I'm Home Perfume (Solid + Liquid)

What comes to mind when you picture home? To me, Home is change. Home is where my family is. It's where my friends are. It's christmas and summer. It's something I know I will always have, and it's also a dream to one day make my own. Home is complicated.

When I smell this perfume, it truly does feel like Home in a bottle. It's sweet and welcoming, the warmth of a family coming together. I immediately pick up on the vanilla, transforming into a pudding-like sweetness. Along with the cocoa absolute that reminds me of hot chocolate at Christmas. It's almost a sticky sweet scent but not one that I can turn my nose up at. I usually hate the sweet scents like Snow Fairy. But there's something about I'm Home that captures the addictive side of chocolate and sweetness that makes you melt.

Both the liquid and solid versions last their worth on my skin. I usually spray after I've had a shower and dried off, and one spray is enough. I go to town and still get whiffs of it in the wind. The solid version is very creamy in consistency and doesn't smell as alcoholic as the liquid. The solid is definitely gentler and not as overpowering, but still, offers a powerful impression on the skin.

What I also love is the new packaging for the solids. However, it means that I won't be able to remelt as I usually do with the tin version when I've used it a bit too aggressively. It reminds me of the packaging of a brow pomade. It does mean the actual product is only 6g compared to the 12g in the tin, so iwe're getting half for the same price. But take into account the new formula is probably more lightweight and you don't need to use as much since it's definitely more potent. I find that a few swatches of the new formula and I am set for the day.

I find that I'm home is similar to the likes of it's volume 4 sibling- Cardamom Coffee. They both feature a sweet warmth and when I pointed this out in store, a staff member gave the perfect metaphor that I'm Home is like a mocha and Cardamom Coffee is like a cappuccino. So if you have fallen in love with this scent, then you have to try Cardamom Coffee (or vice versa) as you won't be disappointed.

I will be certainly wearing this during the winter season as it will pick me up on those dull wet days and make me feel less homesick whilst I'm at university. I absolutely adore this addition so far and thank the Lush founders for creating such a beautiful scent. I heavily recommend it.

Rating: 10/10

Price:
30ml £25
100ml £49
Solid £9 

Volume 4 Perfume Thoughts

Volume 4 has been in our thoughts since the Creative Showcase of 2016. Finally a year later, they are available to the public online and in stores. Along with a revamp of the current perfume range and a general price decrease across the line with the omission of the 10ml perfume bottles.

I am delighted about finally having new perfumes to sniff and fall in love with and I enjoy the focus on this range and the story behind it. The founders wanted to create a line of perfumes that didn't just smell nice- but specifically evoked memories and make you feel something. I certainly pick up on this with the complexity of the scents featured.

While I'm not sure why they decided on a complete makeover- only offering white labels (or black on the exclusive line), it's certainly something I'm indifferent about. The OCD in me is satisfied that all the perfumes being the same size, shape, design so they'll look neat and tidy on my shelf. But I do miss the individuality of the labels and the illustrations on them.

My first experience with the range was a solid Rentless. Rentless features a patchouli aroma with a contrast of sweetness from the grapefruit. It reminded me of a fruitier version of Lord of Misrule. The first thing that struck me was how little you needed to apply for it to have a strong impression on the skin when compared to the now-older tin design where I would apply generously for a good layer of the product. This new formula also lasted a lot longer, and almost reached the strength of a liquid perfume. This was then confirmed for me when I tried Amelie Mae solid which was the same performance wise.

From my experience, this range contains a lot of earthy scents such as Rentless, Icon, Tank Battle. Sweet ones like Amelie Mae, What Would Love Do, I'm Home and Cardamom Coffee. However, all of them are complex with multiple layers. My favorite so far from the range is definitely Cardamom Coffee which reminds me of a small family owned coffee shop, it's rich like chocolate and offers a warmth that I'm not familiar with in any of my other perfumes.

If you go to Oxford street or Lush Arndale in Manchester, you'll see they have a wider range of the line. With perfumes as previously mentioned- Tank Battle and Icon. Along with old favourites like 1000 Kisses Deep, Devils Nightcap, Love etc that have only been available in Oxford street, but are now available online as well as in a few more stores across the country.

If you haven't been to store to experience these yet, then please do. On paper, the descriptions may sound like your cup of tea, but they are so different on each person that you just have to go and try them for yourself.

Vanilla Puff Dusting Powder

Featuring in this week's kitchen menu (commencing 22nd May 2017) is Vanilla Puff Dusting Powder. It got me thinking to when I bought my current one, tracking back through the menu's and recalling I bought it alongside the Halloween gift set- Great Balls of Bicarb. But before its Kitchen appearances, Vanilla Puff was in the regular line, discontinued in 2015 alongside old favourites like Space Girl bath bomb, Phoenix Rising bath bomb, Grass shower gel, Sweetie Pie shower jelly... need I go on listing the mistakes Lush made that year? (Sorry Lush) Sadly, I missed out on a lot of these products. I had only found Lush earlier that year, and was still finding ways to justify the hefty price tags. But I do remember smelling Vanilla Puff in store and being appalled by it's sickly sweet scent (noses change though okay?). More then a year later, I talked myself into trying it again. I had fallen in love with the dusting powders and thought I may as well make postage worth it, and I haven't regretted it since.

Vanilla Puff shares it's scent with the modest Vanillary scent family. You can find this scent in the regular line in the forms of the liquid and solid perfume in stores and online. Other members include the Vanilla Fountain bath bomb, Heavenilli massage bar, and Vanilla Dee-lite body lotion (this one was discontinued alongside the dusting powder). The siblings do make frequent appearances in the Kitchen every month or so though. But going back to Vanilla Puff. This format is certainly different to the perfume. I find it to be lighter and sweeter, in the more natural way. Capturing a vanilla ice cream essence.

So how do you use a dusting powder? Dusting powders are a wonderful thing. You can use them as dry shampoo to refresh your hair, absorbing oil whilst offering a fragrance. Sprinkle on fresh bed sheets, or on your carpet before vacuuming. I prefer to use them on my thighs to reduce sweat and chafing, as well as on my feet to keep them smelling fresh and dry. Some dusting powders, such as Powdered Sunshine which is SPF 15, is fantastic to use as a face powder to protect from the sun and keep oily skin at bay. In regards to Vanilla Puff, I mainly use it in my hair or after a lotion, as it's not as absorbing as Silky Underwear.

Vanilla Puff also holds a little surprise, so don't be startled when you spot a strange object in your bottle! There's a vanilla pod inside which is easy to remove. The consistency of the powder itself is very fine and smooth, disappearing onto the skin to leave behind a gorgeous scent. I find I don't need to use loads either as powders go a long way. 60g may seem like a small amount but with regular use I can get around 6 months out of one bottle. Which is why I see the price is worth it as I don't see myself running out anytime soon.

Overall, this is one of my favourite dusting powders. It's a scent that I have grown in to during my time as a Lushie, and I recommend anyone with a sweet tooth to get this product. I love taking this with me as it fits nicely in my bag when travelling, so I can top up during the day! Dusting powders can be a bit messy, but once you get more practice, they become easier to use.

Rating: 8/10
Price: 60g £6.25
Hidden Message: "Sweet on you"

Plum Rain Body Spray

Lush Body Sprays are one of my favourite group of products. Upon buying my first bottle of Furze, and Dad's Garden Lemon Tree, leading to Dirty, and hopefully Smugglers Soul sometime in the future. They are an absolutely amazing invention, and Lush have really perfected them. I prefer them over perfumes as in comparison Body Sprays literally last ALL day. They are stronger in smell, they cover more surface area, they are bigger, and they are cheaper. Which is why I am so surprised Lush hasn't experimented with more of their famous scents in this format. I'm hoping that Plum Rain and the others are just the start, so lets see how it's lived up to the ones already on shelves.

Body Sprays are self explanatory on how to use. Personally, I spray on my skin first (chest area, spritz once) then once again over my clothes. I find this is an effective way to keep the scent strong and give my bottle a longer life. Body Sprays are certainly pungent, so if you're not one for strong scents following you all day, this won't be to your liking. Even worse if you don't like the scent, as it stays consistently on your clothes until they are popped in the wash! But for those that do, this is a big plus, especially when the scent is really comforting. I imagine that they would be perfect to use on bed sheets or around the house for everyone to enjoy.

Plum Rain is a fairly new scent, first featured in it's gel counterpart that was released last year in Oxford street before finally being introduced to stores. So at least, most people can get an idea of what the body spray should smell like. This shower gel certainly captures the beautiful fruity aroma of the gel, but features stronger waves of the mandarin, almost fighting for dominance. Personally, the gel, to my nose, is dominated by the plums, with softer hints of mandarin, which shines through significantly more in the body spray. However, this new combination creates a scent that reminds me of starburst sweets, delicious and refreshing.

Whilst I have not tried the other new sprays, I still highly recommend Plum Rain. It is the perfect summer scent as it's so refreshing and uplifting. In addition, it's one of the cheaper sprays in the new line, and comes in a generous 200ml bottle. I have no regrets in choosing this when I was limited to one due to my budget.

For those that are hesitant and prefer to smell before buying, have no fear, I've noticed that Lush have not wasted any time in releasing these body sprays as they usually do with most new products they make. At this rate, we'll probably be seeing these sprays in stores before we see a regulated release of the Volume 4 perfumes.

Whilst I can't afford to buy all the new sprays, I do hope to eventually collect them all. But in the meantime, I would love if Lush could create even more- I do remember seeing Lord of Misrule in the works, Big Calm would also really flourish in this format, and could you imagine a Calacas Body Spray?






Rating: 10/10 

Price: 
200ml £20 (upon the online release April 2017)

Secret Message: "Ripe for the picking."

Don't Look At Me Fresh Face Mask

Throughout my teen life, I have always struggled with my skin. Waiting, in hope that in my 20's maybe my hormones would calm down and I'll have normal oil control, no acne, and smaller pores. Alas, that has not happened- yet (fingers crossed). I still struggle with combination skin, large pores, and even dry areas along with the over-production of oil- because that makes perfect sense, thanks skin! Along with terrible acne that really pushed me into Lush in the first place. I've not tried all the face masks, but I have had a fair share. Enough to tell you that this is my favourite so far in the range.

My first thought when I purchased my first face mask was how ridiculously small the tub is for the price. Surely, a 45g was not going to last me a month of it's short use by date. But oh boy, was I wrong. With twice a week use, my face masks last me way past the use by date, I have even had to freeze some in the past so it wouldn't go to waste. Don't Look At Me is no exception as it spreads easily across the skin- especially beneficial if you massage in to exfoliate the skin as you apply. I usually leave on for 10 minutes, then remove with a face cloth. You'll notice that this mask won't harden or set compared to some like Catastrophe Cosmetic which becomes crumbly because of the higher concentration of clay. Don't Look At Me stays in perfect place, and is one of the easiest masks to remove (in my experience).

This mask gets it's exfoliating magic from Grounded White Rice which gives it a very fine and smooth texture, so it's not too rough on the skin and gentler than the likes of Prince of Darkness. Kaolin Clay, a common ingredient in the masks, is used for cleansing and absorbing the skins excess oil, it also compliments self-preserving ingredients as it loves to soak up water so bacteria will have less of a chance of spoiling the product. Murumuru Butter is wonderful at nourishing and hydrating the skin, along with Organic Silken Tofu to soften. Fresh Organic Lemon provides Vitamin C to tone the complexion, Grapefruit Oil to awaken and uplift the skin, and Neroli Oil to brighten. All packed into one little tub, this mask is perfect for dull or tired skin.

My one fault when reviewing products is being terrible in pinpointing the scent. But, I can certainly say that this is the kind of mask you want on your face. The scent isn't pure citrus, as it's got a slight creamy undertones that make it almost food-like. It's definitely a fragrance that will wake you up slowly and put a smile on your face.

For my skin, this face masks performance ticked all the boxes. It unblocked my pores, scrubbed all the dead skin cells away to reveal smooth and soft skin, soaked up all my oil whilst moisturising my dry spots, and really brightened my sickly pale patches but also reducing my red T-zone. It didn't make my acne flare up either which is a massive win. I must warn though, in regards to any skin care product- do not judge on first use. I see loads of people turned off from a product because of an acne flare up, or skin problem- but it actually takes a full month for your skin to get used to a product/routine. This is my second tub of Don't Look At Me so my skin is familiar with it and would have had a different reaction from first use.

In conclusion, this gorgeous blue mask is an item I can't take my eyes off. In regards to the price, you really need to abuse the empty 5 pot rule and bag yourself a free fresh mask so you can spend those pretty pennies on more Lush. This has been a positive review, but please don't blame me if you have a different experience with this mask as everyone's skin is different- I will suggest though that for any face mask you use, apply Full of Grace serum beforehand to reap amazing benefits.

Rating: 10/10 

Price: £7.25 

Secret Message: "Eyes on the prize"

Scrubee Body Butter

Being on a budget is a rather difficult task when Lush release a new range every month or so. So limiting myself to £20 per seasonal range means careful choice. Scrubee stood out to me because I'm always after the perfect body butter. I suffer from eczema so every shower needs to be as moisturising as possible to make sure my skin stays hydrated. Whilst my all time bestie has been Buffy, when I heard that Scrubee could be 'better' I had to see for myself.

To use Lush body butter's, you usually wash like normal and apply after a shower gel or jelly. You rub them directly on your body. Your skin, or water, heats the butters for them to easily glide across and melt their goodness over your skin. Scrubee is particularly special, as it scrubs as well as intensely moisturises. Then wash it off and pat yourself dry!

Scrubee offers a range of rich ingredients to truly treat the skin. Consisting of Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Fair Trade Shea Butter, Coconut oil, and Honey to hydrate and repair the skin. Honey is especially magical as it is a natural preservative and has been used as a natural skin ointment for thousands of years. In addition, Scrubee's scrubbing power comes from the combination of Ground Coconut Shell and Ground Almonds, which offer a light but effective exfoliation. As well as all these ingredients, the scent of Scrubee is enhanced by Brazilian Orange Oil and Bergamot Oil.

Altogether these ingredients create the beautiful scent of Scrubee, which shares its scent with the Honey I Washed The Kids family. But in case you aren't familiar, I smell a mix of white chocolate, sweet honey, and notes of orange. It's absolutely addictive and a scent I can't see many people not liking. Even after the shower, I find it dominates any memory of shower gel used and offers hours of a comforting impression on the skin.

I found that the stripes of Scrubee is where the exfoliation comes from. So you won't feel it until you melt the layer of butter first. It melts easily, but less-so than Buffy. I also find that Buffy can leave skin feeling too greasy post-shower, whereas Scrubee is as if you've just applied a light lotion- you know it's there on your skin but it's not too bothersome. Scrubee may look small, but it's quite fat for its size, and from using it in the shower for over two weeks I find it has only shrunk by 1/4 of its shape, meaning it can really hold up between uses and will probably last a good month of daily full body usage.

My only gripe is that it's only around for Mothers Day and not everyone can afford to stock up. Whilst I do find it being quite pricey, Scrubee is truly the best product I have tried this year, and I would do anything for it to be regular line and would even forgive Lush if they replaced Buffy to make room for it. If there's a must-have item from this year's seasonal range, it is definitely Scrubee Body Butter.

Rating: 10/10!

Price: £6.95

Pink Custard Shower Jelly Mothers Day Range 2017

As each passing season, I am definitely feeling poorer as Lush release a new range of items that get better and better. When I first heard the leak of a new shower jelly, I was immediately looking forward to getting my hands on it. On the first day, the Mothers Day range hit shops (17th February 2017) I was there to pick up a tub along with Scrubee body butter. Whilst I couldn't detect any form of fragrance in the shop, as soon as I got home and opened it, I was hit with a wave of fresh lavender.

So let us start with how to use shower jellies (the important bit). Shower jellies can be a mystery to even the older Lushies but don't give up! There are many ways you can use it, just find what is right for you. My preferred way is to smush a wet loofah into the jelly, whilst it's still in the pot, and just keep doing that until I am satisfied with the amount of suds. Other ways include: blending your jellies in a food processor until they are a smoothie-like consistency, cutting them up into pieces to smush into your sponge/loofah, or rub directly on the body (easier with the 100g ones or just cut the bigger ones into 4 hand size pieces).

All shower jellies by Lush contain a key ingredient- Carrageenan Extract. This is used as a natural and vegan alternative to the commonly used gelatin. Carrageenan Extract is derived from dried Irish moss seaweed and provides the jelly with moisture to soften skin. Another key ingredient in this jelly is Lavender Oil which dominates the scent. But Lavender has been known for centuries as an ingredient that calms the mind and to provide a restful nights sleep. However, it also has balancing and soothing qualities which are great for the skin and scalp. Along with this, Pink Custard contains Golden Syrup, Neroli Oil, Vanilla Absolute, Tonka Absolute, and Organic Coconut Milk.

Scent wise, this jelly shares its fragrance with the Think Pink bath bomb (one of the few I've not tried). But to me, this jelly smells strongly of fresh lavender in the pot, but once in use in the shower, the vanilla comes through creating a sweet and comforting aroma. There have been a mix of reviews regarding the scent, while this is my opinion, some find it to smell similar to that of Chlorine, or Twilight, which I can understand.
The only quality of this jelly I don't like scent wise is that I can't detect much on my skin post-shower. However, it does leave me feeling fresh and my skin clean, as well as soft and hydrated. Other than that, after using it every day for more than I week, I have become to love this jelly and really give credit to Lush for creating a fantastic new shower jelly. Using the method of smushing my loofah into the pot, it doesn't create as much suds as my other jellies but the suds that are produced are a beautiful vibrant pink and who doesn't want to shower in pink suds?

To conclude, I highly recommend everyone try this jelly. I find a big pot usually lasts me more than 6 months of daily use, making it fantastic value for money, and if you have dry skin this will certainly be better than shower gels which I can sometimes find to be too drying. So grab a tub before it leaves, or until I buy every pot Lush has made!


Rating: 9/10

Price: 
100g £4.25
250g £8.50

Secret Message: "What's pink and dangerous?"

Buche De Noel Fresh Cleanser

When introduced into the 2015 Christmas range, I have to admit that I did overlook it. As my first Christmas as a Lushie, my purse was a little more stingy than it is now. But I did manage to grab a sample nearer to the end of the season; making me kick myself for ignoring it so long when I finally experienced its magic.
So much to my pleasure in the Christmas range of 2016, Lush brought it back! I hastily grabbed a fresh pot, praying it would help my change-of-season confused skin.

To use a fresh cleanser is easier than you think (for those new to Lush). With Buche De Noel you take a pinch to the palm of your hand and mix with a drop or two of water until it becomes a thick paste. Buche de noel is particularly creamy and spreads with ease over skin. When massaged into skin it gives light exfoliation, similar to Angels On Bare Skin fresh cleanser.

One of the winning qualities of this cleanser is its comforting fruity scent. Jam packed full of cranberries that are high in vitamin C and contain the compound resveratrol which is a natural treatment for acne. Almonds offer exfoliation and hydration, along with a drop of brandy for it's antiseptic and antiaging properties. Finally, the fair trade organic butter soothes and softens the skin. Overall, leaving you smelling like a Christmas pudding and skin as bright as the tree.

Buche de noel is the perfect partner for winter skin. As my combination skin gets drier, this cleanser really smoothes everything out and leaves my skin especially soft when paired with the enzymion moisturiser. This cleanser also contains golden flakes to make you feel extra pampered.

In conclusion, this easily makes my favourite cleanser. Having snagged a fair amount on eBay to separate and freeze to last throughout the year, I'll never have to go without. So if you have the chance to, try this before it goes back to the North Pole until next Christmas!


Rating: 9/10