-wearing, and is even decorated with a small faux diamond on the front of the tube. However, that's not to say that perhaps a real diamond would not be better.

Lush Tea Tree Water

RRP: from £3.25/100ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Tea tree is extremely soothing and can work wonders on troubled or oily skin. We've also added juniper berry and grapefruit waters to refresh and tone with natural oils."

--Packaging--
The black recyclable spray-top bottle with chalkboard-style writing is very typical of Lush, keeping things simple while still making the product stand out on the shelf. Only problem is that sometimes the pump can stop or get stuck, meaning you either have to just keep pumping or wait a bit for it to revive itself, which can get a bit annoying.

--Application--
After cleansing, spray directly onto clean dry face (close your eyes now!) just as a quick summer refresher (and then wipe it away with a cotton pad if you want). Orrrr you can spray it onto a cotton pad (4-5 pumps will do it) and wipe over your face. Then moisturise as normal. No problems here.

--Appearance--
It's a completely clear liquid.

--Scent--
You can smell the tea tree, but it doesn't pack as much punch as other tea tree products I've used in the past, which might be good if you normally find the tea tree smell to be a bit overbearing.

--Texture, consistency, and sensation--
The sensation provided by this toner is lovely and cooling, with no irritation occurring at all.

--Effects on the skin--
It does seem to lift off a little bit of grime when you look back at the cotton pad, but perhaps the lack of any really strong smell also proves a signal of its performance: I did not see any significant long or short-term improvement in my skin as a result of using this toner. Shame.

--Value for money--
While very travel-friendly, this product just didn't do it for me. The full-size bottle being about £6, if you're on a similar budget I'd perhaps plump instead for Elizabeth Arden Oil Control Clarifying Toner, Black Opal Purifying Astringent, or Lavera Mint Facial Toner - all of which look promising for those of us with oily skin.

perfect partners
Tea Tree Toner Tab, £0.75/5 grams
Tea Tree 7 Tab Twistwrap Pack, £5/35 grams
Aqua Marina Cleanser, £5.50/100g
Grease Lightning Cleanser, £5.10/45ml
Herbalism, £5.50/100g
Saving Face, £7.50/20g
Vanishing Cream Moisturiser, £15.25/45 grams
Cosmetic Warrior Fresh Face Mask, £6.45/75 grams

Lush Veganese

RRP: from £3.50 (100g) up to £11.50 (500g)

--What does the promo say?--
"Lavender and lemon all-round conditioner for all hair types. Our vegan customers have quite enough to put up with without having rough, dull, tangled hair. The majority of Lush products are vegan, but making a vegan conditioner without lanolin (from sheared sheep's wool) took us a few years. Absolutely refusing to be beaten, Helen Ambrosen finally found a formula that reached her high standards, using agar seaweed gel as a hair softener with lavender and lemons for shine. It's an effective conditioner for you to use. Vegans and everyone with fine hair should choose this one and stick with it."

--Packaging--
As with all Lush packaging, it's minimalist and recyclable, bearing a unisex black and white label. The black flip top lid makes it easy to use in the shower, and the transparent plastic bottle means you can always see how much you have left. No problems here.

--Application--
After shampooing, slick this through wet hair. Leave to do its work for a couple of minutes and then rinse off. You may have to use a fair amount each time, though, even for shoulder-length hair.

--Appearance--
A light brown, sludge-coloured, slightly lumpy-looking lotion. Mmmm.

--Scent--
Quite masculine-smelling; similar to the Grundy soap from Villainess that I reviewed in 2009. It's almost bitter-smelling, so the most likely culprits are the lavender along with the citrus oils. It's not a horrible smell, but it wouldn't be my first choice either.

--Texture/consistency--
Runs through hair easily, and washes out well. It's not fabulously luxurious, but there are certainly no problems with it.

--Effects on the hair--
It didn't ruin it, but there was no wow-factor for me either. It made my hair clean, but I sadly didn't see the shine that's talked about in the promotional materials.

--Value for money--
Again, this is an interesting conundrum. At first sight it seems rather expensive: many other high-quality 'salon' brands (such as Tigi, Charles Worthington, Mod's Hair, and Lee Stafford) have conditioners available for less than the price of the medium-sized bottle of Veganese (£6.95/250ml), as do other more 'ethical' or 'natural' brands such as Tommy Guns, Le Petit Marseillais, and Klorane. However, one medium-sized bottle will last months, whereas the brands listed above might not. The only serious threat to Lush's products perhaps comes in the form of the Green People (whose organic children's shampoo, crucially, is not only the same price as Veganese for the same amount of product, but also does not contain the irritating-to-some sodium laureth sulphate, or SLS, which Veganese does). However, ultimately it comes down to the choice you make: if you want a special treatment for your hair, to restore some quality that it lacks or has lost, then go for the cheaper salon treatment, as I found that Veganese did not do anything special for my hair. However, if the ethics of it is what you're after, Veganese is certainly an adequate, ethical, and long-lasting product that will go down well with most.

Lush Ocean Salt

RRP: £5.82 (120g)/£10.72 (250g)

--What does the promo say?--
"Cleansing lime, coconut & sea salt scrub. Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside. We also love putting sea salt and seaweed in our products because of all the lovely minerals in them. Ocean Salt is like taking your face on a trip to the seaside for an invigorating splash in the water, then cleansing and refreshing it with lemon, grapefruit and lime juices, moisturising and softening it with fresh avocado and calming it with violet leaf absolute. Use it on oily skin every day and use it to refresh and remineralise dry skin once a week. (Also, it tastes pretty good if you accidentally get it on your lips.)"

--Packaging--
In typical Lush style, the pot is black, sturdy and fully recyclable. I have the small pot, and it's pretty portable, both in size and in terms of the lid being a screw-top rather than the pully-offy kind. The packaging is pretty simple and not too crowded, facilitated by the ingredients being on a small sticker on the lid rather than being on the main pot itself. The Lush logo graces the pot in white, and as usual shows off the brand in its fun, distinctive glory.

--Application--
They say to apply this just once a week, but if like me your skin is slightly on the ailing side then you might want to do it more often. Easiest way is in the shower - get your face nice and wet, scoop out a fingerful of the scrub, and rub it all over your face (of course avoiding the eye area). I personally like to leave it on my face while I cleanse as well, just to give the ingredients time to do their stuff and allow me to exfoliate even more before washing off. I would advise just applying this a little at a time - you can always add more but overdoing this would probably be abrasive, and of course leads to product wastage.

--Appearance--
The salt crystals are quite big and chunky - but surprisingly enough, they stay on the face well during exfoliation and there isn't much wastage. When you first buy the product it's quite thick and creamy-looking (well, if cream has big gritty salt crystals in it) and bright blue (presumably from the violet leaf absolute, lime, and seaweed), which is quite quirky and fun really. There is no blue residue left on the face from it, and no irritation - just the normal healthy pink glow that you would expect after using any exfoliator. After you've had the exfoliator for a while, however, the blue colour fades and gives way to a sort of dull yellow colour, and the creamy consistency sort of collapses, becoming more liquidy. Sadly, while Lush's face masks can be easily resuscitated once they're a bit old using a drop of water, there's nothing you can do to perk up the appearance of this. It still works fine, just don't expect it to look pretty.

--Scent--
Definitely the lime and the grapefruit, but you can easily catch the smell of vodka in there - it's there just enough for you to be able to smell it while using it, but not enough to make you smell like an alcoholic. Bootiful.

--Texture/how does your skin feel afterwards?--
Because the salt crystals are quite big, it might feel scrubbier/harsher than your average exfoliator. However, your skin feels wonderfully smooth afterwards, and it's worth the huge salt crystals for baby-soft smoothness, no?

--Does it do what it says it will?--
It claims to cleanse and moisturise in one, and to be honest I've never thought of it in those terms. However, thinking of it now, I suppose it does - it gets rid of excess oil, balances the skin, and as already mentioned, it really smoothens things out. My skin has improved so much when exfoliating every day with this.

--Longevity-
I rarely if ever suffer dry skin patches while using this, so the effects are definitely long-lasting and ongoing.

--Value for money--
Amazing. One pot lasts ages and it does wonders for your skin. While it goes a bit runny and becomes more tricky to use towards the end of its life, this stage only occurs MONTHS after purchase, so I'd say this product is worth the investment on every level.

perfect partners
Sweet Japanese Girl cleanser, £4.75
Ultrabland moisturiser, £8.95
Mask of Magnaminty, £6.50

Lush Buffy Body Scrub Bar

RRP: £4.25 for 90g; £8.75 for 200g

--What does the promo say?--
"For larger expanses of skin. You asked and so we granted your wish for an extra large helping of Buffy Bar. It`s not just for large backsides; it`s for several helpings of scrubbery all in one bar! Here`s a bar you can grasp firmly and use to wage war on wobbly bits."

--Ingredients--
Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao) , Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii) , Ground Rice (Oryza sativa) , Ground Almonds (Prunus dulcis) , Ground Aduki Beans (Phaseolus) , Perfume , Lavender Oil (Lavandula hybrida) , Lemon Oil (Citrus limonum) , *Citral , *Limonene , *Linalool

* Occurs naturally in essential oils.

--Packaging--
A huge perk of Lush products generally is that they are hugely environmentally aware and their products tend to have minimal or no packaging. On the whole, this has no packaging, but if you ask nicely, Lush will wrap it in some paper or a little plastic bag should you so desire. You can also buy body bar tins from Lush which are exactly the right size for any size of Buffy, and can of course be used again for any future body bars that you buy.

--Application--
While in the shower, rub the body bar all over your body, particularly on any stubbornly cellulite-y wobbly bits. When you're done scrubbing, rinse off.

--Appearance--
Buffy is a sandy coloured, squareish block that softens slightly when you rub it on wet skin. On your skin, it leaves grains resembling sand. Any residue left on the skin after rinsing is invisible.

--Scent--
The overwhelming scent is that of lavender.

--Texture--
While you're scrubbing, it feels nice. However, a residue (albeit an invisible one) is left on the skin afterwards, which to me feels oily and seems to take a long time to sink into the skin.

--How does the skin feel?--
I wouldn't say my skin feels any softer than usual after using Buffy. However, if you suffer from dry skin then you may well see an improvement.

--Does it do what it says it will?--
This product probably moisturises very well and I expect that if you have dry skin then it will be a success for you. However, it is pitched as an anti-cellulite product and I didn't find it had any effect on my cellulite. Shame.

--Longevity--
Seeing as it had little/no effect in the first place, I think this part of the review is somewhat redundant. The scent does linger really nicely though.

--Value for money--
Not great. While one bar lasts a long time, there is a lot of wastage as the bar is messy to use: lots of sandy stuff is left in the shower when you're done (so you have to hose down the shower tray after each use) and if any water gets into the tin, it mixes with residue from the bar and solidifies into a waxy layer at the bottom of the tin. It's easily scraped off, but still. It's also quite expensive for what it is. However, there are cheaper body bars available from Lush, so I wouldn't be averse to trying one of those.

--Other comments--
I can appreciate that part of the problem with this product is the fact that it's an exfoliator and thus contributes to the mess accumulated during its use. However, I'd guess that a more moisturising bar such as Schnuggle might be less messy, and I'd definitely be up for trying a cheaper, more moisturising bar that didn't make ludicrous promises about cellulite disappearance. I also like the fact that the body bars are square and thus easier to keep hold of in the shower (the Body Shop does a Buffy equivalent, but it's ovular). When I've tried another body bar, I'll let you know...


Other body bars
Schnuggle - lavender, ginger, sandalwood and jasmine
Aqua Mirabilis - almond, rose and sandalwood
King of Skin - cocoa, shea, coconut, bananas, jojoba, avocado, and oatmeal
Running To The Embassy - spearmint and peppermint
The Soft Touch - coconut, beeswax, cocoa butter and vanilla
You Snap The Whip - blackcurrant and bergamot

* prices vary from those quoted for Buffy.

Lush Bare Naked Lady Dusting Powder

RRP: £5.95 for 3.5 oz

--What is it?--
A natural alternative to talcum powder, with far fewer chemicals.

--Ingredients--
Key: Black = Safe Synthetic Products; Green = Natural and/or Organic Products

Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Calamine Powder, Perfume, Golden Glitter (Polyethylene terephthalate and FD&C Yellow No.5), Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia)

--What does the promo say?--
"Like all dusting powders, this is best applied when bare naked, Let the sparkling, rose scented powder fall on and get in between your nooks and crannies. Fight the urge to remain nude for the rest of the day - go out and seduce someone instead."

--Packaging--
The image shown above is from the USA Lush website (the UK Lush website is down at the moment) and the packaging is only slightly different - in the UK it's a sort of shocking pink colour pot with a black lid, but all other details remain the same, with the name of the product and the Lush logo on the front of the pot, and all other information going round the label. The top is slideable so that you can sprinkle just a little on your body, or stick your fingers right in there for something more full-on. Packaging seems secure and not something that would send dusting powder all over your suitcase or bottom drawer.

--Application--
After a bath or shower, towel yourself dry thoroughly and then sprinkle a little powder wherever desired on your body and rub in. Not recommended for face.

--Appearance--
The powder is white with tiny sparkles. When rubbed into the body, there is no white residue (unless of course you use too much) but the sparkles remain (though not enough to make you look like a Vegas showgirl!). There will be no white residue on your clothes from this product as it seems to rub onto the skin easily.

--Scent--
They claim it smells of roses, but I don't know enough about botany to know if it really does smell of roses. Smells nice and floral, anyway. The scent is light and not overbearing.

--Texture--
The powder is soft and not at all claggy.

--How does your skin feel?--
Very soft and smooth, doesn't irritate the skin, and of course it looks nice and sparkly too! Bonus!

--Longevity--
This product will in all likelihood rub off throughout the day. However, it seems to bear up quite well as far as talcs/dusting powders go.

--Value for money--
Excellent - you don't need to use much of this product per application and even though I've used my pot many times, there's still plenty left. However, I'd agree with some reviewers on the US site that a free dusting pad or puff would be nice with this product. This is an excellent natural alternative to talcum powder and I'd definitely buy it (or any other Lush dusting powder) again.

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic fresh face mask

RRP: £6.45 for 75g
Contains: Calamine Powder, Talc, Irish Moss Infusion (Chondrus crispus), Fresh Blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus), Glycerine, Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia), Chamomile Oil (Anthemis nobilis), Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus dulcis), Limonene (occurs naturally in essential oils), Perfume, Colour 18050.
Special information: This is a fresh face mask containing fruit. Therefore it will go off if you don't use it pronto (say within a month)...though this isn't exactly difficult as it's so yummy.

--Packaging--
Comes in a clear, squat plastic tub with plastic lid and a label on the top detailing the ingredients. Lush also has products that come in recycled paper/cardboard packages, including some of their moisturisers, and I prefer that kind of packaging to the one used for the face masks - the black paper/card packaging is not only more biodegradable than plastic but also looks a bit sleeker and more eye-catching.

--What does the promo say?--

"Catastrophe Cosmetic is more prevention than cure for skincare catastrophes. It is a cooling, soothing, detoxifying and refreshing blueberry mask to keep your skin sweet and pure. We recommend it for young people who are just getting into the habit of decent skincare. (Start young; you may not care now but you will be very glad you did when you reach our age.) It’s also excellent for skin which is troubled by soreness and flakiness because of the calamine powder and chamomile essential oil. The orange oil is toning and helps to remove toxins. Blueberries have loads of vitamins and antioxidants in them and they make the mask pale purple, which can only be a good thing. Use it when you’ve been too busy to take proper care of your skin.Apply to clean damp skin avoiding the eye area; leave on for ten minutes then rinse off with warm water. At least four treatments per pot. "

--Application--
When you first buy it (so when it's uber-fresh), it's very soft and easy to apply. However, as the weeks wear on, the mask becomes harder and much more difficult to keep on your face, but this can usually be combated by mixing it up with some water so that it becomes more of a paste. It's quite potent stuff, and Lush recommends that you only use their fresh face masks once or twice a week.

--Appearance and scent--
Lumpy, purple and gorgeous-smelling...the blueberry and calamine scents really come through and you can see the blueberries in there too. As the face mask gets older it tends to acquire a more pinkish-grey hue though.

--Texture--
Kind of like a lumpy lotion. Quite pliable. However, if you mix it with water towards the end of its life, it becomes runnier, more like a lotion, and perhaps easier to apply and wash off than it was in the first place.

--Longevity--
Sadly, not much. Even if you mix it with water to prolong its life, you're only going to get a month or so out of it. And at nearly £7 a pot, that's quite a lot for a student, so I may have to buy them less often. Shame. Still, they are fresh, and you can't expect them to last much longer. Apparently keeping them in the fridge helps.

--Removal--
Just splash a flannel in some warm water and wash it off your face that way. Warning: this method may turn your flannel purple, but it comes out just fine in the wash.

--How do you feel afterwards?--
Skin feels pampered, refreshed, and as soft as a baby's. An essential part of a good skin routine to help keep blemishes under control. Beautiful.

--Value for money--
As I mentioned, it's kind of expensive, but it does help if you've got problem skin (though I've heard Cosmetic Warrior works better, so I might try that soon) and it feels lovely and luxurious. It's totally up to you to decide if it's worth the money.